“…this is a contest of ideas and narratives.”
“For we believe that life is good, love doth abide forever more; truth, firmer than a rock hath stood, and shall from age to age endure.”
We did it! We celebrated 380 years of continuous Sunday meetings by the congregation! As I noted in my sermon, that’s 19,760 Sundays. Thanks to the Children’s Choir, Youth Singers, Adult Vocal Choir and John Middleton-Cox who sang for us; thanks also to Christina Kennedy and The Artemis Circle (including nine North Parish singers) for the gorgeous evening concert in the sanctuary on Sunday night. In addition to lifting the spirits of all who attended, the concert raised over $1,500 for the International Institute of New England for their work with refugees and immigrants.
In other birthday news, all 380 spring bulbs were planted, the Paul Revere bell was very well rung by folks young and old, cake was enjoyed, and birthday wishes were collected. If you weren’t there, here’s how we collected those wishes: I invited folks to write down any hopes, wishes, or prayers for the future- or any gratitudes or stories they treasure from North Parish- on strips of muslin fabric. You’ll see them on display this week in Freeman Hall where you can read them; eventually they will be returned to the earth in our gardens.
I also invited folks to reflect on what they think it will take to get us to our 400th birthday twenty years from now. What do you need and want for yourself or your family, given the times we’re in? Do you think that future looks much like this one, or is it time to imagine something new? Is this an inflection point, a time for us to “re-brand” like the congregation did in 1836 when they built the Meeting House? Let’s keep that conversation going. New input is welcome at the “wall of wishes” this week.
This Sunday we will observe All Souls and have an extended time of remembrance of those who’ve died- both long ago and recently. Feel free to bring photos of ancestors, family members and others who’ve died- especially those in the last year or couple of years- to join the photos of our “cloud of witnesses” of the North Parish members who will be around the sanctuary. If you’d like to be part of a public witness about the 22 people who’ve died in ICE detention this past year, we’ll have signs with their names for folks to hold at the usual Saturday morning stand out in the rotary led by residents of Edgewood retirement community (from 11 to noon.)
I always say that when it comes to birthdays, one should celebrate all week. Happy 380th birthday to us! Together, may we bring light to difficult days.
Rev. Lee
P.S. The People’s Food Pantry served almost 500 guests (497) in 3 1/2 hours this week. That is a 50% increase over the past year. See the Panty update in the Enews for more info; monetary contributions are most welcome.