OSC > Advent begins!

COMING ATTRACTIONS!

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR

Saturday, December 4^th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,

in the 1^st floor Gordon Chapel

Objects of purpose and beauty by local artisans including paintings, soaps, jewelry, textiles, pottery, note cards, paper art, ornaments, and much more. The Boston Conservatory Brass will be on hand with live music!

ANNUAL ADVENT AND POETRY FEST

Sunday, December 5^th, 2^nd Floor Mary Norton Hall, Following Worship

Do you have a favorite poem or short prose selection that is meaningful to you or have you written a poem, prayer, or brief meditation that sheds light on the Christmas story? Then come and share your humorous, serious, or thought provoking selection that reflects some aspect of the season. To join in, email Don Wells the title of your selection. Click here for more information.

OLD SOUTH RINGERS PRESENT:

WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS

Sunday, December 5^th, 6 p.m., in the Sanctuary

Come celebrate the joy and wonder of the Christmas season in music! The Old South Ringers are excited to revive our annual Christmas Concert tradition this year. We hope you and your whole family will join us for fun and festive handbell arrangements of some favorite classics. Free and open to the public, masks required.

LOOKING FOR HOSPITALITY VOLUNTEERS, CAN YOU HELP?

Please use this online form to sign up by December 5^th

It is time to schedule ushers and welcomers for Sunday All-Church Worship and Thursday Jazz services. This is such an important part of our welcoming. Folks who have ushered and greeted in the past tell us they love doing so. Folks coming through our doors for the first time (or second, or third) tell us how much our welcome meant to them. Please fill out the form by Sunday, December 5^th so we can distribute the schedule before the first week in January.

IN LIEU OF CHRISTMAS FLOWERS

Donations due by Thursday, December 10^th

Instead of our usual Christmas Flower donations, we will be directing the funds to the Allston Brighton Food Pantry. The requested contribution is still $20. Click here and choose "Christmas Memorial" to make your gift. Your message in honor or memory of loved ones, or special occasions, can be entered on the second page of the donation screen or you can give anonymously. The list of messages will be available in the Sunday bulletin and online beginning December 13^th. Questions? Contact Helen McCrady

WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS SUNDAY

There are many ways for you to engage with Old South Church on Sundays and you can find all of the information, the program zoom links, and much more by clicking the button below.

Sundays at OSC

ALL-CHURCH WORSHIP

IN PERSON AND ONLINE

Click here for more information

Join us for the first Sunday of Advent as Theologian in Residence, Rev. Donald Wells reflects on "Where is Your Bethlehem?

This Sunday's Livestream

Bulletin

FOLLOWING ALL-CHURCH WORSHIP

COMMUNITY HOUR FORUM - Outdoor Ministries

Sunday, November 28^th, 2^nd Floor Mary Norton Hall, following Worship

Click here to join online

Relive the fun of summer camp and learn more about the UCC's Outdoor Ministries and camp programs. Join us for a presentation by Rev. Ryan Gackenheimer, Executive Director of Silver Lake Conference Center and

learn more about how you and your family can get in on the fun!

JAZZ WORSHIP

It’s Thursday evening at 6 p.m. and it’s already been a long week. Relax and re-center with soulful jazz music by the Willie Sordillo Ensemble. Speaking and music combine to provide opportunity for reflection and meditation. Join us in person or at oldsouth.org/jazz.

SENIOR MINISTER TRANSITION

Nancy Taylor has announced her retirement as senior minister of Old South Church, effective the end of May 2022. Click here to read statements from Nancy and church leadership outlining the transition. "For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven" Ecclesiastes 3:1

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS AT OLD SOUTH

ADVENT FAMILY SERVICE PROJECT

Saturday, December 18^th, 9:00 a.m. at the church

Families of the church will gather to assemble, pack, and wrap Christmas gifts that we will then take to the streets to deliver to our unhoused neighbors. We are now collecting the following items:

small toiletries
hand warmers
warm socks, gloves, mittens, hats, and scarves
cash donations (to be converted into Dunkin gift cards)

Physical items should be new, and can be brought (or mailed) to the reception desk. Monetary donations can be marked "Gift Boxes" and left for Kate at the front desk. RSVP to Kate if you'd like to come on December 18^th!

BLUE CHRISTMAS JAZZ WORSHIP

Thursday, December 23^rd, 6 p.m.

While we’re bombarded with words lauding the wonders of the season, many people find the holidays anything but joyful. Blue Christmas provides an opportunity to step away & let go into music and readings that acknowledge your feelings without trying to talk you out of them. Even if you love the holidays, you may find comfort in this special service. Click here for more info.

CHRISTMAS EVE AT OLD SOUTH

Click here for a description of each service

5 p.m. Online pageant by the Church School
6 and 8 p.m. Service of Lessons and Carols with candle lighting
11 p.m. Candlelit Chapel Service

Please note that only the 5 p.m. Pageant and 8 p.m. service of Lessons & Carols will be livestreamed this evening.

GROWING IN COMMUNITY

UPCOMING FORUMS

Sundays, following All-Church Worship, 2^nd Floor Mary Norton Hall

December 12^th, Advent 3 - Favorite Festive Foods - Join us for a discussion on the history of traditional holiday dishes and bring your own well-loved recipe to share.
December 19^th, Advent 4 - Holiday Hymn Sing - Minister of Music, Mitchell Crawford will lead us in a singalong of some Christmas Classics. We'll also learn the history of our best loved holiday tunes.

NEW OSC SMALL GROUP: Cineminklings

Cineminklings (a twist on the J.R.R. Tolkein and C.S. Lewis “Inklings” literary group) is a group for people who are ready to enjoy movies in the theatre once again. The group will meet monthly on Sunday afternoons (times TBD) at AMC Boston Commons 19. After the movie we will head to a restaurant or coffee house close by to discuss the film's story, hero’s journey, and spiritual themes.

Sunday: December 5th - “King Richard” starring Will Smith. “King Richard” is based on the true story of Richard Williams, father of legendary tennis champions Venus and Serena, who overcame tremendous obstacles to forge a path for his daughters to reach the pinnacle of success. If you would like to join us contact Tish Dragonette.

THEOLOGICAL BOOK GROUP

Mondays, 6 p.m., December 13^th and 20^th and January 3^rd and 10^th

The Theological Book Group begins a new and timely book: Light of the World: A Beginner's Guide to Advent, by Amy-Jill Levine. Levine traces the Christmas narrative and shows how it opens up conversations around its connection to the Old Testament, the role of women in first century Jewish culture, and the revolutionary implications of the Magnificat. Email Levine in

to Don Wells to join. Limited to 20 people to allow for meaningful discussion. Participants need to provide their own copy of the book.

LIVING IN COMMUNITY

COFFEE HOUR FOR VIRTUAL WORSHIPERS

Sunday, December 5th, 11 a.m., Click here to join

Have you been joining us remotely? Are you regularly tuning into worship online from your living room, car, or kitchen? Brew a pot of coffee and join us for a special coffee hour on zoom. This is a chance to see each other's faces and rekindle the friendships we made during the past many months online. Hosted by Nancy Taylor and Shawn Fiedler.

GREEN TIP: 12 GREEN TIPS OF CHRISTMAS

Choose a real tree from a sustainable source consider one with roots that can be replanted later.
Instead of tinsel and glitter decorations, use natural foliage and berries.