December 4, 2025

Advent Wreath in the Sanctuary

Photo by Kate Paradise

A Message from Patrick

O Advent Tree, O Advent Tree

Part of what I love most about Advent is the vivid imagery the church hands us -- without a whole lot of explanation. This Sunday's readings are all about severed trunks: Matthew's ax lying at the root of the tree, Isaiah's tender shoots emerging from the stump of a tree hacked down.

Without having to use the words, scripture is speaking to us about trauma, loss and recovery. And as Jesus so often models while speaking in parables, the action is not one of "telling us what to think" but one of inviting us into deeper reflection that's often radically local and specific.

Many of us have been thinking and praying in these past weeks about the pending end of our parish community at the Terraces. An independent living facility less than a mile from campus and housing about twenty seniors, the Terraces has hosted for some years now a Sunday morning Eucharist service, concurrent with our church service via YouTube but also including distribution of the consecrated elements by faithful volunteers. All of this will end as the facility closes in January to be rebuilt into a memory care facility. Our parishioners, one of whom is 99, have had to secure new places to live.

While Terraces management is committed to supporting the practical and logistical work of these moves, what most of us have been grieving is the sharp and sudden forced ending of beloved community: women living as close neighbors and fellow parishioners. Shared memories. Mutual concerns. A continuing ministry that has fed all who've supported it.

So on Wednesday this we did what Episcopalians do. We organized a worship service: a 3:00 pm Eucharist onsite in the Terraces common room. Then we drank tea and ate delicious things together. And checked in with each other. Residents and Eucharistic volunteers. The room was crowded and buzzing. To my relief, each one of our beloved parishioners has a "next place" to go in a neighboring town.

Nonetheless, the closing of the Terraces remains painful. In Isaiah and Matthew's forestry terms, we're still living with the fresh cut and not yet with the new shoots.

And this is what Advent is all about. The longing for healing, peace and new life -- as well as the reality of the "not-yet." "O come, thou branch of Jesse's tree..." (1982 Hymnal, #56).

My guess is that you know a lot about fresh cuts, unforeseen endings, and new life yourself. As we move deeper into Advent in these days to come, please join me in praying for all who are living through challenging transitions. For the entire community of the Terraces -- both residents and staff. And for the life of the world to come.

Faithfully and fondly,

Weekly Worship Services

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.

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.

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!

Wardens' Report

We hope that everyone had a good Thanksgiving. Each one of us has so much to be thankful for. 

At the November Vestry meeting we heard from Carol Baffi-Dugan, the Vestry Liaison to the Outreach Ministry. Carol explained the process of how local charities apply for a grant to be approved and then receive money from this ministry. We were updated on the non-perishable food collection for the Cape Cod Council of Churches. The parish was very generous with donations as the back of a pick-up truck was filled with groceries! There are boxes still throughout the church and parish hall for more of us to donate non perishable-food.

The vestry approved $11,000 for the repair of the stairs and replacement of the handrail leading from the parking lot to the rectory. Due to the slope of the stairs, this walkway can be dangerous at times. 

The Harvest Fair and Christmas Bazaar was amazing! There were well over 2000 cookies baked, along with delicious pies and cakes, canned goods, and soups. There were books to be read, jewelry to be worn, lunch to be enjoyed, baskets for auction and Kimball Guild crafts to be bought. The fair grossed about $20,000. The most important part of the Fair/Bazaar was the fellowship that all enjoyed. More than 70 people volunteered their time and talent. Thank you, everyone.

The Antique show was this past weekend. Twenty dealers displayed their beautiful antiques, which were for sale. Our deepest gratitude goes to Deb Meguerdichian and her family for organizing this annual event. Thank you also to the members of the parish who manned the entrance door, especially Art Mittlestaedt, our CHS greeter!

We have now entered the church season of Advent, and many parishioners constructed Advent wreaths this past Sunday. Please join us this Friday, December 5, at 6:00 p.m. for Dia de las Velitas Supper and candle Blessing. This is a widely observed holiday in Columbia, in honor of the Virgin Mary, and the beginning of the Christmas season. Please read the Announcement yellow sheet each week for more gatherings and events.

Thank you for your prayers,

Priscilla Isner and Celia Calhoun, Wardens

Top right: Vicky Hutchens, Diana Landau, and Joan Kirchener sing the Introit on Advent 1.

Above left: The altar prepared for Advent

Photos by Kate Paradise

Parish Life

Don't buy anything! You'll wreck the perfect arrangement of goods!

A Wonderful Success: Our Fall Festival & Holiday Bazaar

This year’s Fall Festival and Holiday Bazaar was an extraordinary celebration of community, generosity, and joy. Thanks to the remarkable spirit of our parish family, we surpassed our goals and set a new record—an achievement made possible by the kindness and hard work of so many.

The bakery tables were overflowing with abundance: more than 2,000 donated cookies, along with cakes, pies, breads, jams, pickles, and 40 quarts of homemade soup, all lovingly contributed by members of our community. The food tables looked especially beautiful, adorned with stunning pumpkin centerpieces that became a highlight of the day.

Our Holiday Baskets were equally impressive. Every item in those gorgeous baskets was donated, showing once again the incredible generosity that defines our parish.

The Café was a warm and lively gathering spot, filled with old friends reconnecting and new friendships beginning over lunch and conversation. Laughter filled the air, and many remarked how wonderful it was to spend time together.

Once again the art tour brought over 20 people in to see the church!

Meanwhile, the Parish Hall sparkled as shoppers arrived in droves. Smiles were everywhere, and the comments we heard most frequently were “This is the best bazaar!” and “This church is so friendly!” These heartfelt compliments truly reflect the spirit of hospitality embodied by our parish.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the more than 80 volunteers who made this event possible—those who planned, baked, cooked, set up, organized, sold, cleaned, and supported before, during, and after the festival. Your dedication and energy created something truly special.

Thank you again to everyone who contributed. Together, we created not just a successful event—but a joyful celebration of community, compassion, and connection.

Nancy Boccia

Photo Above left: Best buddies Hannelore Meyer and Dianne Fromm.

Above right: Cris Harter in action!

Above: Liz Tunney reports for "cookie duty."

Below: Some people wait all year for that chicken salad! Kitchen team members Susan McDormand, Julie Thompson, Brenda Ridgeway, and Michelle Puzo.

Photos by Rev. Patrick Ward

The Justice Team

A new - loosely named - group has formed at CHS inspired by the work of Rev. Edwin Johnson and the Episcopal City Mission (ECM) in Boston, whose tagline is "Awaken Love. Do Justice.”

Nancy Haak, Susan Warner, Pia MacKenzie, and Karen Sweeney answered the call from Rev. Edwin when he came to speak last summer, to bring that work to our parish. In quick response to requests from the ECM Emergent Action Network this fall, we helped collect over 200 signatures for a statewide housing stabilization bill. We then set up a food collection effort to help our local neighbors, for which we had a huge response with many expressing interest in helping to keep this effort going! Thank you all!

More details about that ongoing effort to come. The “Justice Team” will be reconvening in January with new direction from ECM/EAN, which is committed to cultivating sustainable, joyful resistance; nurturing spiritual imagination; and acting in solidarity with communities most impacted by racial and systemic injustice.

For more information, follow @ecm_boston on instagram, Episcopal City Mission on Facebook or check out their website at www.episcopalcitymission.org/ . Please let the office or any of us know if you’d like to be included in future CHS efforts!

News from the Diocese

Highlights of 240th Annual Convention

A spirited, engaged crowd of more than 500 clergy and lay members of the diocese gathered in Burlington, MA on November 14 and 15 to participate in the Diocese’s Annual Convention! 

Representing The Church of the Holy Spirit in Orleans were delegates Cris Harter, Brenda Ridgway and Rev. Patrick Ward.

Highlights included:

• An inspiring keynote speech by The Most Rev. Melissa Skelton, most recently Bishop Provisional in the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, on congregational development and the importance of churches understanding their purpose.

• Bishop Whitworth’s address, which focused on the diocese’s important visioning work and key commitments that emanated from this work, and called on the diocese to “expect more, proclaim more, bear more for the world and to the world, more hope, joy, and courage. We can do it!”

• Presentation of the diocese’s first Courage and Joy Awards to four outstanding recipients.

• Workshops on a range of topics, from Invite, Welcome, Connect to Managing Church Property for Mission, tied the diocese’s strategic vision.

• As part of its public witness, several resolutions were passed, including affirming human rights for all people in US prisons and detention centers; supporting the Massachusetts’ immigrant community, especially those at risk of losing temporary protected status; and affirming support for the MA Indigenous Legislative Agenda.

For more information regarding the convention, please contact Cris Harter or Brenda Ridgeway.

The Very Rev. Miguelina Howell Elected 10th Bishop Diocesan of Western Massachusetts

On November 15th, The Very Rev. Miguelina Howell was elected the 10th Bishop Diocesan of Western Massachusetts. Congratulations Very Rev. Howell!

And, thank you Right Rev. Dr. Douglas J. Fisher for your faithful and loving leadership as 9th Bishop Diocesan of Western Massachusetts.

Food 4 Kids

Help Food 4 Kids reach our year-end fundraising goal!

We have deep gratitude to the countless individuals and organizations who have supported our vital work through volunteering and donations. To date, $17,512 has been raised through individual donations, thanks to a few very generous donations in the last few weeks. As we wind

down 2025, we need your help to close the gap toward our annual goal of $20,000 (2024 donations reached $16,419). 

Food 4 Kids would be greatly appreciative if you can donate any amount as a part of your year-end tax deductible giving to help us close our $2,488 deficit. Every dollar counts :)

Church School News

The church school is busy preparing for the upcoming weeks of advent! 

Here are just a few of the Happenings:

• Gathering on Friday December 5^th for The feast of the Little Candles/ Dia de las Velitas- 5:30 arrival / 6:00 beginning. Pot Luck! 
• Holiday card decorating and mailing to our Parish family.

• Pageant Rehearsal 4:00 PM on Saturday, December 13 in the church. (Roles are open for any one interested,)
• Gingerbread House Decorating on Saturday, December 13 at 5:00 PM; Followed by Pizza.
• Ornament creating during church school.

....And More!!  We hope to see you!

There will be No Church school or Nursery care on December 28th.

Photo Top left: Church School students working on Advent puzzle calendar

Above left: Youth engaged in their artwork in the Creation Room

Bottom Left: Children at work in the Godly Play Room

Above right: Children creating art in the Godly Play Room

Bottom right: Advent Wreath creating in the Parish Hall

Photos by Ruth Campbell and Hanna Schneider

Buildings and Grounds

Another busy season comes to an end, and without the hard work of so many volunteers, our wonderful campus would not look as lovely as it does. From the grass seed put down in front of Galley West, to the removal of invasives and the addition of mulch, the weeding of the playground, the lovely special additions from Peter Jensen, the tending and restructuring of the memorial garden, to keeping up with the ever ample supply of weeds, we’ve done our best to make it all shine. I know I’ve forgotten something, but this is a good sample.

Right now, no ‘big’ projects loom for the grounds committee, but we never know what winter may bring. I hope to see as many of you as can return next spring and anyone who is interested, please join us. You do not need to be experienced at all! We have great teachers, and you’ll meet some fabulous volunteers.

And one last picture. I spotted this very valiant flower trying for a peak at the sun. It’s in the rock wall of the parking lot.

Till spring, thank you all for another wonderful season.

Ann Pike-Paris and Brian Ridgeway, Co- Chairs

 Next Garden Party: To be determined in March of 2026

Sacred Ground

Sacred Ground is the Episcopal Church’s 11-session dialog program designed for small groups to walk through chapters of our country’s history of race and racism, in the context of faith and family stories. The curriculum includes films, video and readings.

Held every other week on Mondays (1:00 pm) beginning Jan. 26. To date, 30 CHS parishioners have completed Sacred Ground. To learn more contact Nancy Boccia or Doug Fromm, who will co-facilitate, or the parish office.

Sunday Book Discussion Group

The Book Discussion Group will complete our discussion of Richard Rohr's The Tears of Things on Sunday, December 7 and will not be meeting again until January. 

We are currently considering books to read in 2026 and hope to make a decision on our next book prior to the publishing of the next Together. 

Stay tuned!

Brooke and Brian Skea

Outreach Committee News

The Outreach Committee has been busy visiting and working with ministries and agencies in our community over the past few months. Thus far this year, we have disbursed $58,800 to 18 local agencies, Endupoto (Tanzania), as well as to the Diocese of Los Angeles and Episcopal Relief and Development to help address the damage caused by wildfires in that city.

Our November disbursements included $4,000 to the Cape Cod Council of Churches for whose ministries the Church of the Holy Spirit has also collected and delivered many nonperishable food items recently in response to SNAP cutbacks by the Federal Government. Nonperishable food is currently being collected from and distributed by church members to Lower Cape Outreach Council in Orleans.

Members have attended the Grand Opening of the new Homeless Prevention Council offices on Main St. in Orleans, the Cape Cod Council of Church's new faciliity on Main St. in Hyannis, Independence House’s 25^th Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month Breakfast in Hyannis, monthly meetings of the Youth Outreach and Hospitality Action Team of the Nauset Interfaith Association, and a worship service at the Latham School in Brewster. We have also visited Amazing Grace Camp, CapeAbilities Farm, Champ House, Homeless Not Hopeless, and Housing Assistance Corporation’s affordable housing project in Orleans this summer and fall.

We look forward to a visit and presentation by representatives of Latham Centers at our December meeting.

Wishing you a blessed Advent and a joyful Christmas,

Phil and Brooke

Scenes from Amazing Grace Camp, an all expenses paid summer experience for children whose parents are incarcerated. Photos supplied by Brooke Eaton--Skea

News from Cheryl Kyle and Endupoto:

November 2025

This has been quite a year at Endupoto Primary School and the three other schools we serve in the Maasai Steppe south of Arusha, Tanzania. Karen and I are so grateful for your support, prayers and good wishes.

Progress is the future and the key is education.

. Kimbay Kisusu is in his second year of Medical School. He is the little boy at 9 years old who started at Endupoto Primary School in the first grade in the first classroom.

. Exciting Academics News: This year saw the highest pass rate, at 70% for Endupoto students in their final year. We look forward to assisting their parents to afford further education at Oljoro Secondary School.

. Construction News: Built new teachers’ house and renovated headmaster’s house at Losinyai, the primary school we renovated and built two new classrooms two years ago. Built a teacher’s house and workroom at Osajilo, the newest school we serve. Added solar to Oljoro Secondary School.

. Thanks to a partner, we now provide a high protein lunch and saw immediate results in the academic success on the National Exam.

. Our graduates from secondary school are exceeding our wildest dreams. We are helping to educate future lawyers, nurses, engineers, wildlife managers, doctor, teachers, and more.

. We are grateful for the students, teachers, parents, our dedicated Tanzanian team and you.

Thank you for standing with us and for all you make possible. 

In appreciation and gratitude,

Cheryl Kyle and Karen Royce

Photo at top right: Sagilu Lockusoo graduated with a diploma in Human Resource Management. His mother makes the porridge for all the students at Endupoto. She signs her name with her thumbprint. She is very proud of her educated son.

Above left: One of the 420 Maasai girl students at Endupoto Primary School in Tanzania. There are a total of 851 students receiving an education in this remote area of Tanzania.

Free Shop

We have been extremely blessed, busy and active with numerous customers/friends and donations due to all the referrals from Katie’s Korner (Lower Cape Outreach Council) in Orleans, which has closed for renovations and will not open until 2026. 

The Free Shop welcomes your help one Monday or Wednesday per month.The Free Shop is open every Monday and Wednesday - 10 to 1.

We are grateful for your WINTER clothing donations and large brown bags with handles. Please no men’s suits (sport coats accepted) or summer clothing -- please shoes and boots in near perfect condition.All donations can be dropped into bins located on the first floor of the Parish Hall by the elevator.

The Free Shop continues to stock/supply the Necessity Shop at Nauset High School with NEW necessities - water bottles, sox, underwear, deodorants, toothpaste, tooth brushes and Free Shop sweatshirts and sweatpants. All new items are purchased with monies offered by the parish during the 2025 Epiphany Trope service -- Gifts to the Christ Child. 

Suzy Gray is in contact with the nurse at the Necessity Shop as to what is needed n the shop. The Necessity Shop would be happy to have travel size toiletries. Please mark these for Necessity Shop/Nauset HighSchool and place in Free Shop bins.

Come see - Come shop - Come visit

Sharyn Laughton & Suzy Gray - CoDirectors

CHS Gallery

Holiday MarketPlace

Opens: Sunday, December 7, 2025/Second Sunday of Advent

Closes: Sunday, January 4, 2026/Celebrating Epiphany

This festive, traditional, group, December show in the gallery featuresthe art and crafts of Ellen Adamson, Jean Collins, Dianne Fromm, Cris Harter,Anne Kilguss, Kimball Guild, Roger Lovejoy, Susan McDormand, Norm Stubbendick, Donna Tavano. 

Curators: Sharyn Prentiss Laughton & Gail Binney Sterne

The CHS gallery is open Monday to Friday - 10 to 3 and Sunday after the church service.

Come explore the creative talents/gifts in this show! Last show in 2025!

2026

Calling all CHS artists, crafters, writers………choose a month in 2026 to exhibit/sell your work…….set up the first day of the month -- take down the last day of your chosen month.

Fun, easy, rewarding in so many ways. Help is always available!

Sharyn Laughton & Gail Binney Sterne

Galley West Art Gallery

Art, History and Community

Our Winter Show is in full swing and there’s so much to see! From photography, monoprints and paintings to woodworking, ceramics, stained glass, metalsmithing and more… there’s truly something for everyone! And of course, our show would not be complete without a beautiful selection of handmade items from the Kimball Guild!

Galley West is entirely run by local artists. So when you visit, you get to meet the folks who make the

Gallery glow. You also get to step inside history. Our building has many stories to tell, and we look forward to sharing them with you.

Winter Show Dates: October 20 – Sunday December 21.

Gallery Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 10am to 2pm, and Sundays, 11:15 to 2pm.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Pastoral Care

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 

Health Ministry

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.

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

Dates to Remember

• Dia de las Velitas Supper & Candle Blessing: Friday, December 5 @ 6:00 pm

• Advent Quiet Morning: Tuesday, December 16, 9:00 - 11:30 am with Rev. Cathy George

• Advent Lessons & Carols, Parish Reception: Wednesday, December 17 @ 5:30 pm

• 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

Birthdays - Anniversaries - Remembrances

Please contact the office if we don't yet have your dates!

Birthdays

Jennifer Marlin 12.3 Javier Quintero 12.3 Linda Mason 12.4

Sarah Barkhuff 12.4 Frank Tavano 12.5 Cindy Schultz 12.6

Monica Montoya-Quintero 12.8 Johanna Schneider 12.9 Walter Morgan 12.10

Charlotte Ruth LaBranche 12.11 Hanna Sweeney 12.16 Fin LaBranche 12.16

Barbara Koeppen 12.17 Fay Cole 12.19 Donald Bragdon 12.21

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

Remembrances

Gladys Gombos 12.01.11 Florence Adams 12.01.13 Marlene Hoey 12.03.22

Gerald Downs 12.04.03 Jay Duvanier Lucil 12.05.00

Douglas N. MacArthur 12.05.10 Pete Miller 12.05.09

August Yearing 12.05.98 Pearle C.S. Richards 12.06.10

Richard C. Wagner  12.06.13 John Brigham 12.07.02

Gustav A. Karlson 12.07.07 Dorothy Cross 12.7.21

Francis Patrick Ames 12.08.11 Eliza Jackson Ewing 12.10.13

Vera Richards 12.10.05 Florence Adams 12.11.13

Laryssa Lambros 12.12.19 George Stierwald  12.12.03

Brian Howe 12.13.22 Hedwig K. O’Hara 12.14.10

Susan Owens 12.14.24 John Enochs  12.15.02

Stephanie Gray 12.15.18 Jane Wiedenman 12.15.23

Ruth Evans Jones 12.16.22 Sandra Vose Marshall 12.17.24

Elizabeth Hicks 12.18.99 James Woodburn, Sr. 12.18.99

Jane Nixon 12.18.21 DD Sillcocks  12.19.02 Gerald Gilmore  12.20.14

Elizabeth Clarendon 12.21.78 Wallace Ruckert 12.21.03

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

 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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.,

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