He served briefly, at the very end of his life, as bishop of our diocese. A sizeable statue honoring him looms in a quiet corner of Copley Square. Observers often comment upon the fact that the sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, positions Jesus behind the orating Brooks. Brooks is buried with his brothers and parents in Cambridge’s Mount Auburn Cemetery. His gravestone there is a small and simple affair of weathered white marble.

My office for the past eleven years was on the third floor of the rectory built for Brooks in the Back Bay after Trinity Copley was completed. Despite the insertion of cubicles and printers into its spacious rooms, I always had the feeling that Brooks had just left. He was a very tall man of considerable girth, and the doorways on the first and second floors are generously wide, as is the stair leading up from the foyer to the room, which was once his bedroom and in which he died. The scale is generous... A building built to Brooks’ scale. I’d think, “There’s a wideness in God’s mercy.”, while barreling down those stairs to answer the doorbell.

Looking back at him through the century that separates us – a century of two world wars and serial genocides and of accelerating climate change and a widening global wealth gap – it’s tempting to consign Brooks to the antique.

The hope into which his preaching still invites us has not lost its power to change the world. Brooks reminds us, "The victory in which the soul believes is already here as a power for its own attainment.”

Faithfully and fondly,

Patrick

At our January 19 meeting, the Vestry celebrated the service of Tom Dewing, Kathy Goddard, and Hanna Schneider as they step down from the Vestry at the February Annual Meeting. We enjoyed home-made delicious cookies offered by the retirees!

Tom Dewing provided the meditation for the evening which was comprised of a series of selections including an original piece entitled "Clinging", a selection from the book of Matthew, and a piece authored by C.S. Lewis.

The Warrant for the Annual Meeting to be held on February 12, 2023, was accepted.

Chris Crighton presented the monthly Treasurer's Report for December, reporting that we ended 2022 in the black. He also reported on the current pledge status. As of January 19, we had 104 pledges, ten of them new pledges. Adding the new pledges, we are 15% ahead of last year, but there are still a handful of parishioners who have pledged in the past from whom we have not yet heard.

Chris reported on the performance of the DIT (Diocesan Investment Trust) over the course of 2022. Given the volatility of the investment market over the past year, we have slipped over the past year, but 4th quarter results were promising. After a lively discussion, the budget for 2023 was approved and will be presented to the congregation at the February Annual Meeting.

Celia recapped a wonderful Epiphany celebration. The pageant was enthusiastically received by all who attended, and the potluck dinner was fabulous. Thank you to all who participated and helped make such a memorable occasion. Plans for the Annual Meeting are well underway, and as of the Vestry Meeting, almost of the reports for the booklet had been submitted.

The Annual Meeting will be held in person this year after church on Sunday, February 12. It will also be available on Zoom for those parishioners who cannot be present physically. Please mark this date on your calendar if you have not already done so. Our bylaws dictate that we must have seventy-five members present for a quorum.

Patrick provided the Vestry an overview of the many projects he has undertaken already in his time with us. He formed a task force to assist with the planning for Holy Week. Another goal is to have a new, more flexible sign erected on the corner of Route 28 and Monument Road by Memorial Day. In addition to attending a variety of meetings of the various ministries each week, Patrick has been visiting with parishioners and familiarizing himself with the inner workings of our campus. Also on his "to do" list is the planning for his Celebration of New Ministry to be held on Friday, March 24. Mark your calendar.

Vestry members once again thanked Tom, Kathy, and Hanna for their service over the past several years. The retirees remarked how quickly the years had passed and how much they had learned. It certainly has been an interesting few years as we've moved from being "In Transition" during Covid to welcoming Patrick and Roger and looking forward to a bright future at The Church of the Holy Spirit.

Peace to all,

In person worship with music

Followed by Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall

Church School starts at 9:45 in the lower level of the Parish Hall.

Visitors are always welcome! Children join the service at the Peace.

If you are unable to join us and worship in person,

click here to watch the services live or watch later on our YouTube channel.

 10:00 a.m. via ZOOM

As reported in the Wardens' message, as of January 19, we had 104 pledges

but have not heard from a number of members who pledged last year.

If you need another pledge card, please call the parish office.

If you expected a box of envelopes and do not find one, please let the church office know

End of Year Giving Statements Sent 

The 2022 end-of-year giving statements were recently sent. Most were sent out digitally, using the email address on file in the church database. For those without an active email account, a paper copy was mailed to you and should arrive soon. If you did not receive your statement and would like to have it re-sent to you, please contact the church office.

Free Will donations at the door!

Hope to see you then! Sign-ups are displayed by the Parish Hall welcome table area, or contact Jamie Thompson if you plan to attend.

We had a wonderful turn out for a warm and welcoming Christmas Eve Pageant. It was complete with current youth and alumnae as well as a visiting baby Jesus! We were truly blessed, and Jamie Thompson did an amazing job orchestrating it all with our memory of Joan McFadden guiding all of us in this holy, joyful event! 

On January 6, we had an Epiphany Pageant and celebration. It was truly a wonder to behold! Thank you to all who helped... and then the delicious potluck supper in the Parish Hall... a fun evening for all!

Also in January, Norman Stubbendick guided us in the challenging art of Hardanger! Hardanger is an embroidery art form that started in ancient times that possibly inspired Venetian lace and similar craft made in Denmark, Holland, Scotland, and Norway.  Norman is instructing the Youth Group and teachers this intricate and precise art form to make cross bookmarks.

If you are in need of a pastoral visit, or you or a family member has been admitted to a medical facility (hospital, skilled care, etc.), or you want to request prayers for you or a family member, please call the church office at (508)-255-0433 or email pastoralcare@chsorleans.org.

 There is also an Intercessors group that says confidential prayers. Please email your request to intercessors@chsorleans.org 

And if you are interested, check out this website https://capecodnativeplants.org/find-plants to help you enhance your own garden space.

Barnstable County Human Services:  www.bchumanservices.net (Comprehensive website with multiple resources on the Cape)                 

Cape Cod Hospital Social Services Department 508-862-5501

Cape Cod Healthcare Newsletter: Go to this link:  https://www.capecodhealth.org/

Dianne minored in art in college and was a primary school teacher for many years while also taking occasional art classes. Since moving to the Cape in 2011, she has had more time to explore and enjoy painting and drawing. Enjoy her wonderful display.

The CHS Gallery is open Monday - Thursday 10 - 3 and Sundays after the church service. Bring a friend - sit on the sofas - feel the joy of the art on display. While at the CHS Gallery, also visit Galley West Art Gallery...imagine that - two galleries at CHS! 

(Maybe you received some for Christmas and don't need them)

All Free Shop Volunteers: Please pick up an updated schedule for 2023:January - March posted on bulletin board in “Old Free Shop”.  A new 2023: April - December Volunteer Schedule will be mailed to you in March. 

Would you like to volunteer in the shop ONE Monday or Wednesday per month sorting donations and greeting visitors? Let Suzy Gray or Sharyn Laughton know. It’s easy, fun and rewarding!

Please join the Book Discussion Group as we continue our discussion of This Here Flesh: Spirituality, Liberation, and the Stories that Make Us, by Cole Arthur Riley, Crown Publishing 2022. The book is available at local bookstores and on Kindle. We meet in the Fireplace Room after the service. 

If you cannot be there in person, please email Brooke Eaton-Skea, and she will send you the Zoom link.  Hope you join the group. 

A common activity in any successful organization is clear, consistent, and timely communication, both internal and external, using a variety of methods and social media.

In June, a group of CHS members (Nancy Boccia, Celia Calhoun, Kate Paradise, Brenda Ridgeway, Sue Sasso, Liz Tumey with leadership from Joe Robinson and Gail Smith, and now Patrick) was assembled to look at how we can improve communication within CHS and the broader local community.

Using the 2022 CHS Bazaar as a test case, the task force has developed new procedures and tools that will be used for communications about major CHS events as well as regular ongoing communications. We have also looked at expanded use of CHS social media (Website, Facebook, Constant Contact emails) and other forms of communication.

One change already implemented is on our website Home Page. Click on the "EVENTS" block and you will be linked to the list of Major 2023 Parish Events. Put dates on your calendars and details to follow. Patrick is also looking at how to update all campus signage.

In future editions of Together we will share other improvements the Task Force is implementing. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact a member of the Task Force.

If you have questions about entering a show,

contact Sue Sasso or Sharyn Laughton.

New opportunities include: Public Relations, Communication, Photography, and more. Please contact us at info@food4kidscapecod.org if you would like to discuss volunteering for us in a new way.

·      F4K is committed to provide meals to all children/teens – no one has to income qualify. 

·      F4K is committed to providing free meals to all sites, even if they do not qualify for USDA reimbursements. 

·      F4K is committed to providing the meals our sites need, including providing a third meal to those sites that operate all day.  

To learn more, read our full January newsletter click here and check out our website: food4kidscapecod.org.

Check out our website at food4kidscapecod.org.

However, the best way to keep up with all the F4K news is to join our email list here or email us at info@food4kidscapecod.org and let us know

During our critical months (May – September) it is especially important that Food4Kids communicates more … and more often … than the just our monthly articles in Together.