Broadway Presbyterian Church

We had passed this church on our bookstore tour and it is the first Presby church we had found in the area. When we got back home Serena looked at their website and we all agreed to go this past Sunday.

It began raining on the way there, a walk down Broadway from 121st to 115th, so Kevin ran back tothe house to get an umbrella. Serena and the girls were wamrly welcomed by the usher who briefly explained their children's programs and offered to show them the nursery when they were ready. While we waited by the entrance for Kevin to arrive, the pastor and liturgist also came up and spoke to us. The church doors open to Broadway and they had the doors propped open. It was raining and everyone was standing in the foyer watching the rain and visiting. We felt at home right away. Both women were very kind to the girls. The liturgist explained to them that she was doing the children's message and also told them about Sunday School, which will be starting next week. The pastor told Katie what the sermon was going to be about and how it related to her life and she suspected Katie's as well. Serena was really impressed because it drew Katie in and also gave her things to listen for during the sermon. When Abby saw Kevin coming she yelled something like, "Here comes Daddy!" Serena reminded her to be quiet because people were getting ready for church and the pastor said, "We love excitment from children." She encouraged all 3 girls to stay in church.

When Kevin arrived the usher showed us, not gave directions but actually took us there, the nursery. We had already decided Kevin would stay with Lilly since we didn't know, or trust yet, the nursery attendant. Abby stayed also.

It was a small congregation of about 35. The deacons (3) were ushering and were introduced. The choir had 4 members and they sat amongst the congregation. During the hymns they stood in the aisles and led the singing. There was a balcony that went all the way around 3 sides of the sanctuary and banners were hung from this balcony. Serena's mom made banners for a previous church and Serena thought of her right away.

The liturgust did the children's message and Katie went up with the girl sitting in front of us (Emma age 7). She spoke about the lost sheep and the lost coin and then asked if the children had played Hide and Seek before where they had hidden so well they weren't found. How it can be scary and you don't know whether the others are still searching for you and whether to continue to wait or to reveal yourself. Seh said how it seems to make more since to take the ones you have and go on instead of going back to look for the one thing you are missing. Then she explained how God is silly and will always take the trouble to come back to find us. In the prayer she specifically mentioned each girl and thanked God for His "Almighty silliness."

During the welcome the pastor said, "There are no visitors in God's kingdom."

Sermon" She talked about the Sunday after 9/11 the churches were filled and the following Sunday they were empy. People were asking, "Where was God?" Talked about athiests and the fool who says there is no God. She said why work that hard
to refute something you don't believe exists. The God people don't believe in does not exist. Talked about where people learn about this type of God, from movies, their own upbringing, mentioned several other things. She said in scriptures they can only hear judgement and not hope. She said people are able to recognize the devil in themselves and also the angel in each of us, yet we are unable or unawilling to acknowledge the fool in us. She talked about the world's fool who searches for power and recognition. She said God recognizes the fool in each of us and loves us more.

Offering was collected and placed on the alter. (At Riverside Church as the ushers brought the plates forward, the congregation would rise as the ushers passed while singing the doxology, when the reached thefront everyone was standign and singing, very neat.) The plates were left on the alter.

Prayer: Liturgist lead the prayer and the members of the congregation were encouraged to voice their own joys and conerns as well. She repeated each one into the microphone so all could hear. She walked close to the congregation as she spoke, instead of standing away ata pulpit.

Benediction:"Go forth and be a fool for God."

We collected Kevin, Abby, and Lilly and discovered that they had a nice conversation with nursery attendant and had gained a lot of information. She walked down to fellowship with us and introduced Kevin to a man in the church. (Coincidently the father who sat in front of us who Katie I had met and spoken with.) He is Emma's father and also has 2 other daughters. The men spoke about the problems we have had with the school systems and he gave Kevin a great amount of information and helped us develop a plan for the next steps to take. Again I was very impressed, she actually took us over and introduced us rather than just say a name or not even try to help.

Sylvia, the nursery attendant, also gave me information on the Girl Scout troops that meet there. Serena had been trying to get ahold of someone at council to find troops for the girls.

Before we left the pastor spoke to us again about where we came from and how we were adjusting to the city. She told us about some intergenerational activities they have planned for this fall and offered to send us a newsletter for parents in the church.

Lilly's favorite part was watching 2 pet snails climb in a glass aquarium full of soil. She also liked going down the slide in the nursery and would say, "Wheee!" Each time she sat down at the top. Abby made a friend, Cameron age 10, in the nursery. The girls liked this church much better and commented on how much friendlier the people were here.

During fellowship at the previous church the woman was quite put out when we asked if they had any water to drink. They were only serving coffee. We were told no. At this church the kids had glasses of milk to go with their cookies. A small point, I admit, but it made an impression on us. It is not the drink but the attitude with which it was served.