Spotlight On:
Special History Lecture: Lancaster Hill | Sunday March 8 | 12:15 PM | King's Chapel, 58 Tremont St.
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Lancaster Hill, a free black man living in colonial and revolutionary-era Boston, married Margaret, a woman enslaved by a parishioner, at King's Chapel in the 1750s. During the American Revolution, Hill joined the ranks of notable activist and abolitionist Prince Hall, and advocated for the abolition of slavery.
Following Morning Prayer this Sunday, join National Parks of Boston Park Ranger Eric Hanson Plass for a presentation and discussion about this revolutionary and parishioner of King's Chapel.
In 1777 Lancaster Hill signed his name to a petition with eight other men, demanding that this new independent state of Massachusetts abolish the institution of slavery once and for all. This stroke of a pen, in his own hand, was a distinct moment in this man's transformation into an American revolutionary. Over the span of some thirty years, Lancaster Hill transformed from being a man enslaved by a government, to a man who demanded recognition and accountability of government.
Eric Hanson Plass has over ten years experience as a public historian and park ranger for the National Park Service in Boston. He holds a master's degree in Public History from the University of Massachusetts Boston.
This event is free and open to the public.
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Forgiveness changes lives.
In Lent, we're examining four kinds of forgiveness - (1) whether we can trust that God really forgives us (last Sunday); (2) whether we can forgive ourselves (this Sunday); (3) whether we can ask another to forgive us; and (4) whether we can forgive someone whom we rightfully resent or even hate.
Desmond Tutu entitled his book about South Africa, "No Future Without Forgiveness," and he's right. For all of us, without forgiveness we shackle ourselves into a meager life, far less than God dreams for us. We need to tackle this topic. For private New Englanders like us, forgiveness may make us squirm if considered with others and at church. But where else would be better to begin to think about this life-changing issue? It scares me, too, but we're on this journey together.
Come and see, each Sunday in Lent, and during a Saturday retreat at the Parish House on March 14.
With many blessings always,
Joy
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Spring Ahead!
Daylight Savings begins this Sunday, March 8 at 2 AM. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour!
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Forgiveness: Finding Peace by Letting Go | Lenten Retreat | Saturday, March 14, 10 AM - 3 PM |
Parish House, 64 Beacon Street
In South Africa, remarkable lessons of forgiveness have been learned and taught. Nelson Mandela came out of prison a different man, forgiving the white man who jailed him for 27 years. Archbishop Desmond Tutu founded the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, convinced there is "No Future without Forgiveness." Tutu also wrote a book with his daughter Mpho, an Anglican priest, that offers gentle exercises to explore four different kinds of forgiveness:
Can I forgive another?
Can another forgive me?
Can I forgive myself?
Does God really forgive me?
None are easy. But for a few hours during Lent we can gain some insights into how forgiveness might look in our lives. Each of us will have an opportunity to explore what we need most. The day will be a series of five time segments set aside for individual activities, brief group worship or prayer, and a communal lunch made by group members. You'll have many choices, and may walk in the Public Garden, read poetry, reflect on a Biblical passage, journal, or create art.
Cost: $15 to cover supplies; scholarships available if requested. RSVP to
Laura Zeugner, Administrative Assistant.
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Lay-Led Lectionary Bible Study During Lent | Wednesdays | 6:15 PM | Vestry at King's Chapel
Join us Wednesday nights in Lent for a lay-lead lectionary Bible study. Every Sunday and Wednesday we hear scripture readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. Perhaps it has happened that you wanted to talk about these readings further, but did not have a place to do so. Now here is an opportunity to discuss them with our fellow congregants! Each Wednesday night after Contemplative Communion during Lent, we will meet in the vestry of King's Chapel. Fortified by hot drinks and light snacks, we will discuss one of the Bible readings from the lectionary... or two readings, or three, as the spirit moves us! Bring your thinking cap and join us!
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Panel Discussion: Community Conversations for Boston Athenaeum exhibit Required Reading: Reimagining a Colonial Library
with King's Chapel, Twelfth Baptist Church, and the Museum of African American History | Wednesday, March 11 | 6 PM
What is the impact of religion and faith traditions on culture and society? Share your thoughts and join the discussion along with three of our community partners for a panel moderated by King's Chapel's David Waters.
This series is part of our ongoing exhibition, "Required Reading: Reimagining a Colonial Library," open through March 14, 2020. To demonstrate the variety and richness of "essential knowledge" and the ways it can be defined, the cabinet in our exhibition is filled with titles selected by ten community partners.
Free and open to the public. Registration requested. Click
HERE to register.
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Parable Events
Friday, March 13: Parable Forum with Rev. Mariama White-Hammond and Toshi Reagon at the
JFK Library and Museum
Sunday, March 22: Rev. Mariama White-Hammond guest preaching
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Concert: Alexander's Feast | Sunday March 29 | 5 PM | King's Chapel, 58 Tremont Street
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On Sunday, March 29, at 5 pm, our Concert Series will finish its 62nd season with Handel's splendid oratorio
Alexander's Feast, or
The Power of Musick. Handel used verses from John Dryden's famous 1692 ode of the same title, the setting being an elaborate celebration of Alexander's victory over the Persians, expanding into an extended allegory of the power of music, with an appearance by no less than St. Cecilia herself! We will have a full orchestra, choir and soloists.
The performance will run for appr. 2 hours, with one intermission.
Discounted tickets are available
HERE.
This concert is offered in loving memory of Jay R. Schochet, longtime member and supporter of King's Chapel and its music.
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Mother's Day Walk for Peace | Registration Open | All Donations Up to $5,000 Matched until March 8
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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.
There are some exciting things happening this year:
One - If you donate by March 8, any donation up to $5,000 will be matched! That means your $10 becomes $20, or your $100 becomes $200! Click HERE to donate. Mark your donation for the King's Chapel Team.
Two - If you register by March 14 you will receive a free tee shirt. The registration fee is increased to $20 -but no one will be turned away for lack of funds .
Three - The route of the walk has been changed this year. Because of construction at Government Center the walk will not end there, but will circle back to Field's Corner where it will end.
In other news about our work with the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, watch this video that they have created with our own Carol Genovese, sharing her thoughts on what this organization means to her.
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Coronavirus
King's Chapel is taking seriously the coronavirus and taking needed protections to keep our community safe. At the entrance to the church and at the communion rail we'll have large containers of hand sanitizer. During our "Passing of the Peace," and when you greet one another, we'll urge you to gently nod or bow to one another, rather than touch. For communion, we'll suggest that you might cleanse your hands or skip one or both elements (juice and bread); we know that God is present with us whether or not we partake.
At the Parish House and at the Church, our sexton Clark Aitkins is taking extra care to regularly clean door knobs and other services commonly touched. If advised by the City or State's Health Department or by the CDC, we will limit meetings of committees, small groups and our worship services; as a substitute, should the need arise, we're exploring online means of meeting and worshiping.
We also welcome your thoughts. Please let Parish Administrator Gretchen Horton know of other ideas you have for moving forward safely.
In the meantime, we hold in our prayers all those already impacted by this new virus and any who understandably feel anxious about what the future holds. Together, we turn to these words, said by our church members for three centuries from Psalm 46: "God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear...". Together, with God's help, we can assist one another to remain healthy.
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From the History Program: Women's History Month
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Visit King's Chapel during History Program hours throughout March to discover the stories of notable women throughout the church's 334 year history. While women did not have a voice in King's Chapel's leadership until the 1920s, they have played a crucial role in the church's history and community since its founding. Women's History Month programming includes:
- Special 15-20 minute women's history tours offered on the half hour during weekends in March. Specific tour themes will vary.
- Self-guided tour booklets available for visitors as they explore the chapel
Please contact the
History Program Director with any questions and be sure to follow King's Chapel's social media throughout the month.
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More Thoughts on our Partnership with common cathedral
It's a sunny Sunday on Boston Common, as we gather around the Fletcher Fountain as a community for lunch, fellowship and worship. The temperature is in the 30s, considered a mild winter's day by New England standards, yet one gets chilled to the bone after only a few hours outside. For those who are unhoused it must be exhausting to keep your fingers, toes, arms and legs moving constantly to ward off frost bite day after day. Then there is that uncertainty if there will be a warm bed available in the shelter that night, which would afford a bit of reprieve before another day of numbing cold and the insecurity of what the night will bring. Those of us who are fortunate enough to be housed know for certain that we will be back in our warm homes soon. That cold in our bones will seep out and we will feel that blessed warmth flooding our bodies, we are certain that we have a warm place to sleep tonight.
As Pastor Laura led us beautifully in heartfelt worship service, in the cold I had such a sense that we are a Beloved Community of Faith and that warmed my soul!
Louise Perkins |
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On Saturday, February 29 (leap year day!), the Church School and Community Action Committee visited the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministries (UUUM) at historic First Church in Roxbury for a day of service and community building. After a quick tour of the church led by The Rev. Mary Margaret Earl, Executive Director, we spent a couple of hours unloading a truck and making up bags of groceries for Fair Foods,
a non-profit food rescue organization dedicated to providing surplus produce at low or no cost to those in need. This is an impressive group and we met some wonderful people. They need volunteers every Saturday at 10 Putnam St. Roxbury between 10:30 AM and about 1:30 PM.
After a great lunch sponsored by the Community Action Committee, official guide Tom Platt then gave us a detailed tour narrating First Church's long and extraordinary history (dating from 1631!), which is intricately linked with that of Roxbury, Boston and Massachusetts. Before calling it a day, we also visited the historic Dillaway-Thomas house next door.
Many thanks to David Waters, Amanda Pickett, Rev. Earl and everyone who made this memorable day possible. UUUM is making valuable contributions to the community every day, and our own members are sure to return to assist them many, many times before the next leap year!
-George Boitano
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Sunday Services
Sunday, March 8
Second Sunday in Lent
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Morning Light | 9 AM
Rev. Joy Fallon Preaching
- Skip Lewan, piano
- Emilia Filippone, Verger
- Michelle Gaudet, Nursery
Morning Prayer | 11 AM
- The Rev. Joy Fallon, Senior Minister
- David Waters, Minister for Education and Membership
- Heinrich Christensen, Music Director
- Cynthia Perkins, Lector
- Jaya Lakshminarayanan, Soloist
- Michael Bergeron, Head Usher
- Stephen Courtney, Usher in Charge
- Bob Fitzgerald and Julie Hyde, Ushers
- Simon Pilecki, Verger
The Readings:
Psalm 121
Genesis 12: 1-4a
At the communion rail following the service Bill Kuttner will greet those
interested in learning more about King's Chapel.
After the service, please join us for coffee and refreshments in the vestibule, hosted by Betsy Peterson.
There are no flowers on the chancel during Lent.
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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Our "theme song" this Sunday morning is
Wondrous Love
. You will hear it first in a set of organ variations by Samuel Barber, then we will sing it as the opening hymn. The choir will also offer William Duckworth's deconstructed version from his collection
Southern Harmony
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And finally, Anna Laura Page's more subdued setting is the postlude. The choir will further delight your hearts with John Stainer's
God So Loved the World
from
The Crucifixion
, and the well known
He, Watching over Israel
, excerpted verses from Psalm 121 set to music by Mendelssohn for his magnificent oratorio
Elijah
.
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March 10, 12:15 PM
Cora Swenson Lee, cello
Britten, Cassado, Saygun
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March 8: History Lecture by Park Ranger Eric Hanson Plass, 12:15 PM
March 27: ArtsEmerson Parable of the Sower, 8 PM
March 29: Concert: Alexander's Feast, 5 PM
Lenten Activities and Services
March 14: Lenten Retreat, 10 AM - 3 PM
April 5: Palm Sunday
April 9: Maundy Thursday service, 5:30 PM
April 10: Good Friday services, 12:15 and 8 PM
April 11: Easter Vigil service, 8 PM
April 12: Easter service, 11 AM
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Tuesday Meditation Group
Weekly at 7:30 am | Parish House, 64 Beacon Street
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Lectio Divina
Wednesdays at 2:00 PM | Parish House, 64 Beacon Street
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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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