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Julina Rundberg, Give Her Thanks. Party Sunday at 12:30 pm!
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Thursday, October 1st is Julina Rundberg's last day as our Parish Administrator. She is returning full-time to complete her PhD in Psychoanalysis, seeing patients and taking classes. We rejoice for her! This is an exciting step for Julina, launching the career for which she has been planning.
Please join us on Sunday, October 4th, at 12:30 at the Parish House, after the Morning Prayer service, for a reception and light luncheon to thank Julina, hosted by our Senior Warden, Cliff Allen, and his wife Cynthia Allen.
The search committee to hire a new Parish Administrator has been busy. The Chair of Personnel, Charles Perry, working with the Cliff Allen and the ministers, expects to have news about a new Parish Administrator soon. We will ask someone to work with us for four months, with the expectation of then transitioning to a permanent position. Watch here for more news.
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On more than one occasion in the King's Chapel Book of Common Prayer, rubrics instruct the minister to say, "Hear what comfortable words the Lord Jesus saith unto all who truly turn to him...". The minister then recites sentences of scripture that are, in a sense, comfortable. They tell of God's love for us, the rest we receive in God, the peace given unto us. But there are times in the New Testament when Jesus gives us 'uncomfortable words.' In our reading this Sunday the Pharisees and the disciples ask Jesus about divorce. And Jesus gives an answer that is uncomfortable, painful, and distressing. On Sunday we will wrestle with these uncomfortable words and ask 'Did Jesus get it wrong?'
+Shawn
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Join the King's Chapel community in Building on Faith
Saturday, October 10: Volunteer for the the KC build for Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston. 10 participants are needed. Contact Emanuel Genovese petersexton@alum.mit.edu to sign up. Building is from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at a Boston site. Fee $40 per adult; $20 youth. Matching funds come from the KC Community Action Committee. If this is a financial hardship, other arrangements can be made.
- The proceeds of the "Second Sunday' Offertory has been designated for Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston.
Sunday, October 11: View after Morning Prayer presentations of King's Chapel Habitat for Humanity activities:
- Honduras
- Romania (in Kolozsvár home of our partner church)
- Greater Boston
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Save the Date | Theology on Tap Returns!
Believer. Non-Believer. Confident. Curious. Join us for a lively theological discussion in a relaxed setting. On October 21st at 7pm we will discuss "Who is Jesus? Prophet, Redeemer, Teacher, God?" over hearty appetizers. Anyone over 21 is welcome to join and purchase their own beverage. We will meet at Scollay Square (21 Beacon St. Boston, MA 02108). Conversations led by Rev. Shawn Fiedler. RSVP is required to ensure enough seating, contact shawn@kings-chapel.org
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Return of the King's Chapel Concert Series, Sunday October 25th!
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As you may have noticed in Morning Prayer, the choir has started preparing for our upcoming October 25 concert program, entitled A New Britain. Following up on our pomp and circumstance Evensong of Great British Classics for the Queen in September, in this program we explore the current generation of composers active in the sacred music realm in the United Kingdom. You will hear among other works the Ubi Caritas written by Paul Mealor for William and Kate's wedding, Jonathan Dove's Missa Brevis, Judith Bingham's Harvest, and several other excellent examples of the sumptuous works still emerging from the proud British choral tradition today.
The concert will be followed by a wine and cheese reception for performers and friends at the Parish House, to which all parishioners are cordially invited.
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All Saints & All Souls | Fauré Requiem | November 1
On November 1st at 11AM, King's Chapel will observe the ancient Christian festivals of All Saints & All Souls with a service of Holy Communion with music selected from Requiem in D minor by composer Gabriel Fauré. This annual observance invites us to remember, grieve and rest from those things which are lost and those things which, for a time, are out of sight. Together we will sing, recite prayers, and kindle light.
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New Piano at the Morning Light Service, Little Chapel
Have you seen the new piano that was donated to King's Chapel by friends of Heinrich's? It's a beauty, and now resides in the Little Chapel at the Parish House, where its rich chords resonate beautifully on the wooden floors and pews.
You can enjoy the piano, as played by our new musician, Skip Lewan, every Sunday at 9 AM, during our new intergenerational Morning Light service in the Little Chapel, 64 Beacon St. Skip is a graduate of the Berklee School of Music, with a degree in Composition.
Three new and wonderful blessings: the piano, Skip, and the Morning Light Service!
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Kudos Given to Anne Sexton for her Service to King's Chapel
At the Homecoming Sunday luncheon, the Membership Committee announced that Anne Sexton and Amy Meyer were being recognized this year for their dedicated service to the church. Last week we shared about Amy's many leadership roles over the years. This week we share about Anne's contributions. Both inspire us.
Anne Sexton has served as our Head Usher for 16 years, organizing the weekly complement of ushers for over 800 Sundays, and personally being present to warmly greet both newcomers and old friends, Sunday after Sunday. Anne has chaired our Hospitality Committee for several years, hosting us for untold numbers of events, including the very luncheon at which she was honored. For those of us who see the work behind the scenes, we know that Anne reaches out and coordinates a team of volunteers who shop, menu plan, cook, serve, and clean up. It looks effortless to those of us who arrive to her gracious spread, but Anne takes special care, often coming in days in advance or hours early, to add decorative touches like flowers on each table, or to present the food beautifully. Hospitality is identified as a spiritual gift by the church, and Anne has this gift.
In addition, Anne has been entrusted with virtually all other roles by the congregation: 9 years as a Vestry member; Nominating Committee three times; Search Committee member for our interim minister and church school director; and a member of the Buildings and Grounds, Membership, Personnel, and Church School Committees.
We are blessed with Anne's energy and ministry on behalf of all of us at King's Chapel. Thank you Anne.
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Reprinting of the Prayerbook
Due to limited availability of current stock, the Ninth Edition (1986) of the Book of Common Prayer according to the Use in King's Chapel will be reprinted in the coming weeks. This reprinting will provide the Society of King's Chapel with a new stock of Prayerbooks for new members, as well as be available for purchase for those around the world who delight in the history and liturgy of King's Chapel. This reprinting will also provide a high resolution PDF copy of our prayerbook.
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Vestry Retreat: Update from Senior Minister Joy Fallon
Last Saturday, officers and Vestry members gathered at the Parsonage, in the Little Chapel, and in the Parish House for the fall retreat. We worshipped together, early in the morning, using the Morning Light liturgy. We spent time talking about things we miss and things we look forward to, in our lives and in this church. To build the collegiality we want, we're getting to know one another better, and understand the challenges and joys each of us faces.
We also discussed key working principles by which we're trying to operate, including the welcome of all, our need to increase membership, and the importance of moving forward with long-identified needs, so that we in the church and those in our surrounding community can see our progress, our attention to things that matter. We'll talk more about these and other working principles as the year goes on. We ended with lunch, our wonderful church covenant, and a recitation together of the General Thanksgiving from our Prayerbook.
I challenged Vestry members to spend some time this year at one children's event, on one service project, with one new member, and having coffee with another Vestry member they don't know well. Those not on the Vestry might consider this challenge, too. We're building new bridges everywhere.
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Vestry Report
There is much to report with regard to improvements to our buildings and grounds. Currently, work is underway on the exterior of 63 & 64 Beacon Street. The money needed to complete this project was set aside about two years ago. The Trustees and Society, working together, provided the funds. In order to move this project forward, the work has been broken into two phases. Last month Phase I began on the two porticos and the remainder of the ironwork that had not been restored in an earlier project. The work on the porticos involves column and entablature restoration, scaffolding, door surround, transom restoration, entrance door restoration, and a new copper roof on the 63 entrance. There is less work to be done on 64 and it will entail column repairs and painting, entablature repairs and painting, scaffolding, and door surround. Phase II will follow, which will address the windows facing Beacon Street.
The ironwork restoration will involve removing, sandblasting, repairing, and applying a three-part paint system. Also, delivering and reinstalling approximately fifty-two linear feet of existing balcony and balcony rail above the first floor. It excludes the approximately ten-foot-long section previously done. The existing cast and wrought iron balcony is important both architecturally as well as in its role of providing cross-over access between 63 and 64 Beacon St. in the event that access to the street level is blocked. It is imperative as a matter of life safety that this work be done. The balcony is not certifiable in its current condition. The Trustees have agreed to underwrite the balcony restoration (given the life safety issue that had been brought to their attention).
The steam leak at the corner of Tremont and School Streets continues to be monitored by John Bowman, Sam Perry, representatives from Veolia, structural engineers, and the Hanover Insurance adjuster. Progress has been made.
As previously reported, a contract for installation of the sound system has been signed. We have been told that work will commence the week of October 12. A team of three to five parishioners will receive training in the operation of the system. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Cliff Allen (allencliff47@verizon.net).
A number of needed masonry repairs have been identified in the garden. Work is underway. The railings along the brick incline leading to the back door of the Parish House have been secured. Benches will be removed, the sunken bricks will be set flush in a full bed of mortar, and then the benches will be returned. The seats will be anchored with epoxy to the legs.
A plan for restoration of our Parish House garden is being devised and is in the able hands of Betsy Peterson, Karen Taylor, Alecia Manning, and Sylvia Soderberg.
Todd Lee and Steve Courtney (resident architects) have been working on the sketches for the design of the lavatory and the remainder of the Vestry room in King's Chapel. The sketches will allow us to solicit estimates to perform the work.
The Senior Warden, Senior Minister, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and Chair of Buildings and Grounds plan to meet with the Trustees to put together a five-year estimate of capital needs, the likely costs, and the source of payment. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, at 5:00 PM.
Best regards,
Cliff Allen, Senior Warden
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Sunday October 4th
The Rev. Shawn Fiedler,
preacher
- Paul Luca, Lector
- Claire Shepro, Soloist
- Anne Sexton, Head Usher
- David Wheeler, Cliff Allen, Cathy Price, Ushers
- Cathy Price, Hospitality
- Carolyn Conley, Verger
The Readings:
- Psalm 8
- Old Testament: Genesis 2:18-22
- The Gospel: Mark 10:2-16
The flowers on the communion table are given in loving memory of Dr. Hunter Sweaney and Frances Foushee Sweaney
by their daughter Betty Sweaney Lykins.
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From the Bench
By Heinrich Christensen
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The pre- and postludes this week are Ralph Vaughan Williams' Three Preludes on Welsh Hymn Tunes, including Hyfrydol, the rollicking tune of our final hymnLove Divine, All Loves Excelling.
The choir will continue previewing the October concert program with selections from Jonathan Dove's Missa Brevis. You will also hear another Shaker song arranged by local composer Kevin Siegfried, and Heinrich's own setting of Psalm 8, entitled Excellence.
We will also sing a congregational hymn authored by one our most far flung members, Rev. John Bunyan, who was originally scheduled to visit from Australia this week, but has been beset by health problems and had to cancel his trip. |
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Tuesday, October 6, 12:15 p.m.
Ann Rosandich, oboe
Alan Weiss, flute
Heinrich Christensen, organ
Works by Johann Joachim Quantz
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On Sunday, October 11th, all collection not designated for the Annual Appeal will go to Habitat for Humanity.
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Interested in Membership?
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| | Choir Member Joei Perry signing The Book of Intentions |
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| King's Chapel formally welcomes new members throughout the year. We are preparing to welcome new members in January 2016 with new member gatherings this fall. If you are curious about King's Chapel, or interested in membership, contact Cathy Price cmmp48@comcast.net. |
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Church School registration began September 20th. Our programming for Children & Youth is based upon our heritage as Unitarian Christians. We are grounded in biblical wisdom and Christian identity yet free to exercise the individual use of reason to seek our own truth. From this perspective, we strive to nurture in our children and youth the seed of a curious and questioning faith, in the hope that their faith will continue to grow throughout their lives. Church School classes for preschoolers (Godly Play), elementary-age children (Superheroes of Our Faith), and middle and high school youth (Coming of Age) are offered between Morning Light 9AM and Morning Prayer 11AM from September to June. Contact ryan@kings-chapel.org for more information.
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More News from
The Parish
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Roots and Wings - Theme for the Year
Last Sunday I asked, What are your "roots," that make you feel like you belong; that let you bend and sway in life's storms, but not topple, like a tree that is deeply rooted?
What gives you "wings," allowing you to soar to new heights courageously, giving you perspective from a loftier perch? For more, click here. -Joy |
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The Annual Appeal wants YOU!
Half the goal of $195,000 has been raised already - not so bad for this time of year. But we still have to raise  the other half by the end of December.
Our gifts support the church programs we voted at the Annual Meeting - our strong music and choir, more church school, our three weekly worship services. It also supports the immediate physical changes most of us want:
- better amplification and assisted listening (coming next month),
- an accessible toilet at the church (drawings being completed), and
- critical repairs to the Parish House, with good help from the Trustees (started).
By now, members and contributing friends should have gotten our fall solicitation -
clearly identified as "King's Chapel 2015 Annual Appeal." Only fourteen weeks left until the end of the year and the close of this Annual Appeal. We look forward to hearing from you (all).
Many thanks. Many blessings.
Todd Lee and Orian Welling, Co-chairs - 2015 Annual Appeal
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Sermon Series: The Big Questions We All Have
This fall your preachers are offering a Sermon Series: The Big Questions We All Have. The full list can be found on the church website.
For the coming Sunday, we'll wrestle with this topic: October 4 - "Does Jesus Ever Get it Wrong?"
In the proud heritage of King's Chapel, allowing all their freedom of conscience, we'll explore these big questions together. Join us!
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Midweek Bible Study
Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m. at the Parish House, starting September 23rd
Join us on Wednesdays at the Parish House for an informal study of both the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and the Christian Scriptures (New Testament). Each week, we will examine and reflect on the upcoming preaching texts. We will read the text together, explore commentary, and discuss how these ancient texts are made alive today. These sessions are led by Rev. Shawn Fiedler. All are welcome. No homework assigned. No preparation necessary. R.S.V.P. Encouraged. *If you are interested in attending a weekly bible study, but this time/day does not work, please email shawn@kings-chapel.org with hope that a better time/day may be selected in the future.* |
We Weep with those Who Weep
The Memorial Service for our former Senior Warden and dear friend, Mason Fernald, will be held on Sunday, October 18, at 4 PM at King's Chapel.
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Dan Wakefield Park - Effort & Petition
An effort has begun to name a park in Indianapolis in honor of author and King's Chapel member Dan Wakefield. Dan had stopped attending church until 1980 when he went to a Christmas Eve service at King's Chapel. Subsequently, he took a writing course taught by Carl Scovel, titled "Religious Autobiography", which led to the piece "Returning to Church", published in The New York Times Magazine and later his book Returning: A Spiritual Journey. To sign the petition to name the Indianapolis park in Dan's honor, click here.
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Senior Warden Announces Sound System To Be Installed This Fall
I am pleased to announce that through the generosity of a number of members of King's Chapel, who provided private donations amounting to one-half the cost of the purchase and installation of a sound system, a contract has been signed with Adtech Systems. The installation has been tentatively scheduled for the middle to end of October. We will be taking another step in our effort to welcome all to King's Chapel, including current members who have stopped coming to services or who are unable to hear portions of the spoken word when present, and visitors who will be able to hear our ministers and other speakers. The system will direct the sound of the spoken word (there is no need to amplify our beautiful music) throughout the center of the sanctuary from a single source, and provide an assistive listening component for those with significant hearing loss, which will enable people to hear the spoken word by using a small device, or by making an adjustment to their own hearing aids.
This process began with the convening of the ad hoc Audio/Sound Committee for King's Chapel on January 28, 2015, the committee's exploring many different options by visiting churches and speaking with church staff, consulting a sound expert, soliciting cost estimates from several sound contractors, and providing demonstrations of similar amplification systems at King's Chapel. The committee was chaired by Cynthia and Richard Perkins and included John Bowman, Heinrich Christensen, Shawn Fiedler, Bill Sears, Mebd Sichko, Dan Taylor, and Cliff Allen. Thank you also to the Officers and Vestry of King's Chapel, the many parishioners who provided their thoughts and insights, and our Senior Minister who has focused us on the thought that "All Are Welcome Here." Cliff Allen, Senior Warden
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The Syrian Refugee Crisis: How You Can Help
This week the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Unitarian Social Service Committee launched two efforts to address this grave world crisis: a special fund to assist refugees, and a petition drive to urge President Obama to increase the number of refugees the United States will receive to 200,000. For more information, click here.
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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. One of the box pews has been made wheel-chair accessible. Ushers are available to assist those who are wheelchair-bound to that pew.
Many of us have trouble hearing in our sanctuary, which does not have amplification. Sound carries best on the main floor of the sanctuary, in areas that are not covered by the balcony. In June, the Vestry approved a hearing system which we hope will be implemented in the near future. |
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Submitting to Between Sundays
Want something in Between Sundays? Feel free to email Simon (simon@kings-chapel.org) with a written piece and/or pictures before Wednesday at Noon! |
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