Voices of King's Chapel About These Times

 

All of us are having different experiences of the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting "social distancing." As I and others on the staff have talked with you this week, I've asked a few people to share their thoughts below. Whatever you're experiencing, know that you are not alone. We're all on this journey, together.  

 

If you need support during these days, or want to find ways to support others, don't hesitate to reach out to any of us through our emails or the parish house phone: 617-227- 2155. Your phone messages left at the parish house are all forwarded to us at our homes.

 

With blessings always,

Joy

From Betsy Peterson:

When I heard of the plan to video our Sunday services, I was skeptical. As much as I look forward to Morning Prayer, and treasure our ministers and music, I couldn't imagine getting much out of a service if there was no congregation as well. So I thought the taping worth a try but probably a waste of effort.

I was wrong. I missed going to the Chapel on Sunday morning, and couldn't get into a frame of mind to look for the service later that day. But a day or two later I went online to check it out, and was surprised. It was so much better than I expected, and so much more meaningful. It still amazes me that I found myself actually worshipping in front of a computer screen.

This week we'll be able to worship together at the same time, even though we won't see each other!

I received this poem from a dear friend:

Pandemic

 

What if you thought of it
as the Jews consider the Sabbath-
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now, 
on trying to make the world
different than it is. 
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down.

 

And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives
are in one another's hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.

Promise this world your love-
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.

 

-Lynn Ungar 3/11/20

From Miguel Gomez-Ibanez:

As I watch the changed reality around me, I see a quieter world.  Less traffic.  My neighbors all out for walks.  I hope some of the things that have had to change do not go back to the way they were, and that this crisis might lead to some positive and sustainable transformations.  But I also fear much of value is in danger of being lost. Museums and arts organizations that depend on income from public events have had to close, losing their principal source of revenue.  Depending on how long this lasts, three organizations I am involved with- two of which are over 100 years old, may not survive. It is not as pressing a concern as the need to keep people fed and housed, but one that we will see more clearly as the virus subsides. 

--Kent Wittenburg

From Joy:

To read Joy's message that was sent on Tuesday March 17, CLICK HERE

Dear Friends,

 

As a priority, we're continuing to hold all of our worship services - virtually. While the church buildings will remain closed, your staff will videotape the full Morning Prayer and Morning Light services on Saturday, so they can be viewed by you on Sunday morning.

 

This Sunday we'll be hosting our planned guest preacher, the Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, an extraordinary leader in our city and beyond especially on issues of the environment and justice. Heinrich and Sudeep will represent the choir at 11; Skip will play the piano at 9; and David, Mariama and I will officiate as clergy (all remaining ten feet apart).

 

During this time of change and uncertainty, many find it important to retain our long-held routines, and to join together Sunday morning for worship. We will post both services at our website www.kings-chapel.org and on the King's Chapel You Tube channel

so that you can just click and view them on Sunday.

 

Read Mariama's bio below, and join me in gratitude that she is preaching among us now.

 

Mariama White-Hammond  is former Executive Director at  Project HIP-HOP . She lives in  Dorchester Heights ,  Massachusetts . S he is the founding pastor of   New Roots AME Church , which launched in October 2018 to "reimagine what church can be." She is an advocate for ecological and social justice, youth engagement, and Spirit-filled organizing. As former director of   Project HIP-HOP  (Highways Into the Past- History, Organizing and Power), she used the arts as a tool to raise awareness for social issues from juvenile incarceration to funding for public transportation. Rev. Mariama is also a fellow with the   Green Justice Coalition , where she works with working class neighborhoods and communities of color to organize for climate justice. She speaks around the country calling for a movement the unites sustainability and equity

As you know, we have had to cancel our March 29 performance of Alexander's Feast, along with just about everything else. Thankfully, our generous sponsor of this concert, Suzette Schochet, was in full agreement that we should pay all our musicians as planned, especially seeing how most of them are losing so much work and income this year.

The History Program staff have moved from the chapel and parish offices to the comfort of their homes, working from kitchens and living rooms, as seen above. During this time, the History Program Director and team are diving into research and interpretation projects, deepening our programming and digital content for the upcoming season. The Educators, rather than leading tours, are working on research and writing projects to further our scope of interpretation, and this season's newly hired Educators are digging into learning the church's history and how we share our story at King's Chapel. 

We hold our sexton, Clark Aitkins, and family in prayer as they help a loved one recover from a difficult surgery.