Life of the Church
SUNDAY AUG 1, 2021
Announcements
Reopening Information
We are excited to worship with you in the church building once again! The following information is intended to help us transition to in-person worship as smoothly as possible:
- Sunday Service Guidelines
- A statement of thanksgiving to God for his provision through the vaccines and advice to congregants from the Medical Task Force.
- Family Ministry Guidelines
Section 1. SUNDAY SERVICE GUIDELINES
These guidelines were developed and approved by the Reopening Work Group (ROWG) after considering many factors. The ROWG received counsel from the Medical Task Force (MTF) as well. The ROWG comprises five staff, two elders, and one member of the MTF. The ROWG will continue revisiting these guidelines and make further adjustments as needed.
- The 8:30 AM, 11:00 AM, and 4:00 PM services are now open to all worshipers!
- Masks are not required, but the MTF advises all who are unvaccinated (including ministers, choir members, ushers, greeters, adults, and children) to wear masks during the services and at all times while in the building.
- There will be no social distancing required on the floor of the sanctuary, though this may be practiced as attendance allows.
- The balconies will be reserved for socially distanced seating and for those wearing masks.
- The Fellowship Hall will be open as an alternative place for worship. The service will be streamed and masks will be worn and social distancing will occur.
- Singing will occur throughout the services on the floor and balcony of the sanctuary but not in the Fellowship Hall.
- Stay-at-home or outdoor virtual worship will be supported. If you are gathering in a group to worship virtually and would like support, please contact Kris Perkins.
- The Welcome Center will be used before, between, and after services for fellowship.
- No pre-registration will occur for worship attendees, but families will be required to pre-register in Realm if planning to use Children’s Church and Nursery to ensure we have proper staff and volunteers to care for our children.
- The facilities are available for use by ministries of the church. As always, space must be requested from and approved by the Facilities staff prior to use. Please contact them here to request space.
Section 2. GIVING THANKS TO GOD & A NOTE FROM THE MTF
Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! – Psalm 115:1
With grateful hearts we praise our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who alone is the Healer of all diseases (Exodus 15:26). The God of all mercy is the reason for the end of this pandemic. We are deeply grateful for the many clinicians who risked their lives during the pandemic, and the scientists and public health providers who have tirelessly developed and distributed the Covid-19 vaccines. Even so, we are especially reminded that it is God in His providence (Proverbs 16:9) who gives us every breath to understand (Job 32:8), opening the human mind to scientific discovery (Daniel 2:21), who is the true Healer in this pandemic (Psalm 103:3). Like the leper who returned to Jesus with thanksgiving for his healing (Luke 17:15), even so we return thanksgiving for His merciful provision received through the Covid-19 vaccines.
In light of this good gift, we have asked the Medical Task Force to offer final advice to congregants concerning health questions pertaining the Covid-19 vaccines. As followers of Jesus Christ and fellow congregants, the Medical Task Force has helped the church navigate these health complexities. We are indebted to this dedicated and talented team of clinicians and scientists, who are also disciples of Jesus, and our brothers and sisters, who have taken considerable time to counsel the congregation on these confusing health-related questions.
A note from the Medical Task Force to the congregation:
Dear Fellow Park Streeters,
It has been a long time of being away from each other in worship and other vital activities of our Park Street community during this pandemic. Our congregation has been blessed to continue in worship some in person and some virtually and all safely, by God’s grace! We are grateful to be returning to in-person worship services. In light of regathering, we offer the following information in support of our fellow congregational members.
- We believe that it is safe for vaccinated individuals to regather for normal worship and other church activities in light of declining numbers of Covid-19 cases and deaths in Massachusetts, with recent rapid improvement due to vaccinations.
- We urge all congregants to not delay in seeking vaccination. The vaccination of one person in our community contributes to the health of our whole community.
- The Covid-19 vaccines have been rigorously tested using the best available science without cutting corners. After examining the evidence, we have full confidence that the vaccines are trustworthy and safe.
- The vaccines are highly protective from multiple strains of the virus.
- At this time, with regard to in-person worship and activities:
- We advise all unvaccinated people to wear masks while in the church building.
- Vaccinated people need not wear masks, although they are welcome to continue wearing masks if they wish.
- When singing, unvaccinated attendees are not protected from sending or receiving aerosolized virus even when wearing a mask.
- We recommend that immunocompromised people and unvaccinated people who want to come to church but are concerned about aerosols generated by singing, worship in a space reserved for them during services. In this space, all congregants can sit together to watch the live streamed service. They will all wear masks, sit distanced from each other and will not be singing.
- Getting a vaccine will speed our return to normal here at Park Street, while protecting those who cannot get vaccinated or are immunocompromised.
If congregants have additional questions about the safety or efficacy of the Covid-19 vaccines, as fellow congregants and followers of Jesus, we are available to answer questions or concerns. For more information about Covid vaccination, please see the health information from the CDC.
Section 3. FAMILY MINISTRY GUIDELINES
Family Ministries has reopened all regular summer Sunday programs at limited capacities. We have one nursery available for ages 0–2 and Children’s Church (8:30 AM — ages 3 to 6) (11:00 AM and 4:00 PM — ages 3 to Grade 3) at all three services. Pre-registration is required for your children to attend. You will pre-register your children through Realm, similar to how pre-registration for services has been happening. You can register by clicking on one of the links below.
Registration Links for June:
SUMMER COVID GUIDELINES
- Children must be pre-registered (registration closes at 11:00 PM the SAT before)
- There will be no health screening form.
- If your child presents symptoms or tests positive for Covid after attending a family ministry program, please contact Adam Herndon.
- Nursery-aged kids are not required to wear masks.
- We ask that all non-vaccinated children attending Children’s Church wear a mask as recommended by our Medical Task Force.
- Per EEC guidelines, Nursery and Children’s Church volunteers are still required to wear a mask.
- When you arrive to the church, please go the Family Ministry Check-In area to pick-up your child’s nametag and parent security tags.
Outdoor Communion at Two Locations | Sun, Aug 1 | 1:30 pm
In addition to our regular Communion services at 8:30 AM, 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM, we will be holding two outdoor communion services on SUN, AUG 1 at 1:30 PM.
Outdoor communion services will be held in the following locations:
- The Boston Common at the Parkman Bandstand.
- The corner of Mountain Ave and Linden Ave in Malden
No pre-registration is required to attend these services.
Olympic Prayer Project | Jul 23–Aug 8
Don’t just be a spectator of these Summer Olympic Games, but participate in this important world event through your prayers. Sign up to receive an email each day from JUL 23 to AUG 8. You’ll receive a daily devotional and hear from from some of our missionaries and Park Street internationals about how we can pray for their countries.
Perkins Family Update
Kris Perkins has been called to serve as the Co-Senior Pastor and eventual Senior Pastor of Triangle Grace Church in Durham, NC. Kris will serve this upcoming year in partnership with Ray Cobb, the current senior minister, who is preparing for retirement. Kris, Laura, and Tabitha will leave for Durham the second week of August and will return to Boston for a few days at the beginning of September to take Josiah to Springfield College for his Freshman year. Kris’s work email as of September 1 will be [email protected].
Elders Meeting Notes
Minutes from the Board of Elders meeting held on WED, JUN 16 are available for reading and are posted on the bulletin board in the Ockenga Lobby. They are also viewable online via a link in this week’s eNews. For privacy and security, some items may have been removed or edited in the web version.
Park Street Clothing Pantry
The Park Street Clothing Pantry is in need of gently used summer clothing donations. We are currently accepting all men’s and women’s sizes, and we especially need men’s sizes large & XL and belts. We cannot accept children’s clothing at this time. Please consider cleaning out your closets and sharing those items you rarely use!
Items can be dropped off during Park Street business hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM and on Sundays.
Questions: Email Kimberley Morrison
Nominations for Elder Candidates
Please pray for the future leaders of the church and for those tasked with identifying them.
If you know a Park Street member who would be a good elder candidate, the Nominating Committee would like to hear from you! Click below to email the Nominating Committee and let us know. Please include the person’s name and contact info (if you have it) as well as a few reasons why you think that person should be an elder.
EMAIL THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Coffee Hour Serving
Do you enjoy drinking coffee, savoring homemade sweets, and chatting with your brothers and sisters after church services? We are in search of volunteers to serve and bring sweets for coffee hour over the summer.
The sign-up form below lists seven Sundays between JUL 25 and SEP 5. Choose the slot(s) which suit your schedule, considering which service you will be attending — 8:30 AM, 11:00 AM, or 4:00 PM. More detailed information and instructions can be found on the form. We hope you take advantage of this opportunity to serve our community!
Questions: Email Kimberley Morrison
Park Street Church Food Bank Volunteers Needed
- Mondays, 8:45 AM
All-Church Prayer - August Schedule
Our All-Church prayer schedule this month includes two Boston United Worship Services hosted by local churches. Please join us!
August
-
- FRI, AUG 6, 7:00 PM – Boston United Worship Service at Jubilee Christian Church
- SAT, AUG 14, 8:30 AM – Zoom Prayer led by Chris & Doug May
- FRI, AUG 20, 7:00 PM – Boston United Worship Service at Lion of Judah Church
- SAT, AUG 28, 8:30 AM – Zoom Prayer led by Park Street Missions
Details about these and other events can be found on the events page!
Community
Outdoor Coffee Hour | Aug 1 | morning and evening services
If you would like to spend time with others during Coffee Hour on Sundays, but would prefer some fresh air and social distance, we invite you to join us on the Common this Sunday (weather permitting)! Look for a welcome team on the grass immediately across from the church between the 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM services and after the 4:00 PM service.
Welcome International Students
“I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35)
Join us in welcoming international students to Boston this fall! We are seeking volunteers to provide occasional help to international students in areas such as transportation (i.e., picking them up from Logan Airport or giving them occasional rides to places), hospitality (i.e., offering them a room to rent or having them over for a meal…especially a holiday meal), cultural orientation (i.e., showing them around a grocery store or coaching them on using the T), etc.
International students come to us from countries all around the world, including some countries where there are only a few or no gospel witnesses. Please consider sharing the love of Christ with these students and helping them get connected to our community. Sign up here or contact Roselle Heckendorn at [email protected].
International Luncheon (Aug 8) Canceled
Registration Now Open for All - Church Camp | Aug 25-29
We are thrilled to be back with our church family at Camp Laurel South in Casco, Maine this summer! Our theme for camp is “Together.” This year we will focus on spending as much time as we can outdoors, including our meeting times and meals.
Things to do: soccer, tennis, gaga, swimming, volleyball, fishing, ultimate frisbee, climbing wall, zipline, ping pong, slip-n-slide, tubing, lake cruises, canoeing, inflatable waterslide, kayaking, crafts, and much, much more!
Young Adults are planning a full-day excursion on Saturday, August 28, as well as some other activities.
More details are available on the registration page. We hope to see you there!
Details about these and other events can be found on the events page!
Jobs
Director of Facilities Management
Park Street Church is looking for qualified applicants for the Director of Facilities Management. This position is responsible for managing Park Street’s downtown properties, as well as overseeing the stewardship of the Wilson House campus in Cambridge, MA, and the operational infrastructure (mechanical, electrical, security, HVAC, technological, etc.) of these critical assets. The position is also responsible for safety and security of the church’s properties and the church’s technology footprint and its efficient and secure operation.
Ministries Administrative Assistant
Park Street Church is hiring for the position of Ministries Administrative Assistant. This position will report directly to the Senior Minister while serving as part of the Ministries Team. The Ministries Administrative Assistant will work in collaboration with the Missions Administrator and the Administration Administrative Assistant as well as the Church Administrator, Financial Controller, Director of Facilities Management, and Director of Communications to better enable the church to faithfully fulfill its mission.
Lexington Christian Academy Job Openings
Lexington Christian Academy (LCA) is hiring a Residential Life Coordinator and Dorm Parent positions. Are you interested in education and youth development? Are you looking for a creative way to tackle the high cost of housing in the Boston area? Are you working part-time or taking graduate classes? Consider being part of the residential community at Lexington Christian Academy.
Find more information about these and other LCA job openings at the link below.
Details about these and other opportunities can be found on our jobs page!