Keeping Connected September 12, 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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Dear Ones of Christ Church,
This is the second installment of a Season of Creation series where I am sharing my wonder and appreciation of backyard and neighborhood inter-species friends who help me to pray and learn in different ways about my relationship with the Creator and creation.
This week: Agapostemon virescens, also known as the bicolored striped sweat bee. In the spring, a colony of these tiny iridescent green beauties took up residence in our backyard bed of native ferns. Alex and I have learned that, like most of our native bees here in Massachusetts, Agapostemon nest in the ground, but one thing that sets them apart is that they live communally instead of building solitary burrows. So at the very edge of our fern bed, protected under the fronds from rain, there is a sort of bee apartment complex of five very small dirt mounds, each with a hole at the top. While most of the sweat bees are out pollinating, a few stay behind to protect the burrows. Alex and I check on them each day, crouching down to observe their tiny green heads emerge to look back at us before determining that we are not a threat and retreating again. And we love watching these jeweled pollinators enjoy the flowers in our garden. We are honored that these beautiful and important bees have chosen our yard to make a home.
Some of the best ways to make spaces in our gardens for native ground-dwelling bees to take up residence are to leave patches of open bare dirt, leave hollow stems of plants up through the winter (some bees use these stems for winter shelter and/or to lay eggs), and to plant native pollinator plants that will attract them.
I am giving thanks to God for Agapostemon virescens and learning from these bees about living together in community, our reliance on other species for food and shelter, and taking the time to stop, watch, and observe the many small wonders around us.
What are your favorite pollinators to look for and watch at this time of year?
Yours in Christ,
Melissa+
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Finances
Last week we received in over $3482. 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.
| 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.
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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 | |
There is now a donation bin in the church’s narthex if you have something you would like to donate to the Thrift Shoppe. On the website (christchurchplymouth.org), click on the tab for the Thrift Shoppe for a guideline of items we can’t accept, but otherwise we welcome donations, which enable us to support many worthwhile programs in this community and beyond.
This week, we’ll be continuing our “buy one, get a second half-off” sale for boutique items, and in addition, we’re adding team-sport items and jewelry to the sale.
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.
| | 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. | | | | |
