Author Archives: Gwyneth Butera

Jun 22: Why DEI?

Sunday, June 22, 2025 10:00 AM

Join us as Pancheta Peterson invites us to engage in a powerful dialogue about the profound impact of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) on our lives. Through her unique lens of faith, education, and community leadership, Pancheta challenges us to reflect deeply and ask: Why does DEI matter so much to each of us—and how can we hold one another accountable in this journey?

Don’t miss this opportunity to grow, question, and connect. All are welcome.

Reverend Pancheta Peterson is well known to many Cape Codders for her untiring efforts on behalf of social justice while being a calm and measured presence, seeking to engage and inspire participants. She was an active lay leader in Eastham UMC for about 20 years before being invited to join the staff at First Parish, Brewster, where she served for about 10 years and was ordained as Community Minister. Passionately interested in Diversity Issues, she was actively involved with Cape Cod schools for many years as a Trained Diversity Specialist. She was born in Jamaica and earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts, and her M.A in Diversity Issues from Cambridge College.

Learn more at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 22, 2025 at the Chapel in the Pines in Eastham.  Doors open at 9:30. Also on Zoom via this Zoom program link.

Jun 15: Our Queer Elders

Sunday, June 15, 2025 10:00 AM

Join us as Katie Castagno uses storytelling and original song to celebrate and elevate the lives of people who have queered social and gender norms throughout history. At a time when queer history and voices are increasingly erased, “Our Queer Elders” is both informative and cheeky, whether it’s an account of Rachel Carson’s whirlwind romance with Dorothy Freeman, a sweet love song about Mary Oliver, or an imagining of the night Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt took a joyride after dinner in 1933.

Katie Castagno is a geologist by day and a singer-songwriter by night. Drawing on roots in rural New England and collegiate a cappella, Katie writes about people, places, and geological phenomena. 

Learn more at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 15, 2025 at the Chapel in the Pines in Eastham.  Doors open at 9:30. Also on Zoom via this Zoom program link.

Jun 1: Breath of Prayers

Sunday, June 1, 2025 10:00 AM

Ej Mills Brennan, a multi-media artist, musician, and educator of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, is excited to return on June 1st to share tracks from her Breath of Prayers CDs. During her last visit, she loved collaborating with us—adding a touch of percussion to her beautiful flute playing—and she’s looking forward to more of that musical magic!

Feel free to bring your favorite percussion instrument if you’d like to join in the rhythm. No pressure, though—Ej will have some extras on hand, plus a surprise or two! All are welcome.

Amongst Ej Mills Brennan’s many arts projects, she has also produced two independent CD Releases: Breath of Prayers II – A collection of Solo Native American Flute (1998), and Breath of Prayers III – Original Compositions: Piano, Flutes and Vocal (2003). Both CDs will be available for purchase and also commented on during her presentation.

Learn more at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at the Chapel in the Pines in Eastham.  Doors open at 9:30. Also on Zoom via this Zoom program link.

May 25: The Lariats

Sunday, May 25, 2025 10:00 AM

Join us as we enjoy the music of The Lariats, Jo Miller and Joel Sklar. They play heartfelt melodies and share the colorful legends of the musicians and folk heroes whose voices once echoed through roadside honky-tonks and country radio airwaves. From ballads of lost love to foot-stomping sing-alongs, you’ll hear songs from artists who shaped the golden age of country. All are welcome.

Jo Miller and Joel Sklar bring their upbeat rhythms and harmony singing to The Lariats. Jo Miller is a classically trained violinist and soprano. After years singing in a capella groups and choruses, she took up bluegrass and country music. Joel Sklar, a longtime guitarist and singer, has played in bluegrass and country bands in the Boston area for the past ten years.

Learn more at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 25, 2025 at the Chapel in the Pines in Eastham.  Doors open at 9:30. Also on Zoom via this Zoom program link.

May 18: Healing in Hard Times

Sunday, May 18, 2025 10:00 AM

Join us as Ayanna Freedom, LICSW, delivers an informative talk on how to nurture yourself and others during difficult times. She will discuss how inequities and the current climate can be dangerous for the nervous system and what we can do to be active in the current political climate while still reducing stress in the body and creating community with others and ourselves. All are welcome.

Ayanna is a speaker, author, 500 hour Yoga Teacher, CEO and Founder of B FREE Wellness inc. a nonprofit organization that transforms people’s lives by providing low to no cost mental health, coaching and mindfulness programs to those whose lives have been affected by trauma addiction and oppression.

Learn more at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at the Chapel in the Pines in Eastham.  Doors open at 9:30. Also on Zoom via this Zoom program link.

May 11: Leading with Love – It’s Not Just a Mother’s Job

Sunday, May 11, 2025 10:00 AM

Called to leadership by the examples of the women in her family, Gwynne Guzzeau shares reflections on the power and purpose of leading with love in our personal and professional lives, as well as the story of Helping Our Women’s work serving women on the Outer Cape.

To ease the stress of everyday life, HOW provides support services to women in need, so they can focus on wellness and well-being. Women with a chronic health condition who reside in Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro or Provincetown are eligible to receive support. HOW provides a number of services, such as transportation assistance, grief support groups and a walking group to help women navigate through difficult times.  All are welcome.

Gwynne Guzzeau is a graduate of Nauset Regional High School, has a bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College, a law degree from Georgetown University, and a master of science degree from Wheelock College. In addition to her law practice, which she ran from 2006 to 2015, Guzzeau was chair of the school committee for the Nauset Regional School District and a research associate for the National Institute on Out-of-School Time, an advocacy group for after-school education. Guzzeau also helped launch the Cape-wide planning initiative for seniors called Healthy Aging Cape Cod.

Learn more at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 11, 2025 at the Chapel in the Pines in Eastham.  Doors open at 9:30. Also on Zoom via this Zoom program link.

 

Apr 27: Philanthropic Education Organization (P.E.O)

Sunday, April 27, 2025 10:00 AM

Join us on April 27, 2025, as Sue Silver introduces us to P.E.O, a nonprofit organization that has helped more than 125,000 women pursue educational goals by providing more than $435 million in educational assistance, making a difference in women’s lives through six philanthropies and a foundation.

P.E.O. was founded in 1869, by seven students at Iowa Wesleyan College. This small circle of kindred spirits, enthusiastic about educational opportunities for women, eventually expanded to include women off-campus as well. Through membership, the P.E.O. Sisterhood has brought together more than a half a million women in the United States and Canada who are passionate about helping women advance through education. All are welcome.

Sue Silver, a graduate of The Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in New Jersey, is a very active and involved leader of the Lower Cape Chapter of P.E.O. She is passionate about celebrating, supporting and motivating women.

Learn more at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2025 at the Chapel in the Pines in Eastham.  Doors open at 9:30. Also on Zoom via this Zoom program link.

All are welcome.

Apr 20: Bunnies and Eggs Social

Sunday, April 20, 2025 10:00 AM

On Sunday, April 20—marking the end of Passover and Easter Sunday—we’ll gather at the Chapel for a joyful celebration.

Bring along any stories, treats, photos, messages, signs, or art you’d like to share. We’ll sip, nibble, and enjoy each other’s company in the spirit of the season.

All are welcome!

Learn more at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 20, 2025 at the Chapel in the Pines in Eastham.  Doors open at 9:30.

All are welcome.

Apr 13: Tackling Ocean Trash with Laura Ludwig

Sunday, April 13, 2025 10:00 AM

From fishing gear to tooth flossers, plastic marine debris can impact birds, animals, habitat and humans in myriad ways. Join us on Sunday, April 13, 2025, for a presentation by Laura Ludwig which will highlight Center for Coastal Studies collaborations to remove marine debris from the environment, engage communities in cleanups and data collection, and share solutions through art, outreach and education. All are welcome.

Laura Ludwig, director and founder of the Marine Debris & Plastics Program at the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, Massachusetts, focuses on an interdisciplinary approach to investigate and respond to abandoned, lost, discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), beach debris, microplastics and other marine plastic debris issues. Since its inception in 2012, the primary focus of the program has been removal of ALDFG from the waters of Cape Cod Bay, recently expanding to include collaborative efforts from southern New England to the Canadian border.

Learn more at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at the Chapel in the Pines in Eastham.  Doors open at 9:30. Also on Zoom via this Zoom program link.

All are welcome.

Mar 30: Good Trouble

Sunday, March 30, 2025 10:00 AM

The Nauset Citizens Alliance was formed just weeks ago to respond to what is happening in our country and the effects on our local community.  On March 30, 2025, representatives of the Alliance will tell us more about this new mobilization and how it is working to strengthen democracy from the bottom up. The alliance’s motto is Supporting One Another, Safeguarding Our Future. A particular focus of the group is action in protection of our National Parks, including the Cape Cod National Seashore. The Alliance had its first event on March 9, where over 100 people turned out to support Ukraine. All are welcome.

Nauset Citizens Alliance was founded by Sheri Tagliaferri of Orleans, with ongoing assistance from Darlene Allen and Patricia Carson. For more information, and latest updates you can join their group Nauset Citizens Alliance on Facebook.

Learn more at 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2025 at the Chapel in the Pines in Eastham.  Doors open at 9:30. Also on Zoom via this Zoom program link.

All are welcome.