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This Sunday
Annual Meeting Hearing
& Light Luncheon
This Sunday, March 8th, immediately after Morning Prayer, we will gather as a community to hear presentations by our committee chairs in advance of the Annual Meeting on April 22nd.
Please join us to stay up-to-date on the life of our church and enjoy a light lunch, graciously hosted by Kathe German and Cathy Price. |
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Breaking Bread, Giving Thanks to Those Who've Been Here Long....
In churches, we often talk about welcoming people warmly, especially newcomers. This year we've thought hard about how to encourage more visitors, and integrate into our church life those who are new members. Long-time members might feel that it's your job is to be the welcomers - as those who already know the ropes, can identify the key players, and perhaps even invented some of the revered traditions, you now have one more task - opening the door for the new folks to come in.
But who warmly "welcomes" those who've been the backbone of the church for a long time? "Welcome" may not be exactly the right word, but "thanks" probably is. How often do we give hearty thanks for those who do so much in our church, who've have been at it a long time?
This Sunday we get a chance. At the "Hearing" which we hold each year, prior to the Annual Meeting, we all break bread together, eating a delicious meal at the Parish House. We all hear from our committee chairs about the work they've been doing - often sight unseen. We all get to ask questions and learn more from those who do know the ropes. We find out about projects underway, delighted that our sisters and brothers have tackled things we always sensed should be done, but we didn't know how to accomplish. The Hearing before our Annual Meeting can be a day for thank you's to those we've elected in years past, who've been carrying out our work.
And we newcomers -people like me - get to soak it all up and learn of what has come before us. It's inspiring.
And then, after the lunch, we can help wash the dishes - because I guarantee you, the kitchen will be full of helping hands, the hands of those who've washed many, many dishes for you and me before.
Come to our Annual Hearing Luncheon this Sunday, and say Thanks.
Joy
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Wednesday, March 11, 7:15 at the Parish House: Book Discussion on the Journey Toward Independence...
Now that the worst weather is behind us (we hope!!), the Book Discussions planned by the Adult Religious Education Committee have been rescheduled. The first book discussion (originally scheduled to take place at the beginning of February) will finally take place next Wednesday on March 11th. Join us after the new Wednesday Evening service at 6pm!
An overview and discussion of European Unitarianism, drawing on For Faith and Freedom: A Short History of Unitarianism in Europe, by Charles Howe will now take place the following week on Wednesday March 18th. Also sponsored by the Adult Religious Education Committee.
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Easter Flower Dedications
It's already time! Every year for Easter, our sanctuary is beautifully decorated with tulips, daffodils, hydrangeas and other exuberant signs of spring. After the record-breaking snowfall we've had this year, it's certainly something to look forward to!
This year's budget, however, relies more heavily on dedications from members and friends of King's Chapel to fund the decoration of the church.
If you would like to contribute flowers for the Easter Service as a memorial to a loved one, please send to the Parish House:
1) the name of individuals you wish to honor or remember
2) your name, address, phone number and email
3) a check ($50/ per Easter Memorial Plant) with "Easter Flowers" in the memo line
ATTN: Parish Administrator
King's Chapel Parish House
64 Beacon Street
Boston MA 02108
You can also pay by credit card! Send an email with the information and click HERE to pay.
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Counting Down to Holy Week 2015
Join us as we journey to Jerusalem.
...as we sit at table with Jesus and the disciples.
...as we stand at the foot of the cross.
...as we keep vigil, as we watch, as we wait.
...as we give thanksgiving and praise for the empty tomb.
Maundy Thursday, April 2nd at 6 PM Good Friday Prayer April 3rd at 12:15 PM Good Friday Tenebrae April 3rd at 8 PM The Great Vigil April 4th at 8 PM Easter Sunday April 5th at 11 AM
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Baptism last Sunday!
Last Sunday, Joseph Dawson Jeremiah Perry & David Carlton Louis Perry, sons of Joei Marshall Perry & Daniel Perry were baptized into the Christian faith by water, prayer, and the loving embrace of the King's Chapel community. We give thanks soft cries, their gentle laughter and for their life among us. Most of all, we give thanks for the promise they represent-that each life is good, precious, and beloved in the sight of God. |
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Update from the Sound Committee
To Be a Welcoming Church
We need to increase our accessibility, states the Budget Narrative for 2015, and to communicate through our buildings and worship services that All Are Welcome at King's Chapel! While work is being done on the needs of the building, a committee has been called by the Senior Warden to explore the adjustments needed to enable everyone to hear the spoken words as well as the glorious music that are the hallmarks of worship at King's Chapel. The committee members are Cliff Allen, John Bowman, Heinrich Christiansen, Shawn Fiedler, Bill Sears, Medb Sichko, Dan Taylor, and co-chairs Dick and Cynthia Perkins.
As the Audio/Sound Committee we have been defining the needs of our congregation and researching innovative technology that will enable all those attending services at King's Chapel to hear the spoken word. As a committee we are in agreement that our sanctuary at King's Chapel has long been recognized for superb acoustical natural sound, especially as it relates to our choir and musical programs; we agree that the choir and organ do not need amplification. We also recognize that maintaining the appearance of our historic building is important.
We do want to address the needs of those members and visitors who have expressed frustration about not being able to hear the spoken words, whether from the reading desk, pulpit or the chancel. It is also important to encourage those who want to help lead or participate in services - our Sunday school children or seniors who may have weaker voices, or those who are asked to speak at weddings or funerals but cannot be heard without a microphone. A well designed system would enable our ministers, lectors, and lay-readers to use a natural and gentler voice for prayers and readings.
Some in our congregation find our acoustics to be fine as they are and do not want to try to fix something that already works for so many people. However, people often complain that they miss parts of the read service or just can't hear the various lectors.
Some have said we do have listening devices, earphones, why not use those? - Visitors don't often realize that they will need a listening device; currently ours do not give reliable sound; and some people simply to not feel comfortable having to gear up with an assistive device when few others are doing so.
The committee members are researching and visiting other churches that have installed sound systems, most that include individual assistive listening devices; we have engaged professionals to review our needs and give us suggested designs and estimated costs; we are meeting regularly to review and discuss our findings and hope to have a recommendation this spring.
If you'd like to share your thoughts, please send them to Dick or Cynthia Perkins, co-chairs, by email. We will compile and distribute your comments to the committee members for consideration. ~ Thanks, Dick and Cynthia Perkins
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Sunday March 8th
The Rev. Joy Fallon,
preacher
- Anne Sexton, Head Usher
- Sylvia Soderberg, Usher in Charge
- Todd Lee, Betsy Peterson, & Karen Dalton, Ushers
- Hallie Speight, Volunteer Guide
- Kathe Germann, Hospitality
- Carolyn Conley, Verger
The Readings:
- Psalm 22:23-31
- Living Epistle: Caroline Welling
- New Testament: 1 Cor 1:18-25
The flowers on the communion table are given in remembrance of my one and only favorite husband, Herbert L. Kahn, with much love, Sally.
Living Epistles
Throughout the season of Lent, we will hear from beloved members of our congregation during Morning Prayer. Each Sunday we will hear reflections on their journey of faith-past and present-here and now. This Sunday we will hear from Miguel Gomez-Ibanez. Join us!
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By Heinrich Christensen
Our musical theme for the Lenten journey this week is one of transformation through travel.
Come, O thou Traveler unknown,
Whom still I hold but cannot see,
My company before is gone,
And I am left alone with thee,
With thee all night I mean to stay,
And wrestle till the break of day.
Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Originally published under the title "Wrestling Jacob", "Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown" is a hymn generally considered to be Charles Wesley''s greatest work. You may recall our theme Sunday back in the fall based on Genesis 32:24-32, which is the story of Jacob wrestling with an angel sent by God at Peniel. This Sunday it will be sung by wrestling tenors Eric Ferring and Sean Lair in a setting by Richard Webster. The motet is by late Renaissance composer Melchior Franck, a setting of John 3:16, God so Loved the World.
Our offertory is a gorgeous setting by Daniel Gawthrop:
Into the woods my Master went,
Clean forspent, forspent,
Into the woods my Master came,
Forspent with love and shame.
But the olives they were not blind to Him.
The little grey leaves were kind to Him,
The thorn tree had a mind to Him,
When into the woods He came.
Out of the woods my Master came And he was well content;
Out of the woods my Master came,
Content with death and shame.
When death and shame would woo Him last,
From under the trees they drew Him last,
'Twas on a tree they slew Him-last
When out of the woods He came. Sidney Lanier (1841-1882) Heinrich will play Bach's Fantasia & Fugue in g minor for our pre- and postlude.
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Tuesday, March 10th
at 12:15 pm
Jacob Reed plays the C.B. Fisk Organ. Works by Bach & Brahms |
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Dear Friends,
It was a full house-- filled with both people and festivity-- at our early worship and church school program this past Sunday. We greeted 6 newcomers, including two families with small children, for worship and refreshments, and enjoying singing hymns, sharing prayers and communion, and hearing the Word (the Parable of the Mustard Seed, in particular) together. One family, Cynthia Korb and her daughter, Caroline, joined us as we walked together to the main chapel to witness the baptism of David and Joseph Perry, twins of choir members Joei and Dan Perry, at the 11:00 worship service. It was a morning of wonderful community-building and acknowledging the wonder and joy of baptism. I am grateful for God's presence with us in both newness and old but meaningful routine. Many thanks to Hallie and Allen Speight for assisting with walking the children to and from the chapel.
God's presence continues to be with us this Lent Blessings, Eva Englert Church School Director
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Upcoming Church School Happenings:
Sundays, March 15
9:45amat the Little Chapel (Parish House)
Combined Church School Classes following (Holy Week lesson, plus seedling activities and mosaic crafts)
Sundays, March 22
King's Chapel Annual Meeting Immediately following 11:00am worship at the chapel.
Please come hear about the status and future of our church community!
Palm Sunday, March 29
Church School Children's Palm Sunday Processional
At the 11:00am service at the Chapel
*Children will arrive by 10:30 to pass out palms and process into the service with the choir. Come be a part of this important and festive day in our church year!
Saturday, April 4 10:00 am Dying eggs for Easter Vigil at the Parish House
Saturday, April 5
Easter
Sunday!
11:00am at the Chapel (no church school) Easter egg hunt for children to follow!
Sunday April 19th
Early Worship
9:45amat the Little Chapel (Parish House)
Church School following (creation stewardship lesson for younger children and "Can I Ask That?" for older children, plus combined mosaic-making)
Sunday, May 17 Pet Blessing at Early Worship, 9:45am
Sunday, May 31 Church School Sunday at the Chapel, 11:00am
A brochure with a complete list of spring activities and church school lessons is now available at the Parish House.
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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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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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