THE CHURCH
OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT
ORLEANS, MA
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A BIDDING PRAYER FROM JOE+
As we rush toward the scene of God’s incarnation,
Let us remember those who have shown us the way to Bethlehem.
Let us remember all who have given
us insights into the nature of this holy child
and those who have taught us only by the way they live.
Let us seek new grace in this year’s feast, a new message
of hope for a world that changes every day.
Let us put off despair and use what some experience as isolation
as a new quiet place to find God.
Let us give more than we can afford, laugh more than is polite,
tolerate some that we usually avoid,
and let us be reconciled with all people.
Let us recognize that all this is done
in a reverence for one who comes to us in a form
that requires our care if it is to grow into a mature image of God.
Finally, let us pray for those whose hope for this season is mere survival.
For the poor and those without homes,
For the immigrant in a foreign land,
For the disturbed and distraught who suffer
when any change comes...and
For ourselves, that we might put on God’s mercy
and God’s hope for humanity that brings
our hearts to the fore in this season.
May our hands and feet find ways to imitate
the incarnate one...Today and forever.
Amen.
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Silver beam to sear the sight
Angels’ song to break the night
Stable noise to pierce the quiet
Sing Angels, Gloria, Hosanna in the Highest.
Shepherds leave their fields to stare
Ox and Ass warm stable air
Joseph stands to guard and care
Sing Angels, Gloria, Hosanna in the Highest.
Mary cuddles holy grace
Shields the God of time and space
Nurtures God’s incarnate face
Sing Angels, Gloria, Hosanna in the Highest.
Christmas Blessings, Joe+
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Join Us in Worship this Christmas Season |
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Our traditional Christmas services are scheduled - see below. You will receive emails with Zoom links for each. There will be additional seating in the Reception Room and seating to view by Zoom in the Parish Hall.
Communion will be brought to the Parish Hall.
We will also continue to follow the new Diocese Covid Protocols.
If you are not feeling well or are the least bit concerned about worshipping
together at the church, PLEASE stay home and attend via Zoom.
A safe Christmas is the best gift we can give each other.
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CHRISTMAS EVE - 4:30 p.m.
Children's Pageant, Carols and Holy Eucharist
CHRISTMAS EVE - 10:00 p.m.
Festival Holy Eucharist
Music for Harp, Flute, and Handbells
CHRISTMAS DAY - 10:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist with Music
Sunday December 26 - 10:00 a.m.
Christmas Lessons and Carols with Holy Eucharist
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December 26 - No Glimpse of the Bible or Book Discussion Group
December 28 - No Healing Service
All will resume in January
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The Vestry met for their regular monthly meeting via Zoom on December 16. After a meditation led by Hanna Schneider and approval of the November meeting minutes, Chris Crighton gave us his monthly Treasurer's Report which showed November as a positive month thanks to the fourth quarter DIT draw. Income exceeded expenditures by approximately $50,000.
Our church finances are audited every third year by a firm outside of the parish. In 2020, Samet and Company was engaged to complete the audit. The Vestry formally accepted their report--which found no irregularities. The Church of the Holy Spirit has been notified that we will receive $668,000 from the June Glover estate. Mrs. Glover was a past parishioner at CHS who moved to Florida in her final years. Over the past several months, the Vestry has been discussing how best to utilize these funds. We decided that the entirety of the bequest would be invested in the DIT at present, but $100,000 would be set aside for a special outreach project--to be determined in the New Year!
Finally, after a lengthy discussion of the preliminary budget presented by our Treasurer, Chris Crighton, the Vestry approved the draft and will await the final version next month when the final budget figures will be available.
Joe+ presented his Rector's report which focused on the preparations for the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. Gail+ discussed the Pastoral Care Committee and the important work that committee does.
During the Wardens' Report, Steve Koehler discussed the importance of storing the minutes of our various committee meetings and other important documents digitally. No action was taken, but members agreed that we need to further explore this option. Also, further revisions were suggested to the committee decision-making document introduced last month. We look forward to a final version next month.
As the time grew late, we heard from several Committee Liaisons. The Search Committee has been spending hours each week writing, revising, and editing our Parish Profile, the next step we need to complete in our Search Process. Tentatively, they plan to have a draft of the written copy only ready for parish review on January 5. The Building & Grounds Committee reports that the Parish Hall septic system problem was caused by an accumulation of metal flaking off the pipes over the course of time. Now that the situation has been remedied, our contractor states that these sewer lines should be checked yearly but are otherwise fine. During their December meeting, the Outreach Committee spent their remaining monies for the year by sending $3,000 to Lower Cape Outreach and $1,000 to Nauset Together We Can.
Gail+ closed the meeting with prayer.
Wishing you all a very Blessed Christmas,
Steve and Brenda
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First, we want to thank all in the parish who completed pledges in support of the many vital and varied ministries for the next year representing increases and first-time pledgers.
In spite of that good news, we did not reach the goal we hoped to meet. Perhaps this is due to the time of transition, but it also reflects the changes in the parish due to folks moving away, change in homelife, or deaths.
Change is in the air for CHS, and it is critical for that to be addressed, especially as it relates to Stewardship in the future to support our ministries.
For the time being, we can be thankful that a goodly number of members over the years have remembered CHS in their wills, providing funds that can be used to keep the parish fiscally solid.
Pledges can still be received for 2022. Should you have misplaced your pledge card, a new one can be requested and sent from the church office.
The Stewardship Team: Georgia Schneider, Steve Koehler, Chris Crighton, Kate Paradise and Doug Fromm
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2022 Pledge Envelopes Ready To Be Picked Up
Pledge envelopes are available for those who have submitted a pledge card for 2022 AND asked for either weekly or monthly envelopes when filling out their pledge card. Your box of pledge envelopes may be picked up in the Reception Room on Sunday mornings before or after the 10:00 service. Please try to pick up your box. We discovered last year that mailing them is an expensive and very slow process as the Post Office must handle each box as a separate package.
NEW THIS YEAR: We are using envelopes without numbers pre-printed on each one to save money and to avoid recycling hundreds of unused envelopes. Your number will be on a label on the box. We recommend that when you receive your envelopes you write your number on each one.
HINT: If you always use personal checks, you do not need to write your number on your envelopes. We will record your contribution using your name from the check. The envelope number is only necessary for cash.
If you expected a box of envelopes and did not find one, please let the church office know.
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Celia Calhoun, Priscilla Isner and Doug Fromm (along with helpful consultation from Joe Robinson+) have been working long hours on the Parish Profile and it is really taking shape.
Meanwhile, it is time to complete the Ministry Portfolio, another important part of the process of getting the Church of the Holy Spirit’s job listing posted. Be assured that the entire search committee is committed to doing the best job we can as we work through this process. Your continued prayerful support is very much appreciated.
If you have any questions, please contact Cynthia Murray or Ike Cole.
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The Annual Parish Meeting is scheduled on February 13, 2022. The Warrant and meeting details will be sent in January.
Key parts of the Annual Parish Report are the reports from the parish ministries and committees. After Christmas, Ministry and Committee leaders will receive an email from Sue Sasso with instructions. COMPLETED REPORT DEADLINE - January 17.
START THINKING ABOUT 2021 and what your Ministry or Committee accomplished and what you want to share with the parish.
Thank you.
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Did you know that Holy Spirit is the only church in Orleans and Eastham that has a Church School? Here's some photos of our beautiful children (young and older) having fun making gingerbread houses on December 11 after the Christmas Pageant rehearsal and some high school students creating in the "Creation Room" and "Godly Play with Joan" on the 4th Sunday of Advent. We look forward to resuming our Church School in January.
All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace.
Isaiah 54:13.
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Christmas Blessings of Peace, Joy and Love!
Setting up children for a lifetime of success.
So reads a heading on the Feeding America website. They explain further:
We have a responsibility to the next generation to give them every opportunity to succeed —which in turn will strengthen our communities and our country. Food 4 Kids shares this vision and celebrates another year working to live into that responsibility to the children and families of the Lower/Outer Cape.
We are blessed that our staff, volunteers and the communities we serve share that vision, too. Working together we will continue to make a real difference!
Earlier this year Elizabeth Andersen of Wilmette IL sent a heartwarming donation in honor of her mother, Sandra Bennett, who had just turned 89. Elizabeth wrote that her mother, who had been a teacher here, "often wished to win the lottery so 'there would be no hungry or homeless children on Cape Cod.'"
Food 4 Kids would like to thank Elizabeth and others for their individual gifts this year: Jeffrey & Joan S., Chris G., Page M., and Mary U.
If you would also like to make a financial donation, please make checks out to:
Food 4 Kids; c/o Church of the Holy Spirit
204 Monument Road; Orleans, MA 02653
Stay safe, stay healthy this holiday season and throughout the coming new year! Next summer will be our 10th!
We plan to start preparing and serving meals from Harwich to Provincetown on Monday, June 28th. Please mark your calendars now and join us!
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43rd ANTIQUE SHOW AND SALE |
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I want to thank the parish for the wonderful support for the 43rd Annual Holiday Antiques Show and Sale. Your help as patrons and volunteers has allowed us to have another successful year. THANK YOU ONE AND ALL!
Thank you for taking the time to respond as patrons, volunteering to obtain donors and sponsors, covering the “gate,” printing labels and putting them on envelopes, setting up the program listing for the show, working in the kitchen, helping to set up and close down the show and sharing your time, skills, and talents in so many other ways.
The true sense of community that surrounds us here at the Church of the Holy Spirit make this event so special every year. May God’s blessings be with all of us and our families as we look towards the celebration of Christ’s birth. Thank you, Debbie Meguerdichian, Chair
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LADIES' LUNCHEON THURSDAY January 6th |
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Ladies Luncheon will be Thursday, January 6th, 2022, at 12:00 noon, in the Parish Hall. Don’t forget your sandwich, and remember that at our December meeting, we decided that we should bring our own drinks. This time, however, we have a variety of leftovers from our December meeting. Coffee and water will be available. Paper goods will be provided by Ginny Clarendon, and Joan Proctor and Andrea Stubbendick are teaming up to provide dessert. So, mark your calendars after reading this invitation, and remind your friends as the day approaches.
Fay Cole
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Last month we were informed of several ways we could support local, national, and international organizations this holiday season. We are proud to report the results of our collective generosity. |
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The Giving Tree, which is part of local Homeless Prevention Council, has been a time-honored part of the Christmas season at the Church of the Holy Spirit. This year parishioners were asked to make a financial donation. Individual donations of $2,270 were received that were used to purchase gift cards. This was supplemented with $600 from our Outreach funds to purchase bicycles. Our combined $2,870 will make a lot of children very happy on Christmas. |
Endupoto School in Tanzania has been a beneficiary of grants from CHS's Outreach for a number of years. Through Cheryl Kyle's updates, we have watched the success of the school and students. This year the secondary school is in need of IT equipment and our parishioners have responded to the call with $450 donations which will go a long way to purchasing this equipment and help these wonderful children. |
On a national level, we have all seen the devastation in our country from the terrible tornados in Kentucky, Tennessee and Illinois. CHS Outreach has responded and has sent a grant of $2,000 to the Episcopal Relief Fund, designated to help in the effort to support our fellow Americans in their time of need.
The Diocese has also requested that our Parish respond to the desperate needs of the Afghan refugees. We see their problems on our Media every night. CHS Outreach has sent a grant of $1,000 to the Episcopal Migration Fund.
The names of all the agencies that our CHS Outreach supports and the amount we send is available in the annual report.
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Thank you to everyone who supported our annual First Fruits Sale.
Donations of evergreen and pine cuttings, the time and talent of our volunteers, and all who came and bought one of our creations helped us net $2,300 that will help charities.
The First Fruits team will be meeting in January to discuss recommendations on the organizations that will receive donations.
Merry Christmas - have a healthy and joyous New Year.
Dottie Walsh, Arlene Barrett and Nancy Ludewig
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THE SAME BUT STILL
A VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE
PLEASE GET YOUR VACCINATIONS AND BOOSTER SHOT AND
PRACTICE SAFE COVID PROTOCOLS.
TOGETHER WE CAN KEEP EACH OTHER
SAFE AND HEALTHY
Did you know:
1) The FDA has now approved COVID vaccine booster shots to ALL adults. The CDC urges booster shots 6 months after the first 2 shots, especially for people over 50!
2) Flu season is upon us (October - May, with peak activity between December -February). Don’t forget your flu vaccine!
3) We are all tired of COVID guidelines, it’s true! HOWEVER, please stay vigilant!
Hand washing, masking and maintaining 6 feet of distance as much as absolutely
possible is crucial; we must protect ourselves and each other from breakthrough infections!
4) The empty spaces at the end of certain rows in the church are for wheelchairs. Companion seats are next to them, and are to be reserved as needed. Thank you!
5) You can find emergency response and protocols in our red binders (3), located in Izzie’s Alley, the Reception Room and the Parish Hall.
6) Our next Health Ministry meeting will be held on Zoom on Jan. 13, 2022. Reach out to us anytime on vaccination or general health topics of interest, or would like to join us! Contact Meg Nemitz at (508)494-1772 or email at meganemitz@gmail.com
Other resources:
Barnstable County Human Services: www.bchumanservices.net (Comprehensive website
with multiple resources on the Cape)
Councils on Aging - Orleans: 508-255-6333 Brewster: 508-896-2737
Chatham: 508-945-5190 Eastham: 508-255-6164 Harwich7: 508-430-7530
Wellfleet: 508-349-0319 Yarmouth: 508-398-9866
Truro: 508-487-2462
VNAs of Cape Cod: Hyannis: 508-957-7400 Falmouth: 508-495-5716
So. 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.
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In January, please stop in the CHS Gallery in the Reception Room and enjoy the display of art by CHS Member Sally Drew.
Are you interested in being one of our monthly artists? The signup sheet is on the shelf to the right of the door in the gallery. Artists can just show their work or, if they want, items can be available for sale.
Questions? Contact Sharyn Laughton.
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Oh what a year! We received our 2nd grant approval, completed the building and Vernon Smith mural restorations, and had our grand opening of the gallery on October 16. Our current show, Holiday-Winter-Wonder, closes on December 23 after another great response from the community.
We are taking the winter off and will reopen on March 26 with a whole new show, Spring-Awake-Arise, featuring art that reflects the burst of spring with new color, new life, and new energy.
Online entries will be accepted from January 26 - February 26. We encourage ALL CHS artists to participate.
Sue Sasso and Sharyn Laughton
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NAUSET INTERFAITH ASSOCIATION (NIA) |
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COMMUNITY BOOK DRIVE
NIA’s Martin Luther King education task force is sponsoring an inter-racial book drive in cooperation with the Nauset and Monomoy Regional school systems and our local bookstores. The books will be given to teaching staff in these two Cape school systems. Appropriate inter-racial books will be selected by a team including Ruth Campbell from Holy Spirit. Donations are welcomed via check payable to Nauset Interfaith Association w/memo “MLK books”; Mail to NIA, Box 306, S. Orleans, Ma. 02662; or donate online at nausetinterfaith.org Read more about the book drive on the attached flyer.
ANNUAL NIA MARTIN LUTHER KING BREAKFAST January 17, 2022
Justice Is What Love Looks Like In Practice
Due to Covid, our 2nd annual ONLINE MLK Breakfast will take place Monday January 17 from 8:30 to 10:00 am. Members of the Martin Luther King task force will share how they are putting justice into action here on Cape Cod. Presentations will be from youth as well as adults and should be quite inspirational! YOU MUST REGISTER ON LINE at https://bit.ly/MLK-Justice2022 Y ou will receive information and a link to join the breakfast. For more information call Barbara Gibson from St. Christopher’s, Chatham, at 508-945-3633.
YOUTH OUTREACH HOSPITALITY (YOH) ACTION TEAM
The YOH action team is sponsoring a fundraiser concert featuring the “Club Nine Ball Band” a youth old time rock and roll band! The concert will be held at the Holy Spirit Parish Hall on Saturday, February 12th. Time to be announced very soon! For more information please talk with Robyn McLaughlin at 774-216-9149 or capecodjourneybags@gmail.com or Brooke Eaton-Skea at 774-279-3453 or brookeskea@gmail.com
The YOH action team working with counselors at our three regional high schools (Nauset, Monomoy and Cape Technical) and the Homeless Prevention Council provides scholarships for “at risk youth” (homeless, without supportive parents or LGBTQ, or experiencing other forms of discrimination) for up to 8 semesters of college. Holy Spirit Outreach supports this program with an annual grant. The team is also working on a Host Homes program for single people wishing to share a part of their home with an approved candidate.
REFUGEE SUPPORT ACTION TEAM
The Refugee Support Action Team supports the N’Tumba family, asylum residents of Cape Cod from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as refugee families in the Worcester area from Afghanistan, the Middle East, and hopefully some prospective new arrivals on Cape Cod. The team has also been active as an advocate for a more humane immigration policy for our country. The chair of the team is The Rev. Tracy Johnson, minister of Unitarian Universalist Meeting House of Chatham. The Rev. Rod MacDonald, a retired Presbyterian minister is also an active leader with this team. Tracy’s email is arevtracy@gmail.com
NIA NEEDS VOLUNTEER MEMBERS
- Beloved Community Land Trust Action Team supports those seeking housing on the Cape. Co-chairs are Stephane Ruault (former head of St. Joseph’s shelter in Hyannis) and his wife Heidi Scheffler. Contact Stephane at 202-644-3888 or stephanbe67@yahoo.fr
-General NIA inquiries - send to Fr. Ken Campbell, former convener/president of NIA and still treasurer! 413-478-5719 or ksbcampbell5050@gmail.com
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Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Remembrances
Upcoming dates to give you time to send a note, card, or call.
BIRTHDAYS
Joan Payne 12.23 Bruce Lederhouse 12.24 Kathy Hubby 12.26 Barbara Sousa 12.28
Natalie Sweeney 12.28 Marjorie Farrell 12.29 Cai McLaughlin 12.29
Carol Bernhardt 12.31 Peter Blank 12.31 Jonathon Idmam 1.01 Dakoto McDonald 1.01
Michele Puzo 1.01 Hannah Rose 1.01 Michael White 1.01
Bob Collins 1.02 Connor Pike 1.03 Priscilla Jean LaBranche 1.04 Briton Ash 1.05
Francisco Magliozzi 1.05 Jess Kimball 1.06 Ephraim McLean 1.07
Gatria Wheeler 1.07 Caroline Chung 1.11 The Rev. Dr. Bill Heuss 1.11
The Rev. Gail Smith 1.11 Joan Kirkby1.12 Judy Gardiner 1.12
Jamie Thompson 1.13 John Shearer 1.17 Dianne Fromm 1.18
Tracy Weeks 1.19 Ragnhild Bjerke 1.21 Katie Bragdon 1.21
Bill Gardiner 1.23 Jacob La Branche 1.24 Thomas Graham 1.25
Nils Idman 1.26 .02 Douglas Fromm 1.28 Bill Ranscht 1.28
Jacob LaBranche 1.29 Joan McFadden 1.30 Conner Pike 1.31
ANNIVERSARIES
ORDINATIONS
REMEMBRANCES
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 Nancy DeWitt Minus 1.03.08
Linda Rencurrel 1.04.04 Roger Cross 1.05.19 Jean Ladue 1.06.98
George Doane 1.09.97 Patricia Morrell 1.09.19 Mary Louise Moore 1.10.11
William Hayes 1.12.05 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 Gardy Bridge 1.23.13
Jane Lough 1.23.10 Barbara MacArthur 1.23.17 John Anderson 1.27.04
M. Egerton “Jim” Gray, Jr. 1.27.08 Harry Preston 1.28.85 Anne Swift 1.29.03
Elisabeth Meyer 1.30.16
RECENT DEATHS
Dot Cross 12.7.2021
Betty Daiute 12.12.2021
Jane Nixon 12.18.2021
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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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ANNOUNCEMENTS
JOE ROBINSON+ CONTACT INFORMATION:
joer@chsorleans.org
For texts or voice messages please call Joe+ at
774-358-0559
You can also call the parish office and
leave a message for Joe with the answering service.
508-255-0433
Make sure your message includes how Joe+ can respond to your call.
FORWARD DAY BY DAY: Copies of the November, December and January book are now available. Contact Debbi in the Parish Office. She will mail it to you.
CHS WEB SITE UPDATE: To live stream or watch recorded services later, please go to our web site holyspiritorleans.org and click on “VIEW ONLINE”. To download the Sunday Service Bulletin, select “CLICK HERE FOR SUNDAY SERVICE BULLETIN”
2021-2022 SPACE USAGE FORMS: PLEASE CONTACT THE PARISH OFFICE by phone or email: office@chsorlean.org with respect to signing up your group’s schedule for the 2021-2022 program year as soon as possible. Most groups are off for the summer, but will start up again in the Fall for the Sept 2021 to June 2022 year. The earlier you get in your space usage request, the better the chance you will get the specifics you want.
SUNDAY'S GLIMPSE OF THE GOSPEL: The Gospel speaks to us today personally and as a community. Join us Sundays at 8:45 a.m. to delve into the Gospel and pray for one another. We meet in the Fireplace Room and via Zoom. Please contact Gail+ for the Zoom link.
CENTERING PRAYER: we are meeting in the sanctuary at the Federated Church of Orleans on Mondays, and the Reception Room at CHS on Thursdays. We meet at 4:30 p.m. on both days and we do not meet on holidays.
WEDNESDAY MORNING PRAYER GROUP: The CHS Morning Prayer Group prays on Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. from the comfort of their own homes. Contact Richard O'Hara and he will send you the coming month's scripture readings for Wednesdays.
508-255-2678 or 508 - 241-0357
FEELING PINCHED AND STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET because of the pandemic's impact on your life? Please contact Gail Smith+. Funds are available through the Discretionary Fund.
PRAYER REQUEST: Please call the office with your prayer requests at 508-255-0433 and leave a message. They will remain on the CHS Public Prayer List for 4 weeks. If you need them to be on the list for a longer period, please let us know.
PRIVATE INTERCESSORY PRAYER: The CHS Intercessors is a small group of CHS members who are committed to pray regularly for your concerns. If you need private prayer for any reason, please call the Parish Office. Someone will contact you. ALL requests will be held in confidence.
PARISH DIRECTORY: We no longer include member's personal contact information in our communications. Call the Parish Office and we will email you an electronic copy or snail-mail you a hard copy of the current Parish Directory so you can "stay in touch."
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NEXT BEING TOGETHER - AGAIN edition is January 20, 2022
Deadline for your article submission is Noon on January 17, 2022
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DIOCESE of MASSACHUSETTS COMMUNICATIONS
Stay informed and connected to the Episcopal Diocese of MA
Sign up to receive our diocesan communications,
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THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
To stay current on happenings at CHS,
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