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The Chimes

A bi-monthly newsletter of Christ Church

May 1, 2026

We are a joyful community celebrating Jesus Christ. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here.

Sunday Worship Service begins 9am

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Calendar of Events


Tuesdays Free Chair yoga 6 pm

2nd Tuesday of the Month- Vestry 6:30 pm 

2nd Wednesday of the Month - Outreach 6 pm

Thursdays - Women’s AA (closed meeting)

3rd Friday - Game Day 10am

1st Saturday of the Month - Veteran’s Breakfast 8:30 - 10

- Remaining Saturdays Free Chair yoga 9:15 am


5/22 & 5/23 - Bible Study, Women of the Bible 5pm-7pm

5/31 Confirmation at St James Church in Cambridge, Ma.


It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Alan R. Scott, 68 of Somerset on April 24, 2026. He was the loving husband of Ericka M. (Stanton) Scott.


Relatives and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 8:30-10:30am in the Hathaway Community Home for Funerals, 900 Buffinton St., Somerset.



His Funeral Service with Requiem Eucharist will follow at 11am in Christ Church, Main St. Swansea. 

A private burial will follow in the Christ Church Cemetery.

In of flowers, please consider a contribution in Alan’s memory to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. 



We also sadly announce the passing of Gayle Velozo (a long-time parishioner) who was a volunteer with the Veteran's Ministry. She is most known for her "award winning" cream puffs and chow mien sandwiches, of which she would make especially for our Harvest Festival. Details have not been finalized at this time.

REFLECTION OF LIFE

https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/what-life-should-be


What Life Should Be by Pat A. Fleming

Stepping away from the famous and classic works, we find this gem of a poem by an amateur writer (just goes to show that anyone can create pieces of great meaning). Much like those more well-known poems, it talks us through how we ought to try to live our lives. It’s simple, yet inspiring.


To learn while still a child

What this life is meant to be.

To know it goes beyond myself,

It’s so much more than me.


To overcome the tragedies,

To survive the hardest times.

To face those moments filled with pain,

And still manage to be kind.


To fight for those who can’t themselves,

To always share my light.

With those who wander in the dark,

To love with all my might.


To still stand up with courage,

Though standing on my own.

To still get up and face each day,

Even when I feel alone.


To try to understand the ones

That no one cares to know.

And make them feel some value

When the world has let them go.


To be an anchor, strong and true,

That person loyal to the end.

To be a constant source of hope

To my family and my friends.


To live a life of decency,

To share my heart and soul.

To always say I’m sorry

When I’ve harmed both friend and foe.


To be proud of whom I’ve tried to be,

And this life I chose to live.

To make the most of every day

By giving all I have to give.


To me that’s what this life should be,

To me that’s what it’s for.

To take what God has given me

And make it so much more


To live a life that matters,

To be someone of great worth.

To love and be loved in return

And make my mark on Earth.

Upcoming Events

Building Bridges FREE Veterans breakfast 4-4-26 at Christ church in Swansea, Ma. 107 Veterans including 18 volunteers were served. Thank you all who help make this breakfast a huge success.

Picture credit Judy Fardig


Next Veteran's Breakfast May 2nd, 8:30 - 10am.

All veterans and a guest are welcome!


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 SUNDAY SCHOOL CALENDAR


Hi everyone!


Sunday School Schedule - End of Year!



May 3rd - 9 AM + 10 AM*

May 10th - 9 AM + 10 AM*

May 17th - 9 AM

May 24th - Memorial Day - NO CLASS

May 31st - Last Day Party!! - 10 AM


As we gear up for Confirmation, our schedule will look different for the next month.


We will still hold a 9 AM class geared with younger students in mind, but still appropriate for all ages.


The 10 AM class will be the Confirmation prep. Even if the older students are not making Confirmation, they can still come to the 10 AM lesson if that time works better for them that week.


If anyone making confirmation is unable to attend any classes April 19th - May 10th, please let us know.


Confirmation is May 17th: Christ Church Plymouth, 149 Court St. at 4 PM


Stay tuned for Summer meet-ups!


Thanks!

Christina

What's Happening in our Deanery

Let's meet The Bridge



OUR MISSION STATEMENT: The Bridge: A Center for Hope and Healing provides the community with a welcoming environment that promotes mental health and wellness. Our mission is to help people of all ages experience emotional and psychological wellbeing through access to individual counseling, support groups and other programs.

The Bridge is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit counseling center in Dartmouth, located on the campus of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, serving folks from all over the Southcoast region. To further support the mission of The Bridge, we invite you to visit this link: https://givebutter.com/iyoxyN


The Bridge provides the community with a welcoming environment promoting mental health & wellness. Here is their new outreach for community support and wellness.

God of the present moment, God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart; bring hope and courage to all as we wait in uncertainty. Bring hope and peace with whatever lies ahead. Bring us courage to endure what cannot be avoided. For your will is health and wholeness; you are God and we need you.

– Adapted from a New Zealand Prayer Book, page 765


The CDC is reporting the high rates of flu in Massachusetts and very high in Rhode Island. We will have hand sanitizer and masks available on the table as you come into the church if you choose to use them.

Christ Church Search Prayer

Almighty God, look graciously on the people of Christ Church. Be with us and lead us as we seek the next rector for our church. We ask your direction and guidance for those who shall choose our new spiritual leader, that we may receive an upright and faithful pastor who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries.

Grant us perception, faithfulness and joy, so that we may hear your voice in all our deliberations. Grant us also the desire and the ability to truly hear each other and those who have entrusted us with this process. Give us courage to respond and act as you lead us. We pray this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Please pray for our search committee members:

Chairperson-Shirley Stasiowski, Julia Baker, Leslie Buxton, Pam Kirkpatrick, Alisha Nadeau, Julie Sanders, and Alan Scott.

Inclement weather notice

Our weather is typical New England and changes rapidly. We will do our best to send out church and program changes via our local radio station, constant contact email, and posting on the out-going message on the church voice mail.

There may be times where there are power outages that keep us from posting. When in doubt, please error on the side of caution and stay home. Your neighborhood may be OK but not another. God be with us and keep us in God's care, always! office.

Sunday Worship

9am Holy Eucharist

Office Hours

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10am-3pm

508-678-0923

Messages are checked.

For more exciting pictures, please check out our Face Book Page

https://www.facebook.com/christ.church.swansea.57

Christ Church

57 Main Street,

Swansea, Ma 02777

christchurchswansea@yahoo.com


Interim Priest

The Reverend

Billie Mae Gordon

billiemaegordon@gmail.com.


Supply Priest

The Reverend Phil Jacobs


Co-wardens

Jennifer Valiente, Co-Warden jvaliente21@yahoo.com


David McCarthy, Co-Warden Ernh3@aol.com


Office: Sue Correira;

508-678-0923



 Al Deston III, Music Director

aldeston@aol.com


Sue Sheppard, Treasurer Suesheppard021@gmail.com

Sandra Grace , Clerk

sandy_grace@comcast.net


Vestry Members

·       Leslie Buxton

·        leslie.buxton32377@gmail.com

·         

·        Judi DeMello

·        hfr1577@yahoo.com

·                

·        Christina Peterson 

·        cepeterson14@comcast.net 


Kenneth Potvin

kpotvin00@comcast.net


Leslie Burrell

· leslieburrell4479@gmail.com   

·        ·         

·        Convention Delegates:

·        Julie Sanders

·        Jennifer Valiente


·  Representative to

Mt.Hope Deanery

·        Jennifer Valiente










The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts

138 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02111

617-482-5800 or 617-482-4826

www.diomass.org

www.facebook.com/diomass@diomass


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