But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah
Old South Church: Blessing of the Athletes
When Nancy Taylor took over the helm of Old South Church, outreach and community service were mandates for the congregation. Given its location and history, social interaction is part of Old South's DNA. The church was a meeting place for Boston Tea Party activists, a recruitment center for the Union Army and co-founder of City Mission Society in the late 19th century. Today it continues to be very involved and attune to the spirit of the times serving the city's urban diversity in its Gothic revival building and beyond its magnificent stained glass façade.
Old South is also known as the Church of the Finish Line every April since 1899 when the blue and yellow victors' tape of the Boston Marathon first stretched across Boylston Street only a few feet from its doors. Reverend Taylor described the annual event as the "oldest peaceful competition in the world", one that bring athletes from the poorest to the richest countries in the world together with only their own bodies and spirits to take them through the race-an equaling experience. For years on the days coming up to the marathon, runners had sought out a tranquil space to gather their thoughts and strengths, so nine years ago Taylor and her congregation decided to officially brings athletes to the sanctuary in the city for the Blessing of the Athletes. What started with a few dozen runners grew to hundreds last year and this year, while it is hard to predict how many will attend, estimates range at over a thousand.
Last year's horrific bombing put Old South at the epicenter of the world's attention once again. All eyes were on Boston; the words "Oh my God" were uttered by those who confronted the assault first hand and those jarred from a distance. It is at one of these rare moments, as Taylor described, that "God has a chance to open the door", a chance for the church to step in and provide a transcendent place. The Old South congregation has stepped up to the challenge with a proactive faith that has taken many forms over the last year. Reverend Taylor continues to speak of the importance of the unity of faith
including in the USA Today opinion piece and the Blessing of the Athletes, one of a number of services at the church, is scheduled for Easter Sunday.
KNITTED WITH LOVE AND COURAGE, DEFYING FEAR
This year the Marathon athletes will leave the service with a physical gift, a scarf created by one of the knitters, crocheters and sewers who were looking for a way to offer their support to those running in this year's race. Initiated by Diane Goucher and Marilyn Jackson Adams only two months ago The Marathon Scarf Project offered a way for congregation members to express their grief and to show solidarity with the athletes who had defied their fear. As one volunteer put it "for love to overcome hate".
The project's original goal was around 300 scarves to give out at the pre-marathon Sunday service but as with many ideas today, through social media, as well as the extensive worldwide knitters' network, the project went viral. At last count the number of scarves was pushing 7,000. Knitters from 45 states and at least 10 countries answered the call to participate in the healing. The post office has added a truck to its daily delivery and not a day goes by where someone doesn't stop by the church with a anything from a single scarf to a box full of hand crafted wraps. Volunteers are there for mending and attaching cards with the maker's name and origin.
Distribution started on Saturday at the finish line where Sports Illustrated was shooting a special cover and will continue through the Blessing of the Athletes. Information on distribution can be found on Old South's Facebook page
