Update from the ONC Regathering Team

The Old North Church Regathering Team met again last Wednesday evening to consider the conditions under which we will be able to safely resume in-person worship and other church activities. The group heard input from several medical professionals along with reports from the various boards and committees tasked with determining when and how to safely reopen our meetinghouse, parish hall and church offices. The consensus was that given the rising trend in coronavirus infections, hospitalizations and deaths, we will remain closed to in-person gatherings throughout December and January while we continue to monitor public health recommendations and make upgrades in our air-handling systems to safeguard our health once we are able to be together again. The team will reconvene in late January.

Meanwhile, we are hard at work planning Advent and Christmas worship opportunities during this most unusual and challenging holiday season. During Advent we will continue to post our weekly worship services on our YouTube channel (Old North Church Marblehead) at 8 am each Sunday. This year’s Christmas Pageant will be part of our virtual worship service on Sunday, December 20th, and our annual Longest Night service will be posted on December 21st. Then, on Christmas Eve we will be offering a virtual Service of Lessons and Carols. Watch this space for developing details.
Kindle Ministry

We continue offering our worship service for people who don't have access to the internet on Kindle Fire tablets. They're easy to use (just press one button!) and delivered weekly to the doors of those who need them! If you know of someone who might benefit, let Karen Kilty know at [email protected] or 978-335-6244.
Sunday, December 13
Third Sunday of Advent

Readings:
Isaiah 61:1-4, 10-11       
and
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
                                                            
 Rev. Lindsay Popperson's sermon:
"Rejoice Alway?"

This week's worship video will be posted by 8am this Sunday.
Please click here on Sunday morning to view the service.

Please click here for a copy of Sunday's bulletin.
Our Latest News and Activities
Coffee Hour Zoom is Back!

Coffee Hour is BACK! Join members of the ONC community for conversation and fellowship on Zoom at 11am every Sunday.

Either click here or enter this link: https://zoom.us/j/566308766
Or call this number: 
    +1 312 626 6799 (Meeting ID: 566 308 766)

Children’s Faith Formation
Third Sunday of Advent

On this Sunday when we light the candle of JOY, I offer this blessing for when you hang your stockings.

Stockings Blessing
Loving God we ask for your blessings on our stockings. We hang them up empty, knowing that they'll later be filled with treats and treasures. May our stockings also remind us of the warmth of the family and the joy of being together, and the truest Christmas treasures of all: hope and peace, joy and love.

I have a wonderful movie to recommend to you all to enjoy this season. It was recommended to me by the Horgan Family.

Angela’s Christmas on Netflix
“A trip to church with her family on Christmas Eve gives young Angela an extraordinary idea. A heartwarming tale based on a story by Frank McCourt
and Angela’s Christmas Story - A sweet sequel!!
Stewardship Season is Underway

By now you have received our annual stewardship appeal. Despite all the changes in church life due to the pandemic, the challenge of financing our mission and ministry remains. We hope you are able to continue your support of Old North Church as you have in the past, and we encourage you to return your pledge card to the church office, or pledge online at your earliest convenience. As of December 10, we have received 159 pledges for 2021, totaling $298,508.
Friendly Voices

Feeling isolated as the days get shorter and the nights get longer? Wish you had someone to talk to while sipping a cup of tea. Sign up with the Community Life Ministry here at ONC to get a phone call every so often for a check in. In order to get on our call list, please contact either:

Contact Lynda Hare [email protected] or 781-639-0107
or Linda Duvel at [email protected] or 781-631-1703

We already have friendly voices contacting people and would love to add you to our list.
News From Our Sister Church in Pholela

After being shutdown by the covid virus for many months, the Pholela Congregation is able to meet again for services thanks to our ONC donation which enabled them to purchase the necessary safety supplies for all 25 branches.

Last month they were able to have the whole congregation gather for worship and the first quarterly meeting after the lockdown. Last Sunday they had a baptismal day when twenty babies were baptized, among them was Rev. Simon’s daughter.

Your pledges and donations continue to have a huge impact in the lives of our friends at the other end of the world.
Ginny von Rueden, Outreach Ministry Board
Welcome the Stranger

The Lynn Shelter Association is in desperate need for ADULT SIZE winter coats and jackets. They need coats for men and women.

We will be collecting from Monday, November 30th through Saturday December 12th. 

Please bring your gently used warm coats and jackets to Richard Thibedeau and Holly Jannell's home at 9 Glover Square, Marblehead.

  • Step 1.  Text Richard at (781.307.5538) or e:mail Richard at [email protected]  Simply tell Richard when you plan to drop the item(s) off and arrange a mutually good time.
  • Step 2:  Place items at the end of the driveway and text Richard that you have arrived and he will retrieve the item(s).
  • Step 3:  Richard will place them in the basement ready for pickup by the Lynn Shelter staff.
                            
Thank you for helping fellow Americans survive the cold weather.
Welcome the Stranger Steering Committee: Richard Thibedeau and Lynda Hare
Gift Card Drive for Plummer Youth Promise

Members of our Outreach Ministry Board have been reaching out to agencies supported by your pledge contributions to see how they are managing financially and in general. Missey Donohoe recently contacted Plummer Youth Promise.

Plummer Youth Promise is a non-profit organization serving youth ages birth to 22 that are in or at risk of entering the child welfare system. Plummer’s Promise is to ensure that all young people find safe, loving families unconditionally committed to them.
 
This Holiday season, Plummer is collecting gift cards for their Holiday Gift Drive. Some suggested gift cards are Visa, Market Basket, Uber or Amazon. If you would like to participate in the project, you can mail gift cards to: 
 
Plummer Youth Promise
Attn: Emily Lonergan
37 Winter Island Road
Salem, MA 01970
 
or you can choose to make a donation towards the drive online at plummeryouthpromise.org. Thank you for helping bring joy to our youth, and do whatever it takes to find them a forever family. Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones! 

Anti-Racism Accountability Group

A group of Old North Church folks are committing to get together regularly to hold ourselves accountable to doing anti-racism work in our own lives. This will be a time for sharing and accountability about how we are participating in the work Jesus calls us to do in unraveling white supremacy--whether that's confronting racist language in our families and friends, supporting Black organizers in the local area, immersing ourselves in learning from people of color, or many other things. We're still figuring this out, and we'd love for you to be on the journey with us.

We'll be meeting every two weeks: Join us Monday, December 14, at 7 pm via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84605394239 or dial +1 929 205 6099 and enter meeting ID 846 0539 4239) Contact Lindsay ([email protected]) if you have questions!
Ways to Connect With Us During the Week

So that we might stay connected, we've set up several times throughout the week to gather on Zoom. You can join from a computer, iphone, or ipad using the links below, or you can call +1 929 205 6099 and enter the meeting ID (listed with each event). 

Lectio Divina (Tuesdays 9am)
https://zoom.us/j/532654567 (Meeting ID: 532-654-567)
A time of contemplative prayer, with scripture and poetry, led by Dennis. 

Breakfast Group (Fridays 8am)
https://zoom.us/j/568995512 (Meeting ID: 568-995-512)
A time to gather with one another, with your breakfast and coffee. 
Church Building Access and Office Hours

We are limiting access to the church and office buildings to critical business needs only. Our office is closed for normal business but some of our staff are in periodically to ensure that critical operations are maintained. Please reach out to us via email at [email protected] if you have any questions. Thank you for staying home and staying safe!
Do You Need Assistance? Here are some Resources.
 
We are sharing a list of resources which Gordon Lothrop thoughtfully shared with us from the Marblehead Masonic Lodge.

List of Resources
  • Swampscott Council on Aging: click here
  • Marblehead Council on Aging: click here
  • Marblehead Community Support Forum:  click here
  • Nahant Council on Aging: click here
  • Anchor Food Pantry Swampscott: click here
  • The Nahant Veteran’s Food Bank operates the first Wednesday of the month for veterans living in Nahant.
  • Marblehead Food Pantry, 80 Atlantic Ave. (781)631-5335: click here
  • Town of Marblehead:  click here
  • Town of Swampscott: click here 
  • Churches
  • Synagogues
  • Schools
Contact Us: 781-631-1244

Church Address: 35 Washington St., Marblehead, MA 01945
Mailing Address: 8 Stacey St. Marblehead, MA 01945