CARING FOR CREATION
During January, February, and March we focus on the importance of water in our Caring for Creation section. Likewise, as we move through the Lenten season, we are reminded of our own baptism by water that calls us to a change of heart, to be a source of livingwater for our world and each other. May we see conservation of water as the new Lenten way of fasting for those of us who have enough. May we find ways to give clean water to those who are thirsty.
Quotation for your Meditation
“The whole earth is a living icon of the face of God.” – St. John of Damascus
Suggestions for Personal Action
On January 6, 2021, the feast of the Epiphany, the Orthodox Church of America released a film entitled The Face of God. It is found at this link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7wdRr1pFLM). In the spirit of the quotation above from St. John of Damascus the film underscores that nature is sacred. “It is how God dresses.” As the season of Lent continues may we experience the repentance, the change of heart, that is necessary to re-order our relationship to nature in some specific way: use less water; avoid plastics and single use containers; reduce consumption of meat; increase plant-based nutrition, etc.
The Seven Last Words of Jesus from the cross are commonly used in churches around the world during Lent. Please pick up a copy of the Seven Last Words Coloring Pages booklet from the table in the Narthex to use during Lent.
Sunday School kids will sing on Palm Sunday, March 24. A short rehearsal for this will be held this Sunday, Feb. 18th after Coffee Hour. Music will be recorded to send to interested families. Please see Lynn Tozier with any questions.
Please plan to come see the production of The Wizard of Oz, starring Rev. Barbara as the Wizard, Molly Donaruma as Dorothy (March 1 and 2 performances only), and Eileen Donaruma. There will be 4 performances in the church: Thursday, Feb. 29 at 7PM, Friday, March 1 at 7PM, Saturday, March 2 at 7PM, and Sunday, March 3 at 2PM.
As the 2024 Bishops’ Annual Appeal launches, the bishops invite everyone to join in deepening covenants formed as the Diocese of Massachusetts: A goal of $200,000 has been set for the 2024 appeal, in support of shared mission as a diocesan community committed to being disciples of Jesus, seekers of justice and protectors of creation. Please take a brochure from the table in the Narthex. March 10th is the scheduled In-Gathering for this appeal.
FREE ADMISSION! Mark your calendars for February 21, 2024 9:30 am to 4:00 pm! Courtesy of a generous grant provided by the Highland Street Foundation we invite you to take advantage of complimentary admission to the Sandwich Glass Museum. Glass Blowing Demonstrations hourly, on the hour. Don’t forget to participate in the museum’s scavenger hunt for added fun and exploration!
Creative Sundays is on the calendar again for Feb. 25th at 11:30AM in the Parish Hall. Please join us with your favorite craft to work on until . . . . .? This is a place to gather with old and new friends. Feel free to bring a buddy. You might just learn something new! Contact Carolyn Cuilty with questions.
Local author and parishioner Christie Lowrance will present a talk on the life and legacy of naturalist and renowned children’s author Thornton W. Burgess at the Sandwich Library on Wednesday, February 28 from 6:30PM-7:30PM. Space is limited and registration is required o the library Event Calendar.
From the Baby Center: At this time we are not taking clothing donations due to structural changes happening at the building. We can still take donations of diapers, wipes, and formula. Cash donations and grocery gift cards are also greatly appreciated. Thank you from the Director and Staff of A Baby Center! Please see www.ababycenter.org for more information, including employment opportunities and volunteering for this Cape Cod Council of Churches organization.
CARING FOR CREATION
During January, February, and March we focus on the importance of water in our Caring for Creation section. Likewise, during the Epiphany season we commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the waters of the river Jordan by John the Baptist. Our own baptism calls us to a change of heart, to be a source of living water for our world and each other.
Quotation for your Meditation
“Nearly one-third of the total water footprint of agriculture in the world is related to the production of animal products. The water footprint of any animal product is larger than the water footprint of crop products with equivalent nutritional value. The average water footprint per calorie for beef is 20 times larger than for cereals and starchy roots…..Animal products from industrial systems {e.g., corporate agriculture} generally consume and pollute more ground- and surface-water resources than animal products from grazing or mixed systems. The rising global meat consumption and the intensification of animal production systems will put further pressure on the global freshwater resources in the coming decades.” A Global Assessment of the Water Footprint of Farm Animal Products(https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10021-011-9517-8
Suggestions for Personal Action
For Lent consider fasting from or reducing your consumption of meat. To conserve water world wide a shift to more plant-based protein is necessary. There are healthy and nutritious plant-based recipes to be found on the internet.
Due to the possibility of inclement weather we have cancelled the Shrove Tuesday Supper on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Please stay safe during the snow.
Please come to our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Feb. 13 from 5-7PM followed by an Ash Wednesday Eve service in the church at 7PM. Enjoy delicious freshly made hot fluffy pancakes, sausages, egg dishes, fruit, and beverages. Kindly sign the posted sheet in the Narthex so that we know how many guests to prepare for. Bring your relatives, friends, and neighbors. See you there!
Please plan to come see the production of The Wizard of Oz, starring Rev. Barbara as the Wizard, Molly Donaruma as Dorothy(March 1 and 2 performances only) and Eileen Donaruma as a Farmer Munchkin. There will be 4 performances in the church: Thursday, Feb. 29 at 7PM, Friday, March 1 at 7PM, Saturday, March 2 at 7PM, and Sunday, March 3 at 2PM. Call the office to make reservations.
Congratulations to Mary Ames who received the Alan Swain Volunteer of the Year Award for 2023! The award was presented at the Annual Meeting. She is pictured above with Sr. Warden Paul Coyle. Thank you Mary!
Rev. Barbara was honored at the Annual Meeting with cards from the Sunday School kids, a Nantucket Bracelet from the Vestry, and a cake. Lobo received a bag of goodies for his boundless energy and “formidable” presence in the office. Thank you Rev. Barbara and Lobo, we shall miss you both!
Thank you to all who attended the Annual Meeting on February 4th. The Vestry now includes: Paul Coyle, Sr. Warden, Ann Geary Roche, Jr. Warden, Celia Bailey-Ochoa, Treasurer, Deb Roberts, Clerk, and Members: Sandy Scannell, Kathy Uggerholt, Mary Ames, Greg Roche, Jeff Cuilty, Lillian Woo. Diocesan Convention Delegates: Alan Miller and Jared Cohen; Deanery Delegate: Kathy Uggerholt.
Thank you to Vestry Members Susan Coutinho and Alan Miller who have stepped down from the Vestry. And thank you to Jared Cohen who has served as Treasurer for many years.
As the 2024 Bishops’ Annual Appeal launches, the bishops invite everyone to join in deepening covenants formed as the Diocese of Massachusetts: A goal of $200,000 has been set for the 2024 appeal, in support of shared mission as a diocesan community committed to being disciples of Jesus, seekers of justice and protectors of creation. More information to follow shortly.
CARING FOR CREATION
During January, February, and March we focus on the importance of water in our Caring for Creation section. Likewise, during the Epiphany season we commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the waters of the river Jordan by John the Baptist. Our own baptism calls us to a change of heart, to be a source of living water for our world and each other.