This Sunday members and friends of King's Chapel gathered for the next social justice visioning sessions, and spent time together envisioning what our social justice outreach should look like over the next three years.
This is the second visioning session, and builds upon work already undertaken by the Community Action Committee, who worked diligently over the past two years to narrow down our partnerships from twelve to six. Now the entire congregation is invited to look at the work in which the church is already engaged, and the organizations with which we are already partnered. The congregation will decide which of these partners we would like to deepen our relationship with and focus on over the next three-year period. Choosing strategic partners for our social justice outreach will allow us to engage more deeply with the work: it is our hope that these partnerships will engage the entire congregation, from the church school to the pulpit and beyond. By our spring annual meeting we hope to have three strategic partnerships, chosen by the congregation, that reflect the values and identity we hold. We will present and vote on these priorities during the Annual Meeting. The next session will be held Sunday February 25th, from 9:45- 10:15, following the Morning Light service. We hope to see you there! Dear Members and Friends:
The flowers, for our beautiful Chancel, have traditionally been paid for by a combination of member donations for memorials and the Chancel Committee budget. Flowers are always on the Communion Table every week of the year, except during lent. Unfortunately, the cost of purchasing flowers each week has gone way beyond the Chancel Committee’s resources. So now, the Chancel Committee is seeking members and friends to help defray the Committees expenses by making a donation. People in the past have had a number of motivations to give flowers. Among the examples are: honoring a loved one, celebration for a new birth, an anniversary, In thanksgiving for parents, grand-parents grand-children. Flowers may also be given as living prayers and symbols for peace and hope. The donors and the names of those honored are always printed in the order of service. The Committee will continue with the traditions of sending flowers to the sick, decorating the sanctuary during Advent and Easter, giving plants to children at Easter, and delivering to our shut-ins. If you would like more information on how you can donate flowers for the Sunday service please contact me at annewsexton1@gmail.com. I can also be reached at 781-383-9028. Warmest wishes Anne Sexton Chancel Committee Chair. Article II, Purpose
Proposal: a) to change the Covenant phrase "service to man" b) to choose a new phrase. Suggestions include: all, all people, creation, humanity, humankind, others Current: "The purpose of the Society shall be to maintain Christian worship in King’s Chapel and to engage in any other activities that are functions of a religious society. The Covenant of the Society shall be worded: In the love of truth and in the spirit of Jesus Christ, we unite for the worship of God and the service of man." Comment: Many people now interpret man to mean “men”, not everyone. We plan to vote first on whether to change that phrase, and then choose the replacement in a separate vote. Article XII, Calling, Hiring, and Dismissing of Ministers (Senior Minister) Proposal: "Upon recommendation by the Search Committee, the Minister shall be called by a vote of not less than 75% of the members of the Society present at a meeting called for that purpose. A quorum shall be that of an Annual Meeting (see Article VI)." Current: The current bylaw requires 90% of the votes to call a Senior Minister. Article VI requires 50 members for a quorum. Comment: A strong candidate might withdraw after learning that 5 people could defeat a call if the meeting only met the quorum of 50. The call is a public process, so the candidate would need to inform others (e.g., if presently serving a congregation). The 90% rule is higher than most other churches and higher than draft bylaws suggested by the UUA. KC members note that a candidate for Senior Minister is unlikely to accept a call at 75%. Some believe that should be the candidate's decision, not ours. Other Updates and Edits Additionally, edits to Articles V, X, and XIV give the Wardens greater discretion to choose the dates for elections and committee reports (reflecting the decision to hold elections in the spring). The review group also recommends various minor clarifications and edits. A copy of the by-laws redlining suggested changes will be available on request to the Parish Administrator. Prepared by Betsy Peterson Revised Proposal on Membership Procedure
from Betsy Peterson, Chair of Parish Council. There is a new proposal for amending the bylaw on membership, developed in response to concerns heard at the Listening Sessions on proposed amendments to our by-laws. The Vestry and the Council both met last week, and endorsed a revised proposal to amend Article III, Membership. That is the bylaw describing the process for joining King's Chapel (formally, becoming a member of the Society of King's Chapel). The proposed bylaw would amend the first section of Article III to read as follows (new text in bold): "Any person sixteen (16) years of age or older may be admitted to membership in the Society who (1) shall have given notice to the Committee on Membership of his or her desire to become a member by attending worship and events at King’s Chapel for at least three (3) months prior to admittance, discussing membership with the minister or members of the Committee on Membership, and attending a meeting to discuss the history, governance, and worship of King’s Chapel. 2) shall have been recommended for membership by the Committee on Membership in consultation with the Minister, and (3) shall subscribe publicly to the Covenant of the Society, all in accordance with procedures established by the Wardens and Vestry. The Minister may waive the foregoing requirements in case of emergency, such waiver to be subject to ratification by the Committee on Membership." In the current bylaw, that first clause says "1) shall have given written notice to the Committee on Membership of his or her desire to become a member at least three (3) months prior to admittance". The review committee initially suggested dropping the three-month written notice. That procedure, in today's context, sounds like a club that wants to remain exclusive, not a welcoming church, and puts a distracting focus on precise timing. Members expressed concerns about dropping that waiting period. Joining a church is a serious decision. Some note the possibility that a group could take over the church by joining just before a critical membership vote, although the recommendation of the Membership Committee and the Minister would still be required. The revised proposal responds to those concerns. It maintains the waiting period, but emphasizes the actions leading to membership. It reflects our current practice. The Membership Committee invites people to a welcome dinner, classes, and the welcoming ceremony that we offer twice a year. It also reflects our experience, that most new members have participated at King’s Chapel for more than three months before joining. At the very beginning of our Morning Prayer Service (and early in our Evening and Morning Light services) we say together a confession.
At the very beginning of the Jesus story, the first few lines of the Gospel of Matthew, we encounter John the Baptist, preaching a “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” John the Baptist echoes words from the Prophet Isaiah, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” In a time and place where we are encouraged to love ourselves, practice self-care, and have confidence, confession can feel like a move in the wrong direction. After all, we are all trying our best—why do we need to rehash our failings, especially if God loves us anyway? But Sunday’s Old Testament reading portrays confession and repentance as a comfort -- “Comfort, comfort, O my People” God commands the Prophet. To confess, after all, is to unburden oneself—and to take a grave risk. It requires letting go of all our pretensions and pretenses and stand exposed in our shortcomings. And to do that—to stand fully exposed in our imperfections—and to be loved anyway—that is the most comforting thing of all. It is true, unconditional, clear eyed, complete love. Some of us call it grace. This Sunday I invite you to think about repentance and forgiveness with me as we revisit one of the New Testaments most colorful characters: John the Baptist. John preached repentance, a repentance to prepare us for the greatest comfort of all: the arrival of God. |
King's Chapel Parish Community BlogThese are the thoughts and reflections of the King's Chapel community. Categories |