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Christmas Joy despite the Rain
At Christmas, I'd rather it were snowing gently, rather than raining, as is predicted this year. On the 24th, I'd rather be thinking happy thoughts, the kind Hallmark puts on Christmas cards, rather than reading this week's headlines. Mary would have liked having her first baby at home, with friends nearby, and Joseph didn't imagine soldiers would come to town, intent on killing newborn boys. Baby Jesus got used to our broken world early.
As a grown man, Jesus didn't flinch from reality, either. Despite everything he saw, he kept reaching out, speaking truth, and loving people whom others deemed unlovable: that is, every one of us. And that's amazing good news, far, far better than a manufactured scene of holiday cheer, with sparkles glued on.
Last Sunday, on the brink of Christmas, I didn't want to preach about unarmed folks killed by police, about protests roiling our cities, about the assassination of two officers in Brooklyn. But the Love we celebrate at Christmas didn't show up because everything in our world was already perfect. Love, like water, flows to the lowest spots, and pools there. Love flows into the places where it is most needed.
So I took a deep breath and tackled heartache again. What do we do when we look around at our struggling world and sigh, "How can this be?"
Do you ever hear: "Do not be afraid....With God, nothing will be impossible?" A few of my thoughts, a part of my story....
--Joy
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Giving to King's Chapel before the year ends....
Could you give, before the year ends?
Your staff and leaders do their very best, each year, to steward the money you give us. We trim costs where we can, review our finances regularly, tackle problems we spot. We use your money wisely.
And we have hopes ahead: more people attending, more word in the community about what we're doing, more work serving our city. We want an accessible handicapped bathroom on first floor (imagine!), and some way to let all our members hear better. We'll continue our excellent music; worship that lets your soul quiet or your thoughts deepen; and the beloved community that pulses again in this place.
Can you help us? Every gift helps. Why not write out a generous check, one that you think about before signing? We'll be very grateful. And it will make your heart gladden, too. We promise.
--Joy
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Evening Prayer
5:30 p.m. at the Little Chapel
64 Beacon Street
The service is partly modeled on the service of Vespers, with additions from Compline, the last of the day-hours, said before retiring for the night.
Dinner & Fireworks
6:15p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
King's Chapel Parish House
64 Beacon Street
A potluck dinner and view of the fireworks from the 2nd floor parlors of 64 Beacon Street. Advance reservations and potluck assignments should be made by December 29th through the Parish Administrator: administrator@kings-chapel.org.
First Night Concert
9:00 p.m. at King's Chapel
Heinrich Christensen plays the C.B, Fisk Organ. Works by Bach, Mendelssohn, and Dupré . Admission by First Night button, or individual tickets available from the Parish House on request.
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New Year's Retreat - 4 PM Friday, January 16 - 10 AM Sunday, January 18
Finding Your Spiritual Home
As you start the New Year, come for a quiet, warm retreat at Glastonbury Abbey, in Hingham. Rev. Fallon will lead us in quiet reflection on where you are on your spiritual journey: who or what is your spiritual home? There will be free time to walk in the woods or at the ocean, rest, eat, and join in conversation. Cost: $130 for a room at the retreat house and all meals. Scholarships are available; talk with Rev. Fallon or Betsy Peterson.
Registration forms for the retreat are now available HERE.
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Parish House Hours Through the Holidays:
The Parish House will be open as usual from 9am to 5pm Monday and Tuesday of next week, but will be closed in honor of Christmas Wednesday Christmas Eve, Thursday Christmas Day, and Friday.
The following week, the Parish House will be open by appointment only on Monday December 29th, and Tuesday December 30th. Parish Administrator Julina Rundberg will be available by email.
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Letting our light shine...
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 | | We've been getting ready for you! Yesterday, an incredible team lowered the chandelier, washed the glass globes, scoured the city for bulbs, and has the chandelier glittering for Christmas! We are pleased to announce that our beautiful fixture is now fully illuminated with soft white LED's. Many thanks to Todd Lee, Carolyn Russ, John Bowman, and Simon Pilecki for their many hours and hard work! |
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 | | Simon Pilecki assisted John Bowman in raising the chandelier from the church attic as Julina Rundberg pulled the electrical cables and adjusted the escutcheon plate. Todd Lee advised by cell phone from below. |
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Backpack Blessing & Charge by Rev. Shawn Fiedler--From Sunday's Service on December 21st.
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Matthew 25:35
We thank you, O God, for the joining of hearts and hands in assembling these backpacks-for the support and compassion shown through this community and beyond-and for hearts and minds forever changed.
Bless, O God, these backpacks-gathered by many hands-that they may carry with them protection from the winter air, sustenance when hungry, courage in an unknown world.
We bid your Spirit to rest upon these backpacks. Follow these backpacks and those who carry them wherever they journey-follow them with peace and healing, protection and hope-follow them with your Spirit that those who carry these backpacks will never feel alone.
May these backpacks be for us a symbol and a sign of our commitment to work toward a better world-a world where hunger is no more, warmth is plenty, cries heard and where all are treated with dignity and respect. May these backpacks start a fire within our hearts for justice, mercy, and compassion.
This we ask through one born homeless, even Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
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WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 24th
Christmas Eve
Family Worship & Christmas Pageant
4:30 p.m. at King's Chapel
The Bible story of Jesus' birth comes alive through word and carols. Any child may participate as an angel or shepherd, without any rehearsal.
Lessons & Carols
10:30 p.m. at King's Chapel
Organ Prelude begins at 10:00 p.m.
A traditional service with full choir and candlelight modeled after the service offered at Truro Cathedral in 1880. The first Christmas Eve service offered at King's Chapel was held in 1929.
THURSDAY DECEMBER 25th
Christmas Day
Christmas Day Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. at King's Chapel
Holy Communion
Rev. Shawn Fiedler, preacher
SUNDAY DECEMBER 28th
Rev. Shawn Fiedler, preacher
- Anne Sexton, Head Usher
- Charles Perry, Usher-in-Charge
- Marie Wells, Judy Luca, & Paul Luca, Ushers
- Denise Konicek, Soloist
- Heinrich Christensen, Lector
- Marie Wells, Lay Reader
- Marie Wells, Volunteer Guide
- Betsy Peterson, Hospitality
- Simon Pilecki, Verger
The Readings:
- Psalm 148
- Old Testament: Isaiah 61:10-62:3
- New Testament: Luke 2:22-40
The flowers on the Communion table will be given in loving memory of Solveig Rundberg by Julina Rundberg
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On Sunday January 11th, all donations not designated for the King's Chapel Annual Appeal will be given to Horizons for Homeless Children.
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(more) News from the Parish
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Reflections on Advent Daily Prayer
For nearly four weeks something amazing happened at King's Chapel. Each morning a new face, an unfamiliar face, walked into King's Chapel. We welcomed visitors from all across the globe: from Shanghai to the Back Bay, from Halifax to Harvard Square. I had the remarkable privilege of meeting most of these newcomers. Many of them shared their stories with me-of why they walked into King's Chapel that morning. I heard stories bursting with thanksgivings-of a birth or of a resolved dispute. I have heard stories of sorrow-of dying loved ones or returning cancer. Everyday strangers came into our Chapel; trusting us with the most intimate prayers and stories found in their hearts. They leave King's Chapel changed-and by grace, we too, are forever changed. Enriched by an experience of prayerfully journeying to the thin place between heaven and earth. I am so grateful to our ushers and greeters who brought life to the corner of Tremont & School Streets this Advent season: Todd Lee, Carolyn Russ, Cathy Price, Sylvia Soderberg, Miguel Comez-Ibanez, Alecia Manning, Lark Palermo, Amy Myer, John Bowman, David Wheeler, Cliff Allen, Gene Clapp, Charles Perry, Judy Lucca, Heinrich Christensen, and Julina Rundberg. --Shawn
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A Brief Re-cap of last Sunday's Milk Punch Party!
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Dear Friends:
I am writing to you to ask if you will join the hospitality committee as we embark on a project that will bring King's Chapel members and friends together, by neighborhood, so we can get to know each other better.
The idea is to have small intimate dinners, for eight people or more, that will encourage dinner table conversations. We hope dinners can be scheduled starting in February and March. If this idea appeals to you, either as a guest or host please reply to this email. You may also contact me directly with any questions you may have.
I do hope you will consider joining with us in this project. I can be reached at 781-383-9028. Warmly, |
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Chancel Flowers: Donors Needed!
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| There is one date available the first Sunday in January. If you would like to offer a dedication in honor or memory of a loved one, please contact the Parish House.
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Wanted: Language Translators for King's Chapel Signs
180,000 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,julina@kings-chapel.org
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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. |
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