Spring is now officially here, although winter continues raging like a lion. The weather reflects our nation's political tensions.  In this atmosphere, the Council remains focused on addressing our neighbors' needs, while giving a clear voice to the need for truth, respect and compassion as we endeavor to be God's hands and feet on Earth.  As we await Easter's rebirth, we strive to be a light for our community.  

In that spirit, please click here see the (blurry...) video link of our wonderful staff singing "This Little Light of Mine" at our recent staff retreat.  The retreat was made possible by the generosity of the Evensong Retreat Center in Harwich Port.

Feel free to join the chorus!

Peace,
Edye   


Thank You:

Thank you to Fallon Health for the recent grant we received to aid our mission combatting food insecurity.  Fallon donated $1000 to our Hands of Hope Food Pantry.  We thank them!



The students of St. John Paul II High School generously donated their time to assemble our first shipment of baby boxes at A Baby Center.  Thank you!!

Please click on the photo below to read about the Baby Box Project.  



Other Council News:

Save the Date!
Generations of Hope
On July 8, 2017, the Cape Cod Council of Churches will hold a very special fundraising event – Generations of Hope – at the historic Dan’l Webster Inn in Sandwich, MA.  This evening will include appetizers, cocktails, dinner and a silent auction.  We will be celebrating the inter-generational work of the Cape Cod Council of Churches and highlighting our work on behalf of those struggling with food insecurity.

Dialogue with Clergy:
Resources for Faith Leaders on Sexual and Domestic Violence
Please join us on Wednesday, May 17 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at St. Peter's Lutheran Church for a dialogue on this very important issue.  What are your experiences?  Do you know the resources?  Are you comfortable making an abuser accountable?  Are you comfortable talking to a victim?  Do you know the red flags of abuse?  The event is co-sponsored by Independence House, St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Cape Cod Council of Churches and Nauset Interfaith Association.

Please click here for more information.

A Baby Center
Do you have a brand new baby or are you an expectant mom and need a safe space for that baby to sleep?  If you live on Cape Cod we have a safe sleep space for your wee one.  Call 508-771-8157 or come in to sign up for a Baby Box.  This is a free service to all our local families regardless of income..  

We are delighted to partner with The Baby Box Company as they endeavor to reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) across the country by providing safe sleeping spaces for infants!  Baby Box University will provide you with crucial infant care education that is offered by Cape Cod Healthcare  professionals and other professionals from around the globe.

We are introducing Baby Boxes at a special event on Monday, April 10 at 10:30 a.m. at A Baby Center.  Parents of newborns and pregnant mothers are invited to enroll in Baby Box University prior to the event by calling 508-771-8157 and then picking up their Baby Box at the event on Monday.  Event space is limited to the first 100, but more boxes will become available on an ongoing basis.  


Faith Family Kitchen
The Cape Cod Times recently published a wonderful article highlighting our Faith Family Kitchen.  Please click here to enjoy the article.

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 are community leaders and participants in religious or health and human service organizations. The topic of our latest episode is "Faith Family Kitchen" and the featured guests are Rev. Judith McCullough, Volunteer Coordinator for Faith Family Kitchen and Edye Nesmith, Executive Director of Cape Cod Council of Churches. 

Sustainability Initiative at Pilgrim Congregational Church
Please click here to read a short case study highlighting a sustainability initiative launched by the Board of Trustees at Pilgrim Congregational Church (PCC) in Harwich Port.  It is offered in the hope that it may provide a pathway for other houses of worship to position themselves for future financial sustainability and to do God’s work to protect the earth.

Understanding Temperament Speaking Event
Pilgrim Church at 533 Route 28 in Harwich Port will host a speaking event by Cindy Horgan, Executive Director and Family Support Coordinator of Cape Cod Children’s Place, Inc. on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 5:30 PM. Her topic will be Understanding Temperament.  Parents who are sensitive to children's temperaments learn how to prevent unwanted behavior.  Admission is free and a simple meal of pasta, salad, cookies and drinks is also free. The meal begins at 5:30 PM and the program is from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Please call the church for reservations at 508-432-1668.

Cindy Horgan promotes a strength based philosophy model when engaging family and community members. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from North Adams State College and a Master’s in Education from Wheelock College, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Parent Education.

Palm Sunday Parade in Harwich
Harwich United Methodist Church, Pilgrim Congregational Church, St. Mary of Magdala Ecumenical Catholic Church, and St. Peter's Lutheran Church will each have representatives at this ecumenical event.  People are invited to meet at Doane Park (the site of the Town of Harwich Christmas tree) for a brief prayer before parading with palm branches to the front steps of Pilgrim Congregational Church.  People will be invited to take some palms back to their own churches as a sign of our unity and working together.
 
Palm branches are used to remember Jesus' triumphant entry to the city of Jerusalem before his betrayal, arrest, trial, and crucifixion.  The parade marks the beginning of Holy Week, which culminates on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017.

To learn more, please contact Rev. Tiffany Nicely Holleck at (508) 432-5172, ext 13 or calledbyname@comcast.net.

The Clothesline Project
The Clothesline Project is a visual display that bears witness to violence against women.  Each T-shirt is created and designed to represent a particular person's experience, by the survivor or by someone who cares about the survivor.  Please click here for dates and times to view this powerful project at Cape Cod Community College.

First Church of Sandwich to Host Author
We are thrilled to announce that on Saturday, April 22^nd, First Church will host the Reverend Doug Bixby, author of the book Navigating the Nonsense.  He will be speaking about the ideas presented in this incredibly timely book.  At a point in the history of our nation when conflict has erupted into destructive animosity and broken relationships, Reverend Bixby’s book provides a road map in which conflict can be a vital ingredient for growth and transformation. Nearly a hundred congregants at First Church have read this book.  Reverend Bixby’s appearance is a tribute to our church’s commitment to healthy communication and to our relationships with one another.  We invite the community to join us as the wisdom of his approach has universal applications not only in churches but in all types of organizations and families as well.  We are grateful for this opportunity to share this event with our neighbors.

Please click here to learn more details about the event and for a special announcement.

May Friendship Day
Please join Church Women United for their special May Friendship Day.  It is on Friday, May 5 from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Barnstable.  The program is titled, "Kindling Fires of Love."  You can learn more about the program and find registration information by clicking here.

WE CAN
WE CAN empowers Cape women of all ages and circumstances undergoing challenging life transitions by providing support and unique services that bring increased opportunity, self-sufficiency, stability and lasting positive change for themselves, their families and ultimately our entire community.  Please click here for more information about WE CAN.

WE CAN Signature Mentoring Program for Women

• Are you interested in creating a life vision and the opportunity to turn it into a reality?
• Do you want to be 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?

• Unique 10-Month Mentoring Program for Women
• Program Offered in Both Harwich & Falmouth
• Cape-wide Info Sessions in May & June
• "Big Match" Event in August
• ​ Monthly Group and Individual Meetings
• ​ September - June (including workshops)
• ​ Monthly Mentors Only Support Meetings 

Click HERE for a list of info sessions to learn more.
Click HERE to watch a 1-minute ​informational ​video.