Category Archives: History

Construction Coming to an End!

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

It feels like a miracle that we were able to pull this big 1 million dollar preservation project through! As the scaffold around the church comes down, I become once more aware of our boldness to embark on this project in the first place. Our small church family of 70 people – and we experienced something like that! Surely, without God’s grace and provision, this would not have happened. Continue reading →

Posted in General, History | Leave a comment

Come Share the Joy! Dutch Psalm Singing, Food and Dance!

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Benjamin T. Berman

The Congregation of First Reformed Church would like to cordially invite you to partake in our series of events to celebrate our 200th anniversary. The year 2012 marks an important anniversary for the history of our church. We would be honored to have your company as we converge on this milestone. Continue reading →

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

To Understand Rather Than to Be Understood

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Rev. Dr. Hartmut Kramer-Mills

Brother Roger, the beloved founder of the Taizé Community in France, once observed, “Throughout my life, I had the desire not to prejudge anybody. In relating to everyone, it was essential for me to rather understand than to be understood. In order to understand, faces are even more important than words.”

From here, Brother Roger went on to describe his appreciation of the human face. We, here at First Reformed Church, have been blessed with manifold opportunities for following Brother Roger’s intent. For years, we have participated in the tradition of Taizé. We have also come to realize that peace on earth is only possible if people begin to understand each other and develop empathy and appreciation for each other’s situation. Continue reading →

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

Status of Construction

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Rev. Dr. Hartmut Kramer-Mills

The construction is moving forward very well. The dumpster and several contractor cars in the driveway have been a persistent problem, though. We arranged with the parking authority that three specific cars of volunteer staff can park free in the Wolfson Deck. In addition, Architect Margaret Westfield has banned all contractor cars from the driveway. However, the information does not reach everybody. On one morning, there were five different cars of workers and contractors successively parked in front of the dumpster. I approached only two and was quickly tired of the game. Continue reading →

Posted in Building Vision, General, History, Items of Interest, Property Committee | Leave a comment

Concert at Crossroads Theatre

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Janet Waanders

On Jul 16th, we were privileged to use the Crossroads Theater for a fund-raising concert we called A Spiritual Crossroads. The theater’s own name and philosophy inspired us to think about our congregation’s experience over the years of engaging with people from many origins and faith traditions.
Three of those origins and traditions were represented by the gifts of music at the concert. Raíces Cultural Center Ensemble played music from Afro-Cuban rumba spiritual masses and batá chanting and drumming from the Orishas or forces of nature. Jeanel LeBlanc sang hymns and spirituals originating in or important to the African American experience. And Wind of Anatolia played Turkish folk music in the Anatolian tradition. By evening’s end, audience members were dancing first in the aisles and then, at Pastor Susan’s invitation, on stage with Wind of Anatolia. Continue reading →

Posted in Building Vision, Events, Fund Raising, General, History, Items of Interest, Music | Tagged Crossroads Theater, Historic Preservation | Leave a comment

Concert at Crossroads Theater

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Benjamin T. Berman

We hope so much that YOU will come to New Brunswick for a summer night out at Crossroads Theater on Livingston Ave.

The Date and Time? July 16th at 7:00 p.m.

What are we celebrating? Over the years, First Reformed Church has developed close ties with several groups that represent different parts of Christianity, different parts of the world, and different faiths. We have benefited greatly from these associations and want to celebrate that with music.
Who will perform? Come to hear Jeanel LeBlanc sing African-American Spirituals, the band Wind of Anatolia play and sing Turkish spiritual music, and the Raíces Cultural Center Ensemble perform music from Afro-Cuban Spiritual Masses. Continue reading →

Posted in Events, Fund Raising, General, History, Items of Interest | Leave a comment