A fun day for family and friends will return Sunday, December 2, when the annual Holiday Gift springs to life in the upper Parish Hall. Churchgoers get first crack at the merchandise after the 10 AM service.  The doors open to the public at noon.

Shops within the shop include the popular jewelry emporium, the unpredictable new-to-you mart and the scrumptious bake sale. You can also buy chances on a raffle with all kinds of goodies.

On the same day, after the service, we will make Advent wreaths in Lower Parish Hall.

Join us for a festive kick-off to the Advent season.

The days are lazy, long and hot … at least they will be, if the weather ever cooperates. Regardless, it is a Christ Church tradition to celebrate the joys of summer with a more relaxed schedule.

Sunday services are held at 9:00 AM and 5:30 PM in the chapel. This schedule continues from June 17 through Labor Day Weekend. Reminder: the chapel is air-conditioned!

During summer, there is also an opportunity to be music director for a day. Do you have a favorite hymn you’d love to hear during the 9 AM service? You can decide while also making a contribution to support a summer accompanist with a donation in any amount you choose. (We need a total of $100 per week; if you write a check, please make it out to Christ Church and note “summer music” in the memo line.) Donors will be recognized in the weekly bulletin. Please see official Music Director Pam Goody or contact her at pamela.goody@ccneedham.org to arrange your selection and preferred summer Sunday.

Another summer delight is the substitution of the traditional coffee hour with a Lemonade Break after the 9:00 AM service, beginning June 17. If you are interested in hosting, please sign up on the ledger in the Upper Parish Hall. You can provide iced tea, lemonade, cookies or whatever refreshments you like. Please get in touch with coordinators Debby Rempis at dtr4430@gmail.com or Joanne Neale at jmneale@gmail.com to to ask questions or volunteer.

The Sanctuary Garden will be in full bloom, and that applies to weeds as well as flowers. Please consider volunteering a week or two this summer to help care for this lovely oasis. Tasks include light weeding, dead-heading and keeping walkways and benches clean. (No watering or lawn care is required.)  A sign-up sheet is posted in Upper Parish Hall. Your support is very much appreciated! Please contact Winnie West at 781-444-8739 or wawest1@verizon.net with questions.

Join our Christ Church team to help sponsor B-Safe Camp for 2 days in July. The dates for Christ Church participation are Monday, July 23 and Tuesday, July 24. We will be responsible for serving snacks and lunch at the Epiphany School in Dorchester. (This is a change from last year: We will provide lunch and snacks for twice the number of children and staff on each given day, but for only two rather than four days).

B-Safe is a summer program of our diocese that provides a safe and fun day camp experience for kids from Boston and other urban communities, and that provides jobs and leadership opportunities for the teens in the communities who serve as staff at the camp. Kids in B-Safe enjoy healthy snacks and a lunch, daily activities and play, and a field trip each week. The Epiphany School program serves about 140 campers and staff each day.

B-Safe is a great way to do some service and to help kids and young people in our diocese. This is a project that families can do together and that children and young people can participate in. We need volunteers to help make snacks and a lunch. We also need volunteers to join us at the Epiphany School to help set up lunch and clean up afterwards.

Please contact the Rev. Scottie Miller (Scottie@ccneedham.org or 781-444-1469) to offer your help, to make a donation, or for more information.