June 22, 2023

Prayer/Action/Character/Hope 

If you are with us in church over the next several weeks, you’ll be hearing portions of Paul’s Letter to the Church in Rome – his greatest and most extended reflection on God’s saving love. This past Sunday, the lectionary shared this observation from Romans 5: 

... suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.   

Perhaps you, like me, tend to hear these words personally, in the context of our own suffering or the suffering of those close to us – the “production” of hope via the transition of my suffering to my endurance to my character a template for personal growth and survival. 

What are we to make, though –how are we to metabolize – the suffering of others?

Paul’s conception of the individual differs from ours. He most often writes to groups;

the “you” in the gospels and epistles tends towards the second-person plural, to persons understanding themselves as members of collectives with thin or nonexistent membranes separating each from each.

This has been a week of suffering – not my own, but the profound suffering of others. As I write, multinational teams are combing vast swathes of the North Atlantic for five people in the Titan submersible, lost on their way to view the disintegrating wreckage of the Titanic. That harrowing story eclipsed what had been Monday’s major American news story: another holiday weekend wracked by gun violence. One hundred people were killed last weekend across our nation in all types of shootings, including mass shootings at Juneteenth parties in St. Louis and suburban Chicago. 

Where, one can reasonably ask, is God in these tragedies? Where, um, are we to generate hope in such suffering? 

Paul’s letter suggests that hope is resident in you and me – but often perhaps in overwhelmed and cynical retreat, in a kind or dormancy or remission. Grief or despair might be the first stirrings of the responsive Spirit at work in us. In my own understanding, grief begets prayer and prayer (an action itself) begets more action. “I pray on the principle that wine knocks the cork out of the bottle,” wrote Henry Ward Beecher, the great 19th-century preacher, abolitionist and social reformer. “There is an inward fermentation, and there must be a vent.” 

Fermenting and venting. Prayer and action. Character and hope. These are pairings into which suffering may be inviting us.  If you’ve been praying about gun violence with me, here’s an invitation for you to consider as a personal act of hope. 

On Wednesday, August 6 at 3:00 pm, our neighbors at The Federated Church here in Orleans, along with Am HaYam (Cape Cod Havurah) will be hosting a panel discussion on firearms. “How Safe Are We?” will include perspectives from Grandmothers Against Gun Violence , Sharing Kindness of Cape Cod and The Orleans Police Department. 

I don’t think this session will offer any sort of easy solution to an issue that grieves and divides many Americans. But your presence with us has something to do with hope – yours and mine. 

See you in church!

Patrick 

So far, June has been a quiet month here at The Church of the Holy Spirit--certainly compared with the excitement surrounding Patrick and Roger's wedding and then Pentecost in May. Thank you to all who helped to make Pentecost and our 90th birthday such a special day--the music, the liturgy, the five stations outside, the delicious food, the cake, and the camaraderie. The weather was perfect, and everyone present seemed to have a wonderful day.

Did you see the Tulip Tree in flower last Sunday! It is looking amazing (see photo left), but the flowers may not last till next Sunday. For those who don’t know, it is the huge tree opposite the main entrance to the Parish Hall.

The Vestry welcomed two special visitors, Chip Bechtold and Phil Suraci from the Outreach Committee, to their meeting last week. Chip and Phil gave Vestry members an overview of the agencies that we support, and the process involved each year in continuing to fund each one. A lengthy discussion centered around the sustainability of the Outreach budget as we also strive to compensate our employees fairly and maintain our lovely campus. No decisions or changes were suggested, but all parties learned a great deal and are committed to continuing the conversation.

The Communications Task Force is completing final tasks and working through subgroups. A final document will be presented to Patrick and the Vestry and used for external communications processes moving forward. A Rummage Sale Wrap-up meeting was held last week, and the Holiday Bazaar committee’s chairs will meet for their initial meeting June 22.

You will have noticed that the main sign for the church at Monument and Route 28 is in the process of being repainted. There is a lot of discussion on signage around the campus, so keep your eyes open for changes, which we hope will help newcomers and visitors find the right place to park, and the right door to open to meet their needs. Right now it is all very confusing!

During her Pastoral Care Report, Priscilla Isner told us about a lovely luncheon held at Nancy Ludewig's home to honor Peter Blank as he retires from actively visiting each week many of our parishioners who are in nursing homes. Peter reminds us that he continues to call and check up on some of his dear friends. We thank Peter for his many years of service and the comfort he has brought to each person. Members of the Pastoral Care team have taken over from Peter, and our loved ones will continue to receive regular visits and the news from church that Peter always delivered.

Did you know Janet Winter is 97 this week (6/20) and Helen Richardson 101 (6/21)!

Do send them a card if you can, even if it will arrive late! They have both contributed to the life of our parish significantly – did you know that Janet ran the Church School in the 1980s, and Helen ran the prayer shawls group of knitters for many years until recently – she was always knitting while volunteering as a Receptionist.



Celia Calhoun and Brenda Ridgeway

FOOD FOR KIDS

10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2023

3:00 – 5:00 o’clock

PLEASE JOIN US to celebrate

the wonderful people who have made it happen!

*Mix and mingle with F4K staff and volunteers

*Welcome and Recognition at 4:00 o’clock

*F4K display in reception gallery

*Refreshments

*T-shirts!

AFTER THE CELEBRATION....

WE GET DOWN TO BUSINESS FOR THE

2023 FOOD 4 KIDS SEASON

THERE ARE STILL SOME VERY IMPORTANT VOLUNTEER SPOTS OPEN

PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING THIS SUMMER.

We just added another driving route to Orleans Elementary School, July 5 – August 11 Help us deliver meals to Orleans’ Summer Recreation Program. Sign up here - Weekly Driver Schedule, OR jot a quick email to Laura Froeschner, our Program Manager, at lfroeschner@food4kidscapecod.org. Let her know which days of the week you are available to drive.

Our volunteer sign ups have been better than ever! There are still a few other volunteer openings, especially the last few weeks .... 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. 

NEED HELP or MORE INFORMATION about jobs or volunteering, jot a quick email to Laura Froeschner, our Program Manager, at lfroeschner@food4kidscapecod.org, or talk to Anne Koehler. And be sure to read the latest complete Food 4 Kids Newsletter here.

CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS

Coming this summer to CHS . . .

Soar and Explore!

During the summer while our regular Church School is on hiatus, join us Sundays through August 27th in programs for children ages 4 -12 as we share stories, art, and Godly Play. We will be outside and inside. Class will be from 9:45-10:45 a.m. and then children will join parents in church. Meet in Church School in the lower level of the Parish Hall (Older children can help or participate.)

LADIES' LUNCHEON

THURSDAY JULY 6 AT NOON

We had a good turnout for our Ladies Luncheon on June 1st and it was decided that we wanted to have summer meetings. So mark your calendar for July 6th and August 3rd. 

Volunteers for the July Luncheon are: 

Dessert, Ruth Campbell; Chips, Ginny Lucil;

 Milk and Juice, Ragnhild Bjerke; and Centerpieces, Gail Binney Sterne.

SAVE THE DATE - CHS HOLIDAY BAZAAR

NOVEMBER 4, 2023

One of CHS's most fun and exciting events, The Holiday Bazaar, is scheduled for November 4, 2023! The team is assembling, and we would love to have you join us... be involved as much or as little as your time and interest permit. More details in July!

Want to know how you can be part of the fun? Contact Nancy Boccia.

June has been busy with the following projects:

• Our Kimball Guild Building basement was cleaned out and insulated by Cape Cod Insulation. We are scheduling an electrical upgrade with a new subpanel and duplex plugs to be installed.

• West Transept ADA door was replaced with a new door.

• East Transept door to be installed on 6/22/23 with new locks on 6/23/23.

• Parish Hall leaking Boiler #1 was replaced 6/13/23. The church is eligible for a possible $800 Mass Save rebate.

• There is a heating/cooling inconsistency in administrative offices - Dave Blanchet has been in contact with management at South Shore Heating to determine the cause and a solution.

• Our Admin Building: new carpet will be installed Monday - Wednesday 6/26-6/28

by RPM. OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED THOSE DAYS. Office furniture will be cleared out on 6/25/23. Thank you, Steve Koehler, Richard Gregory, Russell Karber, Matthew Harmon and Wayne Curry for volunteering to move the furniture.

• Campus split rail fence replacement project by Pro Fence of Brewster, is scheduled for mid-July.

• A campus-wide door survey was recently completed, thanks to Steve Koehler, Ann Pike-Paris, and Russ Karber. Are you surprised to learn we have 30 exterior doors on campus? Our doors are in various state of need. We will schedule repairs as needed.

• Rev. Ward submitted a campus wide signage needs project proposal which B&G greeted positively. Goals are:

1. Guiding new visitors into the heart of the campus.
2. Help those with disabilities to find paths of least resistance to functions.
3. Guiding Sunday visitors, funeral and wedding guests to our new main entrance

4. Guide visiting vehicles into the main parking lot, away from East parking lot.

5. Identify buildings with clear signage.

Submitted Brian Ridgeway/B&G Chair

GARDEN PARTY UPDATE

June has been a month of watering the new plantings on the hill terraces, one Garden Party, and a lot of pinecone gathering! Thanks to Chuck Dow for his constant pinecone removal…and more!

The new Memorial Garden sign is installed. Please stroll by and take a look. A huge thank you to the Kimball Guild for its creation, along with labels for all our incredible specimen trees.

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, Roger Lovejoy, Rich Gregory, & Diana Crighton.

And thank you to all who come in the “off hours” to help.... you will always find some place that could use TLCC. (Tender Loving Care & Cleaning)

 Next Garden Party: Saturday, July 8^th

Ann Pike-Paris 

 We appreciate Patrick’s June 6th letter to all of us with helpful COVID guidelines to follow around church. They include being “Mask Friendly” at CHS, “now and forever,” using our best judgement. Check out Cape Cod Health’s link below on when to have a mask on hand.

https://www.capecodhealth.org/medical-services/infectious-disease/is-it-time-to-throw-away-your-covid-masks/

We wish everyone a safe and fun summer. With so much going on at CHS, we’ll see you at church! First Aid kits are stocked throughout the campus; we hope we don’t need them! Happy Summer!!

One more weekend to view the Food 4 Kids 10th Anniversary

history display. It's been quite a journey.

Make sure you join the team at the party on June 24.

GREG DELORY

brings his photographic vision to the CHS Gallery for July

 A native Cape Codder, Greg has been taking pictures for most of his life — first as a ten-year-old hobbyist, later as an art student and a fine art photographer. He has taught photography and exhibited widely; his work is included in museums and collections. In 2008, he moved back to his hometown of Orleans and continued his photography practice by photographing the environment he grew up in. His mantra is, “Come see what I see.”

Calling all CHS artists to show their “gifts” in the gallery. 

Sign up for one month (some 2023 months still open) - set up on the first day of your chosen month - take down on the 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? The gallery is open Wednesday - Saturday, 10 - 2 and will be open from time to time on Sundays after church service.

Sharyn Laughton

CHS OUTREACH

This month we will feature another long standing CHS Outreach partner

Latham Centers

At our Outreach Committee meeting on June 1, we celebrated Anne McManus’s 25 years as Director/CEO of Latham Centers. She will retire at the end of this month. 

Anne was excited to tell us that after 12 years of planning and fundraising, Latham was awarded a remote contract from the US Dept. of Developmental Services on their Community Center Project that will cost around $9 million. They plan to break ground this summer at the site of the former New England Fire and History Museum on 6A in Brewster. 

The community center is intended to be a hub for the special needs community. The two-building center will provide space for concerts, theatrical performances by the Latham Players, fitness training, and recreation.

Heather Kelsey, VP of Advancement, presented an overview of the history and purpose of the Latham School in Brewster. The Latham School began in 1970 as a therapeutic residential program for girls aged 8–22 who had traumatic backgrounds and behavioral issues.

Since then, Latham has evolved into a coed program for children and adults with complex special needs and Prader-Willi Syndrome. PWS is a genetic disorder that results in lifelong cognitive limitations, behavioral issues, and insatiable appetite. Without food-security and the proper treatment, PWS is a life-threatening condition.

Latham Centers serves approximately 80 children and 90 adults, some of whom live onsite at the campus in Brewster and others who live in 11 group homes on the Cape, in Plymouth and Wareham. Latham is the only program in the country that meets the complex needs of both children and adults with PWS.

This year Latham is requesting a grant from Church of the Holy Spirit to create a fund to cover Latham students’ unexpected needs that fall outside of the Latham budget.

CAPE AND ISLANDS DEANERY

Report on the Deanery Assembly on May 25 at St. Barnabas, Falmouth

The Assembly was hybrid, with about 20 attending in person, including The Rev. Patrick Ward and Celia Calhoun.

The Assembly elected a slate of people nominated for the positions of Clergy Co-Convener (The Rev. Max Wolf), Lay Diocesan Council Representative (Connie Melahoures), and Secretary (Dicky Allison), Treasurer (Jean Taft) and Technical Support (Helen Gordon).

The dates for the next 4 assemblies were agreed upon as:

             Thursday September 28, possibly at St. David’s, S. Yarmouth, hybrid

             Thursday January 25, 2024, Zoom only

             Thursday April 11, Zoom only

             Thursday May 30, location TBD (Orleans, Nantucket?), hybrid

Reports from various Diocesan and Deanery Committees were given, followed by a discussion on gun violence and what we can do about it here in our communities. Some interesting ideas and comments were proposed, and these will be shared in the draft minutes of the Assembly as soon as we have them.

Celia Calhoun and Kate Paradise, Diocesan Delegates / Deanery Reps.

We are currently discussing Not in God's Name by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.

We will continue to meet in the Fireplace Room on Sundays after the 10:00 service when there is no other parish activity happening during coffee hour. 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. 

Gratefully and gladly…….the shop is ready for your

good, clean SUMMER clothing donations!

Please, no more heavy winter clothing

and no men’s suits.

We can only accept shoes in almost perfect condition.

Many thanks for supporting this vital CHS ministry.

All set with paper bags with handles for now!

Come visit, come shop, come see!

Suzy Gray (who recycles EVERYTHING) & Sharyn Laughton - CoDirectors

Still time to visit the gallery's

SPRING SHOW

CLOSING SATURDAY JUNE 24.

SUMMER SHOW OPENS

WEDNESDAY JULY 5 AT 10:00

and Opening Reception from 3:00 - 5:00

Come visit, meet artists, enjoy the beauty of the setting and the new art for sale.

Gallery hours:

Wednesday - Saturday 10:00 - 2:00

and after the service the 2nd Sunday of each month

Wood Cut by Vernon Smith- Note Cards with this wood cut design and portions of the Vernon Smith mural can be purchased in the Gallery.

BOARDS IN THE STORES

Galley West is also participating in the Orleans Chamber of Commerce Boards In The Stores summer fund raising auction. Local artists have decorated/painted surfboards that are being auctioned off as a Chamber and business shared fund raiser. Galley West has a whimsical board, Nauset Sunshine, painted by gallery friend, Chris Hardman. Chris' board will be on display at Galley West until the online auction ends August 5. Chris is donating her share of the auction proceeds to Galley West.

To view all boards in the auction click here.

Calling all CHS Artists (and your artist friends)

from the Lower and Outer Cape

Please consider entering Galley West's Autumn Show

The Call for Art entry period runs July 6 - August 6



Online entry form is on the gallery's website.

galleywestartgallery.com

The Autumn Show will be open September 6 - October 21

If you have questions about entering a show or learning how you can help in our gallery, contact Sue Sasso or Sharyn Laughton.

PENTECOST - CHS' 90TH BIRTHDAY

"BEATING OF THE BOUNDS"

On a glorious, warm, and sunny Sunday, May 28th, members and guests of The Church of the Holy Spirit celebrated Pentecost with resounding music, the altar decorated in red and gold, followed by an outdoor "walk about" as Patrick led us on a Prayer Walk & “Beating of the Bounds”, ending with a good old-fashioned church picnic and 90th birthday celebration.

As written in "The First Fifty Years, the story of The Church of the Holy Spirit," a group of Orleans citizens was a "determined band - without a clergyman, with no official leader, without a building for services - held its first formal church service, Morning Prayer, on Whitsunday [now called Pentecost] on June 4, 1933." Held in the Quarter Deck at Camp Mayflower on Crystal Lake, Orleans, the 17 in attendance including Florence and Richard Kimball and Vernon Smith and his wife had no idea what they were starting, but knew they were being led by God.

"Pass It On," a favorite song of mine, has lyrics that sum up what must have been the spirit of that blessed day 90 years ago ...

It only takes a spark to get a fire going

And soon all those around, can warm up in its glowing

That's how it is with God's love, Once you experience it.

You spread His love to everyone,

You want to pass it on.

Photos below from May 28's activities show how that spiritual fire set in 1933 is still glowing...and growing. As one parishioner said to me about May 28, 2023...

..Was that not one of the greatest days I have ever spent at CHS? I almost laughed through Hail Thee, Festival Days. It was sung during Baccalaureate at a boys' school ... only 4 more days of school prompted the most vigorous hymn singing that group ever did.... CHS did the hymn proud!!!

Hope you enjoy these photos of our past and our current life at CHS...let's "pass it on!"

Sue Sasso

Where it all began...

This was the "house" on the property Richard & Florence Kimball purchased in 1928. Now home to Galley West Art Gallery

Left - Rev. Richard Kimball

Right - Florence Kimball

Founding Member - Vernon Smith. Architect of our 1st Chapel - built in 1935 using timbers from the Wellfleet Chequessett Inn destroyed in a 1934 winter hurricane.

Church South Facade today - still as built in 1935.

Our Dove hanging over our Pentecostal Altar with streamers representing the tongues of fire and holy spirit descending.

Belladonas Bell Choir ringing in the day for us.

Pentecost Sunday - May 28, 2023 - Beating the Bounds

STATION 1 Vernal Pool & Found Objects Rogationtide Blessing crops & harvest.

STATION 4 Church Yard Markers. Honoring past members interred on church grounds.

STATION 2 Free Shop and Food 4 Kids. Honoring neighbors in need.

STATION 5 Eco Terraces and New Plantings. Honoring our habitat and water.

STATION 3 - Galley West and Kimball Craft House. Honoring our art history and artists.

Peter Jensen using an apple to illustrate how little fresh water there is in the world and to respect and honor it

Celebrating CHS's 90th birthday & parish picnic

Make new friends... treasure the old...both are gold!

Some more fun photos..... (send yours to Sue Sasso for future newsletters)

Wayne's riding in style these days - Russ Karber has lent the church a set of wheels. Wayne can return the push mower to the play ground.

Donald Duck Sasso - waits at kitchen door each morning for Jack to put out a cracked corn breakfast!

This Oriole saw its reflection and for days was pecking at the window looking for a playmate!

BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES, REMEMBRANCES

IF YOU WANT TO BE INCLUDED IN OUR BIRTHDAY OR

ANNIVERARY LIST, PLEASE CONTACT THE PARISH OFFICE

BIRTHDAYS

Georgia Schneider 6.23 John Sterne 6.27

Elizabeth Whalen 6.28  

 Meta Hutchings 7.01 Richard O’Hara 7.02   

Kimberly McLaughlin 7.03  Callie O’Brien 7.03    

Mary McDermott 7.05 Scott Daniels 7.07

Shane Howe 7.08 Marilyn Gass 7.09

Marion Thorley  7.10 Jeffrey Hyde  7.13

Sarah Pike 7.13  Kathy Goddard 7.15

Debbie Meguerdichian 7.21 Brian Ridgeway 7.23  

Jack Gentile   7.25 Bonnie Snow 7.25

Caroline Keefe-Jones 7.27 Norman Proctor 7.29 

Thomas Murray    7.30 

ANNIVERSARIES

Michael and Priscilla Isner 6.23.84

Brian and Brooke Skea 6.24.95

Don and Mary Anne Bragdon 7.18.92

Ephraim and Jane McLean 7.31.65

REMEMBRANCES

Joan Taylor 6.22.22 Weston B. Emmart 6.23.13

Noel M. Tipton III 6.23.12 Marguerite Pike  6.24.84

Susan McNair 6.25.07 William Laughton 6.26.02

Mim Ridgeway 6.26.13 Christopher Boeth 6.27.05

Nancy R. LaFrance 6.27.19 Sean Ryan White  6.27.02

Bernice Brown 6.29.01 Madge Lavette Barney 6.29.12

Marilyn L. Kalinick 6.30.65

Marjory Colwell 7.01.12 William Swift 7.01.07

Lester Myers 7.02.86 Robert Hersey Taylor 7.02.16

Paul Blackburn 7.03.01 Elaine Frances Dewing 7.05.10

Herb Wieboldt 7.05.19 Marion Louise Young 7.07.99

Harold D. Fox 7.09.09 Louise Donham 7.12.00

John Pike 7.12.80 Donald E. Smith 7.12.08

Judith Erickson 7.14.16 Dean R. Folsom 7.14.15

Ruth Hayes 7.14.19 Mildred Hedley Affleck 7.15.95

William Hammatt 7.15.13 The Rev. Robert Wardrop 7.15.94

Aram Zarookian 7.15.09 Eileen Dougherty 7.18.06

Elinor Felt 7.19.12 Samuel Hall 7.19.12

Sue Daniels 7.20.15 Joan Howe 7.21.19

Andrew Kalinick 7.21.12 Gilbert Merritt 7.21.20

Barbara Shaw Churchill 7.22.12 Betty Dibble 7.23.05

Herbert Frederick 7.24.99 Jeffrey Karlson 7.28.18

Jeff Nickerson 7.28.21 Laura Ellen White 7.29.98

RECENT DEATHS

Jeff Perkins 5.28.23

Pat Carroll 6.18.23

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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.

• June 24 - Food 4 Kids 10th Anniversary picnic at CHS
• June 26-28 ADMINISTRATION OFFICE CLOSED for CARPET INSTALLATION

• July 4 - Independence Day - Campus Closed
• July 5 - Galley West Art Gallery Summer Show Opens - reception 3-5
• July 9 - Galley West Art Gallery open after Sunday Service - stop in
• July 24 6 p.m - Together deadline. Send items for July 27 edition to Sue Sasso

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

Sue Sasso, Together Editor