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Spotlight On:
Feedback Wanted
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We hope you have had a chance to look at the services we have posted to YouTube these last two weeks. They are easy to access from the front page of our website
www.kings-chapel.org
or by going directly you YouTube and searching for King's Chapel.
Now that we have entered an official shutdown phase, we are thinking about what ways we can continue to be a virtual and spiritual presence in your lives while none of us can get together physically.
If you have a second, please drop a line to
heinrich@kings-chapel.org and tell us what you would most like to see from us - sermons, daily meditations, what kind of music (hymns, choir, organ? Ours, or inspired choices from around the world?), live-streams, interactive small group meetings?
We can't do everything, but are very interested in exploring all these new modalities, as we learn together what exactly it means to be a church in the time of corona.
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Here's what I care most about these days: you.
I always have the members of King's Chapel on my heart and mind, but these last two weeks I've longed to talk directly with every single one of you and haven't been able to. Everything we used to do routinely is much more complex. We spend hours figuring out basic logistics of Sunday worship - what to film, who will sing, which past recorded music we can re-use, where to post.... Staff are learning new technology, coordinating from a distance, re-jiggering priorities, and living with a diminished budget. Our hope and concern for you is driving all we're scrambling to do.
Some of you rejoice with new-found time, like a child's delight with a "snow day." Some hope humanity discovers new ways of living, with clear skies over China and less fixation on our cars. But all of us are also afraid, at a gut-wrenching level, whether we're admitting it or not.
Will I live through this? Will my beloveds? Could I die alone? Will my money run out? Our fear shows up as angry outbursts, lethargy, impatience, obsession with minor matters, or distraction and inattention, forgetting to show up. Which is your way of fear?
I haven't been able to speak with all of you yet, so this week I asked a group of members and staff to join me in a phone ministry, beginning with calls to all members in Massachusetts. Expect a phone call in the next week from me or another member. Tell us how you are. Ask how we are. Share what would bless you.
We need each other now. We care how you are.
Joy
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Staying Connected with King's Chapel
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While we are physically closed we are spiritually open and are working to find ways to continue our connection with you, our beloved members and friends. We are learning new technologies so that we can continue social distancing while being here for you, as best we can.
Ways in which you can reach us are:
Worship
Our worship services are posted on our website: go to www.kings-chapel.org or to King's Chapel on Facebook to see videos of 9 AM Morning Light, 11 AM Morning Prayer, and Wednesday Evening
Contemplative Communion.
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
Members Tim Nelson-Hoy and Stephen Courtney hold a Bible study via Zoom on Wednesday evening from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Contact Tim at tim.c.nh@gmail.com
for more information.
Prayer Connection
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Work from Home spaces of Laura, David, Gretchen, Joy, Faye and Heinrich.
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Voices of King's Chapel About These Times
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All of us are having different experiences of the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting "social distancing." As I and others on the staff have talked with you this week, I've asked a few people to share their thoughts below. Whatever you're experiencing, know that you are not alone. We're all on this journey, together.
With blessings always,
Joy
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From Carol Genovese:
Let's all keep awareness of those in our congregation and circles of our lives and in our world who are feeling distress in this lockdown,
especially the lonely,
the sick,
the scared,
the grieving,
those who have no money and no job,
those in places far away on the Southern border or in camps in Turkey
or those left in Syria and Lebanon and Africa,
Syria in danger...
I pray that God will open our hearts,
use us in whatever way we can HELP-
sending cards, making phone calls, shopping or cooking a meal or sending money.
It blesses each of us to give.
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 From Amanda Pickett:
In working remotely during this time, I find myself reflecting on how the work I do doesn't have me feeling as useful, purposeful as I would want; I would not be surprised if we see people shifting their jobs and seeking work where they feel they are having a more meaningful impact - doing work with purpose toward goals of interconnection and usefulness to others and to something higher. My sense of urgency to seek this kind of work is all the more intense during this time of uncertainty and isolation.
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From Dorothy Waldron:
Wow, 2020 has been different so far! First the usual New England winter was a no show and now we're moving into a spring with no Opening Day at Fenway Park. Instead we've been buried in a blizzard of strange words and concepts to absorb and process: "flattening the curve," "lock down," "self-quarantine," "social distancing,""drive-thru testing," "PPE," "N95 Respirator Masks," "stay-at-home-advisories." But the voice connection of the personal phone call seems to be back! I haven't talked on the phone so much in ages! Lots to think about in searching for a framework to make sense of it all. Is it science fiction come to life or apocalyptic in the sense of the word, rooted in Greek, for an uncovering and revelatory event?
Several years ago I stumbled on a book on a table near the exit at the Wellesley library. It was about St. Therese of Lisieux who was a French Catholic Discalced Carmelite nun who lived at the end of the 19th century and died of tuberculosis in 1897 at the age of 24. The following quote has always stuck with me:
"Everything is a grace, everything is the direct effect of our Father's love - difficulties, contradictions, humiliations, all the soul's miseries, her burdens, her needs - everything, because through them, she learns humility, realizes her weakness - Everything is a grace because everything is God's gift. Whatever be the character of life or its unexpected events - to the heart that loves, all is well."
Given the horrendous hardships that people are suffering today and the very uncertain future that lies ahead, what she says is extremely difficult to fathom - challenging to the max - but I find it comforting and helpful in trying to understand.
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From Bill Wilson, former Vestry member:
The crisis has certainly strengthened my resolve to focus on my family and my work mission. We are in twice daily contact with our children in NY, and every few days with my siblings, and Madolyn with her friends.
We are very busy at work and are able to stay open and believe that we will be able to do so for the duration.
As of now Birds & Beans Coffee will be able to keep roasting and shipping. We must do as the 50 member skilled team at our 'B' Corp Certified roastery in mid-coast Maine depend on us to support their families. We pay our workers above minimum wage with health insurance, paid sick leave, paid vacation and contribution to 401k on top.
Additionally the family farmers we buy from [in Central America] are dependent upon our commerce for the well-being of their communities. We pay our farmers best price for their coffee, currently more than double what Starbucks, JAB, Nestle and the other big coffee buyers pay!
We maintain a commercial enterprise that, with zero government funding or subsidies in any jurisdiction, helps the world we all live in
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We are proud of what we do. Attributed to Gandhi, "What we each do seems insignificant but it is most important that we do it". This is all any of us can do.
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Lenten Bible Study continues | Wednesday 6:15 PM
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Our Lenten Bible Study continues this Wednesday, April 1st, at 6:15 PM. Bring your thinking cap and join us for a study of Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 and Matthew 21:1-11! As we enter into Holy Week, both passages this week depict triumphal entries into the gates Jerusalem. You can find the texts for tonight's Bible Study
HERE
Retrospective from a previous Bible Study:
Did you know that sheep only lie down when they're very content? This insight from Chris Barnett was one of many shared on Wednesday the 18th, when four King's Chapel members and friends (Amanda Pickett, Chris Barnett, Elizabeth Barnett, and Tim Nelson-Hoy) joined by teleconference to study some familiar texts from the Revised Common Lectionary. Although many the stories were familiar (especially Psalm 23!) we all came away feeling we had found new ways of looking at them, thanks to the insightful comments informed by our varied experiences with teaching, learning, seeing beyond appearances, and of course, sheep.
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Mother's Day Walk for Peace | Sunday May 10 | Registration Open
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New walkers and old walkers are invited to early register now for the Mother's Day Walk for Peace, scheduled this year for Sunday May 10th. King's Chapel has been supporting the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute for many years, and they are one our major Community Action partners. This year's goal for the King's Chapel team is $3,000. To register or donate go HERE. When registering, please note that all registration fee and donations are to go to the King's Chapel Team.
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We pray for all
for all our King's Chapel family on the front lines with health care, including Dr. Hollis Day, Chief of Gerontology at Boston Medical Center, and Patirica Bass, lawyer at Boston Medical Center.
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We hold Louise Perkins and family in our prayers as they mourn the death of Louise's grand-niece. Aja Grace Dempsey of Fredricton, New Brunswick, Canada, died on March 18, 2020 of Osteosarcoma, she was 15 years old. Aja Grace was the grandniece of Louise Perkins, the granddaughter of Peter Palfrey Perkins, the great-great granddaughter of Linda and Palfrey Perkins. Aja's widespread family is unable to gather together in mourning and funeral plans are uncertain at this time due to Coronavirus restrictions.
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We hold in our prayers former Assistant Minister Daniel Kanter, as he mourns the passing of his father David Kanter age 82, who died on March 18. Daniel wrote a moving piece in the Dallas Morning Times, about the difficulty of not being able to hold loved ones, or sit shiva, during this time of coronavirus. You can read his piece
HERE .
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We pray for the community of people living at Rogerson House in Jamaica Plain, including our dear members Elizabeth Thomson and Elsie Hermann, as they mourn a loss in their community and try to stay safe and healthy in this difficult time.
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Sunday Services
Sunday, March 29
Fifth Sunday in Lent
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Morning Light | 9 AM
Morning Prayer | 11 AM
- The Rev. Joy Fallon, Senior Minister
- David Waters, Minister for Education and Membership
- Heinrich Christensen, Music Director
- Emily Bieber, Soloist
The Readings:
Psalm 130
Ezekiel 37: 1-14
John 11: 1-45
Each Sunday, 10% of the plate collection will go to our Community Action strategic partners:
common cathedral, the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, and the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministries, to do works of mercy, justice, and healing. All cash and checks not specially designated will be considered a plate offering.
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Did you miss last week's sermon or want to hear it again? Listen
HERE
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For morning prayer this week, in
the
spirit
of
quarantine, our brilliant video editor Alex Enman will Frankenstein together
the
various parts
of
the
service
from
multiple sources, such as our recordings
from
the
past couple
of
weeks, previously recorded CDs,
the
internet, and socially distant recordings
from
various living rooms, churches, and parish houses all around
the
Boston area. You simply must tune in to see how this experiment goes!
Our soloist this Sunday is Emily Bieber-Harris who with her lovely and amazing sound engineer/cinematographer/husband Isaac has recorded some very special selections for this service.
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Contemplative Communion Service
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I
f you have been yearning for the quiet, intimate candlelit service of Wednesday nights, you can find A TAPE OF IT HERE
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Want to know what's
going on at
King's Chapel?
Click
HERE
to view the King's
Chapel Calendar at our website
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Volunteer: Sign up for Hospitality
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Anyone can help!
Enter your email address and select a spot to fill. New volunteers may choose to co-host with a buddy.
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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
administrator@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 was designed by Peter Harrison and completed in 1754. To make our services and programs more accessible, one of the box pews has been made wheel-chair accessible. Ushers are available to assist those wheelchair users to that pew. Additionally, we have installed an accessible bathroom on our main floor. An usher can direct you to the vestry.
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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