You're Invited To Every Human A Home: A Free Benefit Concert For Our Most Vulnerable And Unhoused Neighbors Saturday November 18 At Historic Roosevelt Island Good Shepherd Chapel - All Donations Collected By Mosaic Church Go To City Relief And Mtree Organizations, Simple Tips For You To Help Too

It’s homeless awareness month

Join us on #Rooseveltisland this Saturday for a benefit concert. Donations go to @CityRelief_ and the ongoing work with un-housed neighbors & migrants

Reserve your space here https://t.co/ryrkJC2Hou pic.twitter.com/e0zAEvIDx9

— Dan Sadlier (@dansadlier) November 14, 2023

Roosevelt Island resident and Mosaic Church Pastor Dan Sadlier reports

#EVERYHUMAN A HOME

A benefit concert for our most vulnerable and unhoused neighbors.

As homelessness continues to rise in NYC and beyond, and as the developing world continues to fight for basic human needs, we at Mosaic Church long to steward the generosity of neighbors who currently have access to resources for our most vulnerable neighbors both (here) in the NY region, and (there), across the world in developing countries.

Join us for a free night of New York's finest music; from classical, to R&B, from recording pop artists, to internationally acclaimed pianists. We invite you and your friends to enjoy a variety of music in the historic Chapel of Good Shepherd, with the aim of raising 10K for two critical NGO's that are serving the most vulnerable in this moment.

Saturday, November 18th @ 5PM

543 Main Street, NY NY 10044

The Historic Chapel of the Good Shepherd

All donations collected by Mosaic Church will go directly to these two non-profit organizations below. The concert is free, with generous donations suggested.

Cityrelief.org- City Relief is a mobile outreach in NYC/NJ, offering people experiencing poverty and homelessness hot meals, supplies, and connections to resources for housing, employment, and health care. These connections change people’s lives. Over 60,000 neighbors were served just in the past 12 months.

Mtree.org- Mtree creates artful change, a renewal of marginalized communities in developing countries to become healthy, sustainable communities through art and design

Here is a collaborative piece from CEO of City Relief, Josiah Haken and Roosevelt Island Pastor Dan Sadlier

The holidays are a time to gather together with friends and loved ones to share a meal, watch sports, and remember the good things in life we too often take for granted. This year in particular, economic uncertainty, mental health challenges, political unrest, the residual effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and more are competing to crush our spirits and peace of mind.

I (Josiah Haken) have found that the best way to shift from agonizing over what is wrong with the world to celebrating what is right is to choose compassion over complacency.

I have the privilege of leading an organization called City Relief. We go into the streets of New York and New Jersey with vehicles renovated as mobile soup kitchens that are used to share delicious meals as well as essentials like socks and toiletries with the unhoused community/

We eat with our guests and have ordinary dinner table conversations with them that, unfortunately, many people won’t. This establishes trust, which often gives us the opportunity to connect people to resources getting them off the street altogether.

Our volunteers consistently leave these events fulfilled, experiencing the joy of seeing their neighbors in need, not as a problem to solve, but as human beings worthy of compassion. This last year alone we were able to serve over 60,000 guests, many of them un-housed or in the shelter system.

Systemic problems as complex as homelessness often leave us feeling overwhelmed and paralyzed because any effort we make can feel futile. How will a few dollars here or a cup of coffee there improve a person’s situation anyway? In fact, many think such generosity actually exacerbates their situation by enabling people to continue panhandling, or worse, pay for drugs or alcohol.

I’d like to suggest a different narrative this holiday season. I have a friend that I’ll call Steven. He moved to New York City after college for a job that he lost when his mental health declined. He consequently lost his health insurance, effectively halting his treatment.

Steven slept in the street because he didn’t feel safe in the city’s congregate shelters, an all-too-common feeling among homeless New Yorkers.

Additionally, the shame of what people would think of his mental health and homelessness forced him into despair and isolation.

When I met him on the street, he was completely alone. I invited him to volunteer at our outreach events. City Relief makes a point to include our unhoused guests as contributors, not just beneficiaries.

Steven agreed, and over time, began to open up to our team. He found purpose and a sense of belonging through serving other people in a similar situation. Eventually, City Relief staff helped him find appropriate mental health care, stable housing, and a job that pays a living wage.

Maybe you’re not sure how you can help people like Steven -- you are not alone. I (Daniel Sadlier) have met hundreds of people over the years who want to make a difference but don’t know where to begin. I've talked with many of our Roosevelt Island neighbors that feel like the increase in NYC homelessness, alongside the migrant crisis, is too large to even know where to start. If that’s you, remember this: always start with what you have, right where you are. For myself and so many of our neighbors, that is right here on Roosevelt Island, where each year we see a handful of un-housed neighbors find their way to our little neighborhood in the east River

Steven shared with City Relief staff that even on his worst days, there were random people who offered him the dignity of eye contact, a short conversation, or even a cup of coffee. He insists that these small acts of compassion carried him through the most difficult seasons of his life.

What if your family and friends were to dedicate an hour this holiday season to assemble what I call kindness kits? These are Ziploc bags that have essentials like travel-size deodorants, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, new socks, bottled water, or a gift card for a local coffee shop.

Once assembled, you can walk to the Roosevelt Island train station and look for people like Steven who might need help getting through the day. Or if that makes you uncomfortable, you can donate them to an organization like City Relief who will gladly distribute them on your behalf.

Another idea may be to collect winter coats, gloves, and hats that are in good condition and distribute or donate them to your neighbors who will spend a lot of time outside this winter. You could also make a financial donation to your nonprofit of choice and invite your friends or colleagues to follow suit. You will be surprised by how much helping others may end up helping you.

The truth is that many of us are experiencing difficulties right now. As a result, choosing compassion over complacency may not feel natural. But what we have learned from people like Steven is that when life is taking more from you than you have to give, the best thing to help yourself is to look for ways to help someone else.

"EVERY HUMAN A HOME '' BENEFIT CONCERT -On behalf of City Relief and Mosaic Church, we want to invite you to an epic benefit concert that will be held at the Chapel of The Good Shepherd this Saturday, Nov 18th at 5PM. Join us for folk, pop, R&B, and Classical from some of the best musicians around. In addition, learn a bit more about our current crisis here in New York, and how you can play your part to give every human a home

Long Time Roosevelt Island Resident Tim Keller Dies May 19 At Age Of 72 - Prominent Theologian, Founding Pastor Of Manhattan Redeemer Presbyterian Church & Best Selling Author Is Remembered By Roosevelt Island Residents As a Good Neighbor And Friend

 The NY Times reported May 19:

The Rev. Timothy J. Keller, a best-selling author and theorist of Christianity who performed a modern miracle of his own — establishing a theologically orthodox church in Manhattan that attracted thousands of young professional followers — died on Friday at his home in Manhattan. He was 72.

His death was announced by Redeemer City to City, an organization affiliated with Redeemer Presbyterian Church. Mr. Keller announced on Twitter in December 2021 that he had Stage 4 pancreatic cancer....

 Click here for the full NY Times article.

What many did not know was that Tim Keller was a long time Roosevelt Island resident living with his wife and family at Manhattan Park since 1989.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Roosevelt (@rooseveltislander)

According to his one time neighbors Sherie Helstien:

Tim and Kathy and their 3 sons were our neighbors in 30RR when tenants were moving in just as the complex was opening. We watched their lovely boys grow up and had many cordial and funny conversations with all of them. 

and Matt Katz:

We lived across the hall from the Keller's at 30RR for some years and then we moved to another building. Some years later we met Tim on the Red Bus and asked after the family. 

I mentioned that we had just gotten a new cat and were looking for an appropriate name. She was to keep our old cat, Zeke, company and warm his bones. 

Tim thought for a moment and said, "Kings, 1-4." That's all he said. 

When we got home I looked up the Old Testament reference and there it was... Abishag, a virgin who would keep old King David's bones warm although "he knew her not." Abishag kept Zeke's (and our) bones warm for many years.

Roosevelt island resident and pastor at Mosaic Church Dan Sadlier remembers Tim Keller:

We moved to New York 10 years ago with the intent of starting new ministries across the city. 

We didn't know what to expect; moving a family of seven at that point in time from the Midwest. However, I quickly realized a few different things. First, I needed mentors who could help me understand the landscape of New York. Second, I needed someone who would cheer me on and believed in what we were attempting to do. Third, we needed financial resources that could help us get our different ministries off the ground. 

Tim was one of the first to step in as a mentor. Redeemer City to City (which Tim founded) invited me into a regular mentoring process where I was able to sit with and learn from Tim regularly. They would also become one of our biggest financial supporters to date. Tim always modeled generosity. So many times pastors and priests become weirdly territorial, and yet Tim continued to give away his time, his ministries' resources, and his prayer so that we could see new churches, new community development programming, and new ministries come to fruition across the city. 

There were multiple times where we traveled back to Roosevelt Island together from his offices in Manhattan and we would laugh at the fact that as we walked down Main Street, more of our neighbors knew the younger guy from the Midwest than the New York Times best selling author who had quietly made his home on Roosevelt island as he continued his work all over the city and world. Tim loved it. 

Roosevelt island was his place of rest. He loved living on Roosevelt Island. He loved raising his family on Roosevelt Island, and he loved that we were starting Mosaic Church (once Hope Church) in his very own neighborhood. Tim held to a deep belief that if you are to truly follow the way of Jesus, you invest your life for the sake of the whole neighborhood. (Not just Christians, but all people). 

You seek religious freedom, not just for Christians, but for all people. Mosaic continues to aim to be a church for the neighborhood, one that blesses all of our neighbors regardless of whether or not they ever step into our space. In a polarized time, where the Evangelical Church does not often look much like the Jesus they preach, Tim continued to talk about and model the way of Christ that deeply loves all and refused to play partisan politics. I’m grateful to have had him as a mentor, and Mosaic Church will continue to be a place of peace, mercy, and grace because of servant leaders like him. 

He will be missed

Watch Carpool Karaoke with Tim Keller and his family as they drive around Roosevelt Island and sing Broadway show tunes.

Molly Worthen on the legacy of pastor Timothy Keller, who died on Friday at 72: "two fundamental ideas propelled him: Biblical Christianity is not a political position, and secular liberalism deserves theological critique." https://t.co/JjJNo9VbIJ

— The Atlantic (@TheAtlantic) May 21, 2023

 

Here’s my postscript of ⁦@timkellernyc⁩. He might have been the most effective communicator of historic Christian teachings in America. Hard to think of any pastor w/ a resume like his. I try to explain his legacy and the void he leaves behind. https://t.co/ZlSvno9OcU

— Michael Luo (@michaelluo) May 20, 2023

@timkellernyc would be the first to say that all glory goes to God. It’s his work that he graciously invites us into and allows us to participate. God is at work always and everywhere.

We miss you already.
Thank you for teaching us so much.
We’ll see you soon#TimKeller #Tribute pic.twitter.com/9ozpMKQ0QX

— City to City (@RedeemerCTC) May 24, 2023

According to Timothy Keller website:

... A livestream worship service will be held in the coming weeks. More details will be provided here as they become available.

Condolences to Tim Keller's family, friends, neighbors and colleagues.

Roosevelt Island In Person Food And Nutrition Workshop With Food Bank Of NYC Hosted By RIDA, Just Say Yes To Fruits And Vegetables March 28 - Also Weil Cornell Medicine/Mosaic Church Health Meal Planning And Diabetes Zoom Webinar March 28 Too

Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) President Wendy Hersh reports: 

RIDA would like to invite you to join Erica Suarino, a Community Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian with Food Bank For New York City for FREE nutrition classes and cooking demos! Learn about healthy foods, proper portion sizes, how to save money on food, and more.

At every workshop, Erica will demonstrate how to make a delicious and affordable recipe, many using our pantry food. Receive a fun giveaway at every class!  

Please respond with your interest in attending and topics you are interested in. You can leave a message at 212-752-1518 or email whersh@nyc.rr.com

The second RIDA/Food Bank Of NYC Nutrition and Healthy Cooking workshop takes place tomorrow, March 28.

I spoke with Ms Hersh and Ms Suarino before the first RIDA/Food Bank Nutrition and Healthy Cooking workshop on February 28.

Also, according to Mosaic Church Roosevelt Island:

Health Meal Planning and Diabetes- What you need to know 28 March 2022
Details 

Health webinar presented by the Weill Cornell medicine Endocrine/Metabolism Racial Justice Team in collaboration with Mosaic Roosevelt Island. Get questions about your health and nutrition answered from local health experts.

 Speaker: Molly Chanzis, Senior Dietitian in the Weill Cornell Kidney & Transplant Center

 Interactive presentation followed by Q&A and with a health expert panel.

 Interested people can go here and also register at this page, and will then receive the zoom link for the presentation.

More Roosevelt Island Covid 19 Restart - Mosaic Church In Person Worship For Up To 30 Persons Begins Sunday August 30 At Good Shepherd Chapel Says Pastor Dan Sadlier

Roosevelt Islands Mosaic Church Pastor Dan Sadlier reports:

Since March, Mosaic Church (formally Hope Church Roosevelt Island) has been meeting digitally through multiple online platforms.

Weekly you can find the "Mosaic Kids" digital program happening every Sunday morning at 10AM via zoom. Each week one can expect music, fun competitions, age appropriate teaching, and a chance for children to connect with their peers and leaders who invest regularly in the youth on and around Roosevelt Island. You can register your children for the weekly digital experience at https://mosaicri.nyc/kids

In addition, Mosaic church has hosted their regular Sunday weekly worship service with teaching, music, and a post service virtual lobby to help allow congregants to see each other face to face at 11:30AM. You can watch services on Facebook Live, Insta TV, or on their interactive platform where you can chat with other viewers and request prayer at Mosaicchurchnyc.online.church

Both of these online digital services will continue to be offered to those living on and around Roosevelt Island as a regular part of our Mosaic Church NYC ministry. However, in addition Mosaic Church NYC begins their slow and cautious in person re-gathering strategy this Sunday, August 30th at Good Shepherd Chapel (543 Main Street)

This Sunday, Mosaic Church Roosevelt Island will host their first in-person worship gathering at 11:30AM.

Here is what one can expect:

• 30 people will be allowed to attend in person gatherings during this first iteration of reopening. You must register online at https://mosaicri.nyc/regathering
• Masks will be worn by congregants and leaders (unless a leader or pastor is distanced from congregants and on stage for the purpose of communicating/teaching)
• Social distancing requirements will be required through intentional ushering/seating
• The Mosaic host team will be doing temperature checks.
• Children are welcome to attend our 11:30AM gathering woth their families, but age appropriate Mosaic Kids programming will happen digitally at 10AM.

Mosaic leadership understands that neighbors will have different timelines for when they are ready to engage in person with the local church community. This is why both in person and digital experiences will happen simultaneously. Yet, as the Mosaic leadership has continued to watch COVID case numbers plateau, as they have consulted with RIOC public safety, and have listened to government guidance, Mosaic Pastors do believe that it is important to cautiously begin the regathering process this Sunday.

One can reserve their spot at https://mosaicri.nyc/regathering

Happy Passover & Easter From Roosevelt Island - No In Person Gatherings Due To Coronavirus Social Distancing But Enjoy Virtual Seder, A Little RI Passover History, Maccabeats Singing 4 Questions And Streaming Easter Celebration From East River Catholics And RI Mosaic Church

The Coronavirus Pandemic Social Distancing efforts have closed Jewish and Christian houses of worship during this week's Passover and Easter Holidays including the:

• Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation, 
• Chabad Of Roosevelt Island,
• St Francis Xavier Cabrini Church, part of the East River Catholics Parish and
• The Roosevelt Island Mosaic Church.

So, in the absence of attending an in person Passover Seder with friends and family, sit down to a virtual Passover Seder:



learn:

A LITTLE JEWISH HISTORY & PASSOVER AT GOLDWATER

from the Roosevelt Island Historical Society archive and take a listen to the Maccabeats sing Passover's 4 Questions



For Easter, East River Catholics web site has their schedule

Read more »

Here's How You Can Help Your Roosevelt Island Neighbors During Coronavirus Covid 19 Pandemic - Deliver Food To Your Neigbors And Join The Friends Of Coler To Help Patients And Staff

Many Roosevelt Island residents have asked what they can do to help our neighbors during the Coronavirus Covid 19 Pandemic. Just one example:

I am a newer local RI resident and wondering if there is anything I can do to help our community in these strange and crazy times!

I would not even know where to begin myself, so I was curious do you know of any groups organizing ways to help the local people or businesses in need? If so could you help connect me?...

Of course what we all can do is Stay At Home,Wash Your Hands and Keep Your Social Distance when you have to go out but there are tasks that you may be able to do for your neighbors that they can't do for themselves.

Roosevelt Island Disabled Association  (RIDA) President Wendy Hope reports:

The Roosevelt Island Disabled Association along with Mosaic Church will be delivering the grab n go breakfast and lunches this coming week provided by the Board of Education.

We are in need of some volunteers to deliver to those in need in the various buildings. If you are able to deliver these small bags to your neighbors within your building please let me know... we will be working from the senior center and will ask you to pick up for your building at 9:30am. We are all in this together and we can get through this together.

And:

Read more »

NYC Coronavirus Health Emergency Forces Cancellation Of Roosevelt Island In Person Religious Services - Online Streaming Available For Cabrini And Mosaic Churches

The Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation (RIJC) reported yesterday the cancellation of Friday services and programs due to the Coronavirus health emergency.

Today, the NY Archdiocese announced

In light of the continued concern surrounding the coronavirus, and the advice of medical experts, all Masses in the Archdiocese of New York will be canceled beginning this weekend, March 14-15, 2020. https://t.co/5nXy6Mehfi

— Archdiocese of NY (@NY_Arch) March 14, 2020

which includes Roosevelt Island's

St Francis Xavier Cabrini Church. Father Richard Baker of East River Catholics adds that Sunday Mass will be streamed online from their Facebook Page:

Mass will be aired at Noon from our Church on First Avenue on Facebook.

The Mosaic Roosevelt Island Church (formerly known as Hope) is also cancelling it's in person Sunday Service and streaming it live.

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