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Jacob wrestles with a man, or an angel, and it turns out to be God. Really? Don't we usually think we're wrestling with the devil? Or does our most profound growth come when it's God we wrestle with: honest about what infuriates us, what's unfair or heart-crushing in our lives, the person we really are. Shouting "Why?," naming the abject failures and excuses, refusing to give up until we get something back. Us, strong and sweaty, strategic and shrewd, grappling hard for any way to get the upper hand. Wrestling all night long. Because any relationship - any one in your whole life, friend or foe - soars to another level only with that amount of striving effort, that amount of scouring openness.
And then Jacob is blessed with a new name, no longer the Usurper who stole his brother's inheritance, but Israel.
What would your new name be?
Dean Denniston will sing a blue songs written by his friend, the Rev. Robert Smith, about the Wrestling. It was written about fighting in Viet Nam: wrestling with God - do I do it, or no?
--Joy |
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CLOSING IN - GIVING STATEMENTS IN THE MAIL
1. 3Q Statements
Most members and donor friends will have gotten your giving statements for the third quarter, through October 4. If you don't get a record of what you've given, then you may have given nothing so far. If you haven't pledged, or paid up, please do. We need everyone. (If you have given and feel you should have received a giving statement but did not receive one, please contact the Parish House).
2. Who Should Pledge and Give? Does it include you?
Some religious organizations consider stewardship absolutely mandatory for membership; our By-Laws only suggest that contributing is a central component of being a member of King's Chapel. But here is the reality: we are too few in number to cheerfully carry non-givers who could support us but don't, and nonetheless expect all the benefits of membership. We need everyone.
3. Goal $172,000 - Bar Graph: Pledges vs. Contributions
(aka - the thermometer) The bar graph shows the amount of our Pledges - now $133,000. Our contributions (cash in hand) - shows $105,000. Our voted goal of $172,000. Some of our members have visibly increased their giving - in a few cases by as much as 100%, and a notable number of others by 25%! Can you? We need everyone.
4. Non-pledged Givers are Critical
There is a gap of $40,000 between the Pledges and our Goal. Our non-Pledging members and friends will make the difference. Non-pledgers, for whatever reason, have generally been a generous group. Based on past performance, and with a few significant new gifts, we will make our goal. Everybody knows that increasing membership is the long-range imperative for our future strength. But that isn't going to get the job done this year. There is only we, ourselves. We need everyone.
5. Deadline Approaching
There are only 11 weeks left. As a dear aunt of Todd's used to say, "Time to get a wiggle on!" We need everyone.
We welcome your questions and suggestions. Thank you for your support. God bless!
TODD and KAREN
Co-chairs, 2014 Annual Appeal Committee
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Caregiving as a Spiritual Journey, an interactuve program led by the Rev. Dr. Jade Angelica
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Be Good to Yourself and Attend!
Thursday, October 16, 6:45-8:30 pm.
64 Beacon Street, Boston
King's Chapel Parish House
Three of the hardest things for any of us who are caregivers to do -- including us ministers - is to (1) make time for ourselves; (2) ask for help from others; and (3) see the spiritual gifts that come from the often agonizing care of those who are suffering, or the exhausting care of those needing more of our time than we have to give.
Do you know about any of these things?
Please take the time next Thursday, October 16th, for the 1.5 hour program King's Chapel is hosting, led by the Rev. Jade Angelica. After caring for her estranged mother dying of Alzheimer's, Jade has written a marvelous book full of insights: our members Medb Mahoney, Betsy Peterson and Carol Genovese all found it very well done. Jade will present her insights. Free of charge!
Tell me, why wouldn't God wish this gift for you?
--Joy
The Rev. Dr. Jade Angelica will offer an interactive program addressing the spiritual aspects of caregiving for a loved one with a long-term illness, with some participation from parishioner Betsy Peterson. Dr. Angelica is the author of the thoughtful book entitled Where Two Worlds Touch: A Spiritual Journey Through Alzheimer's Disease, which contains much wisdom for all kinds of caregivers. Several copies are available to borrow from the Parish House library, or you can purchase the book online. For more information, contact Betsy Peterson.
Rev. Dr. Jade Angelica is a UU Community Minister and founder and Director of Healing Moments, is a graduate of Harvard Divinity School and Andover Newton Theological School. She leads workshops and services throughout the country, and offers spiritual direction for individuals and groups. Jade's most important ministry, to date, has been caring for her mother who died from Alzheimer's in 2011.
Where Two Worlds Touch has been described by reviewers as "consciousness-raising" and "world-view shifting," and as a "must have" for caregivers, health-care providers, chaplains, clergy, and anyone who loves or cares for someone with Alzheimer's or dementia.
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New Fangled Old Fashioneds | October 14th 6 P.M.
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| Please join King's Chapel Young Adults for a night of conversation and cocktails. With the sounds of Billie Holiday, clinking glasses, and warm laughter, we will kick off this new season of our life together! Non-Alcoholic refreshments will also be provided. R.S.V.P. to shawn@kings-chapel.org. |
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Unitarians and Christians: All the Questions You Had But Were Afraid to Ask
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On Sunday, October 19, our preacher will be the Rev. Mark Caggiano, minister at our sister church in Chestnut Hill, where the congregation uses a version of our prayerbook. Mark is active in the Unitarian Universalist Association, and now chairs the Unitarian Universal Christian Fellowship, a gathering of UUA ministers whose or ministers self-identify as Christian. He also will share about his experience at the UUA General Convention this summer. Mark will stay after the service, to answer questions you may have.
Mark is a great resource, so I hope that all who wish to learn more about our role in the UUA join us on October 19th for Morning Prayer.
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Save these dates from the Adult Religious Education Committee!
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Friday November 7, Saturday November 8
Rev. Kate Braestrup, The Minns Lectures
Men, Women Children: Loving One Another in a Complicated World
January 16-18, 2015
Winter Retreat, Glastonbury Abbey, Hingham MA
Rev. Joy Fallon will lead the program.
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New Members Joining October 26th: Could that be You?
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In our tradition-at King's Chapel-you will not find a creed needing reciting or a doctrine needing belief. Instead, you will find promises. Members at King's Chapel make promises to God and promises to one another. In joining King's Chapel you will promise to join with us in seeking truth, serving humanity and joining us in worship with your heart, your gifts, and your mind. And then the members of King's Chapel will promise to companion you in your journey of faith, to seek truth with you, to fellowship with you, to join with you.
Our next opportunity to join King's Chapel is on Sunday, October 26thduring Morning Prayer at 11 A.M. Interested in joining? Have curiosities or questions? Contact one of our ministers (Rev. Joy Fallon | joy@kings-chapel.org or Rev. Shawn Fiedler | shawn@kings-chapel.org)
We're all on the Journey together: we'd love to have you with us. |
Make Your Voice Heard: Ballot Initiatives on Gambling, Bottle Bill, and others issues - Wed. Oct 22, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
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The City Mission Society of Boston and the Ecumenical Advocacy Coalition invite you to an upcoming event: "Faith and the Ballot: Forums on the 2014 MA Ballot Questions," Wednesday October 22, 6:30-8:30pm at Old South Church (UCC) in Boston.
The format: simple meal, screening of short film about the 4 ballot questions, a brief presentation with ideas about how we might 'think theologically' about the 4 ballot questions, and facilitated ecumenical table discussion. We invite participants to amplify these events through social media, using the hashtag: #faithandballot.
The following questions will be put before Massachusetts voters on November 4, 2014:- Gas Tax Indexing Repeal (Repeals 2013 law that automatically increases gas taxes according to inflation)
- Update the Recycling Bottle Bill (Expands the state's beverage container recycling law to include all non-alcoholic containers)
- Casino Repeal (Repeals a 2011 law allowing resort casinos)
- Earned Sick Time (Entitles certain employees to earn and utilize paid sick days)
The Ecumenical Advocacy Coalition's primary goal at these forums is to cultivate informed, faithful voters. Many of our organizations advocate for specific positions on each question, but our primary objective at these forums is educational, not advocacy.
The event is free of charge; we simply request that all participants RSVP at the following address: http://EcumenicalAdvocacy.Eventbrite.com.
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Don't miss the 2014 Minns Lectures at King's Chapel and First Church Boston, November 7-9.
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Bestselling author and UU minister Kate Braestrup talks about men, women, and children...and how to love one another in a complicated world. A chaplain to the Maine Warden Service, Kate won the hearts of readers across the country with her award-winning memoir Here If You Need Me, a deeply moving account of finding God by helping others who were lost, hurt, or searching for those who were in the wilds of Maine. Since then, she has continued to write, speak, and preach with compassion, wisdom and humor about the big issues in life - marriage and family, faith, love, loss, and the presence of God in it all. Her talks in November could not be more timely as issues of domestic abuse and parent-child relations top the national agenda. Kate will speak on the topic of "Men" at King's Chapel on Friday, November 7 at 7 pm, on "Women" at First Church Boston on Saturday, November 8 at 10 am, and on "Children" at First Church Boston on Saturday, November 8 at 12:30 pm. She will also deliver a concluding sermon at King's Chapel on Sunday, November 8, at the 11 am Morning Prayer service. Get further details and register to attend these free lectures at http://minnslectures.org/.
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The Reverend Shawn Fiedler is Ordained!
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On Saturday, October 4th, our new Assistant Minister, Shawn Fiedler, was ordained into ministry. Allelujah! Many of his clergy colleagues and friends were present for the powerful laying on of hands, when we trust that the Holy Spirit - working through our hands - anointed Shawn for ministry among us. As a congregation, we rejoiced with him last Sunday, as he led us in Holy Communion, and after church, at a champagne toast at the Parish House. Share a note or word with Shawn when you next see him, to congratulate him on this most amazing day! His address is 64 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108, shawn@kings-chapel.org.
Many blessings, Shawn!
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SUNDAY OCTOBER 12
11:00 a.m. Morning Prayer
Rev. Joy Fallon, preacher
- Anne Sexton, Head Usher
- Anne Sexton, Usher-in-Charge
- Julie Hyde & Gregg Sorensen, Ushers
- Cynthia Perkins, Lector
- Dean Denniston, soloist
- Hallie Speight, Volunteer Guide
The lesson is Genesis 32: 24-31
The flowers on the Communion table are given by Richard Perkins and Cynthia Hargrove Perkins in loving memory of their parents, the Rev. James H. Perkins, and Ruth Clapp Perkins, Janet E. Brady and Owen W. Brady.
At the communion rail following the service, Hallie Speight will greet those interested in learning more about King's Chapel.
After the service, all are invited to Coffee Hour, hosted by Louise Perkins and friends of the hospitality committee.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 15
12:15 p.m. Midweek Service
Rev. Shawn Fiedler, preacher
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Sunday Traffic Advisories in the City of Boston:
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This Sunday look out for the Columbus Day parade and the Boston Half Marathon! Click HERE to read road closure details for both events. |
--By Heinrich Christensen
The music this Sunday takes its departure point in Joy's sermon on Genesis 32, the story of Jacob wrestling with the angel.
You will hear two movements from Graham Gordon Ramsay's 2007 organ work Jacob vs. Angel, written for Heinrich for one of his Scandinavian summer recital tours. Heinrich has also written a new Introit especailly for this occasion, I Will Not Let You Go.
Further giving context to Genesis, the choral anthems exploire the Old Testament for other tales of struggle and transformation, in an organ prelude written by Czech composer Petr Eben depicting The Dance of Jeptha's Daughter, and Moses Hogan's setting of Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel, with Daniel in the lion's den, Jonah in the belly of the whale, and the Hebrew children in the fiery furnace. For a soothing moment of consolation, we turn to Herbert Howells setting of the beloved Psalm 121: "I lift mine eyes unto the hill, from whence cometh my help?"
Cambridge author Alice Weaver Flaherty wrote a series of brief poems that in turn inspired Graham Ramsay's work. This is her perspective on Jacob vs. Angel:
Epilogue: The Ladder
What if Jacob hadn't struggled?
Perhaps the angel had not come to fight.
Afterwards, Jacob told his family
that his resistance was his strength,
his broken thighbone an anointment.
But in the angel's eyes,
it may have been that not esteem,
but sorrow,
made it give up.
We see Jacob's ladder every day,
and fight to stay below,
and then we make up stories
to explain why.
Hear Heinrich performing Jacob vs. Angel HERE. |
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Second Sundays--This Sunday!
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On Sunday October 12, any donations in the offering plate not designated for the Annual Appeal will be donated by the Community Action Committee to Horizons for Homeless Children.
Horizons for Homeless Children is a Massachussetts-based non-profit which focuses exclusively on the needs of young homeless children and their families. Their programs touch the lives of 2,000 young homesless children each week.
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Please join us on Tuesday, October 14, 12:15 p.m.
as Hartwig Barte-Hanssen (Germany) plays works by Bach, Dupré, Langlais on the C.B. Fisk Organ.
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Reflections on the Exodus: October 6, 2014
"And God was with them no matter what. Because God is everywhere."
Bingo! Church school participant Alex Sandel hit the nail on the head when he drew this conclusion at the end of the Godly Play Exodus story this past Sunday, October 5. I shared with the children the story of God's liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, telling about the dangerous journey the Israelite people took through the desert, both on their way to Egypt in search of fertile land and water, and on their way out, as Pharaoh's army followed. We also headed to the King's kitchen to make our very own matzo, the unleavened bread made by the Israelites as they scrambled to leave Egypt upon Pharaoh's granting Moses's request to "Let my people go!" They had to prepare it so quickly that there was no time to add the leaven to make the bread fluffy. Charlie, Alex, and Will took turns measuring the ingredients and mixing them together. We were also joined by Maya and Caroline from the older classroom, and Caroline craftily smoothed the dough ("I keep forgetting it doesn't taste good!" Alex playfully remarked) onto the pan before we slid it into the oven. The finished product was quite tasty! It is a gift and delight to take a component from such an ancient and foundational faith story and make it completely hands-on. I look forward to more activity!
With gratitude,
Eva Englert |
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HALLOWEEN! Volunteers Requested
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On Friday, October 31st from 4:30-7:30PM, King's Chapel will be welcoming ghosts and pirates, super heroes and princesses to the Parish House Garden (accessible via Branch Street). Joining in the reveling and festivity of one of Beacon Hill's most treasured children's traditions, King's Chapel will be hosting activities for children ranging from creative crafts to King size 'trick or treats'! We are in need of volunteers to welcome our neighbors and provide extravagant hospitality. If you are interested, please email shawn@kings-chapel.org.
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We hope you will join us on Sunday October 26 at 5pm for our next concert. The King's Chapel Choir will present Requiem Aeternam, two contrasting requiem masses: the Officium Defunctorum by Renaissance master Tomás Luis de Victoria, and the stunning Requiem of 20th century British composer Herbert Howells. The program closes with Howell's masterpiece, Take Him Earth, for Cherishing, an anthem composed in memory of Pres. John F. Kennedy. Everyone is welcome at the Parish House for a reception following the concert.
We are offering online/advance tickets this year! Use the "Buy tickets" link on the concert series webpage. The price for online reservations is $15 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors, with a small fee for processing. The recommended donation at the door is now $20 (general) or $15 (student and senior). |
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Accessibility and Hearing Assists
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Our beautiful Georgian sanctuary designed by Peter Harrison and completed in 1754, has been lovingly maintained by the congregation since its completion. Some of the box pews have been made wheel-chair accessible. Ushers are available to assist those who are wheelchair-bound to those pews.
Many of us have trouble hearing in our sanctuary, which does not have amplification. Small hearing devices are available; an usher also will be happy to provide one, and explain how they work.
The Book of Common Prayer According to the Use in King's Chapel is the cornerstone of worship at our 11 am Morning Prayer Services. Printed orders of service including hymns, Psalms, and responsive sections of the Prayer Book liturgy are available to facilitate participation in worship for everyone. |
This fall we will begin an experiment: no longer producing our monthly newsletter. After discussion at the Parish Council, we recognized that the weekly "Between Sundays" e-newsletter provides more up-to-date information, and is received by virtually all our members and friends. Recently, few committee chairs have provided articles for the monthly newsletter, because the Between Sundays is a more convenient communication tool. We therefore will save significant staff time, without major loss for members by suspending the monthly newsletter. Anyone wishing to share information with other members of the Church is encouraged to do so through the weekly Between Sundays newsletter; please send your article or news to Parish Administrator Julina Rundberg, for inclusion: julina@kings-chapel.org. If you have concerns about this change, please contact Rev. Fallon at joy@kings-chapel.org.
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