2.8.24

"a beacon for good in the world"

Friends,

This Sunday, we celebrate Transfiguration and Black History with a sermon dialogue called, Transfiguration Brings Change. Prof. Rel Dowdell and Rev. Stephen Washburn will discuss their documentary about Prof. Ira DeAugustine Reid in the light of Preparation, Why, Highlights, and Hopes. Their lections are 2 Kings 2:1-14, about the prophets, Elijah who was taken up into heaven and Elisha who watched; and Mark 9:1-10 about Jesus being transfigured as disciples watched. I will serve as worship leader.

Prof. Rel Dowdell is Assistant Professor and Director of Film Studies at Hampton University in VA. He received his bachelor’s from Fisk University, and his master’s in film and screenwriting from Boston University. Rel’s father is a retired professor from GA, and studied at Haverford College, where he and Rev. Washburn became friends. 

Rev. Stephen Washburn is a retired Transitional Pastor in the United Church of Christ. Raised in Sharon, MA, he holds degrees from Haverford College in PA, Wesleyan University in CT, and Union Theological School in NYC. Steve taught history, including African and Asian history, in public and independent schools before entering ministry in which he served for 36 years. He is married to Pastor Dianne, and they have a grown son who is engaged.

This Wednesday we will offer an Ash Wednesday service with the Imposition of Ashes at 7 pm in our sanctuary. Ash Wednesday marks our entrance into the season of Lent (spring), and anticipates the six weeks that lead to Easter Sunday. In this special service, we will have quiet time, hear readings, say prayers, listen to music and receive Ashes, as signs of the Cross. These Ashes are prepared from last year’s Palm Sunday fronds, which reminds us how far we have come. 

Join us this Sunday and Wednesday!

Pastor Dianne

Prof. Dowdell and Rev. Washburn at Fisk University in Nashville, TN last fall

Music Notes

The prelude this week is a nod to Valentine’s Day.  Bist du bei mir (If You are with Me, I Go with Joy) has been attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750).  The compostion appears in a musical notebook belonging to Bach’s wife, Anna Magdalena.  Legend has it that J.S. Bach wrote this piece for his wife.  Despite doubts expressed by Bach scholars and the lack of any evidence, it makes for a wonderful story.  I like to believe that there is merit to the legend.

The postlude is a new take on the familiar hymn Amazing Grace.  In this treatment, the tune is used as the foundation for a glittering Toccata.  For six years, J. Christopher Pardini (b. 1973) was senior organist at the Crystal Cathedral in California. He is now Director of Music at the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral on Greensburg, PA and serves as a lecturer at St. Vincent College in Pennsylvania.

Enjoy!

--Michael Eaton

Val B as Worship leader

Communion during Epiphany with Pastor Dianne and Val B

Visitation Ministry

We are very fortunate to have a volunteer Visitation Ministry Team composed of six of our church members. They work together to keep in touch with individuals who are unable to attend church for various reasons.

They visit members in their homes, independent and assisted living facilities and/or nursing homes. They also make phone calls - to check in on individual needs or just to chat. Your lay Visitation Ministry Team supports but does not replace visits and calls from our Pastor.

If you would like to be called or visited, or know of someone in the congregation who needs a friendly visit or a listening ear, please contact Pastor Dianne or Ellie Reinhardt, Chair (efreinhardt@gmail.com).

Member-in-Discernment, Kim E, as preacher, and Don R as worship leader, before Budget meeting

New Youth Pray-Ground

Overnights of Hospitality

We are now half-way through the season. Due to the increasing cold weather, we have seen a jump in the number of folks seeking shelter. While we have recruited some new volunteers to chaperone, we could always use more. We have a few openings for the rest of February and into March. Go to MealTrain to sign up. The link to Chaperone Guidelines is below. On site orientation is provided for new volunteers.

Clothing Donations

The Taskforce cannot accept clothing donations as we do not have storage capabilities. If you have clothing to donate, we suggest you bring clothing articles to the Christ Church Thrift Shop, 149 Court St. When there is an immediate need for particular items, we reach out to the Christ Church Thrift Shoppe for those items. 

However, we could always use donations of winter socks, hand warmers, Dunkin gift cards.

Upper Room Devotional

Four copies of the March-April issue of the Upper Room Devotional booklet 

have been placed on a small table outside the Sanctuary. If you are interested 

in reading a daily devotional in which lay people share their faith, please take one.

Ash Wednesday 

As we enter the season of Lent, how can your Lenten practices honor creation? You could challenge yourself to give up single-use plastics. You could aim to eat less meat, drive less, or find ways to waste less water.  If your church hosts a fish fry, encourage sustainable seafood options!

Parking for Newcomers

Beginning December 1st, public parking is free until April

A reminder that on Sundays most of us park on School St., Main St. Extension (3 handicap), Summer St. (4 hours), and in the Market St. and Middle St. lots. One can get parking permits from Park Plymouth at 4 North Street; ph. 508.747.5929; www.parkplymouth.com. If you have questions, please speak with Mike Eaton.

Office Hours

Monday - Thursday

8:30am-4:00pm

On The Calendar

• February 11: Transfiguration Sunday Worship, 10:00am
• February 12: Deacons 7:00pm
• February 14: Ash Wednesday Worship, 7:00pm; Choir, 7:45pm