Now that the congregation has approved the initial building design, what happens next: Councilman Squilla, supporting our project, has offered to help us with changing the zoning by ordinance. We need it changed from R-1, which all the churches...
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Great presentation Sunday, 03.24 after worship on our new building plans along 4th Street. (Thanks, Bob and the rest of the JVMT, and Morry and our partners at BWA Architecture + Planning, Troy and partners at Community Ventures and Sandra from DePaul USA.) If you have questions about...
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An Interim Report for the Old First Congregational Meeting on Sunday, March 24 Concerning Planning for Housing for the Homeless at Fourth and Race Streets In the next two weeks the congregation of Old First Reformed Church will need to authorize moving forward on the next steps toward...
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ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS YOU HAVE ASKED about whether we should continue the shelter when we have permanent, supportive housing… 1Q.How long are we going to work on this question before deciding / voting as a congregation? 1A. The process can take as long as the congregation...
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First it was green, yellow and red lines painted all over the ground, sidewalks and parking lots. That was for the underground radar scanning of the property. Nancy hoped it might show whether or not the crypts extend out from the building under the yard towards Race Street. She thinks...
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Below are the links to the three pamphlet materials that are being shared with the community, as Old First begins discussing the project with our neighbors, local leaders, and religious community. Old First Reformed Church Depaul USA Community Ventures
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Civic Series, a new public event series in Philadelphia, is hosting a free workshop on how to have difficult (especially political) conversations, based on the book Breaking Through Gridlock: The Power of Conversation in a Polarized World. The workshop will share clear-cut and...
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The Admin team discussed at the last meeting that the grounds and courtyard are often in need of a more regular cleaning than the grounds team can maintain. If anyone would like to take up cleaning the church grounds once a week (for perhaps an hour) as a personal ministry, please...
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This was the week we began taking word of our development plans outside the bounds of our own community, beyond the four walls of our church… It’s a necessary early step in this project, building sufficient broad-based support to weather the inevitable push-back from others who...
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There is snow in the forecast again, though we have heard conflicting reports whether or not we are facing another white Sunday morning. But, it is winter, and perhaps a good time to rehearse our winter weather policy. Michael can get to church. Yes, he can ride his bike in the snow!...
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