Volume 73 - No. 6 | June 2021 |
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Worship on Sunday, June 6 @ 10am:
Rev. Lee Atherton with Communion
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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.
Please have a piece of bread (or crackers, chips or cookie) and cup of juice (or water, tea or coffee) ready for Communion.
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.
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MESSAGE FROM REV. ATHERTON
PART I
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Dear Friends,
Pentecost is the sudden and powerful arrival of the Holy Spirit in and around the disciples and their friends gathered together in Jerusalem. Here is what happened according to the second chapter of Acts:
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? [Acts 2: 2-8]
This was a major turning point for the church. The Holy Spirit arrived in a new powerful way and continues to be present in us today. Christina Sines writes: “As the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples, the barriers of language and culture were broken down – not so that everyone thought and looked the same, but so that everyone understood each other in their own language and culture. In God’s new kingdom culture we don’t become an amorphous lump of homogeneity, but learn to appreciate and respect our differences.”
In this United States of (Anxiety as I recently aptly heard it called) we have been battling dual pandemics that were both deadly and extremely stressful. Covid19 swept through the world and impacted us in ways we never could have imagined, nor from which we will quickly recover. Since the first case appeared more than a year ago our country has been divided on the appropriate response of treatment, cures, and reopening. There were lockdowns. We were told to stay in our homes for weeks and then months. Businesses closed – many permanently. We were suddenly scrambling for how to do church! Some people protested that our right to express our religion should not be denied – even if it meant risking lives. Others protested that we had to put the lives of those at risk above our right to worship in person. Some theologians suggested yet another perspective. Maybe God was trying to urge the world to slow down. Be still and listen for the still small voice to speak God's wisdom to our hearts.
At the same time another pandemic was roaring its ugly head. The injustice of racism swirled through the country like the cyclone in the Wizard of Oz. No one can deny that the death of George Floyd sparked outrage, and the response was passionate and vast. The Holy Spirit, the Ruach, the Flames of Fire gave people courage to raise their voices and demand something better for this world! We can no longer accept the status quo.
Jesus told us that God would send the Holy Spirit to help all disciples: those who were closest to Jesus in his lifetime; those who experienced this great event; and everyone since – including you and me – to speak truth to the world. The Holy Spirit forever ties us to the grace and love of God.
Wherever we see injustice, we are duty-bound to raise our voices against it: to be the hands and feet of our Great Teacher Jesus and spread agape love through all we do and all whose paths we cross.
Let us go forth into this world exuding the light of God because the winds of the Spirit strengthen us. Protest from the highest mountaintops to the deepest valleys where people are hurting.
We don’t need a wizard or a magician to guide us back to our true selves, to our home, like Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion! We already know – deep in our hearts – that we are loved by God and our mission is to spread that love to the ends of the earth.
In Love and the Fight for Justice,
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PS – Read my question about imagery later in the newsletter. It is what I sat down to write to you before the Holy Spirit said, “Nope, that’s not the message I want you to give!” |
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WORSHIP SERVICES ~ SUNDAYS, 10AM |
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Sunday, June 6: Rev. Lee Atherton with Communion
Sunday, June13: Children's Sunday - In the parking lot
Sunday, June 20: Guest speaker Rev. Dr. Audrey Price, Executive Minister for Strategic Operations, SNECUCC
Sunday, June 27: Noelle Dattilo, Taize service
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Coffee Hour before worship
on Zoom @ 9:30am
Meeting ID: 861 4930 6259
Password: 201552
Meeting Link:
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"We don’t need a wizard or a magician to guide us back to our true selves, to our home, like Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion! We already know – deep in our hearts – that we are loved by God and our mission is to spread that love to the ends of the earth." -Rev Lee Atherton |
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BUILDING REOPENING PLAN UPDATE |
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Trinity Church’s leadership has been busy working on plans for reopening our building. Our goal is to reopen as soon as possible, but in a timeframe that does not place anyone unnecessarily at risk.
June 1st Group Meeting Reopening: On June 1st, the building is being reopened and made available for all group meetings. We understand that some groups may choose not to resume meetings in the building at this time, in particular youth groups whose members have not yet been fully vaccinated. We ask that group members who have not been vaccinated wear masks and practice social distancing. Please contact the church office at [email protected] or call 508-393-8156 to reserve your meeting day, time, and location.
June 20th Meeting Room and Kitchen Rentals Reopening: The church office will resume taking reservations for such rentals on June 1st for dates beginning June 20th.
September Resumption of Worship in the Sanctuary: We are planning to resume in-person Sunday worship in the Sanctuary in early September. In the meantime, worship will continue to be broadcast live on Facebook and sometimes held simultaneously in-person outside.
We thank you for your patience during these challenging times. Please contact the church office with any questions at [email protected] or call 508-393-8156.
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Saturday Breakfast Fellowship - On Zoom
Saturday, June 5th @ 9am
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June is typically the last month for Breakfast Fellowship before we break for the summer. So, I want to go out with a bang. Recently, the Israelis and the Palestinians have been fighting over Jerusalem -- again. I want to talk about that, some of the history, and what the Bible has to say about it. I don’t have the topic fully developed yet so please stay tuned for more information.
With that introduction, we will only be meeting one time in June, on the 5th. More information about the topic will be coming next week.
I hope to see you on the 5th.
For more information or to add yourself to the Saturday Breakfast Fellowship email list, please contact Tom Danforth at [email protected]
Tom
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Worcester Fellowship
Sunday, June 20th
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Our upcoming date for providing lunch is June 20th. We welcome everyone’s support. The lunches include sandwiches, fruit, granola bars, juice boxes, water bottles and pudding. If you would like to participate with financial gifts, to help make lunches, and/or deliver lunches and attend the worship please contact Savannah, [email protected] or John, ([email protected]).
Thank you!
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Honoring Our Graduates - Parking Lot Service
Sunday, June 13th @ 10am
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We will be honoring our graduates at our next parking lot service on June 13. If you have a family member who is graduating, please let the church office know their name, school they are graduating from, career plans or college they will be attending next year, and degree and major (for college graduates).
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FROM OUR CHRISTIAN ED DIRECTOR |
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During the month of May we continued our studies of poverty and the bible. We will be focused on this for the rest of this school year as we examine the many different aspects that play into poverty in this country. Part of that will be to examine the way social injustice and race come into play. In order to be part of the solution we will be fundraising for uniforms for an elementary school in Worcester. The school community has been particularly hard hit by the economy and covid and Worcester currently has over 1300 homeless students.
We have two more Faith Foundation dates this school year: Sunday, June 6 and our Youth Sunday parking lot service on June 13. We will be in the garden unless it rains then we’ll use Zoom. June 13th we will do some gardening immediately after the parking lot service.
On May 23 we held our highly anticipated Walk-A-Thon. Our youth, adults and even dogs participated in this fun event! Our Praise band provided music, and squirt guns and popsicles kept the walkers cool. So far we have raised approximately $1,000 toward our $7,100 goal. (This does not include the online donations from last week.) We had four kids complete the full hour of walking and complete 25 and 26 laps!! Thank you, thank you, thank you to all our participants, volunteers and donors!
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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 [email protected]. It is a wonderful way to spend some time with our youth and cultivate intergenerational relationships.
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Youth Group
THE BUILDING IS OPEN!! We will be having our final youth group of the year with masks in the teen room...grades 6-12. Just a fun night of reconnecting playing pool/ping pong/air hockey and using the new gaming system.
I am hoping those who wish to get their kiddos vaccinated will have had a chance and I am now fully vaccinated.
Mark the date 6/18 at 7pm
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Zoom Links
In the event of rain or temperatures below 50 degrees the Faith Foundations Zoom will begin at 11:15am on Sunday.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 872 7270 9342
Passcode: 780687
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IN-PERSON SUMMER CAMP
REGISTRATION OPEN
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Silver Lake - In-person Summer Camp
Summer 2021
Some of our sessions currently have waitlists. If you are interested in attending a session that is showing a waitlist, don't get discouraged! Our waitlists are dynamic. Please add your camper to the waitlist and then email [email protected] so we can work with you to find a spot for your camper.
Learn more about our plans for the summer
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Watch a Parent Information Session.
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Read our current summer policies and procedures - please note this page will continue to be updated as we get the policies and procedures finalized before summer.
- Complete the Contact Form to get notified as details are available on the website!
Silver Lake 2021 Day Programs
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Grotonwood & Oceanwood Summer Camp
More information about the camps can be obtained at grotonwood.org or by calling Grotonwood, 978-448-5763 or Oceanwood, oceanwood.org 207-934-9655 and requesting information or Camp Program Packets.
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MESSAGE FROM REV. ATHERTON
PART II
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Dear Friends,
Today, as I write to you, is Pentecost Sunday. I had the honor of worshiping with a wonderful group of people at the Community Church of Ashburnham. As I was searching for a good image to use in worship I found myself thinking a lot about the power of imagery.
There are three familiar images used to capture Pentecost.
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Wind or Ruach
Acts 2 describe the initial arrival of the Holy Spirit this way: “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.” (NRSV), “Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from” (The Message), and “a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm.” (NLT)
From the beginning of time whenever God creates something, the wind or the mighty breath of God brings life. (Genesis 2:7) In 1 Kings 19:12, the Holy Spirit is found in the whispering wind.
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Flames – or Tongues of Fire
Luke tells us about another symbol of Pentecost: “they saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.” (NIV) “Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.” (NRSV). “Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks.” (MSG)
Fire has long been a symbol of God. We light candles in our sanctuaries, at retreats and in our sacred spaces at home. A column of fire led the Israelites through the desert and spoke to Moses in a burning bush. Psalm 29 describes the voice of God as a fiery flame. The liturgical color for Pentecost is red. Fire transforms us into people of courage, boldness, and strength.
For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you. ~2 Timothy 1:6
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The Dove
The dove is another common image of the Holy Spirit. In Genesis, doves represented the end of the flood (Genesis 8: 8-12). When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove. Doves remind us of new beginnings and hope. During that crazy, chaotic first Pentecost, everyone heard the Good News in their own language – what a miracle and model for us to be mindful how we use words for peace, reconciliation and unity, not to divide or destroy.
God speaks to us in so many ways. Images, like the ones we hear and experience at Pentecost, are just one way to experience a deeper touch of God. I love images with lots of earth tones. Whether they are the clear and distinctive figures I love to see in the woods or an awe-inspiring sunset; or they are swirls or lines of color that can keep me lost in gazing – I am grounded and steady. These are the images that make me feel at peace and quiet my soul. The depth of my awe at God’s creation surrounds me.
What are your favorite images of God or the Holy Spirit. How have those images inspired you?
I hope you’ll share with me. Send me an email at [email protected]. Include a copy of your image too if you’d like. I look forward to your stories.
Wishing You Much Peace,
Pastor Lee
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Zoom Bible Study
Mondays @ 1pm
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Want to connect with other Trinity people while we are self-isolating? Join us for an informal Bible study on Mondays at 1pm via Zoom. Each week we will select a chapter or passage of the Bible, and discuss what it means to us.
Jean Leif will be facilitating. Email her at [email protected] (include your name) for log-on information.
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If you or someone you know recently lost a loved one and is looking for a safe space to share your experiences with others, you are welcome to join our grief support group. The group now meets weekly on Zoom, every Thursday at 7 pm.
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Coffee or Tea on Zoom
Wednesdays @ 9am
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Chat on Zoom, Wednesdays at 9am.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 954 033 518
Password: 569713
Dial by your location
+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 954 033 518
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Support Trinity Church by choosing it as your charitable organization at smile.amazon.com
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The Worcester Area Missions Society (WAMS) is continuing to help conduct Covid vaccinations in the inner city neighborhoods of Worcester. They are in need of donations to buy bottled water for those waiting for a vaccination.
If you can help, send your donation to WAMS, 6 Institute Rd, Worcester, MA 01609, and indicate "donation for water" in the memo line.
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INTERFACE is a program of William James College designed to increase awareness of mental health issues impacting children, families, and adults and to facilitate access to appropriate outpatient services. Resource information and or provider referrals from trained resource and referral counselors can be obtained by calling the INTERFACE Helpline at 888-244-6843 Ext. 1411. The Helpline is available Mon. – Fri. from 9 am – 5 pm. The website has additional information and guides to assist with the process of seeking outpatient mental health services.
Family Youth Services can be reached at 508-393-5020 for information on this program and all other programs it offers.
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United Way of North Central MA (UWNCM) is partnering with FamilyWize to provide North Central community members access to affordable prescription medications. Through this program UWNCM hopes to help ensure greater health and financial stability to community members. The FamilyWize card is Is free – it’s like a coupon that you can use as often as you want. For more information please see the UWNCM website.
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Call2Talk is the Mental health helpline of Mass2-1-1, the statewide human service information and referral platform powered by your local United Way. Call2Talk answers calls through Mass2-1-1, its direct telephone line and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It also answers texts in partnership with Crisis Text Line.
Besides its primary function as a helpline, Call2Talk also provides the following:
- TeleCheck – A phone check-in service for elder adults operated in partnership with BayPath Elder Services and Advocates, Inc. Trained call-takers contact seniors weekly to provide support and friendly conversation following sudden life changes.
- MetroWest LOSSteam – The MetroWest LOSSteam works with area police departments to offer immediate on-site peer emotional support to suicide loss survivors. (in Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Sherborn, and Sudbury)
- Community Education – Call2Talk offers best practice awareness trainings for community members and agencies including: Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training, Mental Health First Aid, safeTalk and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).
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Mental Health:
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI Metrowest (Marlborough-Framingham):
Addiction/Substance Abuse Disorders:
The Mass Substance Use Helpline
Worcester Area Intergroup (Alcoholics Anonymous)
Domestic Violence:
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is offering assistance and safety planning 24/7
- 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
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TTY 1-800-787-3224 o If you’re unable to speak safely, you can chat online, or text LOVEIS to 22522
MA SafeLink MA Statewide Toll-Free Domestic Violence Hotline 1-877-785-2020
Food Assistance:
Northborough Food Pantry
Wednesdays 9 - 10:30 a.m.
Thursdays 6:30 - 8 p.m.
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In these extraordinary times, the pandemic has taken a very high financial toll on many of us. Trinity Church's Deacons' Fund provides a helping hand to persons in financial crises. All requests are kept in strict confidence. In Pastor Valeria's absence, contact Jean Leif for information ([email protected]).
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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.
For more information please contact:
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Watch Sunday's worship using the link below. You do not need to have a Facebook account to view this video!
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Subscribe to our YouTube channel and watch a
selection of Pastor Valeria's sermons and our worship music.
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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.
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NATICK COMMUNITY-SENIOR CENTER’S ONLINE PROGRAMS
Mindfulness Meditation with Sharon Meets every Thursday, 1-1:40 pm, free. This meditation is audio only and participants are muted during the meditation portion. Everyone is welcome to join for some guided, some quiet and some reflection with Q & A and sharing. Email [email protected] to receive the Zoom link (different each week.)
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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:
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IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS |
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~ 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 Rev. Lee Atherton, (508) 308-7116.
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Deadline for September Tidings |
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Please be sure to have all your info for the September Tidings in to the church office by Sunday, August 22. Your help is appreciated! |
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TRINITY CHURCH
23 Main Street
Northborough, MA 01532
(508) 393-8156
Virtual Office Hours:
Emily is working from home. Please email her or leave a message on the office voicemail. This will be checked daily.
Monday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 2:30pm
Tuesday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 2:30pm
Wednesday: 9am - 10:30am & 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Thursday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 2:30pm
Friday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 2:30pm
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.
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