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Brookville Church
N E W S L E T T E R
REV. VICKY L. EASTLANDPastor of Congregational [email protected]
2 BROOKVILLE ROADBROOKVILLE, NY 11545
[email protected]/BrookvilleChurchwww.BrookvilleChurch.org
Where our doors are always open!March 2015
We are fourteen years past 9-11 and the “War on Terror” and yet our world does not seem any safer from terrorists! Our country and the world is somewhat divided on how to address this world-wide threat, but as Christians, it is important to see how the Bible can guide us.
Psalm 31 is written in a context where King David is praying for deliverance when confronted by a conspiracy so powerful and open that all David’s friends abandon him. No other Psalm expresses a more sturdy trust in the Lord when powerful human forces threaten. Even before David was rescued from his enemies, while in the midst of the struggle, he talked about God’s goodness and praises God for his wonderful love. David says that God heard his cry and that the Lord preserves the faithful.
I read the words of this Psalm and honestly think, didn’t you hear the cries for mercy, God, from the 276 Nigerian girls who were stolen from their school and sold off as wives to terrorists there? Where were you, God when the parents of ISIS hostages were pleading for the release of their loved ones only to have to watch the most brutal, senseless and evil response of their precious children being beheaded. And when I think of the image of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians kidnapped in Libya lined up on their knees all in orange jump suits awaiting their fate, I am sick to my stomach. This coming in the wake of the atrocity of a Jordanian pilot being burned alive. Does God care about the innocent lives that are lost in the wake of war and terror? These senseless killings in the name of God can only be described as pure evil. Al-Azhar, the prestigious Cairo-based seat of Islamic learning, denounced the "barbaric" killings, stressing that such barbaric action has nothing to do with any religion or human values.
So where in the world is God when terrorists attack? Where is God in the midst of all this evil? And why has God not intervened, road in on his white horse and saved the day?
These are the tough questions we must ask, if we want our faith to intersect real life. I believe God did come to save the day when he came in human form and suffered death on a cross. And as Christians we believe that the story didn’t end there, but rather continued three days later when Jesus conquered death by rising again.
Even though it may seem humanly impossible, we must adopt David’s example of praising God in the midst of terror.
It is easy to shake our fist at God and shout, “God, why don’t you do something?” In the words of Michael West’s song of the same title, God’s response is: “I did. I created you.” The song goes on to say, “If not us, then who?… If not now, then when?”
I believe we are doing something. We are building bridges of friendship with our Muslim and Jewish neighbors here at Brookville. We are supporting the efforts of peace through dialogue and education between Muslims and Christians in Oman. We are influencing the church on a denominational level, having inspired a request coming from the Commission on Christian Unity for the Reformed Church in America to put together a task force on interfaith understanding and relations.
King David readily admits there is “terror on every side.” But rather than deny God’s presence in the world, David prays, “Into your hand I commit my spirit.” David was in good company as not only Jesus said this on the cross, but so did the first recorded martyr in the New Testament, Stephen as he was being stoned to death. These are the words that should cross our lips too, as we live in this world of terrorism. “Into your hand I commit my spirit.” With these words we let God deal with dispensing justice for what has occurred.
Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations said, “History has shown that, no matter how fierce, conflict can end, peace can prevail and reconciliation can triumph.”
God in Christ crucified, suffers with those who are suffering. The Spirit of the risen Lord gives hope to everyone who turns away from violence to choose love of neighbor instead.
Rev. Vicky
Where in the World is God When Terrorists Attack?I hear the whispering of many; there is terror on every side. ~ Psalm 31:13
“History has shown that, no matter how fierce, conflict can end, peace can prevail and reconciliation can triumph.”~Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations
Palm SundayMar. 29 - 10:00 a.m.
All Children and Youth ledworship service
Maundy ThursdayApril 2 - 7:00 p.m.
Foot Washing and Communion service with Children and Youth participation
Good FridayApril 3 - 7:00 p.m.
Adult Choir Cantata
Easter SundayApril 5 - 10:00 a.m.
Resurrection Worship Celebration with Children's Easter Egg Hunt and Bunny Hop
following worship
Dear Rev. Vicky,
I just was reading the Brookville Church Newsletter this morning and came across the “Farewell Charles Bell” writing. I’m still in tears. So much of the time I feel he’s still with me. Thank you to the people who made this column possible. I shall treasure it.
I started this letter with the intent of thanking all of the wonderful people who came to the funeral home and the church and do so now. To see their smiling faces and hear their wonderful tales lifted my spirits so. Thank you to them all for braving the frigid weather.
Charles and I had many wonderful years getting to know wonderful people, hearing wonderful sermons, and singing wonderful music. Ah, the music--always close to our hearts. Some of these wonderful people have gone on to greater glory, but I hold them in my heart still.
I wish you continued love in your good work and hope to see you soon. I shall come and visit one of these days when I’m truly out and about.
Love and blessings,
Bess
@A Note From Bess Bell
WINTER CANCELATION NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
In case of severe winter weather and the need for us to cancel church services or other programs, we will notify you in the following ways:
~ Our Facebook Page~ Email notice
~ Text message (if you would like to receive a text message please make sure the church has your most recent mobile number)~ Outgoing message on church answering machine
Choir NewsThe adult choir will be rehearsing for our annual Good Friday concert to be held on April 3. This is a very significant service which will help everyone understand the solemnity of this day. Please make every effort to attend this event.
I have a wonderful project for our kids to get excited about!
I would like to present a 'Kids Coffee House Concert.' The adults have been doing these fun events for years and we've raised money for good causes. I would like our kids to perform and raise money to send other kids to camp this coming summer. I have chosen Saturday, April 25 at 4:00 p.m. to be our performance date. I usually have play rehearsal at this time, but I will obviously pass on rehearsal that week.
So, to answer some questions:
• Coffeehouse concerts take place in the fellowship hall. We turn the room into a 'cafe’ setting up round tables with table cloths and nice center candles.
• We sell food and drinks. Almost all food is made by us--we do buy fruit and whatever we need. We usually have finger foods and desserts.
• We have raffles! Many are donated by stores in our area. Some are homemade baskets of, for example, knitted mittens and a scarf, but this will be a project for all of us to handle.
All money goes to the particular cause we are raising for at the time. In our case, it would go to the Camp Warwick Scholarship Fund.
OK, now the talent part! I know how much talent the kids have, so think this way--if your kids can do any of the following, I want them!
• Play a song• Read a story or a poem they wrote• Have Art? Will Display• Cooking or baking• Comedy• Ability to sell raffle tickets• Announcer for acts• Magic• Dance• Decorate Raffle basket
Get the idea? OK please let me know if your kids are in for this event. I don't want to leave anyone out. Let's get this going! I know it will be one of the highlights of the season!
Do something different for LENT! Don't give up something. . .do something extra!
Use Branch's REFLECTIONS as a guide and write someone a Lenten Letter.Thank them for their friendship and God for His blessings. You will feel better as you put it in the mail!
Gratitude Is Attitude With A Dose Of God...
...This sentence has been whirring around my brain ever since Rev. Vicky offered me the position of Administrative Assistant at Brookville Church this January. Over the past decade, many books have been written on the subject of “being grateful.” New Age philosophers liken the state of gratitude to a “cooperative dance with the universe,” while others espouse its healing properties to both body and mind. (I couldn’t agree more!)
According to Webster’s New World College Dictionary, the first definition of “attitude” is “the position or posture assumed by the body in connection with an action, feeling, mood, etc. [to kneel in an attitude of prayer]” If I were to assess my attitude without the perspective of gratefulness, I would have to conclude it is smaller.
A view of the world without gratitude makes one’s actions hollow, less meaningful, I believe. Think about receiving a gift from a friend. If you judge the gift solely on its material merits, it loses its “life.” However, when you reflect on the experiences you and your friend have shared over the years, the gift becomes much more than the sum of its parts. When you add gratefulness into the mix, you add maturity to your spirit; life takes on dimension, wholeness.
When I received the email from Rev. Vicky, I thought about how grateful I was that she offered me the position. But it wasn’t just the job I was grateful for—it was so much more. I was grateful for having worked at the church before when Rev. Allan B. Ramirez was my boss and later became my friend. I was grateful for my friend Nan Coffey who, many years ago, introduced me to Brookville Church--I remembered how my husband and I had enjoyed the Christmas Eve candlelight services back then. I felt grateful for having met Rev. Vicky, for her new vision for the church, and for Lauren, who carefully guided me through the training process. I felt grateful to those who remembered me from years past, and for those whom I have yet to meet. All this came flooding in with one little email—a universe of God’s love.
Suddenly, it became clear why that sentence popped into my head!
I’m overjoyed to be back at Brookville Church! My hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., Monday through Friday. I look forward to meeting all of you!
In God-attitude,
Janîce
Farewell BRCAfter 7 1/2 years I never thought that I would be writing an article for this newsletter! Alas, the time has come for me to move on. Since September 2007 through today, I have enjoyed working here and interacting with Carol, Nan, Branch, Martha, Cathy, Kris, Rigo, Pastor Allan and now Rev. Vicky. I have always felt like Brookville was my home away from home. Around 2009 I started an online Etsy business designing and selling hair accessories and that has slowly grown to take over what extra time I had and then some! After much thought and consideration, I realized it was time for me to "quit my day job" and put all of my time and energy into my shop.
I am excited to see the changes that have been happening here at Brookville and will continue to keep in touch to see how things are going. I wish the best for Rev. Vicky, Carol, and Janîce, the new administrative assistant and everyone here. Thank you for everything!!
I’ll miss you all!
Lauren
Purim is a festive Jewish holiday that celebrates the deliverance of the Jews from their enemies in the biblical Book of Esther. Purim is celebrated on the fourteenth day of the Hebrew month of Adar, which usually falls sometime in February or March. Purim is so-called because the villain of the story, Haman, cast the "pur" (the “lot” as in “lottery”) against the Jews yet failed to destroy them. The most important Purim custom is reading the Purim Story from the Scroll of Esther, also called the Megillah. Jews usually attend synagogue for this special reading. Whenever Haman (the villain's) name is mentioned people will boo, howl, hoot and shake noisemakers (groggers) to express their dislike of him. Hamentaschen are triangular-shaped pastries that are traditionally eaten during the Jewish holiday of Purim.
This story is one of the most beloved in the Jewish community, because of the hope that it gives a minority
living in an oftentimes hostile majority culture.
One of the messages of Purim is that there’s nothing natural about nature. Random processes are really anything but, and nature is just Gd's way of managing the details without showing off. We live our lives as if events are disconnected, as if Gd is passively watching, maybe keeping score somewhere up above in the iCloud, while we are bouncing around in the “real” world playing the “game of life.” That's not what's happening.
In reality, life is a constant dialog with Gd. Every little event is part of an interactive master plan that has its own goal and logic, yet responds to our every move, subtly adjusting a world of outcomes in accordance with the quality of our deeds. This level of divine action is more subtle, diverse and pervasive than a capital-M Miracle. And it leaves us with our free choice to believe or not, to achieve or not.
Jews can always find a food to tell a story. In this case, it is the hamantash. The outside of the hamantash is just plain dough. The true flavor is concealed inside. Beyond the very ordinary veneer is the heart of the hamantash, bursting with sweetness.
Our lives are much the same. At times it seems that we are being pushed and pulled by accidental forces. Things happen to us that seem haphazard and random; there seems to be no system in place, no direction to this cold and harsh universe. This is not true. There is a system. But it is hidden. Below the surface there is a sweet hand and a warm heart that directs the universe.
Rarely do we get to see this hand. Purim is one day when it was revealed, when a crack opened in the outer shell of nature and we glimpsed what lies beyond. Purim reminds us that all those coincidences are no coincidences, and nothing is random. We are still in the middle of our story, so it is hard to see the full picture. But in the end we will see that it’s all one big hamantash.
With best wishes for a joyous Purim and may we live to see a world free of Hamans,
Rabbi Stuart A. Paris, HakohenCome on March 6 @ 7:00 p.m. for our special
Purim Celebration!
Remember to pray for our Partner in Peace and Education, Rev. Justin Meyers, his wife Stephanie and their sons, Gavin and Collin as they serve in Oman.
Our campus has pledged to give $6,300 to this ministry in 2015 and we need your help! If you would like to support “Rev. Meyers” and the Al Amana Peace Centre in Oman please write your check to Brookville Reformed Church and put Rev. Meyers in the memo line. A special Thank You goes out to the Muslim Reform Movement Organization (MRMO) and Dr. Abdulhameed for your gift of $620 which is nearly 10% of our total pledge. It is a joy for Brookville Church to be partnering with MRMO to further relations between Muslims and Christians worldwide!
Easter Sunday
Mail the attached order form or call the office at 626-0414.
April 5Remember to order yourEaster lilies or hyacinths
by March 20.
Easter Plant Order
Each plant cost $19.00 . All checks should be made payable to the Brookville Reformed Church. Orders due by March 20.
Name of Donor: ______________________________
Number of Plants: Lilies:____________ Hyacinths:____________
__ I will take the plant (s) after 10:00 a.m. worship.
__ I will leave the plant (s) to be given to a homebound member.
AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $_______________
Clearly list if plant (s) are in memory of or in honor of:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2015
#
The Essence of Interfaith
What is Interfaith and what is it not?
Interfaith is not a blending of Religions, it does not blur the lines of individual Traditions and Faiths to create something that is a replacement for what has existed before.
It is however the complete acceptance and understanding that every faith, every tradition and ritual has it’s place in the history and evolution of each separate religion. Families and individuals can cherish their unique rites of passage and maintain the essence of each person’s experience and history. Oftentimes, people do not have favorable religious experiences. As I work with couples who are preparing for “Interfaith Marriage”, I learn that they may or may not have been brought up in a religion or they may have ceased attending services in their birth religion or perhaps had no religious education growing up at all.
We may as individuals accept aspects of our birth religions and perhaps discard those that have not worked for us or those we no longer believe in. In essence, this is to take what we like and leave the rest. Some religious leaders would say that this is not the way to approach faith; that we need to accept all that we are taught.
There is space for questioning and seeking of an ultimate truth here. What is the truth? Is it true that there is one way to believe and everyone who doesn’t agree with what we were taught in our houses of worship and in our families is wrong? Is it true that one religion is “better” than another and if you don’t belong to that particular group or sect that you will not reach salvation and cannot commune with the ”true” God?
These are question that individuals must resolve for themselves. Knowledge is the antidote to closed mindedness. The willingness to accept the fact that God presented each civilization and each society, as history unfolded, with different paths to His Truth and that the path we each choose is just that, our chosen path.
God does not care what vehicle we use to approach Him. God offers us many vehicles to bring Him into our experience. True humility grants us the knowledge that no one of us has the ultimate answer to salvation. Every one of us, no matter our religious history, has the ability to commune with God and have the God essence as a partner in our daily life, regardless of whether we choose to practice our birth religion, to choose another religion or to bring our children up appreciating and having experience and knowledge in more than one faith.
What Interfaith is involves respect, friendship, acceptance, and the heartfelt and deep devotion to the support and embracing of all people for who they are, for what they believe in and the tremendous pleasure of getting to know and enjoy each other’s culture, history and beauty. In both the Interfaith Community and the Brookville Multifaith Campus, we are achieving this through sharing, education and the taking down of walls that society has created over time. We are seeing with a new clarity that our judgements and seperateness have not embraced true love.
There is nothing wrong with believing in one faith; staying true to ones beliefs so long as we allow everyone else to have the right to make their own individual choice without influence or prejudice.
To truly love and to accept one another is the path to peace, beginning individually and expanding to our community, our country and ultimately to our world.
This is our prayer.
Rev. Enid Kessler, Interfaith Minister and Advisor to The Interfaith Community of Long Island
Greetings everyone!
It’s March (let’s hope the weather starts to warm up!), and we’re in the middle of Lent. How are you walking through this special season? What are you discussing with your children and hoping to explore for yourselves? We have some wonderful classes and programs to inspire you, teach you and help you deepen your connection to God during this holy time. I hope you’ll join us. Blessings, Lesley
For Children and Youth
Sunday, March 15 – Interfaith Children’s Classes, 10:00am – 11:15amOur children join the IFC children in Fellowship Hall for a monthly class on LOVE that is taught through stories, arts, crafts and group discussion from both the Jewish and Christian faith traditions. Our classes are divided by age, and every grade is covered in three classes from kindergarten through 8th grade.Sunday, March 15 – Celebrating our Songs, 10:00am – 11:15amOut toddlers, aged 18 months – 4 years old, join the IFC children in the Brookville nursery at 10:00am for 45 minutes of free play, games and a simple, yet engaging lesson that highlights songs from Christianity and Judaism. This month, we focus on Noah and all of the wonderful animals in God’s great world.Saturday, March 28 – Youth Leadership Lab in New York City, 7:00am – 6:00pmOur youth will join others from the community at our annual Leadership Lab at YSOP (Youth Service Organization Project, NYC - http://ysop.org) where they will do direct service with homeless and hungry people. YSOP is a pioneer in the field of service-learning, leading thousands of young people and adults in programs to encourage community participation and engaged citizenship. We look forward to a meaningful day as we learn more about homelessness in our state. April Save the Dates!
• Sunday, April 5, 10:00am: Easter Worship celebration with children’s Easter Egg hunt following service
• Sunday, April 19, 10:00am – 11:15am: Monthly Interfaith Children’s ClassesFinal Chance to Sign Up!Summer Youth Mission Trip, West VirginiaSunday, July 19 – Saturday, July 25, 2015For all youth, ages 12 – 17Sign up by March 15 for an amazing week of service and fun in the rural community of Pipestem, WV. Our home for the week is the Appalachian Folklife Center, which provides acres of a beautiful campground, a nearby lake, recreational facilities, cabins with bunk beds, and plenty of outdoor adventures. We will work six hours a day restoring and repairing homes for at - risk and vulnerable homeowners. In addition, we will participate in our own worship services, educational programs and social activities around our service experience. Price: $725, all inclusive - scholarships are available.
For Our Entire Community
Friday, March 27, 7pm -9pm: What do the Abrahamic Religions believe about Jesus?Rev. Hank Lay from The Parkway Community Church in Hicksville will join us to share his studies into how Jesus is viewed by Judaism, Christianity and Islam. He will explore mutual understandings as well as differences and suggest possible ways that the followers of these three key world religions might find a common future regarding Jesus and their interactions in the world - Refreshments provided. Please register by calling the church office (516) 626-0414.Sunday, March 29 – Children and youth-led Palm Sunday Service, 10:00amJoin us for a special worship celebration, led by the children and youth of our community. All are welcome! I will be in touch with families regarding the planning and preparation for this day.April Save the Date!· Friday, April 24, 6pm: Ecumenical Women’s Ministry Spring Dinner, Reformed Church of Locust Valley
Education Corner By: Lesley Mazzotta, Dir. of Multifaith Education
Sunday Afternoon(s) of Yoga
March 8, 20152 pm - 5 pm ~ $45 per date
Please register no later than one week prior to date atBrookville Reformed Church, 2 Brookville Road Brookville
Presenter: Karyn Van Name, Certified Practitioner of Yoga, Meditation, Chakra Yoga, Yoga Therepy, Chair Yoga and Reiki
Karyn will present an afternoon consisting of well-paced, hatha yoga postures with focus on breath and alignment, pranayama
(yogic breathing), meditation and relaxation. Her intention is to help facilitate a state of ease and centeredness with an overall feeling of wellness and wholeness. This workshop is for all levels and highly recommended for those who are currently practicing yoga regularly to enrich your practice. If you are new to yoga or have limitations or are recovering from surgery, illness or injury, please contact Karyn [email protected] or 516-280-2774 to discuss your concerns. A private session or a shorter, smaller group class may be recommended first.
Please bring a yoga mat, cotton throw blanket, yoga blocks and belt (if you have them). Wear comfortable clothing in layers that allows freedom of movement. Please do not wear any perfume or cologne. Please practice with an empty stomach and barefoot.
* * * Karyn is a student of yoga since 1997 and teaching since 2000. She gratefully taught 90 students a week for 11 ½ years at St. Ignatius Retreat House in Manhasset till it closed in 2013. Currently she is teaching 7 classes weekly in Williston Park and studying Ayurveda which is based on the timeless wisdom of India's 5,000 year old medical system. As Karyn integrates these wisdom practices of aligning with nature into her own life, she naturally offers them to her students to help them live more holistically with the rhythm and seasons of life. Karyn holds certifications in Kripalu Yoga and Hatha Yoga - Anusara Inspired with Todd Norian, Chair Yoga, Meditation, Yoga Therapy, Chakra Yoga and as a Reiki Master. Having practiced Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy & Anusara Yoga Therapeutics, Karyn brings a comprehensive knowledge of yoga as therapy and a deep understanding of body-mind healing to her work with clients. She creates a sacred, safe space for healing in each modality or in combination, if needed, and is devoted to bringing compassion and understanding with heart centered awareness to each encounter with her students and clients. Karyn offers an integrative approach to wholeness with private and semi-private sessions at Lisa's Holistic Day Spa in Greenvale and in Williston Park and Locust Valley. She is available for classes
Registration Form ~ Sunday Afternoon(s) of Yoga
Name___________________________________! Phone________________________________
Address_________________________________! Cell__________________________________
________________________________________! email_________________________________
Yoga Experience: Number of years practicing and type of yoga ______________________________!
Date(s) of Session(s) you wish to attend: March 8, 2015 ______ Please check all that apply. Please remember to include your full payment of $45.00 per session. You can register for all dates at one time or individually and by one week prior to the event! Please make check payable to and send to: Karyn Van Name, P.O. Box 152, Locust Valley, NY 11560
ReflectionsReflections
One of the easiest ways to be aware of the passage of time is to have a regularly repeating deadline that starts with a reminder, like an alarm clock that rings too early, to get the subject written and delivered – on time - again. For me that is this column. The third weekend of every month I am alerted that the church Administrative Assitant will be working on the church newsletter and it is time for all of us writers to get our pieces completed by the coming Monday. For sure it seems that it has only been a very short while since the last one. While I have not been intentionally setting aside the weekends to write, it is good fortune for me that I have the time. After grumbling, I calm down and remember that the newsletter does not fall together of its own accord.
This is how you do it; you sit down at the keyboard and you put one word after another until it’s done.It’s that easy and that hard. ~ Neil Gaiman
Our newsletter has evolved into a fine publication with several interesting features. Carol Goglia used to slip in a line or two and now she has enough choir related news for a large spread. Kris Baggelaar has a relatively new column but it is rich with varied information that clearly comes from her heart. I now look forward to the inserts of Rabbi Paris and Rev. Kessler and our newest contributor, Lesley Mazzotta. Lesley seems to pull together all of our parts as she keeps track of and leads us in the things we are doing as a multifaith community. Of course you could just read this issue and see the parts and their authors but it is worthwhile to realize that there are at least eight people who contribute to this monthly paper.
There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed. ~ Ernest Hemingway
In my travels I have encountered all sorts of ways other churches get their news out-or don’t. If it is left up to just the Pastor that person has to have a strong desire to do something month after month with little thanks. Some churches have a part of the Sunday bulletin for current news. I have seen a version of a newsletter (of sorts) that is an insert in the Sunday bulletin. And I know some small churches just do not manage a newsletter. Now we are an on-line publication with only a few hard copies that are distributed. No more folding and inserting into envelopes that must be addressed and stamped and posted.
Writers do not find subjects; subjects find them. ~ Elizabeth Bowen[After 28 eight years of writing this column I believe this quote]
So I complain that I have to write something that eats into two weekend days but then the real work begins at the church office collecting our pieces, and don’t forget the pictures, into the fine publication that eats into most of the last week of the month. I am proud to be a part of this newsletter and even more proud of how Lauren Goglia, our publisher, has made its appearance so bright and interesting. She has set a high standard for her replacement, Janice Leotti, to meet and continue to keep.
Your only responsibility as a writer is to be true to the story that has chosen you to be its writer. Jean Little
Branch Worsham
END WORD: Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on. Louis L’Amour Louis L’Amour was a writer of short Western stories and one of my favorite authors
This month’s REFLECTIONS is dedicated to Lauren Gogliafor her dedication and success in raising the newsletter to what it is now.
MOONLIGHT~~AND ROSES~~WHISKERSLIKE MOSES~~JUST DON’T GO TOGETHER
I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by. ~ Douglas Adams
