MADISON AVENUE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
921 Madison Avenue
(at East 73rd Street)
New York, NY 10021
Tel: 212- 288-8920
Fax: 212-249-1466
(at East 73rd Street)
New York, NY 10021
Tel: 212- 288-8920
Fax: 212-249-1466
Co-Chairs Nancy and Jack Hobson are pleased to announce that a name has been chosen for the capital campaign that was approved by Session last summer to raise funds for the repair and refurbishment of the Church House at 921 Madison Avenue.
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Architect's rendering c. 1960 |
The 921 Fund: A New Century of Witness, Nurture and Service is the name, which draws on the optimism present a hundred years ago when the Church House was first built — a time of remarkable expansion and transformation for the church. Currently Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church faces similar challenges in continuing an effective ministry to the needy of the community and increasing program space for fellowship and education.
The 921 Fund presents a singular opportunity for all who use the Church House to reflect upon the importance of the building. Jack Hobson commented about The 921 Fund, “the role of the Church House over the last one hundred years certainly merits thoughtful restoration, especially now as we look forward to furthering our mission in the next century.”
Special thanks are due to the Naming Committee, which was comprised of Nancy and Jack Hobson; Caroline and David Johnson, Co-Chairs of the Fund for Renewal campaign; Sharon McGavin, Chair of the Communications Committee; Fred Anderson, Pastor; J.C. Austin, Associate Pastor and Emily Dupree, staff.
In celebration of the 250th year of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s birth, the Saint Andrew Chorale & Orchestra rounds of its season with a concert featuring music by this ever-youthful composer. The Coronation Mass and Solemn Vespers, among Mozart’s most beloved works for soloists and chorus, were written within a year of each other while Mozart served as court organist in Salzburg. The Mass in C, K. 317, was first performed on Easter Day 1779, though it gained its popular subtitle when it was later used at the coronation of Leopold II in 1791, contains passages of rhythmic exuberance and lyrical introspection. The Solemn Vespers, K. 339, is a lively setting of psalm texts, including the beautifully serene “Laudate Dominum” for soprano and chorus. While there is a part for each of our professional soloists in these two works, the sopranos are clearly the stars in these pieces! The Vespers and Coronation Mass will give ample opportunity to show off the talents of our very own Sarah Pillow and Katherine Wessinger! We will also present two Church (or ‘Epistle’) Sonatas for organ and strings, as well as Mozart’s justifiably famous Ave Verum Corpus.
The Saint Andrew Chorale is a fifty-strong chorus of dedicated singers from within MAPC and the wider community. The Saint Andrew Music Society’s mission in offering concerts of sacred music provides an excellent way to bring new people through our front doors on Sunday afternoons, and to experience the beauty of our sanctuary as well as the music. I cannot stress enough how much I value the dedication and talent of our volunteer singers and professional soloists, and I hope you will mark Sunday, May 21 in your calendar! Admission is by suggested donation ($20 - $15 for students/seniors)
Andrew Henderson,
Director of Music & Organist
When we began celebrating communion on a weekly basis, the decision was made, for logistical reasons, to serve by having people come forward, while making provision for those who could not, or who preferred to receive while remaining in the pew. In addition, because some voiced a real preference for receiving communion in the pew, provision was made to serve everyone in the pew at the 11:15 am service on four Sundays a year: World Communion Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent, the first Sunday of Lent and Easter Day. In the last year or so, when we have served in the pews, a number of people have asked why we have done so. At its most recent meeting, the Worship Committee discussed this and concluded that inasmuch as those who wish to be served in the pews are being so served, the only service at which it makes sense to serve everyone in the pews is the 11:15 am service on Easter Day, when this is the most expeditious way to do so. However, before taking a recommendation to the Session, the members of the Committee would like to hear your reactions. Please address them to the members of the Committee: Curtis Field, Chair; Maggie Mills, Vice-Chair; Nancy Kim Sasaki, Marjorie Norris, Danny Lopez or staff member Fred Anderson.
One other thing: The Worship Committee is looking for people who would be willing to help them prepare elements for the services. If you would be interested in this, please talk with Elder Curtis Field.
Parish RegisterNew Members Deaths |
The swimming pool, which occupied the basement and subbasement, is now completely removed. In its place, a concrete floor has been poured in the subbasement and four separate rooms are being constructed: a mechanical room for conversion of the building’s heating system from steam to circulating hot water; a much needed trash storage room (currently all trash has been stored in the alleyway between the Church House and the Sanctuary, creating a breeding ground for rodents); a workshop for the church handyman; and a storage area for the tenth floor apartment residents.
On the basement level, steel beams were hung across the former pool space, corrugated steel laid on top of the beams and a steel reinforced concrete floor has been poured. This will become the new home to our overnight shelter, as well as additional program space for use by various programs during the daytime hours.
The tenth floor staff apartments are moving forward on schedule. Currently all of the new windows are in place, and sheet rock and taping are continuing, as well as final floor treatments in kitchens and bathrooms. Hardwood flooring arrives within the week for installation. We expect that the apartments will be complete by late August and that the Hendersons, the Finnertys and Dawn Ravella and her soon-to-be-husband Glen will be taking up occupancy in their new apartments in September.
Work on the renovation of stairwell bathrooms continues, and the installation of the new stand pipe is in progress. This is essential for the new fire-suppression sprinkler system that is being installed.
A new telephone system has been ordered and will be in place by June 1.
In keeping with codes, we cannot shut down the steam until May 15, at which time we will begin work on the conversion of the heating system. This may mean the need for sweaters–should we have some cool spring days, and we apologize in advance for the inconvenience. Once schools have closed following the Memorial Day weekend, work will begin on the complete renovation of the 9th floor Day School, the 4th floor elevator lobby and nursery, and the 2nd floor gymnasium.
Thanks to the Building Renovation Committee for their continuing hard work, and thanks to you for your support and understanding.
We have a block of tickets for the Staten Island Yankees opening game of the season against the Brooklyn Cyclones on Wednesday evening June 21. Last year’s trip to the Staten Island game was great fun. If you’ve never been to a minor league game, they are family-friendly events and we encourage those Mid-Timers with children to join in the fun. Tickets are a whopping $11 each, and you get to enjoy riding on the Staten Island Ferry, watching the ships go by beyond center field and the best view around of Lower Manhattan! Oh, and fellowship with other MAPC-ers, of course! The field is a very short walk from the ferry terminal on Staten Island. Make your reservations now!! Call Margaret Williamson at 212-288-8920 x271, or email mew@mapc.com.
For the June Families gathering we will have a picnic in the park, since the Roof Garden will be under construction. Watch for further details of location, time and what to bring in the Pastor’s Letter and monthly email notice to families.
Once again, the Hood Library Committee will have their Summer Reading Sundays during the month of June. On any Sunday in June, come in before or after the 10:30 am worship service and pick out your summer reading material. Books checked out in June are yours for the summer! They are due back on September 10. The Hood Library has a great collection of current and new books–fiction, non-fiction, biography, spiritual reading and more. Take advantage of this wonderful resource–it’s easier than a trip to the Public Library!
Plans are being made for a Seniors Unlimited bus trip to the Van der Goot Rose Garden in E. Millstone, New Jersey, on Monday, June 12. More details will be mailed to those on the Seniors Unlimited mailing list. If you do not receive the flyer by mid-May, or are not on the mailing list, please call Margaret Williamson 212-288-8920 x271 for more information on this trip.
The MAPC knitters meet on the third Tuesday morning of the month, 10:30 - noon, in the Hood Library. All knitters and crocheters are welcome, from novices to experts. Come work on a project of your own, scarves and hats for the Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter, or baby items for the residents of Inwood House. If you need help gathering supplies, call Margaret Williamson at the church, and she will put you in touch with the group’s facilitator.
By the time you receive this issue of the UPDATE, it is likely that Sarah Lien Finnerty, our Director of Christian Education and Youth Ministries, will be on maternity leave with a new baby! Sarah has been put on bed rest until the baby arrives, and is working from home. If you need to reach her before the baby is born, you can call or e-mail her there. (Please call Margaret Williamson at the church for contact information.) After the baby is born, please contact Beverly Bartlett at the church for Christian Education-related matters.
We will continue to offer a children’s worship program during the time that Ms. Finnerty is out on maternity leave. Elisabeth Parrish and Doug Green will be joining us during the summer to lead this program. Elisabeth hails from Georgia and will be doing a journalism internship at Columbia Press. She has a strong church background and has taught Sunday school for 3- and 4-year-olds, and has led children’s choirs. Doug is currently a student at Union Theological Seminary and will be doing his field education with MAPC beginning in September. We are thankful that he is available to assist with children’s worship this summer. The usual younger and older children’s worship classes will be combined beginning, May 28, Memorial Day weekend, with Ms. Parrish and Mr. Green working as a team to lead this program. Children ages 4 to 7 are invited to leave the sanctuary after the children’s lesson for children worship which will be held in the Hood Library during the summer.
Summer Worship ScheduleBeginning Sunday, May 28 through the Labor Day weekend, Worship Services will be at 10:30 am and 7:30 pm. A Lectionary Bible Study with the day’s preacher, will precede the 10:30 am service at 9:15 am. Preaching Schedule for Sundays in June June 4 - “The Church's Hope” - The Rev. Dr. Fred R. Anderson |
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