Spotlight On: Thanksgiving!
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Join us Sunday, November 18 at Morning Light (9 AM at the Parish House) and Morning Prayer (11 AM at the Chapel) to celebrate Thanksgiving Sunday. On Thursday, November 22, celebrate Thanksgiving Day with us at 10 AM at the Chapel.
Thank you to Elsie Herrmann who created the cornucopia pictured above for us years ago.
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As most of us are aware, the number of Americans who attend religious services regularly has been declining for the past several years. A recent Pew Research study found that, among those who do not attend worship regularly, 37 percent reported that the reason for their absence was that they "practice their faith in other ways." This group outstripped people who did not believe (28 percent) and those who could not find a congregation they liked (23 percent). Many people, it seems, consider themselves Christians, but are content to be so alone.
This trend raises the question: Why church? What differentiates church from a quiet walk in the woods, relaxing at home, or brunch with friends? Is there something specifically beneficial about gathering for communal worship? The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews thinks so; the letter exhorts the early Christian community to meet together, and to encourage one another (Hb. 10:25).
Are these teachings still relevant in our time of endless Facebook feeds and bottomless mimosas? Come to church this Sunday to find out!
Amelia
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Finding Meaning in Your Life: King's Chapel Thursday Speaker Series
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King's Chapel Thursday Night Gatherings series features speakers from the congregation and the ministry sharing meaningful aspects of their life's work and experiences. The gatherings consist of a presentation followed by opportunities for discussion.
The series is held at the Parish House at 64 Beacon Street, and is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
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Poetry Reading by Kent Wittenburg | TONIGHT | 6- 7 PM
Accompanied by slides of art and nature photography,
Kent
Wittenburg, chair of the King's Chapel Adult Religious Education Committee, will read poems from his recently published book
The Story is Beginning and Here I am Soaking Wet: Poems for Forest Bathing
. The poems reflect a life from birth and childhood through coming of age to its latter stages. Themes include young love, living in a modern world, spiritual journeys, and the natural world.
A short reception and book signing will follow.
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Concert Series: Toccata | Sunday, November 25 | 5 PM | Reception to Follow at 6 PM
Join us on Sunday November 25 at 5 pm for the second in this season's series of Sunday concerts. As a suitable finale to the indulgences of Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Heinrich will offer a very rich (some might say unhealthy) meal of organ toccatas stretching from late Renaissance/early Baroque to today. The program is roughly organized in three courses, the appetizer is Early Music by the likes of Bach, Frescobaldi, Pachelbel, and Sweelinck, the heavy main course consists of more French symphonic Toccatas than one ought probably devour in one sitting, and finally the dessert provides a brief survey of how various 20th/21st-century composers from Denmark, Sweden, Russia, and the US took all those previous Toccatas and cooked up quite a stew from the leftovers.
Sylvia Soderberg and her holiday elves from the music committee will provide refreshments in the church vestibule so you can recover and wash all that music down after the show!
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Theology on Tap: The Problems and Promise of Universal Salvation | Wednesday, November 28 | 6:15 PM | The Vestry at the Chapel
Many Christian Universalists believe that there is no such thing as hell or damnation, because God loves all people. What does this mean? Do all people go to heaven (or some positive place) after they die? Even evil people? Could heaven be heaven with, say, Hitler there? And, if evil (or even mediocre) people are let in, how much change would they have to go through to truly be in a perfect place? Is happiness situational? If not, how comfortable are we with a Supreme Being who would alter us so much that we were ready for paradise? What does that mean for free will?
Come to this month's Theology on Tap to discuss some of these questions, as well as hear about some of the answers proposed by the early church - some might surprise you!
We will meet at 6:15, after Wednesday worship, in the Vestry. Refreshments and drinks (alcoholic and alcohol free) will be provided.
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Chanukah Service to Honor Slain at Pittsburgh Synagogue | King's Chapel Invited | Sunday, Dec 2, 4 PM | Central Reformed Temple | 15 Newbury St (with Emanuel Church)
Please read the kind invitation from Rabbi Howard Berman to King's Chapel for this special service. For a video of past services, click here.
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Advent Book Group: Advent for Everyone, by N.T. Wright
Revisit the Advent Stories in the Gospel of Luke through the commentary of N.T. Wright, a leading
New Testament scholar, Pauline theologian, and retired Anglican bishop. This book has short daily readings, with commentary and discussion questions, and will follow along with the New Testament Lessons we will be covering each week in worship. Experience the anticipation, confusion, and coming comfort of the Advent Season anew, joining members of the KC community as we discern the meaning of these old stories for our lives today.
The discussion group will meet three times: 11/5, 11/12, and 11/19, on Wednesday at 6:15 after Holy Communion worship. The book can be purchased here.
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Tuesday Morning Meditation
A new early Tuesday Morning Meditation
is up and running. We meet in our beautiful Little Chapel at 7:30 to 8:30 AM. Coffee and ice water is served to get your engines running. We will be exploring and experimenting a bit, so if you have some ideas or are a little adventurous, this brief coming side by side with others in your church community may bring some welcome fun, joy and/or peace to your day. This is for "drop-in" participation - no long term obligations. Never meditated before?
Drop by and give it a try. Feel free to contact Gary Ricco, gary.riccio@me.com or
Stephen
Courtney, scourtney@scixstudio.com, for more details.
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Weekly Small Group Lectio Divina | Quiet Reflection With a Bible Passage | Every Wednesday through December 18 (will not meet Nov. 21)| 1-2 PM | Joy's Office at the King's Chapel Parish House | 64 Beacon Street
The Rev. Joy Fallon is offering a weekly small group time for reflecting on a Bible passage. Would you like to join us? Once a week, we meet for an hour, read a short Bible passage together and then sit together in silence reflecting - each person quietly choosing a word or a phrase that struck her or him. At the end of the quiet time, those who wish may share a thought. This is called lectio divina or divine reading. Joy will teach us different ways to do this. Participants are encouraged to attend as many sessions as possible, although we understand that this may not be possible. Try it out some Wednesday. We will begin and end promptly.
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From the Community Action Committee
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UUSC Emergency Campaign to Support the Migrant Caravan
The Community Action Committee (CAC) endorses the work of the
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC).
As thousands of asylum-seekers head toward the United States, the
UUSC
is working with organizations on the ground to welcome them, help them to know and defend their rights, and ensure their safety.
A
lthough they are not one of our three CAC partners with whom we are currently strive to build relationship, please consider donating to and sharing
this UUSC campaign
with friends/family/networks. Our contributions will help UUSC and its grassroots partners defend the rights of migrants seeking asylum from horrible violence in Central America.
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Looking Ahead to the Mother's Day Walk
King's Chapel Community Action Committee members met with other area Unitarian Universalist congregations and staff from the Louis D Brown Peace Institute at the UU Urban Ministry to share common ideas and increase our participation in the ministry of the Peace Institute.
We learned that in MA from 1994-
2016 there were 3,645 homicides.
The victims had
,
on average
,
10 immediate family survivors- wives,
husbands,
parents,
siblings
,
grandparents,
uncles,
aunts
,
cousins
,
plus many other circles of survivors
:
friends
, classmates,
teachers,etc.
The Louis D Brown Peace Institute provides immediate support
in the first 24-72 hours
and
also ongoing
support long after the loss.
In addition t
hey
promote peace in many other ways
in the city
.
This year the CAC is challenging the King's Chapel community to double our
financial participation and promote increased attendance at the walk
. We will be increasing our matching goal to 2,000- we are counting on (and confident in!) the congregations generosity!
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From The Stewardship Committee
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The Stewardship Financial Campaign continues to need your help to meet our goal. We have $155,000 toward the budgeted $225,000 goal, with only six weeks to go. That means we need a weekly average of $11,666, beginning now!
King's Chapel is an active church in the heart of the city; what is the place in your heart for King's Chapel? Please give to our annual Stewardship Financial Campaign this year, and help us meet our goal. You can donate online by clicking HERE, or send a check to the Parish House with "2018 Stewardship Appeal" in the memo line. Thank you.
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Thurs. November 22
10:00 AM- Special Thanksgiving Day Service
Sun. November 25
9:00 AM- Sandwich making for
common cathedral
5:00 PM- Concert Series: Toccata
Wed. November 28
6:15 PM- Theology on Tap
Fri. November 30
10:00 AM- Decorate the Parish House!
Sat. December 1
10:30 AM- Greening of the Church
Mon. December 31
5:30 PM Evening Prayer Service at the Little Chapel and Potluck
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Advent Events
Sun. December 2
Advent I
10:00 AM- Advent Crafts at the Parish House
Tues. December 4
6:00 PM- Dinner for Prospective New Members at the Parish House
Wed. December 5
6:15 PM- Advent Book Group begins
Thurs. December 6
5:30 PM- Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll/ King's Chapel Carols
Sun. December 9
Advent II
Sun. December 16
Advent III
12:30 AM - Milk Punch Holiday Party and New Member Reception at the Parish House
Sun. December 23
Advent IV
Mon. December 24
5:00 PM- Family Worship Service
10:30 PM- Lessons and Carols
Tues. December 25
10:00 AM- Christmas Day Service
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This week in the Church School we transitioned our learning to the topic of Ruth. Her story provided a good opportunity to consider the topics of loyalty and gratitude. We completed a simulation of Ruth collecting grain in the field by finding yellow pieces of paper hidden around the room. David and Joseph loved this activity and we completed it several times. Upon finishing our "harvest" we then used these pieces of paper to contemplate what God has provided for us and what it is that we're most grateful for. We wrote these down on the pieces of yellow paper and their list included things like trains, snacks and the superhero, Green Lantern. Next, we glued these into a green piece of paper folded like an accordian, thus completing the field + grain simulation from the story of Ruth. They did a great job! Many thanks to Carol for her guidance and support as a volunteer!
In the confirmation group, George led the young men through a brief history of the church through the 1700s! It was also exciting to have a new member visit their class!
Upcoming:
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No church school, confirmation, or nursery November 18 & 25
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Service opportunity: Children, accompanied by a parent, are invited to help make sandwiches after Morning Light on November 25
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Advent Crafts will be held from 10-12 December 2 - all ages are invited! Come and learn how to create beautiful Christmas crafts, including stained glass ornaments (led by Emanuel Genovese), decorated candles (led by Elizabeth and Christopher Barnett), and much more. Please note that this event will replace regular Church School, Confirmation, and nursery classes for this week.
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Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion
Last Wednesday, members and friends of the church gathered after the Wednesday evening service with Emanuel Genovese and Joy Fallon to discuss Tattoos on the Heart by Gregg Boyle. Tattoos is an engaging look at the relationships Fr. Boyle has developed with gang-involved young people in Los Angeles, and their mutual learning, spiritual growth and "kinship." Emanuel pointed to several of the humorous, true-life stories told by Boyle. Participants discussed several new metaphors for God's capacious love that Boyle shares: the "infinite rose petals" of thanks showered over a young Fr. Boyle by an old man in the mountains of Bolivia, and a mother's endless love for her jailed son, willing to "take seven busses" to visit him every Sunday. Could God's care for you be imagined as a poor peasant thanking you through a generous, beautiful gesture, or as a mother desiring so much to see you that she takes seven busses? Joy has some additional copies of the book for members of the King's Chapel community; If you are interested in receiving one, please let Joy know.
joy@kings-chapel.org.
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History Program Lecture: Faye Charpentier on WWI
Thank you to all who joined History Program Director Faye Charpentier after Morning Prayer last Sunday to learn more about King's Chapel and its members in the First World War. In observance of the 100th Anniversary of the 1918 Armistice, she spoke about the men and women on King's Chapel's World War I Memorial and how other congregation members were involved both in the military and from the home front. The talk was attended by about thirty people, including relatives of Hamilton Coolidge, a member of King's Chapel who was killed in action in France while serving as a Captain in the 94th Aero Squandon of the U.S. Army Air Service.
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Weep/ Rejoice
"We Rejoice with Those Who Rejoice, and Weep with Those Who Weep"
~ Romans 12:15
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We continue to hold in prayer Betty Lykins, who fell last week, breaking her collar bone and receiving many staples in her head. She is at the Marian Manor in South Boston and can be reached best through her cell phone:
(857) 205-4048.
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Last Week's Sermon by Rev. Joy Fallon
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Morning Light | 9 AM
- The Rev. Amelia Edson, preaching
- Skip Lewan on Piano
- The Rev. Joy Fallon, Senior Minister
- The Rev. Amelia Edson, Assistant Minister
- Heinrich Christensen, Music Director
- Amanda Pickett, Lector
- Paul Luca, Head Usher
- Sylvia Soderberg, Usher in Charge
- Todd Lee, KC Dalton, Besty Peterson, Ushers
- Clark Aitkins, Verger
The Readings:
- Psalm 16
- Old Testament, 1 Samuel 1: 4-20
- New Testament, Hebrews 10: 11-14, 19-25
This Sunday's flowers are given in memory of Patricia Allen by her daughter and son in law, Jessica and Christopher 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 Cathy Price.
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Our Thanksgiving Sunday service opens with the 7th Toccata from Georg Muffat's 1690 collection Apparatus Musico-organisticus, a work in multiple sections exemplifying the modern techniques of keyboard writing in the late 17th century.
The choir then backtracks a couple of centuries to a simple prayer set to music by Clemens non Papa in the early 1500s.
For the remaining choral anthems, you will hear two very different takes on the ever popular Lutheran hymn Now Thank We All Our God, first in a jazzy arrangement by contemporary pastor and composer Sebstian Zebe, and then in a double-chorus 3-section extended anthem by Muffat's exact contemporary Johann Pachelbel.
The service closes with an example of the French organ Toccata, by Gaston Bélier.
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Tuesday Recitals
November 20 | 12:15 PM
Patrick Hawkins plays the C.B. Fisk Organ
Bach, Lubeck, and more
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"Stretching his hand up to reach the stars, too often man forgets the flowers at his feet."
Chancel Flower Donations
Someone once said that life is more beautiful with flowers. They make us smile; they calm us; they invoke memories.
Would you like to offer flowers for our Morning Prayer service? Each Sunday members or friends provide flowers for our chancel. If you would like to contribute to honor a loved one, please contact Anne Sexton, chair of Chancel Committee, at
annewsexton1@gmail.com
to make arrangements.
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Tues. November 20
6:00 PM- Ad Hoc Committee Meeting
Tues. November 27
6:00 PM- Vestry Meeting
Tues. December 11
6:00 PM- Parish Council
Tues. December 18
6:00 PM- Vestry
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Want to know
what's going on at
King's Chapel?
Click
HERE
to view the King's
Chapel Schedule at our website:
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Volunteer: Sign up for Hospitality
Anyone can help!
Enter your email address and select a spot to fill. New volunteers may choose to co-host with a buddy.
Questions? email hospitality@kings-chapel.org
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Contributing to Between Sundays
Our e-newsletter is sent each Thursday afternoon. Want something in Between Sundays? Feel free to email administrative.assistant@kings-chapel.org with a written piece and/or pictures before Wednesday at 5 PM.
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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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