News from Old First Church
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Greetings,

It seems like Alaskan natives, including tribes and salmon, have won the battle against Northern Dynasty Minerals, a Canadian based company bent on destroying Bristol Bay. At least for now. 

Bristol Bay is the largest salmon spawning area in the world and Alaskan native tribes have been fighting against this project since it was first announced 20 years ago. The current governor, however, can only see revenue to go into the state’s coffers and really doesn’t give a hoot about native tribes trying to protect the area.

Secret videotapes show how mine leaders funded politicians who supported their desired destruction of the Bay for gain and worked to defeat those who did not. The release of the tapes embarrassed Sen. Lisa Murkowski who was fingered as a soft spot for the company. Let’s hope this is the final nail in the coffin for the robber barons who would destroy the Bay, Alaskan natives, and the salmon.

Pastor Joyce
2023 Financial Stewardship

Greetings to the Old First Congregation,
 
Our planning for the new year and for the missions of the Church starts now. You will be receiving the stewardship letter and the response form soon. Please return via email, or print and mail a copy to the financial secretary. 
 
Please prayerfully dig into your pockets for our funding of Christ’s business, for our building, and for the community missions for which we've been famous. Bless You!
 
Yours in Jesus Christ,
 
Peter Ahern
Moderator
You're Invited to Watch Brother Sun, Sister Moon

Join us here, Sunday, March 26 at 2:00, to watch "Brother Sun, Sister Moon," a film about Francis of Assisi by Franco Zefferelli, followed by discussion and refreshments. Click HERE to watch movie trailer.
Greetings from the AAUW Bookstore

Enjoy curling up with a good book and keeping warm this winter? Visit the AAUW Bookstore to find your perfect snow day read.

Click here for more information and hours of operation.
Roasted Beet Salad

  • 1 bunch beets (3/4 pound without greens or 1 1/4 pound with), trimmed
  • 1/4 cup sliced natural almonds
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced shallot
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large pear
  • 3 cups mâche or baby arugula (3 ounces)

Preheat oven to 425°F. Wrap beets in foil and roast in middle of oven until tender, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Unwrap beets and cool. While beets are roasting, cook almonds in oil in a small skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until pale golden. Cool almonds in oil (nuts will get darker as they cool). Transfer almonds with a slotted spoon to a small bowl and season with salt. Stir together shallot, lemon juice, vinegar, sugar, salt, and oil from almonds in a large bowl. Slip skins from beets and halve large beets. Cut beets into 1/4-inch-thick slices and add to dressing, tossing to coat. Quarter and core pear and cut into julienne strips. Arrange beets on a platter and drizzle with any dressing remaining in bowl. Top with mâche, then pear. Sprinkle with almonds.
Address Book Updates
Elaine Lent and I are working to update our current contact files. If you have moved, changed phone numbers or email address of late, please let us know - even if you are unsure of what we have on file, your most current info is appreciated. Please submit the information to the church office at office@oldfirstchurchnj.org. Once completed, electronic copies of the address book will be emailed out. Hard copies will be available on request and at the church. Thank you in advance.
Thoughts and Prayers

 Julie J. now at home.

Prayers for Eleojhilda Martines, mother of Rebecca Kapsis.

Sandy K., Margaret B., and Gretchen & Jim H. -- "Housebound and caring for themselves and others."
Shop Amazon Smile for OFC

Shop smile.amazon.com: Sign in to smile.amazon.com on your desktop or mobile phone browser. From your desktop, go to Your Account from the navigation at the top of any page, and then select the option to Change your Charity. Or, from your mobile browser, select Change your Charity from the options at the bottom of the page. Amazon donates a small percentage to OFC. Choose OFC as your charity.
Contact Us! 
We want to hear from you! Please email us at office@oldfirstchurchnj.org if you have items to contribute.
69 Kings Highway
Middletown, NJ 07748
Phone: 732-671-1905