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For PDF version (formatted
for printing), please go to this link: Summer
2008 Calendar
Contents
Special
Meeting
Summer
Worship Schedule
Learning
Fun &
Fellowship
Reaching In
& Out
Farewell to
Bob Brown
Heard It at
Council
Publication &
Church Information
Link to
July Events Calendar Page
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF
THE
MEMBERSHIP OF OLD SOUTH
To be held on July 13, 2008
at 12:30 pm for the purpose of hearing the
report of the Search Committee and voting on calling the Rev. Elizabeth
Myer Boulton to serve as our Minister for Discipleship
Old South Church has
approached a new level of church life. Because we
believe in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we are led to the
conviction that ours is a spiritual undertaking. All the marks are
here: strongly increased attendance; dynamic new music program; deep
generosity in stewardship support; new constituencies reached in the
Jazz Service and Early Service; a continuing flow of babies and young
adults to be baptized—and a stretched-to-the-limit pastoral staff!
Over the past two years we
have been engaged in an intentional process
of Congregational Spiritual Discernment, asking: What does God want and
ask from us in the first part of the 21st century? We listened and
learned and have some direction as to what is needed to grow, deepen
and broaden our ministries and to be faithful to God. These learnings
have been fashioned into the position description for a new half-time
Minister for Discipleship.
In the Spring, our Church
Council approved the position and the
position description, and authorized a Search Committee. On June 10 the
Committee recommended an outstanding candidate to Council and Council
voted unanimously to present the candidate to the members of Old South
for their vote at a specially called meeting of the membership to be
held on Sunday, July 13, 2008.
Summary of the Minister for
Discipleship Position Description: Under
the supervision of the Senior Minister and in consultation with the
Board of Ministers and Deacons, the Minister for Discipleship’s primary
ministry will be to strengthen and deepen our welcome and to respond to
the needs of visitors, inquirers, and new members, seeking to support,
challenge, and activate them as disciples of Jesus Christ and as
members of Old South Church in Boston.
Blue Ribbon Search Committee
Dick Yeo, chair of the
Leadership Committee; Wayne Davis, Moderator;
Pam Holland, Clerk; Vard Johnson, chair of the Stewardship Committee;
Diane Gaucher, Senior Deacon;
Ken Fisher, Member-at-Large
of the Church Council; Quinn G. Caldwell,
Associate Minister;
Nancy S. Taylor, Senior
Minister.
Summer Worship at Old
South
Early Worship
Sundays at 9 am in the
Gordon Chapel
In the intimacy of the
Gordon Chapel we turn our attention to God in a
brief, informal service of word and sacrament.
Festival Worship
Sundays at 11 am in the
Sanctuary
Gathered in Old South’s
grand Sanctuary, our worship is inspired by the
Old South Choir and organ, as well as by serious attention to preaching.
Jazz Worship Service
Thursdays at 6pm in the
Gordon Chapel. Accompanied by the Willie
Sordillo Trio.
It’s fresh. It’s familiar.
It’s informal and participatory.
It is Old South’s most
eclectic, multi-racial and multi-cultural
worship experience.
Worship Sundays at 11 am
July 6th
Eighth Sunday after
Pentecost
Rev. Nancy S. Taylor preaching
ASL Interpreter
July 13th
Candidating
Sunday
Rev. Elizabeth
Myer Boulton preaching; she is candidating to serve as our
Minister for Discipleship ~ ASL Interpreter
& Guest
Choir: Salisbury Presbyterian
Youth Choir, VA
12:30 pm:
Special Meeting of the Membership for the purpose of hearing
the
report of the Blue Ribbon Search Committee, and voting on whether to
call Rev. Myer Boulton to serve as our Minister for Discipleship
July 20th
Tenth Sunday after
Pentecost
Rev. Carl Schultz preaching
July 27th
Eleventh Sunday after
Pentecost
Rev. Nancy S. Taylor preaching
The Sacrament
of Baptism
August 3rd
Peace
Sunday
Rev. Quinn G. Caldwell preaching
ASL Interpreter
August 10th
Thirteenth Sunday after
Pentecost
Rev. Bert Marshall preaching
Rev. Marshall
is the Regional Director for Church World Service
August 17th
Fourteenth Sunday after
Pentecost
Rev. Ken Orth preaching
ASL Interpreter
August 24th
Fifteenth Sunday after
Pentecost
Intern Bob Brown preaching
Bob’s last Sunday with us
August 31st
Sixteenth Sunday after
Pentecost
Rev. Cal Genzel preaching
HEALING
PRAYER SERVICE
Sunday,
July 13th at 10 am.
No August date.
All are
welcome to this time
of prayer and reflection as we “practice the presence of God” and seek
healing and hope.
THE
SACRAMENT of BAPTISM
Sunday,
July 27th
Those
seeking Christian
baptism should contact Nancy Taylor at 617/536-1970.
Learning
BIBLE STUDY
Sundays at 9:45 am in the
Sam Johnson Room
Prepare to experience
worship more deeply by studying and reflecting on
the preaching text(s) for the day. Led by Old South clergy.
THEOLOGICAL BOOK GROUP
Mondays at 6 pm in the Sam
Johnson Room
For the first time ever,
Theological Book Group will continue through
the summer. But, so that no one has to lug anything too heavy to the
beach, we’re reading novels. Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn will be the
first, beginning June 23. Beginning July 28, we will read Jan Martel’s
Prize-winning Booker Life of Pi. As always, books will be available to
purchase at the Front Desk. If the cost is prohibitive for you, contact
Associate Minister Quinn Caldwell at 617/536-1970.
SUMMER CHURCH SCHOOL
ACTIVITIES
Christian education for
children continues throughout the summer. The
Blue Room and Green Room is open for infants and preschoolers. Activity
sheets are available for older children who are worshipping with their
families. In addition, elementary school-aged children are invited to
participate in Summer Sunday School. Children will worship with their
parents for the first part of the service and then be excused, if they
wish, in order to participate in a multi-age class. Families going on
vacation are invited to “take the church school with them.” Vacation
Sunday School packets, filled with a variety of summer activities, will
be available. Please contact Tricia Hazeltine at 617/425-5148 or
<PHazeltine@comcast.net> if you would like more information about
these summer plans.
Transitions
Submit Transitions material
to Administrative Assistant Amy Perry at
617/425-5152 or <admin@oldsouth.org>.
Born: Andrew Richard Fisher,
son of Ken and Chris Fisher, was born on
May 19, weighing 7 lbs., 2 oz. and measuring 19 inches.
Awarded: Amanda Grace Shu
received a special MEA Education Award at her
graduation ceremony from Lincoln Elementary School in Melrose, MA on
June 10. The award cited her leadership, citizenship, love of learning,
and exceptional writing ability and also included a U.S. Savings Bond.
Graduated: Former Field
Education Intern Abigail G. Henderson graduated
from Harvard Divinity School on June 5 with a Master of Divinity degree
(M.Div.).
Graduated: Ministerial
Intern Robert W. Brown graduated from Andover
Newton Theological School on May 16 with a Master of Divinity degree
(M.Div.). He has been approved for ordination pending a call.
Graduated: Wendy Harbour
graduated from Harvard University with a
doctorate degree in education (Ed.D.).
Died: Elizabeth M. Mahler
passed away in February of this year. Her
Husband, Willard P. Mahler, passed away on May 25. They were married at
Old South on August 16, 1947. A reception was held at Old South in
September 2007 in celebration of their sixty years of marriage.
Fun & Fellowship
20s/30s GROUP
Join the 20s/30s Group as we
express our faith through friendships,
discussion, and service. We are geared to those in their twenties and
thirties. If you have questions or would like to sign up for e-mail
notifications, contact Stacey Sedgwick at 617/595-7161 or
<miamaya222@yahoo.com>.
Boston Pops Rehearsal at the
Charles River Hatch Shell: Thursday, July
3rd.ree. The show starts at 7 pm, but the gates close quite a bit
earlier, so try to arrive as close to 5 pm as possible. Contact
co-coordinator MJ at <terry.long@simmons.edu> if you plan to
attend, so we have an estimate of numbers. Bring blankets and food to
share Discussion and Planning Meeting for the Fall: Sunday, August 3rd.
We will meet following 11 am worship for both a planning meeting and a
spiritual discussion, the topic of which is to be decided.
LGBT & FRIENDS
LGBTF at Old South is a
fellowship group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender individuals and their allies. All are welcome. For more
information, contact Mark Schueppert at <mschueppert@yahoo.com>.
LGBTF events will resume in
the fall. Check the weekly announcements
for updates.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
Sundays, July 27th and
August 17th during Fellowship Hour following 11
am worship
All members and friends of
our congregation with birthdays in July and
August are invited to meet others who are summer-born! We will
celebrate with candles, cake and song. Hosted by the Congregational
Care & Support Committee.
Special note: We have an
extra-special celebration in July as long-term
member and volunteer-extraordinaire Eleanor Jensen turns 90 on July
29th. Joining Old South in 1961, Eleanor has served on almost every
committee in the church and still volunteers in the office once a week.
Help wish Eleanor a very happy birthday from her Old South family.
SUMMER CHOIR
Through August 31 the Old
South Choir will only rehearse on Sunday
mornings at 10 am to prepare to sing for the worship service that day.
All are welcome. Robes are not worn on summer Sundays, however, please
wear black bottoms and a solid top. For more information, contact Harry
Huff at 617/425-5146 or <harry@oldsouth.org>.
Reaching In & Out
BREAD for THE SPIRIT
Sundays, July 27th and
August 17th at 1 pm
Hungry for “Holy
Conversation” with others at OSC? Interested in
talking with others about our diverse experiences with God? You are
invited to join us for conversation and discussion.
SUNDAY’S BREAD
Sunday, August 3rd at 12:30
pm. No July date.
Help us respond to God’s
call by joining us to volunteer in the kitchen
of St. John the Evangelist on Bowdoin Street. Meet outside the Old
South Sanctuary following worship. We usually end by 4 pm. Bring lunch
and comfortable work-clothes. Call the Front Desk at 617/536-1970 if
you plan to participate or would like further information.
YOUTH GROUP THANK YOU
The Old South Youth Group
would like to thank everyone who contributed
to our book drive for the Dzil Na'ooditii community in New Mexico.
Because of your generosity, we were able to send roughly 1,000 books
for their library.
Christian Stewardship
CULTIVATING GRATITUDE
Your friendly Stewardship
Committee is convinced that Christian
stewardship (financial and otherwise) is the fruit of a grateful heart.
In this column we pause to say “Thank you” to Old Southers to whom we
are grateful for who they are and what they do. This column could
contain 100 people each month, but we will rein ourselves in and limit
each month’s thanks to just a few. Is there someone you want to thank
that should be listed here? E-mail Nancy Taylor at
<nst@oldsouth.org>.
In the months of July and
August we give God thanks for the following
people:
A member of Old South for
these past 23 years, Peter Boyle has served
in many capacities, from Outreach to Deacons. He has worked on Habitat
homes, organizes our Old South volunteers at Sunday’s Bread, sorts and
hauls donated clothing. When he is not doing good things at Old South
you can find him serving as a patient escort at South Shore Hospital in
Weymouth or taking a friend to dialysis treatments three days a week!
Thank you Peter, for all the ways you serve!
Phil Stern has been a member
of Old South for a decade. Married to
Susan (who sings in the Choir) and father of Emma (16) and Ben (10),
Phil is a virtual Renaissance man at Old South. When he is not flying
back and forth to Japan for business, you can find him serving as the
Chair of our Board of Trustees, single-handedly directing the
Children’s Chime Choir, turning pages for our organists, pitching
(overhand) at Old South softball games (where he also hits the ball
harder and farther than anyone else). In the recent past he has served
on our Christian Education Committee and on the Associate Minister
Search Committee. Thank you, Phil, for all that you do!
Old South Receives $25,000
Gift from Sister Congregation
After many years of tender
ministry, the First Congregational Church of
Hyde Park voted in March of 2007 to close its doors. As is true of
countless churches, demographics and culture had conspired against it.
They sold their venerable building to a burgeoning 7th Day Adventist
church. With generous hearts and open hands they then determined to
give away their remaining assets. A year ago Old South was the
beneficiary of a gift of $50,000 from the dissolution of the church.
More recently the trustees of the remaining assets blessed us with a
gift of $25,000 which they placed in the hands of Minister of Music
Harry Huff, designating the money to be used as Harry and the Music
Committee see fit. What a grand legacy this faithful church has left …
a wonderful ministry in its heyday and a generous ministry as it closed
its doors!
Old South is not only the
beneficiary of funds from our sister
congregation. We are also the grateful recipients of two of its most
valuable assets: Pauline (Polly) Potts and her daughter Beverly Osborn.
Polly and Beverly represented a six-generation family at the First
Congregational Church of Hyde Park. Polly remembers Helen Keller coming
to her church many years ago. They remember their beloved church as a
lively gathering place, the heart and soul of the community, with
something going on every day and every night. Painful as it was for
them to be among those who voted to close the doors of their beloved
church, they have found a new home at Old South. Indeed, it is because
of their faithful attendance at the 11 am Festival Service that they
felt inspired to request of the trustees of the Hyde Park
Congregational Church that they make these gifts to Old South. Thank
you, Beverly and Polly!
Hyde Park’s venerable organ
was donated by a member of Old South in
memory of his mother who was a member of Hyde Park. In addition, we
believe that one or two members of Old South were among the thirteen
founders of the First Congregational Church of Hyde Park.
Thank you, our sister
congregation, for your faithful ministry through
the years and for your recent generosity.
Old South Says Farewell
to Bob Brown
Bob Brown began his time
with us as Ministerial Intern in September
2007. He has led worship in the 11 am service, preached frequently at
the Jazz Service, and was locally licensed to perform the sacraments of
baptism and communion. He has performed pastoral care, including
serving as primary pastoral caregiver during the time that Nancy and I
were in Jerusalem. He served as the primary liaison to the 20s/30s
Fellowship, as a facilitator for our Lenten “Saving Jesus” program, and
created and facilitated his own “Bliss in the Blizzard” group for
Advent. He has been the primary recruiter and trainer of Sunday morning
Scripture readers. He has brought gifts from his past in television
production in the form of wisdom about public relations during the run
up to the Sabeel Conference, in teaching us to set up and use screen
projection in the Sanctuary, and in creating video for the Old South
Web page (currently in production). He has brought strong Christian
faith, an open heart, good cheer, and grace to us, and we are grateful
for his time among us.
Bob has been approved for
ordination pending a call and is now in the
search process. He will be with us through the summer, though for six
Sundays in July and August he will be filling in at the Roslindale
Congregational Church while their minister is away. Bob will preach at
the 11 am service on August 24, his last Sunday with us. We will fete
him during Fellowship Hour following worship. Over the summer, please
take time to tell Bob what he and his ministry have meant to you, and
do be sure to join us on August 24 to bid him farewell!
—Quinn G. Caldwell,
Associate Minister
Since September of last year
I’ve walked through the massive wood doors
of Old South with a feeling of wonder and frankly, awe. I have never
gotten used to the idea that I should be given such a wonderful
opportunity as this Intern Minister position. On weekdays, as my eyes
adjusted from the bright Back Bay sunlight to the darkened entryway, I
more often than not would see the beaming face of Jessica Goodknight at
the front desk. She would smile broadly and greet me as if we hadn’t
seen each other in years. “How are you, Bob?” she would say through her
radiant, welcoming smile. And everyday I would find myself saying
the
same thing, “I’m so glad to be here Jessica!” And that is how I truly
feel about my time at Old South Church in Boston. I am so very glad to
have been with you all. You have received me with warmth and
acceptance. I have felt held and sustained, encouraged and challenged.
The love and support I have received from this vibrant community at Old
South truly reflects my understanding of the grace of God and the Body
of Christ as lived out in the twenty-first century.
I remember fondly so many
experiences over the past year including the
unity and solidarity around the Sabeel Conference and a candle-lit,
rooftop prayer service on a warm autumn evening with the Deacons. I
recall the depth of the small group meetings as we found Bliss in the
Blizzard during Advent, the solemn holiness experienced while anointing
the community on Ash Wednesday, and the poetic and grand expressions of
profound joy during Christmas and Easter. Together we discussed the
formative questions during the Lenten series “Living the Questions” and
coalesced for social justice with the Greater Boston Interfaith
Organization. We joyously observed the Old South tradition on
Meetinghouse Sunday where we all stood at one point throwing our arms
in the air and—for a moment—joined with all the children proclaiming
thanks to God in a loud unified celebration prayer.
My heartfelt thanks to all
of you: the scripture readers, who I had the
privilege of working with each week; the ushers on Thursday and Sunday;
the people who invited me to their homes and next to their hospital
beds; the one’s with whom I shared meals, cried, rejoiced and laughed;
and the one’s who encouraged me and guided me in my growth and
formation with grace and kindness. I am overwhelmed with gratitude. To
Reverend Nancy Taylor I am forever grateful for your power of example
and steady yet gentle guidance, to Reverend Quinn Caldwell for being a
true Shepherd and guiding me through with grace-filled encouragement
and Holy Spirit wisdom in all situations and my gratitude to my
colleague Abigail Henderson who engaged in openness, laughter, shared
terror, and celebratory victories as we navigated the new waters of
ministry together in the formative wake of Nancy and Quinn. And, my
thanks to the entire staff at Old South Church for their patience,
instruction and gentleness.
I know I am a better person
and more skilled pastor because of you. As
time unfolds the blossoming of my continuing vocation, Old South Church
will forever be an example of how to live the Gospel in both word and
deed.
—In faith, hope and deep
gratitude, Bob Brown
Heard It at Council
June 10, 2008
On a very hot evening,
Council members were watched over by the
original painting of Benjamin Wisner, twelfth pastor of Old South. The
portrait recently came into the possession of Old South via Rev. Peter
Meek, son of our eighteenth senior minister, the Rev. Frederick Meek.
Wisner’s words at the time of his installation were used by Nancy as an
introduction to the main topic of the evening: the report of the Search
Committee regarding the choice of a part-time Minister for
Discipleship. The Council approved minor revisions to the position
description and the terms of call, and voted unanimously to commend to
a Special Meeting of the Membership to be held on July 13, the Rev.
Elizabeth Myer Boulton (see article, page 1). The position description
calls for the Minister for Discipleship to support, challenge and
activate members, visitors, and inquirers in exploring the nature of
Christian discipleship. A major portion of this minister’s time will be
spent generating and nurturing a broad array of small group
experiences. The aim is to help people search for the connections
between their spiritual life and their mission in the workplace,
family, and wider community.
Elissa Johnk has been
appointed as our Seminary Intern for 2008-2009,
replacing the very capable Abby Henderson who departed Old South in
June on her way to extended pastoral care training in Minnesota. Elissa
is an honors graduate from Wellesley College and will be in her final
year at Harvard Divinity School. In between college and seminary, she
was a Fulbright Grantee in South Korea and then, while in Americorps,
managed a major project for Habitat for Humanity in Iowa. Another new
appointment is the Rev. Dr. Donald Wells as Theologian-in-Residence,
replacing Prof. Mark Burrows who will complete his sabbatical from
Andover Newton in August. The quid pro quo arrangement assures Don, a
much beloved member of the church, an office, colleagues and support
staff in return for teaching and other leadership opportunities.
Highlights of committee
reports: fifty-four members of Old South
attended the GBIO anniversary celebration, including former Assistant
Minister Jennifer Mills-Knutsen. The Music Committee looks forward to a
number of guest choirs, but especially welcomes anyone who would like
to sing in the summer choir. Just show up on Sunday at 10 am. The
committee reported with thanksgiving the gift of $25,000 for the music
program from the First Congregational Church of Hyde Park which has
closed (see article, page 5). The Christian Education Committee
reported the fact that most of the teachers have been recruited for
next year’s church school program. Council members also viewed the
great improvements in the second floor kitchen, now almost complete.
Special gifts from Janet Bayley and Roger Burke and contributed
labor/skill have made this work possible. The Gordon Library is next on
the list, again emphasizing the importance of gifts and bequests in the
life of our congregation.
Finally, Nancy reported the
tremendous increase in attendance for May
worship services from 889 in 2003 to 1638 in 2008. With this sign of
vitality—and challenge—the Council members were sent into the hot night
with a closing prayer.
Festival Worship in the main
Sanctuary
Sundays at 11 am
Early Worship in the Gordon
Chapel
Sundays at 9 am
Jazz Worship in the Gordon
Chapel
Thursdays at 6 pm
Healing Prayer Service
Second Sundays at 10 am
An ASL Interpreter
accompanies 11 am worship on the
first and third Sundays of
every month.
Old South Church in Boston
A congregation of the United
Church of Christ
645 Boylston Street
Boston MA 02116
Phone: (617) 536- 1970
Fax: (617) 536- 8061
<www. oldsouth. org>
Nancy S. Taylor,
Senior Minister ~ Quinn G. Caldwell, Associate Minister
Harry L. Huff, Minister of
Music & Organist
Patricia Hazeltine, Church
School Director
Regular Worship Services
Festival Worship in the main
Sanctuary
Sundays at 11 am
Early Worship in the Gordon
Chapel
Sundays at 9 am
Jazz Worship in the Gordon
Chapel
Thursdays at 6 pm
Healing Prayer Service
Second Sundays at 10 am
An ASL Interpreter
accompanies 11 am worship on the
first and third Sundays of
every month.
Staff
Directory
(In 617 area code except as
noted)
Nancy
Taylor 536- 1970 nst@
oldsouth. org
Quinn Caldwell 536- 1970 quinn@ oldsouth. org
Patricia Hazeltine (T/ Th)
425- 5148 phazeltine@
comcast. net
Harry Huff 425- 5146 harry@ oldsouth. org
George Sargeant 425- 5146
Peter Coulombe 425- 5146 peter. coulombe@ verizon. net
Robert Brown 425- 5159 bob@ oldsouth. org
Elias Perez 425- 5143 sexton@ oldsouth. org
Carolyn Davis 425- 5144 preschool@ oldsouth. org
Helen McCrady 425- 5145 helen@ oldsouth. org
Amy Perry 425- 5152 admin@ oldsouth. org
Ro Clarke (M/ T/ Th) 425-
5141 businessoffice@
oldsouth. org
Jessica Goodknight 536- 1970 reception@ oldsouth. org
Old South Church 536- 1970
Fax: 536- 8061
Old
South
Church
645
Boylston St. Boston, MA 02116
(617)536-1970
Tel (617)536-8061 Fax
You
can E-mail us by clicking here: OSC Communications
Copyright
© 2008, Old South
Church
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