Holiday Baked Goods Project - Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless
One in seven children in Massachusetts is living in poverty, many without a bed. The Christmas season is nearly upon us and the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless is seeking our help to make its annual holiday baked goods project a success. Again this year Dancing Deer Bakery is partnering with the Coalition. The funds raised through this sale support the Coalition's initiative "A Bed for Every Child." The Coalition partners with public schools to assist students whose families are at risk of becoming homeless.
A good night's sleep has a major effect on a child's ability to come to school prepared to learn; falling behind in school due to a lack of sleep can have negative long-term consequences on a student's education and future. A proven pathway out of homelessness is to ensure children of low-income families receive an education that will allow them to graduate from high school. To do this, children must have the tools they need to succeed. One of these tools is a bed.
A complete bed includes a twin mattress, box spring, frame and linens for each student referred to the Coalition by its public school partners throughout Massachusetts. Your purchase of baked goods or making a monetary donation to "A Bed for Every Child" will help children living in poverty. For every $250 raised, a child receives a complete bed. So far, well over 2,000 children have received their own bed, but hundreds more are still on a waiting list.
This year your baked goods will be delivered directly to your home address or to the address of someone to whom you are making a gift of baked goods. Please place your order by December 17, 2015, at 10:00 AM, to ensure delivery by December 25. Orders will ship December 18, 2015. Just go to mahomeless.org; click on "Our Programs"; click on "A Bed for Every Child Initiative"; and click on "Holiday Baked Goods Project - Shop now". If you wish to donate instead, click on "Donate". If you have a problem navigating the site, contact me (Cliff Allen) and I will lend my assistance. I may be reached at 12 Jewett Road, Beverly, MA 01915; allencliff47@verizon.net; or 508-517-7904.
Cliff Allen, Senior Warden
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From the Minister | Second Sunday in Advent
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Lift high the gates -- Fling them open wide! Prepare the way of the Lord, make the way smooth. The King is coming! "Lift high the gates" will be our theme on Sunday - in music from the Messiah, and through our psalms and hymns, because when you're expecting the King as your visitor, you want to be sure he can get in! You bustle about getting ready -- preparing the way. If royalty is about to show up, you plan the menu, dust the living room, pick your best wine, maybe even replace the front hall carpet. And you certainly -- finally - repair the section of missing bricks on your front walk. You barely notice them anymore, but in light of the King's arrival, you see them in a new light. You prepare. How can we prepare together this season? When the King comes to King's Chapel on Christmas Eve, will you feel ready? Do we ever? Join us on Sunday, to think through what "being ready" could mean for you this year. Joy
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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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Young Adult Cocktails | December 3
Young Adults (Ages 21-40) 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. With any luck, we will see the Boston Common light display turn on! R.S.V.P. to shawn@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! Our Church School will sing Christmas Carols! 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
Churches have started to offer "Blue Christmas" services for those who feel "blue" during the holidays. We've learned that the season isn't joyous for everyone. While the world is decked with tinsel and mistletoe, you feel like the lights in your own life have dimmed. Sometimes you can put a cheerful smile on your face, but other times it takes an effort. There is one less gift to give this year, or no office party. The old clothes don't fit, or the usual decorations can just stay in the box and you won't mind at all. When times are hard, it can be good to gather with others who understand, at least in part. With poems and prayers and hymns, we'll be with one another on December 9th and light candles in the darkness.
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Advent Book Group - Wednesday, December 2, 9, 16, at 7PM at the Church
I've found a small book to read during Advent, titled Preparing for Christmas: Daily Meditations for Advent - a short reading each day. It's written by Richard Rohr, a well-known author and Franciscan monk. He urges me to look with greater depth at Christmas this year, to get ready not just for a cooing baby Jesus, but a mature partner in my life, a new way of living, an awareness of the universe of possibility around me and within me. Each day he asks me a question, and I find myself pondering what it means.
I've bought copies of the book from Amazon, and you can purchase one for $9 at any of our church services. Read it on your own, or join us for an informal discussion on three Wednesdays after the 6 PM service. We'll meet with soup, bread and a salad in the Vestry room, behind the pulpit. You can come for one session or all.
Joy
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Christmas Caroling for the Holiday Stroll | December 10
Join us next Thursday December 10 as we go caroling up and down Charles Street for the annual Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll!
We will gather a merry bunch at the Parish House at 5:30PM and take to the streets once we have a quorum. Carol books will be provided.
Come one, come all! Contact heinrich@
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Retreat at Glastonbury Abbey, January 15-17 2016
Hymns: Experience and Reflection, led by Rev. Shawn Fiedler and Heinrich Christensen.
Martin Rinkart was a minister in the city of Eilenburg during the Thirty Years War. Apart from battles, lives were lost in great number during this time due to illnesses and disease spreading quickly throughout impoverished cities. In the Epidemic of 1637, Rinkart officiated at over four thousand funerals, sometimes fifty per day. Rinkart lost his wife during the Epidemic. In the midst of these horrors, it is difficult to imagine maintaining faith and praising God, and yet, that's exactly what Rinkart did. He wrote the popular hymn, "Now Thank We All Our God." Somehow, Rinkart found the strength to write a hymn of praise and thanksgiving to God even in the midst of great horror and heartache. Could you compose a hymn of hope and praise in the midst of such pain? Could you sing one?
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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Thanksgiving Feast
At the Thanksgiving Day service last week, Joy preached about the "Silent Guest" program begun in 1947 by our member, Massachusetts Governor Robert Bradford. Bradford - supported by Eleanor Roosevelt and others - urged citizens to set an extra place at their Thanksgiving table, to remain empty, reminding them all of those who could not "feast" because of the ravages of WWII. If each family donated what would have been the cost to feed that one "silent guest," then contributions could be aggregated to send food packages to those in need. Thousands participated, and many were fed. Together, we can make a difference.
The Thanksgiving Feast was portrayed wonderfully on John Appleton's tie! John, a regular worshiper with us at both the 9AM and 11AM services, will be joining the church in January.
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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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Update on Communications
Are you inspired by King's Chapel and all that happens here? Are you an avid photographer who loves to have the "feeling" captured in photograph? If the answer is "Yes!" then we would like to talk with you!
We are searching for people to photograph many of the wondrous and busy events and activities that happen here, for use in updating our website and communications brochures. From our Sunday Morning Prayer to Tuesday Recital series, weekly renter activities to Milk Punch Sunday, there is a lot to capture!
Please contact Gretchen to learn more about this opportunity to give back to King's Chapel and find out how you can help! Thank you!
Gretchen can be reached at administrator@kings-chapel.org
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Wednesday, December 2, 6PM, Communion Service
The Rev. Shawn Fiedler,
preacher
- Eric Ferring, Soloist
- Amy Meyer, Hospitality
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Sunday, December 6, 11AM, Communion Service
The Rev. Joy Fallon,
preacher
- Todd Lee, Lector
- Denise Konicek, Soloist
- Anne Sexton, Usher-in-Charge
- David Wheeler, Cliff Allen, and Julie Hyde, Ushers
- Julie Hyde, Hospitality
- Carolyn Conley, Verger
The Readings:
- Psalm 24
- Old Testament: Baruch 5:1a, 5-9
- New Testament: Luke 3:1-6
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Our music this Sunday flings wide the gates every which way. Soprano Denise Konicek will sing the aria Öffne dich from Bach Cantata 61 for the Introit. The motet and offertory both offer settings of Psalm 24:7-10 Lift up Your Gates, by John Amner as well as Handel's famous chorus from The Messiah. The communion music was selected from Charles Wood's Missa Portae Honoris (Gates of Honor).
The organ voluntaries by Daniel Pinkham and Adolphus Hailstork are based on O Come, Emmanuel.
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Tuesday, December 8, 12:15 PM
Racha Fora
We Wish You a Groovy Christmas!
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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 Group Needs Mentors
The King's 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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Interested in Membership?
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More News from
The Parish
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We
Weep With Those Who Weep, and
Rejoice With Those Who Rejoice
For the last few years, we have prayed each week for the Rev. Charles Speight, Jr., father of our member Allen Speight, father-in-law of Hallie White, and grandfather of Will Speight. Rev. Speight died peacefully last Friday in Virginia. Allen was able to be there with him. Our prayers on Sunday were in thanks for Rev. Speight's life of kindness and gentle care for many, offered in confidence that he is "newly received into Thy glory."
There are multiple moments of joy being celebrated in the Congregation this week.
Caroline and Roger Wellington, five year old twins in our church school, will help in the free skating show this Thursday evening at the Frog Pond on Boston Common. In conjunction with the official Christmas Tree Lighting, there will be a world-class figure skating ice show featuring national and international figure skating champions from 5-6 PM on December 3rd. Caroline and Roger will skate to pick up bouquets thrown to the champions. We're proud of them both!
The proud grandparents, Dick and Cynthia Perkins, are happy to report that Cynthia's son and his wife, Morgan and Elysha, welcomed their baby boy, ready or not, on Monday morning, November 23 (3 days earlier than their due date). After a labor that escalated so suddenly that they couldn't drive to the hospital, the baby was delivered by a team of Waltham police, firemen, and EMTs on the floor of Elysha and Morgan's home at 4:20 am (just 20 minutes after help had arrived!). Elysha and the babe then went by ambulance to Mt. Auburn Hospital and Morgan phoned us with the news on his way there. The amazingly calm and collected mother and baby are in excellent health, the father is thrilled! They are happily home now.
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6 lbs, 7.5 oz.
51 Hours Old
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One week later, Dick welcomed a new hip into his world. We give thanks for the remarkable recovery time allowing Dick to return home after only two nights in the hospital. We give special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff at New England Baptist Hospital.
(Picture of Dick's hip is omitted).
With grateful hearts, we send our love to you and yours in this season of giving thanks,
-Cynthia and Dick Perkins
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Backpacks for the Homeless
Home for the holidays. Homeward bound. No place like home. But when you don't have a place to call your own, a place for your stuff, as comedian George Carlin once said, life is endlessly difficult and insecure. We see it with the rise of refugees across the globe and in our own backyard of downtown Boston. The backpack project is a great way to fill the immediate daily needs of those living on the streets. Your support and generosity are much appreciated. From soap to snacks, socks to stamps: the list of supplies is long but goes a long way in aiding and comforting those who have no shelter from the storm.
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. 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 contact Judy Luca for more information, at judyg143@gmail.com.
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Ladies' Tea
On Tuesday, November 24th, the staff hosted a "Tea at 2" for the women of the church. Choir member Denise Konichek sang, accompanied by Music Director Heinrich Christensen, and we delighted in tasty treats created by Gregg Sorensen and Assistant Minister Shawn Fiedler. A fine time was had by all!
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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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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 at simon@kings-chapel.org with a written piece and/or pictures before Wednesday at 12 PM! |
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