April 27, 2023
THE CHURCH

OF THE

HOLY SPIRIT


ORLEANS, MA
Drawing by Dan Joy
A MESSAGE FROM PATRICK
"Rogationtide"

“Rogation Sunday” (May 14 – also Mother’s Day this year) is not a day observed in most Anglican and Episcopal churches. The Sunday before The Feast of the Ascension (Thursday, May 18) and the three weekdays bridging these two, however, are unique within the 50-day span of Easter. Early Christians set these pre-Pentecost days aside as a period of fasting, public procession, and prayer. 
  
During the reign of Henry VIII, the day came to be associated in particular with prayers that spring planting would yield an abundant harvest later in the year. “Rogare” is Latin for “to ask.” You might think of it as a springtime antecedent to Thanksgiving – a call to prayer in the midst of what a friend of mine wearily sums up as “sheet cake season” (Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, high school and college graduations, confirmations and weddings!). 

Since Tudor times, Rogationtide has broadened a bit to include prayers for human creativity, commerce and industry. “Beating the Bounds” is an old British and New England custom that involves walking the perimeter of a parish or municipality on Rogation Sunday in a sort of annual reinforcement of property lines – the “beating” in Britain involving children whipping boundary markers with willow wands.

In the past decade or so, Rogation season has provided a refreshed opportunity for churches to reflect on the gift of our physical property, to recall and pray for those who came before us on the land we steward, and to recommit ourselves to the ministry of Creation Care. 

As you may be aware, we of The Church of the Holy Spirit will mark our 90th anniversary as a gathered parish on Sunday, May 28 – the Day of Pentecost. In acknowledgement that our May calendar is complicated, and with advance apologies to liturgical purists, we’ve decided this year to mark the anniversary with a liturgy at 10:00 am, with barbeque grills and an outdoor picnic – and also with a short, 5-station Rogation-ish prayer walk around our own “bounds” here between Monument Road and Route 28, for those who can join us. Willow wands strongly encouraged for those of every age! 

Meanwhile, here is a prayer, adapted from our prayer book, for your own use as we prepare for this span of holy days in the life of our church: 

A Prayer for Rogation Sunday 
O gracious God, you open your hand and fill all living things with plenteousness:
Bless the lands and waters and multiply the harvests of the world;
send forth your breath and renew the face of the earth;
show your loving-kindness, that our land may yield its increase;
and save us from selfish use of what you provide,
that all may give thanks to your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

See you in church!
 
Faithfully and fondly, 
Patrick 
CELEBRATION OF MINISTRY - FRIDAY MARCH 24
On March 24th, The Church of the Holy Spirit officially received The Rev. Patrick C. Ward
as our Rector. Here are some memorable moments from this
wonderful celebration of our new ministry together.
-Visiting Priests
-Patrick and Wardens
-Hats - Gifts from B&G
-Patrick Kneeling
-Guest Preacher
Rev. Bill Rich
-Patrick & Roger
-1st Eucharist as
official Rector
-Bishop Gates
-Stole- Gift from Altar Guild
-Toner - Gift to
Admin Team
WE KEPT A HOLY LENT
NOW LET'S CELEBRATE THE GOOD NEWS+
Thank you, Patrick, for leading us through an enriching Lenten season and to everyone who played a part in that experience to a glorious Easter Celebration... over 300 people combined attended the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday services... followed by the Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Brunch. Alleluia - HE IS RISEN!
HOLY WEEK - THE ROAD TRAVELED TO EASTER
Labyrinth &
Stations of the Cross
Maundy Thursday
Preparations
for Foot Washing
Remember me when you come into your kingdom.
EASTER 2023 - ALLELULIA
Easter Vigil
Easter Altar

Thompson Family Making Easter Brunch for
Parish Family
WEEKLY WORSHIP SERVICES
SUNDAY MORNING EUCHARIST SERVICE
10:00 A.M.
++++++++++++
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.
TUESDAY MORNING LECTIO DIVINA AND PRAYERS
(Formerly Healing Service)
Lectio Divina is a monastic mode of prayer, contemplation and bible study
and 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.
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.
WARDENS' REPORT
Thank you to all of our parishioners and friends who participated in our meaningful Holy Week and Easter services. We thank our hardworking staff and the many volunteers who worked together to make this a truly joyous Easter season.

On a beautiful spring evening,Thursday, April 20, the Vestry met for their regular monthly meeting in person and via Zoom. Celia Calhoun led our mediation with a passage from Richard Rohr's Daily Meditation, "Be Resurrection" by Matthew Fox.

We welcomed a guest visit from Brian Ridgeway, chairman of the Buildings & Grounds Committee, to familiarize the Vestry with the various projects currently underway at the church.

Planting has commenced in the area on the hillside above the children's play area. Susan Hitchcock and Meredith Perkins, along with Peter Jensen, have directed this exciting work. Watch the Memorial Garden for paint samples in a more soothing shade. After painting the wall, Ann Pike-Paris, Patrick, and other interested gardeners will consult on design, signage, and plants to improve the Memorial Garden. Azinger Landscaping and the members of our fabulous gardening crew continue to beautify our campus as our plants and bushes spring back to life! We're also receiving bids to replace our failing split rail fences.

Given the age of the Parish Hall and its aging HVAC system, Dave Blanchet and Brian have been meeting with vendors to determine the best course of action to take to maintain heating and AC services. We will need to replace all of the equipment there eventually but would like to stagger this expense over the next three to four years. Other repair items mentioned by Brian include improvements (lighting, electric, insulation) to the Craft House, home to the Kimball Guild, carpeting in the administration offices, and several new exterior doors.

We thank Chris Crighton for his excellent financial presentation on April 16. Chris has promised to schedule a similar forum each quarter of the year. John Harter presented this month's financial report to Vestry and reminded us that the DIT (Diocesan Investment Trust) experienced an excellent first quarter of 2023. John also shared the news that members of last year's Stewardship Committee have begun discussion with Patrick and are looking ahead to becoming a year-round sustainable ministry.

The wardens reported that a New Member event, including a tour of the church, will be held in June. Plans are still in the early stages. Also, in June, Food4Kids and the church will be holding a ten-year anniversary celebration and appreciation event for our many volunteers and staff over the years. Save the date--June 24!

During his Rector's report, Patrick thanked Vestry members and the entire congregation for their support and participation during Holy Week. He then discussed our whole church celebration of Pentecost and The Church of the Holy Spirit's 90th birthday on May 28th. Plans are underway for a walk along the church's boundaries, a mini-seminar by Peter Jensen, a cookout with pot luck side dishes, and more....

On the weekend of May 6 and 7, we will welcome our new weekend sexton, Matthew Harmon. Don't forget the Rummage Sale being held that weekend also. More details about drop-off of goods and sale hours appear elsewhere in this newsletter.

During the Invite, Welcome, Connect sessions held after church in March, many of you expressed an interest in reading the book. Delivery of the books is occurring this week, and they will be distributed with a letter outlining the next steps for those who wish to participate.

The next several months promise to be very busy for the Vestry, the staff, and all of the Parishioners here at The Church of the Holy Spirit. It is truly an exciting time for our church family, and we thank you all for your continued prayers and support.

Prayerfully,
Celia Calhoun and Brenda Ridgeway
LADIES' LUNCHEON
Thursday, June 1, 2023 at Noon
No Luncheon in May due to the Rummage Sale
The next Ladies Lunch meeting is June 1st in the Parish Hall. We each bring our own sandwich, or whatever we want to eat, and meet in the Parish Hall about noon on the first Thursday of every month. 

Coffee and tea are provided by the church, and milk and juice, chips and dessert are brought by volunteers. 

We gather about 11:45 to have a few minutes to say hello, then sit down about noon to share lunch and conversation. We have no agenda other than being together in Christian community. It’s a time to get to know each other, catch up with each other’s lives, and have those moments together that we don’t often get.

I see many new women in our congregation on Sundays and wish I could meet all of you and invite you to Ladies Lunch in person. Perhaps we will meet at Coffee Hour some Sunday after service. I hope you will feel welcome and invited.

Volunteers for June: Paper Goods, Arlene Barrett; Centerpieces, Georgia Schneider; Potato chips, Kate Paradise; Milk and Juice, Ginny Clarendon; and Dessert, Dilys Smith.

Hope to see you June 1st!
Fay Cole, Convenor
CAPE AND ISLAND DEANERY
NEXT DEANERY ASSEMBLY
Thursday May 25th at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom.

Zoom login info is available on May 24 & 25 from CHS parish office or from our
Deanery Assembly Representatives: Kate Paradise and Celia Calhoun

These Assemblies are packed with information from both our Diocese and our Deanery, and we expect it will also cover progress on Invite - Welcome - Connect from all parishes. There will also be voting on positions available on the Executive Committee and other Deanery appointments. If interested, please contact one of the Deanery Representatives.

Please join us!
Kate Paradise, Celia Calhoun, Deanery Representatives
MAY 5th 4-7 pm; MAY 6th 9 am -12 pm
SAVE THE DATES
BRING YOUR DONATIONS.

CLEAN DONATIONS NEEDED
 Household Goods, Small Working Appliances
Books and Puzzles in Good Condition 
Clean Clothing and Shoes; Linens and Craft Materials 
Children’s Toys and Games 
White Elephants and Elegant White Elephants
 Pictures, Frames, Small Furniture  

  WE WILL NOT ACCEPT:
 Computers Or Monitors, Phones, TVs, or Luggage Without Wheels

VOLUNTEER & DONATION DROP OFF DATES
Drop off items & help sort and price donations
Volunteer Signup Posters are in the Parish Hall
Tuesday, May 2nd  12-6
Wednesday, May 3rd  9-6pm,
Thursday, May 4th  9-6pm,
Friday, May 5th  9-12 Noon (FIRM)

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED DURING SALE 
Friday May 5th  4-7pm
Saturday May 6th   9-12 Noon

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR CLEANUP 
Arrive at Noon Saturday May 6th
Pack Leftovers for Various Charities

Come and Join Us for this Important Outreach to the Community.
It is always a rewarding and fun-filled week. See old friends… make new ones.

QUESTIONS? 
Contact Marcia Bechtold and Fay & Ike Cole, or see them at coffee hour after church.
FOOD 4 KIDS
SAVE THE DATE! JUNE 24TH
 
Food 4 Kids has been providing meals for the children
of the Lower/Outer Cape, from Harwich to Provincetown,
since the summer of 2013.
Let's celebrate all the volunteers and staff
who have made it happen!
 
Food 4 Kids 10th Anniversary Celebration
3:00 - 5:00 o'clock
Saturday, June 24, 2023
 
The Church of the Holy Spirit
204 Monument Road
Orleans, MA 02653
 
(Outdoors weather permitting; Parish Hall in case of rain)
 
MORE INFORMATION TO COME IN MAY
************************

Food 4 Kids’ 11th summer begins June 26, 2023.
 Volunteers - Sign Up Now!
 
Volunteered With F4K Before? Already Know What You Want To Do?
 
  • Go online here - Food Prep/Pack Volunteer - to sign up to help prepare the meals, pack them up, and/or make a dump run with our recyclables. There is a signup page for each week: just pick the week, the day of the week, and the role you would like to fill. 
  • Go online here - Driver Volunteer - to sign up to deliver meals to our sites. Let us know where you would prefer to drive, which day(s) of the week and what make of car you will be using. We'll develop a final driver schedule from the information everyone provides.
 
Want to know more about our Volunteer roles?
Read the latest Food 4 Kids Newsletter here, or visit the Volunteer page on our website at https://www.food4kidscapecod.org/volunteer. Links to the sign-ups are on both.
 
Need Help Signing Up? Jot a quick email to Laura Froeschner, our Program Manager at lfroeschner@food4kidscapecod.org and she'll answer any questions you might have,
and she can help you sign up.
 
We ARE STILL HIRING for the Summer! 
If you, or someone you know, are looking for a great summer job,
F4K is an amazing place to work.

We are looking for a Kitchen Manager and Staff Assistants,
both full-time positions, and part-time Site Supervisors.

Speak directly with Brenda Ridgeway or Anne Koehler
or send an email to info@food4kidscapecod.org. 
MUSIC ~ MUSIC ~ MUSIC
Joan Kirchner
Support your fellow parishioners and our music director by taking advantage of these upcoming events!

Chatham Chorale presents "Coronation!" Celebratory music by Handel, Mozart, and more. 3:00 pm April 29 & 30 at the Monomoy Regional High School, 75 Oak Street, Harwich. Tickets are $25 at ChathamChorale.org or 774.212.9333. Several CHS choir members sing in the chorus and Joan Kirchner is the soprano soloist!

Music at the Museum hosts "Vocal Reveries" Art songs by Schubert, Schumann & Brahms offered by Joan Kirchner, soprano, and Anne Perrault, piano. 4:00 pm Sunday, May 7 at the Orleans Historical Society, 3 River Road, Orleans. Tickets are $20 at CHOcenters.org or 508.240.1329

The Chatham Music Club presents a unique afternoon of "A Moveable Feast" to benefit Monomoy Community Services on Sunday, May 21. Three organ concerts on the same street! Joan Kirchner starts the event on the Noak organ at the United Methodist Church at 2:00 pm with a half hour of music by Buxtehude, Bach, and Mendelssohn. Then walk to St. Christopher's to hear Maury Castro at 3:00, and on to the Congregational Church with Joe Marchio at 4:00, with a reception following! Tickets are $40 and limited in number, contact 508.945.5446 beginning May 1.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE BELLADONNAS

Our handbell choir joined over 75 ringers at the Spring Ring
in Harwich on April 15!

RING ON RING ON IN MAJESTY!
CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS
During Holy Week, we all took a turn using the small labyrinth down in the gathering room. Brooke Eaton-Skea led us in this endeavor and introduced us to finger labyrinths as well. The following Sunday we tried to make our own finger labyrinths for home. (Example in photo to right)

On Palm Sunday we processed in with the congregation and then enjoyed some time together dying easter eggs as well as trying to fold the palms into crosses.

We were delighted with the congregation's response to filling Easter Eggs for our hunt on Easter Sunday. Thank you to all who helped. It was a sunny day and perfect for an Easter Egg hunt.

We were blessed with an amazing turnout for Easter Sunday Brunch and the Thompson family, aided by Gray, Suzy, Natalie, Olivia, Cicely, and Ruth produced a delicious Eggs Benedict brunch for all who stayed! Thank you!
CHS YOUTH JOIN PRESIDING BISHOP MICHAEL CURRY IN BOSTON.
While in Boston celebrating the Old North Church's 300th anniversary, Saturday April 15th, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry spent time with youth from across the diocese at
St. Cyprian's Church in Roxbury. Some youth from CHS attended and were joined by Massachusetts Diocese's Bishop Gates and CHS Rector, Patrick Ward.
Read the full story about Bishop Curry's visit here.

Following the service our youth helped prepare food for some local folks in need and took a tour of the “Embrace” monument and a few other areas in Boston.

In May the youth group and a “few others” are planning to participate in a Work Weekend at the Barbara Harris Camp in NH. That’s all for now, but look for more info in May!
Presiding Bishop
Michael Curry at
St. Cyprian's in Roxbury
BUILDINGS and GROUNDS
Brian Ridgeway and Ann Pike-Paris
The CHS Buildings and Grounds teams are busy with many projects around our campus:

RECTORY
  • Replaced wired pathway stair lights from parking lot to rectory backdoor with solar lights.

GROUNDS
  • Solar Field: Planting has commenced in zone one hillside above children play area.
  • Patrick and Ann Pike-Paris are consulting on new hardscape design, signage, plants, and environment for the Memorial Garden.
  • Replace East Parking lot safety barrier.

BUILDINGS
Parish Hall HVAC:
  • Aging elements for Heat and AC have necessitated a thorough examination of our boilers and AC condensers supporting the Parish Hall.
  • Boiler #1 is past the stage of repair (though still working). Needs replacement before the 2024 heating season.  Boiler 2 is still functioning but will probably be replaced in 2024/2025
  • AC Condensers are set up in pairs supporting Air Handlers in the PH basement delivering AC in summer. Another set of air conditioners support the Fireplace Room, small conference room, and Choir Director’s office. These will need to be replaced over 3-to-4-years.

Church & Administration Buildings
  • Kimball House – Since early in our parish history, a dedicated team of women meet regularly in the Kimball House continuing the hammered aluminum art of Florence Kimball making religious and other artistic pieces.
  • We are upgrading Kimball House with a new electric sub-panel and additional duplex outlets. New overhead lighting is being discussed.
  • The Administration Building, comprising of Patrick’s office and environs, is receiving a facelift with painting and new carpeting. Thank you to Michael and Priscilla Isner for your gift of painting Patrick's office.
  • New sacristy outside door installation by 5/8/23.
  • New West Narthex ADA entrance door to be installed by 5/8/23.

Other Projects under consideration:
  •  Replacing all split rail fencing this summer
  • New improved campus signage 
GARDEN PARTY UPDATE & SCHEDULE
Spring has definitely arrived at CHS as you can see with all the lovely bulbs in bloom.

Another very successful garden party was held April 15th. Here’s a list of what we tackled:

  • Thanks to the suggestion from a fellow parishioner, all the Easter altar daffodils were planted around the campus to add to the beauty next year.
  • A crew of 3 climbed the hill next to the solar field to move and remove much log debris from recent tree trimming.
  • The rectory gardens are almost cleaned and weeded.
  • The Memorial Garden weeding is underway. And keep your eyes on the Memorial Garden walls with new coat and color paint!
  • Last but not least, the quadrangle/koi pond area received a huge boost by weeding and LOTS of mulch and opening of the pond for the season!

The SOS project is moving along at a great pace. Thanks to Meredith Perkins & Susan Hitchcock for the planning, purchasing and planting of the first phase of plant material. Chuck Dow joined in with Peter Jensen demonstrating the planting technique on the terraces. This is the beginning of a phased plant scheme.

Thank you for the love and caring for our grounds this month:
Chuck Dow, Susan Hitchcock, Meredith Perkins, Nancy Boccia, Brian Skea, David Blanchet, Ike & Fay Cole and Roger Lovejoy.

Next Garden Party: Saturday, May 13th.
Peter Jensen in the news: Peter has designed and guided us to ecologically restore the slope where our solar array was installed a few years ago. Click here to read the Cape Cod Chronicle article March 29th featuring our hill and Peter's work.
PASTORAL CARE
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

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

A special Pastoral Care activity is delivering "thinking about you" small bouquets made from the Sunday Service altar flowers. We need small/medium vases or Mason jars for delivering flowers. They can be left on the counter by the East side bathrooms in the church, or Priscilla Isner can pick them up. Thank you!
HEALTH MINISTRY
IF YOU ENCONTER AN EMERGENCY SITUATION WHILE ON THE CHS CAMPUS, HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO DO:

● In the case of any emergency, dial 911; Provide the church location as 204 Monument Road to be relayed to EMS on call.
● Health Ministry maintains the campus First Aid kits located at Izzie’s Alley, the sacristy, office, flower prep counter, Galley West Art Gallery, the Parish Hall kitchen (cabinet near microwave), choir room, church school office, nursery, and the sexton’s workshop.
● We have 2 AED’s (automatic external defibrillators) on campus: one on the wall outside the men’s room in the Parish Hall, the other on the wall in Izzie’s Alley (the hallway from front of the altar to the sacristy). Each has a red binder of emergency procedures and incident reports.

“HEADS UP DRIVERS!”
There is a new MA law in effect requiring drivers to provide at least 4 feet when passing "vulnerable road users" including pedestrians, cyclists, and roadside workers. Click link below for full article.

Safe travels everyone, especially as the days get longer and warmer, and more people are walking, running, cycling, and crews are working on our roads! Be aware and be patient before you pass them, allowing 4 feet between your car and them!
Other Health Resources:
Barnstable County Human Services:  www.bchumanservices.net (Comprehensive website with multiple resources on the Cape)                 
Councils on Aging
Orleans: 508-255-6333 Brewster: 508-896-2737 Chatham: 508-945-5190 
Eastham: 508-255-6164 Harwich: 508-430-7530 Wellfleet: 508-349-0319 
Yarmouth: 508-398-9866 Truro: 508-487-2462
VNAs of Cape Cod
Hyannis: 508-957-7400 Falmouth: 508-495-5716 So. Dennis: 508-957-7400
Cape Cod Hospital Social Services Department 508-862-5501
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
A WORD ON COVID, MASKING, AND CARE FOR EACH OTHER
We have removed the "masks required" signs from our church doorways as that message no longer reflects the level of caution we understand to be necessary for common worship.

Nonetheless, as incidence of COVID and other respiratory illnesses can increase, we encourage all to stay current with available vaccinations for flu and COVID, to stay home and "stream" if you are not feeling well, and to keep a mask with you always.

We are all at varying levels of vulnerability. We invite you also to participate in Communion as you wish; the sacrament is understood as "complete" in one form only if both bread and wine are not for you.
CHS GALLERY
The CHS Gallery is open Monday - Thursday 10 - 3 and Sundays after church.
Bring a friend - sit on the sofas - feel the joy of the art on display.
Just one more week/Sunday to view and purchase the art and crafts of DONNA TAVANO - featured artist for the month of April. Don’t miss this display by the multi- talented DONNA TAVANO!
Pia McKenzie is the featured artist in the
CHS Gallery for May.
Garden Wise    

Pia's extraordinary collages are not to be missed…available to be viewed and purchased Monday thru Thursday and every Sunday in May! Her show, "Garden Wise", is perfect for Spring! 
**************************
My exhibit of collages is a series inspired by the idea of gardens, the different layers of mystery, joy, growth and death that weave through our love of wilderness and order, flowers, trees, animals and weather. 

From the Bible to poetry and novels, bird guides and flower books, people have always written and made art about gardens: Eden, Babylon, The Song of Songs, The Psalms, the poems of Emily Dickinson, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Beatrix Potter’s little worlds, the enclosed gardens of courtly love in the Middle Ages where a Unicorn would come and lay his head in a virgin’s lap, Bosh’s Garden of Earthly Delights, Bonnard and Renoir.

Since childhood, I have loved the miniatures of the Middle Ages, the books of hours and paintings where every corner is full of both meaning and extra detail, life breaking through the edges of the image. In medieval manuscripts random creatures, monkeys, mice, snakes, ladybugs, hares and roses, herbs, drops of dew on leaves, weave in and out of the text. Persian miniature paintings with love stories within garden walls and excessive, delightful patterns are also beautiful, though tamer.

Medieval Art uses the orientation of a picture differently from works created since the Renaissance: Time is expressed vertically and importance, intimacy, relationships, by the size and position of the images.

Their artists ignored three point perspective, not out of ignorance, but because, to them, the essential point of view is God’s, not Man’s. My purpose as an artist has been to paint/create to the “Greater Glory of God” (which has perplexed a series of professors and dealers).

These collages are the last work I completed before I turned my little studio into a bedroom for my sister, who left the nursing home to come live with me, three years ago. She is living in a new place where she is happy, so it is reverting to my workspace.

About 50 years ago, I graduated from Rhode Island School of Design and for 18 years or so earned my living as a full-time painter, printmaker, illustrator and designer. I have continued making art through a subsequent 26-year career as a teacher, and now, will begin again.
Calling all CHS artists to show their “gifts” in the gallery. 
Sign up for one month (Fall/Winter months are open) - set up first day of your chosen month - take down last day of your month - help is available! Sign up poster is in the window - by the gallery door.

Did you know that CHS artists are showing their art in Galley West Art Gallery? Your support is needed! GWAG’s first show in 2023 opens Wednesday, May 17th. The gallery is open Wednesday - Saturday, 10 - 2 and will be open from time to time on Sundays after church service.
Sharyn Laughton
SUNDAY BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
We are currently discussing Not in God's Name by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.

On Sunday April 16, we began our group reflection on Chapter 1 with a lively discussion. We will meet to discuss Chapter 2 on Sunday, May 7 after the service (~11:15) in the Fireplace Room. Everyone is welcome. Please join us!

If you cannot be there in person, please email Brooke Eaton-Skea, and she will send you the Zoom link.  We hope you join the group. 
FREE SHOP
Good News+ We are averaging more customers this year than last….your clothing donations are helping more individuals and families!

Good News+ Your SPRING clothing donations can be dropped off in bins outside the Free Shop storage door…lower level of the Parish Hall by the elevator. 

Needed - large paper shopping bags with handles!

Good News+ Winter is over - Spring is here!!! Soon we will be accepting SUMMER
clothing donations and moving the Free Shop into the “upper” Parish Hall when Food 4 Kids begins their 11th year in the lower level Gathering Room.

COME VISIT - COME SHOP - COME SEE
Open every Monday and Wednesday - 10 to 1.

Suzy Gray (Recycler Supreme) & Sharyn Laughton
GALLEY WEST ART GALLERY
The Gallery re-opens Wednesday, May 17
with its Spring Show
New gallery hours: Wednesday - Saturday 10:00 - 2:00

Please join us at our opening reception
on Wednesday, May 17 from 3:00 - 5:00
New art, a number of new artists, amazing talent.
Wood Cut by Vernon Smith
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Calling all CHS Artists (and your artist friends)
who live in the Lower and Outer Cape

Please consider entering Galley West's Summer Show
The Call for Art entry period is May 5 - June 5
Online entry form is on the gallery's website.

Summer Show Dates: July 6 - August 26

If you have questions about entering a show or learning how you can help in our gallery, contact Sue Sasso or Sharyn Laughton.
CHS OUTREACH
This month we are featuring Hospitality Homes

Hospitality Homes (HH) has been supported by CHS Outreach funds for many years. With six full time staff and over 120 volunteers, they provide free and low-cost medical lodging to patients, families, and caregivers who travel to Boston for specialized medical care including low-income and patients from medically underserved, rural communities.

Lodging is provided through a combination of volunteer host homes, and non-hosted, short-term stays in hotels and apartments. Without access to medical lodging, for many of the patients they serve, receiving medical care would be cost-prohibitive. Guests receive a comfortable, “home away from home” place to sleep and comprehensive supportive services from compassionate staff and volunteers who help manage all aspects of their stay. They assist patients and their families with securing basic needs like food and transportation and attending to the various challenges they may be facing.

Last year HH provided over 11,000 nights of housing – the most in their history. Families from all over New England, the USA, and the world are served if they are from outside of 50 miles from Boston. They work on a break-even budget, holding fundraising events throughout the year and receive hospital and corporate donations as well as grants and individual contributions.

HH could readily benefit needy CHS parishioners, friends or families. We have more information and applications in the parish office if you know anyone that would benefit from the help of Hospitality Homes, Box 15265, Boston MA 02215 or contact Chip Bechtold or Phil Suraci.
NAUSET INTERFAITH ASSOCIATION
"Working together for the common good of our wider community, especially the poor, oppressed and marginalized.” - Articles of Organization, NIA

Holy Spirit is one of the six founding congregations of the Nauset Interfaith Association in response to the tragedy of 9-11-2001. NIA now has 24 member congregations representing many different Christian denominations as well as Unitarians, Jews and Muslims living on Cape Cod.

There are several members of our congregation who are active in NIA, but we would love to have more! Besides our main NIA body which sponsors several events each year we have several action teams:

  • One working to help homeless and at-risk high school students go to college (Youth Outreach Hospitality Action Team).
  • One working to heal institutional racism on Cape Cod (Martin Luther King Action Team) with several separate sub-groups working with our Cape teachers, a sharing group with police chiefs, and reforming our laws regarding correctional institutions.
  • One reaching out to asylum and refugee families on Cape Cod (Refugee Support Action Team). They have had a supportive relationship with the NTumba family from the Democratic Republic of Congo where Tony and Joelle were arrested and tortured because of Tony’s Photojournalism work for the United Nations exposing corruption in his native DRC.

We also are trying to get an Environmental Justice Action Team going again to work with other environmental groups on Cape Cod, so it will still be here for our grandchildren!

Here are some parishioners who are active and or supportive of NIA’s work on the Cape and beyond: Brooke Eaton-Skea, Nancy Ludewig, Page McMahan, Robyn McLaughlin, Jay Haun, and myself. I would be glad to talk with anyone interested in NIA. You can call me at 413-478-5719 or ksbcampbell5050@gmail.com. Thank you!
MEMBER'S CORNER
This is an opportunity for members to share a personal story, life celebration, a memorable photo, or a message for the parish you want to share in a future edition of Together.

Email your items to Sue Sasso (or drop off handwritten messages or other items in Parish Office) to be included in a future editions. Questions? Contact Sue Sasso
BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES, REMEMBRANCES
 Upcoming dates to give you time to send a note, card, or call.