The Memorial Church of Harvard University
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MemChurch Update

October 16, 2021

Your Church This Week 

The UChoir and the music staff of the Memorial Church gathered at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University for a little time in changing colors of nature.

From the Memorial Church

Dear friends,

Today, our weekly newsletter features an excerpt from Imam Dr. Khalil Abdur-Rashid's Sunday sermon, "Remembering Our Sacred Teachings and Living Accordingly." We also bring you the next video episode of MemChurch School; and above, a peek into the Harvard University Choir's fall retreat. 

Be sure to go to the MemChurch website for the latest news, events and features. And please join us tomorrow for Sunday worship in the sanctuary of the Memorial Church, or streamed live on WHRB 95.3 FM beginning at 11 a.m. Our preacher this week is the Rev. Matthew Ichihashi Potts, Ph.D., Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church. We look forward to seeing you!

The Memorial Church of Harvard University

CHURCH SCHOOL

Lessons with the Rev. Calvon Jones

MemChurch School : Episode 2, "Be a Servant for Christ"

Church School Students!

The Rev. Jones and the Church School team are excited bring you the next episode of MemChurch School, digital edition. Each video is fun, exciting and educational, with lessons steeped in stories of love and humanity. Take a virtual journey to a digital place where the Bible comes to life. Explore our YouTube Playlist.

For more information about Church School programs contact
the Rev. Calvon Jones, Assistant Minister, the Memorial Church.

SUNDAY SERMON

Iman Dr. Khalil Abdur-Rashid

Remember Our Sacred Teachings and Living Accordingly  
 

By Imam Dr. Khalil Abdur-Rashid
Muslim Chaplain to Harvard University

Excerpt from Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021


In this beautiful sacred space I'm reminded of my roots. I grew up in the south, in Atlanta, Georgia, in the black church actually. My late father used to study the sacred text. He used to study the Bible with Dr. King. He used to refer to the sacred scripture as the teaching, and indeed in the Islamic tradition, we have the same reference as well the sacred text, the scripture, divine revelation as our teachings. One day my father was late to class, to Bible study, he got into a street fight.

When he showed up to Dr King's class, it was obvious that he had gotten into a scuffle, a fight. So, Dr. King said, "What happened to my son?" My father, explained what happened. Somebody provoked him, somebody pushed him and Dr. King said, "Well, did you have to react like that?" My father said, "Well, yes, absolutely, had to be tough, had to respond in this manner." Dr. King, he said, "My son, so long as you follow other people's dictates, you will always be a slave. You forgot your teachings. You don't follow other people's dictates no matter how hard they push, no matter how hard they provoke, no matter how convinced you think your feelings might make you. How you feel about the matter is one thing. What your teachings tell you about the matter, what your scripture reminds you of about the matter might be another, you must be a student of your teachings."

Our sacred text, as was recited earlier, tells us a teaching has come to you. It's not just a history lesson. It's a teaching. A teaching from your Lord. The Lord whom you worship. The one who's created you, who sustained you, who's bestowed infinite amounts of blessings and grace, who has not abandoned you, though at times, we tend to abandon him, who has not forsaken you, and certainly not forgotten about you. A teaching has come and in this teaching, we are reminded in the Quranic scripture that it's not just a teaching, but it's a healing as well.

It's a healing for what's in the hearts...
 
LISTEN TO AND READ THE FULL SERMON

 Upcoming Events and Services

The Memorial Church is following health and safety guidelines for the wellbeing of Harvard and the surrounding communities. Face coverings continue to be required in all indoor University spaces for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. This is an ever-changing situation, so please review the latest guidelines before attending services or other events on campus.

WORSHIP and EVENTS

Sunday Worship
Oct. 17, 11 a.m.
Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost
Preacher: The Rev. Matthew Ichihashi Potts, Ph.D., Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church, Plummer Professor of Christian Morals, Faculty of Divinity. Anthems: Jonathan Dove: In Beauty May I Walk; Edward Bairstow: Blessed City, Heavenly Salem.The service will be in the sanctuary of the Memorial Church and broadcast and streamed on WHRB 95.3 FM. A recording of the service will be available on our website. 

Faith & Life Forum
Oct. 17, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Buttrick Room; online Zoom

Speaker: Jorden Sharick, Ph.D. candidate, North American Religions and Social Sciences, Harvard University. The Faith & Life Forum explores matters of faith and public life through readings, discussion, interviews, and lectures. The discussion is accessible in person at the Memorial Church, or virtually on Zoom. To participate online, please register here. Those attending the forum in person will be asked to register on site. All are welcome.

Church School
Oct. 17, 11:15 a.m - 12:15 p.m.

Church School is offered on Sunday mornings during Sunday services throughout the academic year. The program is for children ages 3 through 16. It is part of a nurturing Christian environment that strives to honor the intelligence, creativity, and diversity of the children in our care. For more information, please contact the Rev. Calvon Jones, Assistant Minister, the Memorial Church, and go to our Church School page.

Morning Prayers
Oct. 18 - Oct. 22, 8:30 - 8:45 a.m.

Monday: Vanessa Zoltan MDiv '15; Tuesday: The Rev. Alanna Sullivan; Wednesday: The Rev. Emmanuel K. Akyeampong; Thursday: Kevin Bryant, Affiliated Minister, the Memorial Church; Friday: Francis X. Clooney, S.J.

Evensong
Oct. 21, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

A service of Choral Evensong, sung by Harvard University Choir. Led by Edward E. Jones, Gund University Organist and Choirmaster, the Memorial Church. 

Sunday Worship
Oct. 24, 11 a.m.
Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost
Preacher: The Rev. Teddy Hickman-Maynard, Associate Dean for Ministry Studies, Harvard Divinity School. Anthems: Eurydice V. Osterman: Create in Me a Clean Heart; Shawn Kirchner (arr.): Unclouded Day.The service will be in the sanctuary of the Memorial Church and broadcast and streamed on WHRB 95.3 FM. A recording of the service will be available on our website. 
 
SUNDAY ORDER OF WORSHIP

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The Memorial Church of Harvard University
Educating Minds | Expanding Hearts | Enriching Lives
web: memorialchurch.harvard.edu
email: memorialchurch@harvard.edu
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