Sunday, December 1: Advent wreath making on the first Sunday of Advent, after church
Saturday, December 21: Carol Sing and Candlelight at 5 pm, followed by reception
Sunday, December 22: Children’s Christmas Pageant at the 10 am service
Tuesday, December 24: Christmas Eve services at 4 and 10 pm
Wednesday, December 25: Christmas Day Eucharist at 10 am
Dear Friends,
In sermons, newsletters, and conversations, I have invited us to consider the ways that God is inviting us to fullfill our callings. Quite often, we use the term “call” to refer to those who are seeking ordination to the priesthood or the diaconate. But our Baptismal Covenant makes it clear that every Christian is called to seek and serve Christ. The church community is a place where we can discern our call, and at times there may be particular ministries of the church help us fulfill that call.
Alice Krapf receives a shovel from the grateful Board of the Mattapan Community Health Center
But God’s call can also be fulfilled in the vocations we choose (or to which we are called) beyond the walls of the church. I was powerfully reminded of that last night, when I attended the Annual Meeting of the Mattapan Community Health Center. There, the Board of Directors presented Alice Krapf with the Dr. Leon Hicks Exemplary Service Award. In her work as a consultant and project manager, Alice has been engaged for the last nine years with the Health Center, shepherding them through the design, financing, and construction of a new $34 million facility in Mattapan Square. The deep appreciation, respect, and love that members of that community have for Alice was palpable. In addition, persons from past projects that Alice has worked on, including affordable housing developments, were there to express their gratitude. (And to top it off, Wednesday, October 16th was declared “Alice E. Krapf Day” in Boston by Mayor Tom Menino).
“Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?” That is one of the questions we are asked whenever we renew our baptismal vows. Alice’s particular work in the world provides a resounding “yes” to that question. Not every one of us can fulfill our call within the confines of our workplaces. But consider your call. How and where is God calling you? I would love to share in future newsletters, some of your thoughts and reflections on how you are living out your call to be a disciple of Jesus Christ in the world.
Faithfully,
Tom
We are hoping that every member and friend of the parish will join us for this day of celebration. The Rt. Rev. Gayle Harris, our Bishop Suffragan will be making her visitation that day, and we will conclude our stewardship program with a celebration brunch after the service.
We will have one joint service at 10 am that morning. Plan to be here for a great day of thanksgiving.
Some of you may have already seen the article in Monday’s Boston Globe about efforts by our diocese to address violence, particularly gun violence, in our communities. If you have not read it, please do. The extensive article gives an accurate account of what has happened since the tragic death of Jorge Fuentes a little over a year ago. To read the full Boston Globe article, click below: