Keeping Connected May 30, 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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Summer Sunday Worship Schedule Changes
Starting June 15, Christ Church will transition to our summer 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 9am.
Following the Sunday 9am service, we will be gathering for a delightful tradition: Lemonade on the Lawn. This is more than just refreshments; it's an opportunity to mingle, connect, and bask in the sunshine together. We'd love to see you there!
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Dear Ones of Christ Church,
In our Gospel passage this weekend (John 17:20-26) we will hear Jesus pray an extraordinary prayer of unity for his disciples and for all who will follow him across time: “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one.”
Today it can feel like there is so much disagreement and disunity between Christian denominations that the kind of one-ness Jesus desires for us seems very far off. Our political divisions in the US and an increasingly polarizing online culture where media and tech companies increase their profits by making us more divided, outraged, and exhausted keep us from doing the meaningful, real and hard work of honoring our relationships and one-ness in God and with one another.
Jesus’s prayer of unity for us, his followers, to “all be one” is a reminder to us that unity, togetherness, relationship, and cooperation across difference are possible, and that we as Christians are called not to move away from one another and our neighbors in polarization but to move toward one another in relationship through the reconciling love of Christ.
Some questions I have been pondering, and maybe you have, too: How can we engage with one another in ways that bring us closer to the kind of unity that Jesus desires for us? Is it possible to still honor our Baptismal Covenant and work toward justice and peace while building relationships with others who may have different ideas about the pathways to justice and peace, and different ideas about what justice and peace look like?
The answer, I have learned recently, is yes. Not only is it possible, there are organizations doing this courageous work of relationship and reconciliation and finding common ground and common action right now. And as I shared with a small group of parishioners who are in discernment about what a more intentional social justice ministry might look like here at Christ Church, this gives me hope.
Here are two links for you to explore:
- Braver Angels/Braver Faith -
https://braverangels.org/braver-faith/
All clergy in our diocese are receiving training with the organization Braver Angels this year about building and practicing a skill set to listen and engage with one another across difference, not with a goal of changing the other person’s mind, but with a goal of mutual deep listening, being in relationship, and potentially finding common ground. I attended the training two weeks ago, and it was both wonderful and challenging. Stay tuned, as we plan to bring a Braver Angels workshop to our parish.
- The Dignity Index -
https://www.dignity.us/
Several of you all shared a talk with me that Bishop Mariann Budde and Tim Shriver gave this past week at the Washington National Cathedral about the Dignity Index. The Dignity Index is a tool for measuring our way of being and attitude toward our neighbors who hold different beliefs from us. You can access the talk on the Washington Cathedral’s page at this link:
https://cathedral.org/calendar/budde-shriver/
I invite each of us to engage with the information in the links above and to discern how we are called to join Jesus in praying and being and living in ways that make known our one-ness with God, with one another, and with all Creation.
Yours in Christ,
Melissa+
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Finances
Last week we received in over $2516. 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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Young Families Survey – We’d Love to Hear from You!
Christ Church Episcopal Parish is exploring how we can better support young families in their journey of faith — and we need your input - take CCP's Young Families Survey. We have a goal of 100 responses!
This anonymous survey takes about 30 minutes and will help us better understand what’s meaningful, what’s missing, and how we can grow together. By “young families,” we mean households with children under the age of 25 — and we’re thinking beyond just children’s ministry. This is about the whole family: parents, caregivers, kids, and everyone walking alongside them.
Your responses will be reviewed by Deacon Natalie, Amanda Peterson, and Makenzie Manchester, who will summarize the results for the wider parish. At the end of the survey, you’ll also have a chance to sign up for a focus group conversation in June — where we’ll dig deeper into these insights and begin shaping a refreshed ministry by fall 2025.
Survey takes ~30 minutes
Open now through Saturday, June 8
Christ Church Young Family's Survey
This is a true "come as you are" opportunity. Most questions are optional — just share what you feel comfortable with.
If you have friends, family members, or former parishioners with kids — or anyone deeply connected to youth and family ministry — we’d love for you to share the survey link with them. Their perspective is incredibly valuable, especially if they aren’t currently part of our parish.
We’re so grateful for your insight as we build a vibrant, welcoming ministry for families who want to know, love, and follow Jesus in this season of life. For more information, contact Deacon Natalie, Amanda, or Makenzie.
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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.
| | Adult Sunday School! Sundays, 9 to 9:45a | |
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!).
Adult Sunday school's last meeting of the program year will be on the Feast of Pentecost: Sunday, June 8th. We will resume our praying and learning together in September!
For questions or more information, please contact Rev. Melissa.
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Helping Hands
Would you like to help out occasionally when we need a hand? Helping Hands is an extension of the Building and Grounds Committee. Our new sexton will soon begin his orientation and onboarding, and will be working fifteen hours a week. There will be times when we need extra help for special events, coverage for sick days and other one time needs, there are also some general tasks that could be done by volunteers which would enable our sexton to concentrate on other projects.
- No regular meetings to attend, just a willingness to lend a hand in faithful service to God and in support of our parish’s ministries of seeking Christ in ourselves and serving Christ in the world.
If you would like be included on the Helping Hands list please complete the questions below and email to Robb Pflock :
Address: srwarden@christchurchplymouth.org or put your information in mailbox #2 across from the office.
Name:
Email
Phone #
Preferred contact method: phone, text, email?
What do you like to do? Ex: grounds, event setup/ take down, general?
Days / times available?
Any limitations?
Please contact either Warden, John Steele or Robb Pflock with any questions.
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Pentecost Readers Needed
As has been our tradition, we have the Gospel lesson for Pentecost read in different languages. We need readers for all three services. Please let Connie know (conmel@aol.com) if you can help and for which service(s) you are available. Appropriate translations will be provided.
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Cookbook Parish Fundraiser
Let’s pick up where we left off some time ago!! Let’s get back on the track of preparing & publishing together a wonderful keepsake cookbook to benefit Christ Church Parish ~ Here we go!!
Morris Press Cookbooks ~
1) Go to typensave.com to login
2) Username : CCParish
3) Password : garlic547
Follow the easy directions to type in your favorite recipes. Thank you so very much. If you have any questions, please ask Anne McManus or Robin Nielsen and we will help you.
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Christ Church Staffing Announcement
Dear Ones of Christ Church,
I am pleased to share that Samuel "Sam" Stevenson is joining our parish staff in the role of part-time sexton (church buildings- and grounds-keeper). Sam starts his orientation this Tuesday and will be working with us for 15 hours per week. You can read more about Sam below—please join me in warmly welcoming him to Christ Church!
With gratitude, and peace,
Melissa+
| Sam Stevenson comes to us with decades of experience in facilities maintenance and management for large residential complexes (100-300 units). Sam has cared for properties in Bourne, Hanover, Hingham, and Weymouth, His skills include working closely with contractors, builders, and homeowners, as well as the ability to assess and perform basic electrical, plumbing, carpentry, HVAC, and troubleshooting. In 2004, Sam received the Employee of the Year award from the New England Chapter of the Community Association Institute. He is semi-retired and lives in Plymouth with his wife, Kimberly. | |
Parish Nurses
Are you getting enough sleep?
Feeling extremely tired during the day?
Falling behind at work or home?
Cutting back on enjoyable activities?
Increased irritability or moodiness?
Reduced attention span?
Impaired thinking, judgment or memory?
Over time there may be increased risks to your health: dementia, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, weight gain, obesity, and Cancer. It reduces immunity for increased risk of infection and increases anxiety and depression. Inadequate sleep may even cause car crashes and accidents at work! It can even lead to early death.
Sleep allows both the body and the brain to recover, helping you feel refreshed and alert when you waken.
Adults require at least 7 hours of sleep each night. Teens require 8-10 and school age children 9-12. Those hours may not be enough if you lack quality sleep time, affected by illness, pain, anxiety, medications, hormonal fluctuations, waking during the night, or sleep disorders.
Changing some simple lifestyles can make a difference.
Exercise regularly.
Keep your bedroom cool, dark and quiet.
Avoid blue light at least half an hour before bed.
Dim the lights and do a quiet activity before going to bed.
Go to sleep, and waken, at a consistent time.
Say your prayers and give worry to God. He cares.
And so do your Parish Nurses! To your health and wellbeing…and better sleep!
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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 | |
Did you put off Spring Cleaning, and now it’s almost summer? Why not pick a day this week to cast an eye over things at home that get moved only when you have to dust them? Wouldn’t you like to pass them along to the Thrift Shoppe, where they may be just the thing someone else has been wishing for?
Knick-knacks, housewares and kitchen items, fiction books, jewelry, small home furnishings, as well as gently-worn women’s and men’s clothing (all from smoke-free homes), can all be dropped off during shoppe hours. It’s a way of indirectly supporting outreach programs AND doing yourself a favor!
And when you stop by to drop off your donations, take the opportunity to view the newly-arrived vintage dollhouse, handmade in 1975 by a grandfather who aimed to inspire imagination in his grandchildren.
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. | | | | |
