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This week the lectionary presents us with the enormously difficult story of David and Bathsheba. David, Israel's promised King and God's chosen one, is alone in Jerusalem, while his generals are out waging war. Looking out from his balcony David sees Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, one of his most trusted generals, and has her brought to his rooms and sleeps with her.
In a society where David was the absolute ruler, with power over life and death, it is doubtful whether Bathsheba would have been able to refuse him. The little we are told about Bathsheba-that she is religiously observant, that she mourns for her husband-suggests that she was taken by David without her consent. She then is impregnated by David, who tries to cover up his crime by scheming, and eventually by ordering her husband's death. After Uriah's funeral Bathsheba is taken to David's harem, where she delivers a baby who dies seven days after being born.
The horror in this passage-rape, deceit, betrayal, death-comes down through the ages, no less shocking for the passage of time. Why are stories like this in our Holy Books? How do we make sense of them? Come on Sunday as we sing, celebrate Holy Communion, and struggle to make sense of this hard story together.
~Amelia
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Cliff Allen and Grandsons
We are sad to share that this Sunday August 5 will be Cliff's last day as an usher at King's Chapel. We are grateful for Cliff's many years serving as an usher. As the first face to see on Sunday when coming for a service, Cliff's calm and welcome smile has always greeted people warmly. Cliff embodies the spirit of All are Welcome Here! We will miss having you among the usher team, Cliff, and look forward to you joining us to worship from the pews!
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Invitation from UUUM | The Makanda Project | August 11 | 1 - 5 PM
All our invited to join the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry (UUUM), one of our Community Action Partners, for a Jazz Concert on the UUUM Green, featuring
The Makanda Project
and an ice cream social on August 11th from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Carol Genovese, who attended the last concert, reports "
Emanuel and I went to the Makanda jazz concert on the beautiful UUUM lawn. It was truly uplifting and amazing, one of the highlights of our Boston summer experiences outside of King's Chapel." Join other members of King's Chapel to help build relationships with the UUUM community with ice cream and jazz!
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Free Tour of the African American Freedom Trail | Wednesday, August 15 | 4:30 PM | The Shaw Memorial
Exclusively for King's Chapel and friends: free tour of the African American Freedom Trail on Beacon Hill, led by a very knowledgeable guide, 4:30 to 6 PM on
Wednesday, August 15. The tour will conclude at the Parish House for our final summer barbecue. Learn important facts about the rich culture of the African American community who lived on Beacon Hill and their fight for education and the abolition of slavery. Betsy Peterson and Joy Fallon have previously taken the tour with this guide and strongly recommend it.
Meet Amanda Pickett, co-Chair of the Community Action Committee, at 4:30 PM at the departure point for the tour: the Shaw Memorial (corner of Park and Beacon, across from the State House).
RSVPs helpful but not required. |
Save the Date | Final Summer BBQ | Wednesday, August 15 | 6 PM
Save the date for the final barbecue of the summer at the Parish House Garden. Main dish and beverages will be provided. Side dishes, salads and dessert are welcome! We hope you can join us!
RSVP to Gretchen Horton, administrator@kings-chapel.org
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Get an organist for your very own home!
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Sixteen inspirational young players are coming to participate in the first-ever Boston Bach International Organ Competition
from September 2nd through 9th. They will arrive on August 28th to prepare for the three competition rounds, hailing from across Europe, Korea and the midwestern US. During the competition week, King's Chapel is the site of one of several concerts by members of the jury. If you would be interested in hosting one of these young artists during their stay in Boston, free tickets to the jury concerts are one of the perks! Please contact the competition headquarters at First Lutheran Church for more information,
617-536-8851
or
secretariat@bbioc.org
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Welcome to Laura Ruth Zeugner!
We are pleased to welcome Laura Ruth Zeugner, our new administrative assistant.
A Massachusetts native, Laura received her BA from American University and a Master's in Theological Studies from BU's Divinity School. She has held many administrative positions in academia and at faith-based non-profits. She is excited to join the King's Chapel team as administrative assistant and begin getting to know the community! In her spare time Laura enjoys cooking, swimming in Walden Pond (when the weather allows), going to concerts and seeing new movies.
Laura will be here a few hours next week, and will begin full time with us the week of August 13. Welcome Laura!
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Summer Vacation Schedules
Walter Bruggemann, Old Testament scholar and modern-day prophet, writes about the meaning of sabbath, "the one commandment no one follows." He argues that God called the people to observe weekly sabbath, not so that they could be more productive after they rested, but so that God could free us from that mindset -- from always measuring our worth by our production. As God freed the Israelites from Pharaoh, God continues to seek our liberation from a world of endless, anxious production and consumption. On our Sabbath we reclaim the primacy of relationships.
We hope you all are able to claim your sabbath this summer! Your staff will do so as follows:
July 20 - August 7: Joy away
July 30 - August 13: Heinrich away
July 30 - August 4: Amelia away
August 3 - 6: Gretchen away
August 10 - 13: Faye away
August 19 - September 2: Joy away
August 26-27: Amelia away
Please note: Parish House offices will be closed Friday August 3. In case of emergency, please text Gretchen Horton, Parish Administrator, at 802-380-1484 and she will direct to the appropriate person.
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August marks several important anniversaries, including the building's dedication and laying of the cornerstone on August 11, 1749 and opening day for the stone chapel on August 21, 1754.
Although King's Chapel has been standing strong for 264 years and retains much of its original elements, the sanctuary looks very different today than it did when it opened its doors in 1754.
The biggest difference? The color scheme of the interior!
Historic paint analysis performed by conservator Brian Powell in the early 2000s revealed a deep and vibrant paint scheme, drastically different from what we see today.
The study revealed that in the 18th century, the columns were various shades of gray, the walls were a light gray, the pilaster were likely painted a marbleized pink, the gallery fronts were peach, the pulpit was peach and brown, and the pews were unfinished wood!
During the Victorian period, the walls were repainted in shades of terra cotta, the aisles were carpeted, and the painted glass chancel windows were installed.
The way King's Chapel looks today is the result of restoration work conducted in 1915 and 1916. This is when the church is painted neutral tones, the slate floors are added, the pew upholstery is standardized, and the marble is added to the chancel.
To learn more about how the building has changed and remained the same over time, join the History Program staff for Constructing King's Chapel: Art & Architecture Tours daily at
10:15 AM*,
1:00 PM*, and
4:00 PM.
This tour explores the rich history of the King's Chapel's building and decorative elements, stressing how the chapel has grown and evolved throughout history yet also remained the same. Guests discover architect Peter Harrison's intentions for the building, why the interior looks the way it does, the saga of the painted glass chancel windows, and more.
We look forward to sharing more about the building's history with you all.
*
10:15 tour not offered on
Sundays
*
1:00 tour not offered on
Sundays or Tuesdays
$5 for adults, $3 for students, military, and seniors
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Continued Work at the Church
As we continue deferred maintenance projects at the church, we are uncovering history! This past week, as we were replacing tiles and/or securing loose tiles, we discovered brick underneath the slate!
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Another photo of last week's HFH-Boston Build Team. Thank you King's Chapel members for helping our neighbors!
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With enormous sadness, we announce the death of Elsie Wilmerding, our member, who died on Friday, July 27 in Blue Hill, Maine, where she spent summers. Elsie and Patrick, her beloved husband, joined King's Chapel in 2017. Last summer Elsie was diagnosed with ALS, which ultimately took her life. After moving to Beacon Hill from Chestnut Hill, Elsie and Patrick found their way to King's Chapel through the invitation of neighbors Bill and Madolyn Wilson, and their love of our musical offering. On the morning of her death, Elsie had been peacefully listening to classical music. A memorial service will take place at King's Chapel on Friday, September 14. All are welcome.
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We rejoice with Jim Power, as he welcomes his newest grandchild, Julieta Luna Power, to this world. Julieta arrived with "great determination." She was so anxious to be here that she arrived with very little warning, and Jim's son delivered her in their home - an unplanned event! Calls to the Rescue Squad for assistance produced an ambulance 10 minutes later, and Julieta and her mother were patiently waiting and doing just fine!
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Joaquin and Julieta Power
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| For Video Sermon Please Click Image |
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Morning Prayer with Holy Communion| 11 AM
- The Rev. Joy Fallon, Senior Minister
- The Rev. Amelia Nugent, Assistant Minister
- Heinrich Christensen, Music Director
- Christopher Allen, Lay Reader
- Carson Cooman, Guest Organist
-
Thomas Gregg, Soloist
- Paul Luca, Head Usher
- Cliff Allen, Usher in Charge
- Cathy Price, Pamela and Mike Bergeron, Ushers
- Clark Aitkins, Verger
The Readings:
- Psalm 51
- Old Testament,
- New Testament,
Ephesians 4:1-16
The flowers on the communion table are given by Elizabeth Thompsen in loving memory of a grandmother by her grand-daughter.
At the communion rail following the service, Bill Kuttner will greet those interested in learning more about King's Chapel.
After the service all are invited to Punch on the Bricks, hosted by Karen Hawthorne and friends of the Hospitality Committee.
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Guest organist Carson Cooman will play voluntaries by Nieland and Ã…berg. You will get to hear some of Carson's own music too, as soloist Thomas Gregg sings O Freedom
and Ostinato Mass
, in addition to VT/CT composer Gwyneth Walker's version of Psalm 23.
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August 7, 12:15 PM
Quilisma Consort
Polyphonic Favorites:
Works by Ciconia & Desprez
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Sunday, September 9: Sandwich Making with common cathedral
Sunday, September 9 : Usher training
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Donating Decorative, Fine Art, and Furniture to Kings Chapel
Some of our generous members and friends have asked about how and whether to
donate furnishings or decorative arts to Kings Chapel.
We encourage you to consider Kings Chapel as a wonderful place to find a home for some things that you might wish to donate. Gifts of furniture and decorative objects donated by members over the years have enriched the rooms of our beautiful Parish House and Church. Members wishing to donate furniture or decorative art objects should first contact Gretchen Horton, Parish Administrator, at
gretchen@kings-chapel.org for a determination as to the current usability of such donated items.
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Want to know
what's going on at
King's Chapel?
Click
HERE
to view the King's
Chapel Schedule at our website:
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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 administrative.assistant@kings-chapel.org with a written piece and/or pictures before Wednesday at noon!
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Accessibility Assists
Our beautiful Georgian sanctuary designed by Peter Harrison and completed in 1754, has been lovingly maintained by the congregation since its completion. One of the box pews has been made wheel-chair accessible. Ushers are available to assist those who are wheelchair-bound to that pew.
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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