Volume 70 - No. 5 | May 2018
MAY Tidings
Check Out Pastor Valeria's Weekly Blog: LINK
Message from Pastor Valeria...
Celebrating Trinity Church!

May 27 is "Trinity Sunday." We will be celebrating Trinity and its members all month long, starting with Confirmation and Baptism on May 6. We will welcome five young members to Trinity Church!
On May 20, Pentecost Sunday, we will celebrate the gifts of the Holy Spirit and how God inspires us at Trinity Church. We will also be welcoming a new adult member. If you are interested in membership please contact me! 
And on June 3, we will be celebrating our long time members. If you've been a member for 25 years or more, look for your invitation in the mail soon. 

Last Sunday, April 29, we celebrated some of Trinity's strengths and gifts: We shared food and had conversations in small groups about Trinity's vision and how we might work towards it together. We were involved in deep, thoughtful dialogue, the kids discussed their ideas at their own table, and we sang, prayed and laughed. 
Between God's spirit and all of your gifts we have so much potential here at Trinity! 

The Deacons and our Fiscal Task Force have been discussing how we can grow stronger connections to each other: To those who are actively involved, those we have been missing, and those who join us for the first time. Your thoughts on this matter are most welcome. 

Our vision statement describes where we believe God wants us to be as a church in a few years. We developed it after looking at Trinity's history, prayerfully reading Bible passages in all groups and meetings, gathering our community demographics and needs, and after several congregational meetings about Trinity's core values and mission. Find our vision statement here, as a text and video:
Your input was invaluable. 
May we now ask that you prayerfully consider how we grow into that vision together?

I'm looking forward to an exciting month here at Trinity Church!

With gratitude and hope,
Pastor Valeria
Pastor Valeria on Continuing Education May 7th - 13th
Pastor Valeria will be attending the Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders in Hartford, offered by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center. 
WORSHIP SERVICES ~ SUNDAYS, 10AM
Sunday May 6: Confirmation and Baptism, and Holy Communion

Sunday May 13: "Clothing Ourselves in Love," with Karyl Leslie as guest preacher and the bell choir

Sunday May 20: Pentecost and Improv Sunday with our worship band. Please wear red!

Sunday May 27: "Remember and Learn"
Open & Affirming Moment
by Denise & Ron Garrow-Pruitt
Why we think it's important that we are an open and affirming/welcoming and affirming congregation.
WORDS TO PONDER
"So much of workaholism is trying to do it all on our own and not inviting or allowing the Higher Force to come in and relieve some of the tension." 
Judith Orloff
Discussion Series
Discussion Series about Mental Illness and the Church
Six weeks ongoing - Starts Sunday, April 29th after worship
We invite you to read and discuss "Blessed Are the Crazy. Breaking the silence about mental illness, family & church" by Sarah Griffith Lund.

Sarah Griffith Lund takes the lid off mental illness in this raw, honest look at her father's battle with bipolar disorder, the helpless sense of a deja vu as her brother struggles with his own mental illness, and serving as a spiritual advisor for her cousin, a mentally ill man executed for murder. Through the challenges and despair, she shows how churches can be safe havens for people who have brain diseases and for their loved ones.
While this sounds dramatic and extreme, we have all encountered mental illness in our lives in one way or another. This six week study will touch on those issues but also on much more: Our image of God, and our own stories and how we testify to them. As we read, pray about and discuss a chapter each week and a corresponding Bible passage, we will build a strong spiritual community and a deeper connection to each other, and will foster compassion for those affected by mental illnesses.

If you were not able to attend the first session, you are welcome to join us on Sunday!

Please order your own copy of the book, available on paperback and Kindle. AMAZON LINK
OUTREACH
Trinity @ Worcester Fellowship
See you in June!
We need volunteers & donations! Worcester Fellowship makes lunches to donate and donations of food or small monetary amounts towards lunch supplies are welcome.

For more information please contact John at  johnposluszny@gmail.com
A Letter from Sue Pellerin of Worcester Fellowship:
Happy Spring - yes it truly is coming - from Worcester Fellowship! I am writing to our supporting churches and individuals about a few things and appreciate your time in spreading the word to members of your congregations and organizations:

1. We are in great need of white socks, mens and women's underwear, and toiletries. I am always happy to come pick up any donated items at church offices or they can be brought to our Thursday Cafe at All Saints Church on Thursdays from Noon to 4pm. 

2. We welcome guest Preachers at our Sunday Service to participate by preaching a sermon with the rest of the worship service led by our pastor(s). If you would like to join us on a Sunday, especially a Sunday where your church may be providing lunches just let me know! 

As always, we thank God every day for all of you who support our mission. 

Blessings,

Sue

Susan Pelleri​n, A dministrative Director 
Worcester Fellowship
Post Office Box 307
Marlborough, MA 01752
508-277-2421
Help Support a Cause the close to the heart of the Trinity Outreach Team!
Dismas Family Farm houses men in recovery who have been homeless and/or in prison. The residents take great pride in growing for the 35 acre Farm, and taking care of our farmers markets and our CSA. Our CSA offers participants the opportunity to purchase a "Share" of what's grown at the Farm for 20 weeks, with pick-up locations in Oakham, Worcester, and Westborough.

For more information, you can visit -  http://www.dismasisfamily.org/csa/ . Feedback has been very positive, so why not purchase vegetables locally and help men trying to turn their lives around rather than from a supermarket all summer?!
FROM OUR CHRISTIAN ED DIRECTOR
Faith Foundations

It has been such a great month in Faith Foundations! Lots of great discussions on Sunday mornings and the largest youth group of the year. The kids got to help with Worcester Fellowship lunches as they learned, we focused on some projects for Earth Day and two teams got to learn as they had fun competing to Escape to Earth. My conversation with the kids this Sunday has my mind spinning with all sorts of ideas for the fall with this great adventurous group of kids!

Be sure to check out the updated Youth portion of our website https://www.trinitynorthborough.org/children-youth as well as our new Instagram site https://www.instagram.com/trinitychurchyouth/ . More updates will continue to roll out and new pictures will be added.

Don’t forget we now have a great lending library for youth and teens upstairs!
Be sure to follow JC’s adventures by following the new Instagram site. He has had fun this month and would love to come visit your family! If you want JC, please email Pastor Valeria. By the way, he loves adults, too, so don't hesitate to sign up even if you don't have any kids in your household!


We need acolytes! Is your child in grade 4 or above? We would love for them to be involved! All that is required is to please be sure to be at Trinity by 9:50 on the Sunday you are volunteering. Use this link to pick a week(s). http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a084dafa92ca31-acolytes

Please use these next link to fill out a quick 5 question survey about your Faith Foundations expectations https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BH6Q8Q6



Applefest request
This year at Applefest I will be doing Blessing Bags with the community. As you travel around this summer please keep me in mind for all those extra unused toiletries that the hotel provides. I am also happy to start accepting donations of small waters, snack bars, crackers and socks. These bags will hopefully serve as a great outreach opportunity for Trinity as well as an example for the community of our involvement in outreach.
Youth Group Spring 2018

Final night this spring 6/10 7-9 OUTING
CAMPERSHIPS
2018 Campership Applications
Due: May 31st
Campership Applications are now available online, on the Youth bulletin board or in the church office.

Camp brochures can be seen here:

All campership applications should be returned to Pastor Valeria by May 31st.

Please speak with Pastor Valeria if you have any questions.
2018 College Scholarships
Scholarship Applications
DUE: Sunday May, 6th
Applications are available below, in the church office, and on the bulletin board across from the church office.
Application deadline to be returned to the Scholarship Committee by the first Sunday in May - May 6th. If you have questions, please contact Paul Pazareskis,  jopazz@charter.net

ALTAR FLOWERS
Altar Flowers Needed 2018 MAY flowers needed!! ALTAR FLOWER SIGNUP!
Trinity now has online sign-ups for altar flowers! We would appreciate your help signing up to take a Sunday. Please click on the link above or below and after you choose a date to bring altar flowers there is a comment section where you can add the blurb you would like written in the Sunday bulletin. Signup Genie will automatically send you an email reminder six days prior to the day you signed up to bring flowers.

The altar flower sign-ups are now linked on the Trinity website too!

EVENTS @ TRINITY
Mystery Dinner Theater
Saturday, May 5th
This Saturday, May 5 th  is our Mystery Dinner Theater fundraiser!  We still have a few tickets left but we due to final numbers being needed we will not sell tickets after 10am Wednesday morning.

Cost is $45 per ticket for the play and dinner. Purchase tickets from either Nancy Robbins (after church on Sundays) or Emily during office hours.  

Please see either Fran Hemstreet or Linda Corbett is you are interested. Linda.corbett@earthbrands.com / fhemstreet@gmail.com.
 
We hope to hear from you!
Saturday Breakfast Fellowship
 (Topic: TBD)
 Saturday, May 19th 8am
I hope you will join us on the 19th for fellowship and conversation.

As usual, we will start with breakfast and follow with fellowship and discussion.

For more information or to add yourself to the Saturday Breakfast Fellowship email list, please contact Tom Danforth at  tomdan4@gmail.com
Coffee House - Open Mic Friday, May 18th at 7pm
Please join the Coffee House for open mic Friday, May 18th at 7pm.

We invite you to come enjoy talented musicians performing a variety of music. You may even hear some poetry recitation. Coffee and refreshments will be served with a suggested donation.

BYOM (Bring Your Own Mug). A $5 per person donation will be accepted at the door ($10 max family).

Please contact Janet Robbins for more information, thirdfloorcoffeehouse@gmail.com
Celebrating our Long Time Members
Sunday, June 3 during Worship
Trinity Church would not be what it is today without its faithful members.

We will be recognizing our long time members in worship, with a luncheon to follow.

If you've been a member for 25 years or more please look for an invitation in the mail soon.
The congregation is invited to celebrate with us!

If you'd like to stay for lunch, please RSVP with the church office by Friday, May 25.

Emily (508) 393-8156 or trinitychurchnboro@gmail.com
Ongoing Events at Trinity
Saturday Morning Hiking 9:30am - Our informal Trinity Church Hiking Club has started back up! We meet at the church at 9:30am and walk on one of the many Northborough trails. Everyone is welcome (dogs included). To receive weekly notifications via email please contact Wade Robbins at robbinsfam105@gmail.com. Please consider joining us for a time of nature appreciation and conversation.

Grief Support Group - Come support and share with others who experienced loss. A Grief Support group is held the first Tuesday of each month, 7:30pm in Room 105. Next meeting date is May 1st. All ages are welcome. If you have questions, please contact Carey Rublesky, 774-258-1814.

Community Meal - Join us each Wednesday, 6pm in the Fellowship Hall. The meals are free but donations toward the voucher fund are accepted. Each Wednesday at 6pm there is a new community group hosting the meal. Please join us!

Thrift Shop - Count Your Blessings Thrift Shop at Trinity Church is open every Tuesday 10am - 3pm and Saturday 10am - 1pm. Gently used clothing and shoes for all genders and sizes! Infant to plus sizes available. Donations of clothing and shoes are welcome, please drop off any donations during thrift shop hours or church office hours (see below). Give us a review on Google!

Coleman House Service - Let's bring church to those who can no longer come to us! Help with singing and serving Communion is always needed and appreciated. Tuesday, May 15th from 2:30 - 3:30pm.
Festive Breads w/Pastor Valeria
Pastor Valeria is at Festive Breads every Wednesday from 8:30 - 10am except May 9th and looks forward to your visit! Festive Breads is located at  299 W Main St  in Northborough, near Romaine's.
IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS


~ Anyone affected by mental illness.

If you know of someone who is hospitalized, ill, suffering from the loss of a loved one, or troubled in some way and in need of a pastoral call, please call Pastor Valeria at the church office, 508-393-8156.
Online Church Directory
Are you interested in being added to the online church directory?
Please use the instructions HERE to add yourself and your family to the Trinity Church online database.


If you need any assistance connecting to the online directory please contact Emily in the church office: (508) 393-8156 or trinitychurchnboro@gmail.com
We need your HELP!!
Help us get the word out about Trinity Church!
Are you on Facebook? If so, we need your help to spread the word about Trinity Church and all the wonderful things we do here.

1) Please consider inviting your friends to "Like" the Trinity Church of Northborough page. @Trinitychurchnorthborough

2) If you see an event posted at Trinity Church please click "Interested". Did you know every time you click "interested" on an event your friends are notified? This will help spread the word about events happening at Trinity Church.

I received a call from Google Maps letting me know that Trinity Church is number two on the Google maps search! The person I spoke to was very impressed that in such a short time we had moved to the top! Thank you to everyone who helped make that happen with reviews and photos! Now let's see if we can increase our following on Facebook with your help!
Did you know your shopping can earn Trinity money?
Shop at your convenience all year! iGive Website
Trinity Church is set up as a charity on iGive! Please consider downloading the app or shopping through the iGive site and a percentage of your purchase will be sent to Trinity Church! This does not cost you any extra money, the donation comes from the stores you already shop at.

Please consider shopping through iGive to help support Trinity.

Trinity is on Amazon Smile!
You shop. Amazon gives.
  • Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.
  • AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
  • Support your charitable organization by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com
Review us on Google!
Help us get the word out about Trinity Church and its ministries!

Review us on Google:  REVIEW TRINITY
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Annual Basket Raffle
Friday, April 27th - Saturday, May 12th MORE INFO
Northborough Public Library
The Friends of the Library will be holding their Annual Basket Raffle Friday, April 27th - Saturday, May 12th. Stop by the lobby and take your chance on a beautiful basket and help support the library. Proceeds from this event are used to pay for books and materials, museum passes, children's programs and many other items. 


Trinity Church put together a "spiritual first aid" for the library basket raffle. Support your local library!
Do you know of a community event you would like to have listed here?
Please contact Emily Donovan in the church office to have your event added. trinitychurchnboro@gmail.com or (508) 393-8156
Free Concert at Trinity Church Northborough: A Cello, 2 Cats, and a Fiddle
Saturday, May 5th at 3pm MORE INFO
Welcome Spring with an escape from your busy week. Enjoy a rousing hour of violin/cello duos; Labeeby Servatius, Violin and Matt Capobianco, Cello. F eaturing the music of: Händel-Halvorsen,Bohuslav Martinu, and Maurice Ravel.

Raising a Happy Child Workshop
Tuesday, May 8th 6:30pm to 8pm REGISTER
Northborough Public Library
Happiness is a gift we give ourselves and our children. Too often we hope it finds us or we pursue it in places or ways it will never be found. Together, we will be introduced to the pursuit of happiness for our children: defining it, examining attributes that lead to it and applying ways to behave that achieve it. Facilitated by Jeannine Fitzgerald, founder of The Fitzgerald Institute. Sponsored by the YMCA Family and Community Partnership. Childcare is not available for this workshop. CONTACT:  Children's Services Staff  508-393-5025 x.4   childrens@northboroughlibrary.org LOCATION: Meeting Room

Westborough Community Chorus Presents: Musical America
May 18 & 19 at 8pm and May 20 at 2pm MORE INFO
Join us for Songs that celebrate the wonder and beauty of our country:
Shenandoah, Old Cape Cod, Tennessee Waltz, Oklahoma, New York New York, I left my Heart in San Francisco, Mississippi Mud and many, many more. Admission is $9 for Seniors/ Children and $12 for the general public. Proceeds to benefit music scholarships for children.

33rd Annual Walk for the Homeless
Sunday, May 20th at 2pm (Registration opens at 1pm) MORE INFO
Elm Park Worcester
Over the 32 year history of the WALK for the Homeless, over 20,000 people have walked a total of 76,000 miles to raise over $1.9 million to move families from homelessness to safe, quality housing.
Join us now to lead the way home for thousands of Worcester County residents.
  • Registration begins at 1:00
  • WALK begins at 2:00 pm, rain or shine
  • Join us after the WALK for food and live music provided by the Chuck & Mud Band!
Deadline Date ~ JUNE Tidings
Please be sure to have all your info for the March issue of Tidings in to the church office by Sunday, May 27, 2017. Your help is appreciated!


TRINITY CHURCH
23 Main Street ~ Northborough, MA 01532
(508) 393-8156

Office Hours:
Monday 9am - Noon & 1pm - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 1pm
Wedesnday 9am - 10:30am & 11:30am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - Noon & 1pm - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm


Rev. Valeria Schmidt, Sr. Pastor





Trinity Church is an Open & Affirming / Welcoming & Affirming Congregation

Trinity Church's mission is to fill its people with the love of God
and share God's love in all the world.