In the 1920’s, my father’s parents (Beatrice and Edgar) emigrated from Scotland to the United States. Passing through Ellis Island, they moved into an apartment at 94-13 Jamaica Avenue in Queens. My grandfather was a journeyman carpenter who plied his trade in the New York shipyards. My grandmother was a clerk at Bloomingdales. Together they [...]
Entries Tagged as 'church'
The Bowling Lanes of the Lord
January 19th, 2012 · 4 Comments · Faith and the City
Tags:bowling·church·community·fapc·fifth avenue presbyterian church·first presbyterian jamaica·immigrants·love·support·youth
You Can’t Go It Alone in New York
October 14th, 2011 · Comments Off · Faith and the City
This week I have been running into church members all around our fair city. I am still surprised when this happens. It’s a numbers thing. Hop around the corner to grab lunch in Gotham and you’ll pass a thousand other souls in two minutes flat. Flashing along with all the other sardines, it is easy [...]
Tags:byrant kirkland·christianity·church·fapc·loneliness·new york·solidarity·you can't go it alone in New York
The Kardashians Go to Church
September 29th, 2011 · 2 Comments · Faith and the City
Last week, a producer of the reality television show, “Kourtney & Kim Take New York” called the church. Really! In case you don’t know (I didn’t), Kourtney and Kim are two of the three Kardashian sisters. Who are the Kardashians? Well, that’s a darn good question. The Kardashians have become famous in the odd way [...]
Tags:church·coliseum·fapc·gladiators·kardashians·kourtnery & kim take new york·presbyterian church new york·reality show·worship
Summer Reading
June 18th, 2010 · 6 Comments · Faith and the City
June 18, 2010 One of my favorite things about the summer is reading. Over the course of the year, a stack of books grows in my office. I add to the pile when I get recommendations from you, or when I come across a good review in The Christian Century, or when an email from a [...]
Tags:book group·church·duluth·gilead·marilynne robinson·pulitzer·reading·summer
Mystery Worshipper
April 6th, 2010 · 3 Comments · Faith and the City
I just found out that a “Mystery Worshipper” has recently posted a review of the church… Yes, I said “Mystery Worshipper!” Evidently there is is a clandestine group of of people who visit churches, checking out the comfort level of the pews, the friendliness of the ushers, the quality of the music, the length of the [...]
Dear Eutychus
March 4th, 2010 · 2 Comments · Sermon Bin
A Confirmation Sunday Homily February 28, 2010 Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church ©Scott Black Johnston Acts 20 7 On the first day of the week, when we met to break bread, Paul was holding a discussion with them; since he intended to leave the next day, he continued speaking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps [...]