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Greetings from the Cape Cod Council of Churches. As I write this, the sun shines in our Hyannis Main street office while tulips bloom on our conference table. Ahhhh...Spring! May this season find you able to enjoy the glories of our awakening world and the sustaining message of God's Peace.
The Council is delighted to welcome new leadership to three areas of our programming. Robin Hayward joined A Baby Center as its new Director. Robin brings a wonderful combination of expertise, warmth, energy, fun and faith to this program that serves our youngest and most vulnerable. Gail Rasmussen and Corinne Stephen now serve Bridge to Hope as Interim Assistant Director and Interim Program Manager, respectively. Both of these women share personal experience in their roles in addition to their professional skills. It is a testament to the program to now see its leadership in their capable hands. And I am humbled and honored to now serve the Council of Churches as permanent executive director.
May God grant us guidance and favor as we move forward "serving God by serving others." Thank you for your support.
Edye Nesmith
Executive Director
Cape Cod Council of Churches
Acknowledgements
We would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to the following organizations for their incredible generosity!
* Barnstable Association for Recreational Shellfishing (BARS)
Your wonderful donation and delivery of FIFTY spiral-cut hams to our Hands of Hope Food Pantry provided a special Easter dinner for local families. Thank you!
 Pictured above at dropoff: Rick Ryan, Ralph Krau and Ron Glantz
* St. Mary, Our Lady of the Isle on Nantucket
Your thoughtful donation of raingear, windbreakers, boots, luggage and other essentials went to clients needing outerwear. They were such a necessity during the recent stretch of wet weather. THANK YOU!
 The Cape Cod Council of Churches thanks you for donating so that we can continue to help our neighbors in need.
Things To Look Forward To:
A Baby Center Mother's Day Appeal
May is the month of Mothers and babies, so what better way to honor your mother, grandmother, godmother, sister or child than with a donation to the Council of Churches' A Baby Center Mother's Day Appeal? A Baby Center provides free essential goods to families with babies from birth through age 3. Eligible (WIC) parents can receive diapers, wipes and clothing once a month at our Hyannis location in the back of The Federated Church, at 81 Willow Ave. Satellite locations in Chatham, Mashpee and Falmouth provide diapers and wipes. Please click here to access the website to donate. Or call 508-771-8157.
A Baby Center also appreciates donations of diapers, especially sizes 5 and 6, and gently used baby and toddler clothing. At present, we need boys' sizes. Thank you, and Happy Mother's Day!
Faith Neighborhood Kitchen
Within the next week, volunteers will swing hammers to create a new ServSafe kitchen so the Council of Churches' Faith Neighborhood Kitchen can more efficiently provide nutritious dinners for our food insecure neighbors. Located at Faith Assembly of God Church, 154 Bearses Way in Hyannis, the Faith Neighborhood Kitchen has provided over 99,000 dinners during the four years that it has been in operation. Dinners will continue to be provided on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings during the construction phase, which should be complete this summer. This important program and the kitchen rebuild is made possible through the generosity of contributing Cape Cod churches, foundations, individuals, the United Way and the Hyannis Rotary Club as well as many selfless volunteers.
Safety in Places of Worship
On Thursday, May 5 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at the Federated Church of Hyannis at 320 Main Street, Hyannis, the Cape Cod Council of Churches and the Federated Church of Hyannis are co-sponsoring this seminar that covers the basics of safety in places of worship. Please RSVP to Rev. Dr. John Terry at pastor@federatedchurch.org if you will be attending.
First responders will be on hand to discuss:
· What to do if there is an active shooter?
· What to do if there is a fire?
· What to do if there is a medical emergency?
· What to do if there is a psychiatric emergency?
· What to do if there is a natural disaster?
Please click here for more information and a printable poster.
On Good Faith
The Council produces On Good Faith which is a monthly television show that airs on Channel 99. Hosted by Rev. Jonathan Ahnquist, On Good Faith welcomes guests who include community leaders and participants in health and human service organizations. The topic of the latest episode is "The Key Idea - A Community Art Project" and the featured guest is Lenore Lyons, the creator of the project.
Please click on the photo above to enjoy the show.
Please click here to contact On Good Faith's producer, Cheryl Quast, if you have an idea for a future show topic.
News from the NOAH Shelter
"There has been a lot in the news lately about Housing Assistance Corporation"s NOAH Shelter. As many of you know, the NOAH Shelter is the only homeless shelter for individuals within 50 miles of Cape Cod. There have been a number of recent changes. The shelter's new Day Program opened in 2014, offering specialists in the fields of housing, employment, mental health and substance abuse prevention. The shelter went "dry" on September 1, 2015. In addition, HAC is working with a group of Hyannis civic and business leaders to find a location for a new shelter that would replace our existing NOAH Shelter. The tentative name is the Transitional Living Center of Cape Cod. Rest assured, there will continue to be a shelter for the Cape's neediest. We at HAC feel a moral imperative to help those less fortunate and we know you do too."
- Laura M. Reckford, Director of Community Relations and Fundraising at Housing Assistance Corporation
Cape Cod Disaster Animal Response Team (CC DART)
CC Dart is offering a supplemental pet food program for those in need. The next distribution is slated for Saturday, April 23 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. at the Stop and Shop in Marstons Mills. Pet food has also been provided to our Hands of Hope Food Pantry in Harwich and the pantry at Christ the King in Mashpee. For more information, please contact Joanne Hennebury at jhennebury@comcast.net or click here to be directed to the website.
PathMakers Mentoring Program Info Sessions
WE CAN - Women's Empowerment through Cape Area Networking is offering info sessions to learn about PathMaking Mentoring.
- Are you interested in creating a life vision and the opportunity to turn it into a reality?
- Do you want to be a part of a diverse group of women who enrich one another's experiences while on their own personal journeys?
- Are you ready to commit to ten months of learning and growth leading to lasting positive change?
Whether you are motivated to begin such a journey yourself or you desire to walk with another woman on her path of self-discovery, the PathMakers Program has a place waiting for you.
Please click here for schedule and contact information.
All Cape and Islands and South Shore MA Handbell Ring
This will take place on April 23, 2016 at Harwich Community Center. There will be three massed ringing pieces which you can order and listen to online. The event is from 8:30-5:30. The cost will be $15 per person and directors must be members of Handbell Musicians of America. You can go to the website for more information: http://area1.handbellmusicias.org. Choirs and ensembles are encouraged to perform a solo piece at the 3:00 p.m. concert. Registration will be online at this link: bit.ly/CapeSpringRing16. Contact person is Bonnie Brenner at brennerb@hotmail.com.
Youth AFIRE
Join high school aged youth of faith from around New England in an opportunity to educate, energize and organize around church-based responses to climate change and environmental injustice. Learn from young leaders and one another through worship, workshops, sharing meals together and more. The MACUCC is offering this event as a gift to its young leaders and ecumenical friends. Any funds raised in excess of costs will help further the important work of New England Regional Environmental Ministries. Please click here for more information.
March to End Domestic Violence
Sunday, May 15, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Cape Cod Synagogue
Join the ManKind Project of Cape Cod & Islands Community in a march to raise awareness and end domestic violence. There will be a rally, march and refreshments with all proceeds to benefit Independence House, Inc. Please click here to see their facebook page.
Elder Suicide Prevention Training
This suicide prevention training led by The Samaritans on Cape Cod and the Islands is designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among adults age 55 and older. This training is open to the public and is appropriate for anyone who has contact with older adults during their professional, personal or volunteer activities. After the training, participants will be able to: Understand the warning signs of suicide in older adults; develop strategies for early intervention and prevention; identify risk factors, levels of risk, and protective factors for suicide in older adults; learn effective methods for active listening and engagement with older adults who are suicidal. This training is available free of charge. Please click here for more information and a registration form.
Barnstable County Launches Public Health and Wellness Service
Barnstable County Department of Human Services announces a newly revised and updated local Service Directory containing service providers and organizations serving the health and human service needs of Barnstable County. The Public Health and Wellness (http://barnstable.ma.networkofcare.org/ph) site’s comprehensive database provides search tools to access local resources on aging, disability, mental health, substance use, housing, and many public health and human service areas. Please click here for a press release regarding this launch.
Medical Marijuana: Truths and Fictions
An education forum co-sponsored by The League of Women Voters of the Cape Cod Area and Gosnold on Cape Cod. Medical marijuana is here. It was approved by the voters in November 2012. It is available today in six communities in Massachusetts, but not yet on Cape Cod. That may soon change. The Haven Center of Orleans has plans to open a medical marijuana dispensary in Brewster.
In an effort to educate the community on the pros and cons of medical use of marijuana,--and the status of current Massachusetts law--The League of Women Voters of the Cape Cod Area and Gosnold are sponsoring an educational forum on April 30 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Cape Cod Community Media Center.
Everyone is welcome. Please click here for more information.
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