The Mennonite Congregation of Boston (MCOB) was organized in 1962, following three years of “unofficial” meetings. Its founders, many of whom attended services at various local churches, had come to Boston from other areas, often for academic reasons. The origin of MCOB was a response to needs of local participants rather than a result of conference outreach. Many members wanted an experience distinct from that in their home churches. During a brief period in the fall of 1962, MCOB met every week in a church building with a paid pastor. In the following decades, meetings were held every other week in members’ homes, with pastoral duties rotating on a yearly basis. In December 1985, the congregation moved to a permanent meeting place, the Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church, 155 Powder House Blvd., Somerville, MA. Beginning in September 2003, MCOB moved to a new meeting space, the Harvard Epworth United Methodist Church, 1555 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge MA.
Over the years, meetings have become more frequent and MCOB has become the primary church affiliation for an increasing number of members and participants. The tradition of volunteer pastor or co-pastors, often lay members, has been maintained, whenever possible. Pastors served for a one year period and worked with the Church Council, a group of regular participants, headed by a chair or co-chair persons who volunteer to provide leadership and plan weekly meetings throughout the year. Over the last few years, the congregation has functioned without a designated pastor for half the year and the responsibilities of this role have been shared by any number of participants. A listing of the current Council can always be found on the back of our monthly schedules.
Today MCOB is comprised largely of people who grew up in churches outside of the Boston area. Since 1966 it has been dually affiliated with the Eastern District of the former General Conference Mennonite Church and what is now the Atlantic Coast Conference of the former Mennonite Church. We are still dually affiliated under the new Mennonite Church USA. While many current participants come from a Mennonite or Brethren background, all who wish to participate are welcome, regardless of religious background, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.
The MCOB meets every Sunday evening except for the last Sunday of the month, September through June, at 5:45 PM at Harvard Epworth United Methodist Church for worship, programs, study and fellowship.
The congregation organizes and/or participates in a number of programs that provide opportunities for fellowship, Christian education and social action.
Sunday School Program
The MCOB Sunday School is a program of Christian education for the youth of the congregation. With the use of a chosen curriculum, parents and other interested participants volunteer to teach classes for one month at a time. Teaching Sunday school provides a special opportunity for participation in the congregation: Individuals learn to know the youth of the congregation, have an opportunity to review and study Bible stories and scripture, and may share their own unique faith perspectives with the youth.
Food Program at the Church of St. John the Evangelist
For the past 15 years, MCOB has participated with other groups and congregations in contributing to a food program run by Neighborhood Action, a social outreach organization of the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Boston. Several times each year, participants prepare and serve a full evening meal to 100-120 people in the church basement at 35 Bowdoin Street, Boston. All are invited and encouraged to participate by preparing portions of the main entree, baking cookies, and assisting in preparation and serving at the church.
Ten Thousand Villages - Cambridge
Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit program of the Mennonite Central Committee, the relief and development agency of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches in North America. Its mission is to provide vital, fair income to Third World people by selling their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. Ten Thousand Villages works with artisans who would otherwise be unemployed or under-employed. The income the artisans earn helps pay for food, education, health care and housing.
In November 1997, the Mennonite Congregation of Boston assisted in the opening of a Ten Thousand Villages retail store at 694 Massachusetts Ave. in Central Square, Cambridge. MCOB’s involvement stems from sponsorship for many years of a one-day sale of MCC Self-Help crafts in Cambridge. The store seemed a natural progression from the sale. The congregation continues to support and assist in its operation. A second store has since opened in the Coolidge Corner neighborhood of Brookline.
Ten Thousand Villages is always in need of volunteers to assist and complement the staff of the store in any number of ways. MCOB participants interested in exploring volunteer opportunities at the store, or in learning more about Ten Thousand Villages, please call the store directly at (617) 876-2414.
Annual Fall Retreat
MCOB plans and organizes a Fall retreat every October. The retreat takes place on Sunday from 9am-3pm. The weekend in October varies from year to year. In 2006, the retreat will be held on October 15 at the United Church of Christ Conference Center in Framingham, MA. Since 1996 the retreat has taken place in Framingham. This convenient location allows for greater participation.
The Fall Retreat offers a time to relax, reflect and socialize with others in the Congregation. Programming around a particular theme is planned by the Church Council. A Worship Service with Communion takes place at 10:30 am. The retreat is an enjoyable day, and all are encouraged to participate, including newcomers to the congregation. To insure that money is not a barrier to attendance, MCOB assumes expenses for the whole weekend. Participants contribute as they are able. For more information, contact Henry Biedrzycki at (617) 512-5789.
Monetary Gifts
Expenses of MCOB include rental of the meeting space, contributions to the Conferences with which we are affiliated and Mennonite Central Committee, costs of the annual retreat, and contributions to various special projects. The expenses are paid from contributions made by members and attendees. Such contributions can be given to the church Treasurer, John Bowman,
28 Beals St. Brookline, MA 02446, directly or by mail, and are greatly appreciated.
Membership
MCOBreceives new members on an irregular schedule. At the present time, the Congregation recognizes two types of membership: full members (or simply members) and associate members. Full members are received by transfer of church letter, baptism, or confession of faith. Associate members are generally received following a declaration of intention to be associated with the congregation, but without transfer, baptism or confession. Anyone who is interested in becoming a member or an associate member of the congregation can speak with Henry Biedrzycki, the administrative coordinator, for more information and/or to plan a service of reception.
