August 27th, 2014
This Fall at St. Lydia’s, we’ll be reading texts from the Hebrew Bible, the Gospels, and the Letters that will help us reflect on God’s call to be justice-makers in the world. Here’s a look at what we’ll be reading, and some of the questions we’ll be focusing on.
August 31/September 1
1 John 3:18-24
“Let us love, not in word or deed, but in truth and action:” Justice and the Heart
September 7/8
Amos 5:11-24
“Because you trample on the poor:” Economic Justice
September 14/15
Guest preacher: Rev. Daniel Simons
September 21/22
Psalm 104
“You set the earth on its foundations:” Justice for the Earth
September 28/29
Guest preacher: Ms. Onleilove Alston, Executive Director, Faith in New York
October 5/6
Leviticus 19:26-37
“You shall love the alien as yourself:” Loving the Stranger
October 12/13
Galatians 28:23-29
“There is no longer male and female:” Gender and Justice
October 19/20
Isaiah 58:1-12
“You shall be called the repairer of the breach:” Healing What Has Been Broken
October 26/27
Revelation 22:1-17
“And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations:” Peace in a World at War
August 18th, 2014
Read Emily’s most recent sermon, “The Architecture of Death and the Shooting of Michael Brown,” on her blog, Sit and Eat.
St. Lydia’s will be walking in vigil around our neighborhood each Sunday night after Dinner Church at 9:00 pm, 304 Bond Street. All are invited to join us as we remember Michael Brown and stand in solidarity with the protesters in Ferguson.
We walk to call for an end to racial profiling and the unjust violence against people of color that takes place in communities across our nation.
May 26th, 2014
It’s true! St. Lydia’s has a new home.
A storefront of our very own where we can cook, eat, pray, and grow.
We’re running an Indiegogo campaign to finish out our fundraising for this project,
and we hope you’ll participate.
Visit:
FAQ’s
You may have some questions, or want some more details. So here’s all the information you could possibly need! If we don’t answer your question here, feel free to email Emily Scott, pastor, at emily@stlydias.org.
What’s the story behind St. Lydia’s and Dinner Church?
St. Lydia’s is a Dinner Church. We gather for worship each week around a meal we cook and share together. We’re a progressive, GLBTQ affirming congregation. St. Lydia’s was founded about five years ago by pastor Emily Scott, in collaboration with friends and colleagues.
Why does St. Lydia’s need a new home?
St. Lydia’s started out in a friend’s apartment, then met in a church, then moved on to rent space by the night at a Zen Center. We’ve been growing, and to accommodate that growth, added a service on Monday night in addition to our Sunday night service. Our plan is to keep on growing, adding another service on Sunday and perhaps another weeknight service. Plus, we need a space for events, meetings, and ministry. It’s clear to us that, at this point in our growth, it’s time to invest in a neighborhood and allow our ministry to really take root.
How large is the congregation?
We have two services each week on Sunday and Monday. Each service has an attendance of about 25-30. We find that 30-35 people is the right number for an intimate experience of cooking and worship. In our new space we’ll be able to host four Dinner Church services each week.
Why not meet in a church space that’s already available (and cheaper!)?
Good question. We thought about this, and scoured the neighborhoods we were interested in for any available options. First, St. Lydia’s needs a pretty particular set up. A kitchen that’s open to the area where we worship, which must be free of pews. In addition, we wanted a place with good subway access that was wheelchair accessible. And, we needed the space at least two nights a week. We couldn’t find a local church that fit the bill. Plus, we know that to continue to grow, we’ll need more space, on more nights of the week! Finding our own space was the best solution.
What were you looking for as you searched for a new space?
We were looking for a space that was in a socioeconomically and culturally diverse neighborhood. We wanted good subway access on multiple lines, so that we’re accessible to the whole city. We wanted a space that was on the first floor, so that passersby could peek in the widows and see what we’re up to. We wanted a space that could be made wheelchair accessible. We wanted a space large enough to host 30-35 people for Dinner Church in one seated. We wanted a basement for storage and we dreamed about a small yard. Our new space at 304 Bond Street has all of these elements!
Our new space, ready for the buildout
How will the space be used?
When things are really up and running, we imagine having Brunch Church (for families!) and Dinner Church on Sunday, and two weeknight Dinner Church Services. During the day, we’ll run a co-working space: a place where freelances and folks who would normally work from home come to work alongside one another. We’ll use the space for Bible Study and Contemplative Prayer meetings, and on the weekends there will be lectures or concerts or community events!
What’s co-working?
We’re going to open a co-working space during the day, set to launch in September of this year. There are a lot of people in New York who work from home, and from very small apartments! A co-working space is a shared office space where people come together to work. At the co-working space, they find community, connection, and support for their developing work. We see the co-working space as an extension of what we do at Dinner Church: connecting people who might not otherwise be connected.
Set up for Dinner Church...
…transitions to co-working desks
How much have you already raised and where did the money come from?
We’re raised $80,000!!! What!?! Crazy, I know. First off, we have an amazing donor who offered a challenge grant of $30,000 once we reached $50,000. So the congregation started us off by pledging $12,650. Then some really wonderful people contributed and brought us to the $50,000. At that point, our challenge grant kicked in and brought us to $80,000.
How much are you trying to raise?
The total amount we need for the project is $120,000, so we’re almost there! We hope to raise more than $30,000 through this campaign.
Where will my money go?
Your money will go to all the brick-and-mortar items needed for our to make the space our own. Flooring, electrical work, building out of counters and shelving, the purchase of a refrigerator, sink, stove, and microwave, plus tables, chairs, pots and pans and dishes! There’s also a few months of rent in there to get us up and running.
What do the plans for the space include?
We’ve thought about the plans for the space very carefully with our architect, Sheryl Jordan. We’re seeking to create a space that invites the congregation into shared work and participation, and feels sacred and holy. Three central tables will host Dinner Church participants, then split into components that transition into more private work space. A canopy at the entryway with a perforated surface will create a patterns of light on the floor, creating a threshold. A system of rods on the ceiling will allow us to hang oil lamps to be lit during worship, as well as cloth for different seasons of the year. We’ve worked to use space efficiently, with under-bench storage for bags and purses.
The interior of our new space
How long will you be in this space?
We have a five year lease, with a option to renew for another five years. In New York the cost of property means many small business owners and not-for-profits rent rather than buy.
Is this model financially sustainable?
All signs point to yes. We’ve developed a detailed business plan with projected income and expenditures over the next 10 years. Congregational giving, donor giving, and the income from our co-working space will mean a balanced budget, with no grant support from our denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, by 2017.
Are you affiliated with a denomination?
Yes. St. Lydia’s is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Is St. Lydia’s GLBTQ affirming?
Yes! We are. And we think it’s important to share this clearly and boldly.
What if I’d rather mail a check than give online?
Not a problem. We will gladly receive your check! Just mail it to:
St. Lydia’s
540 President Street #2C
Brooklyn, NY 11215
What else can I do to help spread the word about this campaign?
Thanks for asking! Our campaign relies on your energy and enthusiasm to gain momentum. You can:
-E-mail folks you know who might like to give. A sample e-mail may be found here.
-Post about your giving on Facebook. Include the link to our campaign: igg.me/at/dinner-church
-Make the image at the top of this post your profile picture on Facebook, or the image below your cover photo
May 21st, 2014
Dear Lydians,
I’m very pleased to announce that Julia Stroud will be our next Community Coordinator at St. Lydia’s — and I am so, so, happy that she has accepted this position! Julia is highly qualified for the job: she’s a strong administrator, has a creative approach to communications, and holds and Mdiv from Union Theological Seminary. In addition to all this relevant experience, I am struck by Julia’s warmth and groundedness, and her desire to serve our community and know and love each congregant.
I hope you’ll read more about Julia below, and join me in welcoming her. Her first services will be June 8 and 9.
-Emily
About Julia
After four years working in television and theater, Julia Macy Stroud found herself studying Systematic Theology at Union Theological Seminary, where she graduated with a Master of Divinity in 2014. She’s passionate about feminist theology, queer theory, and anything with a liberative bent; Julia is especially interested in what good theology can look like when it’s working in real faith communities.
Julia is also the Program Minister at All Saints’ Church in Park Slope, Brooklyn. There, she works with children and youth, preaches regularly on Sunday mornings, and manages their social media. She may also be found listening to comedy podcasts while circling Prospect Park on her bicycle.
A Twitter-Facebook-Instagram-Tumblr-etc enthusiast, Julia’s not ashamed to be found with her phone in her hand. Please feel free to friend and follow her across all platforms; she’s especially on the lookout for good pictures of us here at St. Lydia’s!
Follow Julia on Twitter
Friend Julia on Facebook
Follow Julia on Instagram
April 16th, 2014
Squeezebox is a place for our Song Leaders, as well as congregants, to learn the songs we sing at St. Lydia’s.
Song Leaders and singers, here’s the place to find and practice ALL the music we’ll be singing during the season of Easter in 2014! Bookmark this page so that you can check in often to listen to the pieces and practice.
Easter Season
April 27-June 2, 2014
Gathering Song: “Kiev Alleluia,” Kovalyevsky Kiev Chant
Candle Lighting Song: “The Lord is My Light,” Lillian Bouknight
Eucharistic Prayer Setting: “Festive Table Acclamation,” Paul Vasile
Prayer Song: Song Leader’s Choice. A selection of songs may be found here.
Gathering Song at the Offering: Zimbabwe Alleluia, recording to come.
Closing Hymn: “Now the Green Blade Rises,” French Carol, or “Jesus Christ is Risen Today,” recording to come.
Here is the script!
April 15th, 2014
Read Emily’s latest sermon, God and C-Town, in which she stands outside the local grocery store and talks to anyone who will talk to her.
April 3rd, 2014
St. Lydia’s is seeking a part time Community Coordinator. The job is 24 hours per week, and includes health insurance and vacation/sick days. The full job description may be found here.
April 2nd, 2014
Squeezebox is a place for our Song Leaders, as well as congregants, to learn the songs we sing at St. Lydia’s.
Greetings, Song Leaders!
Here are two psalm refrains that we’ll be using on Palm Sunday/Monday and on Good Friday. The texts are different but the musical settings are the same.
The first text, which we will sing at the end of the Palm Sunday/Monday services and at the beginning of the Good Friday service is from Psalm 42:
When shall I see
When shall I behold
When shall I behold the face of God?
Here is the recording. When Shall I See — audio
And here is a link to the sheet music.When Shall I See — sheet music
The second text, which we will sing during the Labyrinth walk on Good Friday is from Psalm 22:
My God, my God
Why have you forsaken
Why have you forsaken me?
Here is a link to a recording. Why Have You Forsaken Me — audio
And here is a link to the sheet music. Why Have You Forsaken Me — sheet music
Even if you are not scheduled to lead the singing on these days, by taking a moment to learn the refrains, you can help support the congregation as we sing them.
Thanks!
March 30th, 2014
Read Emily’s latest sermon on her blog. This one’s on the woman who’s been bleeding for twelve years, what can and can’t be sanitized, and all the lines Jesus crosses (and why we should go there too).
March 3rd, 2014
Squeezebox is a place for our Song Leaders, as well as congregants, to learn the songs we sing at St. Lydia’s.
Below you’ll find all the music you need for our observance of Lent at St. Lydia’s. Lent is a season of preparation when we pare things down and strip things away in order to hear the story of Christ’s death and resurrection. Our music for the season reflects that sense of simplicity.
Anointing Song
Rather than gathering in song this season, we’ll be gathering with a chanted collect, then participating in an anointing, where each congregant will be marked with the sign of the cross in oil on their head or hands. Our bodies are anointed for death as the woman at Bethany anointed Jesus’s body with her jar of oil. During the anointing, we’ll sing “Receive O Earth” by Daniel Schwandt, a piece intended for a funeral.
Click here to listen to the teaching recording (bonus points for those whose ears pick up Emily’s cat meowing in the background) and here for the sheet music.
Candlelighting Song
As we process to the tables, we’ll sing “Come Light the Lamps,” a simple piece by Emily Scott with two parts (or three if we’re really burning) and a solo descant. I would suggest teaching Part 1 to half the group, keeping them singing, and then teaching the other half of the group in on Part 2. Then have a “plant” to sing Part 3, and a soloist to sing the solo (or you could do it yourself if it feels in reach!)
Click here for the sheet music.
Table Acclamation
We’ll sing a simple Lent Table Acclamation for our Eucharistic Prayer.
Prayer Song
During Lent, we’ll sing the lovely Iona Kyrie for our prayer song. Kyrie Eleison means “Lord, Have Mercy.”
Final Hymn
For our final hymn, we’ll sing “What Wondrous Love Is This,” a haunting shape note piece.
And finally, here is the script for the season!
