Keeping Connected October 24, 2025 | | |
Connect Virtually
We will continue using our live streaming equipment. You may access our Sunday morning worship service via our YouTube Channel.
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“You appointed the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows the time of its setting.” - Psalm 104:20
Dear Ones of Christ Church,
Our stewardship theme this year is “Shining our Light,” and here in my weekly wonderings this season I am pondering the Christian spirituality of different qualities and sources of light. This week: the moon.
I have strong childhood memories of riding in the car at night, looking through the window at the moon, and feeling as if the moon were traveling with me, at the same speed. Last week the crescent moon was visible in the eastern sky as the sun rose, and it was beautiful to watch the gentle blue-ish glow of the moon fade as the orange-ish light of the sun grew.
In the verse above from Psalm 104, the psalmist is addressing God about the wonders of creation and names the gift of the consistency of the moon and the sunset. In a world full of change and uncertainty, where much is out of our control, in a culture that tells us we should always try to be in control, it is a spiritual practice to sit and watch the sunrise and sunset. It is a spiritual practice to notice the changing phases of the moon, knowing that the earth’s motion and the sun’s and the moon’s shifting and interrelated castings of light and shadow are dependable and happening completely outside of my control, whether I pause to notice them, or not. Just as God’s sustaining presence is dependable and happening completely outside of my control, whether I pause to notice God, or not!
A few moonlight related resources:
- Barbara Brown Taylor’s book Learning to Walk in the Dark is a wondrous and wondering exploration of a lunar Christian spirituality.
- This video about artist Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon exhibit. I love the image and idea of a giant moon replica suspended in a cathedral! What does this idea and image say to you?
What memories do you have of moonlight? In your own daily routine and prayer life, are you drawn more to sunlight or moonlight, sunrise or sunset? The gospels tell us that Jesus went out to pray at night (Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12-13), and I like to imagine him praying by moonlight. What are your nighttime practices of praying and connecting with God? How might the gentle and changing moonlight be a guide for us in our discernment, during stewardship season and beyond?
Yours in Christ,
Melissa+
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Register for Church School and Youth Group
Greetings, Church School and Youth Group families! If you have not had a chance to fill out a 2025-2026 registration form, please do so by clicking on the following link and filling out the Google form:
Click here to register for church school and/or youth group
If you need assistance completing the registration form, or would prefer to register over the phone or on a paper form, please contact David Tyler in the church office at 508-746-4959, Monday through Friday from 9:30a to 3p, or speak to your child's teacher in-person on Sunday.
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Youth Formation
We will be offering a youth formation class (catchy name to come😄). Each Sunday from 9:00-9:45 all youth sixth grade and up are welcome and encouraged to meet in the Hospitality Suite to delve more deeply into God's Word and what it means to us as Christians and Episcopalians. We will interact with different types of Bibles, explore some history of the text we read, and discuss the liturgical resources we use here at Christ Church.
Our first class will be October 19th and will continue each Sunday. Our discussions will be facilitated by Alex Manchester and Becky Metzger. Please reach out to Becky at radmetzger@gmail.com with any questions.
| | Adult Sunday School: Sundays, 9a to 9:45a, in Rev. Melissa's office | | |
Gather in Rev. Melissa's office for a time of wondering, discussion, listening, fellowship, prayer, and sharing about the Scripture readings we will hear in worship, the seasons of our liturgical year and life, and our relationships with God and one another. No sign up or registration is necessary. Come as you are. Come for one week or every week. Feel free to grab some coffee from the parish hall beforehand (or bring your own!).
For questions or more information, please contact Rev. Melissa.
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Veterans Day
Celebration of Veterans Day at Christ Church November 9, 2025 - In 1918, On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I, then known as “the Great War.” Commemorated in many countries as Armistice Day the following year, the U. S. honors veterans always on November 11 and is known as Veterans Day. Christ Church Parish invites our veterans to share their stories and photos in preparation for a special presentation on Sunday, November 9th. If you are interested in this project, please contact Lynne Neeley at lneeley123@gmail.com or 973-760-3063
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Daffodil and Tulip Planting
All Saints weekend we will be doing our annual daffodil and tulip planting in memory of loved ones. Saturday November 1st 4-5 PM, Sunday November 2nd 9-10 AM and 11-Noon. Contact Cynthia Sykes cynsykes46@gmail.com for more information.
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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 life 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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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
| | Christ Church Thrift Shoppe | |
For shoppers looking to discover the week’s special sales at the Thrift Shoppe, check out our Facebook page at CCP Thrift Shoppe, and when you do visit it, be sure to “Like” us and share the page with friends and family.
Donations are always welcome, and if there’s something you no longer need or use — small home furnishings, housewares, kitchen gizmos, or items you might pass along to us, you can drop them off during our regular hours, and they might just find a new home with someone else. There are some things we can’t use, and a list of that information is detailed on the Christ Church website (christchurchplymouth.org) and then clicking on the Thrift Shoppe’s page.
Thrift Shoppe Hours
Thursday and Friday 10-4
Saturday 10-1
| | Christ Church Food Pantry | | |
The Food Pantry needs shopping bags for distributing orders to our clients. Please bring large grocery bags to the Pantry during shift hours.
As we prepare for our annual Thanksgiving project to distribute food and gift cards to 100 families, we ask you consider donating:
Large grocery bags, gravy, cranberry sauce, crackers, shelf-stable milk, instant mashed potatoes with "USE BY DATE OF 12/1/2025" or later.
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All are welcome to the Christ Church Food Pantry!
We are open by appointment:
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.
| | Taizé Prayer for All Saints | | All are invited to a Taizé Prayer for All Saints Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 7PM at St. Margaret’s Chapel 30 Harden Hill Road Duxbury, MA. | | |
Tutti Music Collective
A Celtic Celebration
| Elijah Langille is inviting all to his upcoming concert with the Tutti Music Collective on Saturday, November 8th at 8 PM at St Cecilia Catholic Church in Boston. Contemporary Irish folk band Ishna (https://ishnamusic.com/) joins with the Tutti Music Collective chorus and orchestra for a joyous evening of contemporary and traditional Celtic music. Visit their Facebook page for more information. | | 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. | | | | |
