October 2012 - Church On The Hill

October 2012
Vol. IX, Issue 10
Jesus said ”Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” MaAhew 11:28
Autumn is upon us
Church on The Hill (Swedenborgian) The Boston Society of the New Jerusalem, Inc.
140 Bowdoin Street ~ Beacon Hill ~ Boston, MA 02108 ~ www.churchonthehillboston.org
NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM
Ministers
Emeritus Officials
Search Committee
Michael Latkowitch, President Emeritus
Anna Hunt Latkowitch, Church Council Emeritus
Executive Officials
Mary Guarino, President
Diane Williams, Vice President
Robert von Wolfgang, Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Susanne Rogers, Treasurer
Michael Bancewicz, Secretary/Congregational Director
Music
Carlton Doctor, Minister of Music
Victor Cayres de Mendonca, Organist and Pianist
Michael Bancewicz, Acting Editor
Craig Williams, Assistant Editor
Directors
Edward J. Mackenzie, Jr., Director of Operations
GOALS AND OUR LIFE AS A CHURCH
❖ Seeking to be guided by love of God, love of others, being in community, seeking to be of service.
❖ Church services and classes being vital and central.
❖ Nurturing teamwork and community throughout the church.
❖ The church welcoming diversity of people working together as one.
❖ Developing a pervasive spirit of caring in the church community.
❖ The church developing as welcoming of all generations (from children to senior).
❖ Concerted efforts to involve young people more fully in the life of the church. Perhaps with aid from adults,
having leadership emerge from young people. Involvement of young people in service projects in the
community.
❖ Strengthening of programs for seniors, drawing on resources both within and outside the church.
❖ Developing processes for ministry preparation.
❖ Growth of participation from the congregation in the church activities.
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
New Jerusalem Church
Circa 1845
Theophilus Parsons, dean of Harvard Law School; Otis
Clapp, apothecary, publisher, member of the Massachusetts
House of Representatives, co-founder of The Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (M.I.T.), Boston University, and and
founder of The Home for Little Wanderers; Theophilus P.
Chandler, architect; Clarence Barron, financier, editor of the
Wall Street Journal, and president of Dow Jones; George
James Webb, hymnologist; and The Honorable Malcolm
Nichols, Mayor of Boston. A beautiful Gothic Revival
structure served the membership until the 1960s when it was
replaced with a new Church building and an eighteen story
high- rise apartment. Today, the main sanctuary of the
Church is accessible from Bowdoin Street. The Church has
also served as a place of worship and gatherings for the local
Muslim Community and other faith-based communities. The
Church has organizes and runs many programs to meet the
needs of the Church community and larger surrounding
neighborhood.
The foundation of the Boston Society of the New Jerusalem
(BSNJ) can be traced back to 1784 and the Green Dragon
Tavern in Boston. It was then and there that admirers of, and
those interested in learning more about, Emanuel
Swedenborg first met to hear a lecture on Swedenborg by
James Glen. In 1818, twelve people, some of whom were
among the early “Green Dragon Tavern crowd,” organized a
Swedenborgian Church in the city. Chartered in 1823, the
Boston Society of the New Jerusalem, Inc. is the first
Swedenborgian Church established in Massachusetts.
Members of the Church met at several locations before
finally settling in 1845 at its present location atop Beacon
Hill. The location inspired the name by which many today
know the society: the Church on the Hill (Swedenborgian).
Through the years, noted BSNJ members include Timothy
Harrington Carter, publisher, and founder of the Old Corner
Book Store; Sampson Reed, writer and mentor of Ralph
Waldo Emerson; Lydia Maria Child, author, social activist
and abolitionist; Warren Felt Evans, writer and healer;
Use of the Church facility is offered to human service and
outreach organizations.
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CHURCH ON THE HILL - ESTABLISHED 1818
From Michael Bancewicz
Howdy Everyone!
It is that time of year when we all seem to be buzzing around doing a dozen projects. September went well with the Max Reger Concert series being a great success. Additionally the Vagabond’s “open mic” Coffee House went over really well so we will continue again this month on Wednesday October 17, from 7:30 – 11:00 PM.
We have some special Shout Outs! Congrats to Maria Mackenzie on attaining her Associates as well as certiSicates (see page 10). Great job Maria! Good Luck to Cindy Gonzalez who has already graduated form North Eastern and now she has moved on to further her education at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. Also special hellos go out to Maggie Sullivan, Mary Noonan, Nate Schindler, Deborah Hammer and Alice & Mary DeRosa. We will be having a small Halloween Bash in the function room on Wednesday October 31 from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. All are welcome!!
In closing, we have had a wonderful assortment of guest speakers on Sundays and I am hearing a lot of great feedback from many of you. Over the next couple of months we will be having many Holiday events and more great speakers, so keep your eyes on our calendar.
We will continue to collect linens for the “A Bed For Every Child” initiative (see page 12). Additionally, Maria is collecting clothing items (see page 9) to distribute to seniors that are either home bound or staying at a health care facility.
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Peace,
Join me Saturday Morning, October 20 at 11:00 AM to plant daffodil bulbs in the Common. Boston Parks and Recreation is providing us with 1000 bulbs. We are also looking for volunteers to assist with the 23rd Annual National Interfaith Homeless Memorial Service to be held on Wednesday December 21, the longest night of the year. The Church on the Hill is sponsoring/hosting the Monday Night Dinner on October 22, at 5:30 PM at the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul. 3
NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM
Meet The Choir...
Jared Levin, Bass-Baritone, has
been singing for just about as long as
he can remember. After a musical
childhood, Jared received a
Bachelor's in Vocal Performance
from Northern Arizona University. While at NAU, Jared learned to sing
in many differing styles including:
classical and opera singing, jazz,
musical theatre, as well as choral
singing. After spending the majority
of his life in Arizona, Jared is starting
to make a name for himself in the
greater Boston area. He just
wrapped up Little Women with Opera
del West, and is looking forward to
what's next!
Kathryn McKellar, is excited to join the Church on
the Hill Community. Originally from Dallas, Texas,
Kathryn has called Boston home for 6 years, and
currently resides in Somerville, MA. She is on the
artist roster for the Boston Lyric Opera and is
director of Opera on Tap Boston. This past
season, Kathryn completed her debut with Greater
Worcester Opera as Micaela in Carmen, with
Reagle Music Theater Company understudying
Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, and is currently in
The Lyric Stage Company of Bostonʼs production
of Mikado. Other recent appearances include
Frasquita in Carmen with Boston Opera
Collaborative, as part of the company's inaugural
series at the American Repertory Theatre's Club
Oberon, Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, Dorinda in
Handel's Orlando, Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi,
Oberto in Alcina, Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro,
and Poppea in OperaHub's dramatically innovative
production of L'Incoronazione di Poppea. Kathryn
is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory, where
she was a member of The Opera Studio and
received first place in the Conservatoryʼs Chamber
Music Competition. She teaches voice and piano
in the greater Boston area, has a weakness for
dark chocolate, and enjoys running along the
Charles River.
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CHURCH ON THE HILL - ESTABLISHED 1818
Josephine Rispoli spent much of the last year of her
short life battling cancer at Hackensack University
Medical Center.
Now, the hospital is honoring her courage by opening
a special rooftop garden where children fighting
terrible odds can play and just be a kid.
Her mother has spent the last few months building
Josephineʼs Garden as a tribute to her daughterʼs
courageous battle.
“She loved art, she loved nature,” Heidi Rispoli said.
“Everything in this garden represents an element of
hope and an element of dreams. Itʼs about life, itʼs
about battles.”
The space officially opened on Monday, the day
Josephine wouldʼve turned 8-years old. The area features a wishing fountain, climbing boulders
and inspirational artwork.
Rispoli said if her daughter was still alive she would “climb on the boulder and then sheʼd carve
her name in the warrior pole and leave her mark to say ʻI fought the fight.ʼ”
Josephine died on Oct. 23, 2011 after a 13-month battle with a brain tumor.
Throughout her battle, she had dreamed of being outside and creating a space where all pediatric
patients could play in the sunshine and interact with nature.
The Brain Tumor Walk is a
fun and inspirational day
where the brain tumor
community unites to inspire
hope and take action in the
fight against brain tumors. Progress in this fight starts
one team, one walker, and
one dollar at a time. Like
the National Brain Tumor
Society, we are fiercely
committed to finding a cure.
A good friend of the church,
Lyn Grande, lost her
husband Billy to a brain
tumor in 2010. She has
been participating in the
Brain Tumor Walk every year with members and friends of Church on the Hill since in his honor.
This year the walk is on Saturday, May 13 and is starting at Reservoir Woods in Waltham, MA. If
you would like to walk or donate to Lyn and her team, visit www.BrainTumorCommunity.org and
search “Billys Goofey Friends”. No donation is too small and this is for a very good cause.
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NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM
What’s Happening This October?
Pumpkin picking, foliage drives and ghoulish spectacles of fun make October in
Massachusetts a true blessing for those eager to enjoy her natural beauty and intoxicating
pleasures. As farmers harvest their end–of-the-season crops and children excite in the
anticipation of trick-or-treating, Bostonians are ready to engage in the seasonal activities
thematic of cooler temperatures and warmer delights. The crisp snap in the air
encourages adventure so get out there and revel within the abundant opportunities of
entertainment and amusement that this city has to offer!
Holidays
Monday, October 1, 2012
Monday, October 8, 2012
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Child Health Day
Columbus Day
Leif Erikson Day
Boss's Day
Sweetest Day
Full “Hunter’s” Moon
Halloween
Birthstone: Opal, Tourmaline
Flower: Calendula
Astrological Signs: Libra: September 23 - October 22,
Scorpio: October 23 - November 21
continued on page 7
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CHURCH ON THE HILL - ESTABLISHED 1818
Special Events
Date: October 13th and 14th, 2012 Wellfleet Oyster House
Time: 10am
Loca8on: Main Street
Wellfleet, MA
Seafood lovers won’t want to miss Cape Cod’s finest display of culinary gi9s-­‐from-­‐the-­‐sea during this two day fes<val filled with art, music, games and most importantly, FOOD! Managed by SPAT, a non-­‐profit organiza<on dedicated to promo<ng the town’s shell fishing history, those who dare to enter the annual oyster shucking contest might get their hands on the grand prize of $1000.00. All proceeds go towards a scholarship for Nauset Regional High School, a community grant award and improving the knowledge of Wellfleet’s cherished sea faring industry.
Date: October 14, 2012 Open House at the MFA
Time: 10:30am, Free
Loca8on: Museum of Fine Arts
465 Hun8ngton Avenue, Boston
Visit the MFA for a free tour of their Interac<ve Design exhibit structured to enhance further understanding of how ar<s<c contribu<ons effect business, social and general everyday living. Teachers, students and art appreciators are all welcome. Date: October 20, 2012 Church on the Hill/Boston Common
Time: 11:00 AM
Loca8on: Church on the Hill
140 Bowdoin Street, Boston
Following the success of last year, Church on the Hill will once again be plan8ng daffodils in the Boston Common. This year we were provided with double (1000) daffodil bulbs. People will meet at the Church on the Hill at 11:00 AM and move to the Common as a group. All are welcome!
Date: October 20/21, 2012 Head of the Charles Regatta 2012
Time: 8am-­‐5pm
Loca8on: Charles River 2 Gerry’s Landing Road, Cambridge, MA
The Head of the Charles RegaZa is the world’s largest crew racing event and lucky for Bostonians, it takes place right here! Drawing in 9,000 athletes and over 300,000 thousand spectators, this two day event is the perfect des<na<on to become inspired by healthy compe<<on and the natural autumn beauty that graces the riverbanks of the Charles.
continued on page 8
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NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM
Date: October 27, 2012 Cartoon Fest at Symphony Hall
Time: 10am -­‐ 4p, $10, or a 4-­‐pack for $35
Loca8on: Symphony Hall, 301 Massachuse[s Ave, Boston
Kids will adore the Cartoon Fest at Boston Symphony Hall where 99.5 WGBH Classical Radio Sta<on presents the background music to classic Warner Brothers’ Toons! Emphasizing a love for original character images such as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck with songs from the greats, children will enjoy both the entertaining and educa<onal aspects of this fabulous symphonic produc<on.
Date: October 27, 2012 Dining in the Dark at Hampshire House
Time: 6pm -­‐ 9pm
Loca8on: Hampshire House
84 Beacon Street, Boston Delicious, decadent and downright exci<ng, bring your taste buds to this “dimmed” display of dining. Guests will not only be blind folded while enjoying their meals but will also be present for soothing music and theatrical story telling presenta<ons. Ac<ng as part of the global “Dining in the Dark” movement, patrons will not be disappointed by this unique experience.
Date: Sunday, October 28, 2012 SoWa Market of the Living Dead
Time: 10am -­‐ 4pm
Loca8on: 460 Harrison Ave, Boston's South End
Halloween is one of New England’s most beloved holidays so why not use this theme to create the perfect ghostly gathering? Located in Boston’s largest open market, the SoWa Market of the Living Dead encourages all to put on their favorite costumes and celebrate with music, cra9s, and yummy treats from food vendors. As the final outdoors ac<vity of the year, come with friends and family to partake in the last picnic of the season!
Date: Sunday, October 28, 2012 Pru Boo at Prudential Center
Time: 11am-­‐1pm, $5.00 per child
Loca8on: The Pruden3al Center
800 Boylston St, Boston
Bring your liZle ones to this fes<ve and charitable event hosted by the shops at the Pruden<al Center! Kids can trick-­‐or-­‐treat up and down the beau<ful corridors of the Pru while also helping needy children and babies from around the state. All proceeds are directly given to a non-­‐profit organiza<on dedicated to helping and aiding the younger needy of MassachuseZs. NOTICE
ANNUAL FALL MEMBERS MEETING
NOVEMBER 25, 2012 ~ 12:30 PM
We encourage all members to attend!!
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CHURCH ON THE HILL - ESTABLISHED 1818
We Need Your Help
Maria MacKenzie has recently been visi2ng a number of nursing homes. It has come to our a:en2on that there are a number of seniors who need clothes. That being said, we will be taking dona2ons of: nightgowns, male pajamas, sweaters, sweatshirts, and warm pants. Dona2ons can be leD in the church office. Cold weather has arrived and they need the help now. Thank you.
Potato Pancakes
Ingredients
•
4 slices bacon, diced
•
4 Idaho potatoes, peeled and quartered
•
1 red onion, quartered
•
3 garlic cloves
•
6 sage leaves, finely chopped
•
2 eggs
•
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
•
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
•
Vegetable oil, for frying
Directions
In a large cast iron skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate. Discard
bacon fat in the pan. In a food processor fitted with the grater attachment, push potato, onion and garlic through the
grater (if you grate by hand using a mandolin watch your fingers). Remove mixture to a towel and squeeze out excess
liquid. Place potato mixture in a large bowl and mix in sage, eggs, flour, cooked bacon and salt and pepper, to taste. Fill
the skillet with 1/4-inch of vegetable oil and heat until it ripples. Once the oil is preheated, form potato cakes, measuring
roughly 3 inches in diameter, and add to the pan. Continue forming patties, working in batches. Cook pancakes until
crispy and nicely browned, pressing down on the pancakes periodically to flatten, about 2 minutes per side. Remove to
a paper towel lined plate. Keep cooked pancakes warm in a preheated 275 degree F oven while remaining pancakes
cook.
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NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM
Congratulations Maria MacKenzie!!!
Marvin Gonzalez and his family apple picking in Stow, MA.
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CHURCH ON THE HILL - ESTABLISHED 1818
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NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM
The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homelessʼ HomeLink Initiative
partners with public schools to assist at-risk families of students to
avoid becoming homeless. As part of this partnership, the Coalition
has been able to assist many parents who need assistance with
material items such a clothing and household furniture. Over the
past year, HomeLink learned that many of the students in the
schools did not have a bed, and were sleeping on the floor or with a
sibling.
Many of the studentsʼ families have had an infestation of bed bugs –
a growing epidemic in many urban areas, forcing them to throw out
their beds without being able to afford to buy new ones. Even more
families are living in poverty and can not afford to buy a bed in at all.
Although a bed may not seem like the most pressing social issue, it
does have a major affect on a childʼs ability to come to school prepared to learn, which can have long term consequences
on their education. In Massachusetts, statistics indicate that 23% of students have the potential of not graduating. To break the cycle of poverty, we know we have to give these children all the tools they need to assist them in their
education. One of these is a bed. To meet this goal, the agency launched A Bed for Every Child Initiative, where we are
raising funds to purchase a twin mattress, frame and linens for each student referred to us by our partners. Presently, we
are working with the Lynn Public Schools to ensure each student referred to us will have a bed delivered to their home.
For over 25 years, the Coalition has operated the Furniture Bank which stabilizes over 3,000 households a year
transitioning from homelessness to their own home by providing donated furniture and household goods to make a house a
home. This program has a proven history of operating with maximum efficiency and cost effectiveness. Leveraging this
experience and a network of partners, A Bed for Every Child will undertake outreach, build awareness of the need, and
provide beds to children through this new collaboration. Our goal over the next 12 months is to distribute 1,500 beds to
children in need who are attending school. As funds become available, we will have an additional goal of expanding to
schools in Boston. To get involved by organizing a community drive or inviting a Coalition spokesperson to a civic event to speak about the
campaign to raise critical financial support to A Bed for Every Child, contact Alycia Dell'Orfano, A Bed for Every Child
Development Coordinator at 781-585-7570 x23 or [email protected].
Here is the completed version of last
monthʼs crossword puzzle.
We are happy to have had a few
people turn in their completed puzzles
with 100% accuracy and so we drew a
name from a hat.
The winner of last monthʼs crossword
is...
Janet Paulson!
Congratulations and we will get your
gift certificate to you soon!
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CHURCH ON THE HILL - ESTABLISHED 1818
Mary Guarino kayaking the Charles River
Vagabonds Open
Mic Coffee House
- September 19
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NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM
Church Calendar Events 2012
All are welcome. Come as you are.
October
Wednesday, October 3
5:00 PM
Church Council Meeting
6:00 PM
Board of Trustees Meeting
Sunday, October 7
11:00 AM
Blessing of the Animals Service
Wednesday, October 17
12:00 Noon
Senior Lunch
7:30 PM
Vagabonds Open Mic Coffee House
Saturday, October 20
11:00 AM
Planting daffodils in the Boston Common
Wednesday, October 31
7-10:00 PM
Halloween Party
November
Wednesday, November 7
Wednesday, November 21
5:00 PM
Church Council Meeting
6:00 PM
Board of Trustees Meeting
12:00 Noon
Senior Lunch
7:30-11 PM
Vagabonds Open Mic Coffee House
We are doing our best to update our calendar as fast as possible. We
swear weʼre not monkeying around. Keep updated on our website
www.churchonthehillboston.org
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CHURCH ON THE HILL - ESTABLISHED 1818
Vagabonds
Open Mic
Coffee House
Wednesday, October 17
7:30-11 PM
After the success of last
monthʼs Open Mic night, we are
hoping to make this one even
bigger!
We are open to musicians,
poets, artists, and locals who
would like to perform or just
spectate and enjoy a relaxing
night with friends.
Our entrance is on Ashburton
Place between the parking lot
and 20 Ashburton Place, down
the alley to the right.
This is free to everyone and will
continue to take place on the
third Wednesday night of each
month.
We hope to see
you all there!
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Church on The Hill (Swedenborgian)
The Boston Society of the New Jerusalem, Inc.
140 Bowdoin Street, Beacon Hill
Boston, MA 02108-2799
Check Out The New Website at
www.churchonthehillboston.org
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Lydia Maria Child (1802-1880)
Member of the Church
Writer, Author, Abolitionist,
Civil Rights Advocate
Writer of “Over the River”
“It is my mission to help in the breaking down of classes, and to make
all men feel as if they were brethren of the same family, sharing the
same rights, the same capabilities, and the same responsibilities. While
my hand can hold a pen, I will use it to this end; and while my brain can
earn a dollar, I will devote it to this end.” Lydia Maria Child