RELIGION: Plymouth Church, DA’s office present film on Slavery and the Law

September 27, 2012 By Francesca Norsen Tate, Religion Editor, Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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Plymouth Church has led the historic fight against slavery, from its founding in 1847, through the Civil War, and into the present. Even though the 13^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution officially abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, this human rights crisis continues to exist underground around the world.

Plymouth’s Underground Thrift Store has, in its first year, raised awareness of enslavement and human trafficking, donating 25 percent of its net proceeds to organizations that fight slavery. Plymouth was set to honor its first grant recipient, the Somaly Mam Foundation, this past Sunday. Plymouth’s Christian Help ministry has also focused on anti-slavery efforts through the church’s partnership with ECPAT, a global organization fighting child prostitution and trafficking.

The advocacy work continues this Friday with a film screening of a 2011 documentary from the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.

Plymouth’s Christian Spiritual Development and History ministries presents the documentary, titled Slavery and the Law, on Friday, September 28 at 7 p.m.

Please join us on Friday, September 28 for a screening of the 2011 documentary,

The Office of Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes produced as Slavery and the Law a way to make the history of slavery and the Civil Rights Movement meaningful to young New Yorkers. The filmmakers responded to the educational challenge by creating a documentary that tells the story of slavery and its aftermath, chronicling the struggles to transform the law and create a more just society. The resulting film is more than just a teaching tool, however. It follows a group of Brooklyn youth as they work together on a commemorative wall mural, it and delivers a multi-layered, informative and uplifting film for all audiences. The film also features Plymouth historian Lois Rosebrooks as she gives a tour of this landmark church.

A discussion with a representative from the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office follows the viewing. reflect the fact that we have many kids and families attending Early Church. It will thus help those families who have other activities on Sundays they want to participate in. Second, it will also have a new curriculum. We will be using a brand new series called “Holy Moly”; in the fall we will trace Bible Stories from Abraham to David and Goliath. “Holy Moly” features animated shorts designed to engage the imagination and inspire creativity. Finally, the new time will allow Sarah Kooperkamp to join in as teacher. We look forward to resuming Sunday School and know that it will be an exciting fall with so many new things going on.
This event, held in Plymouth’s Reception Room (75 Hicks St. entrance), is free of charge and open to the community.

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Flag-making event helps to memorialize abuse victims

The Safe Homes Project of Good Shepherd Services has conducted an annual candle light vigil in October for 18 years. This year, Safe Homes (formerly known as the Park Slope Safe Homes Project) is collaborating with the Park Slope United Methodist Church to present a different event, a first of its kind in the neighborhood, and one that fosters creativity.

“Flags of Hope,” a flag-making event in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, will memorialize those who have been lost to domestic violence. Participants can create messages of hope, safety, peace, and justice for those who survive, those who are still struggling, and the whole community. Art supplies, speakers, refreshments and a self-defense demonstration by the Center for Anti-Violence Education will be provided at this event, Friday, October 5 at 7 p.m.

The flags created as in community that night will be displayed later in October in the Park Slope United Methodist Church sanctuary and at the YWCA of Brooklyn during “Week Without Violence,” (Oct 15-20), to remember those that have been lost, support those that survive, and take a public stand for justice and peace, and against domestic violence.

The Safe Homes Project, established more 35 years ago by Good Shepherd Services in collaboration with the Park Slope community, exists to combat domestic violence, and provide support and assistance to survivors. Our services include shelter, counseling, safety planning, and advocacy, as well as community outreach, training and education.

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Bread and wine comprise just the starting point of the mention of food in the Scriptures Plymouth Church presents a two-part event on food in the Bible.

The Rev. Vito Aiuto, senior pastor of Resurrection Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg, leads “Food in the Bible, which concludes on September 30.The program discusses the role of bounty, the agricultural rituals of growing, preparing, serving and eating in both the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures.

Pastor Aiuto ministers to a young, dynamic church in what is now considered Brooklyn’s hippest neighborhood (“a congregation in skinny jeans,” says the New York Times), Rev. Aiuto brings a fresh perspective to the communal table. “Food in the Bible” is open to the community. The program continues at 12:30 p.m. this Sunday, Sept. 30.

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On the subject of food….

Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral starts a new parish tradition, with the presents the First Annual “TASTE BY THE BRIDGE”

Samples from some of the best dining establishments in of Downtown Brooklyn, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens and Brooklyn Heights this Sunday, Sept. 30, from noon to 4 p.m. The Cathedral hosts this event at its 113 Remsen St. entrance. Also featured are music and drinks.

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Brooklyn-based heritage ensemble returns to Heights library

Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble returns to the Brooklyn Heights Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library for a second year with a free, multi-cultural, audience-interactive musical performance, October 20.

Downtown Brooklyn resident Eugene Marlow is a musician, composer/arranger and leader of The Heritage Ensemble. He has spent the last 30 years exploring the melodic and rhythmic commonalities among Jazz, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and Judaic musical cultures, in the process creating the group’s unique brand of world music arrangements and infectious danceable rhythms.

This free interactive live musical performance will also include a discussion of the world rhythms underlying The Heritage Ensemble’s arrangements which directly reflect the multi-cultural community of Marlow’s Downtown Brooklyn neighborhood. “The underlying purpose is to explore the commonalities among the various cultures from which all these musical cultures are inherited. This is part of the reason the word ‘heritage’ is in the ensemble’s name,” says Marlow.

In addition to Marlow’s inventive arrangements and lively presence at the piano, this highly talented ensemble includes five-time Grammy nominee drummer Bobby Sanabria, NEA Performance grantee saxophonist Michael Hashim, Nuyorican virtuoso percussionist Oba Allende, and the powerful yet poignant bassist Frank Wagner.

The program, on Saturday, October 20 at 2 p.m., is made possible through generous underwriting support from local businesses, including: Park Plaza Diner, All in One Deli, Concord Cleaners, and Piano Technician Peter Favant, among others.

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Taizé evening prayer offered in Park Slope

The Park Slope United Methodist Church offers a Taizé service every Wednesday evening, throughout the year.

Taizé is a candlelit, meditative service consisting of elegantly simple chants, a brief reading of Scripture, an extended period of intentional silence, and intercessory prayer.

According to the church’s website http://www.parkslopeumc.org/, the service is based on the style of the Taizé monastic community in Burgundy, France. Taizé music emphasizes simple phrases, usually lines from Psalms or other pieces of Scripture, repeated or sung in canon (as a round). The repetition aims at nurturing meditation and prayer. The late Brother Roger (Roger Louis Schutz-Marsauche) – who founded the Taizé community in France, said during his lifetime that “singing is one of the most important forms of prayer. A few words sung over and over again reinforce the meditative quality of the prayer. They express a basic reality of faith that can quickly be grasped by the intellect, and that gradually penetrates the heart and the whole being.”

Because a Taizé service has no sermons, it is well-suited to those new to their faith, those returning to church after a time away from religious observance, and those who want to practice their faith in community without the pressure of conforming to others’ beliefs.

The Taizé service starts at 7:30 p.m. The Park Slope United Methodist Church is at 6th Avenue and 8th St.

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The Rev. Sarah Kooperkamp, second from left, will be ordained to the priesthood this Saturday. She is pictured with her husband, Billy Lopez (at left); her mother, Dr. Elizabeth Kooperkamp and the Rev. Dr. Earl Kooperkamp. Photo courtesy of the family Faith Newsmakers: Ordination of Deacon serving St. Ann’s

The Rev. Deacon Sarah Kooperkamp, who has served St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church since earlier this year, will be ordained to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church this Saturday. We are all invited to Sarah’s Ordination. The Rt. Rev. Mark Sisk, Bishop of New York, will preside at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on September 29 at 10:30a.m.

The new priest, who is also the daughter of an Episcopal priest, will preside at the Eucharist for the first time the next morning, September 30, at St. Ann’s 11 a.m. service. Her father, the Rev. Dr. Earl Kooperkamp, will preach at that service.

Sarah was ordained as a transitional deacon last spring. She joined St. Ann & the Holy Trinity after having served at churches in Manhattan, New Hamburg, New York, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Most recently she was the Director of Christian Education at Christ & St. Stephen’s Church, in Manhattan. She has served in a number of capacities in parishes; and brings a love of children’s ministry and a desire to implement outreach projects to the Church. A Sarah graduated from Amherst College, Union Theological Seminary and General Theological Seminary. She lives in East Harlem with her husband, Billy, and her dog, Job.

The Rev. Dr. Earl Kooperkamp is Priest-in-Partnership at Church of the Good Shepherd in Barre, Vermont. He previously served as Rector of St. Mary’s Manhattanville in West Harlem. He holds a Ph.D. from Union Theological Seminary in Theology. He has taught at General Theological Seminary and Sing Sing prison. He is a prominent Episcopal presence in diverse social transformation issues, from anti-war advocacy to the rights of restaurant workers. Father Kooperkamp is active in the areas of peace, justice and human rights and is especially focused on service to the poor.

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St. Ann’s introduces new times for its early church, Sunday School

St. Ann’s Early Church and Sunday School have new times.

Early Church, begun last season with a 9:45 a.m. start time, has been moved 15 minutes earlier, to 9:30, to accommodate an expanded Sunday School. The latter will run from 10:15 to 11 a.m., immediately preceding the main service.

The time changes reflect the growing number of kids and their families attending Early Church; and will also help those families who have other Sunday activities scheduled.

A new curriculum is also being introduced: “Holy Moly.” Participants will Bible Stories from Abraham to David and Goliath. “Holy Moly” features animated shorts designed to engage the imagination and inspire creativity.

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Oktoberfest tradition continues at Zion German Lutheran Church

Zion German Evangelical Church. Eagle file photo

Zion German Evangelical Lutheran Church invites everyone to Oktoberfest!

This annual celebration of German culture featuring great food, live music, dancing, a charity raffle takes place on Saturday, October 6, 2011, 3:30 – 8 p.m. ET – rain or shine. Doors open 3:30pm; Dinner of bratwurst, sauerkraut, red cabbage, potato salad, beer and soda, dessert with tea and coffee is served starting at 4 p.m.

The church is at 125 Henry St., just south of Clark St., in Brooklyn Heights.

Advance Reservations (deadline: October 1): Adults: $20; students and seniors $15; children (age 12 and under) $12. At The Door: Adults $24; seniors $18; children $14. (Seniors: 62+; Students must show valid ID).

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MILESTONES IN FAITH: Cornerstone Church celebrates 1-year presence serving Bay Ridge

Cornerstone Church marked its first anniversary as a faith community on Sunday, September 16. The congregation, which meets every Sunday at the Hotel Gregory on 4^th Avenue near 83^rd St. in Bay Ridge, also welcomed one of its earliest supporters, State Senator Martin Golden, who was present for part of the service.

Cornerstone Church is part of the larger National Baptist Convention Pastor Nathan Tubbs, who preached a sermon about discipleship based on New Testament scripture and writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, is also the drummer in the congregation’s praise band. His ongoing mission is not just to be another church in the community, but to be “of the community.”

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MILESTONES IN FAITH: St. Finbar’s Church marks patronal feast days

St. Finbar Roman Catholic Church in Bensonhurst’s Bath Beach neighborhood marked the feast days of two saints this week, the Feast of St. Michael (whose feast day is September 29); and the Feast of St. Finbar, for which the parish is named, and whose patronal day falls on September 25.

St. Finbar (also spelled St. Finbarr) was a 7^th-century Irish saint. His birth name was Lochan; and his surname, meaning Barr the White, was later given to him. He was Bishop of Cork for 17 years. The church in Bath Beach was founded in 1880 in the Town of New Utrecht before New Utrecht was incorporated into the City of Brooklyn. The parish served Irish immigrants and neighbors; the demographic now is largely Italian-and Spanish-speaking.

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