Welcome!
This website is intended as a window into the community that is Church of Our Saviour. You will find information about our services and programs, about our activities for children, and our efforts to reach out to others. Beyond that you will read stories of our life together as a spiritual community that tells you a bit about who we are.
What makes us really want to be here, however, lies beyond these pages in the warmth and care of the people who make this their church. We hope you will join us on Sunday morning at 9:00 AM, and consider making Church of Our Saviour your spiritual home.
For All of Us
May 2, 2009 •
The services of the Easter Triduum were beautiful this year as the community gathered for quiet prayer, thoughtful contemplation, and joyful celebration. Beginning on the evening of Holy Thursday, our seminarian, Joyce Scheyer, preached, we washed one another’s feet and we remembered the first Eucharist. Good Friday was the moment to not look away from suffering—to stay and bear witness. The Vigil of Easter on Saturday evening took us from darkness to light. We began as always in the garden, where the new fire was lit. To the muffled drum we processed into the sanctuary, following the light. Enveloped by candlelight and incense we shared the drama as Mary Denton and Rob Hart beautifully sang the Exultet, reminding us that “This is the night…”
We listened, we sang, we prayed, and the drumbeat led us deeper in, then out and up. As the light grew and the resurrection continued, Lily reminded us that Life makes noise that we feel as much as hear. From the first noise that we feel—the beat of our mother’s heart—to the sound of a stone rolled away—we know we are never alone. The noise we hear on Easter is the sound of God’s faithfulness and love, patience and promise. It is the sound of the resurrection—the heartbeat of God. Amidst dancing branches and fresh spring flowers, Easter morning brought a festive celebration (with trumpet and trombone), of a resurrection that is for all of us. We all begin now a new life, a transformation. The celebration continued in the hall over an especially delicious coffee hour spread. Life (aka noise), was in full evidence as Kate Schell presided over the high-energy Easter Egg Hunt and deals were made regarding the consumption of chocolate and other high-sugar items.
COS Reads: My Sister, Alicia May
May 2, 2009 •
From the Boston Globe comes news of a special book by a local author that will be of particular interest to families with young children. My Sister, Alicia May, by Nancy Tupper Ling, is the story of two young girls, one of whom has Down syndrome. Nancy Tupper Ling wrote this not just about these two real sisters, but about anyone who has a sibling or a friend. Although written for children ages 4-8, Ling does not over-simplify. As Beverly Beckham says, “It is the story of what it’s like to love someone. Sometimes the people you love most irritate you the most. Sometimes you want to pretend you don’t know them. Sometimes you don’t want them tagging along. Sometimes you’re so proud of them you want to tell the world.”
This wonderfully illustrated book is a conversation starter. Like any good conversation it is about questions, not answers. It is a way to open up your child’s questions about people who are different from them. It is a continuation of what we began recently in Sunday School. Mary Knab, our resident professor of physical therapy, generously came along and answered questions on physical disabilities. What’s it like to walk with crutches? Why do some people walk differently or talk like that? If your leg breaks and it can get better, how come your spinal cord can’t?
For children to include others they need not to be afraid. Talk with them. Answer their questions. Start with a good story. As you know, you’ll probably learn a lot yourself!
COS Surfs: Open Culture
May 2, 2009 •
Open Culture is a veritable goldmine! It describes itself as an aggregator for the best free cultural and educational media on the web. It links you to audio, podcasts, and videos. You will find hundreds of free audiobooks to download, collections of free university courses (from schools some of us know and love), links to all the available podcasts from major universities all over the world, and links to podcasts from major business and law schools. There are links to the audio, podcasts, or videos from cultural programs all over the world, such as the CBC’s Best of Ideas, France Culture: Répliques, Deutsche Welle: Inspired Minds, and the Council on Foreign Relations. If music is more your thing, there are links to concerts worldwide, including our own Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and discussions in blogs and podcasts on everything from Yo Yo to Bono. Religion links of all kinds are found, of pretty good quality as indicated by a link to a certain talk given at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. Something about Judas… Once you find this site there is simply no excuse for watching Law & Order re-runs! Check it out at www.openculture.com.
Knit One, Pray Too: Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting
May 2, 2009 •
As a rule I approach efforts to mix knitting and religious matters with caution. Having explained once too often, in a past life, that pastoral studies had nothing to do with farm animals, I feel clear boundaries are best in matters of yarn and spirituality. While the world of yarn is certainly home to as many variations on a tradition as the Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church, there is still that rather nasty business between the knitters and those who crochet. Best leave interdisciplinary work to those equipped with full body armor or at least a stiff white collar.
But then I saw the pretty pictures in this book and realized that the author was none other than the Lorna of Lorna’s Laces exquisite hand-dyed yarn that is so delicious and one thing led to another.
Author Lorna Miser has produced a lovely book, Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting consisting of stories of the people who have touched her life because she had knitting in her hands. Each story is a self-contained meditation on someone who has nourished her faith, hope, and love. Lorna believes each person has crossed her path for a reason and as she reflects on the meaning of each encounter, a knitting project is inevitably involved. Accompanying each story is a pattern for something she was either knitting at the time, or inspired to knit later. The twenty projects are beautifully photographed and the aesthetics of the book are worthy of the author who has contributed so much beauty through her exquisite hand-painted yarns. The stories of her encounters will inspire you and get you to thinking about people who have touched your life while you knit. Worth breaking the usual boundaries between church and yarn, just this once!
