Keeping Connected August 29, 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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Sunday Worship Schedule Changes
Starting September 7, Christ Church will transition to our regular worship schedule. We warmly invite you to join us for our Saturday service of Holy Eucharist at 5pm or Sunday service of Holy Eucharist at 8am or 10am.
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Dear Ones of Christ Church,
We have had a hummingbird feeder in our yard for the first time this summer, and Alex and I have enjoyed watching the tiny jewel-colored birds come to drink. They are beautiful and funny, but they are not gentle birds, and they do not like to share—they chase each other away from the feeders and will only drink one at a time. We have one particular ruby-throated visitor who will drink his fill and then fly up into the box elder branches that hang over our yard and keep watch. Then, like a tiny fierce sentinel, he will dive bomb and chase away any birds that dare to come to “his” feeder. And yet, he can only keep this up for a while. He eventually flies off, and one of the other birds will come in to feast.
In our gospel reading this weekend (Luke 14:7-14), Jesus reminds us of the ways that we can act guarded and possessive, like hummingbirds, around the tables of our lives, and he teaches us to engage in a different, radical, even shocking way of hospitality. This gospel passage reminds me of the sonnet below, “The Risk,” by Marcella Marie Holloway. The poem’s shocking language mirrors the often shocking ministry of Jesus—I am pulled up short in particular by the use of the slur “cripple,” a word that disability rights advocates have been reclaiming for themselves.
In sitting with the gospel and this poem, I wonder if I, if we, can allow ourselves to be shocked again and again by the beautiful messiness of inviting Jesus to our tables, of being invited to Jesus’s table, and of inviting others.
Yours in Christ,
Melissa +
The Risk, by Marcella Marie Holloway
You take a risk when you invite the Lord
Whether to dine or talk the afternoon
Away, for always the unexpected soon
Turns up: a woman breaks her precious nard,
A sinner does the task you should assume,
A leper who is cleansed must show his proof:
Suddenly you see your very roof removed
And a cripple clutters up your living room.
There’s no telling what to expect when Christ
walks in your door. The table set for four
must often be enlarged and decorum
thrown to the wind. It’s His voice that calls them
and it’s no use to bolt and bar the door:
His kingdom knows no bounds of roof, or wall, or floor.
Source: Marcella Marie Holloway, And Still He Comes (Avila College Press, 2001).
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Finances
Last week we received in over $18271. 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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Dear Christ Church Families,
We are so excited to welcome you all back to church school and youth group in September! The above Save-the-Date flyer shares information about our September 7th 9a church school and youth group meet-and-greet and after-church ice cream social. Come meet us and one another, and enjoy a sweet treat. Also, during our 10am worship service that day, we will offer a back-to-school blessing for all among us who are starting another school year as learners, teachers, school staff, and administrators.
This year, church school will continue to meet at the same Sunday time of 9a, and we are delighted to share a location change: students in grades 2 to 5 will no longer meet in Hall House, which means that all of our church school classrooms will be in the main church building.
Stay tuned—we will send more information and updates soon, including how to register for church school and youth group! For now, if you have any questions for us, please reach out to Rev. Melissa: revmelissa@christchurchplymouth.org
With peace,
Your Church School and Youth Group Team
| Church school classroom and nursery on the move! | |
Please pardon our appearance for the next few weeks as we prepare for a new church school year! We are excited to share that the church school classroom for grades 2 to 5 will be moving from Hall House into the main church building. This move means that on Sundays, Christian formation for all ages will be happening in the same place, and it also means that we will be able to comply with our Safe Church policies.
The grades 2-5 classroom is moving into the space where the volunteer workstation and nursery have been. The nursery will be moving across the hall. The volunteer workstation will be moving to the front table in the main office. During the week when it is not in use by our children, the new grade 2-5 classroom will be available as meeting space for ministries and groups. If you would like to help volunteer to move items or if you have questions about the move, please contact John Steele or Robb Pflock.
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From September 6th through October 5th, we at Christ Church will join with parishes around our diocese and with Christians around the world to celebrate the Season of Creation, a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through prayer, worship, conversion, and commitment together.
Engage and pray with materials about the 2025 theme, "Peace with Creation," at this link, and with the Episcopal Church's Season of Creation resources at this link.
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Our worship and formation this season will be Creation-themed. We invite you to take note of these special services (stay tuned for more information as the dates approach):
Sunday, September 28th at 10a (weather permitting): Join us for outdoor worship and the Stations of Creation. While the 10am service will be entirely outside, the 5p Saturday and 8a Sunday services of Holy Eucharist will be indoors, with the option to go outside to pray the Stations of Creation.
Saturday, October 4th at 5p and Sunday, October 5th at 10a: Join us as we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis and Blessing of the Animals. Your leashed and crated critters are welcome at both services. (the 8am Sunday service will be humans-only)
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If you are seeking ways to participate in creation care locally, you can connect with:
Sustainable Plymouth - a group of eco-conscious local volunteers focusing on environmental sustainability
Our Diocesan Creation Care page - links and resources for parishes and individuals
If you are interested in creation care ministry at Christ Church, please contact Connie Melahoures.
| | With gratitude for our hospitality suite's makeover | Thank you to the anonymous donors who have generously purchased new furniture and a new rug for our hospitality suite. Stop by to check out the space, stay, and pray awhile! | |
Parish Alcohol Policy
“Christ Church Parish, Plymouth seeks to create a welcoming and safe environment for all of God’s people, including those in recovery. To that end, we commit to purposefully regulate alcohol use at events we sponsor, or refrain from serving non-sacramental alcohol.” - A Policy for the Use of Alcoholic Beverages for Christ Church Parish, Plymouth
In accordance with our mission of seeking Christ in ourselves and serving Christ in the world, and to move Christ Church into compliance with the policies of the wider Episcopal Church and our diocese, our vestry voted to approve and implement a parish alcohol policy at its 8/13/25 meeting. The policy's language comes directly from our diocese, with some additional safeguards added by our vestry. The policy is effective as of 8/21/25.
If you have questions about the policy or the guide, please contact Rev. Melissa and senior warden Robb Pflock.
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Evening Women's Group
The Evening Women's Group will meet for fellowship and a dinner hosted by Thrift Shoppe volunteers on Wednesday, September 3rd at 5:00pm in the parish hall.
If you have never attended an EWG dinner, or it’s been a while since you have, please consider joining us. Come enjoy dinner, meet new parishioners, connect with old friends, share fellowship, and hear about the Food Pantry and Thrift Shoppe ministries. EWG’s outreach activities planned for the coming year will also be discussed.
A traditional or vegetarian option chili and baked potato dinner with a full topping bar will be served. All women of the parish are invited and welcome. Please RSVP drewlench19@gmail.com
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Faith Based Book Study
For several years now, a small group has been reading and discussing various faith based books; often incorporating music, art, poetry, and audio visual material. We are currently reading through the Psalms using a workbook and reading them from different bible versions. Our discussions are lively and thought provoking.
Our study group meets on most Thursdays from 1pm to about 2:30 pm at the church (space for this year TBD).
Each week a different person opens and closes the meeting with prayers, a reading, or meditation.
If you are interested in joining us please email Debbie Hill at hillysfilly@mac.com.
We will be starting up again on Thursday, 9/11/25, after our summer break. Space is limited.
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Acolyte Meeting
Summer has flown by and the regular church schedule will be underway soon. With that in mind we will be holding an Acolyte meeting for all current acolytes and for individuals who may be interested! Acolytes assist the ministers during the service to help things run smoothly. This enhances the worship service and is an important ministry. Traditionally acolytes are youth over the age of 9. We will meet on Saturday, September 6th at 11:00, followed by lunch. If you have any questions or are able to attend on 9/6, please email Rebecca Metzger at radmetzger@gmail.com.
Thank you, Rebecca Metzger
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Notes from the Vestry meeting of August 13, 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.
If you would like to receive an electronic copy of our minutes, they are available by request. Please email David Tyler at office.christchurchplymouth@gmail.com.
- Parish Alcohol Policy has been adopted and will be communicated in the coming weeks.
- Use of space change has been approved and will allow all Sunday School classes to be held in the main building of the church.
- Church School program has been restructured to include our teaching team and an outside consultant.
- Incident reports to be implemented for use in the Food Pantry and Thrift Shoppe.
- Thrift Shoppe to donate $1500 to Salvation Army Back to School Backpack initiative.
- Thrift Shoppe proposes letter to new area residents advertising the shop for donating and shopping, the food pantry services, and the greater church community.
- Table has been established in Thrift Shoppe providing visitors with information about the church and some of its ministries.
- Electronic version of full vestry minutes to be made available upon request. Please contact David Tyler.
- Sound and internet issues in the church are being investigated for repair / solution.
The next regular vestry meeting will be held on
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 6:30pm
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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 | |
Beginning on September 7th, there will be a green donation bin in the church’s narthex for parishioners having items they wish to drop off when they come to church. Please visit the Thrift Shoppe ministries page on the church’s website for donation guidelines as to what items cannot be accepted, and note that all items should be in good working order, clothing cleaned, and all from smoke-free homes. The Thrift Shoppe relies on donations and is so grateful that what is received enables so much good in the community and beyond.
Thrift 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 vegetable oil, small bottles of dish soap, smaller boxes of sugar and flour. | | |
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.
| Introducing New Core Values, Mission Statement, and Strategic Priorities for our Diocese | Welcome + Courage + Justice + Joy + Love | |
Dear Friends in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts,
I'm writing to share with you the fruits of our visioning work as a diocese!
After months of surveys, listening sessions, and discernment, I am excited to reveal our new core values, mission statement, and strategic priorities for the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. These will guide us in our life together for the next several years.
You can explore them in:
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Eight slides, and
- A video of me and our Canon to the Ordinary, Chris Wendell, elaborating on the values, mission statement, and priorities, and their implications for our diocese:
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This vision combines the best of who we have been with our collective aspirations for the church of the future. As you explore these materials, I hope you will recognize reflections of and guidance for your individual worshipping communities as well as a sense of a collective direction for the diocese as a whole.
What we are offering to you today is your work. More than 1,000 of you were involved in the extensive listening and discernment work of the past few years that has led to this vision. Our Standing Committee, Diocesan Council, and Diocesan Staff all provided thoughtful input during the drafting process. Thank you to everyone who contributed their voice, experience, and hopes for our shared future as a diocese.
The Holy Spirit has been working in all of us to reveal new directions for our becoming faithful witnesses to Christ in our communities. As I enter my eleventh month as your bishop, I hope that these values, mission, and priorities will offer inspiration and challenge as we shape our common life together in the years to come.
Please join me in praying for our diocese and shared mission.
With joy, courage, and love,
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The Rt. Rev. Julia E. Whitworth
Bishop Diocesan
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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 Monday, September 1st for Labor Day.
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