Getting organized for Pride Parade in the parking lot at Snow Library | | |
In Search of...
Shortly after Roger and I moved to Orleans in November of 2022, I drafted a job description for an assisting priest. CHS has traditionally been served by two clergy (a varying mix over the years of full-time and part time positions) and the scope of our community life and ministries warrants two clergy. As we have grown over the past two years, our needs -- pastoral, liturgical, programmatic -- have increased.
Importantly, almost one hundred of us in the parish -- in conversations this past spring with Cornerstone Fundraising's Brian Raiche -- took time to share hopes for our parish. Increased clergy staffing was a priority voiced by a majority of you. A summary of Brian's research findings was mailed out "hardcopy" via US Mail to all of us yesterday with some further thinking about funding and finance.
I have hesitated to begin a search for several reasons. First, I wanted time to develop instincts about the kind of person and skills needed, and the kind of priest who'd naturally make a home here and grow with us. Secondly, I sensed as I began to work with you that I was serving a parish both recovering and rebuilding from COVID and prolonged transition. Our finances reflected this: an unsustainable endowment draw and wages for current staff that were not keeping pace with the cost of living on the Cape. Finally, the deep collegial support extended to me both by officers and vestry members as well as retired clergy in the parish (generously willing to spot me for vacation time away) helped me understand that we could get by for a certain amount of time with a single priest on staff.
For many happy reasons -- primarily your commitment, generosity and faithfulness -- we are approaching the end of "getting by for a certain amount of time." With the prayers and support of your officers, vestry and finance committee we have opened a search for a second priest. We are planning a full-time ministry and offering this initially as a three-year position (there is some precedent in the wider church for such arrangements; traditional curacies are two years and the "priest in charge" role is based on a three-year contract). The posting "went live" last week to the national church (you may read it here) and to date I have been in conversation with four candidates.
Canonically in our denomination, hiring and staffing is the rector's responsibility. I have been approaching this in a collaborative fashion though -- both in drafting the description of the role and, (although I am not calling a formal search committee) the review of qualified candidates. We are aware that this may take some months and will likely involve a relocation for the person we call.
We will share more news as we are able. For the time being, please keep our parish, our leaders, and the person we will someday know as priest and colleague, in your daily prayers!
Faithfully and fondly,
| | |
Bishop Julia Whitworth Visits
Sunday, June 29!
Please plan to join us for 10:00 am worship on June 29 when we welcome our Bishop Diocesan Julia Whitworth on her first official visitation! Bishop Julia will preach and celebrate and looks forward to greeting you at a festive coffee hour following the service.
| | |
Congratulations to The Reverend Nancy Miller on the occasion of the Celebration of 30 years since her ordination as a deacon (6.24.95)!
| | |
Special blessings to Janet Winter on the recent celebration of her 99th birthday!
| | |
Evensong Service
Please join us this Sunday at 5 pm for an Evensong Service offered by The Church of the Holy Spirit Choir at St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, 12 Irving Avenue in Hyannisport. The Rev. Mark Anschutz will preside and the Rev. Patrick C. Ward will offer a homily.
| | |
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: Soar & Explore
(beginning again on July 6; see listing below)
Join us in the Parish Hall
Arrive by 9:45 a.m.
Children will join parents in church
for Communion.
https://www.youtube.com/@churchoftheholyspiritorleans
| | | |
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!
| | |
The Vestry has held three meetings since the last issue of Together, two in discussion of the proposed campaign to raise funds for capital expenditures and to increase funding for staffing and other ministries. The Vestry finally voted unanimously to go ahead with the campaign, with the guidance of our consultant from Cornerstone Fundraising, Brian Raiche. This is very exciting, and you will be hearing more as the summer progresses.
The third Vestry meeting dealt with our normal reports and issues, including a report from Jenn Gale of Food 4 Kids, which is starting up again this week, as we write, and reports from each Vestry member on their actions following the Mutual Ministry Review.
It has been a very busy month, starting with the indoor parish picnic on Sunday, June 8th, which was well attended, with delicious burgers and hot dogs, side dishes, and desserts. On June 14, we participated in the first Pride Parade through Orleans, with a large number of parishioners from St. Mary’s of Provincetown, St. Mary’s of Barnstable, and The Church of The Holy Spirit, as well as a sprinkling from the Federated Church and others.
| | |
This past weekend, CHS hosted the Finding Our Way weekend retreat of walks, meditations, and discussion to help us develop a land-based and historically-informed walking practice, which was inspiring and gave us much to think about as we walk our familiar paths. Retreat attendees were treated to the excellent dinners and lunch provided by the Family Table Collaborative.
Please join us on Sunday, June 29 when our Diocesan Bishop, The Right Rev. Julia Whitworth, will be visiting us - she will preside over the service and preach the sermon. All are welcome to coffee hour where you can meet Bishop Julia. Following coffee hour, she will have lunch with Patrick, the officers, and vestry.
Later that same day, at 5:00 p.m., the CHS choir will be singing at Evensong at St.Andrew’s Chapel in Hyannisport. Please join us there!
And Happy July 4th! Thank you for your support and prayers,
Priscilla Isner & Celia Calhoun,
Wardens
| | |
Top left: Celia Calhoun holds up one end of the Episcopal banner as Kate Paradise and The Reverend Michael Horvath from St. Mary's of Barnstable look on.
Above right: Retreat participants gather in the shade of a circle of tall pines for prayer and music.
Right: Rita Powell, Joan Kirchner, Patrick Ward, and others listen as Waban Webquish, a Wampanoag educator, discusses the removal of Indigenous peoples from their lands by early settlers. Walkers were treated to a gorgeous view of Cape Cod Bay.
| | | Above left: Matt Harman, Clare Hemmenway, and Karen Sweeney pause to listen to Waban Webquish at one of our stops. | | Above right: John Harter, Brenda Ridgeway, and others at another stop along the way. | | |
The Deanery Assembly was held on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at the Church of the Messiah, in Woods Hole.
Celia Calhoun (co-convener), Kate Paradise (nominating committee), Brenda Ridgeway (deanery rep), and Rev. Patrick Ward attended as representatives of CHS.
During the business portion of the meeting, a review of Deanery 101 was presented by Rev. Hilary Greene from The Church of the Good Shepherd, Wareham. Candidates for office were presented and elected.
A lively discussion about social justice ministries followed with both clergy and lay members voicing their opinions and suggestions
The next session will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at St. Mary's in Barnstable.
| | |
The first day of Food 4 Kids 2025 went off without a hitch!
Somehow every year everything comes together ... our equipment is moved, large boxes of supplies, books and food arrive, and our volunteers and staff show up! We served 250+ this week and will go up to 800 next week!
We still have openings for volunteering, mostly starting July 14. Please consider signing up for the meal prep slots, we promise it is not too stressful and Julie is a great boss! Visit our website for more information.
Will you help us spread the word about our meal sites?
We will be serving free meals at 20 locations this Summer. You can find meal sites and times posted on our website and in the attached flyer. We also have hardcopies at church. If you’re able, please consider sharing it with families any way that fits your style; hanging on a bulletin board, add it to an email or newsletter, or share on social media.
| | Ray Thompson and Brian Ridgeway just finished loading Brian's car with snacks and lunches for Provincetown during the first week of the summer. | | Coolers and signs all set for the ride to Provincetown! | | |
Soar & Explore
Children’s (ages 4 and up!) summer art-inspired time together in the Parish Hall.
July 6-August 31 9:45 am -10:45 am
Children will enter church at 10:45 am to join their families . The creative work is based on a short passage from the Sunday readings that families are listening to in church. They then hear a children’s story or poems which illustrate, in children’s terms, an interpretation of the reading. This is followed by an “in house” Holy Spirit artist who will creatively respond to the story in an art form.
Children’s authors and poets will include: Chasten Buttigieg, Caroline Kennedy, Senator Raphael Warnock, and Marion Wright Edelman .
Our Holy Spirit artists are: Joanie Barnes, Donna Bailey, Brooke Eaton Skea, Cris Harter, Dianne Fromm, Pia MacKenzie, Donna Tavano, Peter Jensen, Joe and Sam Simons, and Raven Thompson!
| | Sunday Book Discussion Group | | |
We finished our discussion of Patriot by Alexei Navalny on Sunday, June 22. We will break for the summer.
In September, we will begin our discussion of Richard Rohr's The Tears of Things. The date of our next meeting is yet to be determined.
Brooke and Brian Skea
| |
Our next gathering will be held on Tuesday, July 22 at 5:30 at the home of Brenda and Brian Ridgeway’s in Eastham. New members are always welcome. Please email Cheryl Kyle, cherylkyle@aol.com for additional information.
A light dinner will be served with discussion to follow. Please bring your own beverage of choice. Please let Sue Sasso know what you will be contributing to dinner.
This month we are reading A Backpack, A Bear, Eight Crates of Vodka by Lev Golinkin, a graduate of Boston College. He writes a compelling memoir- “hilarious and heartbreaking-- of two intertwined journeys: a Jewish refugee family escapes from Soviet Ukraine in the 1980’s fleeing persecution and his later journey to track down those who helped them flee, while exploring Jewish identity and belonging." The New York Times
| | |
At our June meeting of Ladies Luncheon, we decided to suspend our meetings until September, so our next meeting will be September 4th. A reminder will be forthcoming in August.
A huge thank you to all of you for coming to be in community together. I hope it feeds your soul as it does mine.
Thank you to all of you who volunteer to bring things to make our meal together and our setting just right for a Ladies Luncheon…the chips, the drink, the paper goods, the centerpieces. Thank you to Wayne for setting up the tables and making coffee for us every month.
Thank you to Elizabeth Merritt for taking charge of our donations to A Baby Center, to both Elizabeth and her neighbor Bonnie for buying the diapers and wipes, and to Margaret Ann and Bill Heuss for delivering them to their Hyannis destination.
It’s really a pleasure to be with all of you. See you in September.
Fay Cole
| | |
The Holiday Bazaar Team Wants You!
The planning for the 2025 Holiday Bazaar to be held on Saturday, November 1st is underway, and we would love your help. Being part of this fun and creative team is a great way to get to know people and be part of a really fun event. If you have interest and time, we would love to have you join! To learn more about the roles available, please contact Nancy Boccia.
| | |
We are UPSTAIRS in the Parish Hall for the
summer months!
Gratefully accepting your summer clothing donations! Please, no men’s suits! Summer shoes and flip flops
in almost perfect condition are most welcomed!
We are all set with paper bags with handles until further notice!
Sharyn Laughton & Suzy Gray (recycler & caregiver supreme) - CoDirectors
COME VISIT - COME SEE - COME SHOP
Any Monday or Wednesday - 10 to 1
| | |
Final week - the last Sunday in June to view Susan McDormand’s PAINTINGS!
"Abundance" has been added over the fireplace -- it is a beauty!
After June you can still enjoy Susan’s art in Galley West Art Gallery -
open every Sunday after church service!
| |
The featured artist for the month of July will be Anne Kilguss.
Anne is a member of the Copley Society of Art in Boston, the oldest art cooperative in the country. She is also a member of the at Botolph Club in Boston, founded c c. 1880 with an emphasis on literature and the arts. She studied painting with Tom Ouellette in Boston. He teaches in the French academic tradition.
Anne is a resident of Orleans and Boston. She has a long love of art history.
"This show reflects my love of nature. I live on Lonnie’s Pond and am fascinated by the rising moon and its reflections on the water. I am a gardener as seen in my work. All of these paintings are for sale. Hope you enjoy my attempts to capture the beauty of every day life." Anne Kilguss
| | | | |
ALL months on the CHS GALLERY 2025 calendar are now FILLED……………….THANK YOU!
The 2026 calendar will be posted SOON -- in the window by the gallery door!
| | |
Summer Show
June 25 – August 14
All new art from 30+ artists from the Lower and Outer Cape – Juror and Curator, Hannah Conway, Gallerist from Tree’s Place Gallery, Orleans. The gallery has an amazing, diverse selection of art by some new and established gallery artists. Something for everyone at reasonable prices.
The Gallery is open Sundays after service.
Wednesday – Saturday 10 -2, plus Thursday to 6.
Bring your summer houseguests to see this wonderful show and the beauty of our own piece of Americana historic architecture fully restored in 2021 through grants from Orleans Community Preservation funds.
| | |
Autumn Show – Call for Art
ENTER: June 27 – July 27
SHOW DATES August 27 – October 8
Enter via our website Entry Form. www.galleywestartgallery.com/call-for-art/
All artists with an address in a Lower or Outer Cape town are eligible.
| | |
June 13 –Special Visitors at CHS
On June 13, about 20 Nauset Newcomer members came to our campus for a Gallery Hopper visit. Galley West Art Gallery, the CHS Gallery (in the reception room), the Church, and Kimball House were open with docents Sharyn Laughton (with some Gallery artists), Susan McDormand, Betty Suraci, and Ellen Adamson gave the visitors wonderful history and stories about the art on display and some (Kimball Crafts) still created at Holy Spirit. Everyone had a wonderful day. They were impressed with the breadth of our collection of Vernon Smith work and how his influence remains a cornerstone of our church art and Galley West Art Gallery.
The following thank you note from one “Hopper” captured it all--
"Thank you so much for arranging the wonderful tour of the Galley West Art Gallery, church, and Kimball Guild studio. I loved every inch and piece of it, including the beautiful grounds. Now that you’ve introduced us to this gem, I will certainly check out the rest of the seasonal exhibitions. The guides were wonderful and informative. You could tell it was a labor of love for everyone involved. It’s a very special place."
| | |
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 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
508-862-5501Cape Cod Healthcare Newsletter: Go to this link: https://www.capecodhealth.org/
First page has a free sign up.
Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line
Call or text: 833-773-2445 (BHHL)
Online chat: masshelpline.com
Alzheimer’s Family Support Center
alzfamilysupport.org (508)896-5170
Cape Wellness Collaborative
cape wellness.org (774)408-8477
| | Birthdays - Anniversaries - Remembrances | | Please contact the office if we don't yet have your dates! | | |
Birthdays
Harold Boas 6.26 Michael Isner 6.27 Beth Whalen 6.28
Richard O'Hara 7.2 Kimberly McLaughlin 7.3 Callie O'Brien7.3 Mary Pearl 7.5
Scott Daniels 7.7 Marilyn Gass 7.9 NancyMorgan 7.9 John Butterworth 7.14
Katherine Goddard 7.15 Deborah Meguerdichian 7.21 Brian Ridgeway 7.23
Sarah Gregory 7.23 Jack Gentile 7.25 Caroline Keeffe-Jones 7.27
Tom Murray 7.30 Susan Moran 7.31
Wedding Anniversaries
Mary Anne and Donald Bragdon 7.18 Brenda Husson and Tom Faulkner 7.29
Maria and Jim Anderson 7.30 Jane and Dr. Ephraim McLean 7.31
Remembrances
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 Deans R. Folsom 7.14.15 Ruth Haye 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 7.20.1 Joan Howe 7.21.19 Andrew Kalinick 7.21.12
Gilbert Merritt 7.21.20 Norman Proctor 7.21.23 Barbara Shaw Churchill7.22.12
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
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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.,
| | |
Dates to Remember
- Sunday, June 29 - Diocesan Bishop Julia Whitworth Visitation
- Sunday, June 29 - Evensong Service offered by CHS Choir, 5 pm at St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, Hyannisport
- Monday, June 30 - Meeting House Chamber Music Concert, 7:30 p.m. in Parish Hall; www.meetinghousemusic.org for info
- Sunday, July 6 - Meeting House Chamber Music Concert, 7:30 p.m. in Parish Hall; www.meetinghousemusic.org for info
- Friday, July 11 - Meeting House Chamber Music Concert, 7:30 p.m. in Parish Hall; www.meetinghousemusic.org for info
- Monday, July 21 - Meeting House Chamber Music Concert, 7:30 p.m. in Parish Hall; www.meetinghousemusic.org for info
- Tuesday, July 22 - Evening Book Gathering at the Ridgeway's; cherylkyle@aol.com for info
- Sunday, July 27 - Meeting House Chamber Music Concert, 7:30 p.m. in Parish Hall; www.meetinghousemusic.org for info
| | |
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
| | | | |
