This year’s concert offered various genres of Christian music through constructive collaborations within the community. Glover said the many groups performing were connected to different churches, individuals and people who serve in ministry.
“The musician of one of the groups used to be my former musician at a previous church,” said Glover. “You develop these relationships so you can always call people.”
A dedicated group of volunteers monitored snacks and activities, including pumpkin painting, popcorn, apple cider and apple cider donuts.
Music played as other volunteers supplied kids’ activities, such as ball games, jump rope, a spirited sack race, relay race and tug-of-war.
After a hearty lunch in the community center basement, guests were invited upstairs to “feel the autumn vibes and immerse themselves in music,” according to the program.
A cheerful fall scarecrow is among other festive decorations across the grounds. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Loretta Chin
The concert delivered six musical offerings performed by the Faithful Harmonizers Juniors of New York, Yully and Hiroyuki, Haye Entertainment, Robert Wilson, Flatlands Reformed Church Choir and Yui Kitamura. The performance had people standing and swaying as they enthusiastically sang along with the performers.
The Harvest Fest and concert is just one example of many activities offered by the church throughout the year. Attendees do not have to be a member of the church to participate in the many programs listed on the church’s website.
“Fundamentally, we are a church, and yes, we are concerned about the souls of people, but because of everything going on in society, we are also recognizing that there are some bodily material needs that need to be addressed,” Glover said.
The pumpkin painting stations in front of the Flatlands Reformed Church. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Loretta Chin
Glover and his wife work with nearby public schools, church and community partnerships, elected officials and more to develop pop-up food pantries at schools to distribute food and other goods to those in need.
“There are plenty of activities,” said Elder Gerard Brewster, who leads the community and youth outreach at the church. “Our focus is still extending ourselves beyond the gates to our community.”
Brewster said that there has been a greater need for community outreach since the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the calendar is filling up and it is a continuous effort to expand the church’s outreach and programming.
Brewster said the church’s Thanksgiving and Christmas events will take place through the end of the year. In February, the church is adding a Black history event.
The community center building, left, which used to be a schoolhouse, and the Flatlands Reformed Church, right, as seen from Kings Highway. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Loretta Chin
FRC, formerly titled Protestant Dutch Reformed Church of the Town of Flatlands and also known as Flatlands Dutch Reformed Church, has a continuous congregational history that dates back to 1663.
The Greek Revival church building, built in 1854, is the third church at that location and was designated a landmark in 1966. Its cemetery, which was once a Native American burial ground, dates back to the 17th century and contains the remains of the early Dutch settlers and others. The church has roots in the Protestant Reformation and has served the Flatlands community for over 350 years in Christian witness and worship.