Keeping Connected January 24, 2025 | |
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Connect Virtually
We will continue using our new live streaming equipment. You may access our Sunday morning worship service via our YouTube Channel and our Facebook page.
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Religious Life Sunday - January 26, 2025 | |
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Notice is hereby given of the Annual Meeting of Christ Church Parish of 149 Court Street in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
The meeting will be held in the Parish Hall on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at 11:30 AM.
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Dear Ones of Christ Church,
I write to you this week to share two resources from last weekend’s worship.
For those who were unable to attend the community Sunday service honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., click here for the video recording.
At our 8a and 5p services of Holy Eucharist, I shared some reflections from the Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman, who was an important spiritual advisor and mentor to Dr. King. After each service, many who attended shared that they were particularly moved by Thurman’s meditation below, which, although written during a different time of change and upheaval, also speaks into our current moment of change and upheaval, with great courage, truth, grace, and hope. I was heartened this week, as many have been, by the Gospel witness of the Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde, who preached on Tuesday with great courage, truth, grace, and hope. In an interview this week in the New York Times, Bishop Budde referenced Howard Thurman and what he called “the sound of the genuine.” I was reminded, through this resonant connection, that we are surrounded by and interconnected with a great cloud of witnesses, past and present.
Yours in Christ,
Melissa+
“Life Goes On,” by Howard Thurman, published in his book Meditations of the Heart, Beacon Press, 1981.
“During these turbulent times we must remind ourselves repeatedly that life goes on. This we are apt to forget. The wisdom of life transcends our wisdoms; the purpose of life outlasts our purposes; the process of life cushions our processes. The mass attack of disillusion and despair, distilled out of the collapse of hope, has so invaded our thoughts that what we know to be true and valid seems unreal and ephemeral. There seems to be little energy left for aught but futility. This is the great deception. By it whole peoples have gone down to oblivion without the will to affirm the great and permanent strength of the clean and the commonplace. Let us not be deceived. It is just as important as ever to attend to the little graces by which the dignity of our lives is maintained and sustained. Birds still sing; the stars continue to cast their gentle gleam over the desolation of the battlefields, and the heart is still inspired by the kind word and the gracious deed. There is no need to fear evil. There is every need to understand what it does, how it operates in the world, what it draws upon to sustain itself. We must not shrink from the knowledge of the evilness of evil. Over and over we must know that the real target of evil is not destruction of the body, the reduction to rubble of cities; the real target of evil is to corrupt the spirit of [humanity] and to give [our] souls the contagion of inner disintegration. When this happens, there is nothing left, the very citadel of [humanity] is captured and laid waste. Therefore the evil in the world around us must not be allowed to move from without to within. This would be to be overcome by evil. To drink in the beauty that is within reach, to clothe one’s life with simple deeds of kindness, to keep alive a sensitiveness to the movement of the spirit of God in the quietness of the human heart and in the workings of the human mind—this is as always the ultimate answer to the great deception.”
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Finances
Last week we received in over $10,453. When giving online, be sure to change the 'Fund' to 'Pledges' so your contribution goes toward your pledge.
Thank you for your loving support of Christ Church.
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Resources for Families in Church: Just a reminder that there are activities for kids, including a small table and chairs, in the back of the church. We are also providing special bulletins for kids that are aligned with the week's lessons at the front and back entrances. These bulletins have a variety of coloring, brain teasers, puzzles, and other fun activities. For students in grades PreK-1, Su will be available in the nursery to monitor young students who need a separate space during the church service. We hope that these resources will support family attendance at the 10 am service. Please let us know if you have any other ideas for ways to welcome children and families at Christ Church: education@christchurchplymouth.org
Church School Registration: Registration for Church School is open throughout the year. Click the registration form link to sign up or email education@christchurchplymouth.org for more information. Church School Registration Form
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A Note to Parents and Caregivers with Children in Church
Thank you for bringing your children to church. We are so glad you are here!
We know it can be difficult at times to manage little ones during the service.
For that reason, we have provided some resources which we hope will make it easier for you and your family to enjoy worship together.
You will find books and coloring pages at the back of the Mary Chapel. Please feel free to utilize these at any point during the service.
We have installed a TV in the nursery! You are welcome to visit the nursery with your child during any portion of our service and join us via our livestream.
It is okay to take breaks. If you need to step out with your child, our parish grounds are a great place to get the wiggles out.
Above all, please remember: You and your family are very welcome here!
Your children may be squirming, talking, or making noise, but they are also observing, copying, and learning. Children are a gift and an important part of our community; we are grateful to have them worship with us.
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Adult Sunday School! Sundays, 9 to 9:45a | |
Join us in the parish hall or hospitality suite for a time of wondering, discussion, listening, fellowship, prayer, and sharing. No sign up or registration is necessary. Come as you are. Come for one week or every week. There will be coffee (or bring your own!).
For questions or more information, please contact Rev. Melissa.
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CCP Brunch -- January 26, 2025 11:00am
Ham
Scrambled Eggs
Biscuits & Gravy
Portuguese Home Fries
Pan Fried Potatoes
Egg Casserole
Cole Slaw
Potato Salad
Deviled Eggs
Fruit Salad
Cinnamon Rolls
Brownies & Cookies
All foods are donated and prepared by the CCP Men’s Group. All proceeds go directly to Christ Church Parish General Fund.
| The annual report booklet will be emailed to the parish and posted to christchurchplymouth.org before the Annual Meeting on February 2. Printed copies of the annual report will be available by request only. Please contact David in the church office to request a printed copy. Office.christchurchplymouth@gmail.com or 508-746-4959. | |
Overnights of Hospitality Update
Thus far, we have hosted the Overnights of Hospitality for three weeks this season. Our next two weeks will begin on Sunday, Jan. 26th through Saturday, Feb. 8th. The good news is that all meal slots and shelter volunteer slots are filled for those two weeks!
Thank you to Alex Manchester and Dave Greene for assisting in the setting up of the cots and mats for our guests each evening. Thanks to John Steele and James Elksnin for procuring and installing a storage cabinet. Thanks to Kat for continuing to be our Site Coordinator and thanks to Danielle Eocabacci and Deborah Dines, for serving meals and volunteering as shelter volunteers. So far this season.
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Bedtime Chapel Podcast
Nightly Family Prayer & Weekly Bible Study
Deuteronomy 11:18,19
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Bedtime Chapel helps families draw nearer to Jesus by gathering for nightly prayer and deepening their understanding of the Gospel. The podcast includes:
- A 5-Min nightly prayer service
- Weekly companion episodes that explore the themes of the gospel readings of the upcoming week for family members with longer attention spans
Pray with Us Apple, Spotify, Amazon and most other Podcast Servers
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Christ Church Thrift Shoppe | |
Yearly Financial Report 2024
Proceeds $82,132
Expenses $5,177
In-reach (transfer to CCP budget) $30,000
Outreach $35, 759
Outreach Recipients:
· Christ Church Food Pantry
· Taskforce-to-End Homelessness
· First Parish Church Kingston
· Salvation Army Summer Camp Scholarships
· Salvation Army Christmas Program
· Episcopal Relief and Development Fund
· Hope Floats, Bereavement and Wellness
· Walk-in Shoppers- Clothing Vouchers
Shoppe leaders and volunteers extend their heartfelt thanks to all who have contributed to another successful year in support of the Thrift Shoppe ministry. If you donated items, shopped with us, or volunteered in 2024, we are most grateful for your support.
Please consider donating your clean, in good repair and in style clothing, gently used household items in working order, fiction books, small furnishings, art, and jewelry from non-smoking homes. Items can be donated during shop hours.
Volunteers are always welcome. Please leave your contact information at
Office.christchurchplymouth@gmail.com
Shoppe Hours
Thursday and Friday 10-4
Saturday 10-1
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Christ Church Food Pantry | |
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This month we especially need:
Baked beans
Chef Boyardee canned meals
Small bottles of dish soap
Pasta sauce
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All are welcome to the Christ Church Food Pantry!
We are open by appointment:
Tuesday 4:00-5:15
Thursday 12:00-1:15 and 4:00-5:15
Saturday 10:00-11:15
Call the pantry message line: 508-746-4959, ext 6, BY 1 PM THE DAY BEFORE YOU WISH TO PICK UP YOUR ORDER. Our volunteers check messages and return your call from their homes to ask you what you need.
Leave a message if you wish to donate non-perishable food and household items, or you may leave your donations under the mailboxes outside the office or in the front entrance to the sanctuary. Squirrels like to get into any bags left on the porch of the food pantry!
If you wish to volunteer, contact Eileen Paris at eileenpca@aol.com
For more information, please contact Barbara Wojtklewicz at 617-291-4634, or by email at barbara.wojtklewicz@gmail.com
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Pastoral Care
For any pastoral care needs of Christ Church, please call Robin Nielsen (774-454-2776) or email robinmarianielsen@gmail.com ~ A home visit, a home visit with holy communion or a phone call can be arranged. Although a small group, our Pastoral Care Ministry team meets monthly in confidence.
For any pastoral emergencies, please call Rev. Melissa Howell 508-746-4959 ext 4, and follow the instructions in her voice message.
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We want to keep you in the loop regarding the happenings at Christ Church. Please send your announcements for the weekly bulletin and Keeping Connected, to the office by 12 Noon on Wednesday. They should include date, time, place, description of event, contact information and should be written exactly the way you want them to appear. | | | | |
