1 Inside this issue: Page 2 Sundays Tuesday Recitals Wednesday Services Flowers Pages 3, 4, & 5 Announcements, Updates, & Events From the Church School From the Assistant Minister Volume XLIII Number 1 January 2011 NEWS FROM KING’S CHAPEL The Society of King’s Chapel • 64 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108 • 617/227-2155 • www.kings-chapel.org Dear Friends, Fittingly, the Scottish folk tune, “Auld Lang Syne,” was sung at our New Year’s party following Evensong. For, Robert Burns’ words still seem to capture the high moments of endings and beginnings. The refrains, “we’ll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne (old acquaintance)” and “there’s a hand my trusty friends, and give us a hand o’ thine,” remain memorable. In looking back to our first interim year together, I am reminded of these experiences and events in particular: the respect and warmth of our leaders and members, and your willingness and generosity to come together for the sake of the whole church; our working to stabilize some of the systemic dysfunction and personal disappointments that had set in over several years; the lifting up of our liturgy and lectionary as set forth by our Prayerbook for Morning Prayer, midweek, family and special services; six interim focus groups, whose purpose was to give everyone opportunities to talk about specific aspects of church life in order to set them behind; Vestry working group meetings on theology, governance and bylaws to build for the future; broader and well-attended Social Action programs; a financially successful guide program under the co-leadership of Kristin Bezio and Theresa Cooney; the training of new staff, and the saying farewell to the Rev. Joanne Giannino, our dedicated Assistant Minister. In the first half of our second interim year, we kicked off our 2011 Annual Appeal, and our 325th Anniversary celebration, first with concerts, thanks to Heinrich Christensen, and soon with speakers. We welcomed a new Assistant Minister in Kristin Grassel Schmidt, who has taken hold well. Understanding that the youth are our future, we intentionally drew more closely together the Church School and congregation at Morning Prayer on second Sundays, with the support of Shannon Lee. We named and commissioned a talented Search Committee for a called Minister. We offered future-oriented interim focus groups on Ministry, as well as Mission & Vision (Parts I, II), and will soon turn to Membership Growth. At the same time, the Bylaws Working Group is introducing a Bylaws revision for discussion and adoption, the Parish Council is advancing a proposal for new carpeting in the sanctuary with safety in mind, and the Partnership Church group is offering an opportunity for a Habitat Build in Kolozsvar this summer and a ministerial exchange in the near future. At the start of a new calendar year, we can see that there have been endings and beginnings. Without doubt there is still much to do. Nonetheless, we have much to celebrate and to which we can look forward. I thank everyone, as “Auld Lang Syne” says, for your continuing kindness, trust and helping hands. These qualities have served us well in the past and, I am sure, will continue to do so into our future, which is in-the-making. Thanks be to God. Happy New Year, Dianne F OOD BANK DONATIONS We welcome contributions for the Greater Boston Food Bank. Donations may be made at the Parish House in the basket in the Little Chapel. Canned goods and boxed items-such as spaghetti sauce, tuna, soups, canned fruit, pasta, cereals, and paper products-are especially needed. LARGE PRINT ORDERS OF SERVICE We now offer large print Orders of Service for Morning Prayer. If you would like one, please see an usher before the service. THANK YOU The Social Action Committee thanks all of those who purchased a holiday cake to benefit the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. [tÑÑç axã lxtÜ [tÑÑç axã lxtÜ [tÑÑç axã lxtÜ [tÑÑç axã lxtÜ
Transcript
1
Inside this issue:
Page 2
Sundays
Tuesday Recitals
Wednesday Services
Flowers
Pages 3, 4, & 5
Announcements, Updates, & Events
From the Church School
From the Assistant Minister
Volume XLIII Number 1 January 2011
NEWS FROM KING’S � CHAPEL
The Society of King’s Chapel • 64 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108 • 617/227-2155 • www.kings-chapel.org
Dear Friends, Fittingly, the Scottish folk tune, “Auld Lang Syne,” was sung at our New Year’s
party following Evensong. For, Robert Burns’ words still seem to capture the high moments of endings and beginnings. The refrains, “we’ll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne (old acquaintance)” and “there’s a hand my trusty friends, and give us a hand o’ thine,” remain memorable. In looking back to our first interim year together, I am reminded of these
experiences and events in particular: the respect and warmth of our leaders and members, and your willingness and generosity to come together for the sake of the whole church; our working to stabilize some of the systemic dysfunction and personal disappointments that had set in over several years; the lifting up of our liturgy and lectionary as set forth by our Prayerbook for Morning Prayer, midweek, family and special services; six interim focus groups, whose purpose was to give everyone opportunities to talk about specific aspects of church life in order to set them behind; Vestry working group meetings on theology, governance and bylaws to build for the future; broader and well-attended Social Action programs; a financially successful guide program under the co-leadership of Kristin Bezio and Theresa Cooney; the training of new staff, and the saying farewell to the Rev. Joanne Giannino, our dedicated Assistant Minister. In the first half of our second interim year, we kicked off our 2011 Annual Appeal,
and our 325th Anniversary celebration, first with concerts, thanks to Heinrich Christensen, and soon with speakers. We welcomed a new Assistant Minister in Kristin Grassel Schmidt, who has taken hold well. Understanding that the youth are our future, we intentionally drew more closely together the Church School and congregation at Morning Prayer on second Sundays, with the support of Shannon Lee. We named and commissioned a talented Search Committee for a called Minister. We offered future-oriented interim focus groups on Ministry, as well as Mission & Vision (Parts I, II), and will soon turn to Membership Growth. At the same time, the Bylaws Working Group is introducing a Bylaws revision for discussion and adoption, the Parish Council is advancing a proposal for new carpeting in the sanctuary with safety in mind, and the Partnership Church group is offering an opportunity for a Habitat Build in Kolozsvar this summer and a ministerial exchange in the near future. At the start of a new calendar year, we can see that there have been endings and
beginnings. Without doubt there is still much to do. Nonetheless, we have much to celebrate and to which we can look forward. I thank everyone, as “Auld Lang Syne” says, for your continuing kindness, trust and helping hands. These qualities have served us well in the past and, I am sure, will continue to do so into our future, which is in-the-making. Thanks be to God.
Happy New Year,
Dianne
FOOD BANK DONATIONS We welcome contributions for the Greater Boston Food Bank. Donations may be made at the Parish House in the basket in the Little Chapel. Canned goods and boxed items-such as spaghetti sauce, tuna, soups, canned fruit, pasta, cereals, and paper products-are especially needed.
LARGE PRINT ORDERS OF SERVICE We now offer large print Orders of Service for Morning Prayer. If you would like one, please see an usher before the service.
THANK YOU The Social Action Committee thanks all of those who purchased a holiday cake to benefit the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless.
2 Morning Prayer Kristin Grassel Schmidt, preacher The Rev. Dianne Arakawa, co-officiant William Park, lector The lessons are Jeremiah 31:7-14 and John 1:1-18. 9 Morning Prayer The Rev. Dianne Arakawa, preacher Kristin Grassel Schmidt, co-officiant Richard Weeks, lector The lessons are Isaiah 60:1-6 and Matthew 2:1-12. 16 Morning Prayer The Rev. Dianne Arakawa, preacher Kristin Grassel Schmidt, co-officiant Church School, lectors The lessons are Isaiah 42:1-9 and Mathew 3:13-17. 23 Morning Prayer The Rev. Dianne Arakawa, preacher Kristin Grassel Schmidt, co-officiant Marie Wells, lector The lessons are Isaiah 49:1-7 and John 1:29-34. 30 Morning Prayer The Rev. Dianne Arakawa, preacher Kristin Grassel Schmidt, co-officiant Hugh Scott, lector The lessons are Isaiah 9:1-4 and Matthew 4:12-23.
TUESDAY RECITALS Tuesday Recitals at King’s Chapel present a variety of programs, featuring local and visiting musicians. Admission is by suggested donation of $3; the donations are given to the performers. Programs begin at 12:15 p.m. and last approximately 35 minutes. For more information, please call 617/227-2155, or visit www.kings-chapel.org.
FLOWERS If you wish to donate flowers, please contact Louise Perkins, Chancel Committee Co-chair.
CHURCH SCHOOL & EVENTS Every other Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in the Little Chapel at the Parish House, 64 Beacon Street, from September to May.
WEDNESDAY Midweek prayer services begin at 12:15 p.m. and last approximately 35 minutes.
5 Midweek Prayer Kristin Grassel Schmidt, preacher Charles Dimino, lector
12 Midweek Prayer Dean Denniston, preacher Medb Sichko, lector
26 Midweek Prayer Kristin Grassel Schmidt, preacher Ray Lynds, lector
SUNDAY King’s Chapel is at the corner of School & Tremont Streets in downtown Boston. Sunday services begin at 11 a.m. and last for approximately one hour.
K ING ’S CHAPEL SERVICES
4 Brandon Santini plays the C.B. Fisk Organ Schumann, de Grigny Mendelssohn: Sonata I
18 James Swist plays the C.B. Fisk Organ Mendelssohn: Sonata IV Clérambault: Suite du 2ème Ton
25 The Broken Consort Scott Boni (Saxophone) Camila Parias (Voice) Elise Groves (Voice) Emily Lau (Voice/Artistic Director) “When Sense Meets Sensuality: Popular Medieval Melodies”
2 The flowers on the Communion table are given in loving memory of Sister Mary Jerome Moore, O. S. B., a loving teacher and life-long friend, by Peter Thomson.
9 The flowers on the Communion table are given in thanksgiving.
16 The flowers on the Communion table are given in thanksgiving.
23 The flowers on the Communion table are given in loving memory of of Ralph Gordon Soderberg by Sylvia Soderberg and Amy and Mark Nichols
30 The flowers on the Communion table are given in loving memory of Felicia Reed Clark by Todd Lee.
9 Family Service & Church School Kristin Grassel Schmidt will preach.
23 Family Service & Church School Kristin Grassel Schmidt will preach.
NEWS FROM KING’S CHAPEL Tel. 617/227-2155 Fax 617/227-4101
Postmaster: Send address changes to News from King’s Chapel
64 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108
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JANUARY 2011
As my husband and I begin the process of putting away our Christmas decorations, I can hardly believe the start of 2011 is upon us. The turning of one year to the next has always been an emotional time for me, as I remember the things I’ve accomplished, the milestones I’ve experienced, the new life chapters I’ve opened, and the people I’ve lost in the last twelve months. That said, the past year has held perhaps the most change of any period in my life. In the last twelve months I have received preliminary fellowship with the UUA, graduated from seminary, gotten married, moved across the country, and served with you here at King’s Chapel for four deeply fulfilling yet sometimes challenging months. What a year! This congregation, too, has experienced a period of great positive change and
development in the past year. The lay leaders in this congregation have engaged the necessary and inevitable work that an interim ministry period reveals with strong commitment and thoughtfulness. The congregation has said goodbye to one assistant minister, conducted a search, and welcomed me into the ministry of King’s Chapel. We have worked together to widen our welcome of children and families at Morning Prayer, and as a result experienced the warmth and fulfillment of worshipping together as a united church body. Yet another committee has begun its search for a new settled minister. And I’m only scratching the surface. As King’s Chapel begins in earnest to prepare for its 325th anniversary celebration, I
hope you will consider two things. First, I hope you will reflect with pride and hope upon the many accomplishments you as a congregation have made this past year. This church has quite a distinguished history, but it is a living congregation with a mission in the world here, today. Therefore and secondly, please consider the following questions: what do I want the congregation of King’s Chapel to celebrate 100 years from now? How can I, together with my fellow King’s Chapel parishioners, contribute my love, strength, and unique gifts toward the worship of God and the service of humanity? This New Year, may we all look back with pride and gratitude upon the great things
God has done for us, and may we be inspired to rededicate ourselves to the mission of King’s Chapel, thus participating in God’s work to heal the world.
In faith, - Kristin
FROM THE CHURCH SCHOOL DIRECTOR
Greetings from the Church School. As always, the holidays have been a busy time for the Church School. Our annual Advent Crafts and Christmas Pageant were both well-attended and enjoyed by all. Additionally, combining the Christmas Party with Milk Punch Sunday proved to be a success and has likely set a precedent for future holiday celebrations. Please see page 5 for photographs of the children decorating the Christmas tree at the party. Also, our December 12th family-oriented Morning
Prayer was full of holiday spirit. Our Assistant Minister, Kristin Grassel Schmidt, shared a moving story about the inner light that each of us possesses, and we followed the story with the congregation joyfully singing “This Little Light of Mine.” We’ll have our next family-oriented Morning Prayer
on January 16th. Children and youth from the Church School will again sing the Alleluia; we’ll also have several family-friendly hymns for all to sing; and we’ll surely have a heartfelt story for all ages. I strongly encourage you to attend the service and feel the energy that these familiar songs and inspiring stories bring to the service. The energy is simply indescribable, and we are fortunate that our ministers have carved out time for children, youth, and adults to worship together in such a warm and welcoming environment. Thank you, - Shannon Lee
ANNOUNCEMENTS, UPDATES, & EVENTS
FROM THE ASSISTANT MINISTER
���� SURVEY!
Your Ministerial Search Committee – Chris Barnett, Stefanie Muscat, Allen Speight, Peter Malin, Leo Johnson, and Co Chairs Cliff Allen and Beth Chapin – needs to hear your views. To that end, in early January, you will receive a survey, which we have compiled based on models from the UUA and the UCC as well as on comments from parishioners. It will ask for your opinions about many aspects of King’s Chapel and also for information about you. Your responses, which can be either electronic or on paper, will help shape the materials we send to candidates as well as the issues we pursue with candidates and the conditions we include in the job description. Please, let us hear from you; the larger the response the more useful the data. And, thank you. Should you be wondering, an outside firm, Survey Monkey, will compile the data and submit a report to us; in turn, this report will be available
to candidates who expect this kind of data as well as to the parish as a whole. The Committee has decided to conduct simultaneous searches in both the UUA and the UCC. After meeting with representatives from each
denomination, the Committee concluded that it will be in the best interest of King’s Chapel to cast a wide net. Both denominations are agreeable to this plan. In addition, we plan to advertise in divinity schools both locally and nationally. If you wish to ask about or comment on the work of the Committee, please speak with the Co-Chairs. If you would prefer to write, please email
or send a letter to Beth or Cliff and know that your communication will be forwarded, without editing, to the Committee.
- Beth Chapin and Cliff Allen Co-Chairs, Ministerial Search Committee
SECOND SUNDAY OFFERING January’s second Sunday offering will go to Rosie’s Place. Rosie’s Place is a sanctuary for poor and homeless women and offers emergency and long-term assistance to women who have nowhere else to turn.
4
���� USA-KOLOZSVAR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BUILD
Join us on Sunday, January 23 at 12:30pm in the Parish House to discuss the details of a joint USA-Kolozsvar partner church Habitat for Humanity build to be held July 1-15 in Kolozsvar, Romania. This project will include members and friends of King’s Chapel, First Church Boston, and First Unitarian Universalist Church, San Francisco. Each of the three USA churches is partnered with a church in Cluj
(Kolozsvar). Cluj is a charming university city that has made a remarkable recovery from Communism. Habitat has one of its strongest European activities located in this city. We shall be building with the local volunteers, including members of our partner churches, to build simple and decent housing in the community. During our free time there will be occasions to socialize and worship
with our partner church members. During the second weekend we will tour the pastoral countryside, including the town of Torda, and the lovely Ramit Monastery and gardens. On the final weekend we will tour Budapest including visiting First and Second (Bela Bartok) Unitarian churches. Associated costs: air transportation into Budapest, Hungary; plus approximately $1,500 (ground transportation, food and nonalcoholic beverages, lodging, laundry, cultural and social events, gratuities, medical and medivac insurance, and contribution to HFH). For more information:
• HFH Global Village builds http://www.habitat.org/gv default.aspx
• HFH Romania http://www.habitat.org/intl/eca/171.aspx
• Photos of the King’s Chapel 2008 build in Kolozsvar can be viewed at http://picasaweb.google.com/CaptPete43
- Peter Sexton
���� HIGHLIGHTS OF PARTNER CHURCH PROJECTS IN 2011
The Partner Church Committee met following Morning Prayer on November 28 to discuss its three priorities in 2010-2011. (1) Peter Sexton reported on plans for the Habitat “build” in Kolozsvár scheduled for the summer of 2011 and involving three Unitarian churches: First Church Boston, First Unitarian San Francisco, and King’s Chapel. With participants beginning to sign on, an information session is to be held at the Parish House at 12:30 pm, Sunday, January 23, 2011, to which all interested persons are invited. (2) The proposal for a ministerial exchange has been approved by the Vestry and 25% of the funding has been contributed by committee members and friends. The minister of King’s Chapel will explore with the minister of the church in Kolozsvár, the Reverend Norbert Racz, details of a visit to Boston, with timetable options to be discussed later. (3) Vicky Coccoluto reported on the capital fund raised by the PCC over the past three years for the “attic” renovation project of the church in Kolozsvár. This project will be brought to a close through conversation with the new minister about its precise use and its transfer. The committee enjoys a membership of eleven parishioners and
would welcome others to join by indicating their interest to the co-chairs, Denton Crews and Kathe German. Interested persons are also encouraged to join the committee for the information session on January 23rd when in addition to the Habitat Project 2011 there will be featured a photo celebration of the partner churches in Kolozsvár and in other towns in Transylvania.
- Denton Crews
���� ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUATION
STEPHEN SPINDER: PRESENTATION, EXHIBITION and BOOK SIGNING, Thursday, January 20, 2011, Parish House 6:00 PM refreshments 6:30 PM presentation 8:00 PM light dinner at a local restaurant, Dutch treat Stephen Spinder, American photographer and artist has been
photographing the surviving Hungarian folk culture in Transylvania since 1991 and has lived in Budapest since 1995. He developed a passion for this folk culture that survives there in spite of the eastern wave of westernism and Romania's entry into the EU. His story is even more unique given the fact that he has no Hungarian roots. Stephen photographed 24 new Transylvanian Unitarian Churches for
a book, The 440th Anniversary of Unitarianism in Transylvania, and continues his commitment to the partnership program with his ongoing project on a partner church book. He will show images from his recent trip to Transylvania. Please join us this one night only to meet Stephen and share stories
of Transylvania travels and partnership. He'll have copies of his first two books available for sale. For a preview of Stephen’s work, visit: http://cbd-mbd-uua.org/content/ten-years-transylvania-photo-exhibition-and-more-0
- Peter Sexton
JANUARY 2011
���� REMINDER ABOUT SUNDAY PARKING
By custom on Sunday mornings, King’s Chapel is allowed to put out a couple of parking cones in front of its entrance. This is to insure that the ushers may aid elderly and/or disabled members of the congregation, who are being dropped off or picked up there. If you are able and without special needs, please do not move the
cones to park. This subverts the purpose for which the cones are set up and jeopardizes the safety of our members. (The corner is the only left-turn to School Street and designated by law only for that purpose.) If you need to park, please do so at the One Beacon Street and
Boston Common garages, or look for other spaces in the area. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with our Parish Administrator.
���� JANUARY 23 CONCERT SPANS KING’S CHAPEL’S HISTORY The January 23 concert in the King's Chapel Concert Series presents
music from the era of the founding of the congregation to the very recent present! The King's Chapel Choir and Soloists will sing works by William Billings (born in Boston in 1746), and continue with music and texts connected to our rich history, among them chorale variations on a text by James Freeman, David Carney's new setting for the King's Chapel Convenant, James Woodman's "catches" based on texts on the headstones in the King's Chapel burial ground, and a new "coronation anthem" by Carson Cooman, setting Biblical texts on various aspects of kingship. Between the musical offerings, the Rev. Joseph Bassett will read choice selections from diaries and other intriguing documents from King's Chapel's archives. The concert begins at 5 pm; the doors open at 4:30. Admission is by
a donation of $15 ($10 for students and seniors). Parishioners and their friends who attend are cordially invited to an informal reception at the Parish House following the concert.
Far Right:
The cover of
Spinder’s Ten
Years in
Transylvania
Above: A photo from Spinder’s
The 440th Anniversary of
Unitarianism in Transylvania
5
JANUARY 2011
���� 2011 ANNUAL APPEAL So, on the first Sunday in January, the Minister addresses the
congregation, her face alight with good cheer: I have such good news! Our church has all the money it needs! We have everything to fund its operations this year-- to be a sacred place, where we can grow in Spirit and numbers, to continue to offer Sunday and Midweek services, plus many special services throughout the year, to be our place for Baptisms, Communions, Weddings, and Memorials, to offer pastoral care, to hold special anniversary celebrations, to continue our music program with a choir, Tuesday recitals and five special concerts, and to attract superior clergy to lead us.
She continues: We have the funds to provide the place where we meet to work, study and play together, to keep in touch with members and friends through newsletters, a web site, Facebook and twitter, to attract new members from throughout the city, to have a strong Church School program closely related to our church, to realize our multiple outreach efforts and contributions of time and money to the larger community, to support our Transylvanian partner church program, to maintain properly our archives and begin the writing of Annals IV, to amplify our success as an internationally-recognized stop on our city’s historic walking tour, to generously compensate our staff, and to provide our local community groups with a place for their enterprises.
She concludes triumphantly: And finally, we have the money to maintain our three buildings, to begin developing the capital fund needed to realize our long-deferred Master Plan; and to stop drawing down but start replenishing some of the reserves and trusts that have aided us in the past.
But then, the Minister hesitates. And looking us all squarely in the eye, she says:
The trouble is, it’s all still in your pockets! Of course, it’s not “ALL still in your pockets.” The Annual Appeal is
beginning to pick up steam, and many of us have already been generous in pledges and contributions. But the list above is compelling; there is so much to do. Our goal of $250,000 is what our financial stewards have told us is a real figure, if we are seriously going to begin consolidating our operational position. We look forward to your continuing action in support of King’s Chapel. Thank you. Best wishes for your New Year, - Karen C. C. Dalton and Todd Lee Co-chairs, 2011 Annual Appeal
���� KING’S CHAPEL AUCTION, JANUARY 30 We’re starting off the big King’s Chapel birthday celebration with our
Great 325th Auction! By January 30th we hope to have lots of wonderful items donated by the many members of the parish in order to raise funds to spruce up the church for the next 325 years! If you have items to donate, please contact Kathe German at [email protected] or call (617) 227-0363 for a donation form right away! If you have nothing to donate, perhaps you’re a buyer? Add the Great 325th auction to your calendar: January 30th at the Parish House following morning worship. A silent auction will be underway as we lunch with the live bidding getting underway as we indulge in dessert! Plan to come and enjoy a spirited afternoon with your friends and fellow parishioners. And in typical Boston fashion, bid early, bid high, bid often! - Kathe German
���� PHOTOS FROM MILK PUNCH SUNDAY
INTERIM FOCUS GROUP
Mission & Vision, Part II
January 9, 1:15-4:00 p.m.
Parish House
Rev. Dr. Karen Nell Smith,
parish consultant
Light lunch from 12:15-1:00 p.m.
6
PERIODICAL Postage PAID
Boston, MA
USPS 011-271
King’s Chapel House 64 Beacon Street Boston, MA 02108
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
The Rev. Dianne E. Arakawa, Interim Senior Minister Kristin Schmidt, Assistant Minister The Rev. Carl R. Scovel, Minister Emeritus Heinrich Christensen, Director of Music Pei-Chun Lin, Children’s Music Director Shannon Lee, Church School Director Brandon Goad, Parish Administrator
POSTMASTER: THIS CONTAINS TIME-SENSITIVE MATERIAL; PLEASE DELIVER PROMPTLY.
