Keeping Connected September 19, 2025 | | |
Connect Virtually
We will continue using our live streaming equipment. You may access our Sunday morning worship service via our YouTube Channel.
| | "Wren icon" by artist and writer Jackie Morris, from the book The Lost Words. | | |
Dear Ones of Christ Church,
Today is the third installment in a Season of Creation series in which I am reflecting on, learning from, and giving thanks for some of the fellow creatures who inhabit my neighborhood. There will be a brief break in the series next Friday while I am away on vacation, and the last installment will be on Friday, October 3rd.
Have you ever been awakened quite early by bright and very loud birdsong coming through your window that alternates between sounding like rapid “tea-kettle tea-kettle tea-kettle” or “Judy-Judy-Judy-Judy,” or boisterous chatter? Have you ever stepped out onto your porch in the evening and up in the corner seen a small, pinecone-shaped ball of feathers sheltering and sleeping? If yes, then you have heard and encountered the Carolina wren, one of my favorite local birds.
Wrens are loud. Wrens are tiny. Wrens are assertive. And wrens, who are with us in Massachusetts year-round, are extremely adaptable to and curious about human structures. They will sleep under the eaves of your porch, in the wreath on your door, or in the crease of your backyard umbrella. They will build a nest in your hanging plant pot. They forage about in low branches and in leaves for grubs and insects and worms and berries. Our wren neighbors love to frequent our suet and shelled peanut feeders.
You can tell you are looking at a Carolina wren and not a sparrow because of the wren’s distinctive tea pot shape (their tails stick up) and the white stripe near their eye. You can also tell because wrens move in short quick bursts, flicking and hopping about so rapidly that to our human eyes, they almost look glitchy.
I am giving thanks to God for wrens, for the ways they teach me about rising early to sing a new song, for their adaptability, industriousness, and curiosity, for the ways they make me laugh.
Who are your bird neighbors? How are you thankful for them? What are you learning from them?
Below is a poem called “wren,” by Robert Macfarlane. The poem, as well as the illustration above by artist Jackie Morris are from their book, The Lost Words. You can learn more about the book in Jackie Morris’s article, linked here. I will share more about Macfarlane and his work in my next reflection in two weeks, post-vacation. In the meantime, I will be praying many blessings for you in these golden September days.
Yours in Christ,
Melissa +
“wren” by Robert Macfarlane
When wren whirrs from stone to furze the world around
her slows, for wren is quick, so quick she blurs the air
through which she flows, yes —
Rapid wren is needle, rapid wren is pin — and wren's song
is sharp-song, briar-song, thorn-song, and wren's flight
is dart-flight, flick-flight, light-flight, yes —
Each wren etches, stitches, switches, glitches, yes —
Now you think you see wren, now you know you don't.
Poem source: Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris, The Lost Words, Anansi International, 2018.
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Finances
Last week we received in over $6208. 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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Register for Church School and Youth Group
Greetings, Church School and Youth Group families! If you have not had a chance to fill out a 2025-2026 registration form, please do so by clicking on the following link and filling out the Google form:
Click here to register for church school and/or youth group
If you need assistance completing the registration form, or would prefer to register over the phone or on a paper form, please contact David Tyler in the church office at 508-746-4959, Monday through Friday from 9:30a to 3p, or speak to your child's teacher in-person on Sunday.
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First Youth Group Meeting!
Youth Group Monthly meetings will begin on September, 26th, from 5:30-7:30 in the Parish Hall. We will have dinner, plan our itinerary for future meetings and of course, play some games. This year's focus will be service, both at church and in the wider community. We will also begin to plan some one day retreats and community based projects.
Dates for the next 2 meetings:
Friday, October 17th, 5:30-7:30
Friday, November 21st, 5:30-7:30
Please reach out to Becky Metzger- radmetzger@gmail.com with any questions.
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Attention Current and Future Acolytes!
Please join us Saturday, September 27th, for acolyte training! This is an opportunity to learn all about the duties and expectations of an acolyte at Christ Church. If you are a current acolyte, this is a great refresher! We will meet at 11:00 am and our meeting will be followed by a light lunch.
Please reach out to Becky Metzger at radmetzger@gmail.com if you plan on attending so we can plan for lunch.
Acolyting is an important ministry and we appreciate the contributions acolytes bring to our services and our church!
| | Adult Sunday School resumes September 28th! Sundays, 9a to 9:45a, in Rev. Melissa's office | | |
Beginning Sunday 9/28, gather in Rev. Melissa's office for a time of wondering, discussion, listening, fellowship, prayer, and sharing about the Scripture readings we will hear in worship, the seasons of our liturgical year and 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. Feel free to grab some coffee from the parish hall beforehand (or bring your own!).
For questions or more information, please contact Rev. Melissa.
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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.
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From our (newly-forming!) social justice ministry
"...for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me." - Jesus, Matthew 25:35-36
A Christ Church social justice ministry has been taking shape these last months and wishes to make the parish community aware of an opportunity to act in support of immigrants in Massachusetts:
In our Baptismal Covenant, we promise that with God's help, we will "respect the dignity of every human being." The ACLU of Massachusetts and other coalition partners are organizing to support the Dignity Not Deportations Act (H.1588/S.1122). The Dignity Not Deportations Act would prohibit immigration Massachusetts entities from donating time and resources to ICE by signing contracts that deputize local officials as ICE agents. It also prohibits Massachusetts entities, including sheriffs, from voluntarily renting beds to ICE. If you are interested in filling out a postcard in support of the Act, there will be cards available on the hallway table downstairs near the parish office. All you need to do is add the name of your State Rep on one card and your State Senator on the other and include your name, address and email and leave it in the box on the table. ACLU plans to deliver these cards to our Legislators.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about our social justice ministry, please contact Anne McManus or Connie Melahoures.
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2025 FALL BIBLE STUDY
Come join us for a Fall Bible study at our home.
HOSTED BY: Dee & Bill Ferguson, 35 Chipping Hill in the Pinehills
TOPIC: Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians
DAY & TIME: Sunday 4:00 – 5:30pm
DATES: September 21, 28, October 5, 12, 19, 26, November 9
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 7 – 10
This is not a “drop in” study. We ask participants to schedule their calendars to be able to attend most or all sessions.
FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO SIGN-UP: Please call Dee or Bill at 508-224-1680 or email us at fergusondandb@gmail.com.
We look forward to some interesting and lively group discussions!
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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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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 | |
If you are looking to add some sparkle to your table, the Thrift Shoppe’s special sale this week on glassware will definitely fit the bill. Plates, platters, and pitchers…candy dishes, cake stands, and carafes…vintage vases and goblets galore! Buy one piece, and get a second one at half-price.
If you are more interested in jewelry or clothing, all jewelry, and all men’s and women’s slacks, are also priced at “buy one, get a second half-off.”
Thrift Shoppe Hours
Thursday and Friday 10-4
Saturday 10-1
| | Christ Church Food Pantry | | The Food Pantry is in need of donations of canned mixed fruit, spaghetti, tuna, jelly, tomato soup, and quart size juice. | | |
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.
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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 Friday, September 26th.
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