January 8, 2021
Beautiful Beloveds,
Happy New Year! Tomorrow, we celebrate new beginnings. Daniel Shinabarger joins us as our new Director of Music. We also kick off a new worship series: For Sake of Life. What do we do in our daily lives for sake of life? Lately, our practices have been focused on mitigating the spread of COVID-19. We mask, we stand apart, we resist hugging and touching, and we stay home more than we used to.
As you know, COVID-19 is surging again. Our leadership team checks the statistics every time we meet and this week the risk level is listed as severe. We take this very seriously and are working hard to lovingly protect and care for one another. While our sanctuary will be open, we invite you to join us in slowing the spread by staying home. Stay cozy at home and join us via Livestream at 10:30 am. Be sure to let us know you’re there by commenting and saying hello. Or stay in your car and join us for our drive-in worship at 8:30 am.
We do not ask this lightly, but with a sincere desire that we all do our part to slow the spread of the virus. If you can tune in from your car and connect virtually from your home, we believe this will help keep exposure to a minimum. During the pandemic, whether we gather in our homes, in our cars, or in our buildings, we remain…Together in Christ…Committed to Serve.
Peace,
Heather
You can find the COVID-19 statistics we’re tracking here.
Mark Your Calendars
Sunday, January 9:
Joining us in your car, or online? Please register here
and receive a copy of the order of worship.
8:30 am Drive-in Worship Park in front of the church, radio tuned to 91.5.
10:30 am: Worship in our sanctuary (masks required)
Daniel Shinabarger begins his work as our new Director of Music.
10:30 am: Livestream available on our YouTube channel
4:00 pm: Youth Group via zoom
Monday, January 10:
9:00 am Lend-a-Hand
7:00 pm: Men’s Study Group (via Zoom)
Tuesday, January 11:
12:00 pm: Deadline for “A Word on Wednesday,” AND Saturday Tidings
Wednesday, January 12:
10:00 am Bright Promises Yoga
10:30 am Chair Yoga
Rainbow’s End is Closed for cleaning and making room for new merchandise! Stay tuned!
Thursday, January 13:
Rainbow’s End is Closed for cleaning and making room for new merchandise! Stay tuned!
Friday, January 14:
10:00 am: Al-anon Meeting
Saturday, January 15:
Sunday, January 16:
Please register here for January Worship
8:30 am Drive-in Worship Park in front of the church, radio tuned to 91.5.
10:30 am: Worship in our sanctuary (masks required.)
10:30 am: Livestream available on our YouTube channel
4:00 pm: Youth Group
**As COVID-19 rates continue to climb on Cape, our leadership team strongly encourages all who attend our indoor worship and other activities to be fully vaccinated. If you are not vaccinated, we encourage you to participate in our drive-in worship, and tune into 91.5 to hear either service on your car radio. Or join our live stream on YouTube from home. Let’s continue to work together to keep one another healthy. Let’s show our love for one another by continuing to practice distancing, wearing our masks, and staying home when unwell.
Together in Christ—We Pray
In Memoriam – Louise Toler
SANDWICH – The family of Louise (Owen) Toler sadly announces the passing of a great lady on December 26, 2021, at Cape Cod Hospital following a brief period of declining health.
Louise was born on March 14, 1928, in Waltham, Mass. the daughter of Carlton and Marion (Anthony) Owen.
She and her husband Albert W. Toler marked 54 years of marriage prior to his passing in 2003. Louise was predeceased by her sister Ruth “Betty” Olson.
She was a graduate of Waltham High School and a very proud alumna of Framingham State University, graduating in 1949.
During her lengthy career as an educator, Louise served as a home economics teacher at Nashoba Regional High School in Bolton, and later at North Andover High School before her retirement in 1988.
After raising their family on Tower Road in Lincoln, Louise and her husband Al relocated to Sandwich, and she became an active and devoted member of the United Methodist Church of Osterville. Louise had a heart for service, a generous nature, and an open-minded spirit of adventure that she maintained until her last days. Louise was a role model to many for her zest for life and an inspirational example of vibrant aging as well as a mother figure to many.
Through her love of quilting, she made many friends and shared her talents by teaching others. The scores of elaborate quilts that she lovingly created over the years have become cherished keepsakes among her family members and many friends.
During her 70s and 80s, Louise amazed family and friends by traveling the world, visiting many unique and spectacular locales. She white-water rafted in Oregon, climbed Machu Picchu, and rode an elephant in Bali among other adventures. Her last very special trip was a safari expedition in Kenya at the age of 89.
A champion of many charitable organizations from her church to her beloved Framingham State University, she was known for her philosophy, “if you’re having a bad day, lift your spirits by helping someone else”.
She is survived by four daughters, Marcia Sarola and her husband Louis of Destrahan, Louisiana, Margret “Peggy” Richard and her husband Michael of Sandwich, Mary “Lyn” Slade and her husband Paul of Bolton, and Merideth of Sandwich; her three grandchildren, Casey Richard and his wife Melissa of Wall, N.J., Lindsey Richard and her fiancé Blake Huggins of Medford, and Madelyn Sarola of Harahan, Louisiana; great-grandchildren Theodore and Grace Richard of Wall, N.J., her sister Priscilla Thayer and her husband Robert of Waltham, her beloved niece Angelique Priscilla of Hartland, Vermont, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many special friends.
In her typical spirit of giving, Louise donated her body to UMass Medical Center in Worcester. A memorial service will be planned for the spring.
Memorial donations may be made in her name to the United Methodist Church, 57 Pond St. Osterville, Mass. 02655, for the purpose of reducing the mortgage of the church.
Committed to Serve—You are Making a Difference!
The Christmas BIC Cards that you purchased for the holiday generated $132.00 for BIC. Many thanks!!!
Congratulations to Patty Morell! Church Women United of Cape Cod & Women of Faith
has selected Patty Morrell as an Honoree as part of their Human Rights Celebration. She has
demonstrated involvement in the struggle for human rights and as a part of our United Methodist
Church Osterville stands up for human rights. Her service to the community and the
global community has been outstanding. It is a National Award in Local settings. We
congratulate her!
Patty will be honored at a Celebration on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at The Lady of Victory Church, Centerville. Other honorees include Theresa Brosnan and Rev. Wesley Williams. Stay tuned for more information about whether this event will be in person or virtual.
Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Time: Registration 9:30 AM, Program 10 AM Ends with Lunch
Place: Our Lady of Victory Parish Center, 230 Main Street, Centerville
The Human Rights Celebration was begun in 2006 to encourage local units to recognize persons and organizations doing extraordinary work in their own communities on behalf of “the least among us.” It is a National Award given in a Local setting. This celebration provides an opportunity to learn about dedicated, creative, and tireless women and men who are truly inspiring. We celebrate to promote awareness about human rights issues among people around the world, to get together in cooperation to discuss and highlight ongoing challenges to human rights, and to encourage support of vulnerable groups of people.
To register: please return this registration form by January 15th to Pat Donohue
(patbobdon@yahoo.com) 40 Bayberry Lane, Centerville, MA 02632
Name(s)_____________________________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________________________________
Email____________________________________Telephone____________________________
Enclosed: Check made out to CWU of Cape Cod, $10 per person (includes lunch)
Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod Announcement:
9 Affordable Homes Available to Purchase – This is an opportunity for homeownership to families who live and work on Cape Cod and have a willingness to partner with Habitat in the construction of their home. The deadline for applying for consideration is February 1, 2022. There are Virtual workshops and In-Person workshops during January 2022 which would be helpful for families who want to be considered for this opportunity for homeownership. Habitat can be reached at 508-363-3559 and their website address is www.habitatcapecod.org. An information sheet is included below if you desire more information immediately.
Care for Creation
Green Tip—Eat all your leftovers
After the holiday season, you will likely have leftovers from Christmas and New Year. A great way to be a steward to the Earth is to consume your food. Did you know that Americans throw away 25% of the food they buy? Not only is this a waste of money but it is also harmful to the environment.
Twitter, Instagram, Facebook: @CreationJustice
Rainbow’s End, our church thrift boutique, is closed for now. We’re doing some cleaning, to make space for your donations in the new year. We’re also doing our part to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Stay tuned to find out when it’s time to come see our spiffed-up new look!
To volunteer, donate or consign items, or find out other ways to support our store, please call shop manager, Pamela Turner, at 508-548-2245.
Give online. Visit our online giving portal, to set up your pledge, make a one-time gift for a special project, support the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, make memorial contributions, and more. You can use your credit card, bank card, or set up an electronic funds transfer.
We’re here to help. Give Jane Gray, financial secretary, a call at 508.428.2811 if you need help navigating the online giving portal.
Worship with Us
Outside, inside, or online
If you are feeling unwell, tested positive for COVID-19, or been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, please stay home.
Please register here for January Worship
If you prefer not to register online, please leave a message at the church at 508.428.2811
8:30 am Drive-in Worship (Outdoor Worship):
- We are now inviting congregational singing outdoors.
- If you register, you will receive an order of worship for the day, including links to scripture, hymn lyrics, our online-giving portal and a music playlist to compliment the day’s themes. Registering also helps us with contact tracing if that becomes necessary.
- Please stay home if you are feeling unwell, tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
- Masks are optional. Please honor the choices that others have made to mask or not.
- Please continue to practice risk-reducing distancing, staying about 6 feet apart.
- If, after worshiping with us, you test positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed, it is important to the health of our congregation that you let us know so we can notify others who may have been exposed. This will be treated carefully and confidentially, so that we can care for another. Please call Pastor Heather directly, 774.994.3645.
- Worship will feature pre-recorded music, and we encourage you to stay in your cars when it is wet and/or cold.
10:30 am In Our Sanctuary
- We strongly encourage all who attend indoor worship and activities at our church to be fully vaccinated.
- If you register, you will receive an order of worship for the day, including links to scripture, hymn lyrics, our online-giving portal, and a music playlist to compliment the day’s themes. Registering also helps us with contact tracing if that becomes necessary.
- Please stay home if you are feeling unwell, tested positive for COVID-19, or been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
- Please wear a mask. If you forget, we’ll have plenty available.
- Sanctuary Shepherds will be there to greet and guide you, as you enter and exit our building
- Please enter through the main sanctuary doors, where you will be “checked-in,” and invited to use hand sanitizer. Communion Elements, in pre-packaged containers, will be available. You can also grab a mask if you need one and pick up a Bible if you choose. At this time we will not be using hymnals or paper bulletins.
- After you are “checked in” you will be led to a seat by a sanctuary shepherd. We will be seating individuals and families at least six feet apart from one another from the front of the sanctuary to the back. Please sit as close to the colorful dot as possible.
- We will have one or two singers, but not congregational singing at this time.
- The ionizers will be on, and at least one window will have a fan running, and other windows will be open. Additionally, all doors will be open. Please dress warmly and feel free to bring a lap blanket.
- Please exit through our solarium as directed by our shepherds.
- An offering plate will be available as you enter, as we will not be “passing the plate.” Don’t worry if you forget, or are moved to give more, there will be another place to give on your way out.
- We will be live streaming our sanctuary worship, so you catch it on YouTube, or if we need more seating at the church, in Fred Curtis Hall.
- If, after worshiping with us, you test positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed, it is important to the health of our congregation that you let us know so we can notify others who may have been exposed. This will be treated carefully and confidentially, so that we can care for another. Please call Pastor Heather directly, 774.994.3645.
**Our COVID-19 Leadership Task Force is watching the rates of COVID-19 on Cape Cod. We will gather in our sanctuary on Sunday and will decide week by week if we will continue to do so. If a change is needed, we will communicate quickly, clearly, and in a variety of media.