While the Creche has been up in the front courtyard, Old First has been encouraging visitors to write and share “what Christmas means to them this year.” We have received many wonderful responses that we want to share, as the Christmas season winds down. “Came here...
Read more Old First has received permission to park at the Arch Street Meeting House (320 Arch Street), for our Christmas Eve services. Enter from 4th Street (look for the opening in the large brick wall as you drive south along 4th Street). Parking will be available between 4:30pm –...
Read more ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS AT OLD FIRST Christmas is a great time to invite someone to join you at church. Because some folks can get lonely. Others may be more open to seeing what church offers (and it offers much in times such as these!) Or perhaps you just want to spend time with them...
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Old First United Church of Christ has used the live-animal creche for over 40 years to bring the Christmas story home to 4th and Race and alive for neighbors near and far. Last year, with the escape of Stormy the cow, our telling of the holy story got overwhelmed or lost in the...
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Elders Decide Not to Have the Creche this Year After months of discussion and careful consideration, and in light of our experience last year, the Board of Elders have decided to not have a live animal crèche this Advent season. This decision was not an easy one and came after a lot of...
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Concerned that our U.S. government’s current Zero Tolerance and other immigration policies not only fail the historic welcome our immigrant nation has been built on, Old First Church voted as a congregation to use our Christmas creche figures to put forward an alternative. Our...
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The note on the chainlink fencing reads: This chainlink fence surrounds our Creche figures — Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus — standing off to one side of our walkway, captive to current US immigration policies… in the courtyard in front of the church. This is a...
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I’m not sure exactly how it first happened, but Woody began serving as a fill-in during Mindy’s tenure as our Administrator. Maybe it was during one of her sick leaves or just when she took a few days of vacation. But ever since then, and when Teresa was the Administrator...
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“It’s all well that ends well.” We can say that because Stormy the cow, though loose on city streets twice the week before Christmas, was neither hurt herself nor did she hurt anyone else. We got news coverage around the world. Can you imagine how different the news...
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Community Meeting Regarding Old First’s Live Nativity Sunday, January 14, 12:15 pm Old First United Church of Christ, 4th & Race Streets, Philadelphia Stormy the cow’s escape onto city streets last Thursday, Dec. 14 has brought unusual attention — even international...
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