Keeping Connected April 18, 2025 | | |
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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Dear Ones of Christ Church,
In the midst of these most holy days, I have discovered and would like to share with you the poem “Christ-hymn” by Sandra Duguid. I love how the poem cascades like a spare and beautiful waterfall of verse containing Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. I love its compelling rhythm, its odd punctuation, and I love when the poem “concludes,” after Jesus’s death, with “Amen. Amen.” And then! The verses burst forth again, with an “O” that reminds me of the sacred space of an empty tomb.
Yours in Christ,
Melissa +
“Christ-hymn” by Sandra R. Duguid
O You!
You tiny who
Of Simeons song
You shepherds shock
You singular star-bright
You student
Shunning company
And travel
For scholars light.
Just apprentice
Of your mothers husband
True measurer
And leveler
And line
Authoritative voice
Enlisting aid
Selector
And selected
And Divine.
Creative host
Of weddings, picnics, graves
Most social
And uncelebrated
Friend
You thoughtful martyr
You thirsty man
You dying God—
I hoped!
But this concludes . . .
Amen. Amen.
O
Heir of power
Crasher
Of closed meetings
The unsummoned
Inviting inspection—
You natural!
You Master
Of surprise.
Source: While I found Sandra Duguid’s “Christ-hymn” through the Art & Theology Blog, this poem was originally published in the anthology A Widening Light: Poems on the Incarnation, edited by Luci Shaw.
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Finances
Last week we received in over $4035. 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
Adult Sunday school will not meet on Easter Sunday and will resume on Sunday, April 27th.
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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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Change to Easter Vigil New Fire
Due to a forecast of high winds for Saturday (tomorrow) evening, we will not be able to light the New Fire for the Easter Vigil outside for safety reasons. The planned pre-service gathering outdoors at 8pm is therefore cancelled. The community is instead invited to gather indoors for the start of the service at 8:30pm, when we will kindle a small “smokeless/smoke-controlled” New Fire indoors at the back of the church.
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Church Office Easter Vacation
The Church Office will be closed Monday, April 21 - Thursday, April 24.
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Evening Women’s Group
Evening women will be meeting at 73 Degrees West on May 7. The price is $36, cash only. Please RSVP to Donna Lawrence at 508-243-2293. She needs a definite count by Monday, May 5.
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Notes from the Vestry meeting of April 9, 2025
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.
- Save the dates: Vestry Retreat May 2 & 3
- Proposal for formation of Social Justice Ministry at Christ Church presented by Anne McManus and Connie Melahoures.
- 10 hr Sexton position has been posted. 17 applications so far.
- Bids being taken to repair safety issues in Hall House. To be reviewed at next Building and Grounds meeting.
- Treasurer’s report:
Overall March income favorable
Regular giving and other giving favorable
- Thrift Shoppe to donate $2500 to Amazing Grace, $2500 to Salvation Army, $2500 to Christ Church Food Pantry, and $2500 to Rectors Discretionary Fund.
- Food Pantry expecting increased demand and decreased supply. Partnering with other food pantries to seek the attention of and possible visits from our Senators and Representatives.
- The next regular vestry meeting will be in combination with our annual Vestry Retreat Friday May 2nd at 6 – 8 pm in the parish hall and May 3rd 9a – 3p at St. Margaret’s in Duxbury.
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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 | |
It is with gratitude that we report the Q1 proceeds for 2025 exceeded $20k, thus allowing for the following volunteer recommended and Vestry approved designations;
Christ Church- in-reach $10k
Amazing Grace- a faith-based summer camp program in Sandwich. This organization’s mission is to break the cycle of incarceration by supporting healthy relationships and experiences for children of past or presently incarcerated parents. $2500
Salvation Army Plymouth- funds will support summer camp sponsorships for children with financial need from Plymouth, Kingston, and Carver. $2500
Rev Melissa’s discretionary account $2500
Christ Church Food Pantry $2500
The Thrift Shoppe leaders again thank our committed volunteers, shoppers, donors, and Vestry members for their ongoing support in making outreach possible.
Shoppe Hours:
Thursday and Friday 10-4
Saturday 10-1
| | Christ Church Food Pantry | | The Food Pantry is in need of donations of small bottles of dish detergent, vegetable oil, baked beans, and Chef Boyardee. | | |
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.
| | 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. | | | | |
