On Memorial Day we celebrate our rights as citizens to vote, and all those who have given their lives to secure this freedom for all of us. Our preacher on Memorial Day weekend will be Taj Smith, who last joined us in the pulpit in October, as the Director of Faith Organizing for Freedom for All, the ballot initiative in support of equal rights for transgender people. Six months ago, in November 2018,  a resounding 68% of Massachusetts voters supported Ballot Question 3, securing this freedom.

Taj's own words describing his faith journey may sound familiar to some of you - growing up as a Christian in a conservative part of the country. Over time, he learned he needed to hide some of his true beliefs, and even who he was as a person. When he expressed concern with certain supposedly Christian tenets, he was decried by people he considered friends, and left the church. Later, through a more welcoming church, he returned to hope both for Christianity and for church as a place where each of us can genuinely grow and change:

"I saw conversations had in church can change hearts and minds. S eeing what happened in [my new] church was inspiring. People were vulnerable and honest with each other. They really wrestled with the question of what it means to do right and to live their values. I came away from each meeting feeling closer to God and inspired to act."

What a message of hope for days like this. For more about Taj's journey to Harvard Divinity School, in pursuit of his Masters of Divinity Degree,

click here. 
 + Joy

Parish House Offices Closed | Monday May 27

The Parish House will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday. We will reopen on Tuesday May 28 at 9 AM

Pet Blessing | Sunday June 2 | 9 AM at the Parish House Garden

Our annual Blessing of the Animals will take place the first Sunday in June; bring a pet, a stuffed animal or a photo of your furry/fluffy/flight/fanged friend, and have it blessed. 

The blessing takes place during our Morning Light service, in the garden of the Parish House. 

All are welcome. 

Piano Action | June 2 | 2 PM at the Little Chapel

Plan to join us on  Sunday June 2 for another Piano Action recital.  In support of common cathedral, Heinrich and Robert Winkley will play pieces by Schubert, Faure, Ravel, et al, four-handed. 

 

Free admission - all donations received will go to the  common cathedral. 

Prior to the performance, and during the art show, our Hospitality and Community Action committees have joined to offer you a light refreshment to carry you through the afternoon.  Come after the Morning Prayer service and stay for the afternoon!

Pride Parade | Saturday, June 8 

As a welcoming and affirming congregation, King's Chapel will once again march in the Boston Pride Parade on Saturday, June 8th.  This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.  Please consider joining us in our 9th year  participating in the parade!

Labyrinth Walk and Potluck Lunch | June 22 | 10 AM - 1 PM

 

Come for practice in mindfulness, a meditative walk in the Labyrinth that Dick and Cynthia Perkins have created on their beautiful property in Stow, about 45 minutes from King's Chapel.  Labyrinths are ancient contemplative settings, and unlike a maze, you cannot get lost.  Rather, the object is to consciously follow the one path which always leads to the center where you may find an answer, offer a prayer, or leave a worry behind.

RSVP to Laura@kingschapel.org and mention whether you can help transport or are in need of transport.  Contact Cynthia Perkins at cbhperkins@earthlink.net and let her know what you can contribute to potluck lunch. More information forthcoming.

Saturday, July 13

 1-5 PM |Makanda Project, UUUM (10 Putnam Street, Roxbury)

Wednesday, July 17

6 PM | All Parish BBQ at the Parish House, hosted by Hospitality and Membership Committees

Saturday, August 10

Sunday, September 29

12:30 - 2 PM | Boston Athenaeum

Special tour for Kings Chapel of the Kings Chapel Library Exhibition 

Mother's Day Walk for Peace

Great energy and high spirits at the Mother's Day Walk for Peace with the Louis D Brown Peace Institute! With generous and gracious support from members, friends, and Heinrich's PIANO ACTION recital, King's Chapel has more than met our fundraising goal of  $5000! We are thrilled to be putting our time, talent, and treasure to showing up for families impacted by homicide. The Louis D Brown Peace Institute is one of the three partners with whom King's Chapel is building relationship via the Community Action Committee.

Each May, the United States celebrates National Preservation Month.  This month is a perfect time to explore many the historic places that call Boston home, including King's Chapel!

This week's Church School lesson focused around the Parable of the Lost Sheep. This was a great opportunity for the children to reflect on what it means to be lost and found in various arenas of life. To facilitate this conversation they created a series of word webs. They read and illustrated John 10:12-17. For their artistic expression they used cotton balls and googly eyes to create a depiction of the sheep. They also played a variation of hide and seek with small sheep to help them understand what it means for Jesus to find his "lost sheep." Thanks to Michelle and Eleanor for leading a great session!

Upcoming:

• Regular Church School programing will run this weekend, despite the Memorial Day Holiday
• Last day of Church School is June 16th. Join us for an end of year celebration!

We rejoice with Laura Zeugner, our administrative assistant, and her fiancee Alex Enman on their marriage this weekend.