Weekly news & announcements
July 7, 2022
Thank you to those serving this weekend!
Sign up as a lay volunteer online here.

Lector: Debby Rempis
Ushers: Phil Bergen
Digital Verger: Ali Heard
Lemonade Hour: Dottie Hagar
Altar Guild: Joanna Starr and Dottie Hagar
Church School: No one signed up. Email Emily to volunteer.

The music this Sunday is a gift from Duncan and Jo-Anne Allen.
Masks are not required, but kindness is.
Welcome to the Rev. Brock Baker!
Hello Everyone! 

I was ordained in 2008 and my first parish was in Lake Placid, New York, where I served as rector for three and 1/2 years; after my family and I moved to the Boston area in 2012, I served a number of parishes in the Diocese of MA as a supply priest while following a bi-vocational path. (From November 2020 to June 2021, I was the supply priest at St. Bartholomew’s Cambridge.) Before ordination, I was a long-time member and lay leader at St. Bartholomew’s in New York City where I led programs, served on the vestry, and received my call to the ordained ministry.  A central part of my ministry has been conducting Sunday healing services and workshops on how we can pray for each other one-on-one or in teams. It follows that I am always ready to pray with others for healing, in body, mind, and spirit, and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

My former professional careers were as a literary journalist and trade book editor in London and New York City, although I have done many nonprofessional jobs as well.  My ongoing extra priesthood activity is as a writer of fiction and non-fiction. In recent years I have written an as yet unpublished novel, Film Noir, a Covid diary called “Small Things,” and am currently working on an autobiographical fiction entitled Abroad. 

I read (print) books, magazines, and daily newspapers, and in the latter turn to the sports pages first. My favorite spectator sports are “ Premier League” football (soccer) and professional tennis. I used to be a Yankee fan but currently root for the Red Sox.

I have been married for 34 years and have two daughters, both out of the house. My wife, Elizabeth, is a corporate vice president at Morgan Stanley. We live in Arlington. My other interests are art, architecture, and travel. I am also a birdwatcher.

Dear people of Christ Church, Needham, whom I look forward to meeting, may God love you and keep you this day and forever more. Amen.
"On the Four Pillars of Episcopal Belief, the Fourth of July, and Dobbs" - a Message from Dusty Hecker, Warden

Time to watch Needham's great parade and to fly the American flag. Time to realize summer really is here but oh my gosh, only eight weeks remain before the real world intrudes again so we better get out and do something, anything before Labor Day ends the sojourn from the real world. Time (a bit guiltily) to install the dehumidifiers and window A/C units. Time to relax from the hustle and bustle of daily life and to disconnect from politics..... Read the full message here.
New Webpage for Racial Justice Initiative
The public outcry for racial reconciliation may have subsided recently, but our parish's Racial Justice Initiative group continues to meet to learn and discern how we can make a difference. The group has created a new webpage on the ccneedham.org website that might be helpful to anyone interested in the group and its work. We especially commend the list of links to resources about the history of racism and its continuing impact today. You can find the page on our website under "Serving" or here.
Postcard from Nick
Click on the image to enlarge.
2022-2023 Wednesday Bible Study
Join Wednesday Bible Study as we spend the next academic year learning about Peter, Paul, Jesus’ brother James, the Jerusalem Council in 50 CE, and so much more while we study the book of Acts of the Apostles.

This book chronicles the earliest days of the Jewish movement that became Christianity. Just as Genesis provides a foundation for Judaism, Acts is the foundation for our faith. We will explore how traditional Jewish practices evolved into the prayers and rituals we know as Christians. We use a discussion format rather than lecture style which results in deeply personal, meaningful insight.

Classes will meet from Wednesday, September 21, 2022-May 24, 2023.
Choose from 10-11:30 AM both in-person and on Zoom or 7-8:30 PM on Zoom.

Companion texts are free of charge and will be distributed in the first class.

Contact Ali Heard to register for this class led by Tracy Rubin, MTS, Harvard Divinity School.
B-SAFE Grocery Collection!

We are looking for volunteers to purchase bags of groceries for families in the B-SAFE program, and for one or two people to collect and deliver the bags of groceries on Wednesday, August 10 between 9-10 am. 

Christ Church will provide 25 bags of groceries to the families attending the B-SAFE Summer Enrichment Program. Please sign up to deliver a bag (or more) of groceries, with the contents listed here.We are looking for one or two volunteers to collect the bags at your home, and then deliver them to Church of the Holy Spirit (525 River Street, Boston / Mattapan) on Wednesday, August 10 between 9-10am.

Please sign up to purchase groceries here.

If you are interested in volunteering to collect/deliver the groceries, please reach out to Alyssa Kence (617-851-9175). Thank you!
Solar Update
The solar system continues to generate savings for the Church and carbon-free energy for our power needs. The system generated about 5,448 KwH of electricity last month and has saved the Church about $2,307 so far this year. View all solar updates here.
The phrase we need you in cut out magazine letters pinned to a cork notice board
Volunteers Needed!
Beyond the Parish
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.
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.