The Bradford Thanksgiving Connection, by Robert H. Bradford
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Thanksgiving has always been the most personal and meaningful of all holidays for my family.
For one thing, having direct ancestral ties that trace back 11 generations to our Pilgrim forefather, Governor William Bradford, and the courageous communal spirit of the Plimoth Plantation pioneers, stirs a deep sense of intimate kinship and appreciation for what they stood for as historical role models.
But there's also a desire and sense of responsibility to keep alive the Pilgrim's message of humilty and sharing for the common good, which can continue to inspire love and charity in our troubled world today.
When my father was, himself, the second Governor Bradford of this Commonwealth in the later 1940s, he penned two brilliant, deeply-felt Gettysburg address-type blessing Day Proclamations, which have since become the traditional opening reading of King's Chapel's lovely Thanksgiving morning service.
I have long been convinced there is no more appropriate or emotionally-rewarding way to begin this holiday than to reflect back on the real meaning of its origins. Let us recall that more than half of the Pilgrim settlement had died during what they called "the starving time"--- those terrible winter months at the beginning of their first year in 1621. But in autumn, with some agro-expertise from their native friend Massasoit and his fellow Wampanoags, they were able to realize a bountiful harvest, for which they gathered together for a day of prayer and thanksgiving, praising their Lord God for the mercy of bare survival.
The way Dad succeeded in summarizing all this in two short addresses, making it all vividly germane to today's social consciousness and as a timeless epic for the ages, is truly masterful in the eyes of me, his son.
So, it's no surprise that being asked to read one of his proclamations at the King's Chapel Thursday morning service is always both a privilege and great honor in the name of my wonderful Dad.
I've been doing it now for more than 20 years. And right after these services, before any feasting and family gatherings begin, I try and head over to the uplifting beauty of Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, where my Mother and Dad are resting. I'll tell Dad how the reading went, discuss a bit of family news, and wish my parents a Happy Thanksgiving Day.
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2015 Appeal Challenge - Making the Agreed Upon Goal
We voted an ambitious Annual Appeal goal last spring - $195,000 - a 13.4% increase from last year. The new target contribution is to fund the staffing and programs we have designated for this year, and was based on last year's success (resulting in 2% over). We have in hand only two-thirds of the total contribution pledged and expected. The Annual Appeal was on target at the end of summer, but is now falling behind. We look at this as not only a significant problem, but also a critical opportunity. We must raise the remaining $65,000 by the end of the year 2015.
We have been blessed with an anonymous donor offering to match any funds raised over and above pledged amounts up to $2,000 (this means that if you can give an extra $250, it will be matched with his $250 making an additional $500 for King's Chapel). While the Advent Season is not the time to be asking for money, we need to remind you of this critical need. In the next days, to help close the gap, we ask that:
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You be certain that your contribution has been made and that the amount is at least equal to last year's PLUS the voted 13% increase;
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You stretch your gift to meet the Matching Gifts program for increases above already pledged and donated amounts.
Your Annual Appeal leaders are eager to have your strong response and to get this behind us, so that we all can enjoy the Christmas season, knowing that we have done our part for our church. You will be hearing from us and we hope that we have your support!
Many thanks. Many blessings,
Todd Lee and Orian Welling Co-chairs, 2015 Annual Appeal
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From the Minister | First Sunday in Advent
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Wrapping Paper? ✔︎
Postage Stamps? ✔︎
Stocking Stuffers? ✔︎
Sugar Cookies? ✔︎
Son of Man arriving on clouds with power and great glory?!
This Sunday, the church around the world begins the season of Advent; a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas. The Latin word isAdventus, meaning "coming". Each year the season of Advent begins with the vision of earth trembling in fear as Jesus arrives on clouds-the Second Coming-and we are instructed to 'be alert.' Not quite the holly, jolly Christmas many of us hope to have. This is a tough and uncomfortable vision, but not without hope.
We start this season with this vision because the world is broken apart by war and oppression, violence and heartache and God promises to bring relief. We start with this vision because the celebration of Jesus' birth needs to be made alive in our living all year long. We start with this vision because the coming of the Kingdom of God depends on us-and the stakes are high.
+Shawn
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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 online at a $5 discount.
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Greening of the Church and Parish House
The Greening of the Chapel, Phase I, will take place on Saturday December 5th at 10 AM - 12 PM. Phase II of Greening will occur on Saturday December 19th, also at 10 AM - 12 PM. If you are interested in volunteering to help with this tradition, please contact Louise Perkins at lwperkins50@live.com.
We will be greening the Parish House on Friday December 11th at 11:00 AM. If you would like to volunteer to help with this, please contact Gretchen Horton at administrator@kings-chapel.org.
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Advent Crafts | December 6, 10AM
Come be a part of a time-honored tradition at King's Chapel! Advent Crafts will be held at the Parish House following Morning Light on Sunday, December 6th. Children of any age are welcome to make holiday crafts and enjoy in the merriment! Crafts include: candles, Christmas cards, arrangements, and more. For more information contact
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Blue Christmas, December 9th at 6PM, at King's Chapel
For some of us, the holiday season isn't merry & bright. For some of us there is grief, pain and sadness around this time of year that joyous carols and bright lights can't seem to quell. Held in the beauty of our stone chapel (School & Tremont Streets), we will gather in candlelight for a service of song and word. We gather to kindle the light of hope and hold in prayer our heartaches and sorrows. All are welcome.
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Advent Book Discussion on December 2, 9 and 16 at 7 PM
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 $9 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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Young Adult Cocktails | December 3
Young Adults of King's Chapel are invited to an evening of good cheer and cocktails at Rev. Shawn Fiedler's home on December 3rd at 6PM. R.S.V.P. to shawn@kings-chapel.org
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Retreat at Glastonbury Abbey, January 15-17 2016
Hymns: Experience and Reflection, led by Rev. Shawn Fiedler and Heinrich Christensen.
What is your favorite hymn? Is there a hymn that makes you cry, laugh, cringe? Are there words you don't believe? Is there a hymn that is central to your faith? In the beauty and peace of the Glastonbury Abbey in Hingham, Massachusetts, we will explore the theology, history and spirituality of Christian hymnody. We will discuss and reflect on classic hymns, and of course, sing! Start the new year making a joyful noise! To register, click here.
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The Parish House will be closed on
November 26 & 27 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
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Wednesday, November 25, 6PM, Communion Service
The Rev. Joy Fallon,
preacher
- Mindy Hinkel, Soloist & Hospitality
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Thursday, November 26, 11AM, Thanksgiving Day
The Rev. Joy Fallon,
preacher
- Amy Meyer, Lay Reader
- Eric Ferring, Soloist
- Anne Sexton, Head Usher
- Cliff Allen, Charles Perry, and Todd Lee, Ushers
- Rosemary Ouellet, Verger
The Readings:
- Psalm 126
- Old Testament: Joel 2:21-27
- New Testament: Matthew 6:25-33
The flowers in the Governor's Pew are given in loving memory of
Governor and Mrs. Robert Fiske Bradford by their son, Robert H. Bradford.
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Sunday, November 29, 11AM
The Rev. Shawn Fiedler,
preacher
- Kathe German, Lector
- Claire Shepro & Dan Perry, Soloists
- Anne Sexton, Usher-in-Charge
- Betsy Peterson, Cathy Price, and Marie Wells, Ushers
- Amy Meyer, Hospitality
- Carolyn Conley, Verger
The Readings:
- Psalm 25: 1-9
- Old Testament: Jeremiah 33: 14-16
- New Testament: Luke 21: 25-36
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By Heinrich Christensen
For the first Sunday of Advent, the choral Introit will be the Matin Responsory "I Look From Afar", adapted from a Magnificat by Palestrina. The choir will also sing Adam Lay Ybounden in a setting by Richard Webster, director of music at Trinity Church in Copley Square, and Minnesota composer Timothy Takach's beautiful "A Sign of Day to Come," with poetry by W. Bruce Benson:
When winter's tilt of planet earth
Adds hours to the dark of night,
Then even we who stretch our days
With artificial light
Learn once again to wait
And welcome dawn.
Winter nights are long...
So very long.
And we, like God's green plants
In summer fields
Or winter windowsills,
Cannot deny our longing for the light.
We seek the sun.
The dawn is a threshold, doorway, gate, where we and day first meet.
And if that day is full of grace
Then it is joy enough for us
To stand within the doorway,
Facing East, to wait for what shall come.
And so, the starlit herald song of birds or angel choirs,
The first small newborn infant cry of God's incarnate love,
The first faint gleam of God's own justice, mercy, peace,
Can be enough to change the world and us.
The early gentle blush of rose on such a ripening day
Is reason for the soul to sing.
For then the darkness is no longer night,
But we who walk see a great light:
The Dawn of Redeeming Grace.
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Tuesday, December 1, 12:15 PM
Jacquelyn Stucker, soprano
Marsh Chapel Collegium
Scott Allen Jarrett, director
J.S. Bach: Cantata 199
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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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Coming of Age Trip to Central Reform Temple
Dear Friends, I am delighted to inform you that the Coming of Age group participated in the Shabbat service at the Central Reform Temple on Newbury St. on Friday, November 20th as part of our exploration of other faith traditions and how they relate to our own. We were greeted by Rabbi Berman as we entered the building. We were invited to read prayers and sing songs in Hebrew. We experienced a wonderful reflection given by Rabbi Berman. We offered our "Shabbat Shalom" (Peaceful Sabbath) to others present at the end of the service. It was a wonderful way to start the weekend! Our future visits will include reciting prayers in a Mosque, meditation guided by Buddhists, and a trip to a Hindu center of worship.
Ryan Harrison
Church School Director
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Coming of Age Group Needs Mentors
The Kings Chapel Church School is looking for volunteers who will serve as mentors to participants in our Coming of Age group. Responsibilities include meeting with your Coming of Age mentee at least twice (meeting more often is welcome and encouraged if your schedules allow), helping your mentee write a statement of faith, and attending the Coming of Age luncheon in May and Confirmation on June 6th. If you have any questions, please contact Ryan Harrison at
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More News from
The Parish
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Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
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The King's Chapel library now has three copies of this best-selling book Being Mortal by local Harvard Medical School doctor, Atul Gawande. 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.
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Backpacks for the Homeless
This Christmas season, please consider contributing to the Community Action Committee's Backpack Project. The CAC will be donating backpacks filled with toiletries, scarfs, mittens, hats, socks, gift certificates, and food items to those in need during this cold winter season. The recommended items include
Click here for the complete list of items to donate.
Donations can be brought to the Church or Parish House between now and December 15th. They will be distributed to those in need before Christmas. Some of the backpacks will be as assembled during our Advent Crafts session on Dec 6th at 10:00AM, at the Parish House. Children and families are invited to participate.
Please remember these words from Matthew 25. "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me."
Please contact Judy Luca for more information, at judyg143@gmail.com.
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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, December 2nd at 12 PM! |
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