Rev. Dr. Daniel Meeter, Pastor
The Rev. Dr. Daniel Meeter has been the pastor and teacher at Old First since 2001. He was ordained to the Reformed Church ministry in 1980, and has served churches in New Jersey, Michigan, and Ontario. He earned a Ph.D. from Drew University in 1989, and has published two technical books in theology as well as many articles. He is married to Rev. Melody Takken Meeter, director of pastoral care at the Lutheran Medical Center of Brooklyn. They have two grown children and two grandsons. Daniel is interested in everything, but his special loves are classical music, architecture, languages, geography, and the borough of Brooklyn.

Podcasts and Book In the Words of the Reverend Dr. Daniel J. Meeter
Old First The Blog of Reverend Doctor Daniel Meeter

Pastor Meeter can be reached via the church office at (718) 638-8300, his email or his mobile phone (718) 614-9763.

Rev. Julia Turner, Assistant Pastor
Rev. Turner graduated from Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York with a Master of Divinity in 2010. She was ordained as Minister of Word and Sacrament this past Autumn. Aside from holding the office of Elder in her home congregation in Manhattan, she was responsible, among other things, for teaching and coordinating adult education. She previously worked in financial services, serving in New York and Asia; she holds an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Finance. During her 8-year Asian tenure, she lived with her two dogs in Tokyo and Hong Kong. Home again in New York, she is once again singing with the Oratorio Society of New York, going to the theater, listening to all kinds of live music, walking the dogs in the city’s parks and thoroughly enjoying time spent with friends and family. The one and only copy of her one and only published book, “Knowing Ourselves, Knowing God: A Presentation of Calvin’s Institutes for Teachers in the Congregation,” is available at Union’s Burke Library.

Pastoral Intern
Old First has been enriched by hosting interns from nearby seminaries, contributing variously as teachers, youth leaders, and student ministers. Our current intern is:

Norman Haight
Norman is studying theology at the New Brunswick Theological Seminary. He comes to us as an ordained Elder and with many experiences teaching and leading in congregations. Enjoying a passion for singing, Norman has been a soloist and tenor section leader for years with church choirs, community choruses and the famed Taghkanic Chorale of Westchester. While serving at Old First this summer, Norman led worship and preached during Pastor Meeter’s absence. He also assisted with the Respite Shelter and with the visiting youth groups. This year he will lead 'Godly Play', Old First's 'Children and Worship' experience for pre-schoolers.

Aleeza Meir, Organist
Organist Aleeza Meir is an active performer based in New York. Raised as a homeschooler, she pursued her musical studies independently with celebrated fortepianist Malcolm Bilson (who called her one of the most talented students he'd ever had) and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Steven Stucky. Her organ playing won her a prize at the Otto B. Schoepfle National Organ Competition in 1988. Her work with singers and choral groups in particular has established her as a sought-after accompanist and collaborator and, along with her skill on piano and harpsichord, gives her unusual scope in terms of repertoire, technique, perspective and interpretation. As a soloist, she has performed in North America, France and the Czech Republic, and her career has included performances in a wide variety of venues and capacities, ranging from concerto soloist to continuo player. Besides playing and overseeing music at Old First, Ms. Meir performs regularly with John Rutter at Carnegie Hall, and is Principal Pianist for the Brooklyn Youth Chorus. Aleeza can be reached through the church office (718) 638-8300.

Sandra Francois, Office Manager
Sandra has been with Old First since August of 2004. Her many and varied skills allow her to handle all office related items, referrals, and rentals of the facilities. She will probably be your first contact when reaching Old First. You can email Sandra or call her at the church office directly (718) 638-8300.

Abraham Barrios, Sexton
Abraham has been taking care of the physical plant of Old First since 2002. In addition to his regular care of the church, he is also available for events and rentals at Old First for an additional fee. Contact Abraham through the church office (718) 638-8300.

Consistory

The Consistory is the governing body of Old First. All are volunteer positions held by church members, each of whom serve a three year term. Persons who serve are elected by the congregation and ordained as Elders or Deacons in the manner of the Reformed Church in America.

Elders
Janet Phillips
Stacy Leigh
Jeff Cribbs
Ken Nieuwenhuis
Fabiola Santos-Gaerlan

Deacons
Nick Klagge
Rhoda Ingberman
Alana Gaymon
Susan Snyder

Deacons' e-mail: deacons (at) oldfirstbrooklyn.org

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