Keeping Connected January 10, 2025 | |
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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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There will be no 10am service of Holy Eucharist at Christ Church on Sunday 1/19. Instead, please join our wider community at a 10:30am interfaith service of prayer honoring Martin Luther King, Jr at Church of the Pilgrimage, 8 Town Square in Plymouth.
Our Saturday 5pm and Sunday 8am services of Holy Eucharist will take place at Christ Church as normal.
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Dear Ones of Christ Church,
This weekend, as we always do on the first Sunday after the Epiphany, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus. Our lectionary readings for this feast are filled with creation images of water, fire, air, and ground. As I write this, fires and winds are raging in Southern California. Those fighting the blazes are bringing water, trying to hold ground. My heart is heavy to witness the suffering and destruction, and maybe yours is, too. As we approach this feast day that honors Jesus and his baptism in solidarity with us, may Christ inspire us to pray in solidarity with the heavy-hearted, the broken-hearted, around the world.
Poetry is one balm for my aching heart. This past week, a post from poet, theologian, and community-builder Pádraig Ó Tuama’s “Poetry Unbound” newsletter appeared in my inbox. Ó Tuama shared the poem below, from a new collection of his poems called Kitchen Hymns. There is a resonance for me, between this poem’s elemental-ness, the elemental-ness of our daily lives, and the elemental-ness of our scripture readings this weekend—a sacramental, Baptismal resonance. What resonates with you, and your heart?
Yours in Christ,
Melissa +
Do You Believe in God?
At twenty-three I walked in the dark
to Bull Island’s stretch of beach.
I stood beneath the statue of the
Virgin Mary. Star of the Sea.
I took off all my clothes and shouted
I am lonely at the water.
It was the middle of the night.
There was the smell of oil
and rotting seaweed,
the glow of factories,
smoke catching all the light
from Dublin city.
—Pádraig Ó Tuama
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Finances
Last week we received in over $3156. 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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Resources for Families in Church: Just a reminder that there are activities for kids, including a small table and chairs, in the back of the church. We are also providing special bulletins for kids that are aligned with the week's lessons at the front and back entrances. These bulletins have a variety of coloring, brain teasers, puzzles, and other fun activities. For students in grades PreK-1, Su will be available in the nursery to monitor young students who need a separate space during the church service. We hope that these resources will support family attendance at the 10 am service. Please let us know if you have any other ideas for ways to welcome children and families at Christ Church: education@christchurchplymouth.org
Church School Registration: Registration for Church School is open throughout the year. Click the registration form link to sign up or email education@christchurchplymouth.org for more information. Church School Registration Form
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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 | |
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!).
For questions or more information, please contact Rev. Melissa.
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Bedtime Chapel Podcast
Nightly Family Prayer & Weekly Bible Study
Deuteronomy 11:18,19
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Bedtime Chapel helps families draw nearer to Jesus by gathering for nightly prayer and deepening their understanding of the Gospel. The podcast includes:
- A 5-Min nightly prayer service
- Weekly companion episodes that explore the themes of the gospel readings of the upcoming week for family members with longer attention spans
Pray with Us Apple, Spotify, Amazon and most other Podcast Servers
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Christ Church Thrift Shoppe | |
The Thrift Shoppe leaders are pleased to announce Q4 outreach designation in the amount of $2500 to Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center in Kingston.
Hope Floats is a non-profit foundation whose mission is bereavement support and education for adults, children, teens, and their families who are grieving, dealing with illness, or facing other life challenges.
The center offers free support services including yoga, meditation, group discussion, retreats, and mini-body treatments that bring hope and healing to those in need.
For more information, visit them online at https://www.hopefloatswellness.org/ or call 781.585.4221
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Christ Church Food Pantry | |
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This month we especially need:
Baked beans
Chef Boyardee canned meals
Small bottles of dish soap
Pasta sauce
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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. | | | | |
