NEW YEAR'S EVE, December 31 | | |
BOSTON FIRST NIGHT: PIPES AND POPS CONCERTS
Wednesday, December 31, 6:30 and 8 pm, Old South Church in Boston
The best of Boston’s brass and percussion artists join organist Mitchell Crawford in a supersonic program of popular classics. Featuring fun and engaging programming for the whole family, this concert includes a seasonal sing of “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” Experience Old South’s incredible E. M. Skinner organ, with over 7,000 room-shaking pipes! Free and open to the public.
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10AM PAJAMA CHURCH
Ashley Popperson preaching
| |  | For links to bulletins and the worship livestream click here. | | |
PAJAMA CHURCH
Sunday December 28, Single Worship Service at 10am
Come for a relaxed celebration of Christmastide as we worship God who is with us, Emmanuel. Come in your pajamas or coziest of clothes, bring a loved one and settle in with us to experience the love of God coming into our world.
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GIVING BACK: THE TRUE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, Old South has several opportunities to give to the wider community. There is a Christmas tree near the reception desk decorated with ornaments. Each ornament will have instructions for a gift for one of the gift drives listed below. You can select an ornament from the tree or you can participate online at oldsouth.org/true-spirit-christmas
| | CHRISTIAN SERVICE AND OUTREACH - WEEKLY PUSHBACK | | |
Neighbors in Need
Learn more about their work at ucc.org/nin
Give through the Old South giving portal at https://tiny.oldsouth.org/NIN
Have other weekly action ideas? Email outreach@oldsouth.org
To get involved or ask questions email Kat Woodard at kat@oldsouth.org
| Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of the gifts received support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM), uplifting the voices and vitality of Native communities. Two-thirds of this offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects through grants. Neighbors in Need grants are awarded to UCC churches and organizations doing justice work in their communities. These grants fund projects whose work ranges from direct service to community organizing and advocacy to address systemic injustice. | | |
(G)RACE SPEAKS AT ISABELLA STEWART GARDER MUSEUM
Sunday, January 4, 1pm, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 25 Evans Way, Boston
(G)RACE Speaks is sponsoring an outing to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum at 1 PM following Festival Worship. We will explore the exhibit featuring Allan Rohan Crite: Urban Glory. Crite was an African American artist who celebrated, recorded and spoke to Boston's Black community. Tickets are $22 and if cost is prohibitive please let the church know so a ticket can be purchased for you. RSVP/questions to amyecoe@gmail.com.
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EXTRA! EXTRA! MARY NORTON TO VISIT OLD SOUTH! MEET THE LEGEND!
Sunday, January 11, following Festival Worship, Mary Norton Hall
Click here to let us know you want to join us!
Enjoy a delicious 17th century lunch by Carol Blair that includes homemade cornbread and vegetarian baked beans. Then wonder at a dramatic performance starring Pam Roberts as Mary Norton, John Edgerton as himself, Laurie Stickels as herself, and Scott McInturff as the Rev. John Norton. The one-act play, written by Debbie Wiess, is based on an original premise by Mary Kohák and Debbie Wiess.
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HEARD IT AT COUNCIL
Click here to read Church Historian Kate Silfen's full report
December's Council Meeting included discussions of current year financials, next year's budget, hiring process for Consultant for Belonging, 150th Anniversary party reflection, and a save the date for Mary Norton's "visit" in January.
| | OLD SOUTH PRESCHOOL CREATES DIAPER CIRCLE DROPOFF | | | | |
Old South Preschool is partnering with a local organization called Diaper Circle to serve as a drop-off location. Diaper Circle collects items and distributes them to families in need across Greater Boston. The collection bin is in the lobby by the reception desk. We are accepting:
- new, unopened packs of diapers
- opened packs of diapers
- loose diapers (clean, of course!)
- new, unopened containers of wipes
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REVOLUTIONARY GENEROSITY—2026 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN
We are also excited to announce our 2026 stewardship campaign, Revolutionary Generosity, is underway! Old South revolutionaries of today practice radical change in our society, serve neighbors, and open doors wide to the city. Join us in practicing revolutionary generosity by pledging online at: tiny.oldsouth.org/pledge2026. Questions? Contact Amelia at amelia@oldsouth.org or 617-536-1970.
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Our new church software, Church Center, is now live! You can access the church directory on the Church Center website and app. Go to oldsouthchurch.churchcenter.com/home to sign in and https://oldsouth.org/church-center for our FAQ. Stay tuned for giving and calendar on Church Center, live on January 2nd, 2026. We will have an all-church training on how to use the giving and calendar features on January 18th, in-person at 10 AM and online at 2 PM. Reach out to Amelia Gerrard at amelia@oldsouth.org with any questions.
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CAN YOU JOIN THE CARDIE CREW?
Old South's Congregational Care & Support team has a very special at-home job that is in need of a few fresh volunteers: the Card Crew! You may have received a flock of cards from this special group of people, who celebrate, mourn, pray, encourage, and thank our congregation as a way of extending the church's care and support.
As a member of the Card Crew you’ll receive periodic emails from leader (and OSC parent) Caroline Murray with the names, addresses, and reason that the crew is writing to these Old South folks. There are no meetings, just emails with folks who are in need of cards. And if it’s ever a bad time for you, just let Caroline know.
This is a great "church job" for folks who cannot commit to regular committee work, or who want to volunteer on their own time at home. You cannot underestimate the importance of this work, as it truly touches individual lives and hearts. If you know of a pew-mate, friend, or yourself who is going through something, celebrating, retiring, moving, excelling, or struggling -- let us know by emailing care@oldsouth.org
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VESPERS HEALING WORSHIP
Next service January 11, 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.
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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.
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HEARING ASSIST DEVICES
Hearing assist devices are available from Ava Welling, our Director of Audio. Please see Ava for a device and instructions on how to use it. For more information or answers to questions, please contact Ava.
| | GREEN TIP: 12 Green Tips of Christmas | | |
7. Buy experiences instead of physical gifts.
8. Take a nature hike with family or friends to enjoy the gift of the outdoors together.
| | Click on the video to watch Taylor Resident for Ministry in the City Kat Woodard preach a sermon at Festival Worship titled At the End of the World, a Garden. | | | | | |
