In early February, the church around the world celebrates the ancient festival of Candlemas. The festival occurs some forty days after Christmas. For many centuries, Candlemas was the official day to take down your Christmas greens! Traditionally, the Western term "Candlemas" (or Candle Mass) referred to the practice whereby clergy blessed beeswax candles for use throughout the year, some of which were distributed to worshipers for use in the home. The ancient festival marks a midpoint of winter, halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox. Without electricity, candles were central to life in those days. In Europe, there even developed a custom to predict the upcoming weather (we call it Groundhog Day):
If Candlemas Day be fair and bright
Winter will have another fight.
If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain,
Winter won't come again.
On Candlemas, we meet the infant Jesus one more time. Mary and Joseph bring their newborn to the temple to be presented and blessed. While at the temple, the hush and beauty of Christmas and Epiphany comes to a halt when Mary hears these words: This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed-and a sword will pierce your own soul too.
On Sunday, we will journey with Jesus and his parents in the temple. Join us.
+ Shawn
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Welcome to New Members
Born Newark, NJ in 1930, Herman Woerner graduated Columbia high school in Maplewood, NJ in 1948. Later, he received his Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College in 1952 and a Bachelors in Architecture from M.I.T. in 1955. After, Herman served in the Civil Engineer Corps until 1958 on Whidbey Island WA, Subic Bay in the Philippines, and Okinawa, Japan. He later worked on architecture projects in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Portugal, and Saudi Arabia. Herman also enjoys music, the arts, and photography.
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Concert and Reception
On Sunday evening, January 22, our excellent choir and incomparable music director, Heinrich Christensen, gave us a concert of new choral music by living composers, including himself. Heinrich is an impeccable programmer, and this concert was a very special example of that art. The poems and settings by the young composers were provocative, challenging, beautiful, and often poignant. The audience, which included two of the composers, was ecstatic.
At a well-attended and festive post-concert party, we celebrated and honored our dear friend Elizabeth Thomson for her generous gift to establish the Heinrich Christensen Music Director Endowment. Elizabeth and her husband, Peter, are long-time members and supporters of music at King's Chapel, and Peter and other members of Elizabeth's family joined us in the celebration. Elizabeth hopes that this important seminal gift will grow, through contributions and planned giving, to endow completely the position of Music Director.
We also honored and thanked Mary Sears and Ray Hardin, who have served as co-chairs of the
Mus
ic Committee for four years, and whose te
rms are completed. They have worked enthusias
tically and effectively, and are much appreciated. We all joined in singing a
Hallelu
iah for Mary,
which Heinrich had written for her; it was very joyous and we then donned many-colored feather boas to sing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" to Ray.
It was a magnificent and delicious occasion altogether.
For info
rmation on how to give to the Heinrich Christensen Music Director Endowment Fund, contact our Parish Administrator, Gretchen Horton, at
617.227.2155 or [email protected]
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King's Chapel Guest Preacher:
The Rev. Mary Margaret Earl | February 12
The Rev. Mary Margaret Earl, executive director of the UUUM(Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry) in Roxbury, will be preaching at both our services on Sunday February 12. Rev. Earl is one of the interfaith leaders in our city who is active on many issues of justice. The UUUM provides educational assistance to children in our city schools, racism training, congregations, and advocacy on issues of human rights. It has been my delight to work alongside Mary Margaret; she's a person of uncommon faith, kindness, and insight. Please join me in welcoming her on February 12.
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Theology on Tap | Tuesday February 15 | 7 PM
Believer. Non-believer. Confident. Curious. Join us for a lively discussion of big questions at a local pub or bar. This group meets on the third Wednesdays of each month at 7 PM to discuss theology and spirituality. The conversations are led by the Rev. Shawn Fiedler. No homework or previous knowledge required.
Past topics have included: Sin, Who is Jesus?, The Trinity (or lack thereof!), Resurrection, What happens after death? Miracles: Fact of Fiction? What exactly is Holy Communion?
Anyone 21 and over is welcome to join. For more information or to R.S.V.P., contact
[email protected].
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Retreat at Glastonbury Abbey: Learning to Pray February 17-19
Not sure how to pray or what its benefits might be? That's true for many of us, both newcomers and long-timers in church. In the beauty and peace of the Glastonbury Abbey in Hingham, Rev. Fallon will offer examples of ways to pray that we will all get to try, including these: daily reflections on your moments of greatest joy and greatest sadness; prayer with scripture (thinking about which character you may be in the story); prayer while doing art or while singing; and wordless prayer while meditating or reflecting on an icon or object. Come to explore, for one session, or for Friday night through Sunday morning. To register or for questions, contact [email protected] or go to our website at www.kings-chapel.org.
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Shrove Pancake Breakfast | Sunday February 26 9 AM
How many pancakes can you eat? We dare you to attend our Shrove Pancake Breakfast and find out! Join us at
9:45 AM at the Parish House to eat your fill before the Lent season begins. This year, we are asking for monetary or canned food donations as part of your buffet fee. All proceeds will go towards the Boston Food Bank.
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Concert Series: Handel and Haydn Society - Beethoven Sonatas | February 26 | 5PM
The next concert in our Sunday series is February 26 at 5pm, when the Handel and Haydn Society will present violinist Susanna Ogata and fortepianist Ian Watson playing three Beethoven Sonatas. As always, advance tickets are available at a $5 discount:
http://m.bpt.me/event/2770058.
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From the Freedom Trail
2017 is off to a great start for the Freedom Trail Visitors Program. In January, we welcomed 5,449 visitors to the chapel!
February School Vacation week, from February 20 - 24, is quickly approaching. The Freedom Trail Visitors Program will be open to the public daily from 10 AM to 4 PM. Throughout the week, we are offering tours and activities in celebration of the Revere bell's 201st birthday on February 23
! We hope you will join us!
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From the Church School
While the parents were attending the Annual Meeting last Sunday, the children of our Church School went to the Old South Meeting House. As we gazed upon a map of Boston prior to the outbreak of the American Revolution, we saw a familiar building: King's Chapel!
On February 5, Skip Lewan will lead the children in a musical session we call Joyful Noise. This time, we have a surprise lined up for the kids... and the adults.
If you would like more information about our Church School, please contact Ryan at
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Sunday Services
February 5
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Morning Light | 9 AM
Church School | 10 AM
Holy Communion| 11 AM
The Rev. Shawn Fiedler will Preach
- Brian Church, Conductor
- Daniel Lyng and Emily Bieber-Harris, Soloists
- Anne Sexton & Paul Luca, Head Ushers
- Paul Luca, Usher in Charge
- Stephen Courtney, Pamela and Michael Bergeron, Ushers
- Lia Atanat, Verger
The Readings:
- Psalm 84
- Old Testament:
- New Testament:
The flowers on the communion table are given in loving memory of
Agda Maria Soderberg by Sylvia Soderberg and Amy Soderberg Nichols.
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
Gregg Sorensen and friends of the Hospitality Committee.
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Wednesday Service
February 8
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Holy Communion | 6 PM
The Rev. Shawn Fiedler will Preach
- Joei Perry, Soloist
- Lia Atanat, Verger
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From the Bench:
By Heinrich Christensen
The prelude this Sunday is by Cambridge composer James Woodman. His Harmony and Counterpoint in D is from a collection of eight, written for the 2014 national convention of the American Guild of Organists.
The choir will sing Daniel Pinkham's musical setting of the presentation in the temple, featuring soloist Daniel Lyng. For communion and offertory, you will hear Missa Brevis by McNeil Robinson, longtime chair of the organ department at the Manhattan School of Music. Brian Church will conduct.
The postlude is Calvin Hampton' brutal The Primitives, from Five Dances.
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Tuesday, February 7
12:15 PM
Bradley Burgess
plays the C.B. Fisk Organ
Works by Bach, Langlais, Schmidt, Wammes
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From the Chancel Committee
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Have you ever thought you would like to donate flowers for the Sunday Service but are unsure what one needs to do?
We would like to place flowers on the chancel table every Sunday of the year with the exception of the 6 week Lenten period.
Flowers can be donated for a variety of reasons. They can be in memory of a loved one who has died, in thanksgiving for a special occurrence, or in celebration of a new birth or anniversary. They may also be donated as living prayers and symbols for peace and hope.
Please confirm with Anne Sexton if you have a regular Sunday that you would like to continue. Anne can be reached at the following email:
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Upcoming Meetings at King's Chapel
* February 6 | 6 PM:
Stewardship Committee
* February 16 | 6 PM:
Chancel
* February 21 | 6 PM:
BIG Committee Meeting
*February 28 | 6 PM:
Joint Vestry/Council
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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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