Sunday School and Nursery Care

Our nursery is open for children three months to 4ish years, starting at 9:50am. Sunday school for kids aged four through 12 begins partway through the church service, following the "Moments with Children" during worship.

The week's focus in Sunday School is "Be a Witness," and James Horgan and Rev. Don will be leading. They'll explore what it means to be a witness--to see something, and to share about it. After reading a Bible story together, the group might do a guided meditation, or they might do charades--it all depends on the energy that day!

Scrabble Group

The Scrabble group continues to meet weekly in the Great Room in the Stacey Street office on Wednesdays from 2-4pm. It’s great fun and can be quite competitive. Join us!

SAVE THE DATE: Annual Meeting

The Old North Church Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, June 5 in the Parish Hall. There will be an Ice Cream Social, with Don Morgan's homemade ice cream, at 6:30 pm followed by the meeting at 7:00 pm. Agenda items include: Approval of the Minutes of the of the 339th Annual Meeting on June 7, 2023 as well as approval of the Minutes of the Annual Budget Meeting on February 4, 2024. There will also be an update on the search for a settled pastor, a financial update, a Prudential Board update, a Capital Campaign update, and a vote on Board and committee members for the 2024-2025 program year. All ministry/committee roster changes for 2024-2025 are due to the Office of the ONC by Tuesday, May 21. We need to have a quorum of 50 members in attendance in order to proceed with this very important meeting, so please mark your calendars and make every effort to attend.

HAWC Walk & 5K Run June 9^th

Gather your friends and form a team or walk individually with HAWC friends, business partners and community leaders. We need you to raise awareness and funds for HAWC's lifesaving work. Register today for this cherished community event!

Event details:

Sunday, June 9th at 10:00 am at the Salem Common, Salem, MA

Lunch included & provided by Kelly's Roast Beef and coffee by Atomic Coffee

There are many ways to step up for survivors:  

5K Road Race - Officially time-chipped with medals to top finishers

5K Walk - Stroll the historic streets of Salem

Virtual Option - Can’t join us in person? No problem! You will be able to run or walk virtually from anywhere in the world!

Afterwards enjoy our Family Fun Festival featuring:

An adorable Pet Parade led by the Hound & Country Pet Care

5K Road race award ceremony

Kids races and games 

Register for the event here.

Can't make the walk but want still want to donate, click here.

Spotlight on New Members:

Rick and Sue Settelmeyer

Sue and Rick moved to Marblehead in 1966. Over the next ten years they had four children during which time Rick worked in Boston and Sue developed into an excellent varsity girls coach. Time moved fast with four children but during this period Sue and Rick helped launch the Boys and Girls Youth Soccer Program which kept both of them busy for the next five years.

Life’s journey seemed to accelerate as their kids grew older with sports seeming to be a driving force. Marblehead had that perfect combination of good friends, good neighbors and plenty of opportunities to get involved and give back. Rick joined the Board of Gettysburg College and Sue joined the Board of the Marblehead Counseling Center. Twenty years moved quickly for Rick and Sue. "We are “owners” of 12 grandchildren with five over 21, and 7 having an average age of 14, " said Rick. For them, It has also been a period of giving back with a focus on various Marblehead and Lynn based charities including two Ys (Marblehead and Lynn), a charter school, a library and an early education charity. And the good news is that recently they have become members of Old North Church after a 50 year courtship. WELCOME to church membership, RICK AND SUE!

From the Music Ministry Board



A heartfelt thank you to all who attended our rollicking Music Sunday (Jazz Sunday) and contributed to our Music Patrons Fund campaign! As evidenced by our jazzy service last week – on Mother’s Day – it is your generous support of our Music Patrons Fund that enables us to provide such amazing music. If you missed our celebration – complete with a spectacular jazz trio, our four gifted soloists, our wonderful Senior Choir, and all under the leadership of our Minister of Music, Maria van Kalken – you can enjoy it by clicking on the image above. And, if you have not yet had a chance to contribute to our Music Patrons Fund, don’t despair. We are still accepting contributions and would be most grateful for your consideration. Please find our Patrons Fund appeal HERE. Finally, Sunday, May 19 marks the final service of the season with our dedicated Senior Choir, soloists, and our wonderful Bell Choir. As they take a well-deserved break for the summer, we are so appreciative of their hard work and beautiful singing and ringing.  Thank you, singers, and ringers!

Heartfelt thanks to Greg Urban for his inspired leadership of the Bell Choir while Liz Smith is in Chicago welcoming her new granddaughter, Louise.

ONC Fair Wish List

This year’s ONC Fair will be held on November 18^th which seems like a long time from now, but we are planning to expand on last year’s success and hoping the whole congregation can support and contribute to this effort!

YOU can help us by putting aside any donations until we are ready to set up in November. If this is not feasible, please contact us and we will try to make other arrangements. 

This ONC Fair Wish List Flyer contains a list of suggested items but please do not be limited by these ideas. We are looking for quality items in good condition that you yourself would like to buy.  

Flower Dedication Opportunity

We have an opening on Sunday, May 26, for a flower dedication. Please contact Bonnie MacDonald at bonnietim@comcast.net if you would like to use the opportunity to provide a bouquet and dedication for a loved one. (The cost is $60.)

Welcome the Stranger

Welcome the Stranger is helping furnish 8 pods which are being constructed in an old warehouse in Lynn for use by homeless young adults being helped by the Haven Project. The following items, in new or as new condition, are needed urgently. Side tables, storage bins, floor lamps, bedside lamps, bookcases, and wall mirrors. For more information, please contact Lynda Hare at hares8carrots@hotmail.com.

Mary's Meals

Mary’s Meals is one of the organizations that Old North’s Outreach Ministry Board is currently funding. The organization does admirable work, feeding millions of children in some of the world’s poorest communities around the world.

Click here to view a recent recording of founder and CEO of Mary’s Meals, Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, talking about his recent visit to Ethiopia.

To learn more about Mary’s Meals and the organization's vision to ensure that every child receives one daily meal in their place of education, or to donate, click here.

Capital Projects Update

Rehabilitation of the church elevator by Embree Elevator has been completed and the screeching sound resolved with the discovery and replacement of a motor part that was incorrectly installed at the factory. Upgrading of the Fire Alarm by Boston Fire Systems was also completed in conjunction with the elevator work. Painting of the exterior of the Parish Hall and Link Buildings, and repairs as needed, began earlier this month. Painting of the Sanctuary ceiling was postponed from April until July/August to avoid impacting worship and church program activities. Roof replacement and repointing the stone facade on the right side of the church building are also planned for this year. The timing of these two projects will be determined within the next two weeks. Many thanks to David Bennet and Stow Walker for volunteering their expertise in project management on behalf of Old North Church.

Prudential Ministry Board Seeks New Members

The Prudential Ministry Board (aka ONC Trustees) would like to add 3 or 4 additional members to our Board to replace those who are stepping down after years of service. What are the Pru Board responsibilities, you ask? The Board is responsible for oversight of all church property, finances, the church office, and the annual Stewardship Campaign to fund the operating budget. You need not be a financial wizard nor skilled in the use of power tools! Old North Church has experts for that. The Prudential Board works collaboratively with the Leadership Board, our very competent church Treasurer, the volunteer Investment Committee, the amazing office staff, as well as a number of dedicated contractors and volunteers to keep our church finances, buildings and grounds in good shape. 

The Pru Board meets the second Tuesday evening of each month. Hybrid and Zoom options are meeting options for those who wish to serve on the Board but may not be able to meet in person. Decisions on unexpected expenses or other Pru Board business that may occur between meeting dates, are often made via emails, conference calls or texts. 



If you are interested in serving on the Board or would like more information, please call or text Board Chair Sally Sands 508-843-7401. Other current Board members are also good sources of information: Mark Adams, Scott Fillenworth, John Tatum and David Bennet. Joining the Prudential Board is a great way to experience another important facet of your church. And yes, we DO have power tools, if you would like to add some 'sweat equity' to your Pru Board experience!

Gifts of Cheer



If you know of anyone, either here at Old North or in the wider Marblehead community who is going through a difficult time, the Community Life Board would like to reach out with a little plant and a friendly note. Please contact Lynda Hare at hares8carrots@hotmail.com or 781-639-0107 if you know someone who would appreciate a little extra cheer.

Lectio Divina

A monastic practice of scripture, reflection and prayer dating back to the 4^th century, at Old North lectio divina has been adapted and practiced for more than ten years on every Tuesday morning from 9 to about 10:30 am. When Dennis was here, he led the practice. Since his leaving, we all take turns being the leader to select the readings. We have welcomed newcomers, some not from Old North, who seem to find soul food in the practice and the shared reflections that are part of it. We meet at 9 am both in person in the “Great Room” on Stacey St. and on Zoom.

We begin each meeting with a context-setting call to worship. Then we pair a scripture reading with a poem, chosen by the leader for the day and read aloud. We then move into 21 minutes of silent meditation, marked by chimes, and finally we share in “safe space” our responses – personal and intellectual. We end each session with prayers for healing and the Lord’s Prayer.



It is a rich time of being together in community and quite like no other. We invite you to give it a try.