This week the racial wounds of Boston were front and
center again in our newspapers. On Monday night, a
Red Sox fan called an opposing player the N-word, and
threw a bag of peanuts at him. The inquiry following led
to other players of color from other teams, and our own,
reporting that they'd suffered similar slurs;
Boston continues to be known by players as one of the
places this still happens. Christopher Gasper, sports
columnist for the Globe, urged Bostonians to face the
problem and not to become defensive - the usual litany
to "prove it really happened;" it's only a few bigots; we
shouldn't be still tarred with the past hatred obvious in
bussing and against Celtics legend Bill Russell.
As King's Chapel, a church located on the Freedom Trail
that often focuses on our history, I was especially
interested in this cogent observation by Gasper:
"This is a city that trades on history, but when it comes
to racist behavior it wants to elide it completely.
Suddenly, the racist rancor of [awful past incidents] is to
be buried and forgotten, expunged from the record and discussion... Racism can't be regarded as Bigfoot, some
imaginary menace that few have witnessed and that even
fewer believe exists. It's not chimerical. It's all too
real....Speaking from experience, anyone who has ever
been called the N-word is not liable to mistake it for
another. It's time to face the facts and focus on
eradicating this behavior instead of trying to deny its
existence.... (Click HERE to read the full article).
Under the leadership of our member Amanda Pickett and with joint sponsorship of the Community Action and Adult Religious Education Committees, we've begun a 5 week program focused on Racism and "Whiteness," every Wednesday night this month. We need to do this. Please come.
Joy
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Last week, the Church School took a trip outside to the Boston Public Garden to get a close up look at God's budding creation. This Sunday, Skip, our Little Chapel music leader, will lead the children as they play orffs, ring triangles, and rehearse for their upcoming performance at the Big Chapel on June 4th, Children's Sunday.
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Racial Justice: Addressing Whiteness | Wednesdays in May
King's Chapel is hosting a free and open racial justice program for all members of King's Chapel and anyone in the Beacon Hill neighborhood. This program is an opportunity to meet people where they are, by providing a judgment-free but challenging educational space. All are welcome.
Book Talk | Wednesday, May 10 | 7:30 PM
New England Bound: Slavery and Colonization in Early America
(2016).
A book talk
with Wendy Warren at The Isaac Royall House, 15 George Street, Medford.
$5 admission. Royall was a slave trader and member of King's Chapel prior to the Revolution.
Book Group | Wednesdays, May 17 - June 7
7 PM
Waking Up White
by Debby Irving. A book group meeting at
64 Beacon Street
, Boston (King's Chapel Parish House).
Light refreshments provided at Parish House events at 7 PM. RSVP to Gretchen Horton, Parish Administrator at
[email protected] or by calling 617-227-2155 x 108
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Join King's Chapel in the annual Mother's Day Walk for Peace, in support of the Lewis Brown Peace Institute.
The Mother's Day Walk for Peace is a powerful way to express love and support for our neighbors.
Segregation is an ongoing reality in Boston, where we continue to have one of highest rates of income inequality in the country and now one of the highest costs of living. This has fueled intense gentrification in our neighborhoods, with families who can no longer afford to live here being pushed out of town.
According to their website, "The Mother's Day Walk for Peace is a celebration of our potential to create and sustain more peaceful communities, where all families are valued and have what they need. Sometimes strong feelings may come up for people as they walk alongside families whose loved one was murdered. We encourage you to reflect on your experience especially if you are new to neighborhoods you're walking through. How can you deepen your understanding of the root causes of violence, including racism? What can you do in your own community to address violence and racism? We appreciate you for stepping out of your comfort zone to witness the assets in our community and show support and love for families impacted by murder. "
All of us have a role in peacemaking.
Anyone can walk for a small registration fee of $10. To register, go to their website at
www.mothersdaywalk4peace.org .
The Peace Walk will be held rain or shine. We encourage all to register with the King's Chapel Team and wear purple in solidarity! Our goal is to raise $1,000 for this event!
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Blessing of the Animals | Sunday May 21 | 9 AM
Join the King's Chapel community in the beauty of our Parish House Garden (located behind 64 Beacon Street, accessible via Branch Street) for an annual service in celebration and thanksgiving for the animals that give us so much joy.
Through a liturgy that includes brief readings, prayers, and hymns, we will bless each animal and each relationship. We will thank God for the loving and forgiving creatures that bless our lives. If you cannot bring your animal, we will gladly bless photos, stuffed animals, or any other item that invokes memory.
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King's Chapel Habitat for Humanity-Boston Build | June 17
We are gearing up for the King's Chapel Habitat for
Humanity-Boston build. The build runs on Saturday June 17, from 10 AM
to 3PM with a lunch break. The build will be at one of
the HFH-Boston sites now under construction in
Roslindale, Mattapan, or Dorchester. The exact location
will be selected by HFH-Boston based upon the specific
build site requirements. Work will be available for all
skill levels (including none). For more information on
HFH-Boston and the site where they build, go to
www.habitatboston.org
and
King's Chapel has supported HFH-Boston both financially and with multiple volunteer efforts. If you haven't done this before, please consider joining now. The minimum age to participate is 16. To enroll or for more information contact Emanuel Genovese at 617-738-6367 or
[email protected]
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We are on our way with our Stewardship Pledge Drive of 2018. To date we have reached 18% of our goal in three short weeks! Please remember to submit your pledge soon, so that we count that toward our ambitious goal.
If you did not receive a pledge card, contact Gretchen Horton at the Parish House offices at 617-227-2155 x 108, who will be happy to send one to you!
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"We Rejoice with Those Who Rejoice, and Weep with Those Who Weep"
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We hold in our prayers the Thomson family, as Peter's daughter Wendy nears the end of her life in hospice care. Wendy is dying of cancer, after having valiantly fought it for many years. We send much love to the entire family.
We also pray for Beth Chapin, who successfully underwent shoulder replacement surgery this past Monday. Walter has been caring for all Beth's needs with great love. Beth would appreciate notes or emails, but during the recovery period, be aware that she has no use of her right arm and hand, and likely will be unable to reply. Our prayers go to Walter and Beth for a good recovery.
Leo Johnson has received additional diagnoses of spine and bone fractures which cause him significant pain. In his convalescence at home in Dedham, he would most appreciate phone calls or notes rather than visits, as his schedule remains uncertain, with medical and physical therapy appointments. This has been a long season of challenge for both Leo and Dorothy, so our prayers and support are very important to them.
We also hold in our prayers the families who will be holding Memorial Services at King's Chapel in the next two weeks: Harriet Hofheinz mourning the death of Bob Bradford, and the Lyman family mourning the death of Susan Storey Lyman. Bob's service will be on Saturday, May 6 at 10 AM. Susan's will be on Saturday, May 13 at 11 AM.
We rejoice with Peter and Anne Sexton who celebrated Peter's birthday last weekend at the People's Climate March in Washington, D.C.
We also rejoice with Lark Palermo who hosted 400 people at the annual Fundraiser for Greater Boston Habitat for Humanity. So many people participate - volunteer plumbers, families who give sweat equity, pro bono carpenters and plumbers, mortgage providers, architects, attorneys, interfaith partners, and King's Chapel!
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Update from our Library:
There are two new additions to the Parish House Library donated by Barbara Fay. You can find Hammarskjold: A Life by Roger Lipsey and Markings by Dag Hammarskjold at our location at 64 Beacon St.
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Morning Light | 9 AM
Church School | 10 AM
Holy Communion | 11 AM
Joy Fallon will Preach
-
Pat Bass, Lay Reader
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Anne Sexton, Lector
- Mary Sears, Thomas Gregg, & Brian Church, Soloists
- Paul Luca, Head Usher
- Cathy Price, Usher in Charge
- Pam & Michael Bergeron, & Paul Luca, Ushers
- Lia Atanat, Verger
The Readings:
- Psalm 23
- Old Testament:
- New Testament:
The flowers on the communion table are given in loving memory of Alice deVermandois Perry, Lewis Frederick Perry, Elizabeth Lowell Ware and Charles Eliot Ware, Jr. by their children and grandchildren.
At the communion rail following the service,
Bill Kuttner will greet those interested in learning more about King's Chapel.
After the service, all are invited to Coffee Hour,
hosted by Judy Luca & friends of the Hospitality Committee.
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Holy Communion |
6 PM
The Rev. Joy Fallon will Preach
- Emily Bieber-Harris, Soloist
- Lia Atanat, Verger
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From the Bench:
By Heinrich Christensen
This Sunday, our communion service will showcase Franz Schubert's Mass in G Major with soloists Mary Sears, Thomas Gregg, and Brian Church. Happy music for a spring
Sunday! Wikipedia tells us that the Mass in G was composed in less than a week (March 2 to 7, 1815), the year after Schubert's first mass had been successfully performed in his home parish. The second mass was originally more modestly scored than the first, requiring only a string orchestra and organ in addition to the soprano, tenor, and baritone soloists and choir.
You will hear works by Robert Schumann and J.S. Bach for pre and postludes.
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Tuesday, May 9 |
12:15 PM
Rachael Schachter, soprano
Katie Hoyer, mezzo-soprano
Yi Li Chang, violin
Mary Jodice, organ
Bach, Monteverdi, Schütz
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From the Freedom Trail...
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Throughout the course of May, the Visitors Program will continue to gear up for the summer rush! This summer, keep your eyes peeled for new programs and be sure to say hi to our new educators. During April Vacation week a couple weeks back, we unveiled a new Revolutionary King's Chapel program, focused on the many diverse characters who worshiped here during the Revolutionary period. This program will continue to be offered throughout the summer -- including during Harborfest! This summer, we are also debuting an arts and architecture tour. While all the rainy days have affected visitation, our numbers are still strong,
and we're looking forward to a warm and sunny season!
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Upcoming Meetings
* Tuesday May 9:
Parish Council 6 PM
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Anyone can help!
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Enter your email and select a spot to fill. New volunteers may choose to co-host with a buddy. Questions? Email
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Interested in Membership?
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Contributing to Between Sundays
Our enewsletter is sent each Thursday afternoon. Want something in Between Sundays? Feel free to email Brad at
[email protected] with a written piece and/or pictures before Wednesday at noon!
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Accessibility 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.
A sound system has been installed in the sanctuary of The Chapel to amplify the sound during worship services. Hearing assistance devices are available for your use. Please see an Usher for assistance.
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