Category Archives: General

Piano for Four Hands

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Rev. Dr. Hartmut Kramer-Mills

Why did Poulenc write a piece that sounded like he wanted to take it out on the piano? How does this fit to the sometimes even humorous streaks in his music? Did Dvořák use real folk dances from his native Bohemia when he wrote Op. 46, Book 1? And why do musicians switch sides when they play on one piano together? Continue reading →

Posted in Events, General, Items of Interest, Music | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Bell Choir

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Erie Beemsterboer

The Bell Choir is working very hard on a new piece; it is a challenge for all of us. Some ringers are working on new techniques; most of us are working with a rhythm that is somewhat unfamiliar. When we are practicing it starts to sound very nice. We will play this song during the Mother’s Day service, and then work on one more piece before the bells get a summer rest. You will want to come and hear us! Continue reading →

Posted in Events, General, Items of Interest, Music | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Coffee Hour Signup – May and June

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Erie Beemsterboer

Dear Friends,

Below is the list of dates for May and June for Coffee Hour. I know it seems far away, but since I will be away from April 26th thru May 6th, I am trying to be prepared. Continue reading →

Posted in Events, General, Items of Interest, Worship | Leave a comment

Lunchtime Recital – March 21st

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Rev. Dr. Hartmut Kramer-Mills

Photos from previous Lunchtime Recital – Elaine Christy, harpist Award winning harpist Elaine Christy teaches at Princeton University and is a member of the Richardson Chamber players there. Christy presented a program of French music for solo harp from Debussy … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, Items of Interest, Music | Tagged | Leave a comment

Creativity and Community

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Rev. Dr. Hartmut Kramer-Mills

As Easter comes upon us, we have a remarkable coincidence with the dawn of a new period of ministry here at First Reformed Church. The reason is that our historic preservation project comes to an end. This means less reporting, less building issues, and less work for the Finance Committee and the Consistory. The Fundraising Committee even had its last meeting.

So, we are resurrecting from construction and paper files and bank statements. Now is the time to become creative again and to continue to nurture the exciting community that has formed around us during the years of brick-and-mortar. It is also important that we invest more efforts, prayer and thoughts in growing our church. What would our meaning be, if we did not try to reach as many of our neighbors near and far in order to offer them participation in God’s peculiar way of relating with us? Continue reading →

Posted in General, History, Items of Interest, Pastor's Desk, Property Committee | Leave a comment

Inter-faith Coexistence Project – Earth Day Celebration!

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Rev. Susan Kramer-Mills

We will be celebrating Earth Day in a big way. It’s all about the animals this year. Noah’s story will be our inspiration!

Here’s what’s planned for Sunday, April 29th

12 noon BBQ
1:30 pm – Rainbow Choir sings
1:45 – Inter-faith Worship with speaker
Activities continue until 4 pm. Free rabies vaccines!
Presenters: Seeing Eye Dogs, K-9 Unit, Animal Adoption for cats and dogs
We kindly ask for paper products – cups, plates, napkins and utensils and beverages in large containers Continue reading →

Posted in Events, General, Items of Interest | Tagged | Leave a comment

Town Clock CDC

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Rev. Susan Kramer-Mills

The Town Clock CDC is concentrating its efforts this year on raising funds. Sound all too familiar? Yes! Well, with the funding cuts to all the social service agencies within New Jersey, all trust funds and grant providers for affordable housing are having difficulty. That means that we must concentrate our efforts to raise funds outside of these ‘typical’ agencies, such as the city, county, and state. Frustrating, but it is the reality of the day.

With that being said, we invite you to consider philanthropists you may know, or persons who have board affiliations to organizations which provide grants. We would be delighted to hear about any contacts. This project is an amazing opportunity to do something unique to an historic structure. Just today, I explained to Erie about how the fire in the sanctuary in 1971 was laid by man, whose girlfriend we were supporting. He was abusing her, and we were giving her shelter. Our choice for building 11 units of permanent supportive housing for women and their children stems from this event. What a wonderful way to make something good out of something that destroyed the interior so long ago! Continue reading →

Posted in Building Vision, Fund Raising, General, Items of Interest | Tagged | Leave a comment