Sunday School and Nursery Care

There will be no Sunday school this Sunday, May 26, because of the long Memorial Day weekend. There will still be nursery care - our nursery is open for children three months to 4ish years, starting at 9:50am.

SAVE THE DATE: Annual Meeting

The Old North Church Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 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 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.

Annual Reports are available in the Narthex and by clicking here. There will also be a vote on a proposed bylaw change, and Leadership Board's response, which you can read about here. 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.

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.

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.

Summer Worship at Chandler Hovey Park

Begins June 16th at 8am



Mark your calendar! Again this year we are looking forward to our annual summer tradition of worshiping together at Chandler Hovey Park. There is something unique and spiritual about gathering in worship where ocean waters meet solid rock and the light shines to guide people safely. Our first 8am Lighthouse service will be on Sunday, June 16th, weather permitting, and continue through Labor Day.

For those who wish to continue their traditional Church worship, this year, in addition to the 8am Lighthouse Service, we will be offering the 10am contemplative service in our Sanctuary. The choir is off for the summer and childcare will not be offered.

As in past years, the Lighthouse service will begin at 8 am. Remember to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. As in the past, if it is raining at 8 am, the service will be moved to the Sanctuary. Look for the sandwich board sign at the Devereux Beach entrance: if green, go to the Lighthouse; if red, the service will be held in the Sanctuary.

We are so fortunate to have the privilege of worshiping together in a setting as inspiring as Chandler Hovey Park. Please consider inviting friends and neighbors to join us at the 8am service at the Lighthouse. Looking forward to seeing you!

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 – 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. Thank you!

Flower Dedication Opportunity

We have an opening on Sunday, June 9, 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.)

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!

ONC Fair Wish List

This year’s ONC Fair will be held on November 23rd 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.  

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.

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.