View as Webpage

THIS SUNDAY, March 9, 2025

FORUM: OLD SOUTH AND THE WORLD: A PANEL Q&A

Sunday, March 9, 10am, 2nd floor Mary Norton Hall & Zoom password community

Are you curious about how the church is responding to the state of the nation? Want to know more about how you can get involved? Join us on Sunday for a panel discussion with our Ministers and representatives from G(Race) Speaks, the Climate Crisis Task Force, and the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization. We're looking forward to an engaging and insightful conversation.

VESPERS HEALING WORSHIP

Next Service, Sunday, March 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. 

LENT

LENTEN DEVOTIONAL

Get your copy by clicking here or picking up a copy at the church

Living in a time of such chaos and outrage, we need spiritual discipline to stay grounded and to live out God's call of love and liberation for all. This Lent, Old South has created a devotional booklet to accompany you through these 40 days. Each week offers a reflection and a spiritual practice drawn from the scripture of Galatians 5. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." 

OUR LENTEN JOURNEY….to Bethany…..Bethany?

A Blog from Don Wells, Theologian in Residence,

read the full blog here

For us in the Church, while not a ‘day’ of tranquility, Lent can provide a different rhythm from the ordinary. It gives us a time frame in which to reflect, study, pray and perhaps engage in a new practice that will help us on our journey. It gives us a chance to hear again Jesus’ invitation to ‘come, follow me’, and to assess how we are doing.

THE ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

International aid is a hallmark of the Christian faith. As people who believe in a God who transcends all borders, we are called to embrace those in need who are divided from us by human-made boundaries. The One Great Hour of Sharing offering is an opportunity to contribute to international aid. In partnership with multiple Protestant denominations, this offering makes a life saving difference in the lives of the most vulnerable. You can contribute to this offering in worship during Lent, or through our online portal at tinyurl.com/OSCGiving.

ALL-CHURCH LENTEN BOOK READ: An Altar in the World

Four Sundays, beginning March 16, 2nd floor Mary Norton Hall

Click here to join us on Zoom, password Community

We invite you, as part of your Lenten practice this season, to read Barbara Brown Taylor's book An Altar in the World: a Geography of Faith. This 2009 publication presents a compelling invitation to intentionally bring more holiness to our everyday lives. Grounded in gratitude and wonder, Brown Taylor's writing is accessible and inspiring, as well as honest and funny. To take part in discussions you do not need to have read the book to participate (but we hope you do) - we'll have materials each week.

• March 16: Waking up to God, Paying Attention, and Wearing Skin
• March 23: Walking on the Earth, Getting Lost, and Encountering Others
• March 30th: The Practice of Living with Purpose, Saying No & Carrying Water
• April 6: Feeling Pain, Being Present to God, and Pronouncing Blessings

POEMS FOR THE JOURNEY: A LENTEN/HOLY WEEK GATHERING OF VERSE

Sunday, April 13, 10am 2nd Floor Mary Norton Hall & Zoom password community

Join Theologian in Residence Don Wells to share poems and short verses celebrating the roads we journey through life and through faith. This new event is similar to our annual Advent Poetry Fest -- only thematically Lenten / Holy Week inspired. Please let Don Wells know if you would like to share a poem, and if you need ideas! We encourage listeners as well.

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Palm Sunday—April 13, 9am and 11am

Maundy Thursday— Service of Tenebrae, April 17, 6pm

Good Friday—April 18, 12pm, and 7pm

Easter & Marathon Sunday Festival Worship—

April 20, 7am, 9am, 11am, & 1pm

GROWING AND LIVING IN COMMUNITY

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

Also available on Zoom,

meeting ID: 842 1439 0693, passcode: 399043

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.

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, Larry Mynatt, describes his reasons for joining the society:

I remember Old South Church in my bequest to continue the legacy that began over 350 years ago. This church was critical in the abolitionist movement during the times of slavery. Old South Church has been at the forefront of so many other social issues: racism, women’s suffrage, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrants, the homeless and un-housed. Every time I enter the doors of Old South Church I am deeply humbled by those who have preceded me there, many of whom were nationally historical figures. Our current beautiful building has been in service since 1875 and has been thoughtfully maintained all these years. It is my hope this bequest can help in continuation of that effort.

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.

GODLY PLAY FOR FAMILIES

Sundays, once a month; 10am, 3rd floor

Upcoming Sundays: March 16, April 6, & May 18th

Our family-based church school gathering returns! Families of preschoolers, infants, and toddlers are invited to our once a month class during the 10am hour in the regular childcare room on the 3rd floor. We'll hear a Godly Play story together, wonder a bit about the story, and then have work time to play around with the ideas and stories we heard. Families of any age are welcome - though this is geared towards preschool age 4 and under. In addition -- parents are not required to attend, but we suspect most will want to.

REGIONAL POTLUCK IN BACK BAY

Tuesday, March 18, at 6pm, RSVP here by March 16.

Join Cathryn Griffith and Curtiss Reed, Jr. at their home in Back Bay on March 18th at 6pm for a potluck! They'll make a big pot of vegetarian chili and cornbread, you can bring a beverage or a dessert to share. It will be a time to relax, chat, and enjoy each other's good company! Questions? Email Cathryn. 

HEARD IT AT COUNCIL FEBRUARY 2025

Click here to read Old South Historian Kate Silfen's article about the February Council Meeting. Topics included finances, human resources, leadership slate, and Annual Meeting.

VOLUNTEER TO READ SCRIPTURE

Click here to sign up

Reading the Bible in community is an essential Christian spiritual practice. Each week at Festival Worship a volunteer reads scripture before the sermon. People of all ages are encouraged to volunteer! Questions? Email Ashley Popperson.

FLOWER DEDICATIONS FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP

Are you interested in honoring a loved one or commemorating a special occasion with a beautiful flower dedication? By making a flower donation, you can dedicate the altar flowers on a date that is meaningful to you. Each dedication includes a flower bouquet and a special message in the Sunday bulletin. The cost of flower donations are $100, which can be purchased via check, cash, or online in our Giving Portal. Click here to sign up for a Sunday flower Please reach out to Amelia Gerrard with any questions.

GREEN TIP: Save Water While Washing Dishes

When you need to wash dishes by hand, fill up the sink with the water you need rather than letting it constantly run while you wash and rinse. You’d be surprised how much water you can end up using when you just let it run. You can also do something similar when you rinse off fruits and vegetables, putting water in a bowl and using that to rinse them off or scrub them. Click here for more information.

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.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Click on the video to hear Associate Minister Ashley Popperson preach a sermon at Festival Worship titled To Be of Consequence.

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.