UniteBoston

Nurturing Relational Connections Across Boston's Christian Community

All-Night Vigil for St. Richard of Wessex

Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Somerville, MA invites you to experience a unique event – a Byzantine rite All-Night Vigil (Vespers, Orthros, and Divine Liturgy served together) commemorating St. Richard of Wessex, one of the great saints of early medieval England.

While St. Richard is celebrated on the Greek Orthodox calendar, the full liturgical office for him, save for a lone Latin antiphon, was only recently composed and first celebrated last year.

Come and share this unique blessing with us – an All-Night Vigil commemorating a saint of the British Isles who died in Italy traveling to Jerusalem, celebrated today by a Greek Orthodox community in New England, with an office composed in English specifically for Greek Orthodox use, that will be sung according to the tradition and practice of Byzantine chant.

And if your name is Richard – come celebrate your name day with us!

A BRIEF LIFE:
St. Richard of Wessex (+722 A.D.) was a king in Anglia who, with his wife St. Wuna, raised his children Ss. Willibald, Winnibald, and Walpurga in the Christian faith, but remained focused on his own worldly concerns and privileges as king.

Eventually, St. Richard’s children lovingly reproached him. They implored him to set a Christian example for them, just as Noah had first entered the Ark ahead of his children, and to heed the words of our Lord to give away all that he had and follow Christ.

St. Richard heard his children’s rebuke and repented. With tears in his eyes, he cast off his crown and distributed his wealth. His sons convinced him to go with them on pilgrimage to visit holy sites in Rome and Jerusalem, and they set out on the journey.

In Lucca, Italy, St. Richard fell ill and reposed in the Lord. Ss. Willibald and Winnibald buried him at the church of Saint Frigdian (San Frediano).

Miracles and healings began to occur at St. Richard’s tomb, leading to his veneration and glorification as a saint. His son, St. Willibald, became bishop of Eichstätt in modern-day Bavaria, and had relics of his father translated to his cathedral there as well.

Leading Boldly in the Midst of a Community in Crisis

Join us for Vision New England’s Women in Christian Leadership “Leading Well” forum, featuring Rev. Gloria White-Hammond, entitled “Leading Boldly in the Midst of a Community in Crisis.”

Historians often discuss watershed moments—critical turning points in history that fundamentally change how people think about and do life. The past 1 ½ years has been a quintessential watershed moment in which many communities have experienced multiple painful crises simultaneously. Just as God raised up and equipped Esther to respond to the crisis in her day, God is calling today’s Christian women leaders to step up with conviction, step out on faith and step forward with courage.

Rev. Gloria White-Hammond, M.D. is co-pastor of Bethel AME Church in Boston and a pediatrician who long practiced at the South End Community Health Center. She also co-directs the Harvard Medical School and Harvard Divinity School course, “Medicine and Spirituality in Healing.” Rev. Gloria is a longtime champion of health equity and publicly speaks about COVID-19 vaccination as a pastor and a physician, especially in communities of color. Rev. Gloria’s innovative ministries include Do The Write Thing, a creative writing mentoring ministry for high-risk adolescent girls; My Sister’s Keeper,  www.mskeeper.org , a humanitarian and human rights organization that champions social justice for women and girls in conflict zones; and Shatter the Silence, a ministry that addresses sexual victimization in communities of faith.

Esther: For Such A Time As This

This April 2020 New Life Fine Arts Musical Theater presents an original musical adaptation “Esther: For Such A Time As This” at the Groton Dunstable Performing Arts Center, 344 Main St. Groton, MA. (Use 343 Main St for GPS directions)

The story of a girl with two names; one hidden.

The story of two kings; one hidden.

A story of two decrees: one to destroy a people, the other to save a people.

That which is hidden comes to light in this new musical adaptation of the Biblical story of a Jewish orphan who becomes Queen to the Persian Emperor, King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) at a time when his reign has become plagued with political intrigue, plots of sabotage and genocide that threaten the unity of the Empire.

A company of 80 actors, singers, and dancers with a live orchestra will transport audiences to the magnificent winter palace of King Ahasuerus in the 5th century BC Persian capital city of Susa.

Eight Performances: April 17-26
Evenings at 7:30 p.m. April 17,18, 24,25
Matinees at 2:30 p.m. April. 18,19, 25, 26

Visit our tickets (http://www.newlifefinearts.org/tickets) page for online ordering, more details and special pricing offers.

“Esther: A New Musical Drama” is directed by Concord composer, David MacAdam. Music arranged, orchestrated and conducted by Peter Vantine

Paint n’ Peel

There is more to painting than just the finished product. The journey toward the end is what makes the finished product meaningful.

At our parties, you not only get to BE the artist behind your masterpiece, but you also get to explore deeper parts of yourself through guided reflection and activities. Growing as an artist by learning visual art techniques, while also growing personally; a living double entendre.

This Valentine’s Day, learn to love yourself well to exude love well onto others. The Christian involvement during our event will the the theme topic discussion on love. In leading the discussion, insertions on how and who God calls us to love will be discussed, while merging it to creation as He has it.

RSVP

Spend a fun night with

  • Yourself tapping into your creativity
  • Your spouse/partner for Date Night
  • Your friends for a Girls Night Out/ Guys Night Out
  • Your family member (Mommy & Me/ Daddy & Me)
  • Your colleague (post-work festivities)

Kissed by the Son: Revive and Reform!

Kissed by the Son: Revive and Reform, July 12-14 at The Moody Center of Northfield, MA, is focused on experiencing and knowing the love and reviving presence of God, and bringing God’s kingdom to our spheres of influence, resulting in reformation in America. The topic also anticipates the upcoming 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ landing in 2020.

Guest speakers include Eric Metaxas, Chuck Pierce, Paul Jehle, Jon and Jolene Hamill, Phil Zaldatte and Mark Fee. Workshops by Dick and Mardi Keyes and John Rankin. Worship provided by local New England bands. Registration available for the whole conference with onsite lodging and meals, or by the day. Go to www.firstloveworks.org to register and for complete information.


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