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Spotlight On: King of Glory: George Herbert & The Glorious Experiment
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Tune in to watch the Morning Prayer worship video this Sunday to see how our latest virtual musical experiment pans out. We are attempting a multimedia collage of spoken word, video and music, inspired by George Herbert's poem King of Glory:
King of glory, King of peace,
I will love Thee;
and that love may never cease,
I will move Thee.
Thou hast granted my request,
Thou hast heard me;
Thou didst note my working breast,
Thou hast spared me.
Wherefore with my utmost art
I will sing Thee,
and the cream of all my heart
I will bring Thee.
Though my sins against me cried,
Thou didst clear me;
and alone, when they replied,
Thou didst hear me.
Sev'n whole days, not one in sev'n,
I will praise Thee;
in my heart, though not in heav'n,
I can raise Thee.
Small it is, in this poor sort
to enroll Thee:
e'en eternity's too short
to extol Thee.
George Herbert
Sylvia Soderberg will read the poem, Heinrich will drone on the organ in the background, and choir members will improvise selected snippets of their own choosing from the hymn version of the text, as a sort of musical commentary. With any luck, we will create a meaningful musical meditation. But it could just as soon turn out as a bizarre psychedelic visual/sonic art installation!
A bit of background for this idea:
Each of these virtual musical projects is a bit like playing a round of Mad Libs. You record your own video, send it into the ether, and you never know how it's gonna go and how everybody's contributions will come together at the end of the day. So now we're taking it to the next level! If it turns out well, it may be the beginning of a new series. If it's awful, we shall never attempt it again.
Liturgical improvisation for multiple musicians seems to be enjoying a Renaissance lately. Obviously, it is yet another art form that is likely to turn out quite differently when the players aren't in the same room at the same time. But it is an interesting experiment to see what happens when we enter the improvisational field with only parts of the whole picture.
To quote The Good Book:
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
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How do we have hope, in times like these? How do we stay grounded and sane?
Wise ones tell us we have choices. We don't control how our presidential candidates behave in their debate. But we do choose how to respond, how to keep going about living. You decide what you will focus on today, or in the next ten minutes. You decide where to spend your energy today, and in the next ten minutes.
In the Exodus story, God's people didn't control the brutal paranoia of Pharaoh, or what his position of power enabled him to do. Even after their escape from him, they didn't control the wilderness surrounding them through which they were forced to travel. But a key moment arrives when the people realize they can choose the best way to live, as a community, even in an uncontrollable environment.
They choose the "ten best ways to live," ten practices that will ground them for the long haul, in good times or bad. Today we mistakenly call these "the ten commandments," as if these are onerous rules an outsider imposes on us - as if Pharaoh were still demanding something of us.
But they are instead gifts of wisdom that the people were able to imagine only once they were free of the Pharaoh, only once they recognized they could choose how they want to live.
They chose these ways to live:
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Love the miracle of Life and be unceasingly grateful for it.
Realize that - amazingly -- you are loved.
How will you choose to live today, in the next ten minutes? The ten best ways to live really help. In times like this, what do you have to lose?
With love always, Joy |
 Morning Light Service
Sundays from 9:00-9:30 AM on Zoom
Come join us for an intimate service of contemporary music and prayer as we gather to listen to the Word, share our joys and concerns, and abide with one another in fellowship. The music is led by Roland Skip Lewan from the piano, incorporating elements of jazz and improvisation.
Contact Laura Zeugner Administrative Assistant, for login information.
Morning Prayer Service
New virtual services posted by 11 AM on Sundays on YouTube
Each week we film the elements of our traditional Morning Prayer service, featuring beautiful music, stately prayers, and our ministers' reflections on the week's lessons. Our choir members and music director Heinrich Christensen provide newly recorded material as well as occasional pieces from our past recordings and CDs, as we explore the virtual new frontiers of making music.
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Task Force on Re-Opening
Last week, after considering the issue at various governance meetings, the Re-opening Task Force was asked to make a recommendation to the Vestry regarding the return to the sanctuary for in-person worship. Based on the investigation that the members of the Task Force have undertaken, at their September 23rd meeting they approved the following recommendation: "Based on the studies and conclusion of our Re-opening Task Force that the availability of a safe and effective vaccine is a condition for reopening the church for in-person worship, the Vestry affirms the Task Force recommendation that we not plan to reopen for in-person worship before at least the beginning of the New Year." As of Monday September 28th, the Vestry unanimously approved the recommendation, allowing program planning to proceed through December. We sincerely hope that you will continue to join us for worship and fellowship through our many virtual opportunities and look forward to greeting you all in person once a safe return to the sanctuary is possible.
Kathe German and Lee Glenn, Wardens |
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Chapel Restoration Continues
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 The restoration continues and it's looking great! Most of the new column bases have been set in place, and are absolutely beautiful. They continue with the railing rebuild and that is near completion. All of the pointing is complete, and the Lime putty needs to set, and then it will be washed. Once it is washed you will then see the color the mortar will be, as now it looks very white. The doors have been scraped and given a fresh coat of paint. All work will continue through the end of October. |
 KC Voter Action Initiative We're pleased to introduce a new page on our website devoted to our voting initiative at the King's Chapel website. Have a look! Of note, we're on track to exceed our goal to contact 5,000 voters! . Let's keep the momentum going! At our meeting on September 29th, we were delighted to have two parishioners join us who are new to our initiative. After an update from Dorie, we had readings from Kent Wittenburg and Julie Hyde addressing the spiritual side of our involvement. Julie Hyde then led us in a reflection about what we're most grateful for in this time of global crisis. We ended with a general discussion, focusing on getting out the youth vote. The next meeting will be on October 13. |
| Visit our Community from Home webpage to learn about our weekly offerings and more! You can also view our online calendar here . |
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History Program Tonight at 6 PM: Welcome to the Graveyard |
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The King's Chapel History Program is delighted to kick off the Halloween season with a special history program presented by Brenda Sullivan of Gravestone Girls.
"Welcome to the Graveyard!" is a 90 minute illustrated 'virtual tour' chronicling cemetery art, history and symbolism. From the colonial New England burial grounds of the 16 & 1700s, through the nation-wide rural cemetery movement of the 19th century and into 21st century locations, the program examines why we have cemeteries and gravestones, why they look like they do and how styles and art have evolved over almost 400 years. This presentation will include images found in King's Chapel burial ground and other interesting gravestones found in the Boston/Metro area.
Gravestone Girls create replicas of old New England tombstones in the form of wall hangings, magnets, coasters, mirrors, pinboards and more! Cast directly from originals still on cemetery landscapes, their art is a piece of history in your hand! "Keeping Our Dead Alive" through lectures, tours, classes and art, they work nationwide, raising cemetery awareness and teaching citizens the history buried under their feet.
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Conversations with the History Program: Member's Choice |
Thursday October 8 | 12pm and 5:30pm | Zoom
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For the upcoming Conversations with the History Program, we invite you to submit your topic ideas! On October 8, the conversations will be on topics suggested by you, the members! We look forward to hearing what your personal interests are and what you'd like to dig deeper into exploring through King's Chapel's rich history. The topic(s) will be announced on Monday October 5.
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Ongoing Events and Activities
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All events below held via Zoom. Click HERE to find more information.
Tuesdays at noon: Talk about Music! - a weekly conversation with Heinrich Christens on musical topics
Wednesdays at 6:15 PM: Bible Study- weekly discussions on the lectionary readings
Thursdays at 10 AM: Coffee with the Clergy - Join Joy and David for an informal coffee hour
Thursdays: Conversations with the History Program - presentations by the history staff and guest lecturers. Times and topics vary.
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October 15 at 6pm
"Trivia from the Crypt:" A Special Halloween History Trivia Night and Virtual Exploration of the Crypt
October 21 at 6:15 pm
October 22 at 12pm and 5:30pm Conversations with the History Program - Slavery and Race at Colonial King's Chapel: Uncovering and Confronting Our History
October 29 at 6pm
"Trivia from the Crypt:" A Special Halloween History Trivia Night and Virtual Exploration of the Crypt
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 King's Chapel and the Fugitive Slave Law Last Thursday, on September 24, the King's Chapel History Program hosted a special presentation in partnership with the National Parks of Boston, sharing the sobering history of King's Chapel congregants and their involvement in upholding and promoting the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. National Park Guide William Stilwell presented a powerful talk, detailing the history of the Fugitive Slave Law in Boston and the interwoven stories of politicians, judges, and others who worshipped at King's Chapel during this era. This event was an important reminder of the complexity of laws in conflict with ethics and the repercussions of upholding the status quo through attempted neutrality on major ethical and political issues throughout our history. We encourage you to watch the recording of this presentation, found HERE. |
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Thank You
...to all the volunteer sandwich makers this summer!
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We rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ~Romans 12:15
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| We hold in our prayers Carol and Emanuel Genovese, after Emanuel tested positive this week for COVID. Carol's test was negative. They are both quarantining for 14 days at home. We rejoice that to date neither is experiencing any adverse affects and pray that they may remain asymptomatic. |
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Sunday Services
October 4th Morning Light via Zoom
- The Rev. Joy Fallon, Senior Minister
- David Waters, Minister for Education and Membership
- Skip Lewan, Piano
- Mary Katherine Morn, Lector
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October 4th Morning Prayer with Holy Communion | 11 AM
- The Rev. Joy Fallon, Senior Minister
- David Waters, Minister for Education and Membership
- Heinrich Christensen, Music Director
- Cathy Price, lector
- Cynthia and Dick Perkins and Tim Nelson-Hoy, Lay Readers
Scripture: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12- 20
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Did you miss Sunday's Virtual Homecoming Service? If so, click here to see the full service. |
A Sermon Series on Moses and the Exodus: God's Transformation of a Person and a Nation |
Each Sunday through October 25
This fall, join us to journey with Moses and the Israelite people, a journey not so different from ours today. Discover when you have been freed from old ways to become a new person, how to cross long barren stretches, and how a nation slowly grows into who it is meant to be. Will we dare to make demands of God, as our forebears did? The old stories - from the Odyssey to Exodus -- still speak truth. Listen in whenever you want, through the King's Chapel YouTube Channel. |
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Please read this week's Spotlight article for details on Sunday music. Again this week, you will see our choir members in various smaller ensemble configurations, singing hymns, canticles, and an intriguing improvisation.
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Just in time for apple picking season, this week's Musical Meditation is an offering from our archives. From Divine Hymns or Spiritual Songs,
compiled by Joshua Smith, New Hampshire, 1784
1. The tree of life my soul hath seen, Laden with fruit and always green: The trees of nature fruitless be Compared with Christ the apple tree. 2. His beauty doth all things excel: By faith I know, but ne'er can tell The glory which I now can see In Jesus Christ the apple tree. 3. For happiness I long have sought, And pleasure dearly I have bought: I missed of all; but now I see 'Tis found in Christ the apple tree. 4. I'm weary with my former toil, Here I will sit and rest awhile: Under the shadow I will be, Of Jesus Christ the apple tree. |
Next week's Talk About Music! guest is Mark Nelson, who worked for C.B. Fisk for many years and was the main person in charge of maintaining our organ until about a year ago when he decided to pass that torch on to other folks within the company. Mark will talk about the fundamentals of organ building - after our first talk in September, several participants expressed the desire to hear more about the inner workings of the instrument. Obviously, it's a big topic to cover in 30 minutes, but hopefully we can whet your appetite to keep on learning more. Email [email protected] to join the conversation Tuesday at noon - if you already have the zoom link from a previous week, you can keep on using the same link, as it is a recurring event. Past talks are posted on our YouTube channel so you can catch up if you missed one.
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During this difficult time of COVID-19, King's Chapel continues to offer weekly worship services online, provide spiritual guidance, host zoom gatherings on various topics, and support our community partners. The statement "the more things change, the more they stay the same" is strangely true.
What this message does not state is that while most of the normal costs of operating our church continue-- salaries, overhead expenses, physical maintenance, etc.-- our income streams do not. Significant income from visitors to our History Program, rentals, and our Sunday offering are gone right now. Your support now is more essential than ever.
Please consider a stewardship offering in a spirit of thanksgiving to help us through this challenging time. Every single gift in any amount is equally valued and helps enormously.
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Staying Connected with King's Chapel
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While we are physically closed we are spiritually open and are working to find ways to continue our connection with you, our beloved members and friends.
Worship Morning Light Worship via Zoom, 9-9:30 AM each Sunday. Contact Laura Zeugner at [email protected] for login information.
Prayer Connection King's Chapel is a praying church and we have added a new link to our website page to make easy any request you may have: [email protected] . Requests sent here will be received by Joy Fallon, David Waters, and Cynthia Perkins, Prayer Circle Chair. If you prefer, also know that you can always reach out to any of us individually.
Coffee with Clergy Join Joy and David each week at 10 AM on Thursdays for an informal coffee hour via Zoom. See old friends and meet new ones! Contact [email protected] for login access.
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CAC Office Hours | Mondays 5 PM
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 What does the King's Chapel Community Action Committee do? Who are our CAC partners? What can I do to help? For answers to these questions and more, come to CAC Office Hours! Starting this week, CAC chair Amanda Pickett will be piloting CAC Office Hours every Monday 5:00-5:30 PM via Zoom. Drop in and discuss community action at King's Chapel. Contact Amanda Pickett for login access. |
Internet Fraud - Protect Yourself
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, churches across the nation have seen a steep rise in incidents of internet fraud and scams, especially using ministers' names and targeting church members. So far in the last two months, we've had twenty or more. Please watch out for these. I promise, we will never ask you to send us gift cards. We will never ask for your personal identifying information or bank account info. If we ever purport to say that we can't be reached by phone, be suspicious.
Some other hints to protect yourselves: Double check the "from" address to see who really has sent it, and double check the email of the person to whom you're supposedly replying. Verify suspicious emails by phone, especially if the email says not to call. Click the link below for more information on how to protect yourself and your family from internet crime.
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Contributing to Between Sundays
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