The congregation is assembled at the front entrance of the church for the Easter fire at the start of the Easter Vigil Mass celebration. Photo by Roger Lovejoy | | |
On Pope Francis
There’s a phrase being bandied about in media coverage of Pope Francis’ death -- Seguite sempre un papa grasso con sottile – that translates as “always follow a fat pope with a thin one.” It’s shorthand that captures institutional proclivity to swing away from the positions and personality of the leader just past as the next one is sought out.
The swing is about a cerain restlessness that may be innate to us. It’s sometimes – but not always – for the best. I read a few years ago an interview with the now-retired California Governor and Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown. Surveying the shift in the American electorate from Obama to Trump to Biden, Brown lamented what he perceived as a kind of “fishtailing” in American governance that would ultimately undermine sustained national progress. Leading must somehow be more than “undoing.”
Perhaps this is what I love the most about Pope Francis: his clear and consistent anchoring in the gospel that compensated for political and doctrinal disagreement by pointing always towards what he called in 2020 our “simultaneous respect for God, for each other, and for creation.” Our own Episcopal Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe this week honored Francis by reminding us of his “winsome and compelling” translation of the good news into everyday human lives.
Another quality I’d cite is Francis’ ability to disarm. That was all about his palpable love for God, for all humankind, and for the earth. Joy is about connection. Francis lived joyfully as one connected. His advocacy for migrants and refugees, his opposition to unrestrained market dynamics, and his deep concern for the environment were less about politics than they were about a foundational love that included even those with whom he disagreed. I wish he’d gone further in creating leadership for women in the Roman church. I wish he’d moved the needle futher away from official Roman teaching of same-sex relationships as “intrinsically disordered.” Nonetheless I am thankful for his witness and for his willingness to wade in.
If politics is about the “now,” faith is about the “always.” Reflecting on the COVID crisis in his short book Let Us Dream, Francis was thinking both about the news reports and the “always.” The world, he wrote, “is always being made.”
Paul in his letter to the Romans 8:22 says creation is groaning from birth pangs. God wants to bring forth the world with us, as partners, continually. He has invited us to join Him from the very beginning in peaceful times and in times of crisis – at all times. It’s not like we’ve been handed this thing all wrapped up and sealed: “Here, have the world.”
There you have it: a perfect example of Francis’ homiletic style: rooted in scripture, invitational, slyly humorous, simple but never simplistic. In this Eastertide, I give thanks for Francis. Please pray with me that the next pope and people of all faiths will continue to “bring forth the world” made more and more in the image of God’s love.
See you in church –
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Sunday Morning Eucharist Service
10:00 a.m.
In-person worship at the church with music
followed by Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall.
If you are unable to join us in person, you may watch the service on YouTube using
your Smart TV or another device.
Use this link to reach our YouTube channel:
Then select the service from Upcoming Live Streams option.
You can also view past services.
Weekly Church School
Join us in the Lower Level of the Parish Hall
Arrive by 9:45 a.m.
Children will join parents in church
for Communion.
https://www.youtube.com/@churchoftheholyspiritorleans
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Tuesday Morning Lectio Divina & Prayers
(Formerly Healing Service)
Lectio Divina is a monastic mode of prayer, contemplation,
and Bible study.
All are welcome to experience this with us.
10:00 a.m. via ZOOM
A Zoom Meeting invitation email is sent on Monday mornings.
It includes links to the Zoom service and Service Bulletin and Readings.
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Holy Eucharist and Prayers for Healing
Thursdays at 11:00 am in the Church
Join us for a simple service of weekday Holy Eucharist
with a short meditation.
Private prayers for healing available after the service concludes.
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Glimpse of the Gospel
‘Glimpse’ meets in the Fireplace Room on Sunday mornings at 8:45. Participants are sent a copy of the readings from scripture for the Sunday service earlier in the week to give opportunity for reading, reflecting, and inwardly digesting beforehand.
Contact Tom Dewing, email st.dewing@verizon.net or
508-255-2656.
All Welcome!
| | Each year on Tuesday of Holy Week, clergy go to Boston to review their vows in a service of Holy Eucharist at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul. The anointing oil --chrism--is blessed there, and they all return home with a vial. This year Bishop Julia asked them to vest, and they processed across the Common! Photo was taken on the Cathedral steps just after church. (Patrick is in the center of the pic directly behind our bishops.) | | |
We are still basking in the wonderful feeling of celebrating Easter together with a packed and joyful service and those delicious Eggs Benedict afterwards! We hope that those who came to the Holy Week services found them as moving and as profound an experience as we did. And did you see the flowers? Wow!
April’s Vestry Meeting was held a week early because Holy Week was the third week of April. During the meeting, we continued our discussion of the Mutual Ministry Review that we started on our retreat. We shared our action plans, a summary of which will be presented to the parish in early summer.
Patrick led a discussion on Vestry reactions to the focus groups held by Brian Raiche, our consultant from Cornerstone Fundraising. Brian will update the Vestry and Sustainability Committee with his results in May.
We voted to hold the May Vestry meeting on Tuesday, May 27th, as several of us will be away in mid-May. Beginning in June and going forward, all Vestry Meetings will be held on the third Tuesday of the month at 6 pm in the Fireplace Room.
Patrick’s 5-week Lenten program on "Justice, Joy and Bread in Luke’s Gospel" was well-received. About forty people consumed delicious soups and many varieties of breads every Wednesday, while Patrick presented fascinating art and opened our minds to various passages in Luke’s Gospel.
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On Palm Sunday afternoon there was a large gathering of parishioners and the wider community in the Parish Hall and church to hear Sebastian Junger speak about his book, In My Time of Dying. Sebastian spoke about his near death experience and the inexplicable things he witnessed – if you want to know more, read his book!
Thank you for your support and prayers,
Priscilla Isner & Celia Calhoun
Wardens
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The most recent Barnstable County Youth Needs Assessment reported that as many as 2,400 youth and young adults may experience some form of homelessness in the course of a year on Cape Cod. According to reports from Homeless Prevention Council, that number is growing.
YOH (Youth Outreach and Hospitality) is an action team of the Nauset Interfaith Association and has been supported by fundraisers, grants from The Church of the Holy Spirit Outreach Committee, twelve other local faith communities, the Church Home Society, private foundations, and individual donations.
Our current Mission Statement reads:
As an action team of the Nauset Interfaith Association, we seek to support Cape Cod youth who are, or who are at risk of becoming homeless, or who otherwise experience dire need or exclusion from the community. Our goal is to help these young people experience safety, respect, dignity and the opportunity to make their own choices as contributing members of the community to which we all belong.
YOH Vision statement
We envision a time in which no young person experiences homelessness or rejection and every young person has the freedom and support in which to thrive.
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What we are doing now
Through member contacts from Monomoy and Nauset High Schools and the Youth and Young Adult Program at Homeless Prevention Council, YOH is available to all high school students and other youth and young adults on the Lower Cape in urgent need of a safe place to stay the night, funds for rent, car repairs, food and other basic necessities.
Because LGBTQ and BIPOC (black, indigenous, and persons of color) youth are disproportionately represented in the homeless and unstably housed youth population, YOH partners with other organizations to hold events that raise community consciousness about this issue and how it might be addressed and prevented.
A YOH Scholarship is awarded to one student graduating from Lower Cape High Schools each year who has been homeless, at risk, or has overcome another significant adversity. Students are supported with $750 scholarships each semester they remain in college or vocational school for four years (or eight semesters). Approximately 2/3 of our scholarship recipients are BIPOC. We awarded our first college scholarship to an NRHS student in July 2017 and celebrated her graduation from college in January 2022.
If you would like to make a donation to YOH, you may go to our website nausetinterfaith.org or send a check made out to NIA with YOH on the memo line. Send checks to our treasurer, Fr. Ken Campbell, Nauset Interfaith Association, PO Box 306, South Orleans, MA, 02662. Thank you!
Brooke Eaton-Skea, Convener
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Nearly 80 parishioners have been part of the inaugural Neighborhood Tables season over the past six months. While overall it has been a great success, we have learned a lot and hope to make it even better. We are grateful to those who replied to our request for feedback.
Quite a few of us are “seasonal” residents which made it difficult for regular participation over the winter. To address this issue, we will have two sessions of Neighborhood Tables: May - September and October - April.
We ask all interested parishioners to SIGN UP for May - September tables NOW! This is an especially good opportunity for new members to get know more people. Call Debbi Manning (508) 255-0433 or sign up on the clipboard at coffee hour.
Please sign up by May 15. We will create new groups and the fun can continue!
Thanks, Celia, Cynthia and Dianne
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Amazing progress on fundraising efforts!
Drumroll please ... the final numbers are in for the Chatham Chorale benefit concert ... and we received a whopping $8,272! I know this has much to do with each of you.
We've raised $5,386 toward our $10k goal for the May 4 Food 4 Kids Walk for Hunger! If you've been meaning to sign up to walk with us or to donate, please visit our fundraising page: https://give.projectbread.org/food4kids, Or see Jenn Gale on Sunday April 27 after the 10:00 am service.
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We are hiring!
7 Site Supervisors (OPEN): We have several new sites this summer, some of which require Site Supervisors. We are thrilled to have Chris Gray returning for his third summer, but the remainder of these positions are open. If you know someone looking for part-time work Mon-Fri, please point them to our job postings on Handshake or Indeed.
2 new positions for pre-season activities;
- Outreach Coordinator Intern (FILLED) - We are thrilled to announce that Raven Thompson will be taking on this new challenge in advance of our busy summer season.
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Hydroponic Agriculture Program Lead (click to open job posting on Indeed) - This is a 30 hour commitment total starting now through June 20. If you, or someone you know, has a green thumb, this is for you! Help us set up the infrastructure for our pilot use of 2-4 hydroponics units on loan to us from Nauset Public School System.
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Do you want to help spread the word in our community? Consider joining our board members to co-host these upcoming community events. Send an email to jenngale@food4kidscapecod.org
- May 3, Family Fun Fair at Flax Pond in Yarmouth
- May 4, Food 4 Kids Walk for Hunger in Brewster
- June 8, Multicultural Fair in Wellfleet
- June 18, Provincetown Health Fair in Provincetown
- June 19, Juneteenth Celebration in Brewster
| | Sunday Book Discussion Group | | |
On April 27, the Book Discussion Group will begin to discuss Patriot, the autobiography of Alexei Navalny.
Alexei Navalny began writing Patriot shortly after his near-fatal poisoning in 2020. It is the full story of his life: his youth, his call to activism, his marriage and family, his commitment to challenging a world super-power determined to silence him, and his total conviction that change cannot be resisted—and will come.
“This book is a testament not only to Alexei’s life, but to his unwavering commitment to the fight against dictatorship—a fight he gave everything for, including his life. Through its pages, readers will come to know the man I loved deeply—a man of profound integrity and unyielding courage. Sharing his story will not only honor his memory but also inspire others to stand up for what is right and to never lose sight of the values that truly matter.” —Yulia Navalnaya
Patriot is currently available at local bookstores.
We meet on Sundays in the Fireplace room after the service. Please join us!
Brooke and Brian Skea
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MONDAY, May 19, 2025
Cheryl Kyle’s Cottage in Brewster
5:30 pm
New members welcome!!!
A light dinner and adult beverages will be served.
Please come to share a book you read this winter and would like to discuss. Any genre is encouraged. Also, book recommendations for our summer meetings are warmly welcome.
RSVP cherylkyle@aol.com
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Despite a rainy day, we had a good group on hand to celebrate spring in April. Daffodils, pussywillows, forsythia, tulips, violas… We had them all! Cheerful surroundings and friends together made a great gathering.
Elizabeth Merritt reported sending more diapers and wipes to the baby center (ABC) in Hyannis, along with a box of books, and several small quilts and blankets.
Our May meeting will be held on May 8th, the second Thursday, because we’ll all be busy with the annual CHS Rummage Sale during the first week!
We meet a little before 12:00 in the Parish House. Bring a salad/sandwich, and the rest will be provided. Volunteers are: Chips, Ginny Lucil; Paper Goods, Joannie Barnes; Table Decorations, the Cupboard; Juice/Tea, Fay Cole; and Dessert, Andi Stubbendick.
See you there,
Fay Cole, Coordinator
| | Photo of newly refurbished Kimball House. Thank you to Russell Karber and the members of the Kimball Guild for their vision and handiwork. The Kimball Guild will be hosting an Open House on Thursday, April 24, for the Orleans Cultural District's Arts Week. Roger Lovejoy will be there giving demonstrations of hand hammered aluminum. Photo by Roger Lovejoy | | It was April 5 and the first Garden Party (GP) wasn’t rained out! We had 13 hearty folks come out, including two new volunteers. Peter Jensen gave us a lesson on how to manage our garden waste. More importantly, he held a planting party of his own, teaching the volunteers about proper technique. Be sure to see the three areas along the right side of the driveway, just as you enter. | | |
And, as a safety note: please see there is now a small split rail fence on the third area of the exit area of the lower parking area near the parish hall. Somehow, that spot continues to be prone to folks driving over it. We hope the fence acts as a good deterrent.
We will be holding the next Green Party on Saturday, May 10, 9am - 12pm. As always, we welcome everyone for as much or as little time as you can spare. See you soon!
Brian Ridgeway & Ann Pike-Paris
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THE FREE SHOP
FREELY YOU HAVE RECEIVED - FREELY GIVE
Gladly and gratefully receiving your SPRING CLOTHING donations….
for those in need - for those shopping for friends/family in need - for those
recycling their clothing.
All clothing donations can be dropped off into bins on the first floor
of the Parish Hall - by the elevator.
ALL SET WITH BROWN SHOPPING BAGS WITH HANDLES until
further notice……………..thank you!
The shop is open every Monday & Wednesday - 10 to 1
Come see - Come shop - Come visit
Sharyn Laughton & Suzy Gray - Co-Directors
Twenty loyal, faithful volunteers ❤️
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The featured exhibit for the month of May will be "Eternity: Photographs by Thomas Faulkner".
Tom maintains dual careers as Episcopal priest and artist. He recently retired as vicar of Christ Church, Sparkill, a small historic parish in New York’s Hudson Valley. Prior to that, he served in interim ministries, as Director of the Peace and Disarmament Commission of the Diocese of New York, and, for eight months after 9-11, as the Red Cross Officer in charge of sixty chaplains at the Ground Zero temporary mortuary.
As a sculptor, Tom is known for his large-scale installations focused on religious, cultural, and political issues. His contemporary Stations of the Cross was commissioned for the 2004 General Convention in Minneapolis. As a photographer, he combines images with text in his conceptual work, and uses fine art photography as a means to examine off-centered cultural realities. His work has been reviewed in national publications including ArtForum, Art in America, New Art Examiner, New York Times and the Boston Herald.
Married to Brenda Husson almost thirty years ago at CHS, they now live in Eastham with their two dogs Alma, their sentinel who barks at everything, and Bugsy, who is irked only by turkeys. Their son Christopher lives near Rochester, New York, with his two dogs, Pancho and Bear.
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Only one more Sunday to view/purchase the art & crafts of Donna Tavano --
featured artist in the gallery for the month of April…….a very happy show!
Calling all CHS artists, crafters, quilters, weavers, photographers, woodworkers,
writers and poets……………sign up to show your gifts/talents for one month
in the gallery.
“Open months” are June, August, September, October, November.
The sign up poster is in the window by the gallery door.
Need assistance in setting up your show - no worries - Sharyn Laughton
and/or Gail Binney Sterne can help!
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SPRING SHOW MAY 7 – JUNE 14
Join us on May 7 for the Opening Day Reception
3:00 – 5:00
Gallery Hours
Wednesday – Saturday
10:00 – 2:00
Also open after Sunday service until 12:30 – stop in and enjoy the beautiful art.
Please think about entering our Summer Show
SUMMER SHOW CALL FOR ART
APRIL 25 – MAY 25
SHOW DATES JUNE 25 – AUGUST 16
Information to enter is on the gallery website.
Not an artist but interested in being a part of this special group?
Talk to Sharyn Laughton or Sue Sasso about ways you can help or, send us an email at contact@gwagart.com.
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Did you know our pastoral care ministry will coordinate an occasional meal delivery to those in need to make life a little easier?
If you would like to volunteer to provide a meal for 1 or 2 people on occasion, or to learn about this ministry, contact Patrick or Michele Puzo.
If you are unable to attend one of our Eucharist services and would
like to receive communion at home...or...
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 or friend...
Please call the church office at (508)-255-0433
or email pastoralcare@chsorleans.org
There is also an Intercessors group that offers confidential prayers. Please email your request to intercessors@chsorleans.org
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We look forward to seeing you all at Coffee Hour after the service this Sunday, April 27! Come on by our table and say hello! We are a small group of CHS folks with various health backgrounds, aiming to support self care and whole health. This will be a good chance to connect with us and learn how we’re serving. We are here for you! We want to share resources with you and hear from you on any health topics of interest for future planning. We look forward to seeing you then!
Ann Pike-Paris, Diana Crighton, Margaret Anne Heuss, Donna Bailey, Ginny Lucil, Michele Puzo, Meg Nemitz, Kate Paradise & Vestry liaison Carol Baffi-Dugan
Other Health Resources:
Barnstable County Human Services: www.bchumanservices.net (Comprehensive website
with multiple resources on the Cape)
Councils on Aging
Orleans: 508-255-6333Brewster: 508-896-2737 Chatham: 508-945-5190
Eastham: 508-255-6164Harwich: 508-430-7530Wellfleet: 508-349-0319
Yarmouth: 508-398-9866Truro: 508-487-2462
VNAs of Cape Cod
Hyannis: 508-957-7400Falmouth: 508-495-5716So. Dennis: 508-957-7400
Cape Cod Hospital Social Services Department
508-862-5501
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Cape Cod Healthcare Newsletter: Go to this link: https://www.capecodhealth.org/
First page has a free sign up.
Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line
Call or text: 833-773-2445 (BHHL)
Online chat: masshelpline.com
Alzheimer’s Family Support Center
alzfamilysupport.org (508)896-5170
Cape Wellness Collaborative
cape wellness.org (774)408-8477
| | Birthdays - Anniversaries - Remembrances | | Please contact the office if we don't yet have your dates! | | |
Birthdays
Ian McLaughlin 4.24 Earle Bailey 4.24 Robert Hubby 4.26
Brian Schnetzer 5.2 Margaret Bragdon 5.3 Meredith Despins 5.3 Christine LaBranche 5.10
Victoria Hutchens 5.11 Jane McLean 5.13 Jean Collins 5.13 Ann Pike-Paris 5.14
Jane Affleck 5.15 Peter Jensen 5.21 Jody Mines 5.22 Joy Blanchet 5.22 Noah Evans 5.22
Elizabeth Beattie 5.26 Kate Paradise 5.30 Mary Anne Bragdon 5.30
Ben Schneider 5.30
Wedding Anniversaries
Chris and Diana Crighton 4.30 Betty and Phil Suraci 5.13
Roger Lovejoy and Patrick Ward 5.20
Remembrances
Donald F. Vecchione 4.24.15 Ruth Costa 4.25.04 Richard Powell 4.25.06
Jean Trimble 4.25.19 Helen Jones 4.27.16 Hope Fox 4.27.20
Bill Kirkby 4.27.21 Enis G. Smith 4.28.16 Tamiko Nagao 4.28.06
Katharine Howard 4.30.03 Derek W. Oakes 4.30.13
Sally H. Fasick 4.30.15 Susan Stevens 4.30.22
Christopher Plumb 5.01.07 Warren Sillcocks 5.02.15 Rowena Thompson 5.02.02
Carlton Nickerson 5.03.99 Lacey Barnard Smilgin 5.04.11 Philip Dennis 5.05.21
William Goddard 5.06.89 Elinore Woods 5.07.20 Mary Hagenbuckle 5.08.69
Greta Zarookian 5.08.23 Stephen Carr 5.10.05 George Trimble 5.10.15
June Wentzell 5.10.95 Robert Ladue 5.11.02 Pat Ramsey 5.11.20
Edith J. Price 5.13.08 Carol Thornbahn 5.15.11 David Shugg Howe, Sr. 5.15.11
Virginia Clarendon 5.15.24 Jean Gardiner 5.17.73 Robert Aucoin 5.18.96
Elizabeth L. Miller 5.18.09 May Dunphy 5.19.91 Diana Oliviera 5.19.23
John Sterne 5.19.24 George L. Ebert 5.20.06 Grace B. Tuller 5.20.11
Mary Crighton 5.22.98 Johanna Kumich DuBois 5.23.11
Weston B. Emmart 5.23.13 Polly Earle 5.23.91 Sandra L. Ames 5.25.07
Charles Chilson 5.26.86 Cynthia Wieboldt 5.26.19 Eleanor Broidrick 5.28.02
Jeanne Mary Townsend 5.28.20 Jeffrey Perkins 5.28.23 Dorothy Campbell 5.30.04
Henrik Janson 5.30.14 Milton Powers 5.30.05 Mary Crawford 5.31.00
Robert Meyer 5.31.04 Timothy Price 5.31.07 Michael Karlson 5.30.15
June F. MacDonald 5.30.16 Robert L. Mumford 5.31.15
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Watch over thy children, O'Lord, as their days increase..
Bless and guide them wherever they may be
keeping them unspotted from the world.
Strengthen them when they stand.
comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall.
And in their hearts, may thy peace, which passes all understanding,
Abide all the days of their lives.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.,
| | Calendar of Coming Events | |
- Thursday, April 24 - Orleans Cultural District - The Art of Vernon Smith at CHS
- Friday/Saturday, May 2/3 - Rummage Sale
- Wednesday, May 7 - Galley West Art Gallery (GWAG) Reopens
- Thursday, May 29 - Deanery Meeting in person (TBD) and Zoom
- Sunday, June 8 - Day of Pentecost Service, Parish Anniversary
- Sunday, June 29 - Diocesan Bishop Julia Whitworth Visitation
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Diocese of Massachusetts Communications
Stay informed and connected to the Episcopal Diocese of MA
To receive our diocesan communications,
including the monthly E-news go to: www.diomass.org
Brenda Ridgeway, Together Editor
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