Keeping Connected November 22, 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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Finances
Last week we received in over $4744. 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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It's time to get ready for our annual Christmas Pageant which is presented on December 24 at the 4 pm service. There are parts for everyone! Rehearsals start in November. Please use the link below to sign up.
Christmas Pageant 2024 Sign Up
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Next Youth Group Meeting
Our next youth group meeting will take place tonight, November 22nd at 5:30. We will meet for a light dinner and then watch this month’s movie, Inside Out! We should be finished by 8:00.
Please let me know if you plan to attend radmetzger@gmail.com.
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A Note to Parents and Caregivers with Children in Church
Thank you for bringing your children to church. We are so glad you are here!
We know it can be difficult at times to manage little ones during the service.
For that reason, we have provided some resources which we hope will make it easier for you and your family to enjoy worship together.
You will find books and coloring pages at the back of the Mary Chapel. Please feel free to utilize these at any point during the service.
We have installed a TV in the nursery! You are welcome to visit the nursery with your child during any portion of our service and join us via our livestream.
It is okay to take breaks. If you need to step out with your child, our parish grounds are a great place to get the wiggles out.
Above all, please remember: You and your family are very welcome here!
Your children may be squirming, talking, or making noise, but they are also observing, copying, and learning. Children are a gift and an important part of our community; we are grateful to have them worship with us.
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Adult Sunday School! Sundays, 9 to 9:45a | |
While Rev. Melissa is away, adult church school will still meet every Sunday, using "Dwelling in the Word," a form of facilitated group listening and sharing centered on one of the weekend's lectionary readings.
Join us in the parish hall or hospitality suite for a time of wondering, discussion, listening, fellowship, prayer, and sharing. No sign up or registration is necessary. Come as you are. Come for one week or every week. There will be coffee (or bring your own!).
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Evening Women's Group
The annual Christmas gathering of the Evening Women's Group will be held on Weds., Dec, 11th at Connie's house at 5 PM. Please note the change of date.
We are asking folks to bring a sock filled with trinkets for our special activity.
Please let Connie know if you plan to attend via email, text or calling (conmel@aol.com, 508.746.3805).
All women are considered members of the EWG. We do ask for a donation of up to $10 to assist with meal costs and outreach projects.
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Join Us in Spreading Cheer!
Join Us in Spreading Cheer! - Dear Friends, this year, our Christmas outreach program at Christ Church will be in collaboration with the Salvation Army. We’re deeply grateful for their support, especially as Donna Eby recovers from her recent back surgery.
We invite you to contribute to this wonderful cause by providing gifts for children ranging from newborns to 14 years old. You can choose to donate clothing, toys, or any item that you feel would be appropriate. Please ensure that each gift is unwrapped and placed in a bag, with the age, size, and gender clearly marked on the package. The deadline for donations is December 4th.
You can deliver your gifts to the Salvation Army located at 52 Long Pond Rd. in Plymouth. If getting there is a challenge, Donna Lawrence has cards with children’s names from the Salvation Army to give out to those that can’t get to Long Pond Rd. Please see her in the bookkeeper’s office after the 10 AM service to take a name.
On December 9, 2024, the Salvation Army will be distributing these gifts. If you feel inclined to come and help distribute these gifts to these needy families, please feel free to just show up at 9 AM at the Salvation Army at 52 Long Pond Rd. It would be wonderful to have as many as we can of Christ Church parishioners passing out these gifts to these families.
CORRECTION: Gift cards for food or gas:
We would like to reach out to those who are interested in sponsoring gift cards for food or gas to assist our parishioners in need.
- Gift cards will be collected until Wednesday December 18th.
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Cards should be in denominations of $25.00.
- We will give these cards out to church family members during December.
- Both Stop & Shop and Walmart deliver.
- Stop & Shop also sells gas.
- Cards may be placed in the offering plate or taken to the church office.
- If you know of someone who might need this help, please reach out to Donna Lawrence or Bill Ferguson.
- Also, you may also write a check to Christ Church Parish and add “Gift Card Outreach” on the memo line. Your donation will be converted into cards.
If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to contact Donna Lawrence, at 508-243-2293 or via email at donnamL21@comcast.net.
Thank you for your generosity and support as we spread joy this holiday season!
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Parish Nurse Ministry
Two Registered Professional Nurses have joined the Parish Nurse Ministry with Drew Lench
and Judy Lutz. We are pleased to welcome Danielle Ecobacci and Andrea Colby to this Ministry.
Please see the bulletin board outside the Hospitality Suite for pictures and professional
information about each one of us.
We continue to present timely educational information on the bulletin board and in Keeping
Connected, as well as monitoring the AEDs and First Aid supplies in all locations. If you have a
topic you would like us to present, please let us know.
We are available for phone calls or personal conversation if you have medical concerns or
questions. Please call the Church Office to reach us.
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A Successful First Benefit Coffee House
We wish to thank all those who helped make this fundraiser for the Overnights of Hospitality winter program a great success!! ~ to the young musicians from the parish and greater Plymouth community who gave of their time and talent and to our dear Fr Harry with his beautiful voice and guitar playing!! To the bakers of muffins, cookies and donuts; to the hot chocolate and tea servers; to the generous free will offerings; to the silent auction contributions and purchase of artwork from Inky Hands Studio, with proceeds going to this cause.
We met our goal…to raise about $1000. We did it with so much gratitude!!
Peace and Blessings ~
Kat & Robin
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Meal Train Program at Christ Church
Parishioners Melissa Pechey and Robin Nielsen are in the process of offering a Meal Train program available to our Christ Church Parish community. Contact Robin Nielsen if you would like to know more robinmarianielsen@gmail.com
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Notes from the Vestry meeting of November 13, 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.
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Guest Rev. Patrick Gahan, an old friend of Brenna, joined us by Zoom to give an introduction & personal insights to using the concepts of Invite, Welcome, Connect.
- We reviewed our implementation of the “Episcopal Church Children’s Charter”. There are encouraging signs that the congregation is getting used to having children present. We recognize that we are all being conditioned in these efforts. Communication with parents is important.
- Kat reported on the diocesan zoom meeting on bullying. Strategies were discussed on how to monitor each other to eliminate any form of bullying in actions and dialogue.
- Nominating committee - The committee has set an organizational timeline. The kickoff will be the first full week of December. Information on the process, explanations of office responsibilities and nominating forms will be placed at all church entrances.
- Building & Grounds kick-off - Nine people attended the first meeting. We are determining how we can accommodate the many chores that our former sexton did.
- Most of the insulation work in our buildings has been completed. This was sponsored by MassSave and is free to churches.
- Treasurer’s report:
- NOTE: The 2024 budget has projected revenues of $360,000, and projected expenses of $437,000, a deficit of $67,000. In June, vestry voted to withdraw additional funds from our investments each month to enable us to pay our bills.
- Investment draw is above budget because we are taking $10,000/month from it. Year to date we have the same issues: expenses a little above budget, but not really troublesome, net income is still looking good, strength of the pledges is surprising and good.
- Audit report – Our auditor has received all he needs from Ray. The report should be ironed out by the end of the month. With an audit, there will always be recommendations for things that need to be addressed.
- We approved a housing allowance for Scott Bellows as he serves as our interim priest.
- Our solar connection to the church building remains in limbo due to issues cited by the town electrical inspector.
- A motion was approved to host the Overnights of Hospitality: The vestry of Christ Church Parish is pleased to welcome the Overnights of Hospitality for the 2024-2025 winter season. During their stay, accommodations must be made for other internal and external ministries to continue their presence and service.
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Coffee House Report – Kat reported that we made a profit just under $1000. A few newcomers from the community joined us. There are discussions about doing it again.
The next regular vestry meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 11th at 6:30pm in the Hospitality room. Bill will chair the session.
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Amanda Peterson
Current Leadership Position(s) at Christ Church Parish:
● Vestry
Past Responsibilities at Christ Church Parish (or previous parishes):
● Previous Parishes - Acolyte, VBS teacher, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Group Member, Junior Choir Member
Other Ministry Involvement(s) at Christ Church Parish:
● Pre - K - 1st Grade Sunday School Teacher
Family Members:
● Keith, Cole, and Devon Peterson. Norm and Martha Zinger
Vocation(s) - past and/or present:
● Background in Sales Management and Marketing
● Current owner and Business/Marketing Manager at KPA Architectural and Acoustical
Hobbies, Pets, & other fun info:
● Soccer mom to Cole and Devon (14 & 11)
● Dog mom to one year old chocolate lab Wyatt
● Love the beach, long brisk walks and obsessed with taking on interior design projects
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Prayer Chain
Our prayer chain consists of devoted parishioners who, in confidence, pray daily for the needs of our parish family. Our mission is to lift up to God the prayers of people in need, in joy, or in thanksgiving. All prayer requests are said for a period of 2 weeks, and all requests are kept in strict confidence. If you would like a prayer said for yourself, a member of your family or friends, please reach out to Robyn Lench Whittles 781-291-9459 or email to betty02364@gmail.com
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Cookbook Update
We still have a long ways to go before we can submit our recipes for publishing. The good news is that we still have plenty of time without any stress. Please drop off your recipes to the office when possible or submit recipes through the website
typensave.com
username: CCParish
password: garlic547
With much appreciation ~
~Anne & Robin
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Christ Church Thrift Shoppe | |
Happy Thanksgiving
It is with an abundance of gratitude that we wish a Blessed Thanksgiving to our volunteers, donors, and shoppers, all of whom have greatly contributed to the Thrift Shoppe success.
November 23- closed for the Parade
November 28- closed for Thanksgiving
November 29-30 Wreath Sale
Shoppe Hours
Thursday and Friday 10-4
Saturday 10-1
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Christ Church Food Pantry | |
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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.
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Diocesan Convention takes up its work as
"One Body in Christ, Members One of Another"
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Clergy and lay delegates from eastern Massachusetts Episcopal congregations gathered in Quincy for the 239th annual Diocesan Convention on Nov. 9, with their new bishop, the Rt. Rev. Julia E. Whitworth, in the chair and an invitation to consider together what it means to be "One Body in Christ, Members One of Another"–this year's convention theme.
As part of the day's business, the convention approved the $9.2-million diocesan budget proposed for 2025, and passed resolutions adopting a new antiracism formation program for the diocese and marking the 300th anniversary of the Boston Episcopal Charitable Society.
Convention recognized Bishop Carol J.W.T. Gallagher, who has served the diocese as assistant bishop for two years, and was a regional canon for four years prior to that. She will be concluding her work in the diocese as of Dec. 31 in preparation for retirement. Convention gave its approval for Bishop Whitworth, at her discretion, to appoint an assistant bishop in the year to come.
Convention also elected David Sullivan of Emmanuel Church in Wakefield to the Standing Committee, and Gabriel Colombo of the Episcopal Chaplaincy at Harvard as a deputy to the Provincial Conference.
Find the text of resolutions and other convention actions here.
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Retirement celebration to honor Bishop Carol Gallagher | |
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The Rt. Rev. Carol Joy W.T. Gallagher
Photo: Bethany Versay
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Bishop Julia E. Whitworth and the Farewell Committee for the Assistant Bishop warmly invite the diocesan community for a celebration of Bishop Carol Joy W.T. Gallagher on the occasion of her retirement.
St. Elizabeth's Church in Sudbury will host the celebration, to be held on Sunday, Dec. 15, with open house from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and a program beginning at 5 p.m. All are welcome. RSVP by Dec. 6 here.
Parking is available at the church. Those using public transportation can indicate on the RSVP form if they need a ride from the Riverside stop on the Green "D" Line.
Donations in Bishop Gallagher's honor are invited, here, and will be designated, at her preference, for the Bishop Alan M. Gates African Anglican-Episcopal Mission Center in Everett and the Episcopal Church in Navajoland. A gift of travel funds also will be made for Bishop Gallagher and her husband, Mark, to enjoy in retirement.
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After six years of service in the Diocese of Massachusetts–two as assistant bishop and four prior to that as a regional canon–Bishop Gallagher will complete her work in the diocese as of Dec. 31 and then take sabbatical time ahead of her official retirement date in March. | |
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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.
The church office will be closed on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29.
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