One Year Later: Remembrance and Hope

Remembrance and Hope
music, prayers, readings, reflection
Tuesday, April 15, 2014, 7:00 pm
Old South Church in Boston, Sanctuary

On the first anniversary of the Marathon bombings, we gather to honor the memories of those whose lives were taken, recall all brave responders, encourage those still struggling to recover, and bless athletes who will run in 2014.

Old South Church will ring our great tower bell on April 15th at 2:50 pm.

Easter Sunday and Blessing of the Athletes
Sunday, April 20, 2014, 9:00 am & 11:00 am
Old South Church in Boston, Gordon Chapel and Sanctuary

During Easter Sunday services anyone running the 2014 Marathon is invited to receive a blessing. A tradition since 2008, we pray down God’s blessings on the athletes: that they be kept safe from harm or injury, that they might serve as an example of peaceful international competition, and that God grant them the stamina to finish the race.

Marathon Athletes: In this year of remembrance and hope, we will wrap you in love and prayer by presenting you with a handmade blue and gold scarf. The scarves are a labor of love by knitters across the country and beyond, specifically for this year’s athletes. May the scarf warm your spirit as you maneuver a new city, as you carry the weight of a somber anniversary year, and as you look down 26.2 miles with resolve.

Marathon Scarf Project

As “The Church of the Finish Line”, Old South Church receives thousands of visitors marathon weekend. They come to see the finish line, to experience the excitement in the air, and some will worship with us at our Blessing of the Athletes services. In this year of remembrance and hope, our vision is to wrap each athlete in the love poured into stitches of handmade blue and yellow scarves. Details

Light the Fire of Peace: Interfaith Prayer Vigil
Saturday, April 19, 7 pm - 7:30 pm
Outside Trinity Church in Copley Square

Three faith traditions will gather in vigil on the steps of Trinity Church in Copley Square to pray, sing, and light a fire for peace as our city prepares for a Boston Marathon renewed by hope. Hosted by Trinity Church in partnership with Back Bay Clergy, Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, Old South Church, and Temple Israel. Senior Minister Rev. Nancy S. Taylor of Old South Church will speak.

Memorial Installation
April 8 – 22, 2014
Old South Church in Boston, outdoors along Boylston Street

On April 15, 2013, Old South Church's blue and gold tower banners overlooked the Marathon Finish Line, saluting the race, the athletes, and the international spirit of sport. The banners bore witness to the ensuing tragedies and, behind FBI crime scene barriers, they hung for eight days at the mercy of wind and rain. They were tattered, but not destroyed. This year, these very banners are lovingly transformed by artist Kathleen Simone and installed along Boylston Street, at the heart of a city that was shaken but not destroyed.

Peace Cranes
April 8 – 22, 2014
Old South Church in Boston, indoor stone entryway

Last Spring, Old South Church was gifted with 1,000 paper cranes. Each crane is a prayer for peace lifted up for us by a community desperate for peace. The cranes were first folded to mark the tenth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks (Saron United Church of Christ, Sheboygan Falls, WI). After a school shooting in Chardon, OH the cranes were sent to Pilgrim Christian Church, Chardon. Pilgrim Church then sent them to Newtown Congregational Church in Newtown, CT. Old South Church’s ministers and members were humbled to receive such a precious gift of sympathy. We display these cranes in a defiant plea for an end to violence.