New Things Can Happen

It’s February and our resolutions for the new year are already fading. The new diet is out the window. The exercise equipment we purchased is now collecting dust in the corner. The credit card debt we were going to pay down just got a little larger. The books we bought so we could read more are, well… who knows where we put them. We are not alone. One study says only 19% of us will keep our new year’s resolutions. This is because when we make our resolutions, there can be a nagging self-doubt we can really do it. Even though we are excited by the new things we want for our lives, we let our past experiences and false starts tell us what our future will be.

As I think about this, there is a verse that keeps coming to mind: “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The promise of this passage is amazing: we can become a new creation—we can actually change! This speaks to the yearning of our hearts. We want new things to blossom in our lives. We want to live in new and better ways, have stronger and deeper relationships, experience an inner peace no matter what we face, and yet these things often elude us.

Perhaps this is because we gravitate to the promise of something new and gloss over the part that says, “everything old has passed away.” Maybe our problem in welcoming something new is because we haven’t let go of the past. We’re holding on to past resentments and regrets, and our minds replay past hurts again and again and again. This is where we need the help and hope of God in Christ. God doesn’t just offer the hope of becoming a new creation. God offers the hope of helping us let the old pass away.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or illfitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (11:28-30, The Message).

As we approach Lent, a time of self-examination, it is the perfect time to keep company with Jesus so we can let go of the past and recover our lives. This could be through times of silence, meditation, and prayer. It could be reading through the Gospels to encounter Jesus in scripture. It could be joining a small group to learn more about faith and yourself. It could be volunteering to help others to get outside ourselves and follow in the footsteps of Jesus. There are many ways to keep company with Jesus, and I pray that as you do, the old will pass away and you’re ready to welcome the newness of life God has waiting for you.

MAKE IT OFFICIAL. JOIN THE MARBLE FAMILY – NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE

The need to belong is essential to our well-being. Whoever you are, wherever you are in your faith journey, we invite you to take that step and journey forward with us! To register, contact Kim SebastianRyan (KRyan@MarbleChurch.org or 212-686-2770) or visit MarbleChurch.org/engage/join/become-amember.

• New Member Orientation Session

Sunday, February 5, 12:00-1:15pm (Peale Parlor & Zoom)

• Reception of New Members during Worship* Sunday, February 12, 11:00am

*must fill out an application and attend orientation session to participate

A Word From Our Executive Minister Darkness Into Light

Rev. J. Elise Brown, Ph.D.

Since the beginning of January, I have noticed we are gaining more minutes of daylight each day. The sunset is a few minutes later and the days are slowly, slowly, slowly getting longer. I long for more daylight; I crave more sunshine. I understand Seasonal Affective Disorder – my energy wanes with the early darkness, making 4:30pm seem like midnight.

But as we continue to move toward more daylight, and as we journey together toward the holy season of Lent, I am reminded of all the work God does in the darkness.

From the creation story in Genesis 1:2 – “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”

In Genesis 32, God wrestles with Jacob all night long until finally Jacob asks the angel to bless him. Jacob walks away from that struggle wounded, but blessed, and it all happened in the darkness of night.

In Matthew, God comes to Joseph four times through dreams in the middle of the night encouraging him to stay with Mary, guiding him to flee to Egypt after the birth of Jesus to save him from Herod’s brutal decree, and then encouraging Joseph to return home when things were safe.

Giving Update

Many thanks to everyone who submitted an Estimate of Giving Commitment Card for 2023. We have received 193 commitments totaling $741,073 Remember, about ½ of our giving comes through such commitments; the other ½ comes from congregants who don’t submit a commitment but still give generously to the ministry of Marble.

Our target for congregational giving this fiscal year is $1,800,000. If we can achieve this goal, we will move strongly toward financial independence and sustainability. Therefore, we are hoping for Estimate of Giving Commitments of $900,000.

We are close but have a bit more to go. Can you please help us achieve the goal?

In the first six months of Fiscal Year 2023, we have taken several positive steps toward financial independence and sustainability, but we still have challenges. For more details, please visit MarbleChurch.org/ gratitude.

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas lifted their hearts and sang songs of praise to God from their jail cell throughout the night. A miraculous release was granted to them as they walked free from their captors with no struggle.

The list goes on and on. What examples do you remember from scripture where God does mighty deeds in the darkness of night? What is God doing in your life in the darkness of whatever you are experiencing?

We leave the season of Epiphany this month and move into the season of Lent. The Epiphany season of light and divine revelation folds into a time of spiritual growth and rebirth in Lent.

As we see more light breaking in on the horizon of our lives, let us not forget how much work God does in the darkness. Darkness is holy. Let us not fear it but welcome it. Let us welcome Lent, as well, as a time when God digs deep into our souls, tends the dry places, plants new seeds of hope and life, nurturing and watering them as we move into the future.

See you in church!

We are in this together and each of us plays an important role in securing the financial future for our beloved Marble Church. It is our shared responsibility now. We continue to seek God’s guidance as we navigate through this challenging financial environment. Our heartfelt thanks go to each of you for your support and help.

2022 Giving Statements

We deeply appreciate your support during the most challenging financial environment Marble has ever experienced! The Giving Statements were sent out electronically in January. We had 1016 giving households in 2022. Of that number, 31 requested to receive a hard copy. If you prefer to receive a hard copy via mail, please contact Clay Hale (CHale@ MarbleChurch.org or 212-686-2770).

Sebastian-Ryan Director of Membership & Connecting Siobhan Tull Program Leader for Online Community

Email us: KRyan@MarbleChurch.org or STull@MarbleChurch.org

CONNECTING WITH KIM & SIOBHAN

Happy 2023! Although you will be reading this a month after the New Year begins, Siobhan and I want to let you know how happy we are to be entering this new year and new season together. We also want to remind you with a new year comes new opportunities to connect – to connect more deeply with God and with each other. In her first sermon of 2023, Dr. Elise Brown encouraged us to take a chance and get involved – to step into a small group or ministry program – to open ourselves up to the community at Marble so we don’t have to go through this life alone. What a gift it is to be reminded we are not alone. We have a Marble family filled with people wait-

In the Marble Spotlight

Meet The Board

First Sundays | after Worship

On the first Sunday of each month, please gather around the Chancel after Worship for the opportunity to meet various Elders and Deacons.

February 5 — Jeanette Aycock, John Hupalo, Gregory Lozier, Barbara Sagan, Larry Schafer, Abigail Shue, Iyana Titus

March 5 — Jeanette Aycock, John Hupalo, Matt Morse, Larry Schafer, Abigail Shue

FELLOWSHIP ON FIFTH – COFFEE HOUR

Sundays | 12:15-1:30pm

Join us Sundays after Worship in the Labyrinth Room for Fellowship on Fifth – a great opportunity to make new friends, greet old friends and learn about upcoming programs at Marble. Keep your eye on the Sunday bulletin and the website for details about upcoming Special Coffee Hour/Outreach Events.

SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER

Tuesday, February 21 | 6:00-7:30pm ing to get to know us and to be in community with us. So, whether you join us in person or online, we invite you to take time to read through this edition of Touchpoint and visit MarbleChurch.org to check out the upcoming opportunities and make a commitment to get involved. You can join Siobhan and me monthly for our online “Tea Time,” or one of the small groups or programs sponsored by our many incredible ministries – GIFTS: LGBTQ+ Fellowship, Marble Women’s Ministry, Children Youth and Families, Music Ministry, and more. There is so much to choose from. Now’s the time. Do it! You’ll be glad you did.

We are excited to announce the return of our Annual Pancake Supper! Grab your friends and family and join us in the Labyrinth Room to celebrate Mardi Gras with a few pancakes, a little Jazz, and a whole lot of fun. Will you win a “Golden Spatula Award” this year? $12; kids under 10 eat free. Please register in advance at MarbleChurch.org (we want to make sure there’s plenty of bacon!).

If we can help you find something, please let us know. Hope to see you at Marble or online soon!

How To Walk The Labyrinth As A Spiritual Tool

Saturday, February 11 | 10:00am-12:00pm

The Marble Prayer Ministry Team and the Labyrinth Walk Docents invite you to this informative and interactive Intreat. Open to all. During the first hour, the docents will review the history of the Labyrinth and provide instruction and insight about how the meditative walk is a powerful spiritual tool. The second hour will provide a time to walk the Labyrinth. We ask that participants attend the full retreat. There will be a sign-up sheet for those interested in becoming docents. Register by Thursday, February 9 at MarbleChurch.org or contact Judy Tulin (JTulin@ MarbleChurch.org).

For dates when the Labyrinth will be open for regular walks, please see page 5.