It was probably during middle school and high school that I learned the hymn, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God," by the German reformer Martin Luther. I bet I can recite the words nearly as well as the Lutherans who dominated my Minnesota
town.
But I didn't learn the words just because of the Prairie Home Companion-like cast to my community. The words sank in deeply because teen life can be a struggle. It's a relief when the barbs are flying, to find shelter in "a mighty fortress." When the tears are flowing or the torrent of homework rising too high, I was grateful for my "helper amid the flood."
It still is appealing to think of God is those terms. But we all know now, as grown adults, that God is not a protective shield we "magic" into place, tall walls shooting up around us when we need them, an instant castle available at the push of a button. Superheroes might have such powers in the movies, but not us humans. In our real world, God doesn't appear as a life preserver floating down a river towards us, just as the waters break through the sandbag dams.
Does that mean the hymn is false? A hope we long for, a dream we cling to, but ultimately a promise that rings hollow? Or does "God's truth abideth still," as the final stanza proclaims? These days, we all want to know. Come join us this Sunday, our final of the church calendar year. On November 27, we start over again, with the first Sunday in Advent.
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Theology on Tap | November 16 | 7 PM
Believer. Non-believer. Confident. Curious. Join us for a lively discussion of big questions at a local pub.
Today, November 16 at 7 PM we will discuss Death and the Afterlife. What have been the different views about these, in the Bible and in other traditions? What are your understandings? Shawn will be away so Joy will start off our discussion.
Anyone 21 and over is welcome to join. We will meet at The Kinsale Pub and Restaurant, located across from City Hall Plaza. RSVP to gretchen@kings-chapel.org. |
| King's Chapel Parish House offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 24 - 25, in celebration of Thanksgiving |
Advent Book Group | Wednesday Evenings, November 30 - December 21
Deitrich Bonhoeffer was killed by Hitler a few days before Germany surrendered. He was 37. But this young Lutheran minister left an indelible mark through his writings, including those from prison. How did he understand the promise of Christmas, amidst his bleak circumstances? How could he still treasure Christmas, and remain convinced of God's love breaking into this world, despite the horrors around him? Small excerpts of Bonhoeffer's writings have been collected in this daily devotional for Advent and Christmas: God is in the Manger. Rev. Fallon will lead the discussion from 7-8:30 pm on Wednesday evenings, after the 6 PM service. A simple dinner will be served in the Vestry Room behind the pulpit. Books are available for $10 at the Parish House or in the Vestibule after church during November. Register with Gretchen at gretchen@kings-chapel.org. |
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Concert Series: Hathor Winds | November 27 | 5 PM
Our next concert will take place the Sunday after Thanksgiving at 5 and will feature a guest ensemble, the woodwind quintet Hathor Winds.
Founded in 2014, Hathor Winds is quickly emerging as an ensemble to watch both locally and in chamber music competitions around the US.
Described as "the character quintet," Hathor Winds embodies versatility and style. Hathor, an Egyptian goddess displaying multiple personalities, was said to be able to invoke any emotion on a whim. That sentiment holds especially true to this dynamic group of young artists. Each member's individual style and personality adds a new dimension to what has become the Hathor sound.
They will play works by Gershwin, Hindemith, and Ravel, and Heinrich will join them for Daniel Pinkham's Concerto for Organ and Woodwind Quintet.
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Membership Gathering | November 29 | 6 PM
Interested in membership? A gathering exploring our history, our beliefs, and how we govern ourselves will be held on
Tuesday, November 29 at 6:00 PM
at the Parish House. If you are interested in joining, new members will be formally welcomed on
Sunday, January 22 at 11 AM
. Not quite ready for membership? No problem. You are always
welcome at King's Chapel.
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| Pre-Annual Meeting Hearing at King's Chapel | January 8 | 1 PM
The Pre-Annual Meeting Hearing will be held on January 8, 2017, at the Parish House for the purpose of asking questions, discussing agenda items, airing and resolving confusions or problems with matters which will come before the Annual Meeting. A light lunch will precede the Hearing. The Hearing itself will start around 1:00 PM and end about 2:30 PM.
The Annual Meeting will be held on January 29, 2017, at 12:30 PM, following a short break after Morning Prayer. We will meet back in the sanctuary after a light snack in the vestibule. The meeting will end no later than 2:30.
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Community Action Committee News
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Backpacks for the Homeless
Once again this year we will be participating in the Backpacks for the Homeless Program. This year they have asked for these specific items only: plastic bags, Nutri-grain or soft granola bars, heavy socks (white or colored if they are thick hiking socks), hand warmers and Dunkin' Donuts gift certificates of $5. You may drop off the items at the church or at the Parish House. We would like to receive all items by Dec 1st. If you have any questions please contact Judy Luca at
judyg143@gmail.com.
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Seeking Donations to Coat Boston
City Mission, our neighbors at 14 Beacon St, is once again partnering with Boston Public Schools in the Coat Boston program. For 7 years Coat Boston has been devoted to keeping children safe and warm during the winter. Brand new, warm coats are provided to low-income families in Boston. Their goal is to provide 3000 coats this winter. If you would like to participate please bring a new coat (no used coats) sizes 6-20, (no soft shell or fleece type please) to the church or Parish House.
You can order a coat directly, through a "registry" by going to this site:
Coat Wishlist. Creators of the program have round that children especially appreciate the stylish coats tht let them fit in with the rest of their peers.
You can also donate money toward a new coat if you wish. Please make checks payable to City Mission. The deadline for donations is December 10th.
For more information or questions please contact Judy Luca at
judyg143@gmail.com
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BAGLY Homecoming event from Tuesday
Tuesday night members of King's Chapel Community Action Committee turned out for the BAGLY fundraising event, Squashing Stigma! Harvest Homecoming - some of us even performed during the karaoke portion of the evening! Join us in supporting BAGLY again on Wednesday 11/23 at their Holiday Potluck at the Community Church, 565 Boylston Street (Copley Sq).
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"We Rejoice with Those Who Rejoice, and Weep with Those Who Weep" ~ Romans 12:15
We want to warmly wish our dear Rev. Shawn Fiedler a joyous and peaceful Happy Birthday, today!
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The Politics of Fear: Where to Now? | November 29 | 7:30 - 9 PM
Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries & First Church in Cambridge Present
A Very Special Evening with James Carroll
The Politics of Fear: Where to Now?
A Fundraiser for Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries
Proceeds benefit CMM's social action efforts, Interfaith Youth Initiative, Values over Violence Leadership & Peacemaker Trainings and RUAH Interfaith Spirituality Programs.
First Church in Cambridge,
11 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Harvard Square T stop.
$50 donation includes special private reception & hors d'oeuvres with James Carroll at 6:15pm
$15 for 7:30pm talk & discussion
Please make checks payable to CMM. Signed books will be available.
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Light a Candle to Remember the Children Gone Too Soon |Sunday, December 11 | 6 - 8pm | Church of the Covenant, 67 Newbury St. Boston, MA 02116
The Boston Chapter of The Compassionate Friends, a
nonprofit group offering support and understanding to
bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents, invites all to join
in the 20th annual Worldwide Candle Lighting.
This unique event, with music and readings, gives bereaved
families the opportunity to light a candle in memory of their
loved ones who have died. Regular meetings are held at
Trinity Church in Copley Square, Boston on the first Tuesday
of each month at 6pm.
Contact: Louise Strasenburgh, tcfofboston@gmail.com,
www.compassionatefriends.org |
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Combating
Islamaphobia
Member
Medb Sichko shared the following link and suggested it be posted in Between Sundays, for any interested in providing support to Muslims, immigrants or others feeling less safe in public spaces, given the recent reported rise in hate incidents.
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Habitat for Humanity Build and Partner Church Visit | July 2017
We are pleased to advise you the Habitat Build, Kolozsvar trip scheduled for July 2017 will happen as planned!
Peter Sexton of King's Chapel will lead a build at Habitat for Humanity, Cluj (Kolozsvar), Romania in July 2017 in conjunction with partner church visits. Kolozsvar is the home of the partner churches of King's Chapel, First Church, Boston, and the UU Society of San Francisco. The build team will be comprised of 12-18 members. Members and friends of these 3 churches and other interested parties are encouraged to participate in this event. In the event that a participant has interest in another partner church in Transylvania, every effort will be made to provide contact.
The endeavor will include 8 days of building with HFH Kolozsvar which we know from past experience is an exceptionally well run organization. Non-build time will include socialization and worship with the 3 respective partner churches. In addition, for the second time, participants will be able to attend the Confirmation Service of youths at First Unitarian Kolozsvar. Kolozsvar was the capital of the Principality of Transylvania and a long-established university city with Babeș-Bolyai University having roots back to 1581. This is a very pleasant environment with many cultural and
dining opportunities that can be coupled with excellent local wines.
Activities, in addition to the build and socialization with the partner churches, will include most of the following:
* Site of Edict of Torda.
* Torda Unitarian Church.
* Torda Gorge.
* Rimetea Monastery (Romanian Orthodox).
* Torda salt mines.
* Tour of the Transylvanian countryside.
* Comprehensive tour of Budapest including visits to one or both Unitarian churches.
The cost per participant is expected to be of $1,850 per participant including everything except air fare to Budapest and personal items, e.g. alcoholic beverages souvenirs, etc. This includes a contribution of $400 per person to HFH Cluj. Participants will leave the USA on June 29, 2017 and return on July 14. Stipends may be available through the Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Committee.
For more information or to reserve a slot on the build, please contact Peter Sexton at 781 383-9028 or petersexton@alum.mit.edu. Peter can provide you with the trip agenda and give you a link to photos of previous builds such as the following ...
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Wednesday Service
November 16
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Holy Communion | 6 PM
The Rev. Joy Fallon will Preach
- Sudeep Agarwala, Soloist
- Carol Genovese, Hospitality
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Note: There will be no Holy Communion service on Wednesday November 23.
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Sunday Services
November 20
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Morning Light | 9 AM
- The Little Chapel
- Carol Sentenne, Verger
Church School | 10 AM
Morning Prayer | 11 AM
The Rev. Joy Fallon will Preach
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Miguel Gomez-Ibanez
, Lector
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Jennifer Webb, Dan Perry, Mary Sears, and Michael Gonzalez, Soloists
- Anne Sexton and Paul Luca, Head Ushers
- Sylvia Soderberg, Usher in Charge
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KC Dalton, Todd Lee, and Betsy Peterson, Ushers
- Lia Atanat, Verger
The Readings:
- Psalm 46
- Old Testament: Jeremiah 23:1-6
- New Testament: Colossians 1:11-14
The flowers on the Communion table are given in memory of Patricia Allan from her daughter and son-in-law, Christopher and Jessica Schmidt.
At the communion rail following the service,
Todd Lee
will greet those interested in learning more about King's Chapel.
After the service, all are invited to Coffee Hour, hosted by Amy Meyer and
friends of the Hospitality Committee.
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Thanksgiving Day service
There will be a special Thanksgiving Day worship service held at King's Chapel on Thursday, November 24 at 10:00 am.
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From the Bench:
By Heinrich Christensen
Psalm 46 is a main musical theme this Sunday. You will hear two settings of A Mighty Fortress for the prelude, by Buxtehude and Bach. The Introit sets verse 4 of the Psalm, "There is a River", and the motet verse 10 "Be Still and Know that I am God".
For a change of pace, the offertory celebrates the patroness saint of music, Cecilia, whose feast day is also coming up this week, on November 22. We shall sing Bernard Rose's Feast Song for Saint Cecilia.
The postlude is Norwegian composer Egil Hovland's rousing Toccata on Now Thank We All Our God, which will hopefully get you in the mood for some tasty turkey coming your way!
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Tuesday November 22 |
12:15 PM
"Trios for Four"
Corelli Trio Sonatas
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Piano Search
We are looking for a baby grand piano in excellent condition for the 2nd floor parlor of the Parish House. Some people have found when they try to deaccession a piano, that it can be quite difficult. So here is an easy way to do it, and with a charitable deduction as a gift to you!
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News From the Parish House...
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November Food Drive
During the month of November, the Church School will be hosting a food drive for the Boston Food Bank. Every Sunday during the offering in the Morning Light service,
families are invited to put non-perishable food items in a basket located in the Little Chapel. If you wish to donate and have never experienced the Morning Light service, this is a wonderful opportunity for you to see the gifts children are bringing to the Kings Chapel community. At the end of the month, we will transport the food to the Boston Food Bank where those who need it most can fill their bellies.
The list of accepted donations is as follows:
* Canned vegetables
* Vegetable juice
* Diced tomatoes
* Tomato juice
* Tomato sauce
* Spaghetti sauce
* Canned fruit (in its own juice)
* Fruit juice (100%)
* Dried fruit
* Shelf-stable fruit cups
* Canned tuna fish
* Canned salmon
* Canned chicken
* Canned bean soup
* Canned baked beans
* Drie
d and canned beans and peas
* Canned chili
* Canned beef stew
* Peanut butter
* Nuts
* Oatmeal
* Whole grain crackers
* All types of pasta
* Low sugar / high fiber cereal (Cheerios®, Raisin Bran®, etc.)
* Cream Of Wheat®
* Whole grain rice
* Dry milk
* Evaporated milk
* Boxed shelf-stable milk
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Committee Meetings
November 29:
* New Member Gathering
6:00 PM
* ARE Meeting 7:15 PM
Is your committee planning to meet in the next month? Please contact our Parish Administrator, Gretchen Horton, to add to our calendar.
admin@kings-chapel.org
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From the Chancel Committee
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Have you ever thought you would like to donate flowers for the Sunday Service but are unsure what one needs to do?
We would like to place flowers on the chancel table every Sunday of the year with the exception of the 6 week Lenten period.
Flowers can be donated for a variety of reasons. They can be in memory of a loved one who has died, in thanksgiving for a special occurrence, or in celebration of a new birth or anniversary. They may also be donated as living prayers and symbols for peace and hope.
Please confirm with Anne Sexton if you have a regular Sunday that you would like to continue. Anne can be reached at the following email:
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Anyone can help!
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Enter your email and select a spot to fill. New volunteers may choose to co-host with a buddy. Questions? Email
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Interested in Membership?
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Contributing to Between Sundays
Want something in Between Sundays? Feel free to email Brad at
brad@kings-chapel.org with a written piece and/or pictures before Tuesday at noon!
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Accessibility Assists
Our beautiful Georgian sanctuary designed by Peter Harrison and completed in 1754, has been lovingly maintained by the congregation since its completion. One of the box pews has been made wheel-chair accessible. Ushers are available to assist those who are wheelchair-bound to that pew.
A sound system has been installed in the sanctuary of The Chapel to amplify the sound during worship services. Hearing assistance devices are available for your use. Please see an Usher for assistance.
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