Volume 74 - No. 1 | January 2022
JANUARY TIDINGS

Worship on Sunday, January 2, 2022 @10:00am
“What does the Lord require of you"

Join us as our own Dave Chin tells us about the experiences of his father, Joe Fong Chin, as a young
immigrant in the United States. Don’t miss this inspiring story!

The service will also be live streamed to Facebook.

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

Have your Bible, a candle and lighter ready and create a worshipful space, maybe with a cross, a nice tablecloth, or other devotional items that are meaningful to you.

Replay on Verizon channel 31 and Charter channel 191
Sundays (previous week's) at 6pm and Thursdays at 8:30am. 

Rita is here to help you. If you need technical assistance please email her at trinitychurchnboro@gmail.com or call her (508) 393-8156 and she will walk you through each step.



Coffee Hour
Sundays after Worship
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022
MESSAGE FROM PASTOR VALERIA
Congratulations, you have survived another year of the pandemic! If that sounds a little jaded, I guess I am. In German, we call this "Galgenhumor" - gallows humor. Some situations are so dire, the only way to handle them is with humor.

We all have long lists of grievances about COVID-19 and what it has done to us, or taken from us. I've decided I will leave my list in 2021 and start the new year with a clean slate, a new page in the chapter of the book that is my life.

I'm blessed and grateful to have shared this year with you, and for meaningful encounters with you, whether in person, in writing, over the phone, or virtually. The way many of you have stayed connected to each other in manifold ways has been a source of inspiration and comfort.

Now, onward and upward. We keep moving forward. Where, when, how, we don't know. All we know is we are walking this journey together, as God's children, and we are in solidarity and support of each other, including the entire global human family.

My Spiritual Direction program is teaching me to let go of the little things that cause stress, frustration, and anxiety, and to focus on what really matters: my relationship with God, and with other human beings. So I ask myself, how is God present for me in this moment? How is God present for other people - the ones close to me, the ones I may have issues with, or who have issues with me, and the ones I've never even met? That always shifts my perspective. I can still love God and my fellow human beings, with a mask on, while keeping a distance, even when having to cancel trips, events or gatherings. God's love can spread through a computer screen, through a hand-written note, through a silent prayer.

It's hard to remain positive, joyful, energetic. I feel you. I feel it myself.
But what I also feel is God's love. God's love in me, in you, in creation, in music, in comfort food, in favorite places, in furry friends, in hot chocolate with marshmallows, in twinkling lights, in a warm bed... [add yours here.]

That's all we have, my friends, is God's love. It's all we have.
And it's all we need.

Here's to a new year. Another year in God's favor.
God bless us, everyone!

Warmly, Pastor Valeria.

Thank you for your generous and loving Christmas gifts! I was humbled and moved by them
PASTOR VALERIA ON VACATION
Pastor Valeria will be on vacation through January 9. In case of a pastoral emergency please contact Rev. Lee Atherton at 508-308-7116 or Lee@coachrev.com
WORSHIP SERVICES
Sunday, January 9
With guest preacher Rev. Mar Imsong, Executive Director of Massachusetts Baptist Multicultural Ministries

Sunday, January 16
Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr., with the ONA and Social Justice Teams
FROM THE SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM
A Special Event

Why is there such a dramatic rise in hate crimes against Asians in America?

Answers may be gleaned from past Asian American history, and also from today’s events! Join us for presentations on Sunday, January 16 and 23, 2022 at 1:00PM on Zoom. Each presentation will have 30 minutes of video, followed by 45 minutes of small group discussion.

Use the Zoom link below to join the meeting on Jan 16th and 23rd.

Dave Chin, Social Justice Team

Topic: Asian American Discussion
Time: Jan 16, 2022 01:00 PM
    Jan 23, 2022 01:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86535952459

Meeting ID: 865 3595 2459
Passcode: 563184
One tap mobile
+19294362866,,86535952459# US (New York)
+13017158592,,86535952459# US (Washington DC)
LOOKING FOR AN ASSISTANT TREASURER
Do you have a background in finance or accounting or an interest in these areas? Are you looking for a new way to apply that knowledge or interest, or gain practical experience? Trinity has a great volunteer opportunity in the role of Assistant Treasurer that we are looking to fill starting in February 2022. The Assistant Treasurer collaborates with the Treasurer to maintain the church’s records of receipts and disbursements, disburse funds, manage the church’s funds, and generate financial reports. The position is performed from home using our online accounting system and basic spreadsheet software. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact Pete Carlsen at rp.carlsen@verizon.net
ANNUAL MEETING
Please join us for Trinity Church’s Annual Meeting on Sunday, Jan 30th , at 11:00am in Fellowship Hall. You may also join by Zoom with this log on:

Trinity Church Annual Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89948308149
Meeting ID: 899 4830 8149
Passcode: 898970
One tap mobile

+13017158592,,89948308149# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,89948308149# US (Chicago)
THE OUTREACH TEAM
Update on Northboro’s Neighborhood Support Team -- A coming together of people across Northboro to welcome and support a family from Afghanistan.

Our Outreach Team is spearheading an effort to form a Northboro Neighborhood Support Team to sponsor a family from Afghanistan. As of December 7th about 34,000 Afghan evacuees were still living on seven military bases in the United States, with as many as 1000 people anticipating resettlement in Massachusetts. Under the guidance of the non-profit WelcomeNST and Ascentria Care Alliance, we have applied to be a refuge family sponsor.

In order to be chosen as a sponsor, we must provide the following:
1.) Identify a team of at least 20 individuals who will help the family with social services, assist with health care coordination, education and employment.
2.) Raise $10,000 in financial support for the family for the first six months,
3.) Identify affordable housing.

We have reached out to other churches and community groups to make this a community project. Currently we have 21 people who have expressed an interest, with representatives from First Parish, St. Rose, Northboro Junior Women’s Club, and Northboro Helping Hands.

John Posluszny and Mary Robbins are co-chairing this project. Please contact John (johnposluszny@gmail.com) if you would like more information.

Dates to Remember
We will be providing Worcester Fellowship Sunday worship service lunches on: Feb 20, Apr 17, and Jun 19, and lunches for Thursday Café on Jan 27, Mar 24, May 12.
FROM OUR CHRISTIAN ED DIRECTOR
The New Year will bring a return to normal for Faith Foundations. We will start the morning in the sanctuary for service and then be dismissed upstairs after the children's portion. Masks and social distancing will continue on the 3rd floor. We will also continue with our Faith Books and use the first Sunday of January to create some fun vision boards.

December ended with the Christmas Play. The kids/teens all did a fantastic job with our hybrid people/puppet play!
Next month we will be going bowling on Sunday, January 29th at 5:00pm. Please rsvp to Sherry at trinitycenorthboro@gmail.com so that she can make appropriate reservations.
We are in need of teachers and assistant teachers. Sherry preps all the material and sends it to teachers to preview before Sunday. If you can help please email her at trinitycenorthboro@gmail.com It is a wonderful way to spend some time with our youth and cultivate intergenerational relationships.
Reminders: Please be sure to go online and fill out all the necessary forms for your child(ren) to participate in our programs. https://www.trinitynorthborough.org/children-youth-forms

BREAKFAST FELLOWSHIP
Breakfast Fellowship - January 15, 2022

The third Saturday of each month (October - May)
8:30am - 10:00am Fellowship Hall
Breakfast followed by discussion

All are welcome and I hope you join us!

For more information or to add yourself to the Saturday Breakfast Fellowship email list, please contact me at johnposluszny@gmail.com.
ONGOING EVENTS @ TRINITY
Zoom Bible Study
Mondays @ 1pm
Have you ever wanted to delve into the Bible and talk with others about how it really pertains to today's life? Zoom Bible Study will resume Mondays at 1pm starting Sept 13th. All are welcome. Contact Jean Leif (jhleif@gmail.com) for the Zoom link.
Count Your Blessings Thrift Shop
The thrift shop is open on Saturdays and Wednesdays from 10am - 2pm
The thrift shop is accepting gently used shoes and clothing donations
Pastor Valeria at Brilla Coffee Wednesdays at 9:30am - EXCEPT 1/5/2022
Pastor Valeria is resuming her Wednesday morning coffee chat. Brilla Coffee (formerly known as Inhouse Coffee) is located at 17 West Main St in Northborough. This is an opportunity to gather in an informal setting, and to show our presence in the community.
Coffee or Tea on Zoom Wednesdays at 9:00am
Chat on Zoom, Wednesdays at 9am.
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/954033518

Meeting ID: 954 033 518
Password: 569713

Dial by your location
+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 954 033 518

Rita is here to help you. If you need technical assistance please email her at trinitychurchnboro@gmail.com or call her (508) 393-8156 during office hours.
SUPPORT TRINITY
Give to Trinity Church
These are challenging times for many. If you are not financially impacted by the current situation we ask you to prayerfully consider increasing your support to Trinity Church, to make up for those who cannot meet their pledge, so we may continue to do God's work through Trinity Church. Thank you for your faithful, generous giving! 

Please make your checks payable and mail them to Trinity Church: 23 Main St, Northborough, MA 01532
 
You can also use “bill pay” and have your bank mail a check to us on a regular schedule set up by you, at no cost.
 
Did you know your shopping can earn Trinity money?
Shop at your convenience all year!   
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.

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 Trinity Church by choosing it as your charitable organization at smile.amazon.com 
WORSHIP VIDEOS
Watch Sunday's worship using the link below. You do not need to have a Facebook account to view this video!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and watch a
selection of Pastor Valeria's sermons and our worship music.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Community Meal Take-Out

We have resurrected Community Meals but in a to-go manner and we need your help.   

We will be ordering $5 meals from local food establishments and distributing them to our community meals guests to-go, every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Trinity Church. Various organizations have committed to monetary donations for these entrees. 

But, you can't have a meal without servers, water and dessert. We are looking for volunteers to sign up to donate a case of water or 2 dozen individually wrapped desserts and/or stand in the parking lot and deliver the meals to guests in their parked cars. All guidelines of social distancing will be observed. 

If you are interested in helping, please see the available opportunities and sign up here: 

To donate towards the purchase of meals, please make your checks out to "Helping Hands Association" with "Community Meal" on the memo line, and mail them to Northborough Helping Hands, P.O. Box 383, Northborough, 01532.  

** Curbside Community Meals Sign up 10/6-12/15/21
Annual Northborough Christmas Tree Pickup

Boy Scout Troop 101, sponsored by Trinity Church, is sponsoring its annual town-wide Christmas tree pickup. This is the 19th year of the fundraiser. The town-wide Annual Christmas Tree Removal sponsored by Troop 101 will take place on Saturday, January 8, 2022.

This service provides Northborough residents an easy and environmentally-friendly method of disposing of their Christmas trees while helping to fund the troop activities. The Scouts will pick up your tree on Saturday, January 8th, 2022.which should give a successful collection of over 500 trees.

To be added to our pick-up route, simply sign up and pay before Friday, January 7, 2022 by 5 PM (or call 508-281-9972 and leave your information). Then just leave your tree near the curb before 8:30 AM on Saturday, January 8th, 2022. Cost is $10.00 per tree.

Sign Up and PAY ON-LINE at https://scoutsales.org/?560.6.1499

Feel free to inform your friends and neighbors of this service. Please note: pickup is only available in the town of Northborough.

Questions? Email: Nborotroop101Treepickup@gmail.com or call 508-281-9972.

Thank you for your continued support of Troop 101.
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 the church office:
(508) 393-8156 or trinitychurchnboro@gmail.com
IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
~ Everyone who is missing a loved one, especially during the holidays.
~ Everyone who is currently in cancer treatment.
~ Everyone affected physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially by COVID-19.
~ Nursing home residents, their families, and staff.
~ All first responders, health care workers, grocery workers and anyone who is working on the front lines. 

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.
Deadline for February 2022 Tidings
Please be sure to have all your info for the February Tidings in to the church office by Monday January 24, 2022.
TRINITY CHURCH
23 Main Street
Northborough, MA 01532
(508) 393-8156

Office Hours:

Monday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 3pm
Tuesday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 3pm
Wednesday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 3pm
Thursday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 3pm
Friday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 3pm

Rev. Valeria Schmidt, Sr. Minister


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.