This evening there was a book launch party at Plymouth Church for Brooklyn’s Plymouth Church in the Civil War Era: a Ministry of Freedom, (History Press, Charleston, SC, 2013) a new book by church member Frank Decker, assisted by Lois Rosebrooks, Plymouth’s Director of History Ministry Services. The book tells the story of Plymouth’s role in the antislavery movement in the years leading up to the war, led by its dynamic abolitionist minister Henry Ward Beecher; its participation in the “Underground Railroad” for escaping slaves; and its efforts in support of the Union cause during the war. You can read more about the book and order it here.

Your correspondent’s wife attended the book launch and took this photo of Mr. Decker and Ms. Rosebrooks.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/63256

The Brooklyn Heights Synagogue, at 131 Remsen Street (between Clinton and Henry) is having a special Shabbat service Friday evening, June 14, in honor of Pride Month. This from the Synagogue:

Brooklyn Heights Synagogue supports Pride month with a special celebration of our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning friends, families and allies. Pride Shabbat Evening Service will take place Friday, June 14th. We will begin the evening at 6:00pm with a light snack and wine. 6:30pm candle lighting and services with guests Rabbi Nikki DeBlosi, performance artist and Rabbi at NYU Bronfman center, and Marc Solomon, National Campaign Director for Freedom to Marry. Services will be led by Rabbi Serge Lippe, Rabbi Molly Kane and Cantor Nancy Bach. After services we will continue our celebration with a festive oneg!

The event is free and all are invited. There’s more information here.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/59832

The First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn has partnered with Key Food to help fulfill its “Mission Brooklyn” initiative. On Friday, March 1, from 7-8 p.m., locals may donate contributions and food items at the Key Food @ 102 Montague Street, to help restock FPC’s Food Pantry.

After several months of increased need, the church’s pantry, which serves some 120 community members, is in dire need of restocking. Key Food is allowing FPC’s Mission Brooklyn—its monthly youth service initiative—to set up tables on March 1, during which shoppers can buy cans of food from the grocery that will be directly donated to the Food Pantry. Cash and check donations are also welcome and will be used to purchase food.

FPC notes: “In 2009, the FPC Food Pantry experienced a 58% increase in the number of people visiting the pantry for emergency and supplementary food. In 2012, this need remained at an all-time high, as demand continues to increase, particularly among low-income caregivers and out-of-work breadwinners. Clients are often the working poor of all ages with fixed incomes and limited mobility, making the FPC Food Pantry an important source of support. All people are welcome to the pantry; no one is turned away for any reason.”

First Presbyterian is located at 124 Henry Street. Read more about the food pantry and its accomplishments and needs at its website. The Food Pantry is every Thursday at 10 a.m.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/55661

Monday evening, December 10, in celebration of Chanukah, Brooklyn Borough Prez Marty Markowitz joined Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin of Congregation B’nai Avraham and Rabbi Simcha Weinstein, along with Paul Amit, a parent from Kiddie Korner, and other officials to light Brooklyn’s 29-foot menorah in front of the Supreme Court building in Columbus Park/Borough Hall Plaza.

Musical entertainment was provided by Yanky Flusberg and Kiddie Korner, and Markowitz handed out Chanukah gelt candy coins to celebrants. (Photo: Kathryn Kirk)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/52704

Paul Richard Olson has completed twenty years’ service as Organist and Choirmaster at Grace Church, as well as Music Specialist at Grace Church School (he is shown in the photo giving an introductory lesson on the church’s Austin Organ). Today, there was a celebratory brunch in the church’s Guild Hall to mark the occasion. As a special honor to Paul, the hymnist Jacque B. Jones, a member of Plymouth Church, wrote the lyrics to a new hymn, “As Starlight Warms to Daybreak,” which she set to a Swedish melody in recognition of Paul’s Scandinavian heritage. There’s a video of the assembled multitude singing the hymn after the jump.

Piano accompaniment was provided by Craig Whitney, retired New York Times editor and Grace Church parishioner, as well as author of All the Stops: the Glorious Pipe Organ and its American Masters, a must read for fans of the King of Instruments.

Photo: Grace Church; video by Martso.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/49527

St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church at 157 Montague Street advises BHB readers that it’s not too late for pets and beloved stuffed animals to receive a St. Francis Day blessing, a remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures. Come by Sunday, October 14, at 2 p.m., and gather in the church’s North garden on Clinton Street in Brooklyn Heights. Should it rain, the blessing will take place inside. Photos from last year’s blessing can be viewed here. Read more about St. Francis Day here.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/49020

St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church at 157 Montague Street advises BHB readers that it’s not too late for pets and beloved stuffed animals to receive a St. Francis Day blessing, a remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures. Come by Sunday, October 14, at 2 p.m., and gather in the church’s North garden on Clinton Street in Brooklyn Heights. Should it rain, the blessing will take place inside. Photos from last year’s blessing can be viewed here. Read more about St. Francis Day here.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/49020

The ninth-annual Children of Abraham Peace Walk will be held in Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 11. Recognizing the solidarity that arises after any disaster, this year’s walk will visit several houses of worship, and include a local firehouse and Christ Church, which was severely damaged following a fatal lightning strike this summer.

Participants may meet at Kane Street Synagogue at 5 p.m., with the event finishing at the Brooklyn Promenade at 7 p.m. Performers and artists are welcome. More information is here; or call Rev. Tom Martinez at 718-915-2600.

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7789

A part of the facade of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church at 55 Cranberry Street fell to the ground on Tuesday morning. No one was injured. The sidewalk in front of the building has been closed to pedestrians.

This incident comes amidst the church’s effort to raise funds for much needed repairs on the building, which opened its doors on August 15, 1909. The parish was established in Brooklyn in 1842 on Jay Street and was the area’s first Roman Catholic church.

Those wishing to donate funds to the church may do so by filling out this form on the church’s website.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/45225

The 150-year-old Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, a gothic revival building in Boerum Hill at Fourth Avenue and Pacific Street in a severe state of disrepair, is slated to be demolished in the next year, according to Rev. Christopher Ballard of the Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew, who is in charge of the site.

Ballard shared the news at a Boerum Hill Association general meeting on Thursday evening, as reported by DNAInfo.com. The structure was partially damaged by rumblings from subways that run beside it and because there has been little effort to maintain it over the last five-plus decades years, Ballard said.

It would cost the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island, which owns the building, at least $8 million to repair the church enough for it to be inhabitable, and nearly $20 million to make it usable, Ballard said. The reverend admitted that the church has made no effort to raise money to make the repairs: “Our focus and attention has long been on keeping the walls up as opposed to serving humanity.”

In the face of declining membership and a crumbling building, the church closed down and the congregation has since begun worshipping at the Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew, at 520 Clinton Street. Meanwhile, the Church of the Redeemer building has suffered an overgrown lawn and a leaking roof.

The Diocese did not believe the church was worth repairing because the congregation has dwindled over several decades, from a congregation of about 1,500 to about 200, Ballard added. Over the next 20 months, the church will be demolished to make way for a mixed-use building, he said, with residential, commercial and religious purposes.

Read more here.

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7480