Our Latest News and Activities |
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Sunday, January 23, 2022
Third Sunday After Epiphany
Please join us for worship at 8 am and 10am in the Sanctuary
Scripture Lessons:
1 Corinthians 12:12-31
and
Luke 4:14-21
Rev. Dr. Dennis Calhoun's Sermon:
"What Now?"
Recordings of the day's worship service will be posted on Sunday afternoons on YouTube and Facebook
Please click here to view.
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The Rev. Dr. Dennis Calhoun Announces Retirement Plans
After 35 years of pastoral ministry, 14 of them spent serving Old North Church, our Senior Minister has announced his plans to retire this Spring. Click here to read letters from him and Betsey Halbert, our church Moderator.
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The Church Elevator Is Back In Service
We are happy to announce that the elevator at Old North Church is back in service.
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Covid-19 Protocols at Old North Church
Masking Required - Vaccination Expected
Old North Church requires that masks be worn by everyone while inside Church buildings, regardless of vaccination status. Your mask must cover your mouth and nose.
All members of the Old North Church clergy, staff and choir have been vaccinated against Covid-19. We urge you to be vaccinated as well. For information on the vaccine or how to be vaccinated, please go to www.mass.gov/covid-19
We urge you to continue to observe physical distancing between households, particularly if you or a member of your household is unvaccinated.
Hand sanitizer and disposable face masks are available in the narthex.
Singing is permitted while wearing a face mask.
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Annual Pulpit Exchange with Temple Emanu-El.
Next weekend we will continue the long-standing tradition of our annual pulpit exchange with Temple Emanu-El. On Friday evening, January 28th at 6 pm, Rev. Calhoun will be preaching for the Sabbath service at the Temple. Then on Sunday, January 30th, Rabbi Meyer will be our pulpit guest at the 8 am and 10 am services. Members of both congregations are welcome and encouraged to worship together in each other’s sanctuary. Due to COVID protocols, masks are required in both worship spaces.
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Call to the Annual Budget Meeting of the Church
Thursday, February 3, 2022 at 7pm via Zoom
This year’s annual budget meeting will be held on Thursday, February 3 at 7:00pm via Zoom. It is very important that we have a quorum of 50 members at the meeting.
On Tuesday, January 25 at 7:00, there will be a Zoom question and answer session for anyone who would like to ask questions about the proposed budget prior to the meeting on February 3.
Zoom links to the Budget meeting and Q&A session will be sent via email on the day of the respective meetings.
If you have not yet turned in your pledge card for 2022, please do so as soon as possible so we can include your pledge in our budget.
The proposed budget for 2022 is available by clicking here.
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Will you be attending the Budget Meeting? Please let us know!
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LOCATION
Zoom - Link will be provided
DATE AND TIME
02/03/22 7:00pm
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02/03/22 8:00pm
The Congregation will vote on the proposed budget for the 2022 fiscal year.
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Candle Light Service
Come, Light a Candle and Rest in the Quiet
Old North Church Sanctuary
Sunday February 6, 2021
5:00-6:00 pm
Join us for time to pause, and nurture our spirits. The sanctuary will be prepared with candles for lighting, quiet music and space for gentle rest; stay for a few minutes or for a while.
**** Please observe the ONC guidelines for gathering.
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Stewardship
Our stewardship campaign is well underway. Thus far we have received 197 pledges totaling $388,829. We hope to complete the pledge portion of the campaign soon. If you have not done so already, please return your completed pledge card to the church office, place it in the offertory plate on Sunday, or pledge online at our website, www.onchurch.org/pledge .
Thank you in advance for your financial support of Old North Church!
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Concert Postponement
Due to a recent exposure to Covid-19, the ensemble Calliope’s Call had to make the very difficult decision to postpone this weekend’s live and recorded performance of their program, “With One Voice.” This program is rescheduled for the fall of 2022 and will feature the same artists who were scheduled to perform this weekend. For more information, please visit: http://calliopescall.org/
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Leadership Board
The Leadership Board met on Thursday, January 13. Minutes from the Board's December meeting were approved and are attached here.
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DIY Ice Luminaries
On our long winter nights, we can break through the darkness with these easy to make Ice Luminaries.
Our Office Manager, Lisa Nahatis has made these for several years and places them on her porch steps. We invite you to give it a try and use them to light up your porch or the pathway to your home.
You will need:
▪ 1 large and 1 smaller container *
▪ Tap water
▪ Rocks
▪ A candle: A tea light, regular or battery operated** or votive
▪ Optional: Greenery, berries, flowers etc.
▪ Optional: Your freezer
* It’s important that the edges are straight and the top is bigger than the bottom. Use metal or plastic containers as glass can break while freezing.
* * If using a battery tea light, wrap it in plastic wrap to keep it dry.
1. Place the small container inside the large container and pour water into the large container.
2. Put some rocks into the small container to keep it from floating to the top. The fir branches and berry sprigs help to keep the small container centered. Pour more water between the large and small container until the water is about 1/2″ below the rim. Don’t make it too full because water expands when it freezes. You could add some tape to hold it in place, but rocks usually do a great job!
3. Place the ice luminaries outside if it is cold enough or put them in the
freezer overnight.
4. Once the ice luminaries are frozen solid, pour warm water into the small container and around the outside of the large container, to release the mold.
5. Put a candle into the luminary and enjoy the glow!
Optional: Gather twigs, branches and berries. You can also use flowers, such as tulips. Put the greenery and berries into the large container and place the smaller container in the middle.
Please Note! Keep a watchful eye as the ice melts, and remove pieces if the flame gets too close, the greenery and berries might catch fire.
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ONC Reading and Discussion Group -
February 9 from 8:30-10am
The next meeting of the Old North Reading and Discussion Group on Preserving Our Democracy and Environment will be on Wednesday, February 9th, from 8:30 to 10:00 AM. This is the latest of a series of meetings on this subject that have been hosted for all by the ONC Men’s Group. The discussions are supported by background reading assignments. You are invited to participate regardless of the amount of your preparation or whether you have attended a previous meeting. For the next month’s reading we chose the new book by Jamie Raskin, D.-Md, U.S. Congressman, Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy, 11 Jan 2022. This book has been highly praised for its human story of tragedy as well as for its vital political perspective. At our last meeting we discussed the goals of our group and came to the conclusion that we wanted both to educate ourselves and to use our knowledge to help to protect our democracy and environment for others. We thus agreed that writing letters could be an important activity. We agreed to put some effort over the coming month into identifying potential topics and preliminary concepts. The meeting will be privately hosted on Zoom
To join the meeting, just click on
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The History of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in Marblehead
Part 1 - Sunday, January 30th - 1:30—3:30 PM
Meeting Room: Abbot Public Library
In a two-part series that represents a personal journey of discovery, Ginny von Rueden will discuss known facts, debunk old myths, and showcase new information about the history of black, indigenous, and people of color in Marblehead.
“Ginny’s early childhood years were spent in Cameroun with her missionary parents, she served in the Peace Corps in Niger, travelled throughout Africa and is co-founder of an ongoing partnership between old North Church and a community in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. While volunteering as a research assistant with the Marblehead Museum and the Marblehead Racial Justice Team, Ginny learned that enslaved Africans were brought to Marblehead in the 17th century, a fact which ignited her desire to learn more about this topic.”
Part One on Jan. 30 focuses on the long years of enslavement of black and indigenous people of color in Marblehead and their participation in the
Revolutionary cause that created a new nation.
Part Two on Feb. 6 focuses on the abolitionists in Marblehead, the famous personalities who came to town to support the anti-slavery movement and the dangerous work of the Underground Railroad.
The history of Old North Church features prominently in both programs. Dozens of visual images accompany the program which debunks old myths and introduces new information about our town’s fascinating history.
The following link goes to the Library registration page:
The program is being sponsored by the League of Women Voters, the Marblehead Museum, The Marblehead Racial Justice Team and the Marblehead Ministerial Association.
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Ways to Connect With Us During the Week
So that we might stay connected, we've set up several times throughout the week to gather on Zoom. You can join from a computer, iphone, or ipad using the links below, or you can call +1 929 205 6099 and enter the meeting ID (listed with each event).
Lectio Divina (Tuesdays 9am)
A time of contemplative prayer, with scripture and poetry, led by Dennis.
Breakfast Group (Fridays 8am)
A time to gather with one another, with your breakfast and coffee.
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Church Building Access and Office Hours
The church office is now open Tuesday-Friday from 9:30am-1:30pm. We ask that you wear a mask in the office building, no matter your vaccination status. We look forward to your visits. We have missed seeing you!
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Contact Us: 781-631-1244
Church Address: 35 Washington St., Marblehead, MA 01945
Mailing Address: 8 Stacey St. Marblehead, MA 01945
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