The First Estate January 4, 2012

News and Trends From Brooklyn’s Houses of Worship

Francesca Norsen Tate

Brooklyn Rallies to Help Landmark Sanctuary

When plaster fell from the ceiling of Old First Reformed Church in Park Slope just before Christmas, the sanctuary had to be closed.

This was the second time that falling plaster closed the landmark sanctuary immediately before heavily-attended worship services. The first time was at Rosh Hashanah, when Old First Church was hosting neighboring Congregation Beth Elohim for the High Holy Days. The Temple’s ceiling had also collapsed. However, Brooklyn has responded overwhelmingly, with support including from Borough President Marty Markowitz.

The First Estate: December 21, 2011

News and Trends From Brooklyn’s Houses of Worship

Francesca Norsen Tate, editor

Services for Christmas And New Year

St. John’s Episcopal/Anglican Church in Park Slope begins the season of Christmas with a Traditional Solemn High Mass of the Nativity with Procession of the Christ Child and Blessing of the Crèche. This Christmas Eve Service begins at 11 p.m. with Traditional Carols from 10:30 to 11. Service music includes the Mass in F by Giovanni Francesco Anerio; works by Balbastre, Ives and Handel and anthems by Palestrina and Tye.

St. John’s Church will also usher in the New Year prayerfully, with a service for the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus (traditionally observed eight days after Christmas, on January 1). This will be a Meditational Service. An Add-a-Dish dinner follows the liturgy. Mass will also be offered on New Year’s Day, also celebrating Feast of the Holy Name, at 11 a.m. The parish will mark Epiphany Sunday on the subsequent week, January 8, with Procession of the Three Kings, a Children’s Christmas Party and an Open House at the Rectory. The church is at 139 St. John’s Place.

First Estate

News and Trends From Brooklyn’s Houses of Worship

By Francesca Norsen Tate

Christmas Celebrations

Grace Church’s annual service of Lessons & Carols is a beloved tradition featuring the Parish Choir. This year’s Lessons & Carols is at 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 18.

Featured anthems and a cappella motets include “The Dream Isaiah Saw,” by Glenn L. Rudolph, the John Jacob Niles spiritual, “I Wonder As I Wander,” and Norwegian composer Egil Hovland’s motet “The Glory of the Father.” A festive reception follows the liturgy at Grace Church, 254 Hicks St., Brooklyn Heights.

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St Stephen’s Lutheran Church (2806 Newkirk Ave) hosts a Community Carol Sing, on Saturday December 17, at 4 p.m. Director Nick Martellacci will accompany on organ and piano as participants sing beloved sacred and secular holiday music. A free will offering will be accepted.

Neighborhood Jumble at Plymouth Church This Weekend

Plymouth Church in Brooklyn Heights is throwing a neighborhood Jumble on November 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring a rummage sale, bake sale, crafts and kids activities and an open playground. Admission is free. All proceeds benefit children’s charities near and far: Mission School of Hope (Cameroon, Africa), UNICEF, World Vision, and Plymouth Church School Scholarship Fund.

The fun takes place at Plymouth Gym, enter 65 Hicks St., between Orange and Cranberry streets, Brooklyn Heights. More information can be found atwww.plymouth-church.org and (718) 624-4743.

Oprah Winfrey’s Mikveh Visit

According to the Forward, Oprah Winfrey recently stopped by a mikveh, or Jewish ritual bath, at Congregation B’nai Avraham on Remsen Street in Brooklyn Heights. She filmed a segment there for her new show, which will show her interviewing spiritual leaders around the world.

At First Unitarian, Ensemble Piece Explores Female Divinity

“Mother Wove the Morning” Features Judy Gorman

Back by popular demand, the First Unitarian Congregational Society will produce “Mother Wove the Morning,” by American author, poet, screenwriter and playwright Carol Lynn Pearson.

Originally written as a one-woman show, it will be performed in the historic McKinney Chapel as an ensemble piece in which women from prehistory to contemporary times seek the female face of God.