TOUCHPOINT The Marble Magazine One West 29th Street, New York, NY 10001-4596 212-686-2770 MarbleChurch.org
JULY & AUGUST 2017
Shabbat / Sabbatical
Jesus was serious when he said, “You This is the season of the year when most people shall love your neightake a break, a bit of R&R time to rest and refuel. If bor” how much? “As you haven’t planned any such time yet, I encourage yourself.” Not more you to do so. The idea of Shabbat dates back to the than … but not less very first chapter of Genesis when God worked for six than, either. If we don’t days, “and on the seventh day, God rested.” If God take adequate care of occasionally needs respite, it’s a good bet we do, too. ourselves, in time there From time to time it benefits those who depend won’t be enough self on you for you to exercise self-care. I often quote my left to adequately care friend, Nunzio Gubitosa (from Blanton-Peale), who I for anyone else. Dr. Michael Brown heard say: “If you don’t take adequate care of your During July and August this summer, I will be on own needs, in time there won’t be enough of you left sabbatical (a word taken from Shabbat). Part of the to adequately care for anyone else.” Words for the point is to practice what I am preaching to you – to wise. rest and refuel before we enter our new Program So, what are you intentionally doing this summer Year at Marble. Another part will be to plan for this to address your own needs? Even if it isn’t a trip or an coming year (ministry initiatives, sermon themes, blog extended absence from work, are themes, Soul Purpose and The Bible you scheduling bits and pieces of Today themes, etc.). I will do that “What are you for time to refresh and refuel? A friend in order to be better equipped to serve intentionally the church beginning in September. We of mine attends one baseball game at least every other week in summer. doing this summer care for self in order to properly care for He calls it “free time,” time when he others. to address your is liberated from his desk and his lapSo, let me ask the question again: top and his every day concerns. For own needs?” What are you intentionally doing this two or three hours, he simply relaxsummer to address your own needs? If es at a game. He told me: “Those the answer is, “I don’t know,” then it’s time to work two or three hours usually get me by for another on a better answer. Create ways to take care of you full week.” I have other friends here in the city who because others need a full and whole you to count on. observe the same practice. However, instead of going to athletic events, they attend theater or opera or visit museums. The point is simply to momentarily clear a path amid all the responsibilities they shoulder so that they can just breathe and be.
JULY / AUGUST 2017
SUNDAY WORSHIP, 11AM
JULY 2
JULY 16
JULY 30
Matthew 10:40-42 Rev. Chad Tanaka Pack
Acts 17:16-24, 32 Susanah Wade
Acts 6:1-15 Rev. Kirsty DePree
Welcome to Reward JULY 9
Wisdom and Her Children Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Dr. Dale T. Irvin
President, New York Theological Seminary
Building Bridges
JULY 23 Dr. Kenneth Ruge, preaching
The Face of an Angel
WEDNESDAY WORSHIP, 6:15PM Every Week, except July 5
2
Marble Matters
Older Adults = A Blessing
By Rev. Kirsty DePree Recently, I received an award from United Adult Ministries and the Flushing House for my ministry to older adults. As I accepted it, I gave thanks to the Reformed Church in America and how it has provided the space for me to learn to love and care for older adults in a way that embodies and radiates the love of Christ. I also gave thanks to Marble Collegiate Church for all the amazing people and staff, and especially Judy Tulin, who does so many things behind the scenes, and truly deserves to share this award Janet Smith and Judy Tulin celebrate with Rev. DePree. with me. I continue to be grateful for the numerous opportunities to work with older adults and offer care, was not always easy and fair and that was why comhope, possibility and love. passion and kindness and love needed to be shared Benjamin Franklin is known for saying, “Life’s trag- in order to offer hope. I learned so much through them, but one of the greatest lessons that I learned edy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.” was to listen – to listen to their stories, to listen to While I agree with him, I believe another tragedy is that we don’t always receive and appreciate the wis- their feelings, to listen to their hopes and dreams. As I listened, I learned from wise sages and together we dom of those who have grown old and the wisdom experienced this sacred space where God reminded one learns from being there for those who are growus that faith is passed on from one generation ing old. to the next. At an early age, I learned that I … faith is My faith, and the faith of the people that I truly enjoyed spending time with older passed on have trained through Stephen Ministries and adults. There was Maria who took me compassionate congregations, has grown to my first opera and Grammy Pitcher, from one because we have had the privilege to listen, because in her day she was quite the baseball player. I would interact with generation to come alongside, to learn from, to laugh with, to care for, and to be a non-anxious the older members in our congregato the next.” presence in those sacred moments when tions and the people I would sit and God looks upon us and sees his children, old eat with when I begged and pleaded and young, learning from one another and loving one with my father to let me go on the Meals-on-Wheels another in the way that God intended. runs. Then there was my nana who was an avid storyteller, bringing characters like Freddy Frog to life; I am thankful for all the people who do this ministry Freddy was the one who taught us values and the with me here at Marble, and I am thankful for all the importance of laughter, play and imagination. I also older adults who have been in my life, and the ones learned that the elderly love to have fun as I got to I have yet to meet. participate in activities when my mother worked as an activity director at a home for the elderly. They taught me how to play bridge and poker, and a few of them even taught me how to cheat. I also learned that life
Rev. Kirsty DePree Senior Assocaite Minister
“
Staff for this Issue: EDITORS:
Karla Fritsch Catherine Ortiz PHOTOS:
Dave Cross Jay Johnson Karla Fritsch GRAPHIC DESIGN:
Beth Player-DiCicco
AUGUST 2017
SUNDAY WORSHIP, 11AM
AUGUST 6
AUGUST 13
AUGUST 27
Ephesians 3:14-21 Rev. Freeman Palmer
Psalm 85 Rev. Jeff Neevel
Romans 12:1-8 Rev. Chad Tanaka Pack
Filled
Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Development, NY Conference United Church of Christ
My Future!
Pastor, St. Thomas Reformed Church, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
AUGUST 20
They Were Amazed Mark 5:1-20 Rev. Kirsty DePree
Color Outside the Lines
Marble Matters
Summer Spirituality Series
JESUS, POPCORN & ME — SEEING THE SACRED IN THE SECULAR Sundays, through August 6 | 10:00am We continue to explore the sacred in the secular and how movies can be utilized to engage in theological discussions. Led by Dr. Ava E. Carroll, Rev. Kirsty DePree, Mario Sprouse, and Chris Vega. In the Labyrinth Room. The optional book for these sessions is Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film in Dialogue by Robert K. Johnston. Dr. Ava E. Carroll, founder of Living Flame Ministry, earned her Doctor of Ministry from New York Theological Seminary in May 2016 and has since taught a graduate course based on this unique way of viewing entertainment media. July 9 – theme: Holy Spirit & Identity; film: Field of Dreams July 16 – theme: Church/Community & Identity; film: The Door - Miu Miu Women’s Tales #5 July 23 – theme: Authority of Scripture; film: The Book of Eli July 30 – theme: Revelation & Identity; film: The Truman Show August 6 – theme: Hope & Identity; film: The Shawshank Redemption Note, no session July 2. Visit MarbleChurch.org to live stream or watch the June 11, 18 & 25 sessions.
Prayer Circle
Sundays | 10:00am This informal gathering centers on singing and prayer for individual and communal concerns. All are welcome! Meets every Sunday in the Chapel.
Membership at Marble
Sundays 10am – Summer Spirituality Series 10:50am – Grace Notes: Inside the Music 11am – Worship Service
TV – Fridays @ 4:30pm, MNN Time Warner Ch. 57 (Manhattan) Sermon Podcasts: Subscribe at MarbleChurch.org.
MARBLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
WeWo: Wednesday Worship
Wednesdays | 6:15pm Have you tried WeWo lately? WeWo blends traditional and contemporary worship styles, taking the best of both. Our ministers offer thoughtful preaching with joyful music by a praise ensemble, all in the relaxed atmosphere of the Marble Loft. Bring a friend! Please note: No WeWo July 5; on August 30 Deah Harriott will lead a special all music service!
Photos: Karla R. Fritsch
THE MARBLE CHURCH APP This summer would be a perfect time to download the Marble App if you haven’t already. This is the easiest way to connect with Marble anytime you want and no matter where you are! Live stream, catch up on last week’s sermon, listen to the latest podcast, make a gift, and more. Visit MarbleChurch.org or search for Marble Church in your app store.
LIVE WEBCAST SCHEDULE If you can’t be here in person, visit MarbleChurch.org.
Talk Back with Dr. Brown returns in September
Faith is a journey and we warmly invite you to join with us as you travel along. For more information about our upcoming New Member Orientations, after Sunday Worship please come to the Deacons’ Pew (to right of Chancel) where the Membership Team will help you (they will be wearing red carnations), visit the Welcome Table after WeWo, or contact Kim Sebastian-Ryan (KRyan@MarbleChurch.org). We’d love to have you join us!
Summer
Through September 15 To help NYC kids in need, please purchase school supplies as part of Marble’s annual “Back to School Drive”! Monetary donations also welcome; make checks payable to Marble Collegiate Church, write “Back to School” in memo and mail to the attention of Tom Schneider or place in offering plate. To pay by credit card, use an offering envelope or visit the Action Table on Sundays during Coffee Hour.
3
Touchpoint: July / August 2017
Dr. Brown recording his podcast.
DR. MICHAEL BROWN’S ONLINE INSPIRATIONS Although Dr. Brown will be away in July and August, you can continue to learn and be inspired by him through his Practical Faith Podcast and Soul Purpose videos. Practical Faith Podcast with Dr. Michael Brown, offers advice on how Faith can help us with the deeper questions and real life struggles we encounter every day. Some recent topics include: Love. Period., Growing Up with Social Media, #Adulting with Faith, Creating a Meaningful Life. Listen or download at MarbleChurch.org/connect/ podcast or subscribe at iTunes. Feed your spirit with Dr. Brown’s special summer series of Soul Purpose videos focused on The Apostles’ Creed. Visit MarbleChurch.org/ worship/inspiration or YouTube.
JULY / AUGUST ‘17
Summer Spirituality Series JESUS, POPCORN & ME — SEEING THE SACRED IN THE SECULAR Sundays, through August 6 | 10:00am See page 3 for details. (No session July 2.)
TOUCHPOINT The Marble Magazine One West 29th Street, New York, New York 10001-4596 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
SILENT MOVIE NIGHT Comic Americans – Chaplin and Lloyd Thursday, July 20 | 7:30pm Take a comic stroll into the past and enjoy the unique experience of a silent movie double feature with a live, improvised score by world renowned organist, Peter Krasinski. Hear the fabulous Marble pipe organ in unexpected and creative ways as you watch Charlie Chaplin’s short film, The Floorwalker, and Harold Lloyd’s Speedy, which was filmed in New York in the 1920s. Tickets, $20. Purchase at MarbleChurch.org. THE LAST WORD Summer is the annual permission slip to be lazy. To do nothing and have it count for something. To lie in the grass and count the stars. To sit on a branch and study the clouds. – Regina Brett
FIRST-CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID MAILED FROM ZIP CODE 10001 PERMIT NO. 269