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Weekly news & announcements
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Don't forget the we SPRING FORWARD this weekend! |
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Sign up to help with worship here. |
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From the Rector: St. Photini |
Lenten greetings, Siblings in Christ,
I write this on March 8, International Women’s Day, first celebrated in 1909 in New York City with a march sponsored by the Socialist Party of America. In this country, the march evolved into a month. By act of Congress in 1987, March was designated Women’s History Month, which seeks to “commemorate and encourage the study, observance, and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.” (https://womenshistorymonth.gov)
Women are inseparable from the power of the Gospel message. It so happens that this coming Sunday, John’s Gospel tells the story of Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well, the longest exchange between Jesus and another person recorded anywhere. Among other things, the relationship that she develops with Jesus profoundly illustrates the way the Good News of Jesus transcends human boundaries, but not before some momentary discomfort. As we’ll see, Jesus didn’t have to go through Samaria; he chose to. And she didn’t have to engage him in conversation, but she did. And through her, a whole village came to know the love of Jesus. She is remembered in the Eastern Church as St. Photini, “the enlightened one.” (See the image at the top of this email.)
I noticed that last Sunday, after Amy’s announcement, many more of us came to coffee hour wearing name tags. I am sure I am not the only one who is grateful for that. Overcoming small discomforts for the sake of belonging makes a difference.
May we model our orientation to the world on the manner of Jesus and our sister Photini.
Faithfully and affectionately,
Nick+
PS. Click here for the Tuesday Lenten Preaching series on "The Woman at the Well" at our Cathedral.
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MANNA Needs Volunteers for March and April |
MANNA/Monday Lunch moves forward to March and April. We need:
April 9: 1 casseroles & 3 baked goods
May 7: 1 casserole, 3 baked goods, 1 25-bananas, and 1 driver.
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Life after Loss Grief Group begins on March 16 |
Join us at Christ Church for a bereavement group that will follow an open spiritual path to process the loss of loved ones and other personal grief.
Led by Nikki Stournaras, a Chaplain with West River Hospice, we will gather in the Memorial Room on Thursday mornings March 16 through April 20 at 10am.
Materials are provided at no charge. Registration capped at 10.
Please email Sue or Nikki with questions or the register.
Click on flyer to enlarge.
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Evensong on March 26 at 5pm |
One of the treasurers of the Anglican Tradition is Evensong. This is a centuries old service which blends prayers and Psalms with congregational hymns. Lasting less than an hour this service is a wonderful way to end the day or prepare yourself to begin the week. Evensong has been the popular name for vespers (from the Lain vesperis "evening") since the middle ages. Thomas Cranmer first used the term in the 1549 Book of Common prayer. Interspersing of music spanning from the Renaissance to the modern day, between familiar passages of scripture and ancient prayers, creates a contemplative mood. This service will feature Canticles from Adrian Batten's Fourth Evening Service (1591-1637) and the Anthem will be Ubi Caritas by Ola Gjeilo (1978).
Christ Episcopal Church will present a service of Evensong on March 26 at 5pm in the Main Sanctuary followed by a reception in Upper Parish Hall. The choir will be a combined choir of Christ Church, and friends from: St Paul's (Newton Highlands), St Andrew's Church (Marblehead), and others from the Boston area.
Click on the image above to enlarge.
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This year we continue our annual tradition of including in the Easter Sunday (April 9) bulletin a dedication list of the names of loved ones we wish to remember or honor. Please submit your remembrances online by clicking here by Friday, March 31.
Easter Memorial Flower offerings can be mailed to the Church with the memo "Easter Memorial Flowers" or made online and selecting "Easter Memorial Flowers".
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CCN Teens Go to CityReach this Saturday |
As in prior years, a group of teens are doing a March 10 and 11 CityReach service project to learn about and serve the homeless community in Boston. It is a great way to practice neighbor love, as Jesus teaches. The first step in this project is collecting donations of the homeless' most-needed clothing and personal hygiene items from our Church community. The teens will then help distribute these items to the homeless directly at Common Cathedral in downtown Boston on March 11. Warm jackets & raincoats, sweatshirts & sweaters, casual shirts and pants, comfortable boots & shoes, new socks and underwear, and travel-size toiletries are among the most-needed items (think of the clothing one would bring camping), as many homeless must survive the elements night after night. Bring items by 12 Noon this Friday, March 10 to the Upper Parish Hall. Please contact Kevin Ruddy at kruddy@ptc.com if you have any questions. Finally, if you wish to simply make a monetary donation to be spent on these items, you can Venmo Kevin Ruddy directly at @Kevin-Ruddy
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Thank you from The Transition House
click on image to enlarge it
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Bishops' Appeal
Our Bishops, the Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates and the Rt. Rev. Dr. Carol J. Gallagher, describe vital, strategic ministries through which Episcopalians in eastern Massachusetts are innovating with God. They invite generous, joyful giving in support of this work. Learn more and give online. See also the brochures around the parish.
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Coffee Hour Helpers Needed |
The weekly Coffee Hour ministry continues each Sunday morning, as Nick says, as an extension of the Eucharistic table. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to host coffee hour in the fall/early winter months and has extended hospitality, a warm drink, and delicious refreshments to our congregants. We would love to see church members who have not yet hosted coffee hour volunteer to do so. There are plenty of openings available through mid-June. The hosting duties are straightforward and are always shared by two people. The goal is to make the process as easy and timely as possible. There is a standard list of food items that are served. Coffee is always available to be brewed. Cleanup is simple. If you are looking for an opportunity to enrich friendships with fellow congregants, both new and old, and serve others through the sharing of food and coffee please contact either Linnea or Barbara. We would love your participation and helping hands.
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Anyone who would like to explore the choir is invited to come to a rehearsal. This means rising 7th graders, people who sing in the shower, people who used to sing, and people who want to learn to sing. Everyone is welcome. The Choir is not an exclusive club. Singing is for everyone, and Mary will teach you to match pitch and read music. We will have four section leaders that you can rely upon, and we can also start at different levels. Start by singing hymns with us, and once you are comfortable, we will add you in on the Anthems. You can also start by making a small commitment by liturgical season. Sing for Epiphany, or Lent or Easter, or join us for an Evensong. Rehearsals are on Thursdays 7:30pm-9pm. Email Mary if you would like to join.
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HELP UKRAINIAN FAMILIES
Your immediate support will help Episcopal Relief & Development and other Anglican partners provide humanitarian assistance to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine. Donate here today.
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HELP FOR EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS IN TURKEY/SYRIA
Episcopal Relief & Development is mobilizing with long-term partners after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Turkey and Syria on Monday, February 6, 2023. The earthquake killed over 11,000 people and caused widespread damage across the region. Working through Action by Churches Together Alliance (ACT Alliance), Episcopal Relief & Development will rapidly respond to the disaster through existing networks by providing supplies including winterization kits, hot meals and other food, medicine and emergency support. The organization is also in contact with other local partners as they assess the needs of their communities.
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If you or someone in your family is in the hospital or in need of pastoral care, please call the church office so that our clergy or the Pastoral Response Ministry team may be notified and tend to the need.
The office number is (781) 444-1469, and you can reach Nick at ext. 113.
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