Epiphany Offerings (January 2024) | | |
Drawn to the Manger
Among my very favorite images of parish life here at The Church of the Holy Spirit is this snap above by Kate Paradise. We were gathered on January 5, 2024, a Friday evening, for our annual Epiphany Pageant and potluck (Sunday, January 4 at 10:00 am this year!).
It's an image full of movement and energy. What's happening in the moment is that we're coming forward to make our annual gifts before the Holy Family (toiletries, socks, hats, water bottles) -- items that were days later taken to be given away at the Necessity Shop at Nauset Regional High School. Front and center and with his back to the camera is Father Ken Campbell, who died this past October. The dead are so present to us in this holy season that this year this image has new meaning for me.
What is a church, after all, but a communion of souls across time and space roped together by a mysterious love that draws us up and out of ourselves? That's part of what I see now in this particular snapshot in time.
As shepherds from local fields and sages from the faraway East made their way to worship this mysterious child (what, after all, is more beautiful and mystifying than a newborn?) so we too make our way to worship something larger than ourselves -- on Christmas, Easter or any given Sunday. Worship together matters because it models what we long for in a reeling, broken world: welcome, peace, beauty, truth, inclusion, uncoerced offerings and food freely distributed without demand for credential. The body language of a loving God.
We begin tomorrow these twelve days of Christmastide. I'm so looking forward to our being together in worship to celebrate the one who came to be with us.
Christmas blessings and every good wish for this new year of life together!
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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 Parish Hall
Arrive by 9:45 a.m.
Children will join parents in church
for Communion.
Fourth Sunday of the month -- Children attend and take part in the
entire church service
https://www.youtube.com/@churchoftheholyspiritorleans
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Tuesday Morning Lectio Divina & Prayers
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!
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We have recently enjoyed a number of Advent experiences:
- Dia de Las Velitas candle lighting and supper on Friday, December 5, was a delightful experience of receiving the light from our younger Colombian friends, a delicious pot luck supper together, and then an extraordinary performance of Colombian dancing by four of the children in their colorful Colombian dance costumes.
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- A Quiet Day On Advent Love and Loss, on Tuesday, December 16, led by The Rev. Cathy George, Participants were focused on thinking about their losses while pondering some poetry, pictures, and Biblical passages featuring Mary and Zacchaeus. We spent our writing and reflecting time in nooks and crannies throughout the campus.
- The service of Advent Lessons and Carols on Wednesday, December 17, a quiet and inspiring service, with a reception following featuring more delicious food and beverages!
At the Vestry meeting this week, we spent most of the time reviewing the Budget for 2026, with our treasurer, John Harter, guiding us and answering our questions. At the conclusion, the Vestry voted unanimously to approve the Budget. We also voted to proceed with re-painting the inside walls and ceilings of the Parish Hall building in late January, as the building is now 25 years old, and showing wear and tear. This project will be funded by the Fund for the Future, the first use of these funds.
And now we move into Christmas and a New Year! Blessings on you all for a wonderful experience of Christmas this year. Please call us with any questions or comments, and thank you for your continued support and prayers,
Priscilla Isner and Celia Calhoun, Wardens
| | Photos from recent gathering in the common room at The Terraces for a service of Eucharist followed by tea and socialization for residents and Eucharistic volunteers. Left: Janet Winter expresses her gratitude for the Terraces Ministry and for the lovely tea held on December 3. Center: A sample of the offerings while parishioners chat in the background. Right: Jane Affleck greets Ruth Campbell. | | Photos from Dia de las Velitas Supper and Candle Blessing held on Friday, December 5. After a delicious potluck dinner, attendees were treated to Columbian dancing. | |
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A Note about Sunday Coffee Hour.....
Along with the New Year come new ideas!
Beginning in January, the last Sunday of every month will be POT LUCK coffee hour. Please feel free to bring an item with you to church that can be consumed at Coffee Hour. Any snack is welcomed by all. Let's try this for 2026.
The remaining Sundays each month will be preplanned and assigned to different groups within the church. The Calendar Signup will be on the coffee hour table every Sunday--as it is now. Please check it regularly to see if a group that you are part of has signed up!
We still welcome special occasions, such as Birthdays, Anniversaries, Baptisms, etc. Any questions about this plan, please feel free to talk with me. My goal is to take the burden off individuals and to give everyone the opportunity to participate. Looking forward to 2026!
Michele Puzo, Coffe Hour Coordinator
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It was truly splendid to share in the celebration of Dia de las Velitas with our Columbian community. Many shared in the potluck, cooking a dish their mother made or a Columbian treat. We were gifted with youth performing traditional Columbian dancing and sharing in music, light, and love for this world and Mary! (See photos of dancers and luminaria above.)
The Church School had a wonderful evening creating gingerbread houses after we rehearsed for our annual Christmas Pageant which will take place at 4:00 on Christmas Eve. Any youth interested can join in by showing up at 3:00 on Christmas Eve in the Gathering Room.
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On Sunday, December 21, we created ornaments for out families. 🙂
" Giving" is the gift!
Those who cannot be with us on Christmas Eve may choose to attend the Epiphany play during church on January 4, 2026!
There will be no church school/ nursery care on December 28!
| | Gingerbread house-making photos courtesy of Hanna Schneider and Matt Thompson. | | |
LAST CALL FOR SACRED GROUND
Only one space remains for the next round of Sacred Ground dialogues, beginning on Monday, January 26, at 1:00 p.m. in the Fireplace Room. We would love to fill that final space, so if you are hesitating, now is the time to make the decision to participate.
What is Sacred Ground? It is a program of the Episcopal Church. It is a resource creating space for reflective dialogue on issues of race, immigration and indigenous peoples. It is for parishes like ours with folks who look like us with backgrounds like ours.
It is not a program seeking to make us feel guilty; however, we will reflect on our own feelings and family histories that have shaped us as beneficiaries of “white privilege”. It is a non-threatening, non-judgmental, non-politicized dialogue prompted by readings, videos and movies. It will sensitize participants to the plight of persons of color, immigrants, and native Americans much in the news these days.
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Thirty members of CHS have participated in this eleven-session series. Comments include: “a profound experience”, “life changing”, “dealing with past assumptions and perspectives”, “openness and acceptance”, “beginning of racial healing”, and “becoming Beloved Community”.
If you want more information contact Nancy Boccia or Doug Fromm. Hope to see you!
| | Sunday Book Discussion Group | | |
The votes are in and the next book we will read is: The Project by David Graham, a synopsis of Project 2025 and New York Times bestseller that "details its origins and sweeping goals to reshape American culture by expanding the president's control over policies on gender and immigration to the economy and the environment." - PBS
We will begin our discussion on Sunday, January 11. Grab a coffee and join us in the Fireplace Room after the morning worship service. All are welcome!
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Amazing Grace of Cape Cod provides year-round support and an annual camping experience for children and youth whose parent(s) are or have been incarcerated. Holy Spirit has supported Amazing Grace since 2014 through an annual donation from the Outreach Committee.
On Saturday, January 10, at 2 p.m., Julie Lytle, Director of Amazing Grace of Cape Cod, will be present at CHS, along with one of the former campers and current mentor for Amazing Grace Camp who will tell us about his experience of growing up with Amazing Grace.
The event is sponsored by the Youth Outreach and Hospitality Action Team of the Nauset Interfaith Association and will take place in our Parish Hall. Please come, meet our guests, and be a part of this inspiring event!
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It's time to celebrate the close of a record-setting 13th year! As a parish we ...
- Fed more kids than ever before, with a focus on low-income kids,
- Served more fresh produce than ever before,
- Grew our volunteer community with 60 more neighbors,
- Raised more funding than ever before -- only a $5,000 deficit remaining
We are closing 2025 with deep gratitude for all of the prayer, financial support, and time invested from The Church of the Holy Spirit's community.
| | The Antique Show and Sale | | |
The annual two-day antique show featured seventeen dealers this year. The majority of the dealers brought their wares in and partially set up their booths on early Wednesday afternoon prior to Thanksgiving Day. The CHS team of volunteers expertly handled the gate admissions.
More than 325 customers attended the show, with a number of Friday shoppers returning on Saturday. The majority of dealers were very pleased with their sales! The dealers had all moved out on Saturday by 5 p.m. Our sextons, Wayne and Matthew, had all the tables and chairs put in place and ready for coffee hour on Sunday with some volunteers assisting. The show ran smoothly with the participants generally pleased. Thank you to our congregation for making our 49th year a success!
Debbie Meguerdichian, Chair
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It’s Advent. People are busy, yet nineteen ladies came to our December Ladies Lunch to enjoy each other’s company and be in community. Our tables were festive, and when Joan Kirchner began playing familiar Christmas songs on the piano to accompany our lunch, the atmosphere was complete.
In addition to our collection for A Baby Center, Bonnie Adams showed us the latest baby quilt she is making for some lucky baby.
Our January meeting will be on January 8th, the 2nd Thursday of the new year. We will meet in the Parish Hall at about 11:45, so we can get our drinks and will sit down at 12:00. Bring a sandwich/salad and join us.
Volunteers for January 8th are: Chips, Nancy Ludwig; Paper Goods, Gayle Binney Stern, Table Decorations, Fay Cole; Juice/Tea, Ruth Campbell; Dessert, Kate Paradise. We hope to see you on the 8th.
Fay Cole, Convener
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The shop remains extremely busy/active with grateful customers and grateful donations…….an unusual amount of customers and donations due to the closing and renovation of Katie’s Corner (Lower Cape Outreach Council).
We welcome your help one Monday or one Wednesday per month. You would be working with one or two “seasoned” Free Shop volunteers!
Offerings this Epiphany service (January 4) -- Gifts to the Christ Child -- will be given to the Necessity Shop at Nauset High School. Grateful for your offerings of new sox, leggings, underwear, deodorant, toothpaste, tooth brushes and/or checks made out to CHS with Nauset High School in the memo line.
The Free Shop is open every Monday and Wednesday - 10 to 1.
We are grateful for donations of WINTER clothing and large brown bags with handles. Please no summer clothing or men’s suits. We are receiving shoes and boots in
almost perfect condition. All donations can be dropped into bins located on the first floor of the Parish Hall -- by the elevator.
COME SEE - COME SHOP - COME VISIT
Sharyn Laughton & Suzy Gray - CoDirectors
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Holiday MarketPlace is featured in the gallery for the month of December - this show closes after Epiphany service on January 4!
This festive group show includes the gifts/talents of Ellen Adamson, Gail Binney Sterne, Jean Collins, Dianne Fromm, Cris Harter, Anne Kilguss, the Kimball Guild,
Sharyn Laughton, Roger Lovejoy, Susan McDormand, Norm Stubbendick, and Donna Tavano.
Consider showing your art/craft/work/gifts for one month in 2026. Many have signed up on the 2026 Gallery calendar, BUT JANUARY 2026 remains open! If you are able to choose January, you would set up your show the week of January 5th and take down your
show the week of January 26………………the show must go on! I wonder if you are being called? Help is always available!
Sharyn Laughton & Gail Binney Sterne
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What a year for Galley West Art Gallery!
A record number of artists submitted their work to our group shows, sales have grown enormously, and more importantly, so has our community. We also expanded our leadership team and welcomed Aline Lindemann as our new Outreach Director. She and her team created a new website that shows off all that we offer and welcomes visitors to participate in new community-building events and workshops. We hope you’ll have a look!
We know the Gallery’s growth and continued success is due in large part to the enthusiastic encouragement of this community, and we’re so grateful for your support of our efforts at showcasing original art by Lower and Outer Cape Cod artists.
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Our doors are closed for the season, but we look forward to welcoming you back to the Gallery for our Spring show in early May 2026. To volunteer at the gallery or submit your art to one of our shows, please visit galleywestartgallery.com for detailed info.
Happy Holidays!
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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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Our next Health Ministry meeting will be on January 20, 2026, at 12:30 - 1:30, in the Fireplace Room and on ZOOM. All are welcome to join us; contact Meg Nemitz with any questions or interest.
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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
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
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- Christmas Eve: Wednesday, December 24: Children's Pageant @ 4:00 pm and Holy Eucharist @ 8:00 pm
- Christmas Day: Thursday, December 25: Holy Eucharist @ 10:00 am
- Sunday of the Epiphany, January 4: Holy Eucharist at 10:00 am. Three Kings pageant welcoming gifts for the Necessity Shop at Nauset High. Parish potluck brunch to follow.
- Sunday, January 11 & 18: The Ignatian Way of Prayer: Rector's Forums at 11:30 am. (Postponed from November).
- Monday, January 19: Nauset Interfaith MLK Breakfast--8:30 - 10:00 am.
- Sunday, February 8: 10:00 Holy Eucharist followed by Parish Annual Meeting
(11:30 am).
| | Birthdays - Anniversaries - Remembrances | | Please contact the office if we don't yet have your dates! | | |
Birthdays
Elizabeth Lind 12.23 Bruce Lederhouse 12.24 Kathryn Hubby 12.25
Barbara Sousa 12.28 Natalie Sweeney 12.28 Cai McLaughlin 12.29
Peter Blank 12.31 Carolyn Bernhardt 12.31 Margret Gerber 12.31
Michele Puzo 1.2 Robert Collins 1.2 Priscilla Jean LaBranche 1.4
Judith Zimmerman 1.5 Dr. Ephraim McLean 1.7 Bill Heuss 1.11
Caroline Chung 1.11 Judith Gardiner 1.12 Jamie Thompson 1.13
Lynn Van Norman 1.14 Dianne Fromm 1.18 Tracy Weeks 1.19
Ragnhild Bjerke 1.21 Katherine Bragdon 1.21 William Gardiner 1.23
William Boggess 1.24 Gary Despins 1.25 Douglas Fromm 1.28
Jacob LaBranche 1.29
Anniversaries
Cindy & Phil Schulz 1.1 Jeanne deCervens & Ben Ballard 1.3
Darby. & William Boggess 1.13
Remembrances
Christian Gironda 12.22.92 Selwyn Miles 12.22.93
Elizabeth Ruckert 12.23.88 Betty Yearing 12.23.19 Bev Dreher 12.24.20
Harold Foley 12.25.03 Mac MacDonald 12.25.03 Charles Wood 12.26.19
Norman Adams 12.28.14 Karen Blank 12.29.01 Nat Goddard 12.30.19
Muriel Helen Scully 12.30.11 Leila Tupman 12.31.22
Ali Funnell 1.01.22 Tom Vasil 1.02.23 Nancy DeWitt Minus 1.03.08
Linda Rencurrel 1.04.04 Bobbie Nickerson 1.03.22
Roger Cross 1.05.19 Jean Ladue 1.06.98 Charlotte Darlington 1.07.02
Betty Jane Wagner 1.07.11 Craig DeLong 1.08.02 Priscilla Smith 1.08.22
George Doane 1.09.97 Patricia Morrell 1.09.19 Mary Louise Moore 1.10.11
Joan Gould 1.10.21 William Hayes 1.12.05 Joseph Grammar 1.13.22
Arthur B. McCormick 1.14.10 Sandy Spencer 1.15.12 Fern Ellison 1.16.14
Frank J. Gironda 1.17.09 Betty Mann 1.17.95 Vivian Petty 1.17.91
H. Robert Eckhardt 1.18.95 Mary Gray 1.18.99 Elizabeth Kalinick 1.18.06
Janine Santoro 1.18.13 Jack Nixon 1.18.21 Gay Wheeler 1.20.21
Gardy Bridge 1.23.13 Jane Lough 1.23.10 Barbara MacArthur 1.23.17
Peg Skelly 1.25.23 Francis Hoffman 1.26.22 John Anderson 1.27.04
M. Egerton “Jim” Gray, Jr. 1.27.08 June Glover 1.27.21
Harry Preston 1.28.85 Anne Swift 1.29.03
Elisabeth Meyer 1.30.16 George Wallace Ruckert, Jr. 1.30.97
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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.,
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