Last week, King's Chapel member Timothy Nelson-Hoy attended a monthly vigil outside the ICE detention center in South Boston. The vigils are sponsored by the Massachusetts Community Action Network and are meant to give hope to the detainees through readings, songs, signs, and testimonials.
Below is Tim's account:
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The street leading to the meeting place (or at least the route I took) is a homeless encampment, with discarded food waste and needles in the street, and the strong scent of urine. There were police cruisers on both ends, monitoring the inhabitants. We were also about 10 minutes' walk from the South Bay shopping mall. Other notable things in the area include a correctional facility, the Greater Boston Food Bank, and a parking area for MBTA buses.
The vigil took place on a pedestrian walkway over a highway, facing the detention center. The pastor leading this time was from UCC Needham, and went over the chants before we started walking there. Marchers wearing open-toed sandals were advised to be careful as there were discarded needles in the streets surrounding. It was very hot, I should have brought a water bottle.
Before leaving the pastor recalled that one time they were met on the walkway by a man who had been interned there, but was released. The pastor had asked "How did you know we would be here now?" The man had answered that everyone in the detention center knew the time: 2-3PM on the last Sunday of the month; it was an occasion the detainees looked forward to.
As we passed under the windows of the detention center, chanting, we could hear people banging on the windows. We reached the pedestrian walkway and began the vigil--it felt like a fairly standard UCC prayer service, but with God-language replaced with UU-style equivalents. The homily was on the book of Esther. The sun was strong, and it was hard to see into the detention center. As we stood there we could see small white squares appearing one by one in the windows--signs written on paper, made by the internees (visible in the photo, attached). We chanted, we sang, and we stood silently in prayer and meditation. As we marched back I was able to make out two of the signs in the window: one said "thank you for support," the other was a drawn heart. There were more, but I couldn't make out what was written. I couldn't see the faces of the internees very well, but they looked young--like high school boys."
Please join us at the next vigil, on Sunday, August 31st, from 2-3 pm at the South Bay House of Corrections (20 Brandston Street, Boston).
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Many of you have asked me, with concern in your voice, how it is for me to spend so much time away from my beloved summer lake life and spending most of my weekends with all of you in town. Many of you have said how kind it is of me to be here and expressed your gratitude in a myriad of ways. I generally share how well this has worked out for me, as our 16 year old, Zoe, has been working the same days I have been, life-guarding, near our home in Dedham. What repeatedly comes to mind (that I have been keeping to myself) in these conversations, is Paul's description of his own call to the Ephesians in Chapter 2. In his great flowery poetic language he reminds the Church in Ephesus:
"...you are no longer aliens in a foreign land, but fellow - citizens with God's people, members of God's household. You are built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, and Christ Jesus himself is the foundation stone. In him the whole building is bonded together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you too are being built with all the rest into a spiritual dwelling for God." Ephesians 2:19
Paul's description in many ways aptly fits what draws me to King's Chapel and feeds me as I walk with you this Summer. You are a very unique and devoted Christian Community within the Unitarian Universalist Tradition and there is a freedom that comes from this Unity of faith that feeds my spirit in a way that canoeing on a lake in Vermont might.
Paul goes on to describe in this chapter that he is a 'prisoner of Jesus Christ' and we know that Paul was literally a prisoner as he wrote this letter to the Ephesians. I, fortunately, do not feel like I am imprisoned to be with you, and despite the sweltering heat I have found this respite of biblical preaching to be liberating and humbling at the same time. When writing sermons in Dedham I often think of myself a bit like John the Baptist, making the way for believers of all sorts. This summer at King's chapel I feel more akin to Paul who I think of more as a cheerleader for the beautiful work you are already doing in the world.
As it is already August 1, there are but 5 weeks left until Joy returns to all of you and I return to my beloved congregation in Dedham. While I know there will be a liberty that comes from living next to the place I work again, this time with you has been rich and fulfilling for me. When I leave I will, like Paul, make my good UU prayers for King's Chapel's continue, flourishing in faith as a congregation and with your beloved minister.
Rali
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Summer Barbecue | August 14 | 6 PM| In the Parish House Garden
Our second Parish BBQ will be held Wednesday, August 14, and is hosted by the ARE and CAC committees.
Main dish and beverages are provided. Guests are asked to bring side dish, salad or dessert. RSVP to
laura@kings-chapel.org if you can attend, and let us know what you will bring.
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Saturday, August 10
1-2 PM|
UUUM Roxbury History Tour 10 Putnam Street. (Tours are every Saturday in August.) CAC Chair Amanda Pickett is attending the August 10 1:00 PM Tour.
1-5 PM |
UUUM Makanda Jazz Project
Wednesday, August 14
6 PM |
All Parish BBQ at the Parish House, hosted by the Adult Religious Education and Community Action Committees
Sunday, August 18
10-11 AM |
Sandwich making for
common cathedral
1 PM |
Worship on the common with
common cathedral
Saturday, September 14
1-5 PM |
UUUM Makanda Jazz Project
Sunday, September 15
9 AM
| Morning Light service resumes
10 AM
| Church School Kickoff
12:15 PM | Homecoming luncheon
Wednesday, September 18
5:30 PM
| Contemplative Communion service resumes
Sunday, September 22
2 PM
| Piano Concert at the Parish House to benefit UUUM
Sunday, September 29
12:30 - 2 PM | Boston Athenaeum
Special tour for King's Chapel of the King's Chapel Library Exhibition
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The upcoming season's concert series has been announced. If you are on the concert series mailing list, it should show up in your mailbox soon. Brochures will also be available at the church and Parish House, but here is Sylvia Soderberg's summer letter. Below is a list of the concert dates:
September 22
Piano Action Special Event
: King's Chapel Parish House,
64 Beacon Street
, at 2 PM
(Please note location and early start time. Free admission, all donations will go to UUUM)
Zina Schiff, violin and Heinrich Christensen, piano - Copland, Still, and more
October 27
Mortal Musings
King's Chapel Choir, Jeremy Bruns, organ
Desenclos: Requiem
Parry: Songs of Farewell, 1-3
Schuman: Carols of Death
December 1
Advent Baroque
King's Chapel Choir, Soloists and Orchestra
J.S.
Bach
Church
Cantatas 62 and 140, and J.D. Zelenka: Magnificat in D
January 26
The Big Chill
, Winter Soiree celebrating our new pianos
King's Chapel Choir
This concert will be held at the King's Chapel Parish House,
64 Beacon Street
Because space/seating is limited, we recommend that you reserve tickets in advance
February 23
Sonata
The history of the organ sonata from Scarlatti to the Bach Family to Woodman
Heinrich Christensen plays the C.B. Fisk Organ
March 29,
G.F. Handel:
Alexander's Feast
Presented in memory of Jay R. Schochet
After the end of the "official" concert season, on April 26 the choir will offer
Evensong at Eastertide
(4:30 PM organ recital, 5 PM service, admission free)
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From the Community Action Committee
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Our social justice partner, the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, is sponsoring a barbecue on Aug 3rd at the Peace Institute in Dorchester. It is an opportunity to be with those served and the staff in an informal setting. Please respond to the Peace Institute and to Carol Genovese, who will coordinate attendees if you would like to attend.
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The Community Action Committee invites you to engage with the UU Urban Ministry this summer:
- The annual Makanda jazz concerts on the Roxbury Green are 1 to 5 pm, August 10, September 14 (Saturdays). They are seeking volunteers to offer children's games and other activities. If you are interested in helping, please contact Monique Marshall-Veale at MVeale@uuum.org And also, please just come and enjoy the music under the trees!
- Take a youth-led tour from the UUUM young Boston historians! Please look up the tour dates here. Summer tours will take place in August on Saturdays. (Join CAC Chair Amanda Pickett for the 8/10 tour!.) If you have questions about the tour program, please contact tours@uuum.org.
The UU Urban Ministry is one of King's Chapels three Community Action Partners. Learn more about the UU Urban Ministry at www.uuum.org.
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Are you traveling this summer? If so, we'd love to travel with you vicariously through photos! Please send us pictures of where you're visiting and tell us of your adventures.
To start, here is a photo of the view from my deck after an afternoon summer storm. Happy summer!
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Morning Prayer | 11 AM
- The Rev. Joy Fallon, Senior Minister
- The Rev. Rali Weaver, Sabbatical Minister
- David Waters, Minister for Education and Membership
- Heinrich Christensen, Music Director
- Alison LaRosa, Soloist
- Michael Bergeron, Head Usher
- Cathy Price, Usher in Charge
- Pamela and Michael Bergeron, Ushers
- Clark Aitkins, Verger
The Readings:
- Psalm 49: 1-11
- Colossians 3: 1-11
- Luke 11: 13-21
The flowers on the chancel 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, please join us for punch on the bricks, hosted by Becky Wittenburg.
Each Sunday, 10% of the plate collection will go to our Community Action strategic partners:
common cathedral, the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, and the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministries, to do works of mercy, justice, and healing. All cash and checks not specially designated will be considered a plate offering.
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The music this week is all by 20th century French composer Jean Langlais whose sacred output tends to use chant-like melodies in polymodal harmonization. Soloist Alison LaRosa will sing his Missa in Simplicitate, perfect for a summer Communion Sunday. The organ pieces are Poem of Peace, dedicated to Langlais's American student Susan Ferré, currently residing and playing in New Hampshire. You will also hear his Theme and Variations from the extended work Homage to Frescobaldi, with a bit of appropriate renaissance flavoring. The postlude is an excerpt from Incantation for a Holy Day.
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12:15 PM, 58 Tremont St.
August 6
Stefan Donner (Austria) Plays the C.B. Fisk Organ
Bach, Mozart, Schmidt
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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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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
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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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We are grateful to those who provide for flowers each week, during our Morning Prayer service.
If you would like to give flowers in honor of a loved one, please contact Anne Sexton, chair of our Chancel Committee at annewsexton1@gmail.com . The cost for an arrangement is $85; a check can be mailed to the Parish House, indicating the date you have chosen and the inscription you would like.
We have the following dates open for the remainder of the year:
SEPTEMBER 8TH, 29TH
OCTOBER 20TH
DECEMBER 1ST, 8TH, 15, 22ND, 29TH
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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.
We will not publish on Thursday July 4. We will resume publications on Thursday July 11.
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Accessibility Assists
Our beautiful Georgian sanctuary was designed by Peter Harrison and completed in 1754. To make our services and programs more accessible, one of the box pews has been made wheel-chair accessible. Ushers are available to assist those wheelchair users to that pew. Additionally, we have installed an accessible bathroom on our main floor. An usher can direct you to the vestry.
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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