Between Sundays
Keeping King's Chapel's members, friends, and subscribed visitors connected each week between Sunday worship services with updates from the Parish House.
From the Senior Minister

Singing Songs of Thanks

 

...It's be-gin-ning to look a lot like...

Thanksgiving! 

I'm experiencing an early Thanksgiving this week, grateful for the amazing staff of King's Chapel.

 

 I give great thanks for our Music Director and composer Heinrich Christensen, who last Sunday debuted "Encourage One Another," which the choir sang, woven through my sermon.  I'm still singing it...

 

At our Early Service at the Little Chapel, as we collected prayers from the children, I gave thanks for the birth of our Assistant Minister Shawn Fiedler.  If you missed it, Shawn won't mind at all if you sing him Happy Belated Birthday.  Still singing....

 

On Sunday I was startled to see Julina Rundberg, our Parish Administrator, substituting as Verger, greeting all, helping Gregg Sorensen set up the coffee.  It was emblematic of all she does for us, for me, every week.  When the Verger calls in sick, when the copier breaks, when pipes burst, when a sudden call comes about a funeral, when we need to share some news, Julina handles it all, often unseen and unsung.  I give great thanks for her, singing our her praises....

 

Simon Pilecki, who staffs our front desk, always is asking, "Is there anything more I can do to help?"  How can I keep from singing?

 

Eva Englert, Church School Director, sings a song of justice, a tune I love to hear. This week she represents us at the gathering of clergy speaking out with the many homeless men and women wrenched from Long Island Shelter, still feeling unheard.  I give thanks that she will not stop singing out for them.

 

Day by day, our Head Tour Guides Theresa Cooney, Lucas Griswold and Carolyn Conley, and their staff of guides, share our history will all who come along the Freedom Trail, throwing open our doors on behalf of us all.  Can you sing a song of thanks to them?

 

Now thank we all our God, with hearts and hands and voices....!

 

--Joy

Sunday November 23:  Hearing on Narrative Budget After Church

This week you should have received by e-mail the vision for our journey ahead that our Senior Minister and leaders have been discussing this fall.  It will lay the groundwork for our budget planning in the next six weeks, and we want your thoughts and suggestions.  The hearing will be led by Fiscal Affairs Chair Miguel Gomez-Ibanez, responsible for crafting the draft budget, and by Senior Warden Cliff Allen.  


Annual Appeal--Homestretch Starts Now
 Time to Finish Up Your Pledge, or

     Make Your End-of-Year Contribution, Please

 

With $113,000 in hand, the Annual Appeal is doing well.  But now it's wrap-up time.  Our roll of 135 Giving Units has shown strong support.  We should all be grateful to those who do contribute to our church financially, as well as in other ways.

 

PLEDGES -

There is still about $30,000 to come on pledges made.  The Annual Appeal does need you pledgers, now, to complete the last piece of your stewardship.  Our Membership and Friends responded positively to our beginning-of-the-year renewed emphasis on pledging.  In fact, we doubled the number of pledges from last year.  But don't get too excited - the reality is that we did not emphasize pledging in 2013, so only about 20% of the increase is really "new money".  Still, that's not bad.

 

END-OF-YEAR CONTRIBUTORS

You know who you are.  Even without pledging, your generosity is expected to be in the $15,000 range, based on historical patterns.  This wonderful stewardship is obviously critical to our result.

 

BUT...

If you do the math - $113,000, plus $30,000, plus $15,000 = $158,000, we will still be $14,000 short of the $172,000 goal we proposed and was adopted at the Annual Meeting last spring.  While this is much closer (less than 10%) than any Appeal has come in a number of years, it is not good enough. 

 

WE MUST MAKE THE GOAL

This first complete year of Joy's tenure - with new program initiatives and building an increasingly strong and responsive staff as we asked - it is critical that we DO reach the Appeal goal, and exceed it is we can. 

 

PLAN TO CLOSE THE GAP

The Wardens and Vestry, with the Ministers and Trustees, have been discussing how best to close the gap, and even increase total stewardship beyond the stated goal.  Over the next few weeks, leadership, working with the Appeal, is planning to make discrete, individual requests for increased stewardship.

 

Thanks to you all.  We will complete this year's Appeal with a fine success.

Cheers and Blessings,


 

Todd & Karen

Co-chairs, 2014 Annual Appeal Committee


 

Upcoming Events
Coming in Advent: Daily Prayer
Beginning December 1, King's Chapel will open its doors and gather for Daily Prayer--Monday through Friday. Organ prelude beginning at 8:15am, spoken prayers beginning at 8:30am.  Each morning we will pause from the hurry of the holiday season for ten minutes of spoken prayer and reflection throughout the Season of Advent.

Join us as we await the dawn of Christmas. 

--Shawn

Community Action Committee:  Sale of Holiday Cakes for Mass. Coalition for the Homeless

In 2011, the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless learned that many students in local public schools were not getting a good night's sleep because they did not have their own bed to sleep in at home.  A good night's sleep has a major effect on a child's ability to come to school prepared to learn; falling behind in school due to a lack of sleep can have negative long term consequences on a student's education and future.  For every $250 raised, a child will receive a complete new bed: a twin mattress, box spring, bed frame and linens.  "A Bed for Every Child"has provided new beds to 2,200 children (and counting) across Massachusetts. The number of children waiting for beds is five times as much.  Its goal is to distribute 1,500 beds annually.

 

Again this year, the Community Action Committee (CAC) will sell holiday cakes to support the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless program, "A Bed for Every Child." Many children in Massachusetts who currently share a bed with parent or siblings, or sleep on the floor, would be healthier, happier, and more successful in school, with a bed of their own!


Champion Cliff Allen and CAC elves will be in the vestibule after church in November and early December to take your orders (with payment, please!) for delicious premium baked goods donated by the Dancing Deer bakery. There are several old and new favorites this year, and they are packaged attractively to make great gifts. Your purchase may be picked up at the Parish House on Milk Punch Sunday or by arrangement. Thank you for supporting this important community program!  For more information, please contact Cliff Allen

November 23rd Discussion of our Narrative Budget

On Sunday, November 23, after Morning Prayer, the Wardens, Clergy and Chair of Fiscal Affairs look forward to receiving your input on the 2015 budget.  Members will receive a Narrative Budget in the next 10 days, electronically and by mail a copy of the proposed Narrative Budget, setting forth priority areas where we might grow in the future.  We'd love to hear your thoughts. 

Save these dates from the Adult Religious Education Committee!

January 16-18, 2015

Winter Retreat, Glastonbury Abbey, Hingham MA

Rev. Joy Fallon will lead the program.

News from the Parish
Congratulations to Miguel Gomez-Ibanez in becoming a Barr Fellow!

Four times since 2005, Barr has named a class of twelve fellows, selected because they are visionary, collaborative leaders, who motivate others, drive change, and produce results.  This year, our own chair of Fiscal Affairs Miguel Gomez-Ibanez is among those named.  Congratulations, Miguel!

Read about Miguel's accomplishments as president of the North Bennet Street School here, and read more about the Barr Foundation here.
We Celebrate with King's Chapel member Susan Playfair the timely release of her book "America's Founding Fruit"
Read the review of her book in the Boston Globe by Stephen Meuse, HERE.
Wanted:  Language Translators for King's Chapel Signs

60,000 people come to visit us at King's Chapel every year, many from foreign countries.  While we do have self-guided tours available in several languages, currently all of our exterior signage is in English.  Anyone arriving during hours we are closed or worshipping, if not proficient in English, often does not understand that they are either warmly invited to join us in worship, or encouraged to return at the time tours will begin again.

 

If you can speak and write Mandarin, Japanese, Spanish, Italian or French, and can help us devise more welcoming, useful signs for our many visitors, please contact Parish Administrator Julina Rundberg, [email protected]


In This Issue
Worship Services
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 23

11:00 a.m. Morning Prayer
The Rev. Joy Fallon, preacher
  • Anne Sexton, Head Usher
  • Charles Perry, Usher-in-Charge
  • Marie Wells, Paul Luca, & Judy Luca, Ushers
  • Carol Genovese, Lector
  • Marie Wells, Volunteer Guide
  • Anne Sexton, Host for Coffee Hour
The lessons are:
  • Psalm 100
  • Old Testament: Exodus 34:29-35
  • New Testament: Matthew 25:31-40
At the communion rail following the service,  Marie Wells will greet those interested in learning more about King's Chapel.

The Communion Table is decorated in Thanksgiving Bounty

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 26
12:15 p.m. Midweek Service
Second Sundays 
On Sunday December 14, all donations not designated for the King's Chapel Annual Appeal will be given to the Greater Boston Food Bank.

The Greater Boston Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and its mission is to end hunger in eastern Massachusetts.  Its objective is to distribute enough food to provide at least one meal a day to those in need.  
From the Bench
--By Heinrich Christensen

 

This Sunday's prelude is based on the tune Holyrood, typically sung to the text of this traditional British harvest hymn: 


 

Fair waved the golden corn

In Nanaan's pleasant land, 

When, full of joy, some shining morn, 

Went forth the reaper-band.

To God, so good and great, 

Their cheerful thanks they pour;

Then carry to His temple-gate

The choicest of their store.

Like Israel, Lord, we give

Our earliest fruits to Thee,

And pray that, long as we shall live, 

We may Thy children be.


 

The organ intermezzo on Holyrood was composed by William Lloyd Webber, who, had he not died in 1982, would have been 100 this year. He is probably most famous for fathering Sir Andrew, who certainly has reaped greater earning from his compositions that his parent.  If you would like to know more about the elder Webber, you can find out about him HERE


 

The choir will sing a jazzy arrangement of Now Thank We All Our God, as well as a more classical setting by Bach.  You will also hear approximately the last third of Charles Ives' version of Psalm 90.  This choral work is quite substantial and rather avant-garde in its entirety, but towards the end, Ives lets the pieces settle down in a beautifully serene C Major setting of these verses: 


 

O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Make us glad according to the days wherein thou has afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.

Let they work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.

And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. Amen.


 

The postlude is Sigfrid Karg-Elert's festive setting of Now Thank We All Our God.
 

Little Chapel News

It seems all too much like divine synchronicity that in the wake of a Church School Sunday centered on the theme of exile and return, I was able to be a witness to the exile of the hundreds of people forced to leave Boston's Long Island Shelter six weeks ago.

Last evening, I gathered as a representative from King's Chapel with a group of 60 interfaith religious and community leaders who wanted to learn more and strategize about how to respond to this event which has left people who had a sense of community, support, and care at Long Island to sleep on gym floors or cold streets; to abandon addiction treatment programs which aided the, in securing jobs and education; and to be turned away from many or all of their belongings, limited to carrying only 2 garbage bags of items per day on fishing boats.  The situation is dire: "We don't know what we're going to do... Please help us. We are mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters... We are asking to be treating like human beings," Brenda, a longtime resident at Long Island, pleaded.

 

As people of faith and sharers of the journey, we are all of us called to respond to our fellow human beings.  The power and commitment in the room at this meeting was palpable; people are ready to act. Though hopelessness is all too easy to fall into, we must keep working. My ask of all of you is to pray. Read the Boston Globe articles about the closure of Long Island. Tell your friends and your family about it. Reach out to people you know who work with homeless communities and shelters. If you are connected to people who work in businesses or institutions with lockers to spare, reach out to them. If you are interested in being a part of the body of religious folks who are gathering to work on this, please talk to Eva Englert ([email protected]). 

 

Responding to this situation is not only close to my heart; it is the work which God calls me and all of us to do. I pray for open hearts, strategic minds, and collaborative communities.

 

With gratitude,

Eva Englert

Church School Director 


Tuesday Recitals
Please join us on Tuesday, November 25, 12:15 p.m.
as the Hermann Hudde, guitar, plays works by Brouwer & Ponce.

(more) News from the Parish
Chancel Flowers: Donors Needed!

There are several upcoming dates available for Chancel Flower donations in December.  If you would like to offer a dedication in honor or memory of a loved one, please contact the Parish House.

No More Food at Coffee Hours.....Unless You Can Help

Due to the burden placed on a few members who have repeatedly hosted our coffee hour after church, a decision may have to be made that coffee only will be served following Morning Prayer. 
 

We understand that people are busy with families, work and other projects. However unless we can encourage more members and friends to host, the last morning we can offer coffee with food will be on Sunday November 23rd. 

                         
Wonder what it takes?  It's easy:  the host simply brings in food made at home or purchased, and sets up the church's two coffee pots.  Reimbursement of your costs can be available, if needed. The Verger who staffs the church vestibule is happy to show you the ropes if you come in by 10:30 before the service.


If you would like to see the tradition continue, please sign up for these upcoming dates: Sundays Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, Dec. 28, and all Sundays in January and beyond.  


 Volunteer to Host Coffee Hour!
Support the UUSC and UUA Ebola Epidemic Relief Fund

The speed with which Ebola is moving across West Africa is truly staggering. Most devastated are Sierra Leone and Liberia, both countries left with weakened health care systems as they slowly rebuild from more than a decade of war.

 

That is why Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and the Unitarian Universalist Association have jointly launched the Ebola Epidemic Relief Fund and are asking for your immediate support.

 

For more information and/or to contribute go HERE.

 

Note that the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee has a 4 star rating with Charity Navigator.

 

Denominational Affairs Committee

 

Accessibility and Hearing Assists
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.
We welcome all people no matter who you are: believers, doubters, seekers and skeptics are invited to join us as we navigate the journey together...