Urban Mission Ministry

Urban Mission Ministry: Faith in Action Task Force

At Old South Church in Boston, we have a long and proud history of mission ministry work over the past 350 years. From the earliest days of our founding up until today, OSC members have actively supported mission ministry work at the local and national levels.  From supporting the creation of Tent City, to making meals through our mobile soup kitchen, supporting Boston Warm, Common Cathedral, City Mission, GBIO, rebuilding homes in New Orleans, schools in Appalachia and on reservations in the southwest, as well as countless other activities, our congregation has constantly shown up to do God’s work to help “repair the world.”

For our 350th anniversary year, we are embarking on three major Urban Mission Ministry projects:

Build A Bed:  A Bed for Every Child

Saturday, November 2, 2019 – 8:30 am to 2:00 pm – Mary Norton Hall

Please note: Registration for this event is now closed, as we have reached maximum capacity for participation.

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In partnership with the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, we will join together to build 20 twin beds and provide for complete bedding (mattress, box spring, and sheets/blankets and pillows) for children living in poverty in Boston.  80 volunteers from our congregation and our families will come together for a community day of service in November in Mary Norton Hall.  This is an ideal program for children (as young as 5 years old) and adults.

The schedule for the day is as follows:

• 8:30 AM Continental Breakfast
• 9:00 AM Community Forum: Children, Poverty, Impact and Social Policy
• 10:00 AM The Build begins!
• 11:30 AM Sanding one of the most important part of building a bed!
• 11:45 AM Finishing the beds with a water base odorless stain.
• 12:45 PM Group photo and closing remarks.
• 1:00 PM Community luncheon

Email Richard Spada at richardspada@comcast.net with any questions.

Earth Day 2020:  The 50th Anniversary of Earth Day

April 2020 (dates to be determined)

The 50th Anniversary of Earth Day is in April 2020.  Old South Church in Boston is exploring how we can, as a community, plant up to 1000 tree seedlings in and around the Boston area.  Our collective efforts will help us celebrate and care for Mother Earth by caring for our neighborhood and planet.  More information to come! Email Richard Spada at richardspada@comcast.net for more information and to get involved.

Rebuilding Together Boston

Summer 2020 (dates to be determined)

Rebuilding Together Boston is an organization whose purpose is to make repairs to homes of older and impaired persons in Boston.  This is a challenging project where a team of 20 Old South volunteers will spend a Saturday (summer 2020 – date to be determined) on a challenging home improvement project under the leadership of skilled carpenters, plumbers, painters and electricians. 

Email Richard Spada at richardspada@comcast.net for more information and to get involved in Urban Mission Ministry.

Old South Church's Approach

Our approach to Urban Mission Ministry follows six key tennants. All of our programming efforts must meet these criteria:

• Urban:  In our communities and with/for our neighbors in the greater Boston area
• Immersive: Hands on, relationship building, learning, stretching, growing, reflecting, praying
• Inclusive: Of all… intergenerational, of all abilities and capabilities… and of as many people as possible
• Intersectionality:  We will work to engage as many known groups at OSC as possible in each ministry project
• Life Changing: Engaging our heads, hearts and hands while challenging each of us in unique ways
• Faith in Action:  Calling upon us to put our faith into action during this 350th jubilee year

Contact Richard Spada at richardspada@comcast.net to learn more and get involved.