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Keeping King's Chapel's members and friends connected each week while we are Physically Closed but Spiritually Open.
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Workshop with Religious Environmental Activist Reverend Fred Small "Give Light: Spiritual Support for Climate Activism"
Sunday, January 24 from 1-3PM on Zoom |
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As we come to understand the gravity of climate disruption, it's easy to become disheartened. How do we maintain equanimity and compassion for ourselves and others while sustaining effective activism? In this interactive workshop welcoming all faith traditions and spiritual orientations, Rev. Fred Small will invite us into guided meditation, reflection, conversation, and song, fortifying our spirits and deepening our resolve in the struggle for climate justice.
This workshop will be held over Zoom and is open to King's Chapel members and friends. Cost is $25. Scholarships available - please contact Gretchen.
Please register in advance here. Payment can be made via our Paypal link , or a check made out to King's Chapel with "Rev. Small Workshop" noted in the memo line and to Gretchen Horton's attention.
The Environmental Action Initiative at King's Chapel hopes you had a chance to listen to Fred's sermon on January 10 and will join us for his workshop this Sunday 1-3 PM on our road to environmental compassion and action. Watch this space for information regarding a follow-up open meeting on Feb. 9 to determine our next steps.
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My Dear Friends--
I was delighted to open the lectionary for this week and discover the story of Jesus calling Simon, Andrew, James, and John to be "fishers of people." It's a story that's long resonated with me, especially as I began to discern my own call to ministry. As I was leaving the Navy, I thought often of that story, wondering if I was being called to put down my "nets" (a vocation I loved, financial security, etc.) in order to follow Jesus into the unknown-a different kind of service than the one I'd come to know.
Years later, this story of Jesus calling the disciples was the very one I encountered on my first visit to King's Chapel! Two years ago (how time flies!), hearing it again in this new place reminded me of how much I'd thought of that scene one the shore of the Sea of Galilee as I was leaving the Navy. In many ways, it's a fitting story for us as we inaugurate a new President and begin a new chapter in our national life: can we put down some of the nets that have ensnared us and chart a new course? Can we walk with the one who calls us to radical love and compassion? Do we have ears to hear and eyes to see the plight of those whose suffering too often goes unnoticed?
In two short weeks we've gone from insurrection to inauguration. Yet even as we dream of new beginnings, many of us remain trapped in a nightmare of loss, uncertainty, and anxiety. The challenge of Jesus to the fishermen he encounters in our lesson this week is as profound as it is simple: "Follow me." Not easy, to be sure. To travel in the way of Jesus requires much of us: love, determination, compassion, grace. Would that we discover these gifts within ourselves, that we might share them with those we travel with along the Way.
In faith and love,
David
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A Message from the Reopening Task Force
The Reopening Task Force (Heinrich Christensen, Alison LaRosa, Cathy Price, Stephen Courtney, Gretchen Horton and Dan Taylor) has been meeting regularly since last Fall to consider the circumstances under which King's Chapel could resume in-person worship and Parish House meetings. We wish we could report a date we expect to recommend to the Vestry, which will make the final decision, but we cannot at this time. Our first decision was that we would not recommend resuming until a safe and effective vaccine was available. Two safe and effective vaccines are now being manufactured, but they are hardly "available." Because we recognize that our ministers and staff cannot prepare for and conduct both in-person and online services at the same time, we have noted that we would not be open last Christmas, nor can we be open for Easter which is in early April this year. We have recommended some steps which are being taken. The ventilation in the church has been improved. WiFi upgrades will allow live-streaming from the church when we can resume in-person and still serve those who do not wish to venture out. We all share the goal of coming back together in person as soon as we reasonably can.
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First Meeting: Parents of Young Children (0-5 years)
Tuesday, January 26, 7:30 - 8:30 PM
Facilitated by Rev. Joy Fallon and Gretchen Horton
King's Chapel is again blessed with a wonderful group of parents who have young kids, many of whom were baptized here. Because it's not always easy for parents of young children to get to church -- even before the pandemic -- KC will come to you!
Gretchen Horton, our Parish Administrator, is an early childhood educator who spent years helping child care providers and centers run meaningful programs for young kids. Joy raised her own two kids and now shares the parsonage with two grandchildren, ages 1 and 3. Gretchen and Joy remember how they benefited from talks with other parents, including in a church community.
The Plan: We'll gather informally by Zoom after your kids have gone to sleep, once every month or two. This month, we'll get to know one another; and Gretchen and Joy will suggest a few online resources for raising kind kids. If interested on January 26 or in the future, please let Joy or Gretchen know.
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Lenten Booklet -- Paper opt out
The ministers and members of the Adult Religious Education and Community Action Committees along with the Environment Action Initiative are putting the finishing touches on a booklet that will help guide us on this year's Lenten journey through the wilderness. The booklet will contain scripture, reflections, readings, poetry, and prayers. If you would prefer not to receive a paper copy of the booklet in the mail, but would be satisfied with receiving the booklet in electronic (PDF) format alone, please email Gretchen ( administrator@kings-chapel.org) and let her know. Otherwise, expect to receive a paper copy in the mail by Ash Wednesday, February 17. |
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A Virtual Valentine from the King's Chapel Choir
Please join us on Sunday February 14 at 5 PM for A Virtual Valentine from the King's Chapel Choir. Our singers are currently hard at work behind the scenes selecting, practicing, and recording love songs of all sorts for your delectation. So far, the program ranges from Monteverdi to Berlin, so do tune in - it will be a program just like the New England weather, if there's
something you don't like, just wait a minute! Several selections will be recorded at the Parish House, using our lovely pianos, but we will also have some lovely nature footage, as well as of course cozy At Homes with the choir members.
The concert will premiere on King's Chapel's YouTube channel at 5 pm - once the video is completed and uploaded, we should have a direct link to post for you a few days before the premiere, but you should also be able to find it by simply going to YouTube and searching for the King's Chapel channel.
Immediately following the concert, we will have a festive Mardi Gras-themed reception on Zoom so we can get to see your smiling faces, The Zoom link will be available soon; you'll need to register in advance and save the link so you know where to go when the time comes!
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Morning Prayer Worship Service
Sunday, January 24
Morning Light Worship Service
Sunday January 24 at 9:00 AM
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Workshop with Reverend Fred Small: Spiritual Support for Environmental Activism
Sunday, January 24 at 1:o0 PM
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The Literature of Joy Harjo Reading Group
Monday, January 25 at 5:00 PM
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KC Kids Time
Tuesday, January 26 at 7:00 PM
Email David for more info. |
Parents of Young Children Group
Tuesday, January 26 at 7:30 PM
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Bible Study
Wednesday, January 27 at 6:15 PM
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Coffee with Clergy
Thursday, January 28 at 10:00 AM
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Annual Budget Meeting
Sunday, January 31 at 12:00 PM
Members can email Gretchen if still in need of packet.
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January 24, Morning Light | 9 AM on Zoom
- The Rev. Joy Fallon, Senior Minister
- David Waters, Minister for Education and Membership
- Skip Lewan, Piano
- Paula O'Keeffe, Lector
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January 24, Morning Prayer | 11 AM on YouTube
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In case you missed them, we posted a couple of Spirituals from our 2019 concert program on YouTube for MLK, here they are:
This Sunday, the organ voluntaries are from Daniel Pinkham's collection Saints' Days, which contains saints for all seasons. As it happens, two of those saints have their special day coming up in the next week, January 25 is St. Paul who probably doesn't need any further introduction. February 1 is the day of Saint Brigid, a lesser known, but exceedingly practical Irish saint who fed butter to the poor and miraculously turned her bath-water into beer! The choir will be on hand to lead us in in our hymns, You Call Us and As a Fire is Meant for Burning, as well as singing Richard Farrant's anthem for ordinary time Lord, for Thy Tender Mercy's Sake.
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Giving to King's Chapel
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
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. Please register in advance here to access the Zoom link.
Morning Prayer services are posted each Sunday at 11 AM on our website.
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: prayerrequest@kings-chapel.org . 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 Laura 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. 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. 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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| The History Program's latest virtual program is tonight, January 21 at 5:30pm. For those interested but unable to attend, a recording will be available next week. Program description: |
 While slavery in Massachusetts came to an end in the 1780s, donations and membership continued to come in from people profiting from slavery -- mill owners and textile industry magnates of 19th century New England relied on cotton produced on southern plantations to fuel their mills, and cotton production increased due to this demand. In this program, we will explore King's Chapel's place in these systems and discuss the many "costs" associated with these industries, from the impacts of enslavement that fueled the textile industry to the environmental impacts as well. |
Upcoming: New Online Exhibit available throughout February for Black History Month
Uncovering the Past: Exploring Black History Through Primary Sources
How do historians uncover the past and how do primary sources help bring history to life? Primary sources form the building blocks for researching history. From newspapers, diaries, photographs, letters, and records, these sources provide a window into the past through the lens of the people who created them. But there is more to these materials that what is on the surface, and it is the historian's job to uncover and interpret the meaning of these materials.
Through this online exhibit, step into the role of historian as we research the lives of Black congregants throughout King's Chapel's history. Turning to the archives with fresh eyes we can uncover the stories of Black men and women who either worshipped at or were connected to King's Chapel in the 18th and 19th centuries. This exhibit will guide viewers through the process of examining primary sources from King's Chapel's archives and discuss how we work to uncover the stories of Black congregants whose names were hidden in the archives.
Exhibit link will be available on February 1.
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Community and Remembrance
This week we continued our reading of Joy Harjo on Monday, exploring the connections between the indigenous and Judeo-Christian sacred imaginaries. On Tuesday, David rang our Revere Bell in memory of the 400,000 Americans lost to COVID-19, then spoke to author and historian Peniel Joseph about his new book, The Sword and the Shield: The Revolutionary Lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., in a virtual book talk at the Athenæum. And on Wednesday we gathered for a Theology on Tap focused on MLK's "Letter from Birmingham Jail," a call to action in the face of injustice and oppression.
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We rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ~Romans 12:15
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We rejoice with recent news from Howard Chadwick, member and former bass in our choir, who has been living at home again on Nantucket after a terrible fall two years ago. Howard misses us but remains gracious with a fabulous sense of humor. Howard can best be reached by sending a him a note: 7 Yompasham Lane, Nantucket, MA 02554.
We mourn with Christopher Allen and his wife Amanda Cegielski for the death last Saturday of Chris' mother, Marion Allen. Chris is grateful to his brother, who was able during the pandemic to care for their mother. This summer they will determine plans for any service
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