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Spotlight On:
Messages from our Members
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Voices of King's Chapel About These Times
All of us are having different experiences of the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting "social distancing." As I and others on the staff have talked with you this week, I've asked a few people to share their thoughts below. Whatever you're experiencing, know that you are not alone. We're all on this journey, together.
If you need support during these days, or want to find ways to support others, don't hesitate to reach out to any of us through our emails or the parish house phone: 617-227- 2155. Your phone messages left at the parish house are all forwarded to us at our homes.
With blessings always,
Joy
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From Betsy Peterson:
When I heard of the plan to video our Sunday services, I was skeptical. As much as I look forward to Morning Prayer, and treasure our ministers and music, I couldn't imagine getting much out of a service if there was no congregation as well. So I thought the taping worth a try but probably a waste of effort.
I was wrong. I missed going to the Chapel on Sunday morning, and couldn't get into a frame of mind to look for the service later that day. But a day or two later I went online to check it out, and was surprised. It was so much better than I expected, and so much more meaningful. It still amazes me that I found myself actually worshipping in front of a computer screen.
This week we'll be able to worship together at the same time, even though we won't see each other!
I received this poem from a dear friend:
Pandemic
What if you thought of it
as the Jews consider the Sabbath-
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now,
on trying to make the world
different than it is.
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down.
And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives
are in one another's hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.
Promise this world your love-
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.
-Lynn Ungar 3/11/20
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 From Miguel Gomez-Ibanez:
As I watch the changed reality around me, I see a quieter world. Less traffic. My neighbors all out for walks. I hope some of the things that have had to change do not go back to the way they were, and that this crisis might lead to some positive and sustainable transformations. But I also fear much of value is in danger of being lost. Museums and arts organizations that depend on income from public events have had to close, losing their principal source of revenue. Depending on how long this lasts, three organizations I am involved with- two of which are over 100 years old, may not survive. It is not as pressing a concern as the need to keep people fed and housed, but one that we will see more clearly as the virus subsides.
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From Kent Wittenburg:
Covid-19
What if we could see you?
Small balls of fur,
Dandelion heads with hints of pink,
Hanging in the air
Disgorging from people's mouths and noses
Infinitesimal hooks on your arms
To cling to hands, arms, counters, faces.
You seek mouths to enter
Lungs to nestle in
You want nothing but to reproduce
You are famished for love
You enter every quivering cell you touch
And then you go for more
As we look outside we see you blowing in the wind
Piled up against walls and gutters
Tree branches begin to look fuzzy
Ike the arms of stuffed animals
So we hide in our homes
If we have them
We avoid other people
If we see them
We make telephone calls, Zooms.
Send emails, texts, instagrams
Is anyone out there?
On the news we see the fearless
Health workers in hazmat suits
The doctors, the nurses, the janitors, the truck drivers,
The ones who stock in an endless game to
Fill the shelves with toilet paper
We think about the refugees, the poor in crowded slums,
The families who have lost their income,
The countries with little health care to offer.
We do what we can, which is not enough.
Death, yes death
We knew you were always there
But now we feel you.
Our modern medicines and health machines
Can do little to fend you off.
We thought we'd never die
But now we know.
And yet
Our earth breathes a little easier
Our factories close
Our cars stay home
Our airplanes ground one by one
Our landfills rest
We learn new ways to carry on
You virus
Your holiness.
--Kent Wittenburg
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From Joy:
To read Joy's message that was sent on Tuesday March 17,
CLICK HERE
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Dear Friends,
As a priority, we're continuing to hold all of our worship services - virtually. While the church buildings will remain closed, your staff will videotape the full Morning Prayer and Morning Light services on Saturday, so they can be viewed by you on Sunday morning.
This Sunday we'll be hosting our planned guest preacher, the Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, an extraordinary leader in our city and beyond especially on issues of the environment and justice. Heinrich and Sudeep will represent the choir at 11; Skip will play the piano at 9; and David, Mariama and I will officiate as clergy (all remaining ten feet apart).
During this time of change and uncertainty, many find it important to retain our long-held routines, and to join together Sunday morning for worship. We will post both services at our website
www.kings-chapel.org and on the
King's Chapel You Tube channel
so that you can just click and view them on Sunday.
Read Mariama's bio below, and join me in gratitude that she is preaching among us now.
Joy |
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Guest Preacher Rev. Mariama White-Hammond
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 Mariama White-Hammond
is former Executive Director at
Project HIP-HOP
. She lives in
Dorchester Heights
,
Massachusetts
. S
he is the founding pastor of
New Roots AME Church
, which launched in October 2018 to "reimagine what church can be." She is an advocate for ecological and social justice, youth engagement, and Spirit-filled organizing. As former director of
Project HIP-HOP
(Highways Into the Past- History, Organizing and Power), she used the arts as a tool to raise awareness for social issues from juvenile incarceration to funding for public transportation. Rev. Mariama is also a fellow with the
Green Justice Coalition
, where she works with working class neighborhoods and communities of color to organize for climate justice. She speaks around the country calling for a movement the unites sustainability and equity
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Concert: Alexander's Feast - Cancelled
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As you know, we have had to cancel our March 29 performance of Alexander's Feast, along with just about everything else. Thankfully, our generous sponsor of this concert, Suzette Schochet, was in full agreement that we should pay all our musicians as planned, especially seeing how most of them are losing so much work and income this year.
One of the few bright spots in all of this was the response of our musicians upon hearing this news. So I thought I'd share their emails with you all, and hope that you too find them heartening:
"I can't say how much I appreciate KC taking care of us, most don't!!"
"Oh wow, that is so incredibly thoughtful and MUCH appreciated. Please pass this on to others that were involved in making this decision."
"Thank you so very much--this is incredibly kind! I'm beyond grateful!"
"I am very grateful for your generosity and compassion during this unsettling time. It is a nice reminder that we are all in this together."
"Thanks for the heads up and sorry to hear. Thank you for honoring things from the financial side of things. I recognize you are under no obligation to do so and it means the world to me that you are willing to do that!"
"I'm having trouble finding words to express my appreciation for you and everyone at King's Chapel for taking such good care your musicians! That level of support and kindness makes all the difference in these very trying times, and won't be forgotten in better times."
"I'm incredibly touched - and grateful - to receive payment for this. We, at my church, are paying all our singers for the remainder of the season. When we get through this, we will all remember the goodwill!"
"I am very sad to hear that the performance of Alexander's Feast has been cancelled. I was really looking forward to it.
"After an unusually quiet January and February, I was happy to have a spring calendar that was filled with great music (and opportunities to make money!). My first substantial gig since December was canceled less than 24 hours before the dress rehearsal when Harvard abruptly closed the doors to Sanders Theater. At the time, it seemed like an overreaction to the virus on Harvard's part. Then, one by one all of my gigs were canceled, including a run of Norma with Boston Lyric Opera. I'm holding out hope that my remaining gigs in April and May will still happen...but that is yet to be seen.
"While I will be paid for the rehearsals that I played, all of the other income is lost. My husband is in a similar boat with his teaching at Harvard. As you probably know, they sent all of the students packing and along with them the money they would have paid for their voice lessons. I know that it's a global issue, but it's hard not to take it personally when it feels like the virus is wreaking havoc with your life.
"My heart sank when I saw your email in my inbox. "There goes another one," I thought. King's Chapel's decision to honor its "financial commitment" to the musicians that were hired for the Alexander's Feast concert is a beautiful gesture and very, very much appreciated. My husband is facing similar cancellations at the church where he is music director (perhaps even the Easter services will be cancelled!). He has been inspired by your example and has decided to ask the church to pay the musicians for all services that are cancelled. It turns out that nasty viruses are not the only thing that is contagious."
Heinrich Christensen
Music Director
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During these uncertain times, the History Program staff are still hard at work...from home!
The History Program staff have moved from the chapel and parish offices to the comfort of their homes, working from kitchens and living rooms, as seen above. During this time, the History Program Director and team are diving into research and interpretation projects, deepening our programming and digital content for the upcoming season. The Educators, rather than leading tours, are working on research and writing projects to further our scope of interpretation, and this season's newly hired Educators are digging into learning the church's history and how we share our story at King's Chapel.
Despite not being able to share King's Chapel's rich history in person, the History Program is ramping up our digital content, including continuing our social media "Queen's Chapel" series for Women's History Month, a new series on notable healthcare professionals in the church's past, and increasing blog posts.
Be sure to check out the latest posts and content:
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Mother's Day Walk for Peace | Sunday May 10 | Registration Open |
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New walkers and old walkers are invited to early register now for the Mother's Day Walk for Peace, scheduled this year for Sunday May 10th. King's Chapel has been supporting the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute for many years, and they are one our major Community Action partners. This year's goal for the King's Chapel team is $3,000. To register or donate go HERE. When registering, please note that all registration fee and donations are to go to the King's Chapel Team.
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We hold our sexton, Clark Aitkins, and family in prayer as they help a loved one recover from a difficult surgery.
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Sunday Services
Sunday, March 22
Fourth Sunday in Lent
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G
uest Preacher: Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, Founder, New Roots Church, Dorchester
Morning Light | 9 AM
Morning Prayer | 11 AM
- The Rev. Joy Fallon, Senior Minister
- David Waters, Minister for Education and Membership
- Heinrich Christensen, Music Director
- Sudeep Agarwala, soloist
- Clark Aitkins, Verger
The Readings:
Psalm 23
Ephesians 5: 8-14
Each Sunday, 10% of the plate collection will go to our Community Action strategic partners:
common cathedral, the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, and the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministries, to do works of mercy, justice, and healing. All cash and checks not specially designated will be considered a plate offering.
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Did you miss last week's sermon or want to hear it again? Listen
HERE
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Sudeep Agarwala will be our socially distanced soloist for the taped Morning Prayer this week. He will sing two settings of Psalm 23, by Dvorak and our own Daniel Pinkham. The organ voluntaries are taken from Pinkham's Music for a Quiet Sunday, Partita on the Irish hymn tune Slane, which we will also sing with the text Lord of All Hopefulness. We could all use a bit of hopefulness right about now.
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Contemplative Communion Service
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I
f you have been yearning for the quiet, intimate candlelit service of Wednesday nights, you can find A TAPE OF IT HERE
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Want to know what's
going on at
King's Chapel?
Click
HERE
to view the King's
Chapel Calendar at our website
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Volunteer: Sign up for Hospitality
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Anyone can help!
Enter your email address and select a spot to fill. New volunteers may choose to co-host with a buddy.
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Contributing to Between Sundays
Our e-newsletter is sent each Thursday afternoon. Want something in Between Sundays? Feel free to email
[email protected] with a written piece and/or pictures before Wednesday at 5 PM.
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Accessibility Assists
Our beautiful Georgian sanctuary was designed by Peter Harrison and completed in 1754. To make our services and programs more accessible, one of the box pews has been made wheel-chair accessible. Ushers are available to assist those wheelchair users to that pew. Additionally, we have installed an accessible bathroom on our main floor. An usher can direct you to the vestry.
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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