Dear members of Old First, My name is Viveka Hall-Holt, and I currently serve as a summer intern for Interfaith Philadelphia and am a rising senior at St. Olaf College. I am reaching out to you about a research study that I am doing which includes a short, 20 minute anonymous...
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Beloved, This Sunday’s Scripture reading is about David and the building of the Temple. More accurately, about David not building the Temple. But we’ll hear about that on Sunday. I’ll be preaching on our building renovation in its crucial context of our ministry. But looking towards...
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Old First is answering a call for help! The Defender Association of Philadelphia has asked the City of Philadelphia to support 500+ people who were arrested last summer and fall during the civil rights protests that followed the murders of George Floyd, and later Walter Wallace in...
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“In a world where General Synod is being held online, one Conference found a way to connect and gather outdoors, hiking and biking their way from their northern mountains to their southernmost city. The finest Conference of the United Church of Christ presents: PSEC Strong, a...
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Recently, the Elders approved that small groups of people could stay overnight on the church property– something that has been suspended since February 2020. Our first group of guests are a group organized under the name Walk for Our Grandchildren and Mother Earth 2021. They are...
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STILL SEPARATE AND UNEQUAL: 100% FAIR FUNDING NOW! Join us for a statewide, multi-site action in support of the proposed budget that includes 100% Fair Funding for PA schools! In-person actions will be taking place in Philadelphia, Allentown, Pottstown, and Lancaster. Part of the...
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As we plan for returning to in-person worship, we want to share what we’ve put together so far. Those who decide to attend in-person worship should plan to be masked and socially distanced. We will have room for 40 worshippers. To continue to follow covid safety precautions, and...
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Dear cherished singers, So, it has been quite the year and a half living in this altered reality in our one-dimensional Zoom boxes. Indeed, I feel our church family has grown even closer through this experience, surprisingly! Hidden blessings. It has not been without its measure of...
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We have an updated parking permit and placard for Sundays this year. Old First has relaxed parking along the east side of 4th St, between New and Arch, and on the the south side of Race St, between 3rd and 4th. (This is exactly the same as previous years). Relaxed parking is allowed...
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We want to take a minute to thank all of you for your contributions to the work on the Sanctuary, your helpful input, and visits to see the space. We are about to start a new step in the work. The Sanctuary has been painted, and it looks great! Some of you have seen it
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