Ready or Not...Starting "The Conversation" on End-of-Life Wishes
Tonight at 7:15 PM
It can happen to anybody at anytime--the inability to speak for yourself when medical decisions need to be made. Who will speak for you? Do they know your wishes? Do you know the wishes of your partner, your parent, your child? Having that conversation, and leaving written guidelines, are huge gifts to the people who may need to care for you.
The Adult Religious Education Committee is hosting a discussion on advance health care directives, open to the public, led by Joyce Gallagher, RN, BSN, MSEd, Director of Nurses, Good Shepherd Community Care. She will explain the importance of documenting your end-of-life choices and suggest ways to start the conversation about your choices with family and friends. If you can, bring a family member or friend who might be your health care proxy. Registration appreciated, call 617 227-2155.
Located at the King's Chapel Parish House.
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What do you do when your life falls apart? Jesus' friends are admiring the enormous stones of the Temple in Jerusalem, marveling that rocks this large could have moved into place, stacked so well atop one another to such heights. Jesus says, "These will crash down, and even worse will happen to you." That's the lesson this week.
Oh happy day.....And what are we supposed to do then? When life as we know it crashes down?
During our sermon series this fall, we've asked Hard Questions (LINK). We're convinced church should be a place we can ask the tough questions of life, wrestle with them. We may not always agree on the answers, but we don't hide from the difficult, real issues of life. Sometimes we even learn from one another, new perspectives we hadn't had before, that make it easier to keep going, week by week.
In November and December we're trying to provide space for tackling these hard questions, among others:
- End of Life Decisions we'd all rather avoid ("Ready or Not", tonight at 7:15);
- Life after Death? - the topic of Shawn's open discussion at "Theology on Tap" next Wednesday at 7:15;
- Grief when a Beloved One Dies, on Thursday Nov. 19, when the many of you who have lost a loved one can gather for informal conversation with others, at my house (6:30 PM);
- "Blue Christmas", a service for any who don't find the holiday as glittering as the commercials depict (Wed. Dec. 9 at 6 PM);
- Homelessness Next Door to King's Chapel - we begin to tackle this with a small step - stuffing a backpack with things our homeless brothers and sisters need. This shopping at Christmas feels different.
- The Real Meaning of Christmas - reminding ourselves, through a short daily reading book during December, preparing for a new way of life (Richard Rohr's Advent book, Dec. 2, 9, and 16 at 7:15 at the church).
What do we do when our lives fall apart? When our hearts break, or someone we know feels crushed by the weight of life, heavy as massive stones? We gather together again, hear words ancient and fresh, listen to music's revelation, and listen to one another. Church at its best. Please come and join us.
Joy
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Afternoon Tea
The Ministers and Staff of King's Chapel cordially invite the Ladies of the Society to an Afternoon Tea, to be held on Tuesday November 24, 2015 at 2:00 PM. All Ladies are welcome to join us at The Parish House!
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New Members Class & Brunch
Those interested in learning more about membership at King's Chapel are invited to a New Members Class on November 12th at 6:30PM at the Parish House. This class provides a brief history of the church, explores our diversity of beliefs, and explains how we govern ourselves.
A light brunch will follow Morning Prayer on November 15th at the Parish House for those interested in joining King's Chapel. To RSVP for the class and/or brunch, contact Cathy Price at "cmmp48@comcast.net."
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Theology on Tap | November 18
Believer. Non-Believer. Confident. Curious. Join us for a lively theological discussion in a relaxed setting. In honor of All Saints & All Souls, on November 18th at 7pm we discuss
"Life After Death" 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 02108}. Conversations led by Rev. Shawn Fiedler. RSVP is required to ensure enough seating, contact shawn@kings-chapel.org
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Thursday, November 19, 6:30 PM - A gathering at Joy's Home for any who have lost a loved one.
The last two years have been hard ones for many people who worship at King's Chapel because someone you've cared about died. I'm aware of the deaths of parents, spouses, life partners, and grandparents. Others have lost children, friends, family, neighbors, and those for whom they've been caregiver. If you are experiencing loss, you are invited to my home on Thursday evening, November 19, at 6:30 PM, for an informal gathering in my living room. Over a shared meal, we will be with one another, share thoughts or stories, or just listen. Sometimes it's good to be with others who grieve.
We'll also talk about any ideas you have of future programs the church might offer that could help those who are bereaved.
The parsonage is located at 63 Beacon St., adjoining the Parish House at 64 Beacon St. Due to the construction on the front entrances, please enter through the back door into the parish house garden, located on Branch Street. Signs will be posted so you can find your way.
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Join us for worship at 10 AM on Thanksgiving Day - time set aside between the turkey and Black Friday, time apart between the bustle of cooking and the football games, a space for giving thanks to God, singing the old songs, reminding our children how the holiday started.
If you're in town, please join us for this longstanding tradition at King's Chapel - worship on Thanksgiving Day with one another.
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Bach, Bach, Bach! November 29th, 5:00 PM
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To round off Thanksgiving weekend, Heinrich will play organ pieces by three members of the Bach family. In addition to three major and three minor works by Johann Sebastian, you will hear music by his second cousin Johann Bernhard, roughly Johann Sebastian's contemporary, but representing more of the "standard" music being written at the time before Johann Sebastian showed up on the scene and began lots of new musical invention. Also represented is Johann Sebastian's son Carl Philipp Emanuel who actually in his lifetime was a much more celebrated composer than his father ever was.Sunday, November 29, 5 PM. Tickets available on line at a $5 discount. http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2403300
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Greening of the Church
Volunteers are needed to help prepare the church for the holiday season. Join us on December 5th from 10AM-12PM to hang garlands in the church. To RSVP, please contact Louise Perkins, at
lwperkins50@live.com.
Phase 2 Greening to take place on December 19th, at 10:00 AM
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Hungry for a More Meaningful Christmas?
Join the Rev. Joy Fallon in reading a small book, 1-2 pages a day, during Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas; this year it begins on Sunday, November 29th. Copies of Preparing for Christmas: Daily Meditations for Advent, by best-selling author Franciscan monk Richard Rohr, will be available for $8 after worship services, at the hospitality table, or can be ordered on the internet. Read and reflect on your own, or join Joy for an informal conversation on Wednesday evenings, December 2, 9 and 16 at 7 PM, following the 6 PM worship service. We'll meet over soup in the Vestry room, behind the pulpit.
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Retreat at Glastonbury Abbey, January 15-17 2016
Hymns: Experience and Reflection, led by Rev. Shawn Fiedler and Heinrich Christensen. Details and registration forms coming soon.
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The Parish House will be closed on
November 26 & 27 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
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Backpacks for the Homeless
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Once again King's Chapel will provide Backpacks for the Homeless this December. Last year we donated 53 backpacks filled with hats, gloves, scarves, socks, personal care items, and non-perishable food items. They were a most welcome gift for many of our neighbors last winter. The Community Action Committee voted to support this program again and our goal is to provide 100 backpacks to those in need. A lofty goal but I'm sure we can do this together.
"Last year when I began this program I didn't even know who I would deliver backpacks to, I only knew I wanted to help those in need in some small way. Anything you can donate; whether it's backpacks,personal care items, food, gift certificates, time, or money, is much appreciated. Together we can enrich the lives of others and make a difference in our beautiful city" Judy Luca
Backpacks and supplies are being collected now until December 15th at the Parish House or King's Chapel. Backpacks will be filled then distributed to those in need before Christmas. A list of recommended
items to put in the backpacks can be found if you click here.
If you would like to help or would like more information please contact Judy Luca at judyg143@gmail.com.
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Handel and Haydn Bicentennial
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This year is the 200th anniversary of the first Handel and Haydn concert in Boston, held at King's Chapel. In anticipation of this milestone, for the last year our church has been working alongside the Handel and Haydn Society to commemorate the event. Last year, the Handel and Haydn Society offered several free concerts in our church. On two upcoming Tuesdays there will be more sung celebration during the regular King's Chapel Tuesday 12:15 concert series. On Tuesday November 17th at 12:15, the Handel and Haydn Chorus will sing from the Bach Family Motets. On December 22nd at 12:15, soloists from the King's Chapel Choir will offer a Half-Hour Messiah. King's Chapel also will be the site on Saturday, November 21st, of a Handel and Haydn fundraiser; if you are interested in supporting our partner, contact them soon, as tickets are in short supply. Many best wishes to them in this exciting year.
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Being Mortal by Atul Gwande
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The King's Chapel library now has three copies of this best-selling book by local Harvard Medical School doctor, Atul Gwande. It explores how American medicine addresses the end of life, and how we as individuals may choose to face our diseases and frailties, for ourselves and the family and friends we love. It's a good read, which I recommend. If there is interest, I'm happy to host a discussion. Check it out at our Parish House Library, and let me know your thoughts. Joy
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Pretty in Purple. Heinrich brings color to the parish house on cold gray days.
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Wednesday, November 11th
The Rev. Joy Fallon,
preacher
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Sunday, November 15th
The Rev. Joy Fallon,
preacher
- Paul Luca, Lector
- Anne Sexton, Head Usher
- Betsy Peterson, Karen Dalton, & Julie Hyde, Ushers
- Cynthia & Richard Perkins, Hospitality
- Carolyn Conley, Verger
The Readings:
- Psalm 16: 1, 7-11
- Old Testament: 1 Samuel 1:9-10, 12-17
- New Testament: Mark 13,1-2, 8-13, 31
The flowers on the Communion table are given in loving memory of William J. Rizzo and William V. Wilson by Madolyn and William Wilson.
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From the Bench
By Heinrich Christensen
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It's Renaissance Sunday! The choir will sing three settings of the ancient Latin hymn O salutaris hostia, reflecting on our lessons and repeating some of the sentiments found in our closing hymn O God, Our Help In Ages Past:
O Saving Victim opening wide
The gate of heaven to all below.
Our foes press on from every side;
Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow.
The O salutaris hymn is ascribed to Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274). For our Introit, you will hear a 4-part setting of this text by Slovenian/Bohemian composer Jacob Handl (1550-1591), for the Motet a 6-part setting by Dutchman Adrian Willaert (1490-1562), and finally an 8-part setting for our Offertory by Andrea Gabrieli (1532-1585), representing the Venetian School of composers.
Ramping up for the November 29 Bach, Bach, Bach concert, the organ prelude will be three selections from J.S. Bach's 2-part inventions, perhaps some of the simplest keyboard counterpoint Bach ever wrote. And the postlude, for contrast, will be his majestic triple Fugue in E Flat Major, The fugue theme starts out just like St. Anne, the tune for O God, Our Help, so the piece is sometimes referred to as the St. Anne Fugue.
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Tuesday, November 17, 12:15 PM
Handel and Haydn Society Chorus
Scott Allen Jarrett, director
Bach Family Motets
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Interested in Membership?
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On Sunday, December 13th, all collection not designated for the Annual Appeal will go to Horizons for Homeless Children.
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More News from
The Parish
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Theresa's Baby
Jack O'Hara, 4 months old, son of our former head guide Theresa Cooney and her husband Mike, our erstwhile website designer. Theresa received her PhD from BU this past spring and is now working full time for the university. They send their greetings to our entire parish from their home in beautiful Hull by the sea!
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Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree...
If you've been to the Parish House recently, you must have noticed the overwhelming accumulation of yellow apples under the old tree. You may have also seen that several huge branches have broken, and you may have been frightened by the loud bang of an apple hitting the ground from 40 feet up. Sadly, we've recognized that it's a safety hazard. A small committee has been considering what to do, and have spoken with Faith Scovel, who originally planted the tree. The reluctant conclusion by all, after advice from an expert, is that the tree cannot be saved to any good effect. Professional pruners will remove the apple this fall, replace it with a Japanese maple, and tend to some other problems in our beautiful but overgrown garden. If we were to wait, hazards could arise during winter snows and ice, with more heavy branches possibly doing harm. Next spring the committee will present a full plan for the future of the garden which will be shared with the congregation and vestry. Committee members are Betsy Peterson, Karen Cord Taylor, Alecia Manning and Sylvia Soderberg.
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Roots and Wings - Theme for the Year
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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.
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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.
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Contributing 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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