Spotlight On: Moving Forward by Looking Back: How We Move Ahead During Tumultuous Times
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n Sunday we welcome back to our pulpit the Rev. Mary Margaret Earl. She is Executive Director and Senior Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry (UUUM), one of the three social justice ministries with which King's Chapel is a partner.
Rev. Earl will be addressing the importance of understanding history, in order to move forward today. She will share more about the program being developed by youth through the UUUM to offer history tours of their Roxbury neighborhood.
At the UUUM, Rev. Earl has worked to strengthen bonds between UUs and the Roxbury neighborhood where the UUUM operates; our church members have participated in several of the community events UUUM sponsored last summer, including a series of jazz concerts. Rev. Earl also is on the Moral Movement Massachusetts leadership team, which works to connect faith leaders with those impacted by poverty.
Prior to her arrival at the UU Urban Ministry, Mary Margaret Earl spent 10 years at a faith-based nonprofit in RI serving the homeless community. She is past president of the Board of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless, recipient of the Heroes of Faith Award from the Rhode Island State Council of Churches for her interfaith work, and is a longtime vegan committed to standing up for nonhuman animals
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The Rev. Amelia Edson has Been Called to the Falmouth Maine Church
Joy and Amelia announced on Monday this week to King's Chapel members that Amelia has been called to the Falmouth Congregational Church in Maine as their Pastor. We rejoice with her in this testament to all Amelia has to offer God's church and give great thanks for the wonderful ministry she has offered us at King's Chapel. Blessedly, Amelia is able to continue serving us for the next three months, and we will be able to honor her on her last Sunday, May 5.
A search committee for a new Assistant Minister has been established, chaired by Senior Warden Miguel Gomez-Ibanez. To see the job description we've posted, click here.
Joy also shared that the Rev. Rali Weaver will be serving as the Sabbatical Minister from June-August while Joy is on sabbatical. Rali knows King's Chapel well because she served as our Assistant Minister from 2005-2007, before becoming the Senior Minister at the Dedham Unitarian Church. For more information from the letters by Amelia and Joy, click here. God's blessings abound.
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Museum of African American History Tour | Saturday | February 2 | 11:00 AM
The MAAH inspires all generations to embrace and interpret the authentic stories of New Englanders of African descent, and those who found common cause with them, in their quest for freedom and justice. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors 62 and over.
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First Wednesdays: Film Night | Wednesday | February 6 | 6:15 PM
Please join us in the sanctuary after February 6th Wednesday communion for a viewing and discussion of Being Flynn starring Robert De Niro. In the film, a man working in a Boston homeless shelter is surprised to encounter his estranged father (De Niro), who is unhoused and struggling with substance abuse. You can view the trailer here.
Being Flynn is based on Nick Flynn's memoir, "Another Bullshit Night in Suck City." If you are interested in the option of reading the book before the showing, you can contact Amanda Pickett (
amanda.e.pickett@gmail.com
) to see about borrowing a copy.
Following the film, Amanda Grant-Rose, Executive Director of common cathedral, our neighbor congregation for people experiencing homelessness, will join us for a discussion of issues raised by the film and book. We are grateful she could join us to share her knowledge and experiences.
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Bistro 64: Piano Party! | Saturday February 9 | 5:30 PM | Parish House
We trust you have already saved Saturday February 9 for our sure to be legendary Bistro 64 Progressive Piano Party.
Festivities will begin on the first floor where we will gather at 5:30 for aperitifs and snacks, followed by a program on the Steinway in the chapel, then we shall move upstairs to enjoy more goodies, along with the Mason & Hamlin in the parlor. Our guest artists for the evening will be the Vocal Artists of Amethyst. Behind that evocative and mysterious name you will find some familiar faces: Former choir member Mary Sullivan, now residing in Brunswick, ME, founded the Amethyst Chamber Ensemble last year, and they have been doing some amazing programs both in Massachusetts and Maine. Mary will bring one of her co-founders, mezzo-soprano Joƫlle Morris (who came and sang with Mary for last year's Good Friday services, in case that rings a bell), as well as bass-baritone John David Adams. Our very own tenor Andy Troska will round out the quartet in offerings from opera and musical theatre.
Our amazing Morning Light pianist Skip Lewan will open the festivities by playing gathering music from 5:30-6.
Since this Bistro is not a sit-down dinner, attendance will not be capped at a specific number - but we would still love to know you are coming so we have enough food and drink for everyone. RSVP to Gregg Sorensen at
gds1960@yahoo.com by February 1 if possible.
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King's Chapel Winter Retreat: Playing With Prayer | Led by Rev. Amelia Edson | February 15-17 | Glastonbury Abbey
Spend a weekend away in a small community of Benedictine monks and reconnect with yourself and members of the King's Chapel community. We will learn about and try on a variety of prayer practices, using techniques like calligraphy, labyrinth walking, centering (meditative) prayer, and joining the brothers as they pray the hours each day. We will learn about prayers from our historic prayer book as well as have opportunities to write our own prayers. Click here to sign up.
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Tuesday Morning Meditation | Tuesdays 7:30 AM| Little Chapel
An early Tuesday Morning Meditation meets in our beautiful Little Chapel at 7:30 to 8:30 AM each Tuesday, including approximately a 20 minute meditation. We explore and experiment a bit, so if you have some ideas or are a little adventurous, this brief coming side by side with others in your church community may bring some welcome fun, joy and/or peace to your day. This is for "drop-in" participation - no long term obligations. Never meditated before? Drop by and give it a try. Feel free to contact Gary Riccio at gary.riccio@me.com, or Stephen Courtney at scourtney@scixstudio.com for more details.
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Welcomi
ng New Member Chelsea Lawson
King's Chapel welcomed one new member this past Sunday, Chelsea Lawson. Chelsea states, "I am originally from Shreveport, Lo
uisiana and moved to Boston in October 2018 to prac
tice private equity law. I knew I wanted to find my church home in Boston as soon as I got to the city, and visited King's Chapel on a Wednesday evening for Contemplative Communion. I immediately felt a sense of comfort and home and have been attending ever since. I am so thrilled to join this community and to grow in Christ with all of you." We are so happy to have you here with us, Chelsea. Welcome!
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2019 Budget Unanimously Approved
Last Sunday, Members of King's Chapel voted to approve the FY2019 Budget. We had a quorum of over 30 people; the budget vote was unanimous.
Thank you to all who worked so hard to pull this together: Jim Power, chair of Fiscal Affairs, Dan Taylor Treasurer, Amanda Cegielski and chairs of all committees.
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Spirituals Concert
In January, as we observe the onset of a new year, we celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr, and we look forward to Black History Month in February.
Last Sunday, January 27, our organist and choir director, Heinrich Christensen, and the King's Chapel Choir and friends gave a profoundly moving concert of African-American Spirituals. Heinrich is a master programmer, and this concert was an outstanding example of his skill. The selections were varied, and they complimented, contrasted and connected: now soothing, and then deeply and startlingly dramatic, expressing themes of hope and faith, grief and exaltation. These were not your old familiar (and beloved) songs which most of us know and can hum. They were arrangements by a variety of composers, including choir member Brian Church and Heinrich himself, who used the original tunes as thematic material for new inventions. Included with the Spirituals were arrangements of Sorida, a Zimbabwean Greeting, arranged by Rosephanye Powell, Wana Baraka. a Kenyan religious song, arranged by Shawn Kirchner, and Robert Sirota's Spiritual for Mother Emanuel, a cry of pain for the Charleston church shooting. Many of the songs were deepened and dramatized by the sounds of drum and tambourine, played by Kera Washington. Bill Vint's soprano saxophone wove its wailing way into the tapestry of sound. Solo voices from our choir and friends were spectacular.
Among the musical selections, poems by such poets as Langston Hughes and James Weldon Johnson were read by congregation members of a committee which researches King's Chapel's
history and connection to the slave trade here in Boston. The thoughtfully selected poems connected with the songs. (eg., following Spiritual for Mother Emanuel, Marcus Amaker's poem Black Cloth - a Poem for Charleston. The Langston Hughes poem, The Negro Speaks of Rivers preceded the Spiritual Deep River) What a successful collaboration!
Over two hundred people attended this concert, and emotions ran high. As the last notes of the choir, drum and saxophone in Heinrich 's chant-like Hold On ended, the entire audience surged to its feet in unison, clapping and shouting. It was a remarkable and bonding moment to close a memorable concert.
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There is still time to purchase tickets for the History Program's special Valentine's Day tour.
On this candlelit crypt tour, uncover the history of American mourning traditions, funeral customs, and burial practices as they relate to the loss of a loved one throughout Boston's history. Explore the crypt beneath the chapel, walking among the 21 tombs, and discover the stories of the historic people and couples laid to rest within them.
Tours offered at 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM on February 1 - 4, 8 - 12, and 14 - 18.
$10 per person.
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During this week's lesson we explored Jesus' role as a teacher.
We began with a consideration of teachers we've had in our own lives. The first craft we did was to create a scroll like the one referenced in Luke from which Jesus read Old Testament passages to the crowd. Then, we did a simulation where students guessed what was in a bag with their eyes shut. This helped us think about what is implied in the scripture when it talks about the blind coming to see. This activity was a crowd favorite of both David and Joseph this week! Finally, we completed a second art project to help us imagine what Jesus' ministry and teachings would have looked and sounded like. Many thanks to Michelle for helping the lesson run smoothly.
In the Confirmation program, Will and George covered a lot of ground as they investigated both the use of the Bible as well as faith in action and the complicated topic of "power." Many thanks to George for leading this lesson and helping us get back on track after the snow storm.
UPCOMING: Please mark your calendars with the following upcoming Church School Committee dates: Sundays February 10 and March 31. Both sessions are held in the second floor parlor following the Morning Light service and will run from 10:00 - 10:45. All are welcome.
Additionally, Will and George have two upcoming field trips for their confirmation program. The first is to Arlington St. Church and the second is to a local Quaker meeting house. If you're interested in joining us as we attend these services, please be in touch via church.school@kings-chapel.org
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Weep/Rejoice
"We Rejoice with Those Who Rejoice, and Weep with Those Who Weep"
~ Romans 12:15
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Christopher Barnett continues to recover comfortably at home, while receiving follow-up treatments. He and Elizabeth have felt blessed by all the cards they have received and asked that we share how much they enjoy hearing from you all about your news and that of the church through these cards. Keep them up! Anyone needing their address should contact the church offices for information:
administrative.assistant@kings-chapel.org
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We hold in our prayers Cliff Allen who will have a heart procedure on Monday, February 4.
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| The Genoveses are pleased that their daughter is home from the hospital and recovering. Emanuel has returned to Boston, and Carol expects to be home soon. Their family is grateful for the prayers and support of this community. |
| We hold in our prayers Russel Miller, who had a knee replacement this Tuesday. We hope for speedy recovery and renewed strength in time for summertime hikes! |
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Last week's sermon by Rev. Joy Fallon
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Morning Light with Holy Communion | 9 AM
- The Rev. Mary Margaret Earl, preaching
- Guest Musicians Nicole Roberts and Bernadette Matsuma
Morning Prayer with Holy Communion| 11 AM
- The Rev. Joy Fallon, Senior Minister
- The Rev. Amelia Edson, Assistant Minister
- Heinrich Christensen, Music Director
- Rev. Mary Margaret Earl, Guest Preacher
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Denise Konicek, Heather Holland, Andy Troska, Dan Perry, Soloists
- Cathy Price, Usher in Charge
- Pamela and Michael Bergeron, Ushers
- Clark Aitkins, Verger
The Readings:
- Psalm 71: 1-6
- Old Testament,
Isaiah 61: 1-9
- New Testament, John 1: 5-10
The flowers on the chancel are given by Anne and Peter Sexton in loving memory of our parents Molly and William Barthorpe, and Teresa and Donald Sexton.
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 Coffee Hour hosted by Amy Meyer.
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Our featured composer this Sunday is Moritz Brosig. Not a household name by any means, Brosig was born in 1815 in Fuchswinkel, a town located in what was then Prussia, formerly Bohemia, nowadays a part of Poland. He eventually became the cathedral organist in Breslau (now Wroclaw), and served as a music professor at the local university. He was famous for his improvisations and wrote quite prolifically for the cathedral liturgies, including several masses, of which the choir will sing his Third Mass. The organ voluntaries are also by Brosig. His music is quite reminiscent of his contemporary Felix Mendelssohn.
For the Introit, Brian Church will offer Dan Pinkham's Ubi Caritas in memory of baritone Sanford Sylvan who passed away unexpectedly this week. Sandy premiered this piece at King's Chapel on June 5, 1998, as part of "An Evening of Premieres" offered for Dan's 75th birthday.
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Tuesday Recitals
February 5 | 12:15 PM
Renaissance Flute Consort
Early Mexican Music
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"Stretching his hand up to reach the stars, too often man forgets the flowers at his feet."
Chancel Flower Donations
Someone once said that life is more beautiful with flowers. They make us smile; they calm us; they invoke memories.
Would you like to offer flowers for our Morning Prayer service? Each Sunday members or friends provide flowers for our chancel. If you would like to contribute to honor a loved one, please contact Anne Sexton, chair of Chancel Committee, at
annewsexton1@gmail.com
to make arrangements.
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Upcoming Meetings
Chancel Meeting- Feb. 5, 5 PM
Parish Council Meeting- Feb. 12 CANCELLED
Ad Hoc Committee Meeting- Feb. 19, 6 PM
Vestry Meeting- Feb. 26, 6 PM
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Update: Work at the Parsonage
In the next two months you may notice work being completed at the parsonage. The Fallon family will temporarily be living nearby, at 90 Pinckney Street during a process of lead paint abatement and previously scheduled window replacements. Joy's hours and activities will continue to be the same during this time.
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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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Volunteer: Sign up for Hospitality
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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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 5 PM.
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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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