September 2012 - Church On The Hill

September 2012
Vol. IX, Issue 9
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
Back
to
Scho
ol
September
New Energy!!!
New Vibe!!!
Same Church!!!
Sunday,September 9
is “Back To Church Sunday”
Church on The Hill (Swedenborgian) The Boston Society of the New Jerusalem, Inc.
140 Bowdoin Street ~ Beacon Hill ~ Boston, MA 02108 ~ www.churchonthehillboston.org
New
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Hous
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Max
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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
Vagabonds “Open Mic” Coffee House, this will take
place in our function room on the third Wednesday
evening of each month, see page 5.
We are going to have our Sock Drive again as we
stock up for the Sunday Night Sock Walk that begins
in October.
From Michael Bancewicz
We are working with Oasis Coalition to hold weekly
cooking classes for newly housed folks.
Hello Everyone!!
WHAT A WONDERFUL SUMMER WE HAVE
Also we are looking for volunteers to be on the
organizing committee for the 23rd Homeless
Memorial Service. The committee will meet once a
month for Sept, Oct, Nov, and December.
HAD!!!
Through out the summer members and friends of the
church have been out in the Boston Common on
Monday nights helping serve the homeless. We broke
records by sending 335 people to Six Flags. The
Senior Outing to go see Mama Mia was a big hit! Lets
not forget yours truly officiated his first wedding for
members Michael and Tammy Liang with 100 guests
in attendance while Carlton and Victor performed. We
have been hearing great feedback on the variety of
clergy and speakers we have had on Sundays. Mary
Guarino’s Summer Social was a great success as was
the Fourth of July, both of which happened on our
roofdeck. On a personal note I donated my ponytail
and turned 50 in the same week.
PASTOR SEARCH UPDATE
The search committee (Susanne Rogers-Chair, Maria
MacKenzie, Mary Guarino, Amy Marino, Carlton
Doctor and myself), are interviewing clergy to act as
Intrim Pastor. Once we have this individual in place
we will be sending out a survey to everyone asking
various questions regarding what you feel are our
strengths and weaknesses as well as what you would
like to see in the future, at which point we will begin
putting all of our energy in a slow and methodical
process of finding a pool of candidates to interview
for the permanent position.
And Hey! Have you been checking out the church
website or Facebook page??
Peace and Love,
NEW THIS MONTH
Sunday September 9, is our “Back to Church” Sunday
so we are hoping to see many of you there and
perhaps bring a friend so we can make the fellowship
luncheon a festive and energized pep rally. Rev. Joan
Murray will be delivering the sermon.
Boston Common this fall. (Partnership with Boston
Parks and Recreation)
el
a
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c
i
M
Ps. Looking for volunteers to help plant tulips on the
ROMANS 1:16-17
September 16, Sister Linda Bessom, SND, will be
delivering the sermon. Additionally she will be
seeking linen donations for “A Bed For Every Child”.
(Please see page 7 on how you can help). All of the
September offerings will be donated to this as well.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because
it is the power of God that brings salvation
to everyone who believes: first to the Jew,
then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the
righteousness of God is revealed—a
righteousness that is by faith from first to
last, just as it is written: “The righteous will
live by faith.”
We are going to be hosting the “Max Reger
Foundation Concert Series” see page 4. This is quite
exciting anticipating the up coming talent throughout
the year.
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NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM
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CHURCH ON THE HILL - ESTABLISHED 1818
Church on the Hill
Presents
The Max Reger Foundation
Concert Series
The Concerts are free
welcoming free will offerings for
the Max Reger Foundation
“Helping musicians fulfill their
dreams and goals”
Tuesday
September 11, 2012 ~ 7:30 PM
Victor Cayres, Piano
Jeffery Michael Hartman, Tenor
Sunday
December 2, 2012 ~ 11:00 AM
Advent Concert
The Music Workshop will feature
very special guest(s) TBD with a
nominal fee.
Saturday
January 19, 2013 ~ 10:00 AM
Worship Music Workshop with special guests
To be determined.
Refreshments will be served at
all events.
Tuesday
April 16, 2013 ~ 7:30 PM
Phuong Nghi Pham, Piano
Please RSVP by calling the church
office or visiting our web site or
find us on facebook.
Sunday
May 12, 2013 ~ 11:00 AM
Spring Concert
www.facebook.com/
themaxregerconcertandworkshopseries
Church on the Hill
140 Bowdoin Street ~ Beacon Hill
Boston, MA 02108
617-523-4575
www.churchonthehillboston.org
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NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM
September, 1918
Amy Lawrence Lowell was
an American poet of the
imagist school from
Brookline, Massachusetts
who posthumously won the
Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in
1926.
BY AMY LOWELL
This afternoon was the colour of water
falling through sunlight;
The trees glittered with the tumbling of
Amy Lawrence Lowell (February 9, 1874 – May
12, 1925) was an American poet of the imagist
school from Brookline, Massachusetts who
posthumously won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in
1926. Lowell was born into Brookline's
prominent Lowell family, sister to astronomer
Percival Lowell and Harvard president Abbott
Lawrence Lowell.
leaves;
The sidewalks shone like alleys of dropped
maple leaves,
And the houses ran along them laughing out
She never attended college because her family did
not consider that proper for a woman, but she
compensated with avid reading and nearobsessive book collecting. She lived as a socialite
and travelled widely, turning to poetry in 1902
after being inspired by a performance of Eleonora
Duse in Europe.
of square, open windows.
Under a tree in the park,
Two little boys, lying flat on their faces,
Were carefully gathering red berries
To put in a pasteboard box.
Lowell was said to be lesbian, and in 1912 she
and actress Ada Dwyer Russell were reputed to be
lovers. Russell is reputed to be the subject of her
more erotic work, most notably the love poems
contained in 'Two Speak Together', a subsection
of Pictures of the Floating World. The two women
traveled to England together, where Lowell met
Ezra Pound, who at once became a major
influence and a major critic of her work. Pound
considered her embrace of Imagism to be a kind
of hi-jacking of the movement, and among his
friends he referred to her as the "hippo-poetess".
Lowell has been linked romantically to writer
Mercedes de Acosta, but the only evidence of any
contact between them is a brief correspondence
about a planned memorial for Duse.
Some day there will be no war,
Then I shall take out this afternoon
And turn it in my fingers,
And remark the sweet taste of it upon my
palate,
And note the crisp variety of its flights of
leaves.
To-day I can only gather it
And put it into my lunch-box,
Lowell died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1925 at
the age of 51. The following year, she was
awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for What's
O'Clock. That collection included the patriotic
poem "Lilacs", which Louis Untermeyer said was
the poem of hers he liked best.
For I have time for nothing
But the endeavour to balance myself
Upon a broken world.
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CHURCH ON THE HILL - ESTABLISHED 1818
Linen Collection for A Bed for Every Child Initiative
Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless
Church on the Hill
Sunday September 16th
On Sunday September 16th Sister Linda Bessom SND, Faith Into Action Together
Coordinator of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless will be our guest preacher.
On that day, Church on the Hill is also partnering with the Massachusetts Coalition
for the Homeless’ “A Bed for Every Child Initiative” by collecting new:
•
•
•
•
twin sized sheets (top, fitted bottom and pillow case)
pillows
twin size blankets
twin size bed spreads
A Bed for Every Child Initiative began last fall as a project of the Massachusetts Coalition for
the Homeless’ Furniture Bank, when the Coalition’s Homelink staff learned that many
students in the Lynn Public Schools were coming to school very tired because they did not
have a bed of their own. Their parents could not afford to replace or buy a new bed for
their child. Many were sleeping on the floor or with a parent or sibling. Without sufficient
sleep, students can not learn. Education is a way to move beyond poverty. It is important
to assist children to have the tools they need to succeed in school. One of these is a bed.
This past school year the Coalition distributed approximately 400 new beds that included:
a mattress, a box spring, and complete set of bedding.
The Coalition will be expanding this Initiative to the Boston Public Schools in 2012-13.
Sister Linda Bessom SND will be speaking briefly regarding this Initiative and how we can
help. Envelopes will also be provided for financial contributions. Each bed with bedding
costs $250 and includes the delivery. Our Church will be joining other schools and
congregations in support of this Initiative. Please be as generous as possible. Thank you!
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NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM
What’s Happening This September?
Now that the beach chairs have been packed up and put away, Boston is once again bustling with new activity. Back to school and back to work, city goers have returned to create an exciting hub of activity celebrating the beginning of the crisp autumn season. Although some may feel despair with the lovely outdoor weather slowly fading, rest assured that there is still plenty to do and see before the harsher days of winter appear. New England is famous for this time of year with her leaves changing every shade of color, igniting inspiration from every angle. Grab your walking shoes, cameras and jackets and get ready for a fabulous month of fun events!
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a 8lower.”
-­‐Author Unknown
Monday, September 3, 2012 Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Tuesday, September 21, 2012 Saturday, September 22,, 2012 Saturday, September 29, 2012 Holidays
Labor Day
National Cheese Pizza Day
Patriot’s Day
International World Peace Day
First Day of Autumn
Full “Harvest” Moon
Birthstone: Sapphire
Flower: Aster
Astrological Signs: Virgo: August 23 -­ September 22, Libra: September 23 -­ October 22
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CHURCH ON THE HILL - ESTABLISHED 1818
Date: Saturday, September 8-­‐9th 2012 Boston Arts Festival
Time: 12-­‐6pm
Loca<on: Christopher Columbus Park
Boston, Ma
Come enjoy an eclec,c assemble of performances including dance, music and theater presented right on the waterfront property of Christopher Columbus Park. Along with a specialty built art village, guests will not only enjoy the beauty of Boston’s Best entertainers but relax in one this city’s finest family friendly venues
Date: Sunday, September 9, 2012 Cambridge Carnival International
Time: 12:30-­‐6:30pm
Loca<on: Central and Kendall Square
Boston, Ma
The largest fes,val in Cambridge is on its way on September 9, celebra,ng Carnival and Caribbean tradi,ons themed aFer Trinidad, Tobago and Brazil. Promising rich colors and other cultural delights, be sure to arrive on ,me to witness the acclaimed parade of costumes, live music and rhythmic dance!
Date: Tuesday, September 11 2012 Time: 7:30pm
Loca<on: The Church on the Hill
140 Bowdoin Street, Boston, Ma
The Max Reger Foundation Concert Listen to the breathtaking musical talents of Victor Cayres and Jeffrey Michael Hartman during this special evening presenta,on in benefit for the Max Reger Founda,on, a not-­‐for-­‐profit organiza,on dedicated to providing excep,onal musical educa,on for young and underprivileged talents. This FREE event is the first of four and graciously accepts at-­‐will dona,ons.
Date: Friday, September 14-­‐30th 2012 Time: 8am-­‐10pm
Loca<on: West Springfield, Ma
The Big E
The Big E is a fair unlike any in New England represen,ng all six states and their agricultural achievements. Although this fes,ve event has grown over the years to include rides, games and other aTrac,ons, The Big E s,ll remains the #1 fair to see, hear, taste and smell New England’s finest farming achievements. Date: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 Time: 7pm
Loca<on: The Church on the Hill Func<on Hall
140 Bowdoin Street,Boston, Ma
Vagabond’s “Open Mic” Coffee House
Come enjoy “Open Mic” at the Vagabonds Coffee House night where visitors can present their musical, poe,c or instrumental talents! This is a FREE monthly get together where you can either perform or simply relax in this pleasurable seZng. Refreshments will be served and all are welcome!
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NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM
The feeling remains that God is on the journey, too. ~Teresa of Avila
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CHURCH ON THE HILL - ESTABLISHED 1818
Simple Acts of Kindness...
Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. One time I arrived in the middle of the night for a pick up at a
building that was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window.
Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, then drive away.
But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation.
Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who
needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself. So I walked to the door and knocked.
“Just a minute,” answered a frail, elderly voice.
I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman
in her 80′s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like
somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase.
The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There
were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box
filled with photos and glassware.
“Would you carry my bag out to the car?” she said. I took the suitcase to
the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we
walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.
“It’s nothing,” I told her. “I just try to treat my passengers the way I would
want my mother treated.”
“Oh, you’re such a good boy,” she said. When we got in the cab, she gave
me an address, then asked, “Could you drive through downtown?”
“It’s not the shortest way,” I answered quickly.
“Oh, I don’t mind,” she said. “I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice.”
I looked in the rear view mirror. Her eyes were glistening.
“I don’t have any family left,” she continued. “The doctor says I don’t have very long.”
I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. “What route would you like me to take?” I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked
as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when
they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom
where she had gone dancing as a girl.
Sometimes she’d ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the
darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, “I’m tired. Let’s go now.”
We drove in silence to the address she had given me.
It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two
orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every
move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The
woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
“How much do I owe you?” she asked, reaching into her purse.
“Nothing,” I said.
“You have to make a living,” she answered.
“There are other passengers.”
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.
“You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,” she said. “Thank you.”
I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of
the closing of a life.
I didn’t pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I
could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his
shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I
don’t think that I have done anything more important in my life. We’re conditioned to think that our lives
revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware—beautifully wrapped in what
others may consider a small one.
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NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM
Folks,
We are all very saddened with the loss of our dear friend
Vera. At the same time, having just returned from her funeral, I
am extremely joyful in knowing her and hearing the wonderful
reminiscence of her family. We hold the entire DeRosa family in
our prayers. Farewell Dear Friend.
Elvira M. DeRosa, 95 years of age, died on Monday,
September 03, 2012. Survived by sisters Mary G. & Alice A.
DeRosa and brothers Nicholas C., Anthony P. and Leonard
J. DeRosa. She was predeceased by Ella M. and Michael
D. DeRosa.
Elvira worked for many years at the Phillips House - MGH
as a nutritionist in the Dietary Dept.
Funeral from the Boston Harborside Home, 580
Commercial St. BOSTON MA 02109 at 9am on Thursday,
Sept. 6, for a Mass at St. Joseph's Church in the West End at 10am followed by interment at
St. Michael's Cemetery, Boston. Family will be receiving visitors from 4-8pm on Wed. Sept.
5. Parking on Commercial St. with attendants.
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...
Rob Day!
Congratulations and we will get your
gift certificate to you soon!
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CHURCH ON THE HILL - ESTABLISHED 1818
What a summer it has been!!!
top left: Mike and Tammy Liangʼs wedding
top right: Church on the Hill sponsoring a
Monday Night Dinner on the Common
left: Victor Cayres, Aristedes Rivas, and Benito
Meza performed at Church on the Hill
right: our Annual Youth Six Flags Trip
bottom: Church on the Hill sponsoring a Red
Cross Blood Drive
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NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM
Church Calendar Events 2012
All are welcome. Come as you are.
September
Wednesday, September 5
5:00 PM
Church Council Meeting
6:00 PM
Board of Trustees Meeting
Sunday, September 9
11:00 AM
Church Service and Communion with Rev. Joan Murray
Tuesday, September 11
7:30 PM
Max Reger Foundation Concert Series featuring:
Victor Cayres and Jeffrey Michael Hartman
Sunday, September 16
11:00 AM
Church Service with Sister Linda Bessom
Wednesday, September 19
12:00 Noon
Senior Lunch
October
Sunday, October 7
11:00 AM
Blessing of the Animals Service
Wednesday, October 31
7-10:00 PM
Halloween Party
We are still working hard to fill our calendar for the fall.
Please, bear with us.
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CHURCH ON THE HILL - ESTABLISHED 1818
Anyone who completes the puzzle or comes the closest will be entered
in a raffle to win a $50 Gift Certificate.
GOOD LUCK!
Either send us a picture of the completed puzzle or
tear out and bring in/mail us the actual page.
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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