The first of June on Cape Cod heralds the beginning of a glorious summer for many on Cape Cod. It is also the day when many winter rental apartments convert to summer weekly rentals. June first is the day when many thus lose their housing and struggle to find an affordable alternative in a place with a severe shortage of such units.
On this past June 1, the Council's phone rang with calls for assistance from people caught in this bind. Two single fathers called, each seeking temporary shelter for their young families as they worked to secure more permanent housing. One parent, who had his children ages 2 and 5 in the car, was a military veteran who had just been released from the hospital. The other called from his place of work before he had to collect his 6 and 8 year old children from school.
With the help of the Council's staff, Robin Hayward of A Baby Center and Bob Lynch of Homeless Ministries, we were able to provide a dinner and two nights of safe lodging for these families in need. Additionally, we gave fresh diapers and wipes for the littlest child, while connecting both fathers with appropriate resources.
We did not solve these people's problems, but we offered a place of respite and kindness in what can be a difficult world. And we provided some direction for future help so that these little ones might have a secure place to call "home".
This was all made possible by the support of people like you. Thank you for giving your prayers and resources so that others might experience the love that Christ calls for us to share. Thank you for being caring brothers and sisters to one another.
Peace,
Edye
Program Update
On May 17th the Council co-sponsored "A Clergy Dialogue on Sexual and Domestic Violence" with Independence House and St Peter's Lutheran Church.
Twenty clergy, lay leaders and parish nurses participated in a powerful, uplifting and informative conversation. All attendees expressed gratitude for the training, and all planned to share the content and resources with their churches. As October is the National Awareness Month for these issues, many hope to hold a special liturgy during an October service. Please see the links below for resources that may be of help to faith community leaders.
Our organizing group is open to holding this event again in other geographic areas of the Cape. We found that working with existing regional faith community alliances worked very well to generate interest and attendance (ex: Harwich Clergy Association, Nauset Interfaith Alliance, Parish Nurses, etc). Perhaps your faith community is part of such a group and would like to co-host this event?
Please be in touch if I may be of help with this.
My thanks.
Edye
Comments from participants of
A Clergy Dialogue on Sexual and Domestic Violence:
"Excellent program; very insightful discussion; handouts are useful and breakoutgroups helpful."
"Everything was well-presented and very educational...learned about all of the services provided by Independence House and how it works."
"Clear presentation on how we can help, concrete steps and resources; small group scenarios were excellent!"
Following are four resources that can be of help in addressing the issues of sexual and domestic violence:
Domestic Violence Liturgy
Commentary on Religion and Domestic Violence
MA Statistics
Resource Sheet
Other Council News:
You're Invited!
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. We are honored to welcome Catherine D'Amato, President and CEO of The Greater Boston Food Bank, as our guest speaker, and Jim Lehane, President of Spring Hill Associates, as our emcee!
You may also purchase tickets online through Eventbrite.
United Way of the Cape and Islands Honorees
The Cape Cod Council of Churches is blessed to have over 400 volunteers contribute over 16,000 hours of service annually to those we serve. Leading the way are Tom and the Rev. Judy McCullough. Tom and Judy both donate their time as active members of the Board of Directors, where Tom serves as Treasurer and Judy heads our Personnel Committee. For the past five years the McCulloughs have also coordinated the feeding program and recent renovation of our Faith Family Kitchen. The Council's partner, The United Way of the Cape and Islands, recently presented Tom and Judy with their Ron Reed Award for Outstanding Nonprofit Volunteer Leader at the Annual Community Impact Celebration. We give our thanks for this amazing couple.
Tom and Judy McCullough
A Baby Center
Program Director Robin Hayward and Program Assistant Meaghan Graves-Foley attended the Women's Health and Wellness Fair at Cape Cod Hospital last month. The enjoyed a wonderful program with great speakers and were able to showcase our new Baby Boxes, a product of our partnership with the Baby Box Company.
Meaghan and Robin, all smiles!
Hands of Hope Food Pantry
As summer approaches, the Pantry is especially in need of the following items. Thank you for your food collections! We apppreciate all your support.
Cereal
Juice
Granola or Cereal Bars
Baked Beans
Spaghetti Sauce
Chef-Boy-R-Dee
Canned Corn
Canned Fruit
Hamburger Helper
Toilet Paper
Tooth Paste
Boxed Macaroni & Cheese
We have refrigerators and freezers if you have extra food left over from a summer party or family get together. Please call us at 508-432-1312.
Youth StreetReach
Youth StreetReach will be holding its Annual Cookout at Sea Street Beach in Hyannis on Sunday, July 9, 2017 from 11:30-1:30. ALL ARE WELCOME- Vans will pick up at St Joseph’s, Salvation Army, Pilot, Baybridge, and CHAMP from 11:30 on. If you would like to help with hospitality for our homeless guests, please email Marilyn Lariviere at
mlariv@comcast.net or call 508-776-6059. Youth StreetReach will be providing hamburgs, hot dogs, and beverages but we invite others to bring salads and desserts to share.
Community News:
Costs of Caregiving
On Tuesday, June 6, Fallon Health will present The Costs of Caregiving at the DoubleTree Hotel in Westboro, MA. Attend to learn about the personal and financial impact family caregiving has on the community, the workplace and the caregiver...and what we can all do to help. For more info, please click
here.
Mashpee Substance Use Task Force Drop-In Night
will be held on Tuesday, June 6 at the Community Health Center of Cape Cod in Mashpee. The Task Force provides substance use information, education and treatment resource options from local organizations. If you, or someone you know, needs help or wants information, please stop by. All are welcome. No RSVP required. Light refreshments. To read more, please click
here.
Grandmothers Against Gun Violence
will hold their June meeting on Wednesday, June 7 from 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm at the Cape Cod Synagogue, 145 Winter St, Hyannis. Fiona Jensen, Executive Director of Calmer Choice, will be the guest speaker. This event is open to all. Please attend to give recognition to this important issue and help spread the message that "There's more we can do to End Gun Violence."
Walking in the Light: Radical Self-Honesty Amid the Shadows
On Friday and Saturday, June 16 and 17 at 7:30 pm, all are invited to attend lectures at the Community of Jesus given by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. Jonathan - writer, preacher, and leader in the New Monasticism movement - will explore what St. Benedict, the Christian desert tradition, and the gospel have to tell us about living truthfully with others and with ourselves. At the Community of Jesus, 5 Bay View Drive, Rock Harbor, Orleans. For more information please call
508-255-1094.
Elder Suicide Prevention Training
The Samaritans on Cape Cod and the Islands will host a suicide prevention training program, designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among adults age 55 and older, Monday June 19 from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm at the Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands, 68 Route 134, Dennis. Please join in to learn how you can make a difference. To read more, please click
here.
Cape Cod Pride
On Saturday, June 24 from noon until 3:00 pm, gather together at the Morse Pond School at 323 Jones Rd, Falmouth in celebration of our LBGTQ community! Entertainment by Zoe Lewis, as well as DJ, games, activities, food, vendors, free raffle and more. For more details, please click
here.
Mothers, Sisters, Daughters: Standing on Their Shoulders
is a retreat with Edwina Gately to be held from June 26-30 at the La Salette Retreat and Conference Center in Attleboro, MA. During this retreat Edwina will share stories and poetry about women from different walks of life around the globe who have made a difference in the world. We will enter the lives of some amazing women - both living and dead - environmentalists, poets, politicians, mystics, social activists, women in Scripture, martyrs and even some unknown and contemporary women whose witness, courage and faithfulness will inspire and guide us on our own journeys. We will come to stand on the shoulders of these prophets and valiant women as we celebrate our own stories and possibilities! To learn more, please click
here.
I Hear God Laughing: One Woman's Journey of Faith from Africa to the Bars and Brothels of the Inner City
is a one day journey with Edwina Gately to be held Wednesday, June 28, from 9:30 am - 4:00 pm at the La Salette Retreat and Conference Center in Attleboro, MA. In this presentation, Edwina will share her own story and the joys and struggles of responding to God's call to make a difference in the world. We will explore how prayer and faith lead us to discover the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our contemporary world and in our hearts. We will laugh, cry and be inspired as we listen to stories that have changed peoples' lives, and one way or another, will change ours! To learn more, please click
here.
