Greetings, Siblings in Christ,

The passing of Dolly Parton has been all over the news these past few days. I've been wondering if I can work her into my homily this Sunday. I don't know.

I confess that I had never reflected much on her significance before this week. Yet for me, perhaps weirdly, reading the various obituaries and reflection pieces has been a cool drink of water in a hot and toxic news landscape, an opportunity for gratitude for the life she lived, and for hope in the power of her example.

Consistently, commentators have noted that, uniquely in our age, she was widely admired by people of every racial, political, cultural, and musical stripe. In addition to being a master musician and entertainer, she was deeply kind and generous, a vigorous supporter of the weak and marginalized, both humble and powerful. And in fact, her humility and ability to hold herself lightly was an essential part of her power, as was her ability to see the best in others. "Hold fast to what is good," Paul wrote to the Church in Thessalonika.

Dolly Parton identified as a Christian. Apparently, she prayed before every concert that the performance would a blessing in some way for all who had come to see her. And famously, she saw her calling as loving all of God's children, not judging them: "That's God's job, not mine."

May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

Faithfully yours,

Nick+

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Campfire Compline this Sunday at 7pm

Please join us this Sunday, August 30 at 7pm for s'mores making and night prayer. We'll gather for Campfire Compline near the entrance to the Memorial Garden at the front of the church this summer, rather than back by the patio. All ages are welcome.  Hope to see you there!

CEC "Farmer's Market" this Sunday at Lemonade Hour

Please come enjoy fresh fruits and veggies from Rich & Claudia Gatto’s garden!! Patty Smith will contribute small flower arrangements from her garden.

Office Hours Changing to 9am - 2pm

As the new school year begins, our office hours will change. Starting August 31, 2026, our hours will be 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday through Wednesday, and 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM on Thursdays. The week of Labor Day, the schedule will shift to 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday through Thursday, and 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM on Fridays, as we return to the program year schedule.

Summer Pledges

Our mission to love God and neighbor incurs expenses throughout the summer, even though many of us are traveling. Thank you for doing your best to stay current with your pledges.

Steps Update-Waiting for Railings



We now wait for the four cast iron railings to be reinstalled-- each with a foot-long extension for better support while walking up and down on the steps. Grass also needs to grow back, and we are looking at new plantings as well.

Click here for more details on summer construction projects. Thank you for your support of these important improvements!

Refreshing the Prayer List

Sunday, September 13th we refresh the prayer list. Please email Kaitlin in the office at office@ccneedham.org to keep your loved ones on the list. 

MANNA August 2026 Newsletter

Here is the latest MANNA newsletter .

Here is the link to the MANNA Amazon wishlist.

For those who would like an introduction to MANNA, click here.

To volunteer to donate one or more of the requested items or to drive the food to the Cathedral on Sunday, please sign up for July - December 2026 here. Thank you!

If you need help signing up or have any questions at all please don't hesitate to reach out to Lindsay Guerriere or Barbara Hurley. THANK YOU for loving our neighbor as Jesus teaches!!!!!

Community Concerns Spotlight

Each year the Community Concerns Ministry of Christ Church is granted budgeted dollars to disburse to a number of needy local, national and international organizations. In 2026 more than 20 of these groups will be served with a total of $15,500. The Ministry continues to do its part to help alleviate hardship and provide for the health and dignity of all.

During the next several months we will offer the congregation quick updates on these organizations and the services they extend. Ministry members are Susan Barber, Harding Ounanian Jr, Christine Ruddy, and Donna Vello. New Members are always invited to join.

Transition House

When Transition House opened its doors in Cambridge over 40 years ago, it was the first domestic violence shelter on the East Coast of the United States and the second in the entire country. Since then, its programs have continued to evolve to serve the needs of our community. Today, Transition House offers a wide range of housing resources, support services and prevention tools. and provides holistic support and a range of housing options for individuals and families surviving domestic and intimate partner violence. 

In the last few years Transition House has built nationally groundbreaking partnerships that emphasize a whole-community approach to violence prevention.

Transition House further collaborates with survivors to address the systemic and widespread impact of domestic violence; educate youth and adults to break the cycle of violence in the next generation; and build deep partnerships to create a safer, healthier community. 

Transition House is also actively supported each Christmas season through the Christ Church Giving Tree, To learn more, please visit www.transitionhouse.org.

                                                                                                --Harding Ounanian Jr

Psalm 23 Summer Challenge!

Keep an eye out for the Psalm 23 Summer Challenge materials that will invite your household to learn this Psalm, pray and create with it in different ways, explore supplementary materials, and more through June, July, and August. No matter where you are and what you're doing, you can take your Psalm 23 challenges with you!

Monthly Solar Panel Update

The solar system continues to generate savings for the Church and carbon-free energy for our power needs. The system generated about 5,529 kWh of electricity last month (July) and has saved the Church about $8,036 so far this year. Thank you Kevin Ruddy for monitoring!

"Nautilus News" from our Cathedral

To learn more about what's going on at our Cathedral, sign up here for the weekly "Nautilus News" eBlast. Nick has been appointed a member of the Cathedral Chapter, something akin to a Vestry.

Community Art Gallery - Closed for the Summer



The Community Art Gallery is closed for the summer. Please join us after Labor Day for a wonderful new exhibition of paintings by Carol Patch.

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