We’re Here to Help
Two months into this pandemic, it’s clear the coronavirus has changed everything. Well, almost everything. One thing that hasn’t changed is the deep well of willingness at Old North Church to reach out to help one another and our neighbors in need during this difficult time. I am continually inspired by the effort and energy so many of you are offering in this time of our shared vulnerability and need. Still, for us to help, we need to know where help is needed. And people need to know what sort of help we can offer.
Our Community Life Ministry Board has been reaching out to members of the congregation and community, staying in touch and offering help during this stay-at-home time. They have a list of people they contact regularly, but they are eager to hear from you if there is something you need. PLEASE be in touch with the effort coordinators if you or someone you know could use a hand, an ear or a shoulder. You can contact Lynda Hare [781-639-0107;
hares8carrots@hotmail.com
] or Linda Duvel [781-631-1703;
linda.bill.duvel@gmail.com
] to let us know what you could use.
In addition, the Deacons discretionary fund is available for financial assistance in emergencies. Call or email me directly if you have a need. All requests and disbursements are made in confidence.
These are uncertain and stressful times. But we’re here to help to the name and spirit of Jesus Christ, who has shown us what love looks like. So please don’t hesitate to ask.
In faith, hope and love,
Rev. Dr. Dennis B. Calhoun
203-217-7239
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Sunday, May 10, 2020
Fifth Sunday of Easter
This week's worship video will be posted by 10am this Sunday.
Please click
here
on Sunday morning to view the service.
Please click on "Show More," found below the youtube video, if you would like to access the "Suggested Listening" portion of our online services.
Scripture Lessons:
Acts 17:22-27 and John 14:15-21
Rev. Lindsay Popperson will be offering the Meditation
Please click
here
for a copy of Sunday's bulletin.
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Our Latest News and Activities
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Worship Service and Coffee Hour Links
The early church met in houses, instead of in sanctuaries; in this pandemic time, we'll be bringing you worship from our houses, for you to participate in from yours. This Sunday's worship will be on YouTube, and can be found by clicking
here
or by entering this link in your browser:
It will be posted by 10am.
After worship, at 11am we'll gather for coffee hour via Zoom, an online meeting platform. You can call in with your phone, or join with video and audio from a smartphone or computer. It'll be a little weird, and a little clunky, but it will be so nice to see your faces. (You'll have to make your own coffee). Here's the Zoom information:
Or call this number:
+1 312 626 6799 (Meeting ID: 566 308 766)
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Children’s Faith Formation
Stories Under the Tent with Karen,
All are invited!
This Week: Wednesday at 4:30
Lets gather together under your tent with weekly Storytelling via Zoom. I will share a story, we will listen to each others stories and offer prayers too. Build a tent in your living room with your family, and settle in for some time to connect with your Old North friends.
I will be send out an invitation on Tuesday. If you are not on my ONC Children’s email group and would like to join in, please send me an email and I will add you. All are Welcome!
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Ways to Connect With Us During the Week
So that we might stay connected, we've set up several times throughout the week to gather on Zoom. You can join from a computer, iphone, or ipad using the links below, or you can call +1 929 205 6099 and enter the meeting ID (listed with each event).
Lectio Divina (Tuesdays 9am)
A time of contemplative prayer, with scripture and poetry, led by Dennis.
Breakfast Group (Fridays 8am)
A time to gather with one another, with your breakfast and coffee.
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Coping with Stress and Grief during a Pandemic
Wednesdays at 8pm
Join us on Zoom every Wednesday at 8pm for a brief gathering to reflect on the grief and difficulty of these days, share how we're coping, and get support. All of the TV commercials are telling us that we'll get through these uncertain times together (thanks, banks and car dealerships and Coca Cola for the encouragement!), and--all joking aside--it's good for us to see each other's faces and connect. Lindsay will lead these sessions. Join at
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88362537082
or by calling 929-205-6099 and entering Meeting ID: 883 6253 7082
If you're interested in this group but the time doesn't work for you, email Lindsay (
lindsaypopper@gmail.com
) with a couple suggestions of times that would work. We want to support you and cheer you on in these hard times!
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Thank You From the Outreach Ministry Board
and the Marblehead Food Pantry!
As you are aware, the Outreach Ministry Board normally collects bags of groceries during the months of April and November and delivers them to the Marblehead Food Pantry to stock the shelves. Lynda Hare, who coordinates the grocery collection had a really nice call from Janet Parker who heads up the Food Pantry. Lynda had asked Janet to let her know how our monetary, rather than the usual bag, donations had gone for the month of April. Sixty five households contributed a total of $9025.00. This was in addition to the $500 that Outreach Ministry Board authorized. Thank you so much to so many of you for your generous donations!
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Nominating Committee: Volunteer Opportunities at ONC
Recall that ONC’s formal organization structure consists of Officers, a Leadership Board, and four active Ministry Boards (one ministry board is inactive), all endorsed by congregational vote. Nearly 50 volunteers are required to fill the officer and board positions. The officer and board positions are more than 80% filled for the coming church year, thanks to the people who have already volunteered when asked. We still need a few more volunteers for open board positions, plus a new Financial Secretary.
If you wish to volunteer or have questions about service opportunities, please contact Martha Potvin (
bmpotvin@msn.com
) or me (
daveh.racer@gmail.com
). Thanks, Dave Hostetter, Nominating
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Would You Share Your Experience
of Living Through These Times of Covid-19?
Our Historian, Lesli Mead would like to record your thoughts, stories and photos to our Old North Archives of these times when we cannot worship together in the Sanctuary. Please email Lesli at
Lmead6@gmail.com
or send mail to Lesli's attention at the Church Office, 8 Stacey St. Marblehead, MA 01945.
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Call For Selfies and Videos
So that we might see each other's faces, we're looking for either selfies, or videos of you praying the Lord's Prayer. We'll use these in our worship services! You can send selfies to
office@onchurch.org
If you record a video of yourself or your family saying the Lord's Prayer, email it to Lindsay at
lindsaypopper@gmail.com
and we'll create a video collage.
Here's the text of the prayer we're using:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Tips:
Record using your cellphone, laptop or tablet, shooting in landscape mode (sideways). Shoot from straight-on (not looking up or down at the camera), with your torso and head in the shot, with light in front of you, not behind.
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The Bell of Old North Church is Ringing!
At the suggestion of one of the Deacons, the bell at Old North Church is ringing at 6 pm each evening as a way to reminder that we are here to serve the needs and lift the spirits of the community during these trying times. We have invited other area congregations to join us in this effort. If you would like to be a “ringer” please be in touch our Senior Deacon, Frank Arren at 617-448-6083 or email him at
f
garren1@gmail.com
. What a great way to get involved in telling our story!
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Church Building Access and Office Hours
We are limiting access to the church and office buildings to critical business needs only. Our office is closed for normal business but some of our staff are in periodically to ensure that critical operations are maintained. Please reach out to us via email at
office@onchurch.org
if you have any questions. Thank you for staying home and staying safe!
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Do You Need Assistance? Here are some Resources.
We are sharing a list of resources which Gordon Lothrop thoughtfully shared with us from the Marblehead Masonic Lodge.
List of Resources
- Swampscott Council on Aging: click here
- Marblehead Council on Aging: click here
- Marblehead Community Support Forum: click here
- Nahant Council on Aging: click here
- Anchor Food Pantry Swampscott: click here
- The Nahant Veteran’s Food Bank operates the first Wednesday of the month for veterans living in Nahant.
- Marblehead Food Pantry, 80 Atlantic Ave. (781)631-5335: click here
- Town of Marblehead: click here
- Town of Swampscott: click here
- Churches
- Synagogues
- Schools
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Helping Children in Lynn
Connery School in Lynn is collecting gently used books for elementary age children, K - 5th grade, and new/unused puzzle or coloring books. The teachers are preparing packets and will be delivering them to the kids at home. All books welcome!
Please deliver to the collection bin at 99 Tedesco Street before Saturday May 23rd.
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Lifebridge Needs Our Help!
During this challenging and chaotic time , others are suffering and need our support . If you would like to help the Lifebridge community, here are a few ideas.
- Food items especially looking for sliced bread, individual bottled juices, whole fruit (oranges, apples, bananas). They are doing to-go meals now that their day center is open 5 days a week in Salem, in addition to the shelter meals
- Personal care items – socks, underwear, deodorant, razors, shaving cream, shampoo & conditioner, tissues, toothbrushes & toothpaste
Donations may be dropped off anytime at Lifebridge, 56 Margin Street in Salem. It is open 24/7 and there is someone at the front desk. Philanthropic donations can be made online or mailed to Lifebridge North Shore, Development Office, 56 Margin Street, Salem, MA 01970.
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Contact Us: 781-631-1244
Church Address: 35 Washington St., Marblehead, MA 01945
Mailing Address: 8 Stacey St. Marblehead, MA 01945
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