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
The poem “September” by Helen Hunt Jackson beautifully captures essential qualities of the seasonal change from summer to autumn. The poem opens with vivid descriptions of observations in nature this time of year, and closes with a delightful pronouncement that the month is so special to the author because of a favorite memory. One stanza in particular reflects the reverence and optimism that abound in the last days of summer leading into fall:
By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer’s best of weather
And autumn’s best of cheer.
While “these lovely tokens” in the poem are all the beautiful sights present in a garden or in the field, there are many “lovely tokens” to remind us at Madison Avenue Presbyterian that the summer has progressed to autumn. The enormous construction project that took place in the Church House over the summer has come to an end, and we can rightfully celebrate what the coming months have to offer.
The renovation of the Church House, which has been discussed and planned for several years, was necessitated by the age of the building and an increase in the programmatic life at MAPC. Daily use was straining antiquated systems, maintenance costs and repairs were adversely affecting the church’s budget and some space was simply not functional anymore. The work simply could not be put off any longer.
The “lovely tokens” in the Church House now are new plumbing lines, updated electrical and communications wiring, modern climate control, gleaming windows, bright bathrooms, and fresh paint. The basement now houses both overnight shelters in dedicated spaces, which opens up the Parish Hall for gatherings and functions. The 2nd floor gym has been renovated to create an income opportunity for the church and provide an appealing space for play. On the 9th floor, the Day School enjoys improved lighting and use of space for a more pleasant learning and working environment. The Church House has been renewed – a cause worthy of cheer!
On Ministry Celebration Sunday we rejoiced in the many opportunities to be involved in the ministry of Madison Avenue Presbyterian. Since its construction 90 years ago the Church House has served as a means to enhance the ministry of Madison Avenue Presbyterian by providing space for fellowship and outreach. Kindness and care to the needy and forums for Christian nurture continue in the Church House today. With the approach of fall and the renovation complete, a new century of witness, nurture and service begins with the opportunities and space to practice grace and foster God’s love in and to the community.
Welcome back to the Church House
after an eventful summer. Enjoy!
As the new program year gets underway at MAPC, full of potential, we have the opportunity to start off in the best way possible with the approach of the first of four traditional offerings received each year by the church. October 1 is World Communion Sunday and the day that we receive the Peacemaking Offering. The Offering is part of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, which was created in 1980 by action of the General Assembly of the former United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. Traditionally, 25 percent of the offering received is retained by the congregation for use in fostering peace at the neighborhood level. Another 25 percent of the Offering is used by synods and presbyteries, thus supporting programs over a greater area. And finally, the remaining 50 percent of the Offering will be used on a worldwide scale by the General Assembly ministries through the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program.
In a world where the winds of discord can seem to blow unchecked, our goal is to promote peace–to grow needed harmony – on many different levels everywhere. Our opportunity is that we can do this complex thing through one simple act of giving. Please prayerfully consider what a difference your portion of the Peacemaking Offering can make in this world and give generously. Offering envelopes will be available in church on October 1. Thank you!
Henderson/Huff Concert on Sunday, October 1 Music for Two to Play! |
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Music for Two to Play! is the title of our first Saint Andrew Music Society concert of the season on Sunday, October 1 at 3 pm. Director of Music & Organist Andrew Henderson, along with Mary Huff, our Associate Director of Music, will play a concert of organ solo and duet repertoire on MAPC’s 4,000-pipe Casavant organ. They will play music for two organists by contemporary composers Philip Moore and John Rutter, as well as other colorful and expressive works by Herbert Howells, Charles Tournemire, Olivier Messiaen and Dan Locklair. Join us for this opening of the 2006-2007 season!
Admission is by donation at the door ($15; $10 students/seniors). Professional child care will be available by reservation. (Please contact Margaret Williamson (mew@mapc.com or 212-288-8920, x271.) The SAMS brochure has been mailed and extra copies are available in the narthex ... please pick some up and distribute them to your friends!
October 1
I Waited for the Lord (from Lobegesang) - Felix Mendelssohn
Let My Prayer Come Up - Henry Purcell
October 8
Worship the Lord in Holy Splendor - John Weaver
I Sat Down Under His Shadow - Edward Bairstow
October 15
Hear My Prayer, O Lord - Henry Purcell
Go Not Far from Me, O God - Nicolò Zingarelli
October 22
Let All the Angels of God (from Messiah) - G. F. Handel
Sing, My Soul, His Wondrous Love - Ned Rorem
October 29 - Reformation Sunday
Ertödt uns durch dein Güte (from Cantata No. 22) - J. S. Bach
Amazing Grace - arr. Peter Schickele
October 1 – Andrew Henderson & Mary Huff, organ
Music for two to play! Duet and solo works by 20th Century composers:
Howells, Rutter, Locklair & Tournemire.
October 8 – Jorge Avila, violin; Adrienne Kim, piano
Spanish flair! Works for violin & piano by Granados, Sarasate and Rodrigo.
October 15 – Steven Masi, piano
A program of works centered on Chopin and Debussy, including
Chopin’s Sonata in B-minor and Debussy’s Etudes (Book I).
October 22 – Margaret Mills, piano
The new embraces the old in this solo piano program:
works by Thorne, Mozart, Schonthal, Liszt and the premiere of a work by
Director of Music/Organist Emeritus, John Weaver.
October 29 – Peter Vinograde, piano
Bach, Beethoven, Schumann and two NYC premieres:
Hal Campbell’s Folksongs à la Carte & Jere Hutcheson’s Electrons.
Follow this link to view the entire
Saint Andrew Music Society 2006-07 Concert season
The first Congregational Brunch of the fall will be held after the 11:15 am worship service on October 1. Please come downstairs to enjoy fellowship, coffee, and brunch. For those who can’t stay for brunch, coffee, tea and cookies will be available as always. The cost of brunch is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and children under 12 eat for free. After brunch, make your way back upstairs for the first Saint Andrew Music Society concert of the fall, with Andrew Henderson and Mary Huff.
Dr. Phillips Talbot, who with his wife, Mildred, joined MAPC in 1973, will be speaking about events and memories of his rich and varied career. Beginning in 1936 he served as a reporter for the Chicago Daily News and, after wartime Naval service in India and China, was that newspaper’s correspondent in South Asia in 1946-48, covering the end of British rule and the launching of independent India along with its partitioning to create Pakistan. He frequently interviewed the leaders Gandhi, Nehru and Jinnah. From 1951 to 1961 he was Executive Director of the American Universities Field Staff. In 1961 he became Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs where he remained until 1965 under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Following that, Dr. Talbot served four years as U.S. Ambassador to Greece. More recently he was for eleven years President of the Asia Society, the period during which the current Asia Society building was constructed. All are welcome to hear Ambassador Talbot speak. Refreshments will be served. Please let us know you are coming so we will have plenty of refreshments and chairs available. RSVP to Margaret Williamson at 212-288-8920 or mew@mapc.com.
The 20s/30s group is beginning the fall by discussing the Care of Creation: as Christians, how do we understand our responsibility to be stewards of God’s creation? And what actions can we take to respond faithfully to current environmental crises?
The schedule for upcoming meetings and events is:
• Saturday evening, Sept. 30, 7 pm, bowling at Bowlmor Lanes
• Sunday, Oct. 1, discussion at 1 pm in the Youth Lounge, after the 11:15 am worship service and coffee hour. A light lunch will be served, and childcare is available.
• Sunday, Oct. 15, 5:30 pm supper and discussion, followed by 7:30 pm worship service, childcare available upon request.
• Wed., Oct. 25, 7 pm Wine, Cheese and Discussion, Parish Hall
For more information contact Beverly Bartlett at the church 212-288-8920 x247, or bab@mapc.com. To request childcare for the Sunday evening meeting, please contact Margaret Williamson.
The MAPC congregation is invited to a barbecue and movie night on the Roof Garden! Since it’s Friday the 13th and a couple of weeks before Halloween, we encourage children (of all ages) to wear their Halloween costumes. We’ll enjoy dinner and fellowship beginning at 6 pm and start the movie at 7:45. Dress is casual–unless your costume requires a ball gown and tiara! The movie is a surprise–but one that is sure to be hit for people of all ages!
The cost for the evening is $15 and children under 12 can come for free. Please let us know you are coming so we can throw plenty of food on the grill (down in the kitchen, of course). Watch for sign-up sheets after worship on Sundays, or RSVP to Margaret Williamson at 212-288-8920 x271, or mew@mapc.com.
The Mid-Timers will have a guided tour of the Feeding Desire exhibit at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum on Friday evening, October 20. We’ll meet at the museum at 5:45 pm so that we can begin the tour promptly at 6 pm.The full title of the exhibit is, “Feeding Desire: Design and the Tools of the Table, 1500-2005, and the museum describes it as: “A journey through the evolution of Western dining from the Renaissance to the present, Feeding Desire features objects from Cooper-Hewitt’s world-class collections. The exhibition will address the development of utensil forms, innovations in production and materials, etiquette, and flatware as social commentary.” Following the tour, we will have dinner together at a nearby restaurant. The cost of the tour will be determined by how many participants we have, but will be less than $10 per person. There will be opportunities to sign-up for this evening after Sunday morning worship, or you may reply to Margaret Williamson at 212-288-8920 x271, or mew@mapc.com The Cooper-Hewitt is at 2 East 91st Street.
The October Families gathering will be Saturday, October 14 from 10am to noon on the Roof Garden. Families with children ages 5 and under (and older siblings) are invited. This is a great opportunity to enjoy fellowship with other MAPC families. A light breakfast of bagels, fruit, coffee, tea and juice will be available. Come play, talk and enjoy the company of other parents and young children in church community! RSVP to Margaret Williamson.
Knitters and crocheters, advanced or beginning, are invited to join the MAPC knitters on the third Tuesday morning of the month in the Hood Library. Bring a project you’re working on, get help deciphering instructions, or work on scarves and hats for the residents of Inwood House or for homeless men and women served by the Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter. If you’re just beginning, this is a very supportive environment in which to learn to knit or crochet! We have plenty of donated yarn and knitting needles to get you started.
The Congregational Nurture Committee is hosting a women’s book brunch for MAPC members and friends. Joy Carol–author, speaker, spiritual director and workshop leader–will be with us to talk about women’s friendships and read selections from her new book, The Fabric of Friendship: Celebrating the Joys, Mending the Tears in Women’s Relationships. Brunch will be served and copies of Joy’s book, just off the press, will be available for purchase. The cost of brunch is $10. Bring a friend!! RSVP to Margaret Williamson.
The Presbytery of New York City is sending a volunteer work team January 13-20, 2007, to help rebuild homes in Louisiana. Skills needed are: carpentry, electrical, painting, roofing, engineers, general help, cooking, counseling, administration/computer help, and debris removal. Please note that you do not have to be a skilled laborer in order to be useful! Volunteers are also needed to help organize the trip. If you are interested in participating, please talk to J.C. Austin or Beverly Bartlett and they will get you in touch with the appropriate people at the Presbytery office. There is space for 25-40 participants. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
The Healing and Wholeness Services will start up again on the first Wednesday in October. Held on the first Wednesday of the month, October through May, in the Dana Chapel, the Healing and Wholeness Services include prayers for healing, anointing for those who wish to come forward, and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
Also, see: