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Advent Crafts | Sunday December 8 | 10 AM - Noon | Parish House, 64 Beacon Street
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Did you know that adults are welcome to craft with us on Sunday? Are you looking for an Advent Wreath? Come make your own with us this Sunday! Though many think of Advent Crafts as a "children's event," we're especially keen to welcome young and old and the young at heart! We have plenty of materials for holiday cards, ornaments, cookies, and more.
Come join us for Advent Crafts on Sunday, December 8, from 10 AM till noon! And bring a friend! |
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Advent Peace?
Thanksgiving came so late this year that Advent caught me off guard, like the snow last weekend. The facts were clear enough: weather warnings came for days before we needed to shovel, and Advent had been etched on my calendar for months. But I'm still thrown off; how can it already be the second Sunday in Advent?
Maybe it's life that makes me feel off kilter. All day long I get notices of world events, never sure what I'll suddenly need to absorb. America's role veers off in a new direction; there's another shooting; efforts are made to remove a President. I'm tensely vigilant outside, too, wary of hidden black ice that could upend me. Where's the firm footing anymore?
Where has there ever been firm footing? A day begins routinely but ends in the ICU, a job doesn't pan out, a relationship ends. We aren't young innocents anymore, bubbling with cheap faith or easy trust. Life is hard in this season.
Then the most preposterous of all happens: we're assured that firm footing is available, and we find ourselves actually listening, because we long for that to be true. Once upon a time, we even experienced it:
(click
HERE to continue reading)
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Caroling at Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll | Tonight, December 5 | 5:30 PM | Meet at Parish House, 64 Beacon Street
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Again this year, we will take to the streets to bring some good cheer by caroling joyfully at the Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll, which takes place on Thursday December 5. We will gather at the Parish House, 64 Beacon Street, at about 5:30 (or whenever you can get there), and head out to sing at approximately 6 pm. We typically stay out for about an hour, and finish up at about 7 pm after getting together with Santa himself for the festive tree lighting. Please join us - all are welcome!
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Book Release: The Colonial Records of Kings Chapel, 1686-1776 | Tonight, December 5 | 5:30 PM | Parish House, 64 Beacon Street
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You are invited to join in celebrating the release of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts' latest publication: The Colonial Records of Kings Chapel, 1686 - 1776.
A book release and reception will be held in the Parish House parlor at 5:30 PM on Thursday December 5.
The event will include remarks from the Colonial Society of Massachusetts about their latest work, food and drink, an opportunity to purchase the volumes, and time to mingle with members of the Colonial Society. We invite you to join in celebrating this momentous publication with our neighbors from the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, whose headquarters are located on Mount Vernon Street.
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Greening for the Holidays: Parish House, Friday December 6, 10 AM | King's Chapel Saturday December 7, 10 AM
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Join the holiday tradition of decorating for the holidays. We will be decorating the Parish House tomorrow at 10 AM. Many hands make light work and we'd love for you to join us! No experience necessary.
Following, on Saturday, is our annual Greening of the Church. We will gather at the church at 10 AM to deck the halls with boughs of greens!
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Blue Christmas Service | Wednesday December 11, 2019 | 5:30 PM
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The longer I have been a minister, the more important I think our Blue Christmas service is. The truth is that very few of us face this season with unalloyed joy. We may be grieving, worried for ourselves or others, or feeling lonely in a season of unremitting glee, glitter and ads. It is a relief to have a time and place when we can set aside any pretense of being "merry" and find God's love for us, just the way we are.
The annual Blue Christmas service is simple and small, held at the church -- a safe place, a sanctuary . This year we will gather on Wednesday, December 11th, from 5:30 - 6:15 PM. You'll enter a quiet, candlelit sanctuary, (click
HERE to continue reading)
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Advent Book Group | "I Am Mary" | Wednesdays December 11 and 18 | 6:15 - 7:30 PM | King's Chapel, 58 Tremont Street
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The Rev. Joy Fallon will lead a small group discussion on "I Am Mary," a daily devotional by contemporary writer Carol Howard Merritt. This short, readable book gives fresh insights into Advent through the voice of a young woman "growing with child," and growing in faith. We join her journey. Copies will be available for sale after church for $4 each.
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Join us for Milk Punch Sunday! |
Sunday, December 15, 12:15pm |
King's Chapel Parish House
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Celebrate the holidays with family and friends at King's Chapel's annual Milk Punch luncheon on Sunday, December 15. After Morning Prayer, take a leisurely stroll down Beacon Street to the Parish House, which has been decorated in high style for the season. Enjoy a sumptuous brunch cooked by members of the Hospitality Committee (vegan option also available). Raise a glass of Kings Chapel's traditional Milk Punch or our new holiday punch (without spirits).
During the festivities, you'll enjoy popular carols and joyful holiday cheers.
The event will be extra special this year, as we welcome new members and celebrate the baptism of Gideon Allen, son of King's Chapel members Amanda Cegielski and Chris Allen,
Please RSVP to laura@kings-chapel.org
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From the Stewardship Committee
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We are getting the the final stretch of our Annual Stewardship Appeal, with just over three weeks left to meet our goal of $225,000. To date, we have received contributions and pledges totaling $177,00; we still have another $48,000 to go in this short time.
As a thank you for helping us get this far, the Stewardship and Hospitality Committees are hosting a sherry party in the vestibule after service on
December 8th.
Please join us.
If you cannot attend and wish to donate online, that would be terrific! You may do so by going
HERE
A very blessed season to you and your family!
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December 17: Handel:
The Half Hour Messiah | 12:15 PM
December 22: Sandwich making and worship with
common cathedral | beginning at 10 AM
December 24: Family Christmas Pageant | 5 PM
December 24 : Lessons and Carols Christmas Eve service | 10 :30 PM
December 25: Christmas Day Service | 10 AM
December 31: Evensong service and Potluck at the Parish House | 5:30 PM
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Presentation of the Report of the Ad hoc Committee on History & Slavery
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Following morning prayer on November 24, Faye Charpentier, Director of the King's Chapel History Program and liaison to the ad hoc committee on History and Slavery, presented the committee's initial report to members of the congregation.
The Ad Hoc Committee on History and Slavery was formed by the Senior Minister and Senior Warden in the fall of 2018. Its charge was "to recommend to the Vestry and congregation how we might honor and memorialize those enslaved individuals who appeared on our rolls, and/or those enslaved persons, known and unknown, whose unpaid labor and personhood was cruelly used to accumulate the wealth that built and maintained our building and congregational life".
Faye, who both researched and wrote the report, began her presentation by pointing out and describing several memorials located within the sanctuary which honored prominent King's Chapel members who were also quite active in the slave trade in colonial Massachusetts. She then contrasted these memorials to the lack of any dedicated to the 219 identified enslaved individuals connected to the church either through baptism, burial, or ownership by Kings Chapel members and clergy.
The report traced the connection between King's Chapel and slavery from colonial times up to and through the Civil War and into the beginning of the twentieth century. Drawing information from historical records, probate court documents, the' Annals, and other historical information, the report provides a snapshot of how enslaved individuals were regarded by their owners, by the church itself, and how over time the lives of enslaved individuals contributed to the growth and wealth of the church.
The report includes anecdotal narratives related to the disposition of slaves following the death of their owners, discusses King's Chapel's position on slavery leading up to the Civil War, highlights several individuals, black and white, associated with the church who supported the abolitionist movement, and lists with names (where possible) the 219 enslaved individuals identified as being connected to King's Chapel.
Following Faye's presentation, Senior Warden Miguel Gomez-Ibanez spoke briefly regarding next steps. He stated that committee discussion has been focused in two areas, establishing a permanent memorial either on or within the building, and/or a "living" memorial, such as an on-going relationship with an institution, or a neighborhood or community organization.
He concluded by urging anyone interested in working on these projects to indicate their interest to the parish administrator.
Copies of the report are available by contacting the parish administrator.
~Dean Denniston
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A wonderful group gathered on Thanksgiving morning to worship together, sharing the Morning Prayer service. The scripture lesson was from Paul's letter to the Philippians, written from a prison in Rome. Even from that place he could say, "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice!"
But rejoicing always doesn't come easily, does it? My reflections centered on two bodies of research. The first shows that the practice of gratitude conclusively makes people happier, sleep better and live longer lives. With those proven outcomes, one would think we'd all flock to this practice! But most of us don't have a robust practice of giving thanks, day in and day out, for the full breadth of our blessings. Why?
The second body of research shows our human tendency to remember far more clearly the "headwinds" we've faced in life, rather than the invisible "tailwinds" that have helpfully pushed us along. After all, when you run or bike or walk, of which winds are you more aware?
(click HERE to continue) |
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Once again, despite discouraging weather, a hardy and appreciative crowd gathered for our Advent Baroque concert. Mother Nature laid down the slushy challenge, and Heinrich Christensen, our chamber choir, and orchestra met it in an over-the-top performance of baroque music.
J.S. Bach's Cantata 62: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, which Bach wrote for the First Sunday in Advent, opened the show. Bach based this cantata upon Martin Luther's hymn by the same name, elements of which Luther, in turn, had taken from ancient plainchant. Bryan Wells sang the tenor recitative appropriately adoringly, Will Prapestis masterfully and dramatically negotiated the florid bass aria, and the beautifully paired Hannah Carlson and Heather Holland were lovely in the soprano-alto duet.
Next came Jan Dismas Zelenka's Magnificat in D, a delightful take in three movements on the Song of Mary, the last movement of which is devoted entirely to the one word, Amen. Jaya Lakshminarayanan and Jennifer Webb sang the soprano and mezzo solos feelingly and gracefully.
The remainder of the program was devoted to Bach's monumental and surpassingly beautiful Cantata 140: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, which is based upon Philipp Nicolai's 1599 Lutheran hymn. Bach has woven a tapestry of almost operatic love duets between soprano (The Church) and baritone (Jesus) and the Chorale, presented in several guises. Andy Troska was eloquent in the tenor recitative, and Emily Bieber-Harris and Daniel Perry were tender and passionate in the soprano-baritone duets.
The Chamber Chorus (three voices on each part, drawn from our choir and conducted by Heinrich) sang with beautiful tone and balance throughout. The chamber orchestra and the organ, played by Michael Beattie, were truly fabulous. It is worth noting that Heinrich's Program Notes are always informative, well-written, and best of all, interesting.
Many stalwart souls stayed in the Vestibule to partake of the post-concert reception, where the usual enthusiastic accolades were proffered, and everyone agreed that the concert was well worth braving the storm.
Sincere thanks to Music Committee members Joan Hunt, Mary Sears, and Nadia Stevens for their yeoman efforts, and also to good friends Gordon Holmes and Ned Wight.
~Sylvia Soderberg
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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
- Dan and Karen Taylor, Advent Wreath Lighters
- Hannah Carlson and Bryan Wells, Soloists
- Michael Bergeron, Head Usher
- Stephen Courtney, Usher in Charge
- Julie Hyde, Ushers
- Simon Pilecki, Verger
The Readings:
Psalm 72: 1-7, 18-19
Isaiah 11: 1-10
Romans 15: 4-13
The flowers on the chancel are given in honor of Dot Pilecki (2019), Fred Pilecki (1999) and Jan Nicholas Pilecki (1999), Simon's Nan, Papa and Uncle, from Karen and Simon Pilecki.
At the communion rail following the service Jim Power will greet those
interested in learning more about King's Chapel.
After the service, please join us for coffee hour in the vestibule hosted by the Stewardship and Hospitality Committees.
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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We have more great Advent tunes for you this Sunday, beginning with Austrian organist Anton Heiller's variations on
Savior of the Nations.
The choir will sing a Latin and English arrangement of
O Come, Emmanuel by Danish composer Bo Asger Kristensen who sang at King's Chapel with the Camerata choir in October.
We celebrate Bryan Wells completing his Masters degree from Tufts by singing two arrangements of Scandinavian songs from his alma mater, St. Olaf Colllege: the
Finnish Lost in the Night, and the
Danish O Day Full of Grace, both arranged by F. Melius Christiansen.
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Tuesday December 10, 12:15 PM
Pioneer Singers of Lynnfield
Steven Bloom, director
Holiday Favorites
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Tuesday Morning Meditation 7:30 AM| Parish House
Tuesday Morning Meditation meets in our Parish House at 7:30ish to 8:30. In decent weather we sometimes annex the Public Garden for a more mindful contemplation. This brief coming side by side with others in your church community can bring some welcome fun, joy and/or peace to your day. In the words of one, "I find so much of my life to be so busy and full of wrestling that the idea of just sitting together with others is powerfully renewing for me." Never meditated before? Drop by and give it a try. For more details contact Gary Riccio at
gary.riccio@me.com or Stephen Courtney at
scourtney@sstudio.comcix
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Lectio Divina | Quiet Reflection with Bible Passage| Wednesdays 1PM through December 11 | Joy's Office in the Parish House, 3rd Floor
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The Rev. Joy Fallon brings a short bible passage, often one that will be read on the following Sunday; the small group reflects in quiet on it for 10-20 minutes; then group members may offer thoughts. People are not required to say anything. This ancient practice may lead to a deeper understanding of scripture, or a glimpse of how God may be present in your own life. It is a small, open group for anyone interested. Drop in once or weekly; no experience needed.
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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.
Questions? email hospitality@kings-chapel.org
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We are grateful to those who provide for flowers each week, during our Morning Prayer service.
If you would like to give flowers in honor of a loved one, please contact Anne Sexton, chair of our Chancel Committee at
annewsexton1@gmail.com . The cost for an arrangement is $85; a check can be mailed to the Parish House, indicating the date you have chosen and the inscription you would like.
We have the following dates open for the remainder of the year:
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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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