Two Free Concerts at Historic Church Compound in Brooklyn

FRIENDS OF HISTORIC NEW UTRECHT

IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: 1-718-234-9268

FREE COMMUNITY CONCERT SERIES CONTINUES: HALLOWEEN

PROGRAM IN BENSONHURST

BROOKLYN - "Abracadabra", a spirited program of Halloween and film favorites, is one of two musical programs announced by the Friends of Historic New Utrecht to be performed as part of its continuing free concert series in the Parish House of the New Utrecht Reformed Church in Bensonhurst on Saturday, Nov. 3, at 7:30 p.m. The second will be "Holiday with the Pops" on Saturday, Dec. 15, also at 7:30 p.m.

"Abracadabra" will be presented by the ISO Symphonic Band, Brian P. Worsdale, founder and conductor. "Holiday with the Pops" features the North Shore Pops Concert Band, Eric Albinder, conductor.

At both concerts, light refreshments will be served. Parking is available in the lot of the historic church compound at 18th Ave. and 84th St. in Bensonhurst. Bus and subway lines are nearby.

The Parish House is next to the New Utrecht Reformed Church main building which is undergoing a $2 million restoration and repair. Both the Parish House and main church building are known for their magnificent stained-glass windows. Architecturally, both also are historically significant structures in Brooklyn.

The church, within the mainline Reformed Church in America (RCA), was founded in New Utrecht in 1677 and on Oct. 28 celebrated its 330th anniversary with a worship service and dinner. The main speaker was the RCA's general secretary, Wesley Granberg-Michaelson. The worship service was conducted by the Rev. Terry Troia, pastor.

The Friends of Historic New Utrecht Concert Series is supported, in part, by public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Additional information on the continuing concert series is available at 718-256-7173. The Friends historic organization offers more information on its cultural and educational activites at www.historicnewutrecht.org and www.newutrechtchurch.org.

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pr services donated by bhprEspeciallyForChurches October 2007

Wes speaks at New Utrecht's 330th anniversary

New Utrecht Reformed Church celebrated its 330th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 27. During the service, Deacon Rose Lood was honored for her 70 years of service to the church and Elder Rita Hollenga, president of the Brooklyn Classis, was honored for 50 years of service.

After reading a passage from Luke 9:1-11, Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, General Secretary of the Reformed Church in America (RCA), gave a sermon on the growth of the RCA and the increase of her churches and ministers after starting what is now the New Brunswick Theological Seminary in Flatbush, Brooklyn in 1784. Granburg-Michaelson stressed the role of the variety of ethnic groups and its importance to both the RCA and New York City. He posed a question to the congregation: What would the mission of New Utrecht Reformed Church be like ten years from now?

He asked the church to do three things as a missionary church:

1. Prayer;
2. Draw on the stories of God's people in the Bible; and
3. Draw on the stories of God's people today.

Prayers of Thanksgiving were offered by the ministries and members of the congregation. The service concluded with a benediction by Fr. James Muller, pastor of St. Finbar's Roman Catholic Church, delivering the benediction. A dinner and dessert, accompanied by folk music, folllowed afterwards.

Photos by Vincent La Marca

Kavanagh Honor performing "Ode to Joy."

Rev. Jon Norton, executive minister of the Regional Synod of New York, giving the Word of Assurance.

Consistory Vice-President Susan Hanyen (left) honoring Elder Rita Hollenga (center) and Deacon Rose Lood (right) for their many years of service.

Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, General Secretary of the Reformed Church in America (RCA), giving the sermon.

Granberg-Michaelson speaking to the congregation and guests.

Fr. James Muller, pastor of St. Finbar's Roman Catholic Church, delivering the benediction.

After the service we have dinner together.

After the meal, folk music!

Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, Nov. 4

A reminder: Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, Nov. 4 at 2 AM. Please move your clocks back one hour the night before.

All Saints Day/Proper 26 (31), Year C

Readings from All Saints Day (Nov. 1 or 4) and Proper 26 (31)(Nov. 4), Year C

FHNU Concert Series

Friends of Historic New Utrecht is sponsoring "Abracadabra," an evening of Halloween and film favorites, by the InterSchool Orchestra Symphonic Band, conducted by Brian P. Worsdale. The concert takes place on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 7:30 PM at the New Utrecht Reformed Church Parish House.

Also, Friends is sponsoring "Holiday with the Pops," with the North Shore Pops, conducted by Eric Albinder. The concert takes place on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 7:30 PM at the New Utrecht Reformed Church Parish House.

Light refreshments will be served at both concerts, which are free and open to the public.

NURC, Mirral Church mentioned in NY Times article

New Utrecht Reformed Church and the Mirral Church are both mentioned in a New York Times article on the increasing diversity of Bensonhurst in the last 20 years. The Times article, "The United Nations of Brooklyn," mentions that nearly half of the neighborhood's residents - 76,000 out of 158,000 - are foreign-born. Louise Fabiszak "has been a loyal member of the church nearly her entire life. She fondly remembers the Easter Sundays of her childhood, when she used to scramble to find an empty pew." The article also mentions the increasing importance of immigrants to the church and its worship service, which takes place every Sunday at 11 AM. “Our minister tells us that immigrants will be our salvation,” she said. “The writing is on the wall — Bensonhurst is changing,” Fabiszak said.

The full article: "The United Nations of Brooklyn"

Proper 25 (30)/All Saints Day, Year C

http://divinity.library.vanderbilt.edu/lectionary/CPentecost/cProper25.htm
http://divinity.library.vanderbilt.edu/lectionary/CPentecost/cAllSaints.htm

Proper 24 (29), Year C

http://divinity.library.vanderbilt.edu/lectionary/CPentecost/cProper24.htm

Church, Founded in 1677, Celebrates Its 330th Birthday

Eds: We invite your photo and news coverage of this Brooklyn historic celebration. Contact: Rose Lood (718) 745-1269.

The New Utrecht Reformed Church, 18^th Ave. and 84^th St. in Bensonhurst, celebrates its 330^th birthday Sat., Oct. 27, with a worship service at 6 p.m. and anniversary dinner at 7 p.m. Dinner reservations are required, and information may be obtained by calling (718) 236-0678.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A "Brooklyn old-timer," the New Utrecht Reformed Church, celebrates her 330^th birthday Saturday, Oct. 27, with an old-fashioned church dinner, preceded by a worship service.

The dinner is at 7 p.m. and the service at 6 p.m., both at the historic church complex at 18^th Ave. and 84^th St. in Bensonhurst.

The church was founded in 1677.

Persons attending will have an opportunity to see one of Brooklyn's most cherished structures, the New Utrecht Parish House with its magnificent stained-glass windows, while the main church building and sanctuary, next door, dating from 1828, undergo extensive repair and renovation.

The church, a member of the Reformed Church in America (RCA) denomination, is near subway and bus lines. Parking is available in the church lot.

The pastor is the Rev. Terry Troia, who also is executive director of Project Hospitality, an organization in Staten Island that assists the needy.

Dinner reservations are required, and information may be obtained by calling (718) 236-0678.

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Grand Marshals honored at the Brooklyn Columbus Parade Brunch; Parade: Sat., 10/6, 1-3 PM

Four Grand Marshals were honored at the Brooklyn Columbus Parade Brunch on Sunday at the Oriental Manor on 86^th and Bay 19^th Sts. in Bensonhurst. The honorees are Dr. Nicoletta Pallotta, director of Brooklyn Women's Services, the Rev. Terry Troia, executive director of Project Hospitality and minister of New Utrecht Reformed Church, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano and Borough President Marty Markowitz. Also honored at the brunch was Deacon Rose Lood, president of the New Utrecht Liberty Pole Association, on the occasion of her 91^st birthday.

The four Grand Marshals will appear at the Brooklyn Columbus Parade, sponsored by the Federation of Italian-American Organizations of Brooklyn, Ltd., on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 1 PM on 18^th Ave. between 60^th and 84^th Sts. The parade will end at 3 PM with a raising of the American and Italian flags at the Liberty Pole in front of the New Utrecht Reformed Church, 18^th Ave. at 84^th St. Prior to the Parade, a Mass will take place at 10:15 AM at St. Athanasius R.C. Church, Bay Pkwy. at 61^st St., followed by a reception at 11 AM at the St. Athanasius School Auditorium, Bay Pkwy. at 62^nd St.

Photos by Vincent La Marca