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DAN FORREST REQUIEM FOR THE LIVING FOR ALL SAINTS DAY

Sunday, November 2, Festival Worship

For this year’s All Saints observance at Festival Worship, the Festival Choir and instrumentalists present contemporary American composer Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living, a cathartic journey through the gamut of human emotion. Commissioned by the Hickory Choral Society and premiered in 2013, Forrest’s setting is an unconventional one, concerned as much with the living (and their own struggle with pain and sorrow) as for those already departed. The Latin text Forrest sets combines sections from the traditional Requiem mass with biblical texts from Ecclesiastes and the Book of Job. The music captures a range of emotion, inviting solace and reflection, and ultimately embraces the beauty of human existence & life.

THIS SUNDAY, November 2, 2025: All Saints Sunday

PANCAKE BREAKFAST HOSTED BY YOUTH GROUP

Sunday, November 2 at 10am in Mary Norton Hall

Join the Youth Group as they serve a delicious breakfast to raise funds and supplies for the Allston-Brighton Community Fridge.

The Christian Service and Outreach Committee is matching any donations to the Allston-Brighton Food Pantry up to $5,000.

Bring a donation of $5 or more OR a shelf stable item for the pantry:

• canned goods (with pop top lids)
• cereals, grains and pasta
• soup, beans, and canned meat
• flour, cooking oils, and spices
• body care items
• infant formula and diapers

CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER

First Sundays, 10am, in the Columbarium, Next session November 2

Need some space to breathe? Time to rest in the spacious silence of God's presence? Please join us for Contemplative Prayer. Together, we'll engage in practices of contemplative prayer, share from our hearts, and find strength and solace in God's abiding love. Questions? Email Rev. Ashley. 

SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY

Sundays,10am, Crawford Library,

click here to join Zoom, password: 477100

Delve into the day’s scripture passage heard in worship. This no-homework Bible study delights in taking a scholarly look at ancient texts. Don’t leave your questions at the door; we need them. For more information contact Justin Dickerson.

ONLINE SMALL GROUP

November 2nd at 7:30pm EST and every first Sunday of the month

Click here to join, password 684963

Gather with other online members and Rev. Ashley for a time of fellowship, communion, and deepening our relationships with one another. Please bring something to eat (bread, cracker, cookie) and something to drink (juice, water, coffee) as your communion elements. 

COMMUNITY HOUR FORUMS, Sundays, 10am, Mary Norton Hall

The Business of Incarceration | November 9

Dr. James McCarty, the Clinical Assistant Professor of Religion & Conflict Transformation and the Director of Tom Porter Religion & Conflict Transformation Program at the Boston University School of Theology will be joining us to speak about his recently published book The Business of Incarceration. Please join us for a discussion of the theology and complexities of pursuing justice and mercy within the prison-industrial complex.

This Historic Building

Celebrating the architecture of our building | November 16

In anticipation of 150 years at our Boylston St. location, Kate Silfen shares some of the exciting history of this church building that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

CHRISTIAN SERVICE AND OUTREACH

THE WEEKLY PUSHBACK

Getting Food Where It's Needed

Have other weekly action ideas? Email outreach@oldsouth.org

Since the beginning of the year, the Federal administration has cut grants to food banks and have cut SNAP benefits nationwide for the next decade. But now they have announced that until the Government shutdown ends, all SNAP funding is suspended. Over 1 million MA residents are suddenly cut off of a critical tool for their basic needs and Old South is jumping into action.

A few weeks ago, Old South approved a $20,000 grant to the Allston-Brighton Food Pantry, and one of our Small Groups has started volunteering there several times per month. This week, we are doing even more, with these additional grants:

• $5,000 for the Greater Boston Food Bank to distribute across the region, and
• $5,000 to Eastie Farms to support food access in East Boston.
• Finally, Old South's Youth Group is hosting a pancake breakfast fundraiser Sunday, November 2nd, at 10:00 am in support of the Allston-Brighton Food Pantry and Community Fridges. The Micah Mission fund will match any donations made to the Food Pantry in Sunday offerings, or at the pancake breakfast, up to $5,000, to further support this vital work.

If you want to get involved in any of these efforts, please email Rev. Rachel Barton at rachel@oldsouth.org. Have other weekly action ideas? Email outreach@oldsouth.org.

MUSIC AT OLD SOUTH

JOIN GOSPEL CHOIR FOR A WEEK   

Thursday Night Church:  

• Thursday, November 6, 7:00-7:30pm rehearsal
• Thursday, November 13, 6pm worship

Contact Tim Harbold for details and music in advance. You deserve a week of joyful singing. Please join us!

DEL CASE PRESENTS

Abraham and Isaac: Interfaith Performance and Discussion

Saturday, Nov. 22, 6-7:15 pm, Mary Norton Hall, Free, click here for more info.

Longtime friend of Old South Church, Delvyn Case, conducts a live performance of his dramatic new solo cantata based on the sacrifice of Isaac, followed by an interfaith panel discussion. This provocative piece explores this challenging Biblical story by highlighting how the thread of sacrificial violence tragically binds together God, Abraham, and Isaac–and, through its historical legacy–Christians and Jews as well. 

COMMUNITY AT OLD SOUTH CHURCH

SEEKING ADVENT DEVOTIONAL SUBMISSIONS

Submission deadline: November 10

Looking for hope in these mean days? You’re not alone! Hope is something that we create together. This Advent, we will create a devotional filled with entries from Old Southers and community partners about what is giving them hope. Hope always arises amidst trouble and we know that trouble abounds, and so we know that hope does too. We’re seeking submissions for stories, prayers, art, and poetry that answers the questions: What is giving you hope today? How are you finding God amidst the struggles of our times? Please see the guidelines and submit your entry by clicking the button below. Questions? email ashley@oldsouth.org.

GODLY PLAY FOR FAMILIES

Sundays at 10am on November 9 and December 7, in the Green Room

Families are invited to gather in the regular childcare room on the 3rd floor to hear a Godly Play story together, to wonder a bit about the story, and then to have some work time to play around with the ideas and stories we heard. This is a great way for families who have not yet become regulars at church school to begin hearing the stories and practicing together. Families of any age are welcome - though this is geared towards preschool age 3 and under.

Click the picture for more information.

REFLECTING AND REIMAGINING: AN EVENING OF STORYTELLING, STORY-LISTENING & CULTIVATING OUR PROPHETIC IMAGINATION

Saturday, November 15 from 6-8pm at Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Please join us! Boston Faith and Justice Network is hosting a dinner and program around housing justice and exploring how our faith calls us to deeper pursuit of justice for our unhoused siblings. Old South has graciously offered to sponsor two tables at this event that includes dinner/dessert/program. 16 seats available at Emmanuel Episcopal on Newbury St., just a short walk from OSC. If interested in attending please email Amy Coe at amyecoe@gmail.com.

NEW AROUND HERE?

Every 3rd Sunday, in Rev. Ashley's office,meet in Elevator Lobby at 10:05am

Join Pastor Ashley and church members for informal conversation and coffee. If you've been coming for one week, or a dozen, or just exploring online, join us to get to know more about the church and to make a friend or two! Questions? Email ashley@oldsouth.org.

RETIRED AND READY NOVEMBER EVENT

Tuesday, November 18 at 10am

Retired and Ready’s November event will be to tour the Dillaway Thomas House in Roxbury followed by lunch and shopping in Nubian Square. We will meet at 10 AM on November 18th at the Dillaway Thomas House. Parking is available in a small lot or on the street nearby. Multiple ways are available to reach this National Historical Park via public transportation. Members of Union Combined Parish are welcomed at this event. Please confirm your participation for the tour and lunch with Charlotte Simpson char.r.simpson@gmail.com.

JOIN A SMALL GROUP AT OLD SOUTH CHURCH

Wanting to deepen your relationships at OSC? If you enjoy movies, walking, eating, reading, crafting, studying the Bible or just being in community with others, you're invited to join our growing Small Groups program. We have all kinds of groups doing all kinds of things this fall at Old South Church, and you're invited to join in! Click here to get more details and to sign up. Questions? Contact Rachel Barton.

CELEBRATING 150 YEARS AT BOYLSTON STREET

Save the date—Saturday, December 6, 7pm

It has been 150 years since Old South Church moved into its historic building at 645 Boylston Street. Join us for a celebration of the church’s storied legacy in the heart of the city with a special concert program If These Walls Could Talk: A Celebration of Sanctuary in the Heart of Boston, to be followed by a festive reception in the Chapel. Registration below.

OTHER WORSHIP SERVICES

THURSDAY NIGHT CHURCH

Thursdays, 6pm

Thursday Night Church is a worship service where the music is contemporary, the space is open-hearted and in-the-round, and the preaching is focused on how we can be the church together in the world. 

THURSDAY NIGHT SUPPER CLUB

Thursdays, 7pm

After worship, join us for Thursday Night Supper Club. Each week, folks can gather after worship for dinner and an informal small group hosted by some of our friendly and hospitable lay leaders.

VESPERS HEALING WORSHIP

Next service November 9, 5pm on Zoom,

Click here to join

Please join us to take a moment for rest and renewal in the presence of God and other spiritual companions gathering by Zoom. All are welcome to share this quiet space and lift up our concerns, our losses, our hurts, and our celebrations in the Healing Presence of God and one another. 

WORSHIP SUPPORT

WHERE DID THE BACK PEW CUSHIONS GO?

Because the Sanctuary is a fairly “dead” space in terms of acoustics, sound doesn’t carry well. The Old South team is exploring ways to add more sound-reflective surfaces to the space. Starting October 26, the last four rows of pews in the Sanctuary will no longer have cushions, a simple method we’re testing to enhance sound reflection and clarity. We appreciate your flexibility as we explore how to make worship a more immersive sonic experience for everyone! Questions? Contact Ava Welling ava@oldsouth.org .

HEARING ASSIST DEVICES

Hearing assist devices are available from Ava Welling, our Director of Audio. Please see Ava for a device and instructions on how to use it. For more information or answers to questions, please contact Ava.

GREEN TIP: Green Your Thanksgiving by Traveling Smart

Not surprising, Thanksgiving travel has a larger carbon footprint than the dinner itself. If you have to travel for Thanksgiving, try to avoid using your gas-powered car for long trips: try carpooling with family or friends or renting an electric vehicle (EV). Using public transportation is a great eco-option. Look into traveling by bus or train to travel green. Learn more at tinyurl.com/2025GreenThanksgiving

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Click on the video to hear Rev. Rachel Barton preach a sermon at Festival Worship titled No Trifling Matter.