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[uniteboston]

From June 19th to the 26th, bishops from Orthodox Christian Churches around the world gathered together on a scale that has not been matched for over 1,000 years. This week, our blog is written by UniteBoston Rep Jason Oneida, who updates us on the decisions made at the Pan-Orthodox Great and Holy Council and its worldwide witness towards Christian unity.

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[caption id="attachment_7212" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Image credit: https://www.holycouncil.org/%5B/caption%5D

From June 19th to the 26th, bishops from Orthodox Christian Churches around the world gathered together on a scale that has not been matched for over 1,000 years. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople issued the invitation for Orthodox bishops everywhere to come together for a great, holy council. The goal of the united body of hierarchs was to advance work their predecessors began generations ago. Over 340 bishops responded to the call and met His All-Holiness at the Orthodox Academy on the island of Crete in Greece. These bishops accompanied their Primate, or leader, in delegations representing their respective local church. Of the fourteen autonomous Orthodox Churches in the world, united by God through common faith and sacramental grace, ten were represented at the council.

The work of organizing the council began in 1930 with a preparatory council that drafted a list of 17 topics for discussion. The 17 topics were combined and reduced down to six through additional pre-conciliar conferences between 1961 and 2015. Unanimity—the ability for all Churches to come to a common mind and witness—was the primary criteria for selecting the topics covered at the Great and Holy Council of 2016. The capability of coming to unanimous decisions was carefully crafted through years of dialog before the council began. Such careful planning allowed the Church to issue resolutions with an authoritative voice backed by all the participating bishops. As a result, one of the primary outputs from the Holy and Great Council was six joint statements on the following topics: the importance of fasting and its practice, the relation of the Orthodox Church to the rest of the Christian world, the mission of the Orthodox Church in today’s world, the sacrament of marriage, and organization of multinational councils of bishops throughout the world.

A gathering so long in the making surely begs a simple, powerful question: what does the council’s work mean for us? In particular, how does it speak to Christian ministry in the greater Boston area? The Great and Holy Council provides reinforcement to Unite Boston’s mission for unity and a guide for future ministry endeavors.

The Great and Holy Council embodied Jesus’ call for unity among all people in its mission statement, organization, and very nature. It is no coincidence that the council was chosen to begin during the Orthodox Christian celebration of Pentecost. And it is also no accident that the council took its slogan, “He called all to unity,” from a hymn sung in honor of this feast day. Furthermore, the council’s method of coming to consensus through dialog and the search for unanimity also bear the mark of desire for unity. All these aspects of the council indicate the overriding truth that unity is essential for humanity. We are not strong alone, but rather when we are gathered together in Christ’s name so that He is among us. Therefore, work toward Christian unity is of the utmost importance to the future of mankind. Following the council’s example, we must strive to understand each other and come to a common mind. We must continue to create opportunities for dialogue that removes the various barriers that separate people.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Image credit: https://www.holycouncil.org/[/caption]

The wisdom of the Great and Holy Council also provides a guide for future ministerial endeavors. One of the greatest concerns for humankind discussed by the bishops at the council was the ecological crisis. Exploitation of the natural environment to suit human desires has resulted in serious problems with climate change, extinction of a large number of our planet’s diverse lifeforms, and poisoning of our environment. The members of the Holy Council called on Christians to view the attitude of indifference toward creation as a sin fully warranting our repentance. In order to truly be the Church, we must seek to right this situation through prayer, education, and organized action. Let us Christians respond to this call, taking it as an opportunity to be leaders in new environmental ministries that help us fulfill our vocation as caretakers of creation. Here we have an opportunity to be prophetic voices that remind the world of the truth that God made humanity to live in harmony with His good creation.

There is much more to say about the Great and Holy Council than can be presented here. If you would like to learn more, please visit the official website at http://www.holycouncil.org. There you can see the press releases, read the statements issued, and see videos of the proceedings.

[uniteboston]

What is ecumenism? Why is UniteBoston’s work to bring together churches so important?

UniteBoston Rep Burke Rea has been working to compile a resource list about the value of Christian unity.

Check out our new “About Christian Unity” page here!

[uniteboston]

Just published! Photo Journal from the Woven Consultation, which brings together women to share stories of challenge, overcoming, building relationships, digesting new research about women in ministry, and identifying gaps in support and knowledge.

UniteBoston is grateful for the work that Woven does to bring together women from all different Christian denominations and backgrounds!

Check out the photo journal here! https://woven.exposure.co/woven-consultation

[uniteboston]

There is an exciting gathering that is taking place this Saturday, June 25! The “Bless the City Prayer Walk and Rally for Community Peace” will begin at 10:00am at 3134 Washington Street, Roxbury, and end with a celebration at Mozart Park in Jamaica Plain.

 

I met up with Pastor Marcos Cisterna yesterday to hear more about the event. When he was 17, Pastor Marcos prayed about organizing a prayer march, and now this dream is coming to fulfillment. He has been amazed to see God’s favor to gather a diverse cross-section of churches throughout the city. Now there are over 35 churches coming!

 

Marcos is passionate about Christian unity, and he believes that “unity is what brings us into the power of Jesus Christ.” In the Prayer & Rally Walk for Community Peace, people are coming together to say that “we would like to see the violence in our city stopped so that everyone can live in unity, peace, and safety.”

 

So, come and join us! We’re having a UniteBoston Meetup at the event. Email me back if you’re planning to come so you can find our group.

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27). May God bless each of you this summer, and show the Christian community together into the way of Christ’s reconciling peace.

 

Click here to read the invitation for the Community Peace Walk.

——–

Kelly Steinhaus

Team Leader, UniteBoston

http://www.uniteboston.com

[uniteboston]

We are grateful to our friends at the Institute for Christian Unity who compiled this list of gospel voices offering prayers and compassion for the tragedy in Orlando:

The Church is the body of Christ in the world. The Church is called by God to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to the whole world, and to do so in word and deed. This proclamation is always urgently needed and never more so than in the instance of human brutality and suffering.

We offer to you Gospel voices–voices for light in darkness–speaking for the Church in Boston to our suffering neighbors in Orlando, to the LGBTQ community, to the victims of gun violence, to the Muslim community and to the poor in spirit everywhere.

What follows are a series of links to statements by leading voices in Boston’s Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Evangelical/Pentecostal and Mainline Protestant communities as well as a special link to practical action the Church (your church!) can take on behalf of the Orlando victims and the LGBTQ community.

http://www.bostoncatholic.org/Utility/News-And-Press/Content.aspx?id=32619

http://www.hchc.edu/about/news/news_releases/mass-shooting-statement

http://www.grace.org/deeper-closer-wider/praying-for-orlando/

https://www.robly.com/archive?id=a033f5cf5ec356ecc0ef6d57e910e6dc

Also, here are a few great articles recommended by the Lead Them Home ministry:

1. Scott Sauls: A Pastor’s Reflection on Violence Toward the LGBT+ Community
2. Russell Moore: After Orlando, Can We Still Weep Together?
3. Pope Francis: Reflections from Pope Francis
4. Joe Carter, The Gospel Coalition: 5 Ways Christians Can Respond to the Orlando Shooting
5. Jen Hatmaker: Don’t Say Nothing
6. Wesley Hill: If the Church Were a Haven
7. Lead Them Home: What Your Church Can Do

Finally, check out the article “There is Gospel to Preach Here”, with twelve Christian leaders across the country serving in a variety of roles tell the stories of how they responded to the massacre and offer resources to help others responding to tragedy.

[uniteboston]

Yesterday, we approved three new members to the UniteBoston Board.

Here we are!

From Left to Right –

• David Wright, Black Ministerial Alliance, UniteBoston Board Member
• Vito Nicastro, Associate Director Archdiocese of Boston Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, UniteBoston Board President
• Kelly Steinhaus, UniteBoston Executive Director & Board Member
• Rita Powell, Associate Rector for Liturgy, Trinity Episcopal Church, UniteBoston Treasurer
• Dana Baker, Pastor of Social Justice and Multicultural Ministry, Grace Chapel, UniteBoston Board Member

 

 

[uniteboston]

On Thursday May 19th, the Emmanuel Gospel Center, Vision New England, and Greater Things for Greater Boston joined together to host the first New England City Forum.

It was an awesome time to learn a lot about how God is at work in our region, make some new friends, and be inspired and strengthened for our work in our own cities.

Linked below are a fun little summary video of our time together, and a set of pictures. Thanks to the Emmanuel Gospel Center for putting this together!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If7is1DSRA4

http://www.gridjungle.com/cityforum/

[uniteboston]

This week, UniteBoston features Rev. Jacob Urena as a guest blogger. Jacob is an ordained deacon in The Diocese of Christ the King under the Communion of Evangelical and Episcopal Churches. Jacob currently attends LivinGrace Church located in Johnston Rhode Island, where he also leads a Young Adults ministry known as “The Divergence.” As a native Bostonian, Jacob’s passion is to promote the unity within Churches starting in Boston, and to emit Gods love to all he comes in contact with.

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When attending the Orthodox Good Friday Service of Lamentations, I must say that my views of God and the manner in which he functions has changed. Throughout the year I’ve had the pleasure to visit different Pentecostal, Baptist, Catholic churches but this service was unlike any other. Once I reached St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, I could instantly feel the love they not only had for the people but for God himself. I was quickly greeted and guided by church leaders and common church members to partake and enjoy the service.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="581"] Image Credit: http://www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org[/caption%5D

The service gave me a fresh outlook on the Christian faith. It involved ancient liturgy, which is something I hadn’t seen in other branches of Christianity, and to me this was very enriching. Everything from the ancient chants to the “tomb” of Jesus placed in the center of the room made out of flowers submerged me in the service and added to my own personal experience of God. The service then was brought out onto the streets of Cambridge. As flower petals were tossed onto the floor, we followed one another closely as we chanted in unity.

To my amazement, I discovered that we were actually on our way to meet with another Orthodox church who joined us in the middle of Central Square to pray and worship together. Worshipping alongside them was the most amazing part for me. People from all ends of the world around me and waves of strangers from the streets began to participate and ask questions. The love of God was being shared with hundreds of people.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="539"] Image Credit: http://www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org[/caption%5D

On our way back to the church, we then walked under the tomb covered with flowers. I later was told that this symbolized us going from death to life, which brought humility to my heart and filled my heart with passion. The ability for me to participate in these customs was life changing. It left me with so many more questions connected to the meaning behind their liturgy and the symbolism used throughout the service. The service also increased my desire to know God to a greater extent for the level in which I believed to know him wasn’t enough. By the end of the service, I did not feel as if I was a guest or stranger but part of the family, which was amazing because I wasn’t proficient at all in their liturgical customs.

As the service finished, I was astonished by how welcomed I felt, which is so different than the primary mindset that churches have had for so long. We see that people of Christian faith are likely to seclude themselves and limit their interactions to only those of the same church, leaving Jesus and all his teachings in the backburner and clinging on to their understanding. We then create barriers separating one another, yet in reality we are one body in Christ. The reality is that we all have one small piece of the grander knowledge of Jesus and the Christian faith. It is only when we converge together that we expose the masterpiece that God always had in mind.

The unity within the Christian Church is not only beneficial, but is necessary. Scripture continually promotes that God’s desire is for us to function as “one” Church, meaning that Christ came to make us one in Him. Being able to love and worship Christ along my Orthodox brothers and sisters was life-changing for me; I saw people loving God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, and loving their neighbors as they love themselves. If I could feel the presence of God and His love in a church that is very different than my own, then why can’t we all?

Let’s come together and see that the things that separate us as God’s people are the things that will help us come close together. Let’s come together and be one river with many streams, and one body with many parts!

 

[uniteboston]

Our blogger this week is Steven Hardy, who is a UniteBoston Rep in the Cambridge/Harvard Square area. Steven attends St. Paul’s Parish and is a self-described  “arm chair theologian and historian.” Below, Steven presents some great insights on the unity of the church after attending his first Orthodox liturgy service.

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For the first time this year, I decided to attend the Pascha (Easter) celebrations at an Orthodox church. A group of us from UniteBoston had participated in the Good Friday service of Lamentations the previous evening, and I felt as though it would be incomplete to lament the crucifixion and burial of Christ with this community, and not celebrate his joyful resurrection with them. Being a Western Christian, I had already undergone the Lenten fast and the Feast of the Resurrection, but one can never mark this great mystery enough, right?

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="344"] Image Credit: holycrossbookstore.com[/caption]

Going into the service, I fully expected the many differences in the Eastern liturgy to stand out. I was eager to experience these differences and ready to make note of them. Basically, I suspected that I would be more of an observer than a participant. However, what drew my attention was the many things I saw that were in common with my own liturgical background. Many of the prayers, verses and responses, and even the placement in the liturgy were the same or very similar to my own background. Some of them were in the very same translations that I’ve known my whole life. As is often the case, my expectations were utterly off base when it comes to the work of God, through the Holy Spirit.

Another thing that I was very conscious of, being at an Antiochian Orthodox Church, was the current strife taking place in Syria. I noticed that, though many were not of Syrian decent, those who are, were at least one generation removed from their immigrant forerunners. The blood of Christian martyrs is being spilled there far too frequently. These Christians martyrs are not just Orthodox, but a mix of denominations. They are being persecuted and murdered due to their shared faith in Christ, causing the blood of Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant martyrs to be mingled together in union. As Pope Francis told Catholicos Karekin II of Etchmiadzin, the Patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church, “Just as in the ancient church the blood of the martyrs became the seed of new Christians, so in our day the blood of many Christians has become the seed of unity.” The Pope was referring to both the Arminian Genocide that took place under the Ottoman Empire 101 years ago, as well as the current state of affairs.

We often use the term brother and sister when referring to Christians of other denominations. I suspect, however, that we often mean something more akin to cousin, or friend. As I witnessed the many things in common with the Orthodox in Cambridge, as I was made to feel welcome at their festive post- liturgy celebrations, and as I thought on the witness of the martyrs, I can’t help but to feel a much closer bond to these people who are indeed my brothers and sisters in Christ.

One day I hope that we can finally remove the things that stand in the way of full union with one another. We have a rich diversity in Christian faith traditions right here in the Greater Boston Area. We share in one Baptism into the living body of Christ on Earth. We all proclaim Christ crucified and risen. I would very much like to celebrate this shared faith together, in full communion so that we can reply with one voice, “truly He is Risen!”

[caption id="attachment_6905" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Photo from UniteBoston Meetup at Orthodox Good Friday Service[/caption]

[uniteboston]

Here at UniteBoston we are continually seeking to understanding how we can help build up the body of Christ and nurture God’s work in Boston and beyond!

In his new book entitled The Unexpected Christian Century, Scott W Sunquist discusses some of the more recent developments in Christian spirituality. I find his diagram visually depicting the body of Christ to be very helpful, especially its reference to our forefathers as the roots of Christianity, and Jesus Christ as the trunk holding together the various branches of the Christian faith.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Image Credit: http://www.emotionallyhealthy.org[/caption]

In his blog post “Learning from the Global Church,” Pete Scazerro makes some great recommendations for all Christians:  “First, may you and I be listening to the Holy Spirit and how He wants to extend the mission of Jesus in our day! Secondly, let’s be prayerful and loving towards the whole church. We are part of a larger church in the world that is much larger and more diverse than we could ever imagine. May we increasingly focus on our unity in Jesus (Jn.17:20-26). And thirdly, we have much we can learn from our brothers and sisters who are so very different than us.”

Amen, Pete! Click here to access Pete Scazerro’s full blog post:

http://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/learning-global-church/

[uniteboston]

Today, we have Megan Lietz as a guest blogger with UniteBoston. Megan is a research associate at the Emmanuel Gospel Center and is passionate about unity in the body of Christ. Today, she shares with us about some insights into the reconciling love of Christ that destroys barriers between God’s people.

 

In Ancient Near Eastern Jewish culture, it was believed that salvation was only for Jews or those who conformed to the legal requirements of Judaism. Gentiles were generally seen as lost and distinct from Jews in belief and culture. However, Jesus had a heart for both Jew and Gentile. He desired and made a way for them to be one in Him. For example, Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17 pleads for unity among his followers and Ephesians 2:13-18 explains how Jesus’ work on the cross tore down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile. Despite the barriers that his followers erected between themselves and believers different from them, Jesus calls them to unite themselves with those who were seen as “the other.” This was viewed as inappropriate by the leading Jews. Eventually, the acceptance of the Gentiles became the belief that set early Christianity apart from other sects of Judaism.

 

Within the church today, there are many divisions. It’s easy for us to judge those from different cultural or Christian traditions. Instead of embracing people as brothers and sisters, we can label them as “the other” and practically exclude them from our interactions within the body of Christ. This behavior is in stark contract to what Jesus did, sacrificing his own body, so we could be one and experience the fruits of unity.

 

Today, let us pray that we and the ministries throughout our region will become mindful of the ways in which we separate ourselves from our fellow believers and, in doing so, disrespect the reconciling work that Jesus did on the cross. Let us pray that we see our brothers and sisters as Jesus does, covered by his blood and part of his family. May we act in unity because what divides us has been overcome by Jesus’ work on the cross.

[uniteboston]

This year, UniteBoston started a “Holy Week Pilgrimage” as an opportunity to join together with other Christians throughout Boston to to remember the significance of Christ’s life, death and resurrection.

We know that it can be intimidating to go to a new church, so each of these gatherings were hosted by a member of the UB team who met the group beforehand and to walk us through the worship service.

It was awesome to see how God molded and shaped our understanding of Christ and His Church by attending these gatherings. Below are a few pictures and testimonies.

Unity is a process by which the Church is brought to maturity. Be encouraged by what God is doing to better reconcile each of us to God and to one another!

 “I have been looking for ways to explore different Christian traditions than the one I grew up in to deepen my faith and my practice of connecting with God. Going to the Taize prayer service at the Paulist Center during Unite Boston’s Holy Week pilgrimage was exactly what I needed – a way to connect to other people and to God using prayer and worship styles that are less familiar. I would not have known about the Taize Service otherwise.”
-Christa Lee-Chuvala, Boston Faith and Justice Network

“Attending Taize prayer at the Paulist Center was an amazing experience!  The crucifix sculpture, lighting, and the ambiance carved a meaningful space for reflection and silence. This was the perfect Holy Week observation activity for me.”
-Alice Liu

 Below: Friday’s “Living Stations of the Cross” Event that was Featured in the Boston Globe

[caption id="attachment_6564" align="alignright" width="789"] Photo Credit: John Tlumacki, Globe Staff[/caption]

 “The Good Friday presentation of the Stations of the Cross that was dramatically depicted in word, music and physical performance in the Copley Square plaza was an experience I’m glad I didn’t miss. It was a somber reenactment of Jesus’ crucifixion and the overcast and drizzly weather befit the presentation. And, though somber, it was powerful and moving and thought-provoking; a presentation that caused me, and I imagine many others, to ponder again the love of God, revealed in Jesus Christ, for all of humankind.”
-Matt Crane, Institute for Christian Unity

“Participating in the Stations of the Cross was great – Liturgical services are very inspirational to me because they are so full of Scripture. It was a privilege to be there!”
-Bruce Swan

 

“Attending the Holy Week service was truly a blessing.  It was my first time attending a liturgical worship service. It allowed me to see that Christ is being exalted and glorified in the Boston through the diversity of our expressions of adoration and praise.”
-Kerline Jean-Louis, Kingdom Collaborative Network

“It was nice to see how the Gospel of Jesus is proclaimed in the heart of the city. I also enjoyed worshipping with jazz music!” 
-Karen Vargas

“Taking part in UB Holy Week was a rewarding and enriching experience. I connected with other believers who are seeking an intimate relationship with God. This experience encouraged my faith and showed me that there are others who believe.”
-Cathy Brea

“It really enriched my faith to join the worship of another denomination because I was able to see how God is so totally working well beyond my preconceived notions of what faith is and how it’s lived out. Perhaps because the service was quite different from what I am used to, I was even more aware and engaged in worship and not just going through the motions. Thanks UB!”
-Haile Hendricks

[uniteboston]

Members of Trinity Church and other local congregations participated in an outdoors Stations of the Cross event on Good Friday.

UniteBoston’s Executive Director Kelly Steinhaus served in the role of Jesus for the first four scenes. She writes, “This year, I am seeing Holy Week in a whole new way. It’s difficult to describe in words how this experience has impacted my faith personally.”

The Boston Globe article features an image of Kelly with a crown of thorns and holding the cross.

[caption id="attachment_6564" align="alignright" width="789"] Photo Credit: John Tlumacki, Globe Staff[/caption]

Check out the article here: https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/03/25/ways-cross/PWRDp7nPmFJ0h3IY2QnZTN/story.html

Be encouraged by how God is making visible His love to our city!

[uniteboston]

On Sunday, March 13, 2016, at 5:00 PM, The Global Ministries Christian Church celebrated and dedicated their new FM radio station.

This is a historic first for Boston.  The FCC approved the first church based radio station in the city’s history.

WBPG-LP 102.9 FM radio operates Monday through Saturday from 2 AM to 9 AM and Sunday’s from 2 AM to 6 PM.

The Boston Praise Radio and TV Network is a group of radio and TV stations operating out of the Global Ministries Christian Church in Dorchester.

There are 25 broadcasters utilizing the station to communicate their messages to the city, nation and the world.

The radio and TV station airs on AM, FM, Internet and Roku-TV.  The station will soon be airing on Apple TV.

These are the stations that we are on:

*******************************************************************************

1.    WBPG-LP 102.9 FM Radio

2.    ROKU-TV

3.    http://www.bostopraiseradio.tv

4.    Shoutcast Internet Radio

5.    Tunein Internet Radio

6.    Audionow Broadcast Via Phone

7.    Tunes Internet Radio

8.    Stream Internet

9.    Steame.co Internet Radio

10.  Radio.net Internet Radio

11.  WRCA 1330 AM Radio

12.  En.musicplayon.com Internet Radio

13.  http://www.radioways.com Internet Radio

14.  http://www.iptvcristiano.com Internet TV

For more information, contact:

 

Pastor Bruce H. Wall

Senior Pastor

Global Ministries Christian Church

Founder and CEO

Boston Praise Radio & TV

670 Washington Street

Dorchester, MA 02124

Pastorbrucewall@aol.com

http://www.bostonpraiseradio.tv

617-282-7794, Office

617-283-9561, Cell

*************************

Listen to Pastor Bruce Wall:

*************************

1)  WBPG-LP 102.9 FM Radio

2)  WRCA 1330 AM Radio

3)  http://www.bostonpraiseradio.tv

4)  Roku-TV

[uniteboston]

“It’s my favorite worship service of the year.”

 

In my conversations with other Christians, I keep hearing this phrase repeated about various gatherings taking place around the city during Holy Week.

 

To this end, this year UniteBoston is starting a “Holy Week Pilgrimage” as an opportunity to join together with other Christians throughout Boston to set aside time to remember the significance of Christ’s life, death and resurrection.

 

We know that it can be intimidating to go to a new church, so each of these gatherings will be “hosted” by a member of the UB team who will meet you beforehand to sit with others in the Christian community during the service.

 

To join the UniteBoston Holy Week Pilgrimage, indicate which services you are planning to attend by clicking here. The UB Host will email you about details for meeting up before the service. For questions, email Kelly at Kelly@uniteboston.com

 

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” (John 11:25)

 

This year, as Christians throughout Boston draw deeper in our understanding of the cross, may God also fill this city with His resurrection life.

Sunday 

Palm Sunday Procession and Mass in Extraordinary Form

10:00am, Cathedral of the Holy Cross, 1400 Washington Street, Boston

 

Tuesday

Taize Prayer

 

7:00pm, Paulist Center, 5 Park St, Boston, MA 02108

 

Taize is a simple and calming ecumenical evening prayer service, including scripture readings in multiple languages, candlelight, meditative singing, and time for silence. 

Wednesday 

Foot Washing Service

7:00pm, Union Baptist Church, 874 Main Street, Cambridge

This service incorporates a foot washing to remember the posture of humble servanthood that Christ demonstrated to us. Bishop Brian Greene will be the speaker.

Thursday 

 

Maundy Thursday Service 

8:00pm, Old South Church in Boston, 645 Boylston Street, Boston

This service combines modern jazz music with ancient liturgy of Tenebrae, where the stories of Jesus’s passion are read, and after each reading a candle is extinguished. The service ends in darkness, and the congregation listens to the repetition of 39 dissonant chimes of low handbells, symbolizing the suffering of Jesus on the night of his arrest.

 

Friday 

Black Ministerial Alliance Good Friday Service

12:00 – 3:00pm at St John Missionary Baptist Church, 230 Warren Street, Roxbury

Hear from seven different pastors from different denominations throughout the city on the seven last words of Christ before his death and resurrection.

 

Gospel Without Words – Living Stations of the Cross 

3:30pm in Copley Square

In an arresting display of creative street theater and public art, Trinity Church Boston is presenting “Gospel Without Words”—living Stations of the Cross with participants from local congregations. Bus stops and crosswalks, as well as Copley Square’s half-price theatre ticket booth and the Boston Marathon pavement medallion will serve as the modern-day setting for the retelling of the suffering and death of Jesus.

 

Saturday

The Great Vigil & First Mass of Easter

6:30pm, Church of the Advent, 30 Brimmer Street, Boston

The Great Vigil of Easter is the most dramatic and moving service in the entire church year. It is a service of waiting — waiting in darkness for light to dawn, waiting in the tomb of death for life to be born — then receiving that life in baptism and the Holy Eucharist. Join us to celebrate the first mass of Easter with lights, bells, incense, hymns, and shouts of joy! Check out the article here!

 

Easter Vigil 

8:30pm, 874 Beacon Street, Boston

This service includes a choir, original music compositions, Scripture readings that outline the history of our salvation, an opportunity to reaffirm our baptismal vows, and the celebration of Holy Communion. Followed by a dessert reception that will last well past midnight! (Anglican)

 

Sunday

 

Outdoor Resurrection Sunday Worship Service

1:00 to 4:00pm, Ramsay Park, Boston

Join us to serve the community with worship, prayer, food , clothes, song, dance and the Word!

 

All week

“Sacred Spaces”

 Monday through Saturday at Grace Chapel Lexington and Grace Chapel Wilmington

Sacred Spaces: a self-guided retreat experience is designed to help you find time and space to reflect in the days leading up to Easter. Times vary slightly; click on the link for precise times at each campus.

    http://www.grace.org/easter/#tab-sacred-spaces  

 

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