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
This fall, Congress passed the Pension Protection Act, which created a new avenue for giving to charitable organizations like MAPC while simultaneously reducing a donor’s tax burden. Under the new legislation, eligible individuals can direct all or part of a mandatory minimum IRA distribution to charity entirely tax-free in the tax years of 2006 and 2007. A gift to MAPC through a mandatory IRA distribution allows the donor to avoid income tax on the distributions over the next two years. To be eligible, a donor must be at least 70½ years old. Each eligible individual can give up to $100,000 per year, while together an eligible couple can give up to $200,000 per year. Over 90% of IRA accumulations are not used in the lifetime of the owner, so this is a powerful tool for making a large gift and for reducing both income and estate taxes in the process.
The opportunity of the Pension Protection Act also raises awareness about the many meaningful ways to support the work of the church with financial resources and accumulated assets. When making financial decisions – at any age – please consider the current fund-raising appeals at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church.
Stewardship is the yearly campaign that supports the annual operating budget of the church. This includes day-to-day expenses like payroll, utilities, insurance, professional fees and maintenance. Stewardship income also covers the costs of routine programs such as worship, music, Christian education, outreach and congregational nurture. Annual giving to the church keeps the doors open – for business and for those who participate in the programmatic life of MAPC.
Qualifying mandatory IRA distributions can be used to fulfill a stewardship pledge, along with cash or donated securities.
The 921 Fund is the capital campaign instituted by Session in 2005 to fund the costs of renovating the Church House, a church asset that after 90 years of use requires investment. Renovation to the building began in early 2006 and will continue throughout 2007. The scope of the project is large-scale, as the importance of the building’s upkeep is critical to the mission of MAPC. Many of the programs of the church occur within the Church House. Renovation of the building ensures that the ministry from within the Church House will continue for future generations.
Pledges to the 921 Fund may be paid in 2006 and 2007 with a mandatory IRA distribution. Cash, donated securities and certain trust arrangements are also acceptable means of pledge payment, as is the managed sale of fine art or real estate.
The Development Committee of Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church recently initiated an effort to encourage planned gifts to the General Endowment Fund. Planned gifts are structured arrangements that provide the donor with specific tax benefits and in some cases income during the donor’s life.
If you would like to know more about how to make such gifts and the opportunities available for your support, please contact the Church Office at 212-288-8920 and ask to speak to the Rev. J.C. Austin, Associate Pastor for Evangelism and Stewardship (jca@mapc.com), or to Emily Dupree, Director of the 921 Fund (ecd@mapc.com).
Renovation projects always offer unforeseen challenges and opportunities. Concealed problems occur, instantly altering the course of a project despite best laid plans. Fortunately, construction in the Church House last summer resulted in very few such “unpleasant surprises,” primarily because the project managers were very familiar with the disrepair of the building and had set reasonable expectations. However, during demolition in the basement of the Church House last spring, workers discovered a serious, hidden condition in the alley between the Sanctuary and the Church House.
The steel structure that supports the alley is corroded from water leaching through the exterior concrete, making the space beneath it unusable and the alley above it structurally unsound. Engineers who have assessed the situation describe the prevalence of “pack rust,” the detrimental effects of which are two-fold. First, being corrosive, pack rust diminishes the integrity of the steel’s strength and ability to support the alley; second, as the condition persists, the rust wedges the concrete and steel apart. Once the rust was discovered, immediate precautionary measures were taken to ensure that the alley remained structurally sound. Unfortunately, a portion of “Lester’s Place,” one of MAPC’s two overnight homeless shelters, is directly underneath the alley. The leaking conditions and additional shoring have rendered that portion of Lester’s Place unusable as contractors have installed steel shoring which will remain in place until the problem is resolved.
The situation in the alley warrants attention early in the new year but will include certain inconveniences associated with it. The repair will require excavation of the area, removal of the concrete and corroded steel, and the installation of a new steel sub-structure over which new concrete will be poured to form a new and waterproof alley that could ultimately be incorporated into a remodeled Church House Atrium Lobby. Fortunately, construction in the alley will occur during the day, which shouldn’t hinder the operation of Lester’s Place or our other shelter.
An additional problem with repair of the alley-way has to do with the access ramp entrance from Madison Avenue into both the Church House and the Sanctuary. The ramp will not be usable either while the alley is under repair or once renovation begins in the Church House. A temporary ramp will need to be constructed at the 73rd Street entrance of the Phillips Building. This means people entering via the ramp will need to walk through the Phillips Lounge to get to the Church House elevators, rendering that space virtually unusable for any programs during the remaining construction and renovation of the Church House Lobby. Entrance to the Sanctuary will be a bit easier but will involve coming into the room from the front of the nave rather than the rear.
Repair to the alley should begin early next year, once appropriate construction permits are obtained. In addition, phase two renovation plans for the Lobby call for inclusion of the alley into an atrium, along with a new access ramp more easily accessible to both the Sanctuary and the Church House. The Building Steering Committee is working hard to keep inconvenience to a minimum and ensure the continuing integrity of our Day School and other important ministries. Consequently, major work on the Lobby will not begin until next summer, which means that access to the Church House from Madison Avenue could be affected from then until the end of the year. However, first priority for the summer’s work will be completion of the Day School work on the 8th floor, which includes conversion from steam heat to circulating hot water, installation of the fire suppression sprinkler system, and completion of the central air-conditioning system.
Special thanks and appreciation go to John Heilshorn, Chair, Ann McChord, Dick Iverson and Richard Frey of the Building Renovation Committee for their careful and diligent work in overseeing these important projects. Construction updates will continue to be publicized in UPDATE and elsewhere, as every effort is made to accommodate members and guests throughout this important renovation process.
The music of brothers Joseph and Michael Haydn will be the focus of the first Saint Andrew Chorale concert of the season. Works by both composers will be sung, including Joseph Haydn’s beloved Lord Nelson Mass and rarely-heard Salve Regina in G minor for four solo singers. Michael Haydn will be represented by two early sacred works: Veni Sancte Spiritus for chorus and soloists (based on a Pentecost text) and a short work of Marian devotion for solo soprano and strings, Ave Regina in A major. Admission is by suggested donation of $20 ($15 for students/seniors) at the door.
After a year of celebrating the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth, a host of brilliant students from Mannes and MAPC’s Director of Music & Organist, Andrew Henderson, will be presenting a selection of Mozart’s works commemorating the date of Mozart’s death: December 5, 1791. The program includes Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 12 in A major, K. 414, the Serenade No. 12 in C minor, “Nacht Musik,” K. 388, the coloratura soprano aria “Vorrei spiegarvi, oh Dio!” K. 418, and the Adagio & Allegro in F, K. 608, for organ. Admission is by suggested donation ($15; $10 students & seniors).
Featuring the Saint Andrew Chorale, MAPC Children's Choir, guest instrumentalists and readers Fred & Questa Anderson. In addition to singing plenty of audience carols and hearing some seasonal readings and poetry, you will be delighted by excerpts from the “Christmas Portion” of Handel's Messiah, a setting of Personent Hodie by Seth Bingham (MAPC's Organist & Choirmaster from 1913-1951), John Rutter’s What Sweeter Music and Wilhousky’s Carol of the Bells. Free-will offering.
Follow this link to view the entire
Saint Andrew Music Society 2006-07 Concert season
December 3 - Advent I
Drop Down, Ye Heavens, from Above - Richard Lloyd
Solo: Every Valley (from Messiah) - G. F. Handel
December 10 - Advent II
Solo & Chorus: But Who May Abide?
& And He Shall Purify (from Messiah) - G. F. Handel
The Harvest of Righteousness - John Weaver
December 17 - Advent III
Rejoice in the Lord Alway - Purcell
People, Look East - arr. Martin Shaw
December 24 - Advent IV
Mary’s Magnificat - Andrew Carter
The Truth from Above - arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams
December 24 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
MAPC Church Choir, Soloists and Guest Instrumentalists
Excerpts from the “Christmas Portion” of Handel’s Messiah
God is With Us (A Christmas Proclamation) - John Tavener
What Sweeter Music - John Rutter
December 25 - Christmas Day Lessons & Carols
The Angel Gabriel - arr. Edgar Pettman
In the Bleak Mid-winter - Harold Darke
Coventry Carol - arr. Martin Shaw
Still, Still, Still - arr. Philip Ledger
Mary’s Magnificat - Andrew Carter
December 31 - First Sunday after Christmas
Nativity Carol - John Rutter
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly - arr. Willcocks
Congregational Brunch
and Advent
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On Saturday afternoon, November 18, the Mid-Timers will enjoy a guided tour of Gilded Legacies: The Saint John’s Bible in Context at the Museum of Biblical Art (MOBIA).The Saint John’s Bible, commissioned by Saint John’s Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minnesota is “a landmark of contemporary religious art: the first commissioned Bible to be handwritten and illuminated since the invention of printing.” The exhibit contains 14 newly completed leaves from the Saint John’s Bible, displayed alongside some of their precursors. The Saint John’s Bible is the work of a team of scribes, artists and theologians who combine modern and ancient techniques and technology, traditional iconography and imaginative interpretations “to create a Bible that speaks to our contemporary world.” The leaves on display are from the prophetic books of the Old Testament and are truly a feast for the eyes.
After the tour, we’ll go to a nearby coffee shop/bakery for conversation and fellowship. Please let us know you are coming, so we’ll know who to look for! Sign-up at coffee hour after worship, or by contacting Margaret Williamson at the church office, 212-288-8920 x271 or mew@mapc.com.
MOBIA is on Broadway at 61st St, and we will meet at 2:45 in the lobby of the building. There is no charge for the tour or for admission to the exhibit, but donations are welcome.
Our annual Seniors Unlimited Christmas luncheon will be held on Monday, December 11, beginning at 1pm in the Parish Hall. We’ll enjoy a festive meal, singing Christmas carols, and listening to a Christmas story. Make your reservations by Wednesday, December 6 with Margaret Williamson at 212-288-8920 x271, or mew@mapc.com. The cost for the luncheon is $5.
This fall the 20s/30s group is discussing the role our faith plays in the various aspects of our lives: our careers and work lives, our political views and choices, our relationships, our views on social issues, and the ways in which we spend our time, energy and money. Upcoming meetings and events include:
—Saturday, November 11, Salsa Lesson!! One of our 20s/30s members has arranged for a group salsa lesson at 1:30 pm at Soho Dance, 598 Broadway @Houston, 6th floor. Meet at the church at 12:30 pm if you’d like to travel downtown with others, or meet at the dance studio at 1:15. The group will go to lunch in Soho afterwards. Space for the class is limited to 20, so RSVP for this event to Margaret Williamson at the church, 212-288-8920 x271, or mew@mapc.com.
—Sunday, November 19, 5:30 pm, supper and discussion, followed by 7:30 pm worship service. Please let us know several days in advance if you need childcare for this evening meeting.
—Sunday, December 3, Join in the Congregational Brunch and Advent Festival in the Parish Hall following the 11:15 am worship service. No separate 20s/30s gathering.
—Sunday, December 17, 5:30 pm, supper and discussion, followed by 7:30 pm worship service. Please let us know several days in advance if you need childcare for this evening meeting.
For more information about the 20s/30s group contact Beverly Bartlett at the church 212-288-8920 x247, or bab@mapc.com. To request childcare for the Sunday evening meetings, please contact Margaret Williamson at 212-288-8920 x271, or mew@mapc.com.
The Hood Library Committee will hold its annual fall book sale on Sunday, November 19 in the Church House Lobby. Books of all kinds will be available, including many “coffee table” books that may make a good Christmas gift. Come browse through the tables of books while you enjoy a cup of coffee and fellowship after worship.
For our December Families gathering we’ll have a Christmas party on the 5th Floor of the Church House with decorations, special treats, a craft activity, and a Christmas story (energy level permitting!). Families with children ages 5 and under (and older siblings) are invited. A light breakfast of bagels, fruit, coffee, tea and juice will be available. Come play, talk, celebrate the season, and enjoy the company of other parents and young children in the church community! RSVP to Margaret Williamson at 212-288-8920 x271, or mew@mapc.com.
We now have two knitters groups! The morning group meets on the third Tuesday of the month, from 10:30 to noon in the Hood Library. The evening group meets on the second Tuesday of the month, from 6:30 to 8pm, also in the Hood Library. Knitters and crocheters of all levels are invited to join in this time of fellowship. Bring a project of your own, or make scarves and hats for our homeless neighbors, or baby items for the residents of Inwood House. If you’re just beginning, this is a very supportive environment in which to learn! We have plenty of donated yarn and knitting needles to get you started.
The November and December schedule is:
Evening group: November 14 and December 12
Morning group: November 21 and December 19
Parents of teens and young adults are invited to join the bi-weekly Parents Prayer Group that meets on Wednesday mornings, 8 – 8:30 in the Phillips Lounge. The group reflects together on a passage of scripture that was chosen at the previous meeting, shares prayer concerns and closes with a time of prayer. Upcoming prayer group meeting dates are November 15 and 29, and December 13.
Parish RegisterBaptisms Alexander Roald Finnerty, son of Theodore Kimball Case, son of Nancy Belle Eastman, daughter of Deaths *Eva Taylor L. Holt (Mrs. Charles) (*MAPC member) |
Advent and Christmas 2006 Wednesday, December 6 Christmas DecorationsIf you wish to contribute to the Christmas decorations, please make your check payable to Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church and send it, with the memorial, to Margaret Williamson, c/o MAPC, 921 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10021, or telephone 212-288-8920 x 271. The deadline is December 10. |
Also, see:
Festival