Thank you for getting us beyond $500,000 for 2026!

We have exceeded our pledge goal for 2026; we currently have 194 pledges totaling $509,555. From pledges of $5 to pledges of five figures, everything counts. (This is the highest pledge total since 2017!) This reflects the strength and vitality of our church right now, and puts us in a strong position for this coming year. Our stewardship theme was "Sharing the Journey", and this successful campaign is a testament to the fact that all of us--staff and volunteers, long-time members and new friends--are committed to facing our current turbulent times as a faith community. As I reflect on the past year, I am grateful for all the many ways you all share the journey with each other: caring for our children of all ages, creating music, welcoming newcomers, checking in on people who are sick and suffering, sharing time and money with those in need, tending our historic buildings, and more (much more!) These are hard times, and we need each other, and we need the God of Love. Thank you for the ways that your pledges and donations will enable us to continue this faithful work in the year ahead. Gratefully, Rev. Lindsay

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​​We're looking for another Church School Teacher — 3 hours/week at $20/hr. Join our welcoming, progressive community!  Must be available Sunday mornings 9:45-11:15am.  Spread the word and reach out: revchristine.hribar@gmail.com for details.

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Middle School Sunday Mornings at Old North!

• January 25th:  Help the Deacons! Arrive at 9:30am in the narthex to help the deacons with their duties:  handing out bulletins, lighting candles, ringing the bell.  Let me know if you have interest in a speaking part in the service!

• February 1st:  Debrief in the Youth Room-Meet in the Youth Room at 9:30 to talk about these Middle School Sunday activities, brainstorm new ideas and give feedback (first bit of feedback:  should there be food at these gatherings?)

• February 8th:  Sing with the Choir!  Arrive in the balcony at 8:45am to pick-up music and join the choir for the day!

Be in touch with Rev. Christine to get information about next week. ​​​

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Life and Living Course Postponed to February 22nd “Forgiveness” : Our first meeting in the New Year is rescheduled for February 22. I have been thinking about possible topics for the coming months – suggestions are always welcome, and have selected: “Learning to Love Your Enemies: A Conversation with Matthew Potts” . The Rev. Matthew Ichihashi Potts is Pusey Minister at Harvard’s Memorial Church and Professor of Religion and Literature at Harvard Divinity School. We live in a savage political climate and conversations with others are often troubled and fractured. The notion of “loving your enemies” taught by many religious traditions, appears rather strained in a secular world. But, whether we approach ‘forgiveness’ from a religious or secular point of view, it is a problem fraught with difficulty. Please find a copy of the transcript of the conversation with Rev. Potts in our e-newsletter, or in your email if you are on our mailing list; it might invigorate our discussion and exchange of opinions. I am looking forward to meeting again and either gather in person in the Great Room of Old North Church’s  Stacey Street Office, from 11:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M., or on-line via QR code.

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Dates are: February 22, March 22, April 26, May 31, and June 28. If you would like to join the discussions and are not on the mailing list, email: elsewiersma@comcast.net or contact the church office (781-631-1244), or email: office@onchurch.org

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There are several choral masterworks under consideration for our annual Palm Sunday Lenten Concert. If you are interested in singing this year, please contact Maria vanKalken at vankalken@gmail.com as soon as possible. The program will be formally announced next week.

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Registration and first rehearsal is Wednesday, February 18, 7:30pm-9:30pm; subsequent rehearsals will take place every Wednesday, Saturdays from 10am-12pm on March 7, 14, 21, with a mandatory Dress Rehearsal on the 28th, and the performance is Sunday March 29, at 7:30pm.

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January narthex display hosts the Prayer Shawl Ministry. The Prayer Shawl Ministry first gathered at Old North Church in 2001. Based on a ministry established in Connecticut and now practiced all over the world, over the last 24 years, ONC volunteers have knit hundreds of shawls to be given freely to members of our congregation. Our shawls wrap members in support and love, marking loss, birth, illness and celebration. We are a small heartbeat of the church that quietly touches many. Please enjoy the shawls, the printed prayers and work of ONC volunteers! Prayer Shawl Ministry meetings for winter/spring 2026 at Stacey Street (10:30am-12pm) on the following dates: January 14, February 11, March 11, April 8, May 13, June 10. Yarn + needles supplied with pattern.  Any questions? Contact Alexandra Garfield alexandradane@me.com

 

​Discussion on Immigration Enforcement Postponed to Feb 10—6:30 pm, Parish Hall
Diann Slavit Baylis and Nancy Norman, two immigration attorneys that live in Marblehead, along with Alexandra Pineros Shields, who directs the MA Public Policy Program at Brandeis, will lead a community discussion about how the community can get involved in helping local immigrants.  They have all received phone calls from residents after ICE came into Marblehead in Sept. The people who called them were desperate to know how this could happen and what they can do to help immigrants besides attending protests. Diann, Nancy, and Alexandra will address these issues in this community discussion.