OSC > Godspeed Helen McCrady

GODSPEED HELEN MCCRADY

HELEN CELEBRATION DAY

Sunday, May 21^st

This week we arrive at the bittersweet. moment to mark a milestone in the story of Old South, as we celebrate Helen McCrady's 23 years as Church Administrator and wish her Godspeed as she embarks on retirement. There will be tributes & accolades, prayers & blessings, laughter & tears, & gratitude, & commissionings at both First and Festival Worship, with a festive celebration at Fellowship Hour following the Festival Worship service, (beginning about Noon in Mary Norton Hall on the 2nd floor).

HELEN'S RETIREMENT PURSE

There's still time to contribute to the purse we've been gathering for Helen to enable her and John to celebrate retirement in style - and at their discretion! If you prefer electronic donation, go to https://oldsouth.org/donate and add your contribution. Or you can simply write a good old-fashioned check with "Helen's retirement" on the memo line (made out to Old South) and mail it to the church (attention: Alex Pickering) or drop it in the offering plate. Alex, our Administrative Assistant, will ensure that gift amounts are not disclosed, and that gifts will be accounted as contributions to the church for tax purposes. Thanks for making sure your purse contribution is in by Wednesday, May 31^st.

LEAVE HELEN KUDOS

Click here to leave a memory or tribute at will

Candace Kosturko and the celebration planners - Christine del Favero, Karen Hand, Kathy Wade, Ralph Watson and Stephanie LaShoto-Westfield - have created a special vessel for tributes, remembrances, well-wishes on a user-friendly website called KUDOBOARD. You can add photos (and video!), tributes and memories at will.

THIS SUNDAY, May 21^st

9AM

FIRST Worship Informal & Vibrant

in the Gordon Chapel with baptism

Katherine Schofield preaching

Coffee Hour following

10AM Community Hour

Festival Choir Rehearsal

Old South Forum

Church School

11AM

FESTIVAL Worship

Grand & Expressive

in the Sanctuary

Katherine Schofield preaching

Coffee Hour following

Celebration of Helen McCrady

For links to bulletins

and the worship livestream

go to oldsouth.org/Sundays.

OLD SOUTH FORUM

Sundays, 10am 2^nd Floor Mary Norton Hall,

and on Zoom, password: Community

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.

Theology Deep Dive

We'll wrap up the Forum program year with a word from our clergy leaders about those areas of theology that get them most excited. How does theology shape their ministry work, and what growing edges are they exploring in these areas?

May 21^st

Rick Spalding leads a conversation about following the tenets of progressive Christian theology away from exclusive religious claims and toward respectful engagement with theologies of the world's other venerable spiritual traditions.

May 28^th

Ashley Popperson will lead a discussion about Theopoetics.

Bring a favorite poem to share!

WORSHIP ON YOUTUBE LIVE

Not a fan of Vimeo? We have a way for you to tune in to worship! Simply go to youtube.com/OldSouthChurch to visit our YouTube page once we go live and the service will be the first video on your screen. You can also subscribe to us to receive notifications of when we're live.

VESPERS HEALING WORSHIP - Sunday, June 11^th at 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.

JAZZ WORSHIP

Thursdays, 6pm, in the Gordon Chapel or at oldsouth.org/jazz

Join us on in Gordon Chapel on Thursday evening for Jazz Worship! You don’t have to be a jazz aficionado to feel at home - just someone who wants to immerse yourself in soulful music, inspiring words, and creative liturgy. It’s intimate and it’s welcoming. We start preludes shortly before 6:00 pm.

JOIN THE MARY NORTON SOCIETY

Every one of us, no matter our age or financial circumstances, needs a plan for what will happen to our resources after we pass on. Many members and friends of Old South have included the church in their estate plans - "a way to support Old South from heaven." Here's how Larry Soper-Mynatt explains his own plan: “I've chosen to remember Old South Church with a bequest to continue the legacy that began over 350 years ago. This church was critical in the abolitionist movement during the times of slavery - and has been at the forefront of so many other social issues: racism, women’s suffrage, LGBTQ+ rights, the needs of immigrants, the homeless and the un-housed. Every time I enter the doors of Old South I'm humbled by those who have preceded me - many of whom were nationally historical figures. Our current beautiful building, in service since 1875, has been thoughtfully maintained all these years. I hope my bequest can help all of this to continue.” Those who provide for Old South in their estate plans become members of the Mary Norton Society. Won't you join them, as a way of insuring that the things that have mattered most to you will be here for coming generations? Contact cathryngriffith@mac.com for more information.

STAFFING NEWS

SEEKING STAFF ACCOUNTANT

Click here to read the full announcement

Old South Church in Boston is seeking a full-time Staff Accountant to execute the day-to-day duties of the business office including paying invoices, completing payroll bi-weekly, basic HR duties, making bank deposits, data entry, and maintaining and monitoring financial records.

GROWING AND LIVING IN COMMUNITY

END OF THE PROGRAM YEAR CELEBRATION BRUNCH

Sunday June 4^th, 10 a.m., 2nd floor

We will mark the end of our church school and program year with an All-Church Potluck Brunch. Bring a dish to share - or just come hungry! We will gather to thank the teachers and volunteers who make Community Hour and Church School so excellent.

THE FORMOSA DUO: Chi-Chen Wu, piano and Sam Ou, cello

Saturday, June 10^th, 7 p.m.,

Kaji Aso Studio, 40 St Stephen St., Boston

Sunday, June 11^th, 3 p.m., Gordon Chapel

Free admission

Enjoy music by Boulanger, Liszt, Schumann, and Rachmaninoff

MONUMENTAL ONE-DAY RETREAT @OSC

June 17^th, 8:45am - 4pm (lunch provided)

All Ages | Free (donations accepted)

Click here to register by June 11^th

What are monuments for? Whose stories do they hold up for celebration? Whose stories do they erase or bury?

In our first workshop of the day, led by Wee The People Boston's Francie LaTour, we explore statues and monuments (famous and not so famous), question what they mean, and reimagine how they can celebrate values of community, equity, and justice. Hands-on making for all ages!
Our day continues with a second workshop for adults focusing on monuments and representation at Old South, led by Old South pastors and leaders, along with our guest. Children will have their own afternoon activities with Children's Ministries staff.

GET YOUR PRIDE SHIRT!

Click here to order

Our brand new 2023 Old South Pride T-Shirts are NOW AVAILABLE! They come in a large variety of styles, colors and sizes, including Youth T's, sweatshirts, and tanks. We encourage you to order yours NOW so that they will arrive in time for Pride!

HEARD IT AT COUNCIL

Click here to read the latest update from Church Historian Kate Silfen. The Council meeting included discussions of the treasury, Christian Service and Outreach Grants, and Senior Minister Search updates.

VOLUNTEER WITH OUR PARTNERS:

MATTAPAN FOOD AND FITNESS COALITION

Click here to sign up

Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition is one of our Christian Service and Outreach Grantees. In addition to their amazing work advocating for community health, they operate the Mattapan Square Farmer's Market. Helping with the Farmer's Market is one of the ways that Old Southers can volunteer and make a difference in partnership with this great organization. The market runs on Saturdays from July to October and typically sees 200-400 shoppers per week. It is not only a place to purchase healthy food, but also serves as a place to bring residents together and as a resource for health education and other social issues. The market's 17th season starts July 8, 2023 and ends October 28, 2023. There are lots of ways to help.

SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR

2023 CHRISTIAN SERVICE & OUTREACH COMMITTEE GRANTEES

The Christian Service & Outreach Committee (CSOC) continues Old South’s history of service by supporting the work of local non-profits through grant giving and by connecting our grantees with the vast human capital our congregation has to offer. We will be making one new grant award in 2023 and are soliciting recommendations from the congregation for organizations to consider. Grant awards are typically $20,000 per year for a maximum of three years. We are particularly interested in learning about Boston-based non-profits that serve the local Boston community, with a focus on organizations led by people with lived experience on the issues they are addressing. Please submit any recommendations via this form by Friday, May 26^th.

GREEN TIP: Honor Helen and Ditch the Single-Use Plastics!

Our global plastic addiction is having a devastating impact on our oceans, our wildlife, and our health. Helen is not only an eco-role-model, but has worked diligently to eliminate single-use plastics from OSC wherever possible. Not sure where to start? Carrying reusable bags and bottles is one great way to avoid single-use plastics in our day-to-day lives.