In the wake of the American Revolution, King's Chapel underwent a revolution of its own: breaking free from the established Anglican Church to become the first Unitarian congregation in the United States. During the King's Chapel History Program's July program series, History Program staff historians and special guests will explore this pivotal era in American religious history. Virtual programs are scheduled for 12 and 5:30 PM each Thursday in July. Please check our website and social media for further updates and announcements regarding special programming with guest speakers. 

These virtual events are open to all, but advance registration is required for each event. Please contact  [email protected] to register.

Preliminary Schedule:

Thursday July 9: Henry Caner's King's Chapel

Thursday July 16: Anglicanism in the Age of the American Revolution

Thursday July 23: King's Chapel's Religious Revolution

Thursday July 30: TBD

If you were asked to leave your comfortable home, and travel a distance to put down new roots, how would you react? Wouldn't you wonder why you had to move, and whether your life would improve? Most of us would be afraid and unwilling to change, unless someone convinced us our lives would be better.

 

So imagine it: that better life. What would it be like, for you and for our nation? If we can envision a different, better way of living, we need not be afraid of the journey.  

Joy

For the last four weeks, once every week, we've had the new Black Lives Matter sign on the fence outside our church slashed or stolen. Each week we've replaced it. Sometimes the Pride banner in support of our LGBTQ community is slashed, too, or ripped down and crumbled, or covered with White Supremacy stickers that our sexton carefully removes.

 

This week I've checked in with other downtown Boston clergy. Their signs also have gotten slashed. A few years back a church on Newbury Street had a defiant White Supremacist group climb high on a ladder with their knives to deface the BLM sign, at 7 PM on that busy commercial street. Now the BLM sign at that church is made out of metal, and hung where it is protected by metal bars. Two other churches told me their signs are hung high, out of reach.

 

We'll hang our signs higher, too. But make no mistake. These were deliberate acts of hate against our LGBTQ  and Black communities, right here in Boston; we know, because the signs about our worship services that hang nearby, at the same level on our fence, are never defaced.

 

One more thing about which to make no mistake: we'll continue to stand with any who are despised, because in God's eyes they are loved. I'm proud to be at King's Chapel.

 

+Joy

King's Chapel from Home

The scaffolding is being erected this week in preparation for Phase 1 of the Chapel Exterior Project.  With generous thanks to our Trustees, needed restoration to the east and west (front and back) sides of the chapel will be done this summer and into the fall. 

This week the scaffold will be set up around the building, followed by netting to capture the flying debris.  The project will address the overall deterioration of the building including the columns, balustrade and railing, walls, steps at rear, and louvers.  We will update you regularly on the progress!

David Away

David Waters, our Minister for Education and Membership, will be away from July 1 - 20 to spend time with his family in Atlanta. He's looking forward to helping his parents settle into their new home and celebrating his goddaughter Isabella's First Communion! While he's away, Joy remains available for pastoral care and ministerial needs.

Block Party: Meet the Wardens! | Fridays 5 PM | Zoom 

Sandwich Making for common cathedral

Our Community Action Committee will again be making sandwiches to deliver to common cathedral for their lunch program on Sunday July 12.  

Climate Action Initiative Meeting

Bible Study  | Weekly on Wednesdays  6:15 PM |  Zoom

Coffee with the Clergy Weekly on Thursdays 10-11 AM | Zoom

Conversations with Educators| Weekly on Thursdays 12 and 5:30 PM | Zoom

Did you miss the Conversation with the Educators last week?  You can find a recording of the Zoom dialogue here. 

Environmental Discussion on Plastics Waste

This past week's discussion of the Climate Action Initiative started by all sharing some aspect of the environmental crisis we were concerned with.  We then turned to our current project focus, plastics waste.  We went quickly through the material on our Forum that represents some of what we have learned about plastics waste in the last few weeks, hoping to gather enthusiasm and c amaraderie to do something about this serious problem.  We noted that there are informal weekly meetings of this environmental group, which you are welcome to attend, and also we pledged to hold monthly, more structured meetings to focus on particular topics of concern.  Next month it will be on getting out the vote.

For more information, go HERE or contact Kent Wittenburg for access to join.