Welcome to Spring Term 2026
Dear Friends,
Spring term in Cambridge begins in cold and darkness each year. Some years are darker than others. The last months have been trying ones, to say the least, and unrest and uncertainty threaten many of us in many ways. But it was precisely in times such as these, times of unrest and uncertainty, times of great and manifold threat, that the light of Christ came to shine. As we embark upon this year together, may we (to borrow a line from W. H. Auden) “show an affirming flame.”
This spring, in continuation of our Noble lecture series, we will be inviting the makers of a beautiful and important new podcast to visit the church and discuss their work. The podcast, called When We All Get to Heaven, documents the work of the Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco during the most harrowing years of the AIDS epidemic. I highly recommend the podcast. It is an important account of what it means to be a church during times of great crisis and suffering, and it is easily and widely available. It is a story movingly told through interviews and archival recordings, and we’re honored that the creators will join us to discuss their work. As of this writing, a date for their visit has not yet been finalized, but please stay tuned for more information and join us for the event later this spring.
In addition to their monthly Evensong and Compline services, the music department will offer two large-scale concerts this term. On Sunday, March 1, at 4 p.m., the Harvard University Choir and Harvard Baroque Chamber Orchestra will present Handel’s virtuosic, early masterpiece from his sojourn in Rome, Dixit Dominus; and, for Harvard’s Arts Fest, the choir will perform Haydn’s majestic Heiligmesse on Sunday, May 3, at 4 p.m.
Holy Week arrives just after Spring Break this year, with Palm Sunday at the end of March. The liturgical and choral observations that week are distinctive and deeply moving, especially the solemn observances of Maundy Thursday, with foot washing and the stripping of the altar, and Good Friday’s passion recitation and meditations. As always, Easter morning will feature several celebrations, including a sunrise service at 6 am with renewal of baptismal vows, a 9 am service and Easter pageant for children and families, and our 11 am festival choral Eucharist.
On these short winter days, I often look up into the afternoon or evening dark from my window or my walk and see the steeple of our church illuminated high above campus, a beacon of who we are and of all we might become. The light does shine in the darkness. I remain so grateful for you and for our church.
Yours in Christ,
The Rev. Matthew Ichihashi Potts, Ph.D ’13
Plummer Professor of Christian Morals in the Faculty of Divinity
Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church
