Palm Sunday, April 5

Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week, the week we focus on Jesus' way to the cross. Palm leaves will be available at Trinity starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday. They will be outside the parking lot door in a bucket of water. One per household, please. Feel free to take one for your neighbors or friends.  Please wash or sanitize your hands after handling the palm leaves.

We invite you to be prepared do a mini Palm Sunday procession in your neighborhood on Sunday at 10 a.m. 

Please look for an email on Friday with more information about Sunday worship and Faith Foundations. We are currently working on improving the technical side of our worship streaming.

Don't have Facebook? Don't worry, you can still view the live service from any device by following this link:  https://www.facebook.com/Trinitychurchnorthborough/          

A step-by-step tutorial on how to access facebook Live, click  HERE

Replay on Verizon channel 31 and Charter channel 191

Sundays (previous week's) at 6pm and Thursdays at 8:30am. 

Emily is here to help you. If you need technical assistance please email her at  [email protected]  or call her (508) 614-8989 during virtual office hours and she will walk you through each step.

Dear Trinity Friends,

It's hard for me to find the right words right now. It's hard to know what you may need. 

My motto has become: "Simplify." We have been forced to simplify our lives in many ways - and yet in other ways, they are more complicated. 

But, many of us have returned to a more simple way of living. Instead of going out to eat, we cook. Instead of going to the movies, we watch old favorites. Instead of going to Apex, we do a game night with our family. Instead of driving somewhere for a big event, we go for a walk or bike ride. And we are picking up the phone more, calling friends and relatives that we haven't talked to in a long time. We're checking in on our neighbors, offering help. 

That can't be a bad thing. It's good for our health (physical and mental), and it's good for the environment. I'm not denying all the negative effects COVID-19 is having on our lives: people we care about are getting sick. Some of us are losing pay. You may not be able to visit elderly family members, or be visited by family and friends. This is all horrible, scary, and very troubling.

But, I am trying to focus on the positive! What can we learn from this? Do we have more time now for things that really matter? Our kids who are used to being over-scheduled with school and sports, are they bored all of a sudden? Remember being bored as a kid? That leads to creativity. Kids need to take initiative and find something to occupy themselves with. They play outside. Maybe they do some kind of art or craft project. Maybe they write or draw an old-fashioned letter! That can't be a bad thing.

What are the positive effects you are seeing?

What are you learning?

What are you grateful for? 

Write it down. Share it on Facebook, send it in an email, tell your spouse or a friend. Share the positive. We all need it desperately right now. 

And look forward to Easter. We will celebrate Easter. We don't know how yet, but we will. 

We will celebrate life after death, healing after suffering, joy after sorrow, hope after despair.

We will celebrate that God is stronger than anything in this world. Any virus, any disease, any stress or pain. God is stronger.

Jesus says, "Heaven and earth may pass away, but my words will not pass away." (Mark 13:31)

I've been hearing from a few people that they are praying more, tapping into their faith more, connecting with Jesus more. And it gives them strength. I highly recommend you do the same. Hand all of your burdens and stresses to God. And expect to feel lighter, more hopeful, and more grateful. 

I am here, as your pastor, even if I can't come to visit or you can't come to worship. 

Please call or email me if there is any kind of support you may need (spiritual, emotional, or financial), and I will get back to you as soon as I can. 

Let's pray for each other, and for our hurting world.

God bless you, my friends.

Warmly,

Pastor Valeria.

Read a transcript of Pastor Valeria and Mike Westberry's

conversation from last Sunday here: READ HERE

“ Remember: If it isn’t about love, it isn’t about God." Michael Curry

Hi everyone. The following is what I am doing during Lent this year. I am following the Lenten calendar journey which was given to us before Lent. The calendar gives scripture readings and challenges us to think about things such as the environment and social justice. There are many topics leading up to Good Friday and Easter. I am also keeping a journal during Lent. This is a nice way for me to give extra thought and reflection about my faith. I’ve given up soda for Lent as my Lenten sacrifice. I am thinking about ways to improve my contributions to society. Nancy and I have decided to drink only fair trade coffee at home. We plan to make this a permanent change in our lives. Another thing I’m doing is carrying in my pocket, the blue stone which was given to us on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. The stone is a reminder of our baptism and confirmation. Whenever I come across the stone, I think about Jesus and my faith. No matter what situation I am in at the time, the stone helps me feel more relaxed and at peace. I have several notes in my journal about how I am stepping out of my comfort zone. We are asked to do this quite often at Trinity Church. This is a good thing to help us grow in our faith.

John Posluszny

The Pastor-Parish Relations Committee is utilizing this community down-time to strengthen our communication skills at Trinity by reading the book "Crucial Conversations - Tools for Talking when Stakes are High." We are trying to develop the techniques we need to interact respectfully and honestly as disciples of Jesus. We've seen a lot of growth in many ways, which invariably leads to change, and change can easily lead to conflict. It is our hope to develop a covenant that will summarize the best of what we learn. Once completed, this Behavioral Covenant will be presented to the Deacons and to the congregation to be accepted and voted on. We will then strive to hold each other accountable and remind each other of our covenant, to the benefit of our community as a whole, and each of us as individuals.  

Barbara Baker, Julie Cedrone, Wade Robbins

Faith Foundations

As I have been connecting with the kids on Zoom for our Faith Foundations one of the things I have heard is a desire for more connection. I have come up with a calendar of activities to hopefully give all the kids more connection with each other. They are also forming google hangouts with each other and all playing on one Minecraft Server. If your kids would like to be connected to these please email me.

I realize we are all adjusting to a new normal...if any of this does not make sense please email me. Also willing to offer technical help with Zoom (it is a free program).

  [email protected]  or 508-254-2217

Know that I am here for your families and if there is something you feel would be helpful for you or your kids I would love to hear about it!

All zoom meetings will use this link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8972120330

Explanation and things you need for games:

Box of Lies -- each person who comes to your Zoom meeting would bring the “weirdest” thing they can find in their house and keep it out of sight of their camera. Then, each person will take a turn describing their object (either lying or telling the truth – they decide). Everyone else holds up either a “thumbs up” for telling the truth or a “thumbs down” for lying. Then the person who was it shows their object, and you can keep points on how many people were right or wrong about the person lying or telling the truth.

Mafia- I need RSVPs in order to send out roles. The basic concept is that members of the dreaded mafia have infiltrated our community and we, as concerned citizens, need to root them out.

Partner’s in Pen- Everyone grab a piece of paper, and also some random object from their house. (Nothing too familiar, but something that is mildly obscure.) Then, each person takes a turn describing their hidden item while everyone else tries to draw it from their description they give. The person who is closest wins, and gets to describe their hidden item next.

Reverse Charades -One person is “it” while everyone else acts out a word.

Home Scavenger Hunt- Random items will be chosen that you need to go find in your home and be back in time.

Harry Potter Trivia - Team trivia all related to Harry Potter

Activity Directions:

Cross Challenge- Do this project at your home and send pictures to [email protected] so that I can share them on the Trinity Website and spread some joy!

How to:

Use painter’s tape to outline the pattern. Then, open Washable finger paint and paint each shape the color you want. **This can also be done on your sidewalk or walkway in sidewalk chalk using painters tape***

Bringing a little happiness to our world right now!

🐣 HAPPY EASTER! 🐣

If you do not have the supplies email me and I will deliver some :-)

Write your senior buddy- we have seniors in our Trinity community that would love a penpal. Please email me for one of their addresses.

GSA Link

The Link that Connects

The GSA Link is a project connecting local GSA high school and middle students to collaborate, share ideas, and socialize in a SAFE space. LGBT and allied high school students are welcome.

Middle School Virtual Link Up! https://www.facebook.com/events/1278622175669344/

High School Virtual Link Up! https://www.facebook.com/events/930364390725387/

For more information please contact:

Melissa at [email protected] or 508-735-1267

We are working on our Holy Week and Easter services. It is difficult to plan anything at this point. Please look for an email next week.

Good Friday will happen virtually on April 10 at 7 pm.

Easter Sunrise service has been cancelled.

Easter Celebration service will happen on Sunday at 10 a.m., but not in the Sanctuary. We are currently working on the logistics of "where" and "how."

During the school closure, the Nutrition 68 program was able to provide a large box of food for approximately 30 students in grades K-8. The partnership with the Northborough Rotary Club and the quick mobilization of volunteers helped to make this happen in a very short amount of time. 

Because of the amount of food packed, the Nutrition 68 supply is starting to get low. The Nutrition 68 program is accepting monetary donations to purchase further food supplies to support Northborough students. If interested in making a donation, please make the payment and mailing to:

Nutrition 68 

Rotary Club of Northborough

Box 651

Northborough, MA 01532

Northborough Food Pantry

While we are not worshiping in person please consider making a financial donation to the Northborough Food Pantry. You may also want to check if your employer will match your donation.

MORE INFO about the food pantry

If you need help or are willing to offer help with getting groceries, running errands, etc., please contact Donna Miller at [email protected] or 774-276-2356.

Sir Loin Catering at 369 W. Main St in Northborough  is offering free pre-cooked, packaged entrees available for anybody in need. They are available for pickup or delivery in the Northborough area on Tuesday and Thursday each week until donations run out. The local support has been overwhelming and it is so great to do our share to help in the community. Email or call Susan to pre-order meals.

Susan Orchard 

[email protected]

508-450-5619

ANNOUNCING THE NORTHBOROUGH COMMUNITY AID HOTLINE AT (508) 425-4725

The Community Aid hotline is staffed by an online support team of local volunteers ready to help community members during the ever-changing landscape of COVID-19 and social distancing.

Our mission is to connect callers to the right resources, conduct wellness check-in calls upon request, and share information on how to access food and other community resources. The hotline is available 7 days a week, between the hours of 8am-6pm.

Please note, volunteers are equipped to answer basic questions about available community resources. They are not qualified to give medical or legal advice. Should your needs exceed the services provided by the Hotline, the volunteers will encourage you to seek the advice of a qualified professional.

FACEBOOK SUPPORT GROUP

"Power & Purpose" is a support group for those who suffer from Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Chronic Pain or Illness. These, and other afflictions are sometimes referred to as "Invisible Disabilities", and those suffering often live isolated and marginalized lives.

The Power & Purpose of this group is to bring people together, share personal experiences, edify one another, as we strive to heal ourselves on the inside, and begin to live more confidently, on the outside.

There is a plan to offer weekly, live support groups via video conferencing. One which will be topical in that the meeting will be created around a specific topic, and another that will be for open discussion. The timeline for this plan is still uncertain. But the goal will be to begin these groups within weeks. 

This group is meant to remain small to promote camaraderie, trust, personal reflection, growth & healing. Of course "small" in the world of social media takes on whole new meaning. With that in mind, the number to cap this group is yet to be determined, and suggestions are always welcome. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/powerpurposenow/   

For more information please contact Donna Miller at [email protected]

Managing Stress in This Anxious Time

https://newpaltz.edu/media/idmh/covid-19/IDMH%20COVID19%20Community%20Stress%20Management%20Tip%20Sheet%202020%20Final.pdf    

Six Self-Care Practices That Don't Cost a Thing

http://www.doubtingbeliever.com/2020/03/17/six-self-care-practices-that-dont-cost-a-thing/    

Pastor Valeria will be on vacation from April 13 - 15 and 22 - 26. For pastoral emergencies please contact Rev. Lee Atherton at 508-308-7116.

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.

https://trinitynorthborough.ctrn.co/directory/

If you need any assistance connecting to the online directory please contact the church office:

(508) 393-8156 or [email protected]

~ Everyone affected physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially by COVID-19.

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.

CANCELLED:

Pastor Valeria will be at Inhouse Coffee on Wednesday mornings from 8:30am to 10am. Inhouse is located at 17 West Main Street. She's looking forward to seeing you and making more connections to local businesses, and to people who live and work in Northborough. She will talk to anyone, not just members of Trinity. Help us spread the word! 

CANCELLED: Community Meal

CANCELLED: Coleman House Service

CLOSED: Count Your Blessings Thrift Shop

Deadline Date ~ May Tidings

Please be sure to have all your info for the May Tidings in to the church office by Sunday, April 26, 2020. Your help is appreciated!