Keeping Connected September 6, 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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Sunday Worship Schedule Changes
Our regular program year worship schedule, with Holy Eucharist at 5pm on Saturdays and 8am and 10am on Sundays, resumes on September 7th and 8th.
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Dear Ones of Christ Church,
In this weekend’s gospel reading (Mark 7:24-37) , Jesus speaks the Aramaic command “Ephphatha!,” which means “Be opened!,” and a man’s ears are opened to hear, and his tongue is loosed to speak.
How might you consider Jesus’s startling command, “Be opened!” in your life? I find myself thinking of oysters…I love oysters (because they are amazing animals, and also because they are tasty animals). At first, I realize I am hearing Jesus’s command as if he is holding a shucking knife, and I do not like this—I do not wish to be pried open and exposed to the violent consumption of today’s noisy and busy and increasingly complex and divided world! Better to simply stay shut and in my shell.
But then I think of oysters in their natural habitat. How they create reefs of protection and clean and filter our coastal beaches and waterways. On the homepage of the Mass Oyster Project, which is working to restore oyster reef populations in our state, it says that “a single oyster filter(s) up to fifty gallons of water each day.”
As we at Christ Church begin our celebration of the Season of Creation this weekend, instead of picturing myself as an oyster-out-of-water and Jesus with a shucking knife, what if I picture myself as an oyster-in–the-water? What would Jesus’s command, “Be opened!,” sound like from there, from this natural habitat? From the water, Jesus’s command to “be opened!,” right where I am, right where we are, is a call not to death but to fuller life, to feel the gentle and sometimes not-so-gentle pull of the tides, to “be opened” to receiving and giving nourishment and refreshment and healing in and from the God-given waters we share together on this particular reef. Of course, obeying Jesus’s command to “be opened” means that some sandy irritations will surely find their way into our lives. In those cases, may we pray to be a home for pearls.
With care for you, and blessings,
Melissa +
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Finances
Last week we received in over $7986. 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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Church School News
It is time to register your student/s for Church School! We need a new registration form for each student every year, so please fill this out even if you think we already have it.
Church School Registration
Classes for students in grades PreK-5 start this Sunday, September 8. We will have class at 9 AM and a special Welcome Back Ice Cream Social at Coffee Hour! Older students, and adults are invited to join Rev. Melissa at 9 AM in the Hospitality Suite for a discussion focused on the lessons for the day, or join choir rehearsal with Lea in the sanctuary.
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PreK-1 Students: Meet with Amanda Peterson and Wendela Correia in the basement classroom
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Grade 2-5 Students: Meet with Makenzie Manchester and Su D'Ambrosio in the classrooms on the 2nd floor of Hall House. Please enter by the door in the driveway.
Church School Help Needed! We are always looking for volunteers to help in our classrooms. Volunteers assist the lead teacher with class activities and ensure that we adhere to minimum adult supervision requirements for Safe Church guidelines. You can volunteer for one week, be on call as a substitute teacher, or join our Church School team. Please consider sharing your time and talent with our youngest parishioners by volunteering to help in our Church School classes! Use the link below to let us know you want to participate or contact Su D'Ambrosio for more information.
Church School Volunteer Form
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Middle School and High School Youth Group
We are excited to be moving in a new direction with our older youth at Christ Church.
This year we will be using a Youth Group model as formation for our older students. We know
that children in Middle and High School are busier than ever and with that in mind we will be
holding a Youth Group once a month. The first meeting will be Friday, September 20th. This
meeting will include a light dinner, introductions and the showing of a Pixar movie. These
movies are engaging, entertaining, and fun. They also happen to have many layers and
messages that can connect to broader and more spiritual topics. Our meeting will conclude with
topics to think about for future discussions and a quick game. The following month will take
place on Sunday, October 20th at 11:30 am. It will be a facilitated discussion of the Pixar movie
focusing on connections made, thoughts for the following month’s movie and a quick game. Our
meetings will continue with this alternating schedule throughout the school year.
Hopefully the shift to monthly meetings will allow the older children of Christ Church to
participate in some of the other ministries that are offered. Such as, serving as an acolyte,
singing in the choir, or simply being more present during Sunday service. We are hopeful that
opportunities for mission trips and community outreach and involvement will also come out of a
unified and motivated Youth Group.
Parents will still register their students for Church school through the Church School Registration Form.
Please feel free to reach out to Rebecca Metzger at radmetzger@gmail.com, Su D'Ambrosio at assunta999@gmail.com or Reverend Melissa at revmelissa@christchurchplymouth.org.
Thank you for your support of our youth at Christ Church.
Peace,
Rebecca Metzger
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Interested In Acolyting?
With our regular Sunday church schedule about to begin, we are looking to add to our current group of acolytes. 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. With the complexity of everyone's schedules we will be having a few different training sessions or refreshers for anyone interested in serving as an acolyte. These will take place at 9 a.m on 3 Sundays throughout September. September 15th, 22nd, and 29th. Please email Rebecca Metzger- radmetzger@gmail.com with a date that you are available. Please respond to Rebecca even if you are already on the acolyte list.
Thank you!
| Adult Sunday School! Sundays, 9 to 9:45a, starting September 8th | |
Join us in the parish hall for a time of wondering, discussion, listening, fellowship, prayer, and sharing about the Scripture readings we will hear in worship, the seasons of our 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. There will be coffee (or bring your own!).
In September, we will be focusing on the Season of Creation, the Gospel of Mark, and the letter of James, which Biblical scholar Raymond Brown calls "the most socially conscious writing in the New Testament."
For questions or more information, please contact Rev. Melissa.
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From September 7th through October 6th, we at Christ Church Parish and our wider Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts will be joining with Christians around the world to celebrate our Gospel calling to protect the Earth that God has entrusted to our care. Read more on the Episcopal Church's Season of Creation page at this link.
Below are ways we are and will be participating together here at Christ Church.
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Love God, Love God's World Monthly Small Group
Love God, Love God’s World is a nine-session, film-based curriculum from The Episcopal Church, ideal for Christians who are anywhere on their journey with creation care and environmental ministry—from newcomers looking to take their first step to seasoned leaders seeking a transformative small-group experience.
Read more by clicking here.
If you are interested in potentially joining our Love God, Love God's World small group, please fill out the brief survey here by September 15th.
Christ Church Parish's Creation Care Team
Our creation care team meets monthly, and all are welcome! Current topics of discussion include creating a pollinator or permaculture garden on our parish grounds. Click here to learn more about this ministry, and if you have questions or would like to attend a meeting, please contact Connie Melahoures.
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We will worship using Creation-themed prayers and music throughout this season, and we invite you to take note of these special services (stay tuned for more information as the dates approach):
Sunday, September 22nd at 10a (rain date September 29th): Join us for outdoor worship and the Stations of Creation. (the 5p Saturday and 8a Sunday services of Holy Eucharist will be indoors)
Saturday, October 5th at 5p and Sunday, October 6th 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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Accompanist Job Posting
Christ Church Parish in Plymouth, MA seeks a collaborative, creative, and community-oriented accompanist to join us in making a joyful noise at our worship services, choir rehearsals, and other special services.
Click here for more information. And please feel free to share this posting with others!
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Christ Church Thrift Shoppe |  | |
Outreach~ Near and Far
Nadia DosSantos, friend and supporter of the Thrift Shoppe, helped volunteers empty racks of unsold summer clothing last week. Nadia, who has partnered with the Thrift Shoppe for the past 2 years, ships greatly needed clothing to her Haitian homeland. Her desire to help extends to the sorting and allocating of remaining items for her parish family at the Brazilian Foursquare Church in North Plymouth. We are grateful for Nadia and all in our community who help us support our neighbors in need, both near and far.
Please consider helping us replenish our racks by donating gently worn in-style fall and winter clothing. We are no longer accepting summer items. Also in need are housewares, fiction books, kitchenware, and decorative items that are clean, in working order, and from non-smoking homes. The green collection bin located in the Narthex may be used for smaller donations.
As we begin our merchandise transition to Fall, we give thanks to the many volunteers, donors and shoppers, who together helped to contribute to a most productive and prosperous summer at the Thrift Shoppe.
Volunteer opportunities are always available and all are welcome regardless of age, experience, or affiliation with Christ Church.
Summer Shoppe Hours
Thursday and Friday 10-4
Saturday 10-2
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Christ Church Food Pantry | |
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This week we are low on:
Baked beans
Kidney beans
Spaghetti sauce
Coffee
Snack bars
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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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We are so excited to share that, for the entire month of September, the Christ Church Food Pantry has been selected by store leadership to benefit from the Stop & Shop’s Bloomin’ 4 Good Program, created to fight hunger across the communities served by Stop & Shop.
For the month of September, the purchase of a $10.99 bouquet in the sleeve marked “Bloomin’ 4 Good” from the Stop & Shop at 127 Samoset St in Plymouth will brighten a home or make someone’s day while also directing a $1 donation to the Christ Church Food Pantry.
This is a great way to broaden awareness in the local community and raise donations for our organization to help fight hunger.
Let’s get started! Share the news with friends and family. Call, send emails, and post on social media. The more bouquets sold, the greater the donation we will receive from Stop & Shop!
To learn more about this program, please visit stopandshop.2givelocal.com.
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All are invited to come together in celebration and gratitude for
Bishop Alan M. Gates and Tricia Harvey
and 10 years of episcopal ministry among us,
as Bishop Gates prepares to retire this fall.
Sunday, Oct. 6, 12-4 p.m.
New England Aquarium
1 Central Wharf, Boston
Come for all or part of this family-friendly celebration and reception.
Aquarium admission is included, 12-5 p.m.
All are welcome! Please join us!
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Join in celebration with the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts | |
God willing and the people consenting,
The Rev. Julia E. Whitworth
will be ordained and consecrated a Bishop
in the one holy catholic and apostolic Church and 17th Bishop of the
Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Trinity Church in the City of Boston
206 Clarendon Street
The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry,
Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church, presiding
All are welcome!
Clergy: Red stoles
Reception to follow the service
Seating is available as capacity allows.
Register to attend, watch the livestream, or join a watch party:
www.diomass.org/consecration
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Evensong with Seating of Our New Bishop
Our new bishop will be seated at the
Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 138 Tremont Street, Boston on
Sunday, Oct. 20 at 5:00 p.m.
All are welcome!
RSVP for Oct. 20 requested here.
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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. | | | | |
