For the first time since the pandemic, the First Church of Deerfield is reviving one of its music series, with the return serving as an opportunity to raise money for a good cause.

On Sunday, Nov. 14, the First Church of Deerfield, also known as the Brick Church, is bringing back its “Music & Verse in a Sacred Space” series, which brings the community together for an hour of music and poetry. At this particular performance, the church will be collecting donations to raise funds for farmers affected by July’s torrential rainstorms.

“It’s really an inclusive event and it’s such a beautiful, historic building, and to let the community come on in here and have an hour of music and poetry … it’s very restorative and inspiring,” said First Church of Deerfield Musical Director and Organist Thomas Pousont.

The Deerfield Cappella, a choir group that also features local high school students, will perform, local poet Carol Edelstein will read some of her own works, and Pousont will play the organ. The audience can expect music from Bach, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and Robert Schumann.

Attendees will also have a chance to donate money that will go to farmers in the region affected by summer flooding. Pousont said they are going to reach out to Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) for a recommendation on where money should go, which may include one of the agency’s farm resiliency funds.

Pousont said the return of the series — for the first time since spring 2020 — is “huge” because it’s a part of the church’s outreach opportunities.

“I designed the series to be a way to reach out to the greater community, it’s put on by our church, but it’s not a church service or anything like that,” Pousont said. “We didn’t have singing in the church until this time last year (due to COVID precautions) … this is the first time we’ve been able to do it.”

The event is free of charge and kicks off at the First Church of Deerfield, 71 Main St., at 4 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

“It’s so great to finally be coming out of (the pandemic) and finally have this happen again,” Pousont said. “And our poet, Carol Edelstein, is a wonderful person with beautiful poetry and it’s exciting to feature her as well.”

Additionally, Pousont said the First Church of Deerfield is seeking new members for its Deerfield Choral Scholars program, which introduces area high school students to choral and vocal music. Any high school students interested in joining can email him at tpousont@mtholyoke.edu.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.