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THIS SUNDAY, June 22, 2025

For links to bulletins and the worship livestream click here.

GUEST PREACHER AND SPEAKER:

THE REV. MATT R. RASURE

Sunday, June 22, First & Festival Worship

& 10am Coffee Hour

The Rev. Matthew R. Rasure, Ph.D., is the Director of Development for the Allston Brighton Food Pantry, a strategic mission of the Brighton-Allston Congregational Church. Matt is a community advocate, scholar, and fundraiser who is passionate about the intersection of faith and community empowerment. Prior to joining the Allston Brighton Food Pantry staff, he served as the Senior Minister of the First Baptist Church of Medford. Matt will be preaching at First and Festival Worship, and hosting coffee hour between the services in Mary Norton Hall at 10:00 am on the 22nd, where he'll share more about the Allston-Brighton Food Pantry, and the Trans BIPOC Residency at the Brighton-Allston Congregational Church.

PLAN FOR COMMUTE DISRUPTIONS: BOSTON 10K SUNDAY JUNE 22nd

This Sunday, the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) will be hosting the 2025 Boston 10k. This race will pass in front of the church and end at the Boston Common. All streets along the course will close from 7:30-11:00 AM, including Boylston Street from Exeter to Dartmouth. No parking signs will be put up and enforced.

A full map of the course can be seen here: https://tinyurl.com/2025BAA10KMap

Please take this into consideration as you commute to church this Sunday and consider taking public transportation. Questions? Contact Amelia Gerrard at amelia@oldsouth.org if you have any questions or need help with planning for your commute this weekend.

CHRISTIAN SERVICE AND OUTREACH

THE WEEKLY PUSHBACK - Allston-Brighton Food Pantry

Bad news comes fast and furious these days--for trans folks, for immigrants, for the disabled. But all across the country, people of goodwill are pushing back. Every week, Old South's Christian Service and Outreach Committee will be giving $1,000 to an organization or individual who is serving the gospel in a world of bad news. Bad news comes fast and furious these days—for trans folks, for immigrants, for the disabled. But all across the country, people of goodwill are pushing back. Every week, Old South's Christian Service and Outreach Committee will be giving $1,000 to an organization or individual who is serving the gospel in a world of bad news. With federal cuts to SNAP and food pantry supplies, demand is outstripping supply across the country. Old South is donating $1,000 this week to support our partners at Allston-Brighton UCC and their food pantry ministry. To join their volunteer list, email foodpantry@brightonallstonucc.org. Have other weekly action ideas? Email outreach@oldsouth.org.

CHRISTIAN SERVICE AND OUTREACH COMMITTEE SEEKS GRANTEES

Click here to provide your suggestions by June 30.

Questions or more info, contact Ashley Popperson.

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 connecting our grantees with the human capital our congregation has to offer. Each year, CSOC reviews local non-profit organizations and invites several to apply for consideration for one of our grants or awards. We are soliciting recommendations from the congregation for organizations to consider for 2025. We are particularly interested in learning about Boston-based non-profits that serve the local Boston community and offer hands-on volunteer opportunities. 

GROWING AND LIVING IN COMMUNITY

MISSIONARY VISIT TO OLD SOUTH

Sunday, June 29, 10am, in the Gordon Chapel

Dr. Nathanael Wiles is a physician in Kenya, Africa. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he is preparing for his second mission to Tenwek Hospital in Bomet, Africa. He was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor during medical school but by God’s grace, he was able to overcome this seemingly insurmountable challenge. Come, hear him talk about the African people he serves and how he continues to respond to God’s calling. He will share slides and details of his ministry. Those interested in getting to know Nathanael in a more intimate setting are cordially invited to a dinner at the home of Esther and Fredrick Seguin here in the Back Bay on Saturday, June 28, at 6 pm. Please sign up for the dinner; seating is limited to 10 people email Esther Seguin.

MEMBERSHIP SUNDAY LUNCH

June 29,12:30pm

RSVP to Ashley Popperson by June 26th, noting any dietary needs or restrictions.

Calling all new Old Southers! Calling all Long Term Members! If you joined the church in the last few years or if you've been a member of the church for over 20 years, this lunch is for you! Join us for lunch to celebrate membership at Old South!

RETIRED AND READY AT THE AFRICAN MEETING HOUSE

Click here to purchase your ticket for Tuesday, July 8 at 10am

and join our group at 46 Joy Street.

Email Charlotte Simpson to let her know you want to participate.

Want to learn the history that was missing from your history books? Join a guided tour of the Abiel Smith School, the oldest public school in the United States that was built for the sole purpose of educating African American children. We will also tour the African Meeting House, the oldest existing black church building in our country. A special exhibit “Black Voices of the Revolution” is also on display. Following our tour we plan to dine at Flour Bakery and Cafe, 209 Cambridge Street.

MONDAY SMALL GROUP STARTING NEW BOOK

Mondays, 7pm, Gordon Library

Questions or more info contact Jennifer Keenan

Do you have interest and time, for a pre summer June read?? We’re starting a new read for the Monday night Small Group: The Book of Hope, A survival Guide for Trying Times, by Jane Goodall. We’ll look at Goodall’s take on a world that seems so troubled, how do we hold on to hope? Jane Goodall, the world's most famous living naturalist, and Douglas Abrams, the internationally bestselling co-author of The Book of Joy, explore through intimate and thought-provoking dialogue one of the most sought after and least understood elements of human nature: hope. In The Book of Hope, Jane focuses on her "Four Reasons for Hope": The Amazing Human Intellect, The Resilience of Nature, The Power of Young People, and The Indomitable Human Spirit.

MUSIC @ OLD SOUTH

JAZZY JUNE AT OLD SOUTH CHURCH

Get ready for a Jazzy June during Festival Worship! It will be a feast of swinging, soulful music, brought to you through the combined efforts of the Willie Sordillo Ensemble, Summer Choir, and Gospel Choir. This musical series will be an uplifting way to bid farewell to the Sanctuary before we decamp to the Chapel for July and August. In particular, we’re thrilled to bring elements of Old South’s groundbreaking Jazz Worship to our Festival service during these weeks. Come prepared to sing some of your favorite tunes, and revel in the artistic chemistry of Willie, Zoë, and the band. 

SUMMER CHOIR

Contact Mitchell Crawford for more information

The Old South Summer Choir is a welcoming and encouraging community of those who love to sing. This ensemble is an integral part of Festival Worship from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, gathering at 10am to prepare for the 11am service. Summer Choir is a great opportunity to check out our music ministry, share your love of singing, grow your musical abilities, or try something new. No experience or preparation is necessary. Feel free to join us as your Sunday schedule allows!

GREEN TIPS: Avoiding Microplastics - Choose Tap Water

Microplastics are everywhere in our environment. These tiny and sometimes microscopic particles of plastic are present in our air, water, soil, and food; in lakes, rivers, and oceans; even at the top of Mount Everest. Microplastics are also in our bodies. A recent study found that consumers who drank bottled water instead of tap water ingested substantially more microplastics every year. People who drink beverages in plastic packaging are also more likely to have higher levels of microplastics in their stool, so it would be wise to also avoid such beverages when possible.

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

Sunday, June 8, 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 for Pride Sunday at Festival Worship titled Beyond All Knowing.

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.

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.