When Will We Re-Gather In Person? Not Yet.
Since the “stay at home” regulations were adopted in Massachusetts twelve weeks ago, we've been able to connect virtually for worship, church business and online social gatherings. We’re fortunate to have the technical capabilities and committed volunteers and church staff to make it possible for Old North Church to remain connected and engaged in our mission and ministry. Of course we all look forward to regathering “in person” and had hoped we might start at the Lighthouse, where we have a long-standing summer tradition of worshiping outdoors with the ocean and harbor as a backdrop. However, we learned this week that it will not be practical or possible since the current state and local guidelines limit gatherings in parks to 10 people. With that in mind, the Leadership Board made a unanimous decision last evening to continue our current suspension of “in person” gatherings until further notice. The board adopted the following motion:
"Be it so moved: After receiving and considering input from medical professionals, town officials, UCC denominational staff, the ONC Prudential Board and Deacons, the Leadership Board of Old North Church believes it wise, prudent and faithful to suspend “in person” worship in the Sanctuary and at the Lighthouse (Chandler Hovey Park) until Labor Day weekend (September 6, 2020) at the earliest. The Leadership Board will continue to monitor public health information and guidelines and evaluate when and how we can safely resume in-person church gatherings.”
Meanwhile, the Leadership Board, Prudential Board, Deacons, Music Committee and church staff have all agreed to commit our time and energy to finding and developing new and novel ways of being faithful and creative in our shared ministry in these challenging times. We believe "God is Still Speaking" and doing new things in our midst! Thanks for being part of it.
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Sunday, June 21, 2020
Third Sunday After Pentecost
Readings: Ecclesiastes
3:1-11
and
“
Another Sunday Morning Comes…”
from
A Timbered Choir
by Wendell Berry
Rev. Dr. Dennis Calhoun's Sermon: "It's About Time"
This week's worship video will be posted by 8am this Sunday.
Please click
here
on Sunday morning to view the service.
Please click on "Show More," found below the youtube video, if you would like to access the "Suggested Listening" portion of our online services.
Please click
here
for a copy of Sunday's bulletin.
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Our Latest News and Activities
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Call to the Annual Meeting
This year’s annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 24 at 7pm via Zoom. Agenda items include updates from the Moderator, Nominating, the Treasurer, and the Prudential Ministries Board. There will also be a Reception of New Members. Copies of the annual report have been emailed separately.
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Will You be Attending the Annual Meeting? Please let us know!
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LOCATION
Zoom - Link Will be Provided
DATE AND TIME
06/24/20
7:00pm -
06/24/20
8:00pm
It is important that we have at least 50 members in attendance at the meeting so we have a quorum.
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Worship Service and Coffee Hour Links
The early church met in houses, instead of in sanctuaries; in this pandemic time, we'll be bringing you worship from our houses, for you to participate in from yours. This Sunday's worship will be on YouTube, and can be found by clicking
here
or by entering this link in your browser:
It will be posted by 10am.
After worship, at 11am we'll gather for coffee hour via Zoom, an online meeting platform. You can call in with your phone, or join with video and audio from a smartphone or computer. It'll be a little weird, and a little clunky, but it will be so nice to see your faces. (You'll have to make your own coffee). Here's the Zoom information:
Or call this number:
+1 312 626 6799 (Meeting ID: 566 308 766)
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Celebrating Our Graduates
Among the many rites of Spring interrupted by the coronavirus, this year’s high school and college graduates are missing the commencement ceremonies that would ordinarily mark their achievement. Your church family is proud of you!
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Ava Brenneman graduated from Marblehead High School. She’s headed to Syracuse University in the fall, where she’ll be attending the Si Newhouse School of Communications, with a Major in Broadcast Journalism.
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Hannah Davis has graduated from Smith College with a
B.A. in Psychology and Early Childhood Education. She will be working as an elementary school teacher at Greenwich Country Day School in the fall.
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Louisa Gould graduated magna cum laude from Colgate University on May 17 with a major in sociology and a minor in mathematics. She is planning to take a gap year for volunteering and travel, and then look for a job in the business side of the fashion industry in New York in the summer of 2021.
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Lilly Hammer is graduating with upper second class honors from Kings College London July 28th with a BSC in International Management. She plans to pursue a career in Market Research. We are proud of her independent spirit and quest for knowledge.
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Annie Hollister graduated from Tulane University magna cum laude with a BS in Public Health.
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Grace MacDonald
graduated from Fordham University with a B.A. in Communications and a double minor in Marketing and French. She is currently working remotely for AMC Networks as an Integrated Marketing Coordinator and hopes to move to NYC in the fall once things have calmed down.
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Katie Rodger has graduated from Connecticut College with a degree in Government and Economics. Katie was a top sailor for the Camels team!
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Leah graduated with honors from Marblehead High School where she was very active in the school community serving as Class Secretary for four years, played field hockey in the fall season, and jumped hurdles on the track team in the spring. Leah will be attending the University of Vermont, where she plans to study communications. She has just signed up for her courses and is so excited to bring her talents to UVM!
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Children's Faith Formation
Sabbath for All
“Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8
Faith Practice Spotlight: Silence. A minute of silence. How long is a minute? What does it mean to have a “Sabbath Minute” Find a comfortable place to practice being quiet or silent for a full minute. How does it feel?
Suggestions for ways to setting aside time for Sabbath
• Set aside certain periods of the day where all electronics are turned off, and family members spend time together in conversation, relaxation, and prayer.
• Take one day out of the week that is dedicated to church and family.
• Talk about what feels restful to your family and make a plan to try different restful things.
• Make it a habit to have an extra special family meal one day per week. The meal doesn’t have to be fancy in order to be extra special: just spend time together! Perhaps use special plates or candles.
• Spend some time in nature on your Sabbath day. Go on a nature walk, or simply spend time in your own backyard.
Rev. Traci Smith, Treasure Box Tuesdays
Author of Faithful Families
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All Hands In For Peace
Although we are apart let us join together for a virtual art project! Please send me a selfie of your Hand, a high five, a fist pump or Peace. I will join them together to create a piece of virtual art. Please text me at 978-335-6244 or email
kwkilty@gmail.com
. Or send an outline of your hand to my home at: Karen Kilty, 14 Carolyn Drive, Danvers MA 01923.
I look forward to weaving our hands together in peace.
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Special Offering for June: One Fund
Church, thank you for your generous support of the Marblehead Food Pantry in April (about $10,000 to feed our neighbors!) and for your continued faithfulness in supporting the ministry of ONC. So many of you are asking for ways you can continue to help. This month, the Leadership Board and Outreach Ministry are inviting you to support the One Church Fund, a project of the Massachusetts Council of Churches.
The One Church Fund aims to provide financial and practical support to churches that have been especially hard-hit by this pandemic and unable to access state and federal funds; their focus is on immigrant, black, poor, unhoused/homeless, and unaffiliated churches. Many of these churches provide critical support in their communities: providing education, banking, health care, food, clothing, mental heath and spiritual support. Old North Church will survive this pandemic--and come out stronger and more faithful--and we want to ensure that other churches do, too.
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Crosby’s –Lifebridge Food Run is Back in Operation
The transfer of fresh produce and baked goods each morning Monday through Friday has resumed after three months of suspension due to the Virus. Working with Crosby and Lifebridge, precautionary steps are being undertaken to keep the drivers safe and healthy.
Karen Andrews, the Life Bridge Chef Extraordinaire who produces healthy meals for the residents and other needy people reported this week; “HI All, today’s delivery was fabulous! Thank you all so much, it doesn’t matter if the amount is small, we love it too! So appreciate all that you do for us! Please stay safe and thank you again.”
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ONC Reading Group- Wednesday
July 8th at 8:30 am via Zoom
This is the latest of a series of meetings on preservation of our democracy and environment that have been hosted by the ONC Men’s Group. The discussions are supported by background reading assignments. You are invited to participate regardless of the amount of reading you have done. At this meeting we will discuss the book, How to Be an Antiracist, by Ibram X. Kendi. We may also begin discussion of the book, Not Born Yesterday: the Science of Who We Trust and What We Believe, by Hugo Mercier, which is a candidate for reading during the following month. Undoubtedly, there will be much discussion of current world and local affairs. To join the Zoom meeting, on July 8
th
please click on the following link
:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86382283183?pwd=alBLM3BQZG5wMmtuUFplUk5FYllhUT09
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Art From the Heart: Reflections From Quarantine
We are living in extraordinary times. Our lives have been forever changed. Our very sense of our “selves” has been challenged. And yet, we persevere and prevail.
One of the greatest ways to study history, is through art. From the first forms painted on caves we have shared our lives through art. To pass on the essence of ourselves, in our own way, to the future. In this light we invite EVERY member of ONC to share their “Art from the heart: Reflections from quarantine.” While the final project ideas have not been nailed down, we would like to start receiving digital copies of anything you have done during the quarantine. Art is a form of meditation. It is in no uncertain terms God's work though your own mind and hands. But art isn’t confined to conventional ideas. We want to see “you” through the wonderful, joyous, splendor of Gods Grace. Have you written a poem, story, song or piece of music? Have you planted a garden? Did you cook a new recipe or perfect an old one? Did you discover an old place on your regular walking route that you never noticed? Did you do your children's art assignment with them just so they wouldn’t work alone (I've done many) Did you knit, sew, sculpt, clean? Did you restructure your company to aid in the fight against the virus? What have you done during this time that best shows “you”. The possibilities are endless.
There are different ways that ONC would like to use these artistic expressions. Some ideas have been as a video background. Website for the Church. To be archived in our history. In a time capsule. A picture book. But we need material first and this is where everyone counts. Each and every piece, provided it can be transmitted in some digital form, is welcome. We can provide assistance on how to make that happen. From uploading a performance to transmitting a picture of your favorite meal. Personal stories and reflections via audio or text will be greatly appreciated as well.
Thank you, I very much look forward to working with everyone on this project. You may email your submissions to Karen Kilty,
kwkilty@gmail.com
James Horgan
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Thank You!
The Music Committee wishes to thank all who made a recent contribution to the Music Patrons Fund, which supports the extra costs of special endeavors such as this year’s “Jazz Sunday”and for other musical enrichment throughout the year. All services can be revisted by searching for "Old North Church Marblehead" on youtube. Jazz Sunday (Music Sunday) was posted on 5-10-20, and the following week's guest appearance of renowned pianist Jacqueline Schawb is on our 5-17-20 online service. We are most grateful for your ongoing support. For more information, Please click
here
to read the Music Patrons Fund letter.
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Ways to Connect With Us During the Week
So that we might stay connected, we've set up several times throughout the week to gather on Zoom. You can join from a computer, iphone, or ipad using the links below, or you can call +1 929 205 6099 and enter the meeting ID (listed with each event).
Lectio Divina (Tuesdays 9am)
A time of contemplative prayer, with scripture and poetry, led by Dennis.
Breakfast Group (Fridays 8am)
A time to gather with one another, with your breakfast and coffee.
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Call For Selfies and Videos
So that we might see each other's faces, we're looking for either selfies, or videos of you praying the Lord's Prayer. We'll use these in our worship services! You can send selfies to
office@onchurch.org
If you record a video of yourself or your family saying the Lord's Prayer, email it to Lindsay at
lindsaypopper@gmail.com
and we'll create a video collage.
Here's the text of the prayer we're using:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Tips:
Record using your cellphone, laptop or tablet, shooting in landscape mode (sideways). Shoot from straight-on (not looking up or down at the camera), with your torso and head in the shot, with light in front of you, not behind.
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The Bell of Old North Church is Ringing!
At the suggestion of one of the Deacons, the bell at Old North Church is ringing at 6 pm each evening as a way to reminder that we are here to serve the needs and lift the spirits of the community during these trying times. We have invited other area congregations to join us in this effort. If you would like to be a “ringer” please be in touch our Senior Deacon, Frank Arren at 617-448-6083 or email him at
f
garren1@gmail.com
. What a great way to get involved in telling our story!
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Church Building Access and Office Hours
We are limiting access to the church and office buildings to critical business needs only. Our office is closed for normal business but some of our staff are in periodically to ensure that critical operations are maintained. Please reach out to us via email at
office@onchurch.org
if you have any questions. Thank you for staying home and staying safe!
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Do You Need Assistance? Here are some Resources.
We are sharing a list of resources which Gordon Lothrop thoughtfully shared with us from the Marblehead Masonic Lodge.
List of Resources
- Swampscott Council on Aging: click here
- Marblehead Council on Aging: click here
- Marblehead Community Support Forum: click here
- Nahant Council on Aging: click here
- Anchor Food Pantry Swampscott: click here
- The Nahant Veteran’s Food Bank operates the first Wednesday of the month for veterans living in Nahant.
- Marblehead Food Pantry, 80 Atlantic Ave. (781)631-5335: click here
- Town of Marblehead: click here
- Town of Swampscott: click here
- Churches
- Synagogues
- Schools
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Contact Us: 781-631-1244
Church Address: 35 Washington St., Marblehead, MA 01945
Mailing Address: 8 Stacey St. Marblehead, MA 01945
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