This Sunday, January 15-Organ Recital, Solemn Evensong & Benediction, and E&B Talk:  Our monthly service of Evensong & Benediction at the Advent resumes this Sunday, January 15.  The evening begins with a 4:30 organ recital by our own Katelyn Emerson, who will play the complete Symphonie Gothique of Charles-Marie Widor, based on Gregorian chant themes from Christmastide.  Solemn Evensong & Benediction follows at 5:00, featuring the Tallis Latin Evening Service, Oculi omnium by Byrd, and Howells' setting of  Behold, O God, our defender. 

Immediately following E&B, join us downstairs in Moseley Hall for a light supper and to hear a talk by our friend and neighbor in the Back Bay,  Pastor Ingo Dutzmann of First Lutheran Church in Boston.  On October 31, 1517, a monk named Martin Luther posted his "Ninety-five Theses" to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, German, lighting the match that sparked the Protestant Reformation.  The Advent will observe the 500th anniversary of that momentous event all 2017 in forums like Entr'acte and a Luther reading group, and Pastor Dutzmann has agreed to kick off the year by speaking at our first E&B Talk.  Evensong and the supper is a perfect way to cap off the Lord's Day, particularly when we share them with our Lutheran friends in Boston, so please come join us!

The Boston Harbor Deanery will be holding a Stop Hunger Now event hosted by the Church of the Advent on Saturday, January 28, from 10:00 am-12:00 pm.

What is Stop Hunger Now?  Stop Hunger Now is driven by the vision of a world without hunger. Their mission is to end hunger in our lifetime by providing food and life-changing aid to the world's most vulnerable people and creating a global commitment to mobilize the necessary resources.  To that end packages of dry food, enough for one meal, are assembled by volunteers and are then sent to places where there is a shortage of food and people are hungry.

Between 2 and 3 volunteers will be needed from our church to participate in the event which will be run by a team from Stop Hunger Now.  Those who have done this before say that it is quite a lot of fun.  There will be music and perhaps even dancing !  Please volunteer to help package meals and be able to arrive 15 minutes prior to the event.  To signup please contact Advent's seminarian Eric Fialho at  [email protected].

An Important Message From the Clerk:  The Vestry has set the next Annual Meeting of the Parish for Sunday, January 29, 2017.  At that meeting there will be elections for Vestry and for Diocesan Convention.   To qualify to vote in a Parish election, you must be a baptized Christian, at least 16 years of age, who makes a regular, recorded contribution to support the Parish for the preceding year.  You must also subscribe to the authority of the Parish By-Laws and the Canons of the Diocese.

Under the By-Laws of the Parish, the Clerk is responsible for maintaining the Electoral Roll.  The Electoral Roll for the upcoming Annual Meeting is now posted outside the Parish Office.  It consists of those who have pledged or made a similarly recorded qualifying contribution to the General Fund of the Parish during the past year.  Your name must be on the Roll in order to vote.  Any changes to the Roll must be made before the Parish Meeting commences.  Please inspect the list and let the Clerk know if you think there is an error.

The Advent needs and values the participation of new parishioners, both in Parish life and Parish governance.  If you are new, please be sure to make a pledge for 2016 so that you can vote in the January, 2017 Annual Meeting.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

In accordance with Article IV, Section 2, of the By-Laws of the Parish of the Advent, the Clerk has posted the Warrant for the Annual Meeting in the lobby of the Parish Hall, The Vestry has called the Annual Meeting for Sunday, January 29, 2017, at 10:00 am.

Faithfully yours,
Frederick Ou, Clerk

The Nominating Committee has proposed the following persons to stand for election to the Vestry at the Annual Meeting on January 29, 2017:

Eric Baldwin
C. Thomas Brown
Christopher Laconi
Philip Le Quesne
Kyle Pilares
Tony Pulsone
Rachael Ringenberg

There are  four three-year terms and  one year of Nathan Cleveland's term to be filled.

Also nominated for one-year terms are:

For Clerk:
Frederick Ou

For Treasurer:
Adam Rutledge

Delegate to the Diocesan Convention (and the Boston Harbor Deanery) (two to be elected):

Betsy Ridge Madsen
Julianne Turé

Alternate Delegates (one to be elected):
Robb Scholten

Photographs of the nominees accompanied by statements of their intention to serve will be posted in the lobby of Moseley Hall.

Nominations from the Floor of the Annual Meeting: The Vestry has adopted a process for nominations from the floor after the Nominating Committee has announced the candidates which it proposes.  Any four members of the Parish can nominate a candidate by filling out and signing a nomination form that gives the name of the nominee and the office to which that person is nominated.  This process does not preclude nominations at the Meeting itself; but it does permit the name of the nominee to appear in print on the ballot.  The Nominating Committee may also adopt such nominees from the floor as part of its proposed slate as well.  If you have any questions about this process, please speak with the Clerk (Frederick Ou) or his predecessor (C. Thomas Brown), or call the Parish Office.  A statement describing qualifications for Officers and Members of the Vestry may be found at the rear of the church.