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Trinity Tidings

The E Newsletter of Trinity Episcopal Church, Sutter Creek
 
 

August 2017



In This Issue
Interim's Report
Did You Know?
Vestry Notes
Sr. Warden's Report
Altar Guild Leadership
Health Ministries
HELP!
Food Drive Success!
Food Bank Donations
Trinity Singers Rehearsals
Birthdays this month
Would You Like to Contribute to the Newsletter
 
 
 
 
Interim's Report for August
 
Dear friends,

It is with great pleasure that I accept Bishop Beisner's appointment with the consent of the vestry to be your interim priest. Transitions in life are difficult and transitions in the life of a parish are also difficult.

In life when we face a transition, we either gladly or grudgingly let go of what was familiar and begin to accept and trust the future that is becoming present. In the parish when we face transition, we either gladly or grudgingly let go of the familiar patterns we became accustomed to and hope we keep what we like and discard what we didn't like. However, other parishioners may like what we don't like and dislike what we like. This is always a challenge of community.

The biggest task of transition in a parish is the search process. The first part of this process is for Trinity to say who we are and where we want to go. This involves all of you. It is important that we get as close to 100% participation as possible. The vestry will direct the search process with help from the bishop's office.

While the vestry and others will be working hard during this interim period, the work and worship of God in and at Trinity will continue.

My part at this time is to be your priest. It might be obvious that I am not Karen+. My style is different than Karen's. I will not be full-time. I don't live in Amador County, though it is only a forty-minute drive (or ride) from our house to Trinity. I suppose one way to view my role at Trinity is to keep the wheels on. Others will handle the transition work.

Suzie and I chose to be at Trinity because it is an exceptional parish. What makes it exceptional is you. God will always be with us.


Peace,
Fr. Craig Kuehn+

Did You Know?
Cathy Koos-Breazeal, the chair of our Health Ministries and an active EMT, has been chosen to attend the Fire Chaplain's Association training.   The purpose of this organization is to bring together, network and train individuals and groups who are interested in providing effective chaplaincies for fire service organizations.

-Bible study continues to be held the first Sunday of each month at 9:40 in Jane's Hall. We are working on 1 Macabees. In July we looked at chapters 1-3 and people asked that we narrow to one chapter per month. On August 6th we will be exploring 1 Macabees 4. Bring your thoughts and questions and we'll see you there.
Vestry Notes
by Margaret Lewis
 
Your vestry met on July 27 for their final meeting with Pastor Karen.
 
After opening the meeting with a brief prayer and reflection the following items were covered:
 
The Junior Warden discussed the installation of new tile in the downstairs hallway and sacristy - scheduled to take place on September 11, as well as the possibility of adding some additional shelving in the kitchen where the second refrigerator had been.
 
Carol Holt reported on the installation of a donated computer to replace the old one in the Secretary's office. It has been installed.
 
Father Craig was present and was welcomed by the Vestry. Father Craig explained that his current plan for office hours will be Wednesdays from 9:00 - 4:00 and Sundays from 8:00 - 2:00.
 
The financials were reviewed.
 
Pastor Karen offered each Vestry member a brief reflection of her time with them and a token of her appreciation.
 
The meeting closed with final statements and prayer.
Senior Warden's Report
By Margaret Lewis, Senior Warden
 
I want to begin with a huge "thank you" to all of those who helped to make last Sunday's going away potluck for Pastor Karen and Steph such a great success and beautiful experience. I won't list everyone here for fear of leaving someone out, but do know that you were noticed and your help was greatly appreciated. Saying goodbye is never easy, but what a blessing to spend our last moments with them as a part of our community in such a blessed environment! 
 
Both Pastor Karen and Steph expressed delight in the send off and appreciated all of the notes and letters. 
 
Now we look to our blessings anew as Father Craig prepares to serve as our interim Priest and to be with us as we begin the process of discerning where God is leading us next. In a few weeks we will begin to focus on the specifics of where the work will be done. In the meantime, I find it helpful to remember that who we are as a church depends on who we want to be and how we commit to that direction. We agreed long ago that, "We are an inclusive, spiritually dynamic, loving Christian family sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with each other and the world." Let us keep moving together to live into this statement we profess.
 
In Christ's Love,
Margaret
Altar Guild Leadership
After years of leading the altar guild, Dorean Davis has decided to hand over the baton to Diane Christensen.  Dorean has been a faithful Episcopalian all her life and has generously given her time, talent, and treasure for the well-being of many different church communities.  When the need arose several years ago, Dorean stepped up to the plate and has quietly and humbly served the needs of Trinity, preparing the altar for Holy Communion.  Always ensuring there are enough linens, wine, bread, and clean vestments, she has prayerfully worked behind the scenes. 
 
In addition to this ministry, she has bought and stocked the quarterly "Forward Day by Day" meditation booklets.  She has taken on the mantle of leading "meals for the homebound" as part of Trinity's health ministries and sometimes visits or brings flowers to those in the hospital.  She is a lector at the 8:30 service and serves at the altar each Sunday.  Having been a member of Trinity for over 20 years, we celebrate her service.  For these and all her gifts, we give God thanks.
Health Ministries
Happy August, Trinity!
 
We have seen one heat wave after another this summer, and the promise of more.  Remember to keep hydrated and watch each other for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.  Stay inside during the hotter times of day, keep windows closed and blinds pulled until early evening and then open up your house and run fans to cool things off. 
 
Trinity Health Ministry volunteers serve our parish in a number of ways.  Contact us if you need a visit to your home or hospital; medical supplies such as walkers, crutches, potty chairs, or wheel chairs.  Our Sunshine ladies will keep in touch with you in your illness and recovery, and our Meals folks can bring you yummy meals to whet your appetite when you are ill.
 
Summer also means fire season.  Be sure you have a fire plan for yourself and your family.  Gather supplies for your Go Bag and a Go Bag for your pets, as well.  If fire comes, be ready to evacuate -- don't wait!
 
Best well,
 
Cathy Koos Breazeal and the Trinity Health Ministries Team
HELP!

The Food Bank needs volunteers to work in the warehouse and reception areas. Call the Food Bank (267-9006) or visit the facility (10 am - 2 pm daily) for more information.

Interfaith Food Bank Food Drive
by Noreen Lafferty

We had another excellent Food Drive this year. Our thanks to everyone who volunteered to make this a success. Beth Stanton, Executive Director, Interfaith Food Bank was thrilled with the result and was so thankful to our church for all that they do to help the hungry of Amador County. We received $1,187 in cash and checks and 2,312 pounds of groceries. Our mission is to bring our faith and works into the community and this is one way that we share our many blessings.

I especially thank Steve Christensen for his leadership on Saturday, John Lafferty for driving the Sprinter to the food bank and moving the groceries from the store to the van to the food bank. It was a big job and Josh Lewis was a big help, as well as John Hanaway and David Hoos.

John Lafferty came up with a different system for handling the groceries, using banana boxes and loading them into the van and then stacking them on the pallets at the food bank. It worked very well and warehouse manager, Patty, was very happy with how well this worked. It was easy for them to manage the groceries and unload them at their leisure without crushing the products and have them be in the way. So great job everyone, especially John who came up with the idea.

Food Bank Facts: The food bank had 28 new clients in May and 36 in June. The overall numbers are down from 2016, but we still served 1292 families, 3155 individuals, 541 seniors, and 652 youths, distributing 83,988 pounds of food.

You may see more homeless men in and around the area because there is currently no housing available for them. The food bank and ATCA as well as other churches and Sierra Winds work to ensure that the needs of the community are met and the homeless and poor in Amador County are fed, housed, clothed and basic needs are met. The Interfaith Food Bank Board is always looking for ways to help in the process and to come up with new ideas to support the food bank in their mission to feed people.

Quilt Raffle in process. Board members are selling raffle tickets for an extra large queen quilt made by members of the local quilt guild. Tickets are $1 a piece or six for $5. The raffle is over in October and the winner will be notified at that time.

Lastly, the food bank needs volunteers and so does the thrift store. Drivers are needed for the weekend and for filling in when there are illnesses or vacations. Drivers pick up food daily at the local markets and deliver it to the food bank for distribution. Without volunteer drivers the food bank needs to hire a driver which is very expensive. If you have one or more hours you could spare to help out in the warehouse sorting groceries, making up boxes for delivery to off site locations or filling grocery orders it would be appreciated. Food bank hours are 10am to 2pm Monday through Friday, but the warehouse is open early for intake and sorting of groceries and produce. The thrift store continues to need volunteers to sort and price house wares, electronics, toys, clothing and furniture. We are the only thrift store in the county that steams their clothing and ensures the quality of the items on the racks. We take pride in doing our best for the community and the food bank and always can use more help. There is a constant influx of items to process from donations and get out on the floor. We are the only thrift store in the county that will pick up items. The store is open Monday through Friday 9 to 5 and Saturday 10 to 4. 
Food Bank Donations
The Food Bank's cart, in the sanctuary, yielded 67 lbs. of food in June  Total giving in 2017: 824 lbs. of food.

Thank you for your generous support of this special ministry.
Trinity Singers Rehearsals
All are invited to join the Trinity Singers/Worship Team! Rehearsals are the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 7pm.  Bring your voices, your instruments, and a heart for worship and praise! For more information, please contact Carol Harper at 916-604-1872 or email carol@worshipattrinity.com . Web site: WorshipAtTrinity.com.
August Birthdays

The following members of our church family are celebrating birthdays in August!

     

5th- Joy Blair

6th- Rolly Matson

10th- Rosalie Escamilla

10th- Teddy West

  14th- Noreen Lafferty

  17th- Alexis Lewis

  

 

If you are celebrating a birthday in August, but you don't see your name listed here, please contact our Parish Administrative Asst.

Would You Like to Contribute to the Newsletter?
If you have an article of interest to the congregation that you would like included in the newsletter, please email it to the office, office@trinitysuttercreek.org by the 20th of the month. It will be included in the next month's newsletter.