TOUCHPOINT The Marble Magazine One West 29th Street, New York, NY 10001-4596 212-686-2770 MarbleChurch.org
JULY & AUGUST 2018
Press Pause
It’s time for many of us to press pause on our lives. “Holiday,” however, comes from “holy day,” We work more hours per week than almost every which means that other country in the world. We send and receive time away from work work emails after hours and on weekends. Four out provides the space to of five of us eat lunch at our desks and rarely take reflect on our lives. It is breaks. We receive less vacation than our European a time to consider the neighbors. The average paid vacation in the U.S. is direction we’re headtwo weeks, while in Europe it is four to six weeks. ing, and as I mentioned Yet remarkably only half of us use all of our vacation in a recent sermon, “If each year. Those who are on the outside looking in think our lives are out of balance and unhealthy—and you don’t change your Dr. Michael Bos direction, you may end up where you’re they’re probably right! We feel the weight of the sched- “Sometimes it is going” (Lao Tzu). Our lives can become so busy we ules we keep and that is why we look forward to summer vacations. when we’re doing no longer know what direction we’re Vacations are a good thing and can nothing that God headed, and they can become so noisy we no longer can hear God. I hope this be a godly thing. In Ecclesiastes does something summer we all have a chance to go on it says, “Go, eat your bread with in us.” holiday and think about our lives and lisenjoyment, and drink your wine with ten for God. Sometimes it is when we’re a merry heart; for God has long doing nothing that God does something in ago approved what you do” (9:7). Sometimes we need to kick back and enjoy life. Even us. We just need to slow down long enough so that our souls can catch up with our bodies. God took time off after creating the world! My prayer is that whatever our summer plans, God Here’s what I am wondering: should we be “on holuses this time away to breathe life into us so we can iday” instead of “taking vacations”? You might think continue to grow into who God created us and calls this is saying the same thing in a different way, but I want us to consider two very different ideas about our us to be. time away from work. Join us in person or online for the August sermon “Vacation” means “to vacate” or “be free from” series, “Press Pause.” And we want to hear from you! something. Therefore, we’re on vacation when we Share your thoughts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. have an extended time away from work, but this says #PressPause nothing about what that time away is filled with.
JULY / AUGUST 2018
SUNDAY WORSHIP, 11AM
JULY 1
JULY 15
JULY 29
Daryl Paul Lobban
Dr. Kenneth Ruge
Rev. J. Elise Brown, Ph.D.
Why We Worship
Slow Down and Live!
JULY 8
JULY 22
Rev. J. Elise Brown, Ph.D.
Susanah Wade
To Be Made Well
Title
To Get Up and Walk
#WEWO: WEDNESDAY WORSHIP, 6:15PM Every Week, except July 4
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Marble Matters
A Word from Our Executive Minister
Rev. J. Elise Brown, Ph.D. Executive Minister
LIVE WEBCAST SCHEDULE If you can’t be here in person, visit MarbleChurch.org.
NAVIGATING CHANGE By Rev. J. Elise Brown, Ph.D. Three years ago I made the decision to leave my different from mine, but when I decided to make my former congregation where I had served as Senior own move three years ago, the Holy Spirit was my Pastor for 15½ years. It was a gut-wrenching deciguide. Somehow, in the core of my being, the Holy sion, one of the most challenging decisions of my life. Spirit was saying, “It’s time to go.” I had walked alongside and ministered to the people And now here I am at Marble – a place I would in that congregation through every manner of life never have expected to be called at this stage of challenge and crisis. We had shared so many joys and my ministry and yet, here I am. And it is all the Holy wonderful times with each other. Spirit’s work. I had sat next to many deathbeds over those years, I have thought so much about the many changes saying “good-bye” to cherished members whose and transitions the congregation at Marble has time had come to cross that great river Jordan. I had endured over the last 10 years. So many ministers helped quietly walk them and other staff have come and to their eternal home. I had gone. So many “hellos” and baptized and confirmed people; “goodbyes.” One Marble mem“ …step forward confirmed and married people; said they have known over in faith that the ber baptized and buried people. How 30 ministers in their years being could I leave that congregaHoly Spirit is always a member of Marble. It’s overtion and its people whom I had leading us…” whelming for me to think of all come to love so deeply? My life of these transitions, and I have seemed inextricably woven only been with you 9 months! into theirs. You have weathered so many changes so beautifully. But, somehow, someway, I knew…it was time to And you continue to share hospitality and welcome to move on. I am not sure what, exactly, or who told me the newcomers who wander through our doors this, but I knew it in the core of my soul. It was time each week. to move on. Thank you. It is my sincere hope that our staff Several years before this a friend of mine decided, comes to a more stable place in the next few months. rather suddenly, to sell a home he had built and loved We know these many changes have been challengand barely lived in near Santa Fe, New Mexico. When ing for many of you. There are some more farewells he told me he had decided to sell it, I couldn’t believe on the horizon, but we hope there are a few “hellos” what I was hearing! I knew how much blood, sweat along the way that are lasting. and tears (and money!) he had sunk into building his It is the beginning of a new chapter of ministry at perfect home, one he had dreamed of building for Marble. Thank you for being part of this chapter; I much of his life. I had had so many conversations with invite you to step forward in faith that the Holy Spirit him over the years about the design, appointments, is always leading us…guiding us…into the future… décor, etc. for this home. When I asked him how he and far beyond. had come to make such a difficult decision he said, “The guides told me it was time to go.” My friend’s “guides” came from his mystical, eastern religious commitments. I knew his guides were
Sundays 10am – Summer Spirituality Series 10:50am – Grace Notes: Inside the Music 11am – Worship
Wednesdays 6:15pm – #WEWO: Wednesday Worship TV – Fridays @ 4:30pm, MNN Time Warner Ch. 57 (Manhattan) Sermon Podcasts: Subscribe at MarbleChurch.org.
MARBLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
AUGUST 2018 SUNDAY WORSHIP, 11AM Dr. Michael Bos Senior Minister, preaching
AUGUST 5
AUGUST 19
SEPTEMBER 2
Part 1 of Sermon Series
Part 3 of Sermon Series
Sister Carol Perry
AUGUST 12
AUGUST 26
#WEWO: WEDNESDAY WORSHIP, 6:15PM Every Week
Part 2 of Sermon Series
Part 4 of Sermon Series
Press Pause: Play
Press Pause: Private Time That Nagging Question
Press Pause: Prayer Press Pause: Peaceful
Marble Matters
Summer Spirituality Series
Sundays, through August 26 | 10:00am Explore a variety of topics and engage in theological discussions that can enrich your faith journey. In the Labyrinth Room. July 1 & 8 — Daryl Paul Lobban From Revelation to Revolution. Uncover the liberation ethic in the mysterious book of Revelation and how that leads us towards personal transformation. We pay close attention to the language and imagery of Revelation in comparison to other apocalyptic literature. July 15 — Rev. J. Elise Brown, Ph.D. Mid-Year Spiritual Check-up. How are you doing this year in your journey of faith? Have you been using tools to help keep you on track, or might some of them need fine-tuning? Explore ways we can draw from scripture to help strengthen our faith, trust in God, and make some new commitments to listen more closely to the Spirit’s voice and feel Spirit’s hand guiding you forward. July 22 & August 12 — Baleta McKenzie Prayer: Blessings & Benefits. “Prayer cannot be summed up in a simple two part equation: My request + God’s answer = prayer. Prayer is a process. Examine whether there might be benefits and/or blessings to discover, or rediscover, through some intentionality with
Marble gave Dr. Michael Bos a warm welcome this spring! In addition to his first Sunday on April 29, the many welcome receptions, and his Installation on June 10, the Marble Board held a special ceremony. They did a “Water Blessing” in the Chapel, using the newly installed Dr. Michael Brown Baptismal Font. The Board blessed each other with water from the sacred vessel and Dr. Elise Brown officiated a special blessing on Dr. Bos, followed by a laying on of hands with prayers for our new Senior Minister.
prayer. We start the process desiring something from Him, we end up desiring only Him” — Jennifer Kennedy Dean. July 29 & August 5 — Leslie Rawlings Slezak, CSW Early Relationship Influences on Our Adult Lives. Help identify early experiences and heal their impact to allow us to change patterns and live from the moment. Session 1: Overall explanation of attachment and developmental theory, define functional adult self and where we can get stuck. Session 2: How to re-parent and hold parents accountable (in your mind’s eye). August 19 & 26 — Sister Carol Perry Pursuing Paul. Strap on your sandals and follow Paul to some of the great cities of the Roman world. See how he tailors the Good News to fit each audience and learn what that might say to us in 2018. Visit MarbleChurch.org to live stream or watch previous sessions, like Dr. Kenneth Ruge’s classes from June 17 & 24 on The Healing Stories of Jesus.
Prayer Circle
Every Sunday | 10:00am This informal gathering centers on singing and prayer for individual and communal concerns. All are welcome! Meets in the Chapel.
Staff for this Issue: EDITOR:
Karla Fritsch PHOTOS:
Dave Cross Jay Johnson Rick Harper GRAPHIC DESIGN:
Beth Player-DiCicco
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Touchpoint: July / August 2018 BIBLE STUDY WITH REV. BARBARA CRAFTON Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean we have to stop learning! Tuesday Night Bible Study (6:30pm, Labyrinth Room) and Bread & Bible on Thursdays (12:00 noon, Marble Loft) will continue through the summer. So come on in and talk about what God is saying to you from the pages of scripture, and from the hearts and minds of other Marble-ites! #WEWO: WEDNESDAY WORSHIP Wednesdays | 6:15pm If you find a mid-week spiritual boost helpful or if you prefer a more casual setting, Wednesday Worship could be for you! It 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 4; On August 1 Deah Harriott will lead a special ALL MUSIC service!
SUMMER SPIRITUALITY SERIES Sundays, through August 26 | 10:00am Please see page 3 for details. MEMBERSHIP AT MARBLE 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 Wednesday Worship, or contact Kim Sebastian-Ryan (KRyan@MarbleChurch.org). We’d love to have you join us! THE LAST WORD A pause gives you breathing space so listen to the whispers of the real you waiting to happen. — Tara Estacaan
WAYS YOU CAN SERVE SING WITH THE SUMMER CHOIR Sing on your available Sundays. Those not currently in one of Marble’s choirs are asked to register in advance with Ken Dake (KDake@MarbleChurch.org.) Music-reading ability required. Rehearsals: Sundays, 9:15am (276 5th Ave, Rm 201), through August 5.
CYF CORNER DO YOU SAY GRACE? Teacher, Oanfa Quan, encourages her first and second graders to say grace. In May, Isabelle Galvis won an award for leading grace many times during the year.
BACK TO SCHOOL DRIVE Through September 9 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. For more information visit the Action Table during Coffee Hour. Remember our on-going opportunities to help others through Ecclesia and Marble Fights Hunger continue during the summer. Contact Tom Schneider (TSchneider@MarbleChurch.org), for more ideas and referrals to organizations that are in need of volunteers.