From the Minister
Have you see our posters outside the church, with the faces of members - of all ages, many races, all smiling? We're using YOU to explain who King's Chapel is, and to invite others to join our annual Homecoming Sunday, in just a few days. If you don't know every face, that's good news: you can meet new friends on Sunday!
The lineup:
- Lunch for all at the Parish House at 12:30, 64 Beacon Street
- The full choir singing again for our 11 AM service
- Kids' classes starting at 10 AM in the Parish House.
- The Sermon Series on the Parables beginning: What did Jesus really mean?
The first parable is about coming to a banquet! Everyone gets in; no RSVPs are required. And there aren't any assigned seats. But it's not really first come, first served either.
In Jesus' tale, you might be asked to vacate the seat you've selected, if it's a seat of honor. How awkward for everyone - for you, the host, the more "honored" person who gets your seat. Jesus recommends, therefore, that you sit in the corner, near the kitchen. Or with the people who are sitting alone, who don't seem to know
anyone. Start there.
Maybe Jesus is politically shrewd - hints for getting "modesty" points, or for avoiding public humiliation. But writer Frederick Buechner thinks it's about another way of living. Where you're genuinely as happy if you sit near the kitchen or at the head table. Where you rejoice
that another person got the seat of honor just as much as if you were escorted up to the dias. Just being at the banquet's enough.
And -- you can't sit in the nosebleed section of the stands, and spend the whole game secretly hoping an usher will bring you to a Sky Box, preferably with your ascension displayed on the Jumbotron. (That would be me).
The idea: welcoming someone just the way we'd want to be welcomed. Being content when we're left behind, because we see the joy on the others' faces, when they get the recognition.
What would it take to have an ego that healthy? Among other things, a group of friends who also have that desire. Hope to see you all on Sunday.
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Sermon Series on Parables: Stories Jesus Told | September 18 - October 30
This fall, Shawn and Joy will offer a sermon series on the parables, as told in Luke. Has "church" missed what Jesus wanted to convey? What's relevant now? Catch the
series at all worship services, September 18-October 30. Can't come some day? Sermons also are posted on our web site and on YouTube. |
Theology on Tap | September 21 | 7 PM
Believer. Non-believer. Confident. Curious. Join us for a lively discussion of big questions at a local pub. On September 21, at 7 PM, we will discuss Homosexuality and the Christian Tradition. What exactly does the bible say about homosexuality? What has the tradition had to say over the centuries? Can you really be gay or lesbian and Christian? 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 shawn@kings-chapel.org
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Come to the Cabaret! | September 23 & September 24 | 7:30 PM
Please join us for the 6th annual Alto Extravaganza
Friday, September 23 and Saturday, September 24
at
7:30 PM
! Once again our hostesses with the most, Heather Holland and Mindy Hinkel, take over the Parish House to make you laugh, cry and blush! This year expect lots of special guests to keep the excitement going. Food and libations provided. So mark your calendars, invite your friends and come join these lovely ladies! All proceeds go to the Kings Chapel Concert Series... now that's got to make you feel good!!!
Friday
and
Saturday
September 23 and 24
at
7:30 PM
(doors open at 7)
Kings Chapel Parish House, 64 Beacon Street, 2nd floor
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Concert Series | September 25
September 25
, the Concert Series opens its season at
5 PM
with a program entitled "More and More Mozart". Following up on last season's finale of Mozart's sacred vocal music, we offer 6 of his so-called Church Sonatas for organ and strings, as well as his Fantasia in f minor arranged for flute, clarinet, and organ. Choir member Emily Bieber will be the soloist in the famous Exsultate, Jubilate
. This event is presented in collaboration with our friends at First Parish UU in Bedford, MA, and will be conducted by their music director Bradford Conner.
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"We Rejoice with Those Who Rejoice, and Weep with Those Who Weep" (Romans 12:15)
We give hearty thanks for the wedding on September 10th of our Church School Director, Ryan Harrison and Jamie Falzone. Congratulate him personally on Homecoming Sunday, when they will have returned from their honeymoon.
Thanks also to Alecia Manning, Sylvia Soderberg and Betsy Peterson of our Parish House Garden Committee. They've been readying us for the fall, picking weeds, adding annuals. See for yourselves on Sunday.
We welcome home from China our Vestry member Caroline Welling and her husband Orian, who spent the summer biking 2500 miles from the north of China south to Vietnam. Orian speaks Chinese, which helped; but it was sheer determination and pleasure that propelled them through the mountain and desert terrain. Congratulations!
Last Sunday, on September 11th, Carol and Emanuel Genovese celebrated their 45th
wedding anniversary. They lit a candle of thanksgiving at our 9 AM service, and their infectious joy spilled out over that congregation.
We continue to hold in prayer several of our members:
Joei Perry, who has spent the summer receiving a grueling chemotherapy, and has two more treatments remaining; Leo Johnson, who will be meeting with his cardiologist soon, in anticipation of surgery; Ray Hardin, who has sufficiently recovered from spine surgery to act as lector at Evensong, but has additional surgery upcoming; and all those who, in the words of John Appleton at our 9 AM service, are "experiencing their own personal 9/11s as life about them crumbles." John's wife died of Alzheimer's a little more than a year ago, and he now tries to help other husbands whose wives are suffering from it.
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News from the Parish House...
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"Moral Monday" at the State House
On Monday, I joined other clergy from all over the city to ask our elected leaders to
take action: to support more housing, better wages, improved care of veterans,
funds for public schools, and other issues which our holy texts tell us are important
"moral" matters. We won't let other religious folks define "morality" as the
denigration of gays and Muslims.
We reject that interpretation, and offer ours,
based on the Qur'an, the Torah, and the New Testament.
Our group joined 24 other
states hosting "Moral Mondays." It was electrifying to stand with so many other
colleagues, including many UU and Protestant clergy, rabbis, representatives of
Islam, and Catholics.
The protest felt in keeping with my sermon on Sunday, reflecting on what we've
done, and failed to do, since 9/11. We seek a world based on compassion, not
hatred. Our potential for good is great, but we've fallen far short. It's time to take
stock.
+Joy
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Evensong Service
As evening fell in Boston, on the 15th anniversary of 9/11, the pews at King's Chapel
were full of worshipers
remembering those fallen on 9/11 and since, impacted by
hatred that seems to have grown, rather than diminished, on all sides. We need
confession and healing and new beginnings; sacred song was our balm.
Heinrich
opened with a prelude at 4:30, baritone Daniel Perry was the cantor for the service, soprano Mary Sullivan was the soloist, and worshipers
were mesmerized. We have
a remarkable choir and Music Director. We're richly blessed.
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Street Piano at King's Chapel
We are excited to announce that we will be hosting a piano at King's Chapel as part of Street Pianos Boston presented by The Celebrity Series of Boston! The pianos are part of an exhibit called Play Me, I'm Yours, created by artist Luke Jerram. There will be 60 pianos placed around Boston and Cambridge, all created by local artists. Our piano was created by Ryan Edwards, a multi-media artist living in Watertown. Edwards most often works in the space where music, dance, and physical art overlap. Edwards graduated from Berklee College of Music and has continued learning about African music and dance as well as apprenticing with public artists.
The piano will be located outside the chapel from September 23 - October 10 and will be available for everyone to play and enjoy. You can find out more about the project and where all the pianos are located at http://bit.ly/1rjKp0t.
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Lectures on Examining Islam
The Adult Religious Education Committee will sponsor three evening lectures in October called "Islam beyond the Stereotypes." This program is offered to interested neighbors as well as the King's Chapel community to present an informed view of Islam that avoids stereotypes and acknowledges the wide variety of cultural, social and political contexts that characterize the world's second largest faith.
At this critical time, with the war against terrorism and an increased attention to the Muslim world, the media is replete with stories that often characterize Islam in simplistic and misleading ways that fail to portray its meaning as a religion or to reflect the diversity of Muslims and their beliefs around the globe. The problem in the United States has been made worse during this election season as American Muslims have been an easy target for politicians who use fear to justify discrimination and exclusionary immigration policies.
Against this backdrop, ARE thinks it is important to provide an opportunity to better understand and promote interfaith dialogue with Boston's Muslim community.
The evening lectures will be as follows:
* Tuesday, October 4, 2016. "Discerning
Islam: Living Faith, Localized Customs,
Political Ideologies"
by James W. Morris, Professor of Theology,
Boston College.
Professor Morris will speak on the wide range of views that Muslims around the world have about aspects of their faith. He is an expert in Islamic theology, humanities and comparative studies, and lectures widely throughout Europe and the Muslim world. Professor James Morris is married to Corey Merriman-Morris, daughter of our former senior warden Mason Fernald and his wife Helen, both of whom were active and beloved at King's Chapel for many years. Corey grew up with us at King's Chapel, and we are delighted to welcome Jim and her back.
* Thursday, October 13, 2016.
"Contemporary Muslim Women:
Challenges and Opportunities"
by Natana J. Delong-Bas,
Professor of Theology, Boston College.
Professor Delong-Bas is a recognized expert on contemporary Islamic thought and practice and the editor-in- chief of the Oxford Encyclopedia of Islam and Women. She will speak on issues facing Muslim women and the differing roles women assume in Muslim societies worldwide.
* Thursday, October 27, 2016. "The
Challenges of Young Muslims in
America"
by Imam Taymullah Abdur-Rahman, Muslim
Chaplain at Harvard University.
He is a colleague of Shaykr Yasir Fahmy, Imam of the Society of the Boston Cultural Center and a regular speaker at the ISBCC. He will speak on issues facing young Muslims and a vision of Islam in America that reflects the tradition as well as the cultural realities of life in Boston and the US.
Each talk will take place from 7:00 and 8:30 pm at King's Chapel Parish House, 64 Beacon Street, Boston 02108. Light refreshments will be provided at 6:30. Space is limited, and it would be appreciated if those interested could RSVP to Gretchen at administrator@kings-chapel.org (or 617-227- 2155 ext. 108) indicating the dates of the lecture(s) selected. |
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Christ for Unitarian Universalists: A New Dialogue with Traditional Christianity
Christ for Unitarian Universalists is an engaging and thoughtful inquiry into Christianity for Unitarian Universalists and other spiritual seekers including skeptics, non-religious people, liberal Christians, and those who consider themselves "spiritual but not religious." The book has several purposes. The first is to present Christ in an understandable and compelling way to the increasing number of people who do not consider themselves Christian. The second is to present liberal and progressive Christians with the non-dogmatic way that Unitarian Universalists have viewed Christ through the Bible and personal experience. And the third is to promote active dialogue between non-Christians and the nearly 80% of Americans who identify themselves as Christian.
Christ for Unitarian Universalists addresses frank questions with integrity and intellectual honesty yet also presents a sincere and genuine sense of love as embodied in Jesus that is so heartfelt, so unconditional, and so revolutionary that it will take your breath away.
Available in Kindle, paperback, and hard bound.
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Wednesday Service
September 14
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Holy Communion | 6 PM
The Rev. Joy Fallon will Preach
-
Sudeep Agarwala, Soloist
- Carol Genovese, Hospitality
- Gretchen Horton, Verger
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Sunday Services
September 18
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Morning Light | 9 AM
Morning Prayer | 11 AM
The Rev. Joy Fallon will Preach
- Cliff Allen and Miguel Gomez-Ibanez, Lectors
- Anne Sexton and Paul Luca, Head Ushers
- Sylvia Soderberg, Usher in Charge
- Jim Carroll and David Wheeler, Ushers
- Anne Sexton, Verger
The Readings:
- Psalm 112
- Old Testament:
Proverbs 25:6-7
- New Testament:
Luke 14:1,7-14
At the communion rail following the service, Bill Kuttner
will greet those interested in learning more about King's Chapel.
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From the Bench:
By Heinrich Christensen
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The choir is back for Homecoming, and they will sing unto the Lord several new songs, beginning with Hassler's Cantate Domino for the Introit, followed by Byrd's Sing Joyfully, and, as tradition demands, Handel's Swell the Full Chorus from the oratorio Solomon.
Heinrich will play Bach & Reger in continuing observance of the latter's death 100 years ago this year.
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Tuesday September 20,
12:15 PM
Dennis Chan
plays the C.B. Fisk Organ
Brahms, Bach/Vivaldi, Duruflé
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Other News from the Parish House...
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Refreshed Website Coming Soon
Church websites are now considered to be the "front door" of the church for visitors. Many looking for a new spiritual community will first explore a church website before ever sitting foot in the sanctuary. Our website is currently being cleaned up and refreshed. Look for updates and more information soon.
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King's Chapel is doing its part
You may notice this fall that the coffee you are drinking at Coffee Hour or at our luncheon is particularly good. There is good reason: we are serving Birds and Beans® coffee, owned by our own Bill Wilson.
With this coffee you get great tasting shade grown coffee from traditional family farms, that provide excellent coffee workers with a viable living at a fair wage, and preserves critical habitat for over 60 species of migratory birds that we know and love from our North American springs and summers. Birds & Beans now buys coffee from over 100 family farms across Nicaragua. Birds & Beans® also buys coffee from Honduras, Peru, El Salvador and Guatemala.
Thank you Bill for your generous gift.
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Leadership Opportunities with King's Chapel
The KC Nominating Committee (Carol Genovese, Lee Glenn and Allen Speight, Chair) is currently seeking suggestions for candidates for leadership positions for new terms starting in 2017. These include Senior and Junior Wardens, Vestry and At-Large Parish Council representatives, as well as Committee Chairs not appointed at the last Annual Meeting. Please forward any suggestions to one of the Nominating Committee members.
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September Meetings
* September 20: Buildings and Grounds - 7:30 AM
* September 20: ARE Meeting
- 7:15 PM
* September 27: Joint Vestry/Council Retreat and Dinner - 6 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?
Flowers are placed 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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