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Task Force Update: Announcing A New Service and Improved Communication
On Sunday, February 1, Vestry Members Kathe German and Mindy Hinkel presented the work of two Task Forces, examining Boston's current demographics; identifying groups to whom we may wish to reach out; proposing communication vehicles; and visiting worship services of other thriving Boston churches. One objective was to shape two new services that will appeal to those we hope to reach.
Summaries from the two task forces can be found on our website, along with the names of the 19 members who served on them. Click here.Findings
Among the central findings of the reports regarding worship were these:
* Boston residents' average age is 31
* Singles of all ages live here
* Downtown Boston is the fastest growing neighborhood, with many new residences being built
* There are families with children nearby the church
* Thriving churches offer multiple services, including evening and intergenerational services.
* Thriving churches offer warm welcome and community
* Our communication should improve, including our website, Facebook presence, and use of our building (including colorful banners, glass doors so passersby can see in, and handicap access).
New Evening Service
In keeping with these findings, on Ash Wednesday, February 18, we are launching our first new service, to be held on Wednesdays at 6 PM at the Church. Our hope is to attract those leaving work. The service will last 45 minutes: the church will be candlelit, Heinrich will play on the organ, soprano Hannah McMeans or a choir colleague will sing, Joy or Shawn will offer a brief homily, and we'll gather in a circle to celebrate communion. Join us! We'll experiment and evaluate as we go forward. If you're interested in ushering for this new service, contact Todd Lee todd@toddleearchitect.com. If you're willing to host light refreshments afterwards, contact Mindy Hinkel, mindyhinkel@gmail.com. Communication
We've put up new weather-proof posters on our gate, announcing our Lenten offerings, and are now using our three glassed-in sign cases for special seasonal announcements. This week, we'll explain that we'll be open on Ash Wednesday, February 18, from 8 AM - 6 PM for the Imposition of Ashes. In the past, we have many visitors on that day.
Our Facebook presence is also improving. Shawn has been managing this, and next week we'll report what we're finding.
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Learning Our Past as We Look to Our Future
Book discussion rescheduled yet again!
Thursday, February 19, 7:15pm at the Parish House:
We'll talk about King's Chapel's first century and the transition to unitarianism, drawing from two excellent, short books, written by members of King's Chapel: Journey Towards Independence, by Carl Scovel, Minister Emeritus, and Charles Forman; and King's Chapel The First Century: 1686-1787, by Andre Mayer. Both are available for those interested, by contacting the Parish House. Journey Toward Independence, originally given as a Minns Lecture, is available as a PDF on the Minns Committee Website , sponsored by the Adult Religious Education Committee. Joy Fallon's fine sermon on January 25, available on the King's Chapel Website, helped prepare us for this discussion.
Wednesday, March 11, 7:15 at the Parish House: An overview and discussion of European Unitarianism, drawing on For Faith and Freedom: A Short History of Unitarianism in Europe, by Charles Howe. Also sponsored by the Adult Religious Education Committee.
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Seraphim Singers Concert Tonight CANCELLED
We regret to inform you that this Friday, Feb. 13th's performance of "'For heaven is a different thing': Choral Settings of Sacred Poetry" has been cancelled due to weather-related issues.
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Churchwide Pancake Breakfast CANCELLED
Due to the impending weather, the Pancake Breakfast set for this Sunday has been cancelled. The 11am service will go on as planned. |
Ash Wednesday | February 18th
Join us on Ash Wednesday as we begin our journey through Lent together. Ash Wednesday services will be held at the chapel at 12:15PM and 6PM (our new worship offering!). Our stone chapel will be open through the day for silence, prayer and reflection. Ministers will be available throughout the day for imposition of ashes and prayer.
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Concert on February 22 - Update on the Pinkham Endowment
We are busily preparing for our next concert, "All On A Winter's Eve", coming up on Sunday, February 22, 5 PM (fingers crossed for no more snow cancellations!). Featuring sopranos Hannah McMeans and Mary Sears, tenor Thomas Gregg, baritone Brian Church - all accompanied by Heinrich Christensen on our Fisk organ, the program consists of works for solo voice and organ by Daniel Pinkham along with a glittering array of composers connected to Dan and King's Chapel:
Daniel Pinkham: The Isle of Dreams
David Carney: Three Psalms and a Canticle
James Woodman: Rock of Ages, Four Mirthless Songs
Carson Cooman: Circe, Mercy and Truth
Edwin Lawrence: Five Lyrics from the Bay Colony
Graham Gordon Ramsay: Obedience
Needless to say, this wonderful enterprise has us reminiscing fondly of so many great concerts and programs of the past, most especially the Evening of Premieres on June 5, 1998, in celebration of Dan's 75th birthday. Two of the works from that evening will be reprised on this program, namely the Woodman Rock of Ages, and the Carney Benedicant Te. And so it occurred to us that this would be a good occasion to update everybody on the Pinkham Endowment, founded on that auspicious occasion to support the music program at King's Chapel.
As you may recall, the initial funding goal of the endowment was $300,000. Thanks to the tireless work of our music committee chair emerita Elizabeth Thomson, we reached that goal in connection with the celebrations of the Concert Series' 50th anniversary in 2007-2008. Since then, the income of the endowment has helped the Society of King's Chapel support the music director chair, the chair that Dan so memorably stated "would hopefully be lavishly upholstered." The Pinkham Endowment in a very tangible way helps us to continue the commitment to excellence that Dan created in such a rich music program during his 42 years at the church.
We hope that you can join us on February 22 for this program of music celebrating the Pinkham connections and memories. We will have some light refreshments in the vestibule following the performance.
Needless to say, the Society of King's Chapel continues to accept gifts to the Pinkham Endowment for music with immense gratitude. We are a small church, and it is remarkable that the Society continues to prioritize a high quality music program in the annual budget. If you are considering a legacy gift to the endowment, please do not hesitate to contact music committee chair Mary Sears with any questions. She can be reached at Mary Sears < searsmab@gmail.com>;
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Theology on Tap POSTPONED this month to February 25th
Believer. Non-Believer. Confident. Curious. Join us for a lively theological discussion in a relaxed setting. On February 25th at 7pm we will discuss Sin over hearty appetizers. Anyone over 21 is welcome to join and purchase their own beverage. We will meet at The Kinsale [2 Center Plz, Boston MA]. *RSVP is required to ensure enough seating, contact shawn@kings-chapel.org.*
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WANTED: Videographer/ Camera volunteer for recording Sunday Sermons
Since last Fall, King's Chapel has benefited from the regular volunteer work of Bill Sears in recording the sermons on Sundays for use on our website and YouTube channel. Thank you, Bill!!
We are now looking to build out the team. If you are interested in bringing your skills to this important outreach effort, please contact the Parish Administrator: administrator@kings-chapel.org |
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Sunday February 15th
The Rev. Shawn Fiedler,
preacher
- Anne Sexton, Head Usher
- Sylvia Soderberg, Usher in Charge
- Todd Lee, Betsy Peterson, & Karen Dalton, Ushers
- Hannah McMeans, Soloist
- Joseph Kubiak & Betsy Peterson, Lectors
- Todd Lee, Volunteer Guide
- Anne Sexton, Hospitality
- Simon Pilecki, Verger
The Readings:
- Psalm 50:1-6
- Epistle: 2 Cor. 4:3-6
- New Testament: Mark 9:2-9
The flowers on the communion table are given in loving memory of our beloved Joshua (2/16/02 to 11/9/09) by the Perkins Family.
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By Heinrich Christensen
Given the dire weather forecast, we decided to prioritize everybody's safety and give the choir the morning off, as several of our singers have to drive quite a distance to make it to church. Hannah McMeans graciously has agreed to brave the storm and serve as our soloist. She will sing selections from Cambridge composer Graham Gordon Ramsay's 2008 cantata Obedience. The cantata was written for former choir member Kristi Vrooman, currently married and living in Germany. Kristi had been taking a class on Leviticus and was fascinated with the human struggle to be compliant with God's commandments, so she selected texts from scripture that Graham set to music. The cantata was recorded by Kristi, baritone David Kravitz, and Heinrich, and is available on the CD The Sacred Voice from Albany Records. You will also have a chance to hear the cantata in its entirety at our concert "All on a Winter's Eve" next Sunday, February 22.
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Tuesday, February 17th
at 12:15 pm
Pentimento:
Eric Haas, flute/recorder
Olav Chris Henriksen, lute/theorbo
"Doulce Memoire"
Works by Locke, Merula, Ortiz, Schop
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Dear Friends, As we trudge our way through snow piles and their accompanying transportation woes, our neighbors to the south wear shorts, t-shirts and multi-colored beads around their necks as part of their Mardi Gras celebrations. One of my close friends lives in New Orleans, and is enjoying his many days off from school as he gathers with his fellow Louisianans for crawfish, red beans and rice, and King's cake (what a fun royal coincidence to our own community)! Though it is hard to contain my jealousy, it also invites me to consider the ways in which I can still be present to this season in the midst of difficult Boston weather. Shrove Tuesday, a piece of the Mardi Gras celebration, is not only a festive occasion in and of itself, but is a marker of feasting before the 40 days of Lent in the Christian calendar. We are reminded of the important of honoring both feasting and fasting times of life, even if not actually fasting from food. I invite you to join us at the Parish House this upcoming Sunday, February 15, at 9:30am as we indulge in pancakes and other breakfast goodies for our own Mardi Gras festivity. There will be a brief early worship service at 9:00am, and we will then gather at 9:30 in the parlor rooms on the 2nd floor. A few volunteers from our community have graciously volunteered to bring griddles and cook pancakes. If you'd like to help, you are welcome and encouraged to! You can reply to this email or send a separate note to Eva at church.school@kings-chapel.org. We look forward to gathering as a community of celebration! Blessings, Eva Englert Church School Director
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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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Flower Dedication Dates Avaiable
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| Starting in April, King's Chapel has several dates open to those who wish to have a flower arrangement placed on the chancel, either in memory of a loved one or in celebration of a joyous event. For those interested in making a dedication, along with more information on the specific dates and prices, please contact Simon at the Parish House (Simon@kings-chapel.org/617-227-2155). |
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