On Thursday, June 20, we will be heading out into Boston to learn, explore, and play. Check out the options below. There may be a few more added as the conference approaches. Dinner is on your own that night.
Museum of Fine Arts (MFA)
Leader: Thea Keith-Lucas, Episcopal Chaplain at MIT, and Andrew Heisen, Lutheran Chaplain at MIT
The Museum of Fine Arts has a wide-ranging collection, from ancient to contemporary art and representing cultures from around the world. It is particularly known for its Impressionist paintings. The special exhibitions right now are Toulouse-Lautrec and the Stars of Paris and Gender-Bending Fashion. The MFA is 1.2 miles from BU; it will take about half an hour to get there on the T ($2.75 in cash). We’ve picked some highlights to look at together, or you can head to your favorite gallery on your own. The museum is open until 10 pm on Thursdays so you'll have plenty of time to explore. Admission is $25.
Harvard Square: Sanctuary and Campus Ministry Church and Student-Run Shelters
Leader: Jayms Battaglia, Campus and Community Organizer @ University Lutheran Church
UniLu (University Lutheran Church) is a campus ministry that began is 1928 on and around the Harvard campus. In 1950 the congregation purchased the existing building in Harvard Square where we house the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter and are a Sanctuary church. In 1983 the then pastor, Fred Reisz and students began a meal program to offer meals and food to go for folks experiencing homelessness, one year later the shelter became a place of refuge for many in the coldest months of the year. Today, 37 years later, the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter was the first student run shelter until a few years ago when two former student staff members began a youth and young adult shelter, Y2Y Harvard Square. Each shelter is run entirely by student staff members, undergraduates at Harvard College. Join us for an afternoon of conversations with student staff members and a tour of both shelters. There are many fun and interesting restaurants in Harvard Square for dinner too!
Jayms Battaglia is the Campus and Community Coordinator at UniLu working alongside the student staff members of the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter. Jayms (she/her/hers) has been with UniLu since 2003, prior she was a youth minister at the UU Church of Reading, MA and the program coordinator for GLBTQ programs for the Girls Scouts of Eastern MA. Jayms brings experience working with young people, GLBTQ youth, and youth transitioning out of gangs, specifically young girls. In her free time Jayms enjoys spending time with her partner, Janet; their two dogs, Forest and Jenny; reading, writing, hiking, and with friends in Florida.
Visit to Boston’s North End and Worship at Historic Old North Church (www.oldnorth.com)
Leaders: Megan Holding, Episcopal Chaplain at Boston College and Northeastern University and Steve Ayres, Vicar of Old North Church
“One if by land, two if by sea . . . ” Famous for its steeple’s role in the American Revolution, Old North Church in Boston’s North End is the oldest standing Episcopal Church in the City of Boston. Built in 1723, it housed a well-established worshipping community by April, 18, 1775, when the church’s sexton hung two lanterns in its steeple as a signal at the start of Paul Revere’s famous ride. Old North (or Christ Church, Boston), remains the home of an active Episcopal community; it's affiliated Foundation runs important preservation and educational programs at this historic site, a part of Boston’s Freedom Trail.
We’ll meet the current Vicar of Old North at Faneuil Hall and he will guide a walking tour into Boston’s Historic North End, the city’s Little Italy. We’ll arrive at Old North Church in time for a tour of the church and Evening Prayer, and then enjoy dinner at one of the many nearby Italian restaurants. We will make a free-will offering to the church; dinner on each of us. History, prayer, and pasta -- the makings of a great outing!
The Black Heritage Trail
Join us for a walking tour which explores the history of Boston’s 19th c. African American community. Between 1800 and 1900, most of the African Americans in the city lived in what was then called the West End and now known as the North Slope of Beacon Hill. Lead by public historian and former State Representative Byron Rushing, we will begin at the African Meeting House, the oldest black church building still standing in the United States, and then spend about an hour walking by a unique collection of houses and institutional buildings used and built by that black community.
Note the walk is hilly. Meet at Government Center stop on the Green Line.
Leader: The Honorable Byron Rushing
Church Crawl: Trinity Copley Square, Emmanuel Boston, The Crossing
[tentative; pending confirmation]
Leader: Will Harron, BU School of Theology Class of 2020, Life Together Alum, and Former Faith in Action Coordinator for schools in the Boston/Cambridge area, and long-time member of The Crossing
Boston is home to many wonderful churches engaged in a wide variety of ministries, and we’d like to introduce you to a few! This walking tour will head first to Trinity Church in Copley Square. Designed by H.H. Richardson, filled with LaFarge murals, home of Phillips Brooks, the church itself is an important architectural and historic site in Boston. The Episcopal congregation it houses is vibrant with wonderful music, outreach, and formation ministries.
After a tour and conversation at Trinity, we will visit Emmanuel Church on Newbury Street. Built in the 1860s, this church, with its beautiful sanctuary and the adjacent Lindsay Chapel, currently houses both and Episcopal congregation and a Jewish congregation. In addition to its strong music program, Emmanuel is best-known for its commitment to ministries of social justice. Common Art, an all-day open art studio for unhoused persons takes place each week at Emmanuel; and Emmanuel is a central part of Boston Warm, a series of sites offering shelter during the cold Boston winters.
From Emmanuel, the group will walk through Boston’s beautiful Public Garden (with its famous Swan Boats) and the historic Boston Common to join The Crossing congregation for dinner and worship. The Crossing is one of five worshipping congregations at the Episcopal Cathedral, and has particular charisms of hospitality, inclusion, and social justice. Lead priest Tamra Tucker will be a presenter at our conference, and she and the community welcome the group to community dinner followed by a Eucharist service.
Fenway Park: Come tour the home of our 2018 World Series Champions Boston Red Sox!
Leader: TBD
"America's Most Beloved Ballpark" is uniquely nestled in the city of Boston. Fenway Park is a place where dreams are made, traditions are celebrated and baseball is forever. See the home of Red Sox Legends, Williams, Yaz, Fisk and Rice. Visit Pesky's Pole and sit atop the world famous Green Monster which stands 37 feet 2 inches high overlooking left field. Our experienced tour guides will provide a thrilling, one hour, walking tour of Fenway Park. Bilingual tours are available in Spanish and Japanese with advance notice. We welcome all fans to Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox and the pulse of Red Sox Nation. Cost for the tour $15 per person.
Boston Waterfront: Choose Your Own Adventure
Leader: Joyce DeGreeff, Lutheran Chaplain at Northeastern University
We’ll begin by exploring the public walkway along the water's edge which offers parks, public art, street entertainment and other cultural and historical attractions - not to mention amazing vistas of the harbor. Then we can branch out according to interest:
New England Aquarium
https://www.neaq.org
Boston Duck Boat Tour
https://www.bostonducktours.com
Institute of Contemporary Art
https://www.icaboston.org
Harbor Islands Sunset Cruise
https://www.bostonharborcruises.com/harbor-islands/
Other Options Easily Accessible by Public Transportation:
African-American Museum/Black Heritage Trail (Museum closes at 4pm)
https://www.nps.gov/boaf/index.htm
Museum of Science
https://www.mos.org
Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall: street performers, shops, food and drink
http://www.quincy-market.com
https://faneuilhallmarketplace.com
Leader: Thea Keith-Lucas, Episcopal Chaplain at MIT, and Andrew Heisen, Lutheran Chaplain at MIT
The Museum of Fine Arts has a wide-ranging collection, from ancient to contemporary art and representing cultures from around the world. It is particularly known for its Impressionist paintings. The special exhibitions right now are Toulouse-Lautrec and the Stars of Paris and Gender-Bending Fashion. The MFA is 1.2 miles from BU; it will take about half an hour to get there on the T ($2.75 in cash). We’ve picked some highlights to look at together, or you can head to your favorite gallery on your own. The museum is open until 10 pm on Thursdays so you'll have plenty of time to explore. Admission is $25.
Harvard Square: Sanctuary and Campus Ministry Church and Student-Run Shelters
Leader: Jayms Battaglia, Campus and Community Organizer @ University Lutheran Church
UniLu (University Lutheran Church) is a campus ministry that began is 1928 on and around the Harvard campus. In 1950 the congregation purchased the existing building in Harvard Square where we house the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter and are a Sanctuary church. In 1983 the then pastor, Fred Reisz and students began a meal program to offer meals and food to go for folks experiencing homelessness, one year later the shelter became a place of refuge for many in the coldest months of the year. Today, 37 years later, the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter was the first student run shelter until a few years ago when two former student staff members began a youth and young adult shelter, Y2Y Harvard Square. Each shelter is run entirely by student staff members, undergraduates at Harvard College. Join us for an afternoon of conversations with student staff members and a tour of both shelters. There are many fun and interesting restaurants in Harvard Square for dinner too!
Jayms Battaglia is the Campus and Community Coordinator at UniLu working alongside the student staff members of the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter. Jayms (she/her/hers) has been with UniLu since 2003, prior she was a youth minister at the UU Church of Reading, MA and the program coordinator for GLBTQ programs for the Girls Scouts of Eastern MA. Jayms brings experience working with young people, GLBTQ youth, and youth transitioning out of gangs, specifically young girls. In her free time Jayms enjoys spending time with her partner, Janet; their two dogs, Forest and Jenny; reading, writing, hiking, and with friends in Florida.
Visit to Boston’s North End and Worship at Historic Old North Church (www.oldnorth.com)
Leaders: Megan Holding, Episcopal Chaplain at Boston College and Northeastern University and Steve Ayres, Vicar of Old North Church
“One if by land, two if by sea . . . ” Famous for its steeple’s role in the American Revolution, Old North Church in Boston’s North End is the oldest standing Episcopal Church in the City of Boston. Built in 1723, it housed a well-established worshipping community by April, 18, 1775, when the church’s sexton hung two lanterns in its steeple as a signal at the start of Paul Revere’s famous ride. Old North (or Christ Church, Boston), remains the home of an active Episcopal community; it's affiliated Foundation runs important preservation and educational programs at this historic site, a part of Boston’s Freedom Trail.
We’ll meet the current Vicar of Old North at Faneuil Hall and he will guide a walking tour into Boston’s Historic North End, the city’s Little Italy. We’ll arrive at Old North Church in time for a tour of the church and Evening Prayer, and then enjoy dinner at one of the many nearby Italian restaurants. We will make a free-will offering to the church; dinner on each of us. History, prayer, and pasta -- the makings of a great outing!
The Black Heritage Trail
Join us for a walking tour which explores the history of Boston’s 19th c. African American community. Between 1800 and 1900, most of the African Americans in the city lived in what was then called the West End and now known as the North Slope of Beacon Hill. Lead by public historian and former State Representative Byron Rushing, we will begin at the African Meeting House, the oldest black church building still standing in the United States, and then spend about an hour walking by a unique collection of houses and institutional buildings used and built by that black community.
Note the walk is hilly. Meet at Government Center stop on the Green Line.
Leader: The Honorable Byron Rushing
Church Crawl: Trinity Copley Square, Emmanuel Boston, The Crossing
[tentative; pending confirmation]
Leader: Will Harron, BU School of Theology Class of 2020, Life Together Alum, and Former Faith in Action Coordinator for schools in the Boston/Cambridge area, and long-time member of The Crossing
Boston is home to many wonderful churches engaged in a wide variety of ministries, and we’d like to introduce you to a few! This walking tour will head first to Trinity Church in Copley Square. Designed by H.H. Richardson, filled with LaFarge murals, home of Phillips Brooks, the church itself is an important architectural and historic site in Boston. The Episcopal congregation it houses is vibrant with wonderful music, outreach, and formation ministries.
After a tour and conversation at Trinity, we will visit Emmanuel Church on Newbury Street. Built in the 1860s, this church, with its beautiful sanctuary and the adjacent Lindsay Chapel, currently houses both and Episcopal congregation and a Jewish congregation. In addition to its strong music program, Emmanuel is best-known for its commitment to ministries of social justice. Common Art, an all-day open art studio for unhoused persons takes place each week at Emmanuel; and Emmanuel is a central part of Boston Warm, a series of sites offering shelter during the cold Boston winters.
From Emmanuel, the group will walk through Boston’s beautiful Public Garden (with its famous Swan Boats) and the historic Boston Common to join The Crossing congregation for dinner and worship. The Crossing is one of five worshipping congregations at the Episcopal Cathedral, and has particular charisms of hospitality, inclusion, and social justice. Lead priest Tamra Tucker will be a presenter at our conference, and she and the community welcome the group to community dinner followed by a Eucharist service.
Fenway Park: Come tour the home of our 2018 World Series Champions Boston Red Sox!
Leader: TBD
"America's Most Beloved Ballpark" is uniquely nestled in the city of Boston. Fenway Park is a place where dreams are made, traditions are celebrated and baseball is forever. See the home of Red Sox Legends, Williams, Yaz, Fisk and Rice. Visit Pesky's Pole and sit atop the world famous Green Monster which stands 37 feet 2 inches high overlooking left field. Our experienced tour guides will provide a thrilling, one hour, walking tour of Fenway Park. Bilingual tours are available in Spanish and Japanese with advance notice. We welcome all fans to Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox and the pulse of Red Sox Nation. Cost for the tour $15 per person.
Boston Waterfront: Choose Your Own Adventure
Leader: Joyce DeGreeff, Lutheran Chaplain at Northeastern University
We’ll begin by exploring the public walkway along the water's edge which offers parks, public art, street entertainment and other cultural and historical attractions - not to mention amazing vistas of the harbor. Then we can branch out according to interest:
New England Aquarium
https://www.neaq.org
Boston Duck Boat Tour
https://www.bostonducktours.com
Institute of Contemporary Art
https://www.icaboston.org
Harbor Islands Sunset Cruise
https://www.bostonharborcruises.com/harbor-islands/
Other Options Easily Accessible by Public Transportation:
African-American Museum/Black Heritage Trail (Museum closes at 4pm)
https://www.nps.gov/boaf/index.htm
Museum of Science
https://www.mos.org
Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall: street performers, shops, food and drink
http://www.quincy-market.com
https://faneuilhallmarketplace.com