Our Ministries Enrich Our Spiritual Home and Our Community

Church School for our youngest members through elementary school is offered monthly, typically on the first Sunday. Children gather with our Deacon, youth leaders, and parents to learn Bible stories, prayers, and the meaning of holy days and church seasons. Most months the sessions are completed in time for children to rejoin their families for Holy Communion.

Each fall we hold a blessing of backpacks for those starting or returning to school. We also offer special prayers, led by youth, at the start of the school year.

Through the Altar Guild, members of the congregation care for the church’s sacred vessels, vestments, and altar linens. Under the direction of the clergy, Altar Guild members prepare the sanctuary for services by setting out Communion vessels and linens, preparing the sacramental wine and hosts, ensuring the readings and prayers are correct, lighting candles, and more. Following worship services Altar Guild members remove sacred vessels to the sacristy to wash and secure. Theirs is a ministry of careful attention to detail and reverence which enhances the worship experience of all.

The word “liturgy” means the “work of the people.” Members of the Old North congregation, youth and adult alike, participate in all aspects of Sunday and holiday worship services by reading scripture lessons, offering the Prayers of the People, administering the chalice at Communion, and serving as greeters and ushers. We cherish the opportunity to provide a warm and inclusive welcome to our many visitors from across the nation and world.

Bible studies are offered on a seasonal basis, sometimes over a few weeks and at other times for longer duration. Most recently Bible studies have been held on weeknight evenings online, allowing for participation by all in the congregation. Recent studies have included the Prophets, Psalms, and the Gospels.

Cherished by members of the Old North congregation and neighbors alike, the lively Blessing of Animals ceremony is held each fall, usually on the of the afternoon first Sunday of October. Honoring St. Francis of Assisi, we welcome members, neighbors, and friends who bring their pets (or photos of pets) to the courtyard behind the church as we offer prayers and give thanks for those who bring unconditional love into our homes.

Throughout the year we invite members of the Old North congregation, staff, and friends to share their passions and interests in Sunday Forum conversations following the church service. Theses are opportunities to learn from our friends, deepen our awareness of issues of importance, and grow in our understanding of the Christian faith and life. Recent conversations have included a demonstration of the organ and the history of music at Old North by our director of music; a presentation on estate planning and wills by a member of the congregation who is a lawyer practicing in this area; an outside group who visited to explore mission and volunteer opportunities; and a visit by the Mothers Superior of the Order of St. Anne and the Sisters of St. Margaret–both Religious Orders for women in the Episcopal Church with convents in Massachusetts.

During the season of Lent congregation members undertake studies focused on deepening faith and understanding. Previous studies have included a book and discussion series on slavery and racism, a book on Christian discipleship by Archbishop Rowan Williams, and a book on the psalms. Our most recent Lenten study was of Washington DC Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s book How We Learn to be Brave. Discussion sessions are held in-person after Sunday morning services and coffee hour.

The Old North Congregation enjoys a rich and full fellowship life which includes church members and weekly visitors from across the country and world. We are always delighted to meet new and old friends from diverse backgrounds. Each Sunday church members host a coffee hour in the Parish House or lemonade outdoors in the church’s beautiful Washington courtyard. On special occasions we offer enhanced English Garden Parties with tea sandwiches, elaborate desserts, and festive drinks.

Old North maintains an especially close relationship with the British and Commonwealth communities in Boston, with many in the Congregation originally from these countries. Old North serves as the official church of the British Officers Club of New England, with the Vicar their chaplain.

Among our most cherished annual events is Remembrance Sunday on the second Sunday in November, when we welcome the members of the British and Commonwealth communities in Boston for a traditional service of Choral Matins honoring those who have died in service to their country. It always concludes with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial behind the church.

Additional services with the British and Commonwealth communities have included Royal Jubilees, a memorial for Queen Elizabeth, celebration of King Charles’ coronation, centennial commemoration of the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. We have hosted the British & Commonwealth Remembrance Project for their poppy grave marker mailings. In 2024 we added a plaque to the Memorial Garden honoring Americans who served in the Canadian Armed Forces in the two World Wars

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In early December Old North members gather on a Saturday morning to “green the campus,” hanging evergreens, wreaths, and bows on the church’s fences and doors, bringing old-time festive cheer to the neighborhood. Greens, wreaths, and bows are also hung inside the church, staying up through the Christmas season.

Ringing the oldest set of change bells in North America

Old North’s Bell Ringers Guild is a dedicated community of volunteers trained in the art of change ringing and helps in the maintenance of Old North’s bells. They are a subset of the larger MIT Guild of Bellringers. The Guild usually rehearses on Saturday afternoons in preparation for ringing on Sundays following services. The bells are usually heard each Sunday at about 12:15 p.m. The bells also are rung on special occasions, such as Lantern Services, important anniversaries, days of national or international significance, weddings, etc. Full peals (often as long as three hours) are rung on Christ the King Sunday and Easter Sunday.