Annual Mother's Day Walk for Peace Next Sunday, May 10th. Online Registration is Open!
Have you ever wondered what you could do to help families who have suffered loss through violence? Join the King's Chapel team for the 19th Annual Mother's Day Walk for Peace on May 10th, 2105 from 8:00am to 10:00am in Field's Corner, Dorchester. The Walk is approximately 3.25 miles. Invite your friends & family!
This event supports families of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute who have lost children and other members to violence. In February, our guest preacher was the organization's director Tina Chery, who shared the story of losing her son, Louis Brown, to violence and the resulting establishment of the institute.
This organization aids families in the immediate aftermath of a loss and offers support throughout the process. They also have a peace curriculum which they teach to children in the Boston public school system.
To join the team, please visit their website to register, and join the team "King's Chapel." The suggested donation range is $20 to $100. The suggested dress color is Purple.
For complete registration information, times, & directions, download the PDF here!
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Carl Scovel preached at my installation in September 2014 about the same passage we'll explore this Sunday: that we are like branches of a vine, which need to stay attached to the vine if we are to thrive and produce marvelous grapes. All week I've been spending time amid vineyards -- metaphorically, that is -- pouring over pictures, sampling some wines, eating purple grapes. These experiential explorations remind me of the power the story had when Jesus first told it: his listeners walked among vineyards regularly, knew intimately about growing seasons, pruning back plants, the difference in wines produced from one neighbor's crop rather than another's. On Sunday we hope to bring some of this alive, so at our shared communion on this first Sunday of the month, we'll serve fresh, sweet challah bread with our red wine or dark grape juice. And as you leave the sanctuary, Shawn and I will offer you a small cluster of red grapes, so you may leave tasting their sweetness, too.
How could your "fruits," and our shared life in this city, become richer, deeper, sweeter, or gifts to others? To which vines are you attached, that help you grow in these ways?
With many blessings,
Joy
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Charge of the Alden Palermo Memorial Build Team | May 10th 11:00 AM
You are invited to attend the charge of the Alden Palermo Memorial Build team during the King's Chapel service at 11:00 AM, Sunday, May 10. Eight members of the team are part of the King's Chapel community and another 2 live in the Greater Boston area.
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Blessing of the Animals | May 17th 9:45 AM | Parish House Garden
Join the King's Chapel community in the beauty of our Parish House Garden for an annual service in celebration and thanksgiving for the animals that give us so much joy. Through a liturgy that includes brief readings, prayers, and hymns, we will bless each animal and each relationship. We will thank God for the loving and forgiving creatures that bless our lives.
Please contain animals that sting, bite, or scratch. If you cannot bring your animal, we will gladly bless photos.
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The Unitarian Religion of King's Chapel | Save the Date | May 17th
Presented by Dr. Daniel McKanan, Senior Lecturer, Harvard Divinity School
After the American Revolution, King's Chapel became the first Unitarian Church in the New World. This lecture will examine the roots of Unitarianism in Europe and the evolution of religious tolerance and reason in faith and practice. How the Chapel adopted Christian Unitarian theology and its contribution to religious thought and post-colonial independence will also be examined, together with how this identity has been sustained even as American Unitarianism has expanded outside the Christian faith.
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Theology on Tap | Hymns & Theology | May 20th
Believer. Non-Believer. Confident. Curious. Join us for a lively theological discussion in a relaxed setting. On May 20th at 7pm we will be joined by our own Heinrich Christensen to discuss "Hymns & Spirituality" over hearty appetizers. Submit your favorite hymn ahead of time to Shawn (shawn@kings-chapel.org). We will look at old and new hymns alike. Anyone over 21 is welcome to join and purchase their own beverage. We will meet at Scholars (25 School St, Boston MA).
RSVP is required to ensure enough seating, contact shawn@kings-chapel.org
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Boston Pride Parade | Save the Date | June 13th
March with King's Chapel in the Boston Pride Parade! Embarking from Copley Square, we will join the parade of thousands, passing by our Parish House and stone Chapel. The parade will end at City Hall Plaza in the heart of the Pride Festival. The 2015 Boston Pride theme is "#WickedProud: The 45th Anniversary."
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New Members: Interested in Joining King's Chapel? Sunday, June 14
Anyone interested in joining King's Chapel, or getting more information about it, is urged to contact Joy or Shawn. They look forward to talking with you. This June, new members will join on the day we celebrate our Birthday: June 14.
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Habitat for Humanity Build | June 20th
Join the King's Chapel team to help build affordable housing in Boston. Contact Peter Sexton, petersexton@alum.mit.edu
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Sunday Forums: From Scovel to McKanan
On Sunday, April 12, Dr. Carl Scovel delivered the first lecture, "The Anglican Religion ofOn Sunday, April 12, Dr. Carl Scovel delivered the first lecture, "The Anglican Religion of King's Chapel" which he sub-titled "The Anglican Gifts to King's Chapel." He described four
gifts from the first century of the church while under the bishop of London: an institution, a
history, a building, and a pattern of worship. Over sixty persons were present for the lecture,
which will soon be posted on the church's web site.
The next lecture will be given on Sunday, May 17, at 12:30 by Professor Daniel McKanan of
Harvard Divinity School. His topic is "The Unitarian Religion of King's Chapel." He will speak about the religious roots of the church in its second century which followed the American Revolution and separation from England. He will talk about how the Chapel adopted Unitarian theology and its contribution to religious tolerance and reason in faith and practice.
Three audiences can benefit from these lectures. Long-time parishioners of King's Chapel recognize in Morning Prayer the imprints on religious practice but may have indefinite understanding of the richness of its sources. Newcomers to King's Chapel, drawn to the church for various good reasons, likewise may have only vague awareness of its religious distinctiveness that is unlike any other protestant church and still thrives. Finally, there is the larger Unitarian Universalist society, which has expanded outside the Christian faith yet springs from the same roots as King's Chapel, the first Unitarian Church in the New World. Indeed, there are Unitarians who are curious about these religious roots.
It is our hope that Sunday Forums on The Religion of King's Chapel will spawn ripples of
conversation and a vibrant current of engagement that carries us forward. The next dates are May 17 and June 14.
Denton Crews
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Big thanks to Todd Lee, Julina Rundberg, & Orian Welling for working so hard to get the annual appeal letters out! Way to go y'all!
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We Rejoice with those who Rejoice, and Weep with those who Weep
This week Karen (K.C.) Dalton had a bad fall down stairs, resulting a broken leg and knee surgery. The surgery on Wednesday went well, but she has a nine-month rehab ahead of her. Her husband Todd Lee (todd@toddleearchitect. com) can share more information. Our prayers are with them both.
This Saturday is the funeral for Richard O'Connell, husband of our member Susan Playfair and beloved professor at Harvard. The service will be at 4 pm.
Hannah McMeans, soprano in our choir and regular cantor at the Wednesday 6 PM service, has been recently admitted to a number of law schools, including Boston University, which she accepted. Congratulations Hannah! We are glad she'll continue to be in the neighborhood.
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Sunday April 26th
The Rev. Joy Fallon,
preacher
- Jim Power, Lector
- Anne Sexton, Head Usher
- Cliff Allen, Usher in Charge
- Cathy Price & David Wheeler, Ushers
- Carolyn Conley, Verger
The Readings:
- Psalm 22:25-31
- First Lesson: 1 John 4:17-21
- Second Lesson: John 15:1-5
The flowers on the communion table are given in loving memory of Dorothy S. Allen by Cynthia and Cliff Allen.
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If you haven't yet, check out our new service, every Wednesday, 6-6:45 PM.
A quiet service in the candle-lit sanctuary, with beautiful music, a short homily, prayers and communion, gathered around the table in the chancel. Food and conversation follow. |
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By Heinrich Christensen
For our communion service this Sunday, the music will be a French affair. From Jean Langlais, you will hear selected movements of his Mass in Ancient Style. The choir will sing two communion-related motets: First Olivier Messiaen's O Sacrum Convivium (O Sacred Banquet), and then we will follow last week's Ubi Caritas with Duruflé's Tantum Ergo, from the same set of motets based on Gregorian themes.
Heinrich will play Litanies by Jehan Alain, Theme and Variations by Jean Langlais, and for those who manage to get to church by about 10:48, a special bonus of Mozart's Andante in F, just because it's spring!
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Tuesday, April 28th
at 12:15 pm
Handel & Haydn Society Chorus Members Monteverdi Madrigals |
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Dear Friends,
Even while holding my love of the outdoors as the beauty of spring descends upon the city of Boston, I find myself this day carrying the heaviness of the headlines and events of our nation and world. The Nepalese earthquake, rioting in Baltimore and the continuation of police brutality towards Black and Brown people, and so much more. Although these events might seem detached or distant from our own realities, or have perhaps become so commonplace that it is easier to tune out than acknowledge them, I feel compelled to write about them and grapple with them with friends and other faith journeyers... folks like you.
Once we pay attention to what is happening, we know that it is difficult to know how to respond. What do we say to our children? What do we pray or how do we mourn, or where do we even find hope?
In the weight of all that is unjust and laden with suffering, I hear something tell me to turn to God, even if I don't have words to say. I must trust that I, we, find strength and guidance in what is both beyond and deeply within us. I rest--even if uncomfortably and without certainty--on the notion that God suffers with those who suffer and beckons me, you, us...ever gently, ever subversively, to new life... even in ways which may be oblivious to us at certain times.God is with us in our pain, confusion, even our apathy, always creating us new. I pray for God's movement in and about us.
In peace, Eva Englert Church School Director
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Upcoming Church School Happenings:
Sunday, May 3
Early Worship, 9:45am at the Little Chapel
Church School following the service (creation stewardship lesson for younger children and "Can I Ask That?" for older children, plus gardening and 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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News from 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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| 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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| Daedalus restoration remounting the fractured plaque on the Chevalier Monument this week. |
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Hosting Coffee at King's Chapel
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Dear Friends:
If you have not yet hosted morning coffee, or "Punch on the Bricks", the Hospitality Committee wants you to know how much we would love to have your participation in this Sunday ritual. Serving hospitality after Morning Prayer is one more way for church members to greet one another and welcome guests to our beautiful chapel.
Many of your fellow parishioners have assisted us in providing hospitality following Morning Prayer over the past three years, and now we are reaching out to others who may be willing to perform this simple task. If you would like to help, but would prefer to have a partner, please let us know we will be thrilled to "match you up" with a partner to assist with the effort.
The needs of our small congregation are humble: simple food and drink with an
opportunity for fellowship after the service. Coffee is served October through Memorial Day, and "Punch on the Bricks" is served from June through September, weather permitting of course.
If this request has whetted you appetite, please respond enthusiastically to either Anne at "anne.sexton@alumni.norwich.
edu." We await your response with great anticipation.
With warmest wishes,
Anne Sexton
Hospitality Committee Chair
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