Reflections from the Editor

By Karla Fritsch

Oh, who are the people in your neighborhood? In your neighborhood? In your neighborhood? Say, who are the people in your neighborhood? The people that you meet each day… Well, they’re the people that you meet When you’re walking down the street They’re the people that you meet each day.

—

Sesame

Street Song (by Moss)

For years on the way home from my Friday workouts in Riverside Park, I walked up 76th Street and would wave or say a quick hello to doormen I passed. Finally last spring, I officially introduced myself to two of these neighborhood “people I meet as I’m walking down the street”. Since then, Ivan and Julio have become special parts of my life.

One day in May, my back bothered me on my walk and my trainer Rochelle had me bend over to stretch. I did a slow roll to standing but still got lightheaded. I leaned on some scaffolding to steady myself and Ivan came around the corner to ask if I needed to sit or drink some water. He had seen us on his building’s security camera. Since then, every Friday as I walk by, he comes out to ask how I’m doing. I also run into Ivan from time to time on other days and other blocks as I’m out and about. He usually gives me a thumbs up or fist bump, basically saying, “You go girl!”

Julio has an extra light in his eyes that both Rochelle and I have noticed. He always gave a friendly hello and since we exchanged names, he asks with such enthusiasm, “How are you doing today, Miss Karla?” It’s extra encouraging the times he says, “You’re walking well today!”, because his building is near the end of my walk and at the top of an incline.

On Thanksgiving, I had started out on a walk but everything hurt and before I’d gone far, I was ready to turn around and go home. Then I “happened” to see Ivan crossing the street toward me as he was on his break. I knew immediately there was some Divine timing going on and I took the opportunity to tell him I was grateful for his encouragement. He was heading in the opposite direction and after our brief chat, he motioned me forward – so of course I had to keep walking.

In Hebrews 12:1, where it mentions the cloud of witnesses cheering us on to run with perseverance the race marked out for us, I always think first about my loved ones in heaven and sometimes expand it to family and friends still living who are cheering me on. Recently, I’ve felt I needed all the encouragement I could get, yet never thought my crowd would include people I don’t know that well – until Ivan and Julio. To me they are earthly angels that God sent my way at just the right time to be my walk cheerleaders.

It can be too easy, especially in this big city, to forget that everyone we encounter can offer a gift or a lesson for growth. And, if we’re open and pay attention, there are even earthly angels we can meet in our neighborhoods.

When You Need Help

During these challenging times, please reach out for help if you need it.

Stephen Ministry at Marble – A one-to-one ministry that empowers lay members to provide highquality, confidential, and Christ-centered care to those who are struggling with difficult life events. Email: StephenMinistry@MarbleChurch.org.

The Marble Prayer Ministry Team is here to pray for you – Submit your requests on the bottom of any page at MarbleChurch.org

Blanton Peale Counseling Center – If you need more in-depth, professional help with mental health issues, visit BlantonPeale.org.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – If you or someone you know are in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, call or text 988, available 24 hours.

Dr. Michael Bos Senior Minister, preaching

Foundational Strength

FEBRUARY 5

Rev. Susanah Wade, preaching

What’ s Next for Me? Having a Little Trust FEBRUARY 12 Open to Coaching FEBRUARY 19 Living Differently Being Grounded FEBRUARY 26 1st Sunday in Lent Open to Change MARCH 5 2nd Sunday in Lent Willing to Risk MARCH 12 3rd Sunday in Lent Having No Fear MARCH 19 4th Sunday in Lent Having Hope MARCH 26 5th Sunday in Lent

Stepping Out of the Crowd

APRIL 2

Palm Sunday

Dr. Elise Brown, preaching

Faith: Knowing Where to Look

APRIL 9 Easter Sunday

NYC Street Closings —

Please plan ahead for your time at Marble. For details, visit www1.nyc.gov/ events/ or call 311

MUSIC FOR CONTEMPLATION

Sundays, February 26 – April 2 | 10:45am

Each Sunday in Lent a series of special prelude music will feature exceptional instrumentalists who have become Marble favorites over the years. You are invited to arrive early and revel in these extraordinary musical offerings, letting your heart be moved and prepared for worship during this most sacred season.

During our Sunday 10:00 O’Clock Hours we’ll have Bible Study and cover a variety of topics. Join us in person in the Labyrinth Room or live stream.

10:00 O’Clock Hour

SUNDAYS AT 10:00AM SABBATH AND JUBILEE IN THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES, PART 2

Sunday, February 5

Rev. Rashad McPherson, Associate in Ministry & Music at Marble

PEOPLE OF THE COVENANT –PEOPLE LIKE US

Sundays, February 12 & 19

Dr. Julie Faith Parker, Professor of Biblical Studies and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, General Theological Seminary

LENT AND EASTER: PREPARATION AND RESPONSE

Sunday, February 26

Rev. Susanah Wade, Associate Minister

For the next several Sundays we highlight organizations that are the type of ministries supported by Marble’s Easter Offering. Learn more about them and how we can partner in their important work.

KALEIDOSCOPE MINISTRIES: LGBTQ/RECONCILIATION

Sunday, March 5

Rev. Elizabeth Delgado Black, Co-founder and President

UNICEF: GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS

Sunday, March 12

Alexander Uzarawicz, Manager, Global Cause Partnerships, UNICEF USA

PARTNERS

RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT

Sunday, March 19

Brad Hazlett, President

URBAN PATHWAYS – HOMELESSNESS

Sunday, March 26

Check the website for details and the most up-todate information. If you miss a session or want to see again, view at MarbleChurch.org/Watch.

Prayer Circle

SUNDAYS AT 10:00AM

Join us for this weekly time of prayer and music. The Circle is always open – all you need is a willing heart. We meet in the Chapel (downstairs) or on Zoom.

Afternoon Prayer

TUESDAYS AT 4:00PM

Wind down your day with a brief time of sharing and prayer. Join us via Zoom or by phone. Get link at MarbleChurch.org.

Small Groups

Being part of a Small Group is a wonderful opportunity to grow spiritually and connect in a deeper way with others at Marble. For details and to register, visit MarbleChurch.org.

Songs of the Faithful: Studies in the Psalms Mondays, February 6 & 13 | 6:00pm

There’s still time to join Dr. Elise Brown using the book she wrote. Each week focuses on a separate Psalm in a stand-alone session. Meets in Peale Parlor.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

1st & 3rd Mondays | 5:00-6:00pm

Join us as we gather online for prayer and creating together to knit or crochet prayer shawls for members who are ill or homebound. All levels welcome. Dates subject to change, confirm with Judy Tulin (JTulin@ MarbleChurch.org).

Walk the Labyrinth

Wednesdays, February 15 & weekly during Lent, March 1-April 5 | 5:00-6:00pm

Ash Wednesday, February 22 12:30-2:00pm; 5:00-6:00pm

Note, dates subject to change, please call to confirm. Learn more about the Labyrinth at MarbleChurch.org/engage/labyrinth.

Learn more and meet our CYF Staff at MarbleChurch.org/ engage/cyf.

CYF CORNER DELETE AND UNPLUG: A VACATION BATTLE

By Brian Hampton

When Marble asked me to return to the role of CYF Director, it was one of the busiest times of my life. I was the Operations Director at a kids’ theatre company during their summer camp season.

If you know me well, you know this: one of my favorite things is to return fulltime to Marble. Ha! Timing wasn’t perfect, but I said, “Yes,” even knowing there was lots to be done and no time to rest.

When I finally transferred solely to Marble, I was swept up in Newton’s first law of inertia (an object in motion tends to stay in motion). So, I surfed – riding the wave of Marble programming until the Baby Jesus would arrive on Christmas Day and bring me a much needed two weeks off.

On Christmas Day, I set up my email response, came home and got comfy on my couch.

My mind and body were relaxing, but there was one part still experiencing Newton’s law. Without even thinking – I was grabbing my phone and tapping its email app. I’d open my email and (literally) say, “Brian! What are you doing?” I took a deep breath and did something drastic. I deleted the app.

It was gone, but I then headed straight for social media. I was scrolling through everyone’s announcements, photos, and emotional posts. My brain was absorbing and thinking about too much. It was still not the vacation I needed.

MOMENTS & MEMORIES

The youth had a “rad” time watching Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on Saturday, January 14. They ate pizza, munched on popcorn, played Quiplash, and of course, watched the hilarious 1986 hit. It was a wonderful afternoon of fellowship and fun!

So those apps suffered the same fate as my email. Delete. Delete. Gone. I was officially unplugged. However, it took me days to adjust. By habit, I would swipe and try to find my usual apps – amazed that my brain knew better, but my habit hadn’t gotten the memo. It took a while until this battle was over.

What happened? I slept, watched movies, and spent time with my family. I went to cool spots and wrote. I cooked and listened to music. And when I thought to myself, “I wonder what so-and-so did for the holidays?” Instead of scrolling through social media and absorbing buckets of information and emotions, I called them. I ended up phoning and FaceTiming about a dozen friends and family.

It wasn’t easy at first. But it was wonderful and worth it. We often tell kids and teens to please get off their electronic devices. But it’s not just kids and teens. Trust me. I encourage anyone of any age to delete and unplug every now and then.

As I write this, only two days after my vacation, my email app is back on my phone – but I now have new rules and regulations to prevent that habit of “swiping and tapping” from coming back. And, to my surprise, my social media apps are still off my phone.

After you read this, ask me if the apps are still gone and if my habit is under control. I’ll be curious to know as well.

YOUTH VOLUNTEER EVENT: Spreading God’s Love One Sandwich at a Time Saturday, February 11

|12:45-2:00pm

All children 2nd grade and up are invited to make sandwiches and Valentines for the hungry and homeless in NYC. Join us in Room 307. We are partnering with One Sandwich at a Time and sandwiches will go to The Bowery Mission. Please register with Youth Director Sarah Cheatham and sign up to bring supplies (SCheatham@MarbleChurch.org).