OSC > Craft Fair Dec. 2nd

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR & COOKIE WALK

Saturday, December 2^nd, 9:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.

in the Gordon Chapel

More than 25 New England artists will vend their creative offerings in pottery, knits, photography, fine art, jewelry, blown glass, beeswax candles, turned wood, and more!

THIS SUNDAY, December 3^rd

9AM FIRST Worship

in the Gordon Chapel

John Edgerton Preaching

Coffee Hour following

10AM

Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary

Advent Poetry Festival

Church School

11AM FESTIVAL Worship

in the Sanctuary

John Edgerton Preaching

Coffee Hour following

For links to bulletins

and the worship livestream

click here.

THE COMMUNITY HOUR FORUM

Sundays,10am, 2^nd floor Mary Norton Hall, Click here to Zoom

This casual, no-commitment, come-when-you-can forum hosts series on a variety of topics. Clergy, congregation members, and special guests share in leading sessions.

December 3^rd - Advent Poetry Fest

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. Come and listen even if you don't share a poem.

December 10th and 17th -

"How Does a Weary World Rejoice?" Art Exhibit

With the Advent Season upon us, you may be feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or weary. This time of year is full, and for all of us, frequent news of wars makes all our hearts especially heavy. Take a quiet moment in Mary Norton Hall on the second floor to peruse this beautiful exhibit of visual representations of Advent, a reminder that even in a weary world, joy is for you too.

OTHER WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

JAZZ WORSHIP

Thursdays at 6pm

Join us on Thursday evenings for Jazz Worship, a mid-week pause and space to pray and connect through soulful music and reflection.

BLUE CHRISTMAS JAZZ WORSHIP

Thursday, December 21^st at 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.

JAZZ WORSHIP UPDATE

When Willie Sordillo retired, Zoe Krohne stepped into the role of Music Director on a temporary basis. Zoe has discerned that her time leading music at Jazz has come to a close For ten beautiful years, she has brought powerful spiritual leadership to Jazz Worship and we are grateful. We will honor her leadership after the Blue Christmas Service on December 21^st. For more information, click here.

VESPERS HEALING WORSHIP

Next service December 10^th, 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.

CHRISTMAS EVE AT OLD SOUTH, December 24^th, 2023

CHRISTMAS EVE MORNING

We will gather for a single simple service in the Gordon Chapel at 10 a.m.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Click here for a description of each service

5pm Family Service Children are invited to participate in an impromptu Christmas pageant, with simple costumes provided. We sing carols to tell the Christmas story together.
8pm Service of Lessons and Carols An elegant telling of the Christmas story in carols and readings with music for choir and organ and the singing of “Silent Night” by candlelight. Childcare available.
11pm Candlelit Service A warmly traditional service with festive carol singing and lessons. We greet the birth of Christ by singing "Silent Night" outdoors by candlelight just after midnight.

Please note that only the 5pm Family Service

and 8pm service of Lessons & Carols

will be livestreamed this evening.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION

SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY

Sundays, 10am, 4^th Floor Phillis Wheatley Room,

click here to Zoom, password: BibleStudy

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 Katherine Schofield.

THROUGH THE BIBLE

Thursdays, 7pm, 4^th Floor Phillis Wheatley Room

Click here to Zoom. Password: Psalter

Join us as we journey at a reflective and thorough pace through the Hebrew Bible. We are about to begin studying the Book of Isaiah. For more information contact Katherine Schofield.

GROWING AND LIVING IN COMMUNITY

CHRISTMAS MEMORIALS (IN LIEU OF FLOWERS)

Donations due by Sunday, December 3^rd

Since 2020 our Christmas Memorials have gone to Allston Brighton Food Pantry. Originally this was because no poinsettias decked our chancel. Now that we have beautiful permanent poinsettias on the chancel, we can continue to fulfill the needs of the Food Pantry. So we will continue to direct the memorial gifts to them. 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. Questions? Contact Remy Hatfield-Gardiner.

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

Sunday, December 10^th at 9am First Worship

The kids of Old South have been hard at work rehearsing for the annual Christmas Pageant, and you don't want to miss it! Join us in the Gordon Chapel for this spectacular, funny, heartwarming event. This year we will reprise the pageant written by Old South students and then-director Amy Budka in 2017.

SUPPORT THE PALESTINE CHILDREN'S RELIEF FUND

Click here to donate online

or donate by check with Palestinian Children's Relief on the memo line.

In Gaza, half of all residents are children. As the war in Gaza continues to rage, civilians are trapped in an unacceptable humanitarian catastrophe. One way that we can help is by financially supporting Palestine Children's Relief Fund, a longstanding, well regarded organization providing medical care in Gaza.

YOUNG ADULT AFTER-JAZZ DINNER AND COOKIE DECORATING

Join us for a casual hangout with other 20s and 30s Old Southers. This month we will be decorating cookies and enjoying dinner together. Dinner will be provided. We'll meet in the chapel after Jazz worship at 7pm on Thursday December 7th. Email Rachel Barton with any questions.

CHRISTMAS GIFT DRIVE

FOR CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE

Old South is partnering with the Department of Children and Families to provide gifts for 75+ children in foster care, and we need your help! All OSC members who choose to participate will be matched with a specific child and given a wish list. You will shop online and ship the items directly to our DCF partner. The estimated cost is $50+ per child. To sign up, click here to submit the form by December 15^th. For questions, please email the Gift Drive team David Story and Laura Walker Dunn at [email protected]. Thank you in advance for your generosity. Old South's Santas are the BEST!

CHRISTMAS GREEN TIPS: Minimize Packaging and Waste

Here’s a scenario: You’ve bought a beautiful potted flower, wrapped in an abundance of cellophane, tied with a shiny, colorful bow, and it’s topped off by a silvery mylar balloon. A green gift, right? The gift itself is green, but all that plastic packaging is decidedly not. None of the packaging — created using precious natural resources — can be repurposed or even recycled. The recipient of your gift will enjoy the “glam” of the gift for a few seconds before tossing it all. The bottom line: Reduce, reduce, reduce the use of extraneous non-renewable filler, packaging, or decorative items to minimize waste. Go here for more eco-friendly ideas.