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STEWARDSHIP AT OLD SOUTH 2025

STEWARDSHIP CELEBRATIONS

Sunday February 2, at all Worship Services

At the end of the month, we will lift up our communal generosity at our Stewardship Celebration services on Thursday, January 30 and Sunday, February 2, 2025 as we celebrate our shared belonging to this faithful community. 


STEWARDSHIP CELEBRATION LUNCH

Sunday, February 2 following Festival Worship, in the Gordon Chapel

Everyone is invited to a joyful Lunch following Festival Worship.

MAKE YOUR PLEDGE

Click here to make your pledge or outright commitment

In this year's Stewardship campaign, we invite you to reflect on how we build community together. Old South is a home, a physical and emotional space constantly being built and rebuilt by our members. It is a special place of community for so many. Join us this year in building our community, sharing the treasures of community, commitment, and collaboration, together. Throughout our stewardship campaign in January, we encourage you to consider intentional giving in the form of an outright commitment or annual pledge. 

THIS SUNDAY, February 2, 2025

9AM FIRST WORSHIP

in the Gordon Chapel

Gracie Paterson Preaching

Coffee Hour follows


10AM COMMUNITY HOUR

Old South Forum

Church School

Choir Rehearsal

Bible Study

Yoga & Meditation

11AM FESTIVAL WORSHIP

in the Sanctuary

John Edgerton Preaching

Coffee Hour follows


12PM

Close-Up Sanctuary Tour

Stewardship Celebration Lunch


For links to bulletins and the worship livestream click here.

OLD SOUTH FORUM: HOLDING UP THE SKY

Sundays, continuing through February 9, 10am, 2nd floor Mary Norton Hall

The Old South Forum will host a five-week forum series engaging with the powerful documentary film Holding Up the Sky. Each session will offer in-person viewing and discussion opportunities, including time with the film’s director Bob Nesson. This 55-minute documentary tells the remarkable stories of Ed Jordan and Jimmy Costello, two formerly incarcerated men who, despite contrasting social and family backgrounds and the difficult circumstances of their crimes, found purpose, hope, and success through mentorship and persistence.

  • Feb. 2: Discussion Session 1- Exploring the broken systems exposed by the film
  • Feb. 9: Discussion Session 2 - Exploring how Old South Church can deepen its justice work

If you would like to screen the movie at home (only available to the Old South community) please reach out to Kate Nintcheu - who will share the links with you.

Click here to learn more. For more information, or to screen the movie at home, contact Kate Nintcheu.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

GOSPEL CONCERT: UPLIFTING EVERY VOICE

Singing for Liberation and Justice

Saturday, February 1, 3:30 pm, in the Sanctuary

Kicking off Black History Month, the Old South Church Gospel Choir will join guest choirs Joyful Voices of Inspiration and Sharing a New Song in musical celebration. Our guest choirs are directed by special guest artist Donnell Patterson. Concert proceeds will benefit the work of the  Immigrant Family Services Institute. (More on IFSI here.) The concert has been organized by Gospel Choir Director Tim Harbold, on behalf of (G)RACE Speaks, with generous support from Music at Old South.We are also seeking ushers to assist with this event, with a call time of 2:45 pm. Please email Ken Allan for more information.

PHILLIS WHEATLEY PLAY Writing for Liberation and Justice

SPECIAL MUSIC by Castles of our Skins

Sunday, February 9, 2:30-4:30pm,

in the Gordon Chapel and on live stream, Click here to register

Old South's (G)RACE Speaks Committee is teaming up with playwright Debra Wiess to present "A Revolutionary Encounter in London", a 70 minute one-act play about the little-known meeting in 1773 between two of Boston's Colonial icons: enslaved African Poetess Phillis Wheatley and American Founding Father Benjamin Franklin. Witness these two important figures in Old South's history converse in their spiritual home, 252 years after their famous encounter. There will also be special music by Castles of Our Skins and refreshments to enjoy. You don't want to miss it!

(G)RACE SPEAKS ANTI-RACISM LANGUAGE WORKSHOP

Sunday, February 16, 10am, 2nd floor Mary Norton Hall, click here for Zoom link

Join us for the 10 o’clock hour on Sunday Feb 16th as we explore the language of antiracism and align the terminology we use at Old South Church, as we continue our journey to being the anti-racist church we aspire to be. Old South members Amy Coe and Anne Scholder will lead this discussion on behalf of (G)RACE Speaks.

PILGRIMAGE TO SEEK TRUTH AND JUSTICE WITH REV. JUNE

Sunday, February 23, 10am, 2nd floor Mary Norton Hall, click here for Zoom link

Join us at the Community Hour Forum to hear from OSC members that participated in a Pilgrimage to Seek Truth and Justice in the fall of 2024. Traveling to Montgomery and Selma, we not only visited the hallowed sites of the civil rights movement, but heard first-hand stories from veteran and current activists. The Pilgrimage was led by our Theologian in the City, Rev. June Cooper. Please join us and be inspired!

GROWING AND LIVING IN COMMUNITY

CHURCH VISION AND STRATEGY GATHERINGS

February 6, 7pm, Crawford Library,

and February 10, 7:30pm on Zoom, password 664195

Our Boards and Clergy have been dreaming together about strategic next steps for Old South Church. Please join us for a collaborative session where we’ll share the big picture of this exciting and transformative vision, focused on three key pillars:

  1. Growing the Church – Expanding our reach and impact.
  2. Deepening Relationships – Strengthening our community and connections.
  3. Doing Justice – Acting with compassion and advocating for change.

This is the first of many opportunities to hear about our strategic plans and provide your feedback. Everyone is welcome to help us shape the next chapter at OSC.

WINTER WALK TO END HOMELESSNESS

Sunday, February 9, 8:30am, Boston Common

at the corner of Beacon and Charles Streets

Our Youth Group is leading Old South's delegation of Winter Walk and people of all ages are invited to join! Winter Walk’s mission is to raise awareness and funds towards ending homelessness, and to support organizations that are working on prevention, support, and care for our unhoused community. Join the Old South team as we take this 2 mile walk around Boston Common during the coldest month of the year.


To register, go to tinyurl.com/WW25OSC, click "JOIN OUR TEAM" and select "common cathedral" as the recipient organization, then select "I'll fundraise." Your registration fee is already covered because OSC is a sponsor. You may choose to donate extra money if you choose. If you don't want to walk but do want to donate, you can donate at the above link by clicking "Donate Now!" Questions? Email Ashley Popperson at ashley@oldsouth.org.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY January and February

Sunday, February 9, at Festival Worship Coffee Hour

Join us to celebrate Old South members with birthdays in January and February with singing and cake!

FAMILY GAME NIGHT

Fridays February 28, March 28, & May 9

6pm - 8pm, in the Guild Room

Grab your board games and join Old South families for a night of games & pizza. Sponsored by Christian Formation, this relaxed kick off to the weekend is geared towards families, but we welcome any child-at-heart who wants to come.  Please RSVP to Hillary Mull if you can - so we know how much pizza to order. Donations accepted to offset cost of pizza

 

BANISHED TO THE BALCONY:

A TALK ON THE HISTORY OF RACE AT OLD SOUTH CHURCH

Monday, March 10, 6pm, Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St

Have you ever wondered what it was like for Phillis Wheatley to worship upstairs at the Old South Meeting House? Or about the worship life of the other members of African descent whose names are etched on the leaves of our Memorial Tree in the Columbarium? Join us as historian Richard Boles, author of Dividing the Faith: The

Rise of Segregated Churches in the Early American North, talks about the 18th c. circumstances of Native Americans and enslaved African Americans in New England who worshipped, were baptized, and took communion in predominantly white churches with segregated seating and other race-based proscriptions.


The Old South Church community is invited to a wine and cheese reception

at 5:15 p.m. prior to Professor Boles’ talk. Co-sponsored by Old South Church's Mary Norton Society and by Revolutionary Spaces.

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 Mary Norton Society member, Kate Silfen, describes her reasons for joining the society:

I had a lot of questions when I first started coming to Old South in the fall of 2001. I knew that I was drawn to Christianity, but I was worried that my liberal understanding of the Bible and Jesus’ ministry would put me at odds with the rest of the congregation. Much to my surprise and delight, I soon realized that I had joined a community that welcomed my questions and had plenty of room for a variety of views. I want to make sure that our church’s progressive flavor of Christianity continues to thrive, so I am thrilled to have a way to help ensure that it survives well into the future.

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 Cathryn Griffith for more information.

2025 NEW NEIGHBOR TASK FORCE INTEREST FORM

Click here to fill out the form

With the 2025 Presidential Inauguration comes a test of our faith and a test of our love of our neighbors. Trump has promised to “carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American history” and his administration plans to use broad federal powers to do so. The time is now to leverage our power as a community to say "NO" to these efforts. In the coming months, the New Neighbor Task Force aims to assert the inherent value of our immigrant neighbors - through housing and accompaniment, financial sponsorship, legislative advocacy, prayer, and more. If you are interested in learning about or supporting this effort in any way, follow the QR Code to fill out this new intake form. 

DONALD A. WELLS PREACHING PRIZE WINNER

The Donald A. Wells Preaching Prize winner for 2025 is Katy Fazio, a student at Boston University School of Theology and seminarian at the UCC Church in Milton, MA. Established when Don was named Executive Director Emeritus of the Massachusetts Bible Society, the award is given annually to a student who preaches the best sermon

 on a biblical text dealing with a social justice issue. It carries a $1,500 stipend and is open to any student enrolled in any theological seminary in New England. Congratulations to Katy Fazio! 

HEARD IT AT COUNCIL

Click here to learn about the January Council meeting that included budget issues, strategic planning, church structure, and thanks to the music department from Church Historian Kate Silfen.

GREEN TIP

Donate to the UCC's California Wildfires 2025 Appeal by clicking here. (You'll have to scroll to the bottom of the page to donate!)

OTHER WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

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 Sunday, February 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. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Click on the video to hear Associate Minister Ashley Popperson preach a sermon at Festival Worship titled, Salutations

Festival Worship Recordings

OTHER INFORMATION

COVID PRECAUTIONS 

  • Masking is optional.
  • Masks are available at the front desk for those who choose to wear one.
  • We strongly encourage everyone to be fully vaxxed and boosted, to attend to handwashing, and to refrain from entering the building if you have so much as a sniffle.


MASKED SECTIONS OF THE SANCTUARY AND CHAPEL

Did you know that we have masked sections in the Sanctuary and Chapel?

We do! It's in the left transept (under the balcony) of the Sanctuary. In the Gordon Chapel, the Columbarium is the designated section. In both sections, masks are required. If you still aren't sure how to get to either section, ask an usher!

SANCTUARY IN THE CITY

Our Sanctuary in this City is open to visitors for prayer and reflection.

Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.; Fridays 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.;

and Weekends, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Corey Spence, Weekday Receptionist, Old South Church