Keeping Connected July 19, 2024 | |
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Connect Virtually
We will continue using our new live streaming equipment. You may access our Sunday morning worship service via our YouTube Channel and our Facebook page.
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Summer Sunday Worship Schedule Changes
Starting June 23, Christ Church will transition to our summer worship schedule. We warmly invite you to join us for our Saturday service of Holy Eucharist at 5pm or Sunday service of Holy Eucharist at 9am.
Following the Sunday 9am service, we will be gathering for a delightful tradition: Lemonade on the Lawn. This is more than just refreshments; it's an opportunity to mingle, connect, and bask in the sunshine together. We'd love to see you there!
Summer Office Hours
In July and August, our church office will be closed on Fridays. We will resume our normal Monday through Friday office schedule in September.
Rev. Melissa: On Retreat for Summer Thursdays
Episcopal priests have an agreed-upon amount of annual retreat and continuing education days (in addition to vacation days) in their covenants with their congregations. Rev. Melissa has elected to take seven of her 19 retreat and continuing ed days on Thursdays this summer, starting July 11th and ending August 22nd, to focus on spacious time for prayer, reading, and planning for adult formation in our coming program year. She will update her out of office email auto-response and will post a sign near her study door about her summer hours.
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Dear Ones of Christ Church,
In this weekend’s gospel reading, and throughout the Gospel of Mark, Jesus and his disciples move back and forth by boat, going from shore to shore across the Sea of Galilee. This reminds me of a poem by Lucille Clifton called “blessing the boats (at St. Mary’s).” You can read and listen to the poem through the Poetry Foundation at this link.
As I sit with this poem, I find it speaking and praying into our current moment in multiple ways. The poem intersects with this weekend’s gospel reading and Jesus inviting his disciples to get into a boat and “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31) What is it like to imagine Jesus speaking these words to you?
The poem intersects with the fear and anxiety we may be feeling within or around us, due to happenings in our personal lives or politics or climate change or something else. The speaker in the poem invites us to be carried out “beyond the face of fear” and to turn to a vast expanse of “water waving forever.” How does this watery image speak to you? How might this oceanic image remind us, in the Church, that in times of fear and anxiety we are called to turn to, proclaim, and live out of the vastness of the love of God, this love that has been poured out to us through the gift of Creation and the waters of Baptism? How might “the wind” that “love[s] your back” remind us of the Holy Spirit’s guidance?
The poem offers intersection also, with its location “at St. Mary’s.” There are many Saint Marys in our tradition—this Monday, on July 22nd, the Church celebrates the Feast Day of St. Mary Magdalene, and we will engage more with her story next weekend as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church. And, of course, there is Mary, the mother of Jesus. One of her many names in the Christian tradition is “Star of the Sea.” Because of her own gracious discernment and way of “treasuring” and “pondering things… in her heart” (Luke 1:29; Luke 2:19; Luke 2:51), Mary can be an example and companion to us in our own discernment and navigation of life’s waters, a “Star of the Sea” who points us toward God and God’s loving purposes for us.
This season, in whatever boat we find ourselves, may we be blessed in our navigating.
With peace,
Melissa +
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Finances
Last week we received in over $3790. When giving online, be sure to change the 'Fund' to 'Pledges' so your contribution goes toward your pledge.
Thank you for your loving support of Christ Church.
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Christ Church Online Giving
You can make donations, pay your pledge, donate to the food pantry etc. easily by using our online giving tools.
Go to christchurchplymouth.org and click on the Donate button or go to onrealm.org/ChristEpiscopalChurch/Give.
You can also text CCP to 73256
When you get to the page, enter how much you would like to give what fund (Flowers, food Pantry, general Offering, Pledge, etc). You can even choose if you want this to be a one-time gift or multiple times – for example paying your pledge weekly or monthly.
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Click Continue and on the next page enter your information to use a credit card or a bank account. | |
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Your giving statement from Christ Church will reflect all the amounts given.
Your continued giving to Christ Church even during the summer is important to support our ministries and our mission!
If you have questions talk with Donna Lawrence or Ray Rogers.
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Bishops call congregations to mark 50th year of women's ordained ministry as priests in The Episcopal Church
In our worship at Christ Church on July 27th and 28th, we will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church. Read more from our bishops below about this anniversary and commemoration, and scroll all the way to the bottom to find more resources for learning and prayer, including this link to purchase tickets to stream the documentary The Philadelphia Eleven.
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June 26, 2024
Dear People of the Diocese of Massachusetts,
On July 29, 1974, at the Church of the Advocate in Philadelphia, 11 women were ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests–the first women to be ordained priests in The Episcopal Church. This summer the church is giving thanks for the 50th anniversary of that historic event.
It may be difficult now for some to imagine our church without the blessing of women serving as priests. It was a singular moment of transformation in our life together in the Body of Christ.
The women, who became known as the “Philadelphia 11,” were the Reverends Merrill Bittner, Alla Bozarth-Campbell, Alison Cheek, Emily Hewitt, Carter Heyward, Suzanne Hiatt, Marie Moorefield, Jeannette Piccard, Betty Bone Schiess, Katrina Swanson and Nancy Wittig. They were as varied in background, style and gifts as any 11 people might be, but they shared a determination and faithfulness that gave them the courage to face into the challenges, roadblocks and hostility with which their call was greeted.
Several of the Philadelphia 11 had connections to our diocese. The crucifer that day was the parish’s senior warden, Barbara C. Harris–14 years later to be elected by our own diocese as the first woman bishop in the worldwide Anglican Communion.
The ordination took place on the Feast of Mary and Martha. This pointed, of course, to the fact that women had been among Jesus’ earliest and most devoted followers. At another level it highlighted the wholeness which had been missing from the church’s priesthood. Mary and Martha individually represent a difference of style and focus too often set up in binary opposition to one another. In fact, it is the completeness created by both together that is their collective gift. Just so, the ordination of women made us more whole.
We call upon the congregations and worshiping communities of our diocese to commemorate the 50th anniversary of women’s ordination in The Episcopal Church on Sunday, July 28–or on any nearby Sunday that is best in your local context. Below you will find a new litany composed by Bishop Gallagher for this occasion, as well as other resources and suggestions for your individual and congregational observance. We commend them to you with gratitude and Gospel hope.
Faithfully, in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates, Bishop Diocesan
The Rt. Rev. Carol J.W.T. Gallagher, Assistant Bishop
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Additional resources for commemoration and learning
(also posted at www.diomass.org/liturgy-and-music-resources)
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The documentary "The Philadelphia Eleven" by local filmmakers Margo Guernsey and Nikki Bramley, available for viewing on demand via Kinema, here, July 26-30.
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June 2024 issue of the journal Anglican and Episcopal History, from the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church, focused on the Philadelphia 11 and women's ordination (details for ordering, digital or print, here).
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Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music commemoration, with suggested prayers and lessons, available via the Diocese of Los Angeles in English and Spanish.
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Women’s Uncommon Prayers: Our Lives Revealed, Nurtured, Celebrated (Morehouse Publishing, 2000) available for order via Church Publishing, Inc., here, including in particular "Litany of Thanksgiving" by the Rev. Linda D. Anderson-Little (p. 342); "For Leaders" by Dr. Pamela P. Chinnis (p. 363); and "Priest's Song" by the Rev. Lyn G. Brakeman (p. 253). [Permission to reproduce pending.]
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Notes from the Vestry meeting of July 10, 2024
Please note that ALL vestry meeting minutes are posted on the bulletin board outside our parish office following their approval at the subsequent vestry meeting.
- Vestry welcomed Ellen McTighe to fill the vacant position (to January 2025).
- Rector’s report:
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Accompanist/Organist Search: a job posting draft was reviewed and approved.
- Rev Melissa announced that Donna Eby will be stepping down from her duties as church school coordinator. Su D’Ambrosio will be taking over that role.
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Rev Melissa and several parishioners attended the Plymouth Pride event on Sunday, June 30 at Nelson Park. Our presence was well received and very much appreciated.
- Vestry has identified two goals to focus on as we compile our spiritual strategic plan: worship and spiritual development and development and formation. We discuss how our existing strategic plan might guide us in these endeavors.
- Senior Warden’s report:
- Vestry was provided an outline for compilation of a brief bio. Drafts were requested by the end of August. These will be posted with pictures on the vestry bulletin board.
- Junior Warden’s report:
- A contractor has been scheduled to inspect the inside church walls to determine the extent of damage incurred over time.
- Installation of a filtered water system in the parish hall is under discussion.
- Treasurer’s report:
- Pledges are about $17k above budget year to date, although slightly below budget in Jun. We have begun withdrawing additional funds from our endowment to accommodate our projected budgetary shortfall.
- Kat LiBretto, in her new role as website coordinator, compiled comments and changes from her first website review. These will be forwarded to David in the office.
- Thrift Shoppe: Outreach finds have been approved by the vestry as follows:
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$3500 to the First Church of Kingston to support their fundraising for repairs from the recent vandalism to their church property. (Note: Rev Melissa will add $1000 from her discretionary account as well.)
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$2500 to Plymouth Pride: CCP support as a sponsor.
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$1400 to Plymouth Recovery Center, Inc., a non-profit group that supports the recovery of substance abuse for individuals and families.
- A preliminary schedule for hosting the homeless this winter was presented and discussed.
- Food Pantry: With the great need in our community, and despite the generosity of our faithful contributors, our Food Pantry anticipates challenges in the near future. Various types of fundraising are under consideration.
The next regular vestry meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 14th at 6:30pm in the Hospitality room.
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Accompanist Job Posting
Christ Church Parish in Plymouth, MA seeks a collaborative, creative, and community-oriented accompanist to join us in making a joyful noise at our worship services, choir rehearsals, and other special services.
Click here for more information. And please feel free to share this posting with others!
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Christ Church Thrift Shoppe | |
Christ Church Thrift Shoppe Outreach Report
As reported last week, Q2 proceeds of $21,850 have been transferred to CCP. Total proceeds of $35,227 have been transferred this year.
Last month, Q2 Outreach of $2500 was provided to the Salvation Army of Plymouth to support their Camp Wonderland camp scholarships for children of need from Plymouth, Carver, and Kingston.
As a result of exceptional Q2 sales, we are pleased to report Vestry’s approval this week of 3 additional recipients of financial outreach from Thrift Shoppe proceeds.
$3500 to First Parish Church in Kingston to support their Campaign for Vandalism and Damage after the violent and sustained attack on July 4th that resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in damage to church property.
$2500 to Plymouth Pride. Our support as a CCP sponsor will assist in the promotion of equality and inclusivity through events that foster education, awareness, respect, and visibility for everyone in our LGBTQ+ community.
$1400 to Plymouth Recovery Center, Inc., a non-profit group that supports the recovery of substance abuse for individuals and families. Similar to the Monday lunch program offered at CCP food pantry, the Plymouth Recovery Center provides lunches to individuals on Wednesdays. Our financial support will ensure this center has adequate funds through the summer months.
The leadership team is so very grateful and we extend heartfelt thanks to all who help make the Thrift Shoppe’s mission of outreach possible. With continued support from our generous donors, faithful shoppers, dedicated volunteers, and the Vestry, we can continue to do the important work of spreading God’s love in serving of our parish, our neighbors and our community.
To join this ministry, please speak with our leaders or contact us at
office.christchurchplymouth@gmail.com to discuss volunteer opportunities.
Revised Summer Shoppe Hours
Thursday and Friday 10-4
Saturday 10-1
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Christ Church Food Pantry | |
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This week we are low on:
Chicken noodle soup
Kidney beans
Pork and beans
Cereal/breakfast bars
Small bottles of dish soap
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All are welcome to the Christ Church Food Pantry!
We are open by appointment:
Tuesday 4:00-5:15
Thursday 12:00-1:15 and 4:00-5:15
Saturday 10:00-11:15.
Call the pantry message line: 508-746-4959, ext 6, BY 1 PM THE DAY BEFORE YOU WISH TO PICK UP YOUR ORDER. Our volunteers check messages and return your call from their homes to ask you what you need.
Leave a message if you wish to donate non-perishable food and household items, or you may leave your donations under the mailboxes outside the office or in the front entrance to the sanctuary. Squirrels like to get into any bags left on the porch of the food pantry!
If you wish to volunteer, contact Eileen Paris at eileenpca@aol.com
For more information, please contact Barbara Wojtklewicz at 617-291-4634, or by email at barbara.wojtklewicz@gmail.com
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Pastoral Care
For any pastoral care needs of Christ Church, please call Robin Nielsen (774-454-2776) or email robinmarianielsen@gmail.com ~ A home visit, a home visit with holy communion or a phone call can be arranged. Although a small group, our Pastoral Care Ministry team meets monthly in confidence.
For any pastoral emergencies, please call Rev. Melissa Howell 508-746-4959 ext 4, and follow the instructions in her voice message.
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We want to keep you in the loop regarding the happenings at Christ Church. Please send your announcements for the weekly bulletin and Keeping Connected, to the office by 12 Noon on Wednesday. They should include date, time, place, description of event, contact information and should be written exactly the way you want them to appear. | | | | |
