Keeping Connected November 29, 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 $3997. 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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Sunday December 1: Families and parishioners are invited to learn about the tradition of the Advent Wreath and create your own family wreath. All materials are generously provided by Lynne Neeley. The activity takes place from 9-10 am in the Parish Hall. If you are not able to attend at 9 am, some supplies will be available to take home at coffee hour. | |
Pageant 2024: The deadline to sign up for the annual Christmas Pageant is Friday December 6. Please click HERE to sign-up.
Rehearsals are after church on: December 1, 8, 15, 22 with a dress rehearsal TBD. The pageant is on Tuesday December 24 at 4:00 pm. Please spread the word!
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Church School Schedule: There are regular Church School classes for PreK-5 scheduled for: December 1 (Advent Wreath making), December 8, and December 15. December 22 will be a Pageant Rehearsal and December 29 there is NO Church School.
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 | |
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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Help needed!
Weather permitting, the Buildings & Grounds committee is hosting a workday on Saturday, December 7th from 9am to about 1pm. We’ll be cleaning up around our buildings before winter arrives.
Coffee and breakfast goodies will be provided. Please bring your own work gloves.
Remember, many hands make light work!
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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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Christmas Flowers and Musicians | |
If you wish to remember or honor a loved one or give in thanksgiving, you may do so by sponsoring the flowers and guest musicians for our Christmas services. The form will be included with the weekend bulletins or you can download it here. In order to have your memorial listed in the Christmas bulletins, please return the form by Monday, December 16. | |
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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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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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Judy Lutz
Current Leadership Position(s) at Christ Church Parish:
● Vestry member
● Parish Nurse Ministry
Past Responsibilities at Christ Church Parish (or previous parishes):
● Leader Search Committee for Priest, Christ Church
● Former parish: Nurse, church school teacher, member governing board,
Other Ministry Involvement(s) at Christ Church Parish:
● Parish Ministry Network
Family Members:
● That attend Christ Church - Bill Lutz, husband and retired clergy
● That don’t attend Christ Church - Two sons and daughters-in-law, seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren scattered across US
Vocation(s) - past and/or present:
● Licensed RN
● Clergy wife
● Mother
● Grandmother
Hobbies, Pets, & other fun info:
● Travel
● bird watching
● Reading
● Puzzles
● family
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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.
During these next few weeks please look at your wonderful recipes you might be using for your holiday meal preparations.
Please take a moment or two and share them on the website for our parish cookbook project.
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 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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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 Wednesday, December 4th from 12 PM - 3 PM and Thursday, December 5th from 9:30 AM - 11 PM.
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