Volume 71 - No. 10 | October 2019
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Message from Pastor Valeria
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Over the summer I've accepted the position of Area Resource Coordinator for the Central Association of The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts. In this role, I get to work with churches going through a transition in pastoral leadership, with individuals seeking ordination, and with pastors.
I felt called to this position because I know from my own experience that a pastor needs a pastor: Someone they can confide in who is not involved in their local church, and someone who "gets" what being a pastor means. I was also interested in getting more connected to churches in our area. We have so-called ethnic churches whose membership is made up mostly of people of Ghanaian or Brazilian background. We have a few mid-size, progressive churches and many small churches whose pastors work part-time and have another job to support themselves and their families. Quite a diverse landscape.
What I've learned these past few months is that many churches are trying to survive: they are facing aging and declining membership, dwindling financial resources, old buildings in dire need of repair. What I've seen is people who love their church but who are tired, discouraged and often helpless. "How do we keep this church going?" they ask.
I wish I had an answer for them! I believe every church - including Trinity Church - needs to discern who they are, and where God is leading them. I think we have made great strides in the last few years. We have built our reputation as an open and affirming and welcoming congregation. We have reached people who had turned away from church altogether.
But the question I ask the most is not "How do we keep this church going?" The question I ask is, "Does the world still need us?"
My answer to that is a big, fat YES. Yes, the world needs us. It needs us to be outspoken and clear about what we stand for. It needs us to be brave and faithful in the message we proclaim. It needs us to go beyond our walls and our own comfort zones in order to reach people who have never known a church, or never known a church that is unconditionally loving and welcoming. That is who we are, but many don't know that. We can't blame them for not knowing. That is our responsibility as disciples of Christ: to share the good news of God's love with those around us.
We spent time with the people of Northborough at Applefest. The CE Team is hosting an Open House this Sunday, inviting families to learn more about who we are before taking that intimidating step of coming to worship. We are offering a workshop series on death and dying that is open to the community. Where else do people get to have difficult conversations in a safe environment?
We also held two "Bring a Friend" Sundays in September. Some of you did. Some of you felt good enough about what we are doing here that you wanted to invite your friends. For that, we thank you. Personal invitation has proven to be the most effective way of reaching new people. So I encourage you to keep doing that. Keep talking to your friends, your kids' friends, your neighbors and co-workers about Trinity Church and what it means to you. And if they come, follow up with them. Ask them if they had a good experience, and invite them back.
This is hard work, friends. There's a reason why so many churches are dying. If it were easy they would all be thriving. It's not easy. But I believe it is worthwhile. I believe it is what Jesus calls us to do: to bring the message of God's love to a hurting world. And I know we can do it, when we follow Jesus.
I am so blessed to be your pastor. I am grateful for what we have accomplished together, with the guidance of God's Spirit, and I am excited for what lies ahead.
Pastor Valeria.
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WORSHIP SERVICES ~ SUNDAYS, 10AM
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October 6
:
"Priceless," with Communion
October 13
:
Indigenous Peoples' Sunday
October 20
:
Stewardship Sunday, and Recognition of Sherry Clark's Certification in Faith Formation Ministries
October 27
:
Celebration Sunday! With our worship band
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"
Love and justice are not two. Without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters.”
-Rev. angel Kyodo Williams
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Pastor Valeria will be at a conference in Colorado from October 21 - 23, and on vacation from October 28 - November 10.
In case of a pastoral emergency please contact Rev. Lee Atherton at 508-308-7116.
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Are you interested in becoming a member of Trinity Church?
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Pastor Valeria will be offering a new members class in the near future. Please contact her for more information.
Pastor Valeria: trinitypastorvaleria@gmail.com
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FROM THE STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
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"Let us love one another because love is from God." (1 John 4:7)
This fall, we want to re-commit to our mission statement, to fill the people with the love of God and share God's love in all the world. Our stewardship campaign this year will focus on how we are living into that mission already, and how we can grow in that direction. Watch for inspirational moments during worship and for your pledge cards in the mail soon. Please prayerfully consider how you can support Trinity's mission in 2020.
Your stewardship team,
Donna Miller and Rob Mulligan
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FROM OUR CHRISTIAN ED DIRECTOR
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We had a great start to our youth programs in September with a kayaking trip for Youth Group, Worcester Fellowship lunches and plenty of our youth volunteering to help with our Applefest festivities. The Blessing Bag table had over 150 bags made and make their way out into the community. Hopefully, that means we will have spread the community vibe of Applefest to impacting 150 homeless people.
As Faith Foundation classes start for the year we will be focusing on getting to know the people of the bible and identifying their character traits while tying it to events and people today.
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Be sure to fill out all forms for your child's age group.
**We are hoping to involve the kids in communion this year and I have created a sign up for kids interested in helping set up, serve and clean up after communion**
Youth Group dates for this fall:
- Sunday, October 6th, 2pm - 3:30pm: Hike Edmunds Hill
- Sunday, November 3rd, 7pm - 9pm: Giant Board Game
- Sunday December 8th, 7pm - 9pm:Trinity game night and Christmas cookie swap
Mission Trip and Worcester Outreach
We have dates!!
Our teens ages 13+ will have the opportunity to go on a Mission Trip to Camden, NY from April 20-April 23 for a group called Cluster 13. This is a group that adult members of Trinity have worked with in the past. Chaperones for this trip will be Sherry Clark, Dave Gauthier, Amy and Glen Kwasny. More information about costs, lodging etc will be forth coming. We are estimating $200-250 per kid. Please let Sherry know if your teen will be participating so that travel plans can be formed.
trinitycenorthboro@gmail.com
ReachOut Worcester 2020 Feb. 7 (7 p.m. arrival/ 7:30 p.m. start) to Feb. 8 (2:30 p.m. end)
ReachOut Worcester offers Greater Worcester-area youth (age 13 and up) and their leaders the opportunity to increase their awareness of the social issues and assets of urban communities like Worcester, while engaging in hands-on service with fellow community members. During the 20 hour period, participants join ReachOut Worcester staff and Guides to offer lunch and basic necessities but most importantly, a kind word and a listening ear to people in need. These activities are preceded and followed by times of sharing and reflection. After talking about next steps for them personally and/or as a group, participants also prepare to present their experiences in their home setting (worship service or other forum). ReachOut Worcester is co-sponsored by the Worcester Area Mission Society (WAMS) and Worcester Fellowship, a member of the Central Association of the Massachusetts Conference of the UCC that is dedicated to ending isolation through pastoral care and nurturing community, and All Saints Church Worcester. Please let Sherry know if your teen is interested
trinitycenorthboro@gmail.com
I am looking for some ADULTS to help with the following things:
I will be doing the
career fair
again and will need adults who are willing to come and share their job.
I am going to set up an
adulting day at Trinity
and will needs adults to run different "classes". Do you feel particularly adept at budgeting, taxes, interviews, applications? Maybe you would like to show your skills of how to change oil or a tire.
WANTED: TEACHERS for CE in K-4, 5-8 or 9-12
WANTED: Adult Youth Group helpers
I need at least one adult once a month
WANTED: Adult Builder / Handy Person
an adult who is good with building and can help us build a neighbor chair.
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Coming to Trinity:
Teen Mental Health First Aid. The class is free and will be held on 11/3 and 11/10 from 3-7. You need to be able to attend both evenings and pre-register by emailing Sherry at
trinitycenorthboro@gmail.com
The class will cap out at 25 participants.
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Trunk or Treat
Fundraiser for the teen mission trip
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NEW THIS YEAR:
GSA Link now has a group for middle school students. Same dates as the high school group but the meeting time is 4pm to 5:30pm.
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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.
Trinity Church of Northborough
23 Main Street Northborough MA, 01532
Middle School: 4pm - 5:30pm
High School: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
October 11th & 25th
For more information please contact:
Melissa at projectgsalink@gmail.com or 508-735-1267
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Open Conversation on Gun Violence
Sunday, October 6 @ 11:30am
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The recent shootings have been on our minds. Emotions on all sides of the issue are running high. Trinity Church's Deacons invite you to an open conversation on gun violence: Should we as Christians be talking about this, and why? Do we as Trinity Church want to get actively involved, and how? Your thoughts, questions and ideas are welcome and needed as we address this difficult topic in a faithful and respectful way.
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Faith Foundations - Open House
Sunday,October 6th, 4pm - 5pm
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Children and youth (pre-K to 12th grade) and their families are invited to check out our Faith Foundations Sunday School program. Stop by our classrooms, meet our teachers and staff, and find out what we are all about. Games and activities will be available. Invite your friends and neighbors!
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Third Floor Coffee House - OPENING NIGHT!
Friday, October 11, 7pm - 9pm
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Our first coffee house of the year! Please mark your calendars for Coffee House the second Friday of the month starting in October.
Purchase a VIP pass! $50 for an individual, $100 for a family, passes can be purchased at the door.
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).
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Safe Church Training
Sunday, October 13 @ 11:30am
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Safe Church Training Sunday, October 13th following coffee hour. If you work with our youth in any capacity please plan to stay for this training.
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Saturday Breakfast Fellowship
Saturday, October 19 at 8am
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Our topic this month will be Death and the Afterlife. Death has always been one of those topics which nobody wants to talk about and people question what there will be after death – is there a heaven, do we come back, is there just nothing?
This month’s topic was suggested by Julie Cedrone who will be leading the four “Death and Dying Workshops” starting later in October. Julie provided some scripture passages to start our discussion and she will be joining us for breakfast and discussion.
I’ve added a couple of articles I found on the web to help get you thinking about the Christian concept of the afterlife and how other religions view it.
The scriptures and links to the articles are below.
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
Scripture:
John 14
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
1 Corinthians 15:42-44
Isaiah 57: 1-2
Links:
Christianity on the AfterLIfe
Is there an afterlife? Different religious views on death
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ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
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Death and Dying Workshops
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Trinity Church will be hosting a series of workshops with VNA Hospice staff on the journey of death and dying. These workshops are open to the entire community and will feature the following topics:
Wednesday, October 23, 7:30pm: The Spirituality of Dying – Can our faith transform the way we die? What are the signs and symptoms of the dying process, medically and spiritually?
Wednesday, October 30, 7:30pm:
After the Last Breath – What happens when we die? Is there a heaven? How do we grieve our loved ones and find ways for love to endure after the last breath?
Wednesday, November 6, 7:30pm: Dying Wishes – Using “The Five Wishes” as a guide, we will begin conversations about what it truly means for us to have a quality end of life experience, embracing dignity and our own unique values.
Wednesday, November 13, 7:30pm: The Nitty Gritty Practical Questions – With experienced social workers leading the conversation, this session covers the ins and outs of funeral homes, cremation versus burial, end of life care at home compared to a facility….and how to pay for it all
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In August, Trinity sent in 3 bags of footwear which included 10 pairs of sneakers, plus 13 pairs of shoes (non-athletic styles) that will be distributed across the world and 11 pairs of unwearable recyclable sneakers. The total earned for the month of August is $12.75.
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Did you know that your shoes could help Trinity Church? Well, they can and here’s how… Our church is participating in a fundraiser where there is nothing to buy or sell; all we need is your support and your shoes!
We are looking for caring community members to help support us by dropping off new or gently used athletic shoes.
Please note that we can no longer accept non-athletic footwear in any condition, or athletic footwear in unwearable condition.
We are also looking for people who can take a "gotsneakers?" fundraising box to their workplace, school or community center.
Please contact Donna Miller for your a box and/or more information:
dmm4863@gmail.com
DONATIONS CAN BE LEFT IN THE MARKED BOX IN THE COAT CLOSET.
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Kitchen Renovation Project Update
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We want to thank the congregation for voting to move capital money into the kitchen fund. This will help make up the deficit we are facing due to the cost overruns.
Positive news in the kitchen - the plumber finished all of his rough plumbing and has passed inspection. We are now at the point of putting things back together (Yeah !!). We expect the carpenter to install the floor insulation and the sub-floor next week and we anticipate being able to install the cabinets in a few weeks. Soon you will start to see something which looks more like a room and less like a disaster zone.
On another positive note, the kitchen has received $3,500 in donations in the past few weeks. This will go a long way toward helping us get things finished.
Once again, we thank you for your support.
From all of us on the kitchen team,
Tom Danforth
Mary Kemp
Martha Michalewich
Nancy Robbins
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Worcester Fellowship
Sunday, October 27th
1pm Worship @ Worcester Common
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We need donations!
We will be making lunches to donate on October 27th after worship. Donations of food or small monetary amounts towards lunch supplies are welcome.
Join us on the Worcester common at 1pm for an outdoor service.
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Please let us know if you are in need of help with small projects around your home. The Outreach Committee would like to help.
Home: 508-366-2250 | Cell: 508-330-7835
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Food Pantry Donations
Bag Distribution: October 13th
Bag Collection: October 27th
Thank you to everyone for your generosity!
We will pass out the bags on the second Sunday of the month with a list inside indicating the most needed items as well as a special item for the month, but we will have the bags available every week on the bench in the back of the Sanctuary (in case you do not come to church on the second Sunday and you still want to participate).
We will continue to collect the bags the fourth Sunday and deliver them to the Food Pantry, but if you are unable to be in church that Sunday, there is a bin in the hallway marked, “Food Pantry” and you can drop off your bags there any time.
The Food Pantry right now has many more canned vegetables than they can use, so please think about other items to donate. Meals in a can are always welcome.
Thank you,
Martha Michalewich, Mary Kemp and John Posluszny
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Pastoral Care Group: next meeting is Sunday, October 13 in room 105 after coffee hour.
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Calling all knitters, crocheters and quilters!
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The Pastoral Care Team is looking to replenish its supply of washable lap robes. They can be knitted, crocheted or quilted. These will be given to shut-ins. Lap robes can be left in the office or given to any member of the Pastoral Care Team.
Please call Barbara Sutherland with any questions: (508) 460-0233.
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The “Count Your Blessings” Thrift Shop is now open for the season!
Now open Wednesdays, 9am to Noon and Saturdays, 10am - 1pm.
Donations of gently used clothing can be dropped off in the marked bin in the church hallway starting at the end of September.
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Coffee Hour is an important part of our Sunday morning and it is a great way for people to connect and for us to welcome visitors to our church. Please join us after worship for coffee and a snack, and the opportunity to connect with old friends and meet new friends.
If you are interested in helping to host coffee hour, please see John Posluszny during coffee hour or contact him at
johnposluszny@gmail.com
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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.
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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 Emily in the church office: (508) 393-8156 or trinitychurchnboro@gmail.com
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Online giving is now available through Trinity's website!
Start your online giving here:
LINK
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For those situations where a person feels inspired to make a donation in support of Trinity’s mission, online giving is now available on Trinity’s website to make giving easier.
- After a person clicks the DONATE NOW link on Trinity’s home page, online giving provides them with multiple options of which fund or ministry they can direct their gift.
- Payment methods include an electronic funds transfer from a checking or saving account, a debit card payment or a credit card payment.
- The first time that a person uses online giving, they can set-up their profile so that they will not have to re-enter the information, and they will be able to access their online giving history.
- IMPORTANT: Current members and regular donors do not need to change how they currently give to Trinity (collection plate, e-checks, etc.), if it works for them. Online giving is being made available primarily as a convenient payment method for spontaneous givers. Unlike other payment methods, Trinity is charged processing fees for each transaction by VANCO, our electronic payments vendor.
Start your online giving here:
LINK
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IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
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~ Everyone affected by EEE.
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.
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Festive Breads w/Pastor Valeria
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Pastor Valeria is at Festive Breads every Wednesday from 8:30 - 10am (except 10/23, 10/28 & 11/6) and looks forward to your visit! Festive Breads is located at
299 W Main St
in Northborough, near Romaine's.
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Saturday Morning Hiking
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Our informal Trinity Church Hiking Club is walking most Saturday mornings. We meet at the church and hike on one of the many Northborough trails. Everyone is welcome (including dogs).
Contact Wade Robbins at 508-393-2512 or
robbinsfam105@gmail.com
to receive weekly notifications via email. Each week, the email will state which trail we will be walking and the approximate length. Please consider joining us for a time of nature appreciation and friendly conversation.
Community Meal
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Beginning Wednesday June 5th, Community Meal will be at Church of the Nativity (45 Howard Street, Northborough) until the Trinity kitchen renovation is complete.
Join us each Wednesday, 6pm. 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!
Coleman House Service
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Tuesday, October 15th at 2:30pm.
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Did you know you can donate your gently used appliances, furniture and building supplies? And also purchase all these items at a low price while benefiting Habitat for Humanity?
More info here:
What and how to donate:
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Deadline Date ~ November
Tidings
Please be sure to have all your info for the November Tidings in to the church office by Sunday, October 22, 2019. Your help is appreciated!
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TRINITY CHURCH
23 Main Street ~ Northborough, MA 01532
(508) 393-8156
Office Hours
:
Monday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 3pm
Tuesday: 9am - Noon & 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Wednesday: 9am - 10:30am & 11:30am - 3pm
Thursday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 3pm
Friday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 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.
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