V 26 N 10 June 2020
Message from the Minister
The Reverend Dr. Matthew Waterstone
I’m a “lists” kinda guy. I have daily,
weekly and monthly “to do” lists
written all over my journal. I will own
up to the fact that I’m borderline OCD
when it comes to organization, so the
nature of the list not only fits my eye,
but also settles my soul. In this issue of
The Messenger, the church staff is putting forward their
lists: gratitude lists, book lists and helpful tip lists.
My list is the seven (because of course seven is the
Biblical number of perfection) reasons why having lists is
a good idea, especially during a time of pandemic. So, a
list on lists! Here we go:
1.) Lists hold us accountable. Maybe it’s just me, but this
time of Covid-19 feels like the movie Groundhog Day.
Every day is the same. With the exception of Sunday,
when we have our livestream service, all the other days
seem to blend together. The temptation is to fall into a
physical, emotional and spiritual rut. Lists hold us
accountable. On our fridge is a list of things our boys
have to do every day. The list includes creative time,
reading time, math time, Facetime-a-family-member time,
stuff like that. The list holds our boys accountable so that
they don’t bug us about being on X-Box all day!
2.) Lists remind us how far we’ve come. I love being able
to draw a line through an item on my list. That feeling of
small accomplishment is addictive! If you’re like me, there
is a real temptation to just move on to “the next thing”—
the next project, the next week, the next task. When we
do this, we run the risk of not looking back and being
reminded of how far we’ve come in life. Looking back and
seeing our progress fills us with gratitude and assures us
of God’s providing goodness.
3.) Lists allow us to dream. Moment of confession: On the
rare occasion when I find myself on yet another Zoom
meeting, I have taken the opportunity to multi-task. I
listen to whomever is speaking, but also jot down in my
journal hopes and dreams and goals for the future.
Nothing is too “out there.” Lists allow us the freedom to
let our minds and hearts wander and wonder. Give it a
try—jot down a few big-picture goals you have for
yourself in the next few months. Lists allow us to take a
step back and dream.
4.) Lists help our interior life. On every one of my “to do”
lists, I always write “Read the Bible & Pray.” Maybe it’s a
quirky habit, but I write this on every list as a reminder
to do just that—read and pray. When we get into good
habits of heart, things like reading a bit from the Bible
and spending a few moments in prayer don’t seem like
such big tasks, but rather just part of our daily routines,
like brushing our teeth. So on the next list you write, go
ahead and include something that would help your
interior life.
5.) Lists strengthen relationships. I have so many lists
that look like “Email Mary. Email Jim. Email Margaret.
Email Mark.” My guess is that in this time of social
distancing, we are all doing a fair bit of emailing and
texting and other sorts of online communication.
Whether they be work-related or not, creating a list of
people to connect with strengthens relationships. Is there
a person you haven’t been in contact with recently? A
friend who was once close who has now drifted away?
Take this unique time to strengthen your relationships.
6.) Lists wed our personal, professional and spiritual lives.
On any given list, I’ll have “Review Confirmation Faith
Statements,” “Get Hot Dog Buns from Acme,” “June 14
Sermon.” In the ancient world, there was no word for
“spiritual.” It was simply assumed that all of life was
spiritual. The way we work, the way we spend our Friday
nights and the way speak would all be impacted by our
faith. May we not be a people who compartmentalize our
lives, but rather live and work and witness in a world
guided by our faith.
7.) Lists aren’t gospel. Don’t think that just because
something is on the list means it has to get done, or that
space can’t be made for new tasks or interruptions.
Continued on page 7
Livestream Worship with Us
Starting June 7,
services begin at 10:00am
prelude music at 9:55am
Sundays: June 7, 14, and 21
The Reverend Dr. Matthew Waterstone
June 28
The Reverend Samuel T. Clover
Click the livestream button on our homepage,
www.reformedchurch.org
 2 U P F R O N T :
Newsflashes: Six Cool Things Happening at
The Reformed Church
1.) Tower Bells Have Been
Ringing. Have you heard the
strains of “Joyful, Joyful, We
Adore Thee,” “Alleluia, Sing to
Jesus,” or a cascading peal from
our tower bells on weekday
afternoons? After Mayor Marvin
called on village churches in
March to toll bells for
encouragement, our team of
ringers has been lifting hearts
Rory Pingel rings the with sound almost daily. Thanks
tower bells to Rory and Fritz Pingel, Phia
Primps and Suzy Bloomer for
giving their time.
2.) Youth Celebration and Senior Sendoff, June 7.
In “normal” times, middle- and high-school youth would
help lead worship at a 10:30am service toward the end of
the school year—and during that service, one or two
graduating seniors would preach from the pulpit. Since we
can’t meet in person, we video-recorded sermons by
seniors James Ferguson and Quinn Pfeifer, which will be
emailed to the congregation on Saturday, June 6. James
and Quinn, along with Ellie Dessart and Ava Gaston, have
all received a Richard V. Jones Scholarship of $500 each
for their outstanding dedication and service to the church.
We’re blessed to have so many devoted youth!
3.) We’re Getting a New Website. Over the last few
months, Pastor Sam and a communications team have
been planning an overhaul of our website. Slated to launch
in July, the new site will look much more beautiful, better
showcase our church and offer cool features like quick
sermon & livestream access, easier and more flexible ways
to give online and seasonal music playlists curated by the
pastoral staff. And if that’s not enough…members will be
able to access a new church database to register for
programs (church school, choirs, etc.) and ensure contact
info is current, among other features.
4.) Renovations Are Planned for the Church Office
and Youth Suite—Including a New Bathroom!
COVID-19 may have changed up our spring plans, but
we’re ready to move forward with a big clean-up. First,
the church office will be reconfigured and repainted to
enhance workspace and provide a more welcoming
reception area for visitors. Second, thanks to a generous
gift from a former church member, the Youth Suite
(Room 400) will be completely overhauled. The new
C. Paul & Susan Slater Student Ministries Center will
feature a full kitchen, smart technology and comfy
A R O U N D R C B
Plans to renovate the Youth
Suite (above) and the church
office (right) are underway.
furniture along with a fully
accessible unisex bathroom.
5.) A Confirmation Class
Unlike Any Other.
Back in September, our 11
confirmands started their nine-month journey of learning
about God and what it means to follow Jesus. They met
with mentors, took field trips, served in worship—and
then, the shut-down began. But that didn’t stop this
group. They kept “hanging with Pastor Matt” via Zoom
calls and last month completed the capstone of the
program: writing faith statements and discussing
them with elders. While they considered a “virtual”
confirmation, which would have involved reading their
names during a livestreamed service they couldn’t attend,
they decided as a class to wait until we can meet again in
worship, most likely in September. This is a mature,
mutually supportive group who live out their faith well.
6.) New Elders and Deacons Ordained and Installed
June 1. Our church is blessed to have so many members
eager to serve in leadership roles. Since we cannot ordain
and install our incoming elders and deacons together in
the Sanctuary, we are doing so via Zoom on June 1, with
an electronic laying on of hands. Incoming elders include
Beth Fulton, Tony Lemberger, Paul Shoemaker, and John
Torell; incoming deacons include Lela Agnew, Kate Milli-
ken-Vaughey and Jennifer Lescott. We’re also grateful for
those officers who are stepping down after completing
their terms faithfully: Elders Bill Hertlein, Nancy Little,
Richard Pink and Phia Primps, and Deacons Ellen Kreger
and Tiffany Tinson.
 L I S T S
Seven Things That Have Gotten Me Through
the Last Few Months
By Sam Clover
1.) Prayer. I’ve rediscovered the power
of morning prayer and meditation time.
I meditate for 20 minutes—breathing in
the love and peace of Christ through my
nose, and breathing it out to the world
through my mouth—and then pray. I usu-
ally begin with thanksgiving for things
large and small: for my life and health, family, friends,
simple pleasures like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (my fa-
vorite). Then I’ll move onto confession, prayers for others
and the world, and guidance. NOTE: Over the past few
months, some have asked me how to pray, especially in
times of anger and anxiety. There’s no “right” way, but
the foundation is simply an earnest desire to connect with
God. And be honest. If you’re angry, tell God about it. If
you’re confused, ask for guidance. If you don’t know what
to say, tell God, “I don’t know what to say.” God knows
our hearts. In the words of Paul: “The Spirit helps us in
our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we
ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep
for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what
is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for
the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27).
2.) My Cats. OK, so I know the stereotypes about guys
and cats. I’ve heard them my whole life. But I don’t care.
I’m a cat guy. Our two cats, Dizzy and Cookie, have been
lifesavers for Jen and me. They’ve snuggled up to us when
we haven’t felt well, played with us when they’re frisky,
made us belly laugh when their curiosity got them into
sticky situations. (Picture getting trapped in a paper bag
and whacking at the sides of it to get out. The cats, that
is, not us.) They also remind us of some important things,
like it’s OK to take a nap every once in a while, and that
sometimes you just need your own space. Cats are
magnificent, intelligent, lifegiving creatures—and they
really do care about their owners. On their own time, of
course.
3.) The Outdoors. Is it just me, or have you too noticed
there seem to be a lot more birds flittering about than
usual? The flowers, too, seem more lush and vibrant, the
soil darker and richer, and the Bronx and Hudson Rivers
fuller and more majestic. Simple walks and drives around
Westchester County—and even just opening my window
to look out and feel a breeze on my face—has made me
feel alive. I think of Psalm 19, one of the great tributes to
3
Creation: “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and
the firmament proclaims his handiwork” (verses 1-2).
4.) Books. Confession: I planned to read much more over
the past three months than I actually did. But when I
finally turned off the TV and other electronic devices and
lost myself in the actual paper pages of a physical book,
I experienced the kind of peace that comes with total
immersion in a story, whether that story is fiction or
nonfiction. Books have a weight to them, a permanence,
that words on screens do not. And as handy as hyperlinks
or Google searches can be when reading something on
the Web, they fragment attention. There’s always a
temptation to veer away from the world an author worked
so hard to create. And once that happens, it’s hard to get
back to the story. The biggest challenge of our age might
be the continual breakdown of our attention span, because
we need to focus to solve problems and connect with God.
Reading books helps us to do that.
5.) Music. I won’t include a “top ten” list of favorite tunes
here, but suffice it to say music flows through my soul in
the same way oxygen-rich blood courses through my
body. It keeps me alive. Jazz, pop, gospel, classical,
hymns, even the “music” of nature feed me. There’s a
reason so many psalms speak of praising God with voice
and instruments (check out Psalms 100 and 150 to start).
So, make a joyful noise—and listen, too!
6.) Reflection. By this, I mean dreaming, really. Jen and I
have been dreaming a lot about what we’d like to do in
the future, everything from creative projects and work
goals to where we’d like to retire eventually. We talk
about it and journal about it and research it. Reflecting
has helped us assess what’s really important, and how
blessed we are in many ways. We strongly believe that we
co-create our lives with God: God will do what God will
do, of course, but we need to move forward with intention
and faith knowing that God will guide us, most likely in
ways we’d never expect.
7.) You. I love our church—and I mean that in the
earliest Christian meaning of that word, from the Greek
ekklesia, meaning a gathering of people, not a building.
(Though I love our church building, too!) Your notes of
encouragement. The way you care for each other. Your
honest expressions of joy and sorrow and anxiety and
wonder. Your faith. You all lift me up and inspire me and
challenge me (in the best way). You are the light of the
world, the salt of the earth. And I can’t wait to see you
again in person.
 4 L I S T S
Twelve Ways I’m Feeding My Soul
By Judi McCandless
1.) Creativity: Cooking new recipes;
parades for birthdays and other nuanced
celebrations people are coming up with;
paint-by-number kits have made a
comeback!
2.) Connection: Zoom sessions with friends and family
(including church family); writing notes and cards;
receiving thoughtful emails and texts; and even using
my phone to make phone calls!
3.) Being useful: Picking
groceries up for a friend who is
more isolated; wearing a face-
mask; reaching out to someone
I know is feeling isolated;
financially supporting
organizations that are easing
suffering of others during this
traumatic time. Any small act of
kindness helps me feel less
powerless, more connected
to others.
4.) Noticing small delights: Lilacs blooming;
graduation signs on lawns; sidewalk chalk creations. Just
the intention of noticing the good, the funny, the kind
and the beautiful, can boost my spirits. And along these
lines appears the ultimate superpower: gratitude—for
the simple, often taken-for-granted blessings, and for the
immense—the sacrifices of our essential workers.
5.) Stillness and inner work: Meditation; spiritual
reading (the Bible and books that nourish my life in and
with God); prayer; journaling; letting go of what I can’t
control or of what doesn’t seem to matter as much
anymore.
6.) Decluttering: To all of you who have already cleaned
all your closets, drawers, and attics, I commend you! I
still have a long way to go but every little bit is freeing.
7.) Nature: Flowers; fresh air; watching birds at the
feeder; just sitting still and appreciating God’s beautiful
creation.
8.) Humor: Sharing funny, good-natured cartoons or
video clips. Something about humor says, “Hey, this is
my experience…is it yours
too?” Or as my Mom used to
repeat, “There’s some truth in
all jest”.
9.) Music: Great hymns like
“O God Beyond All Praising;”
soundtracks to La La Land,
Hamilton, Joseph and the
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,
or any musical from my youth
that provides a bit of nostalgic
relief.
10.) Movement: Morning walks and occasional yoga.
I should be doing more, but every little bit helps.
11.) Reading: both for leisure (i.e., The Dutch House) and
enrichment (i.e., Mystical Hope, by Cynthia Bourgeault)
12.) Podcasts: I have
found listening to
podcasts to be a great
alternative to reading
when I just can’t focus.
Many podcasts have
current episodes that
offer perspective in
pandemic time, and I often find in them helpful tools for
making my way through. In no particular order, some
worth considering: Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris;
Unlocking Us by Brené Brown; Everything Happens with
Kate Bowler; For the Love with Jen Hatmaker; Another
Name for Everything with Richard Rohr; The One You
Feed with Eric Zimmer...okay, and I admit I did listen to
Joe Exotic about the Tiger King. The fact is that truth is
sometimes stranger than fiction, am I right!?
 L I S T S
Eleven Things I Am Thankful For
By Alexis Mastromarino
Every month a group of women,
including me, meet at a local restaurant.
Ten of us are a part of this group,
although not everyone can make it every
month. We met years ago when our
children attended a local Catholic
grammar school in Yonkers. We have
shared illnesses and deaths, weddings and births—
the lows and highs of our lives.
When New York was put on “pause” and we were
relegated to our homes, we all felt fear and anxiety. But
as a group of faithful Christian women, we decided to
start a gratitude chain. Each morning, we text each
other three things that we are grateful for. Some days
the gratitude comes easily, while other days it has been
a little more challenging to find. This time of sharing
gratitude has been invaluable to us! So I share with you
eleven things that I am thankful for.
1.) My faith. Though it is sometimes as small as a
mustard seed, it keeps me steady and centered on God.
2.) Sofia Alexa—my new granddaughter who was born
on February 18. Just looking at her pictures and videos
and FaceTiming with her brings me immense joy.
3.) Erica and Eddie—my adult children. They are good
and kind people. Nothing makes a mother more grateful
than having raised children who make the world a better
place.
4.) John and Kris—the spouses of my children. I am so
grateful that my children married loving and supportive
people.
5.) My parents—who taught me what it means to be a
Christian through the way they led their lives.
6.) My siblings—who are also my friends. They would
do anything for me, as I would for them.
7.) My family—warm and loving. We have been there
for each other through all the good times as well as all
the hard times. We have shared lots of hugs and kisses
and I look forward to resuming our celebrations! (But
especially the hugs and kisses.)
8.) My friends—I have so many good people in my life
who I call “friend.”
9.) My country—despite all the craziness that goes on, I
would not want to live anywhere else.
10.) My work and ministry at RCB—that enables me
to go deeper in my faith. Finding curricula; leading a
Lectio group; listening to Adult Ed speakers; Thursday
5
chapel with the little ones; and so much more have
brought me to the Bible and helped me build my rela-
tionship with God. My colleagues, friends, and the con-
gregants at RCB—both past and present—have inspired
me and touched my life deeply. I have been ministered to
and loved as much as (if not more than) I have ministered
to and loved.
11.) My husband, whose infirmities teach me every day
how to be kinder, more patient, and to continue to look
for God in all situations.
A hot cup of coffee; a warm chocolate chip cookie; cozy
socks; the sun shining in my window…uh oh, I’ve gone
over eleven and I am grateful for so much more!
Thank you, God, for all these blessings that come from
You. I am showered with blessings every day and have
so much to be thankful for. Everyone is given many
blessings from a loving God. The key is to take a
moment, recognize them, and be grateful!
Learning, Growing, Staying Connected
By Alexis Mastromarino
Sunday Morning Adult Ed
A link will be sent out on Fridays through mid-June
for a YouTube video with a Christian message.
Lectio Divina
An email will be sent out through mid-June, including
the Scripture passage that will be preached on Sunday
morning, as well as some background information
and/or commentary on the passage. There will also be
instructions on how to do Lectio Divina on your own.
For those interested in sharing thoughts on the
passage, Lectio will continue to meet via Zoom on
Fridays at 10:30am through mid-June.
Church School
Summer Story Time: Each week a short Christian video
will be sent to Church School families with children
ages 4 to 8. Coloring and/or activity sheets will be
included.
Yoga:
Charlotte Haims, a certified yoga instructor and RCB
congregant, is giving a virtual yoga class via Zoom on
Friday mornings at 9:30am through June. If you are
interested, email Charlotte at cshaims99@gmail.com.
For information about the programs listed
on this page and how to access them, email
Alexis@reformedchurch.org.
 6 L I S T S
Five Great Choral Anthems for The Great
50 Days
By Caitlin Dowling
The 50 days after Easter during which
Jesus remained on earth with the disciples
are widely known as “The Great 50
Days.” Many well-known Bible stories
took place during this period, including
The Walk to Emmaus, Doubting Thomas, and The
Ascension. The Great 50 Days have also inspired some
incredible choral music.
Here is a list of five choral pieces whose texts lend
themselves to The Great 50 Days. While this is not an
exhaustive list, it includes everything from English
Tudor anthems to excerpts of major Classical-era
masterworks. Consider this a sneak peek into just some
of the incredible choral music you’ll be hearing at RCB
very soon!
You can find all of these pieces on Youtube, or wherever you
stream music.
1.) God Is Gone Up, Gerald Finzi. Finzi was an English
composer of the early 20th century. The text is taken
from a meditation on the last three verses of Philippians
2:9 and was composed for the Feast of the Ascension
(which happens on day 40 out of The Great 50 days.)
The composition mirrors the three verses of text it’s
based on. The organ fanfares at the beginning mirror the
joy and praise. The middle section shimmers in
contemplation, awaiting the confirming return of the
triumphant beginning text.
2.) Sing Joyfully, William Byrd. No list of choral music is
complete without some music of the Renaissance.
William Byrd was born around 1540 in England and
lived through five different monarchs with varying
degrees of Catholic-Anglican religious preferences. The
text comes from Psalm 81:1-4 and features some
wonderful text painting, especially surrounding the
phrase, “blow the trumpet in the new moon.”
3.) Worthy Is the Lamb, from Messiah, George Frederic
Handel. From one of the most widely performed
oratorios, this choral movement of Messiah directly
quotes Revelation 5:12-13. This movement focuses on
Resurrection and Judgement Day. It closes one of
Handel’s only fully realized choral fugues. A fugue is a
style of composition in which one part imitates another
part, similar to a canon or a round.
4.) Light’s Glittering Morn’, Horatio Parker. This
anthem has New York City roots. Horatio Parker was
organist at Trinity Wall Street before going on to teach
at Yale University. The text is from a fifth-century Latin
hymn by John Mason Neale with wonderful Victorian
imagery. Listen for the interplay between the organ and
the choir as they are completely separate from each
other but compliment beautifully.
5.) How Lovely Are Thy Messengers, from St. Paul,
Felix Mendelssohn. Like Worthy is the Lamb, How Lovely
Are Thy Messengers comes from a larger work, an
oratorio, called St. Paul. This movement represents the
disciples going out into the world to spread the good
news. Listen for the movement beginning with two
voices, representing the two disciples going out to share
and later breaking into glorious four-part harmony at
the words “to all the nations!”
Ten Uplifting Handbell Tunes
By Lee Corbett
As March and April were slowly
creeping by, I kept thinking of all the
pieces that our bell choirs were
supposed to play in church or in
concert during those two months.
So I have made a list of 10 of my fa-
vorite bell pieces that we have played over the years. I
have included pieces that represent all six bell choirs.
1.) Change Ring Prelude
2.) Outbursts of Joy
3.) Jubilate, Amen
4.) Enduring Gladness
5.) The Gift of Love
6.) Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming
7.) Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy
8.) Angels We Have Heard on High
9.) Allegro Con Brio
10.) Bread of Angels
If any of you want to share your favorites with me,
I would love to hear from you!
We hope to play many of them next year.
 L I S T S
Six Children’s Books to Warm the
Grownup Heart
By Margaret Murtagh
When I was little, books opened up the
world for me. Every week, when I got my
$2.00 allowance, I would make my Mom
take me to the bookstore on Fordham Road
to get the next Nancy Drew book. I love to
read. During our time at home, I have
particularly enjoyed reading to our RCNS
children. I love sharing with them the stories that move
my heart. Here is a list of six of my favorite children’s
books that aren’t just “children’s books,” but books for all
of us.
1.) The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones. Not only
are the illustrations absolutely beautiful, but Sally Lloyd
Jones is one of the most spiritual people. Her storybook
Bible is being used in seminaries across the country and
her videos and read-alouds are inspiring. The messages
she shares on her website and blog have been so uplifting
over these past several months.
2.) Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall.
Ms. Blackall is a Caldecott medalist. Her
illustrations are exquisite and this book,
described as “a luminous tribute to a
steadfast lighthouse and its luminous light,” is
for all of us.
3.) The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson
Burnett. A new adaptation of the movie is
coming out soon, starring Colin Firth (one of
my top five all-time favorite actors), Julie
Walter and Dixie Egerickx. This new
hardcover is based on the beloved classic and
is exquisitely illustrated. The Secret Garden is one of my
favorite books from childhood.
4.) All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold. This is a won-
derful book for teaching children about inclusivity. This
book celebrates diversity and tells all the children and
families at this school that you are welcome, no matter
where you are from.
5.) Last Stop on Market Street, by Matt de la
Peña. The idea that “material poverty need not
mean spiritual or imaginative poverty becomes
beautifully clear in the quietly moving pages of
[this] picture book by Matt de la Peña, filled
with Christian Robinson’s vibrant naïf
illustrations.”—The Wall Street Journal
6.) Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett. As an avid knitter, I really
enjoyed this book, which tells the story of a little girl who
transforms her community with ingenuity, imagination,
and a little bit of “extra yarn.”
7
RCNS News:
Graduation for Pre-K and Junior-K will
take place on Friday, June 12, at 9:00am
via Zoom. We have some special things
planned for graduation, and the school
property will be decorated to honor all
our children.
We are pleased to announce the members of the
2020-2021 RCNS Parent Board:
The Reverend Dr. Matthew Waterstone:
Senior Minister
Margaret Murtagh: Director
Amy Civale: Board Chair
Julia Hull (New): Vice Chair
Deya Warren: Legal
Brooke Horgan: Treasurer
Yelena Kholondyrev (New): Assistant Treasurer
Maureen Stapleton: Fundraising Chair
Cara Kernan (New): Fundraising Co-Chair
Michelle Antonini: Parent Outreach Chair
Jessica Sestak (New): Parent Outreach Co-Chair
Milano Buckley: Education Outreach Chair
Leah Parks (New): Education Outreach Co-Chair
Emily Pollakowski (New): Communications
Brooke Alford: Community Outreach Chair
Kate Carey (New): Community Outreach Co-Chair
Teacher Reps: Marygrace Killip and Tara Monaco
Message from the Minister
Continued from page 1
The boys love it when I go grocery shopping because
while Sarah can give me a list of five things, I’ll come
back with those five things plus pizza rolls, ice cream,
chips and chicken fries. Lists are a great thing, but they
aren’t gospel. Be open to where the Spirit might be
leading and guiding you during this time. You just
might be surprised where you end up or at what ends
up in your cart!
Grace & Peace,
8 L I S T S
STAFF LISTING
The Rev. Dr. Matthew Waterstone, Senior Minister, ext. 131
mwaterstone@reformedchurch.org
The Rev. Samuel T. Clover, Associate Minister, ext. 134
sclover@reformedchurch.org
Caitlin Dowling, Director of Music and Liturgy, ext. 126
cdowling@reformedchurch.org
Alexis Mastromarino, Director of Christian Education, ext. 118
alexis@reformedchurch.org
Margaret Murtagh, Director, Reformed Church Nursery School,
914-337-6332, ext. 143, margaret@reformedchurch.org
Judith McCandless, Member Engagement Coordinator, ext. 120
jmccandless@reformedchurch.org
Lee Corbett, Director of Handbell Choirs, ext. 128
lee@reformedchurch.org
P.J. DeGenaro, Communications Associate, ext. 112
pdegenaro@reformedchurch.org
Janice Sachtjen, Executive Administrative Assistant, ext. 132
jsachtjen@reformedchurch.org
Carla Savage, Administrative Assistant, ext. 116
csavage@reformedchurch.org
Louanne Mitchell, Administrative Assistant, ext. 153
louanne@reformedchurch.org
Alan Zanzano, Chief Operating Officer, ext. 117
azanzano@reformedchurch.org
Joseph DeBisceglie, Bookkeeper, ext. 155
joseph@reformedchurch.org
Pedro Santana, Head Sexton, ext. 125
pedro@reformedchurch.org
Minister of Sacred Music Emeritus: Rodney D. Schuller
THE REFORMED CHURCH OF BRONXVILLE
180 Pondfield Road, Bronxville, NY 10708
914-337-6776, www.reformedchurch.org
The Reformed Church Nursery School
914-337-6332
The Counseling Center 914-793-3388
Consistory Council Chairs
Management: Rosanne Welshimer
Fellowship: Don Bringle
Education: Tiffany Tinson
Mission: Joe French
Congregational Care: Fran Harris
Worship: Gary Reetz
Youth and Family: Amy Parsons
Six U2 Songs That Got Me Through Just
About Everything
By P.J. DeGenaro
If you ever visit me in my office at RCB, and I hope you
will, you’ll see what look like several small, brightly
colored photographs on my windowsill and on my wall.
In fact, they are miniature prints of realistic watercolors,
painted by my best friend Kelly, of members of the rock
band U2. (I’m a bit of a fan.)
U2 are not a “Christian” rock band, but many of their
songs address matters of faith directly and honestly.
Bono, the famously bespectacled lead singer, is a true
believer in “faith with works.” A leading light among
anti-poverty and AIDS activists, he was also a good
friend to Eugene Peterson, and has written the afterword
to Open And Unafraid: The Psalms As A Guide To Life, by
W. David O. Taylor.
During my first interview with Pastor Sam, I told him I
was a person of faith who had never become comfortable
with any particular faith tradition. This still holds true to
a degree, but as a U2 fan of more than 30 years, I have
taken shelter in their faith many, many times. Here then
are a few U2 songs that have seen me through some
tough moments, including this current one. (If you’re
curious, none of these songs are loud or harsh. They can
all be found on Youtube or wherever you stream music.)
1.) Window In The Skies: a song about forgiveness of debt:
personal, international and spiritual.
2.) Grace: quite simply, a song that explores the concept
of grace. It could also be a love song.
3.) Magnificent: a praise song to a partner or to God,
or both.
4.) Ordinary Love: a meditation on love and struggle,
written for the film “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.”
5.) 13 (There Is A Light): a sort of benediction to family,
friends and fans, written after “a brush with mortality.”
6.) 40: a reworking of Psalm 40, this beautiful song has
closed many U2 concerts since 1983.