SEEDS

August 27, 2026

Taize

Seeing Clues to Help Avoid Scams

Our congregation has some of the most kind and generous people I've ever met. It is a sad reality of our broken world that scammers use those beautiful qualities to try and steal from us. I want you all to continue to be kind and generous. I do not want you to sour on being kind or generous because of the actions of a few deeply broken people. That's why I want you to be careful in being both kind and generous.

The email scam that targeted our congregation last week has been making the rounds and another member of a different church in the Berkshires was taken for $2000 before they realized they were being conned. Here are a few things to look for to detect a scam:

• Triple check the sender's email address. These scams create a fake email account that resembles the pastor's email address but is not the same. My email address is pastorkaras@gmail.com. This last scam created the email address erikkaras103@gmail.com to impersonate me. The only email I will ever use is pastorkaras@gmail.com.
• Beware of any requests for gift cards. Do not buy any gift cards! These scams almost always ask you to go and buy gift cards of some variety, then they ask you to send them the numbers on the back. I will NEVER do this. Even if I'm stuck in a Colombian jail and gift cards are my only way out, I will NEVER do this.  A guiding principle for us all should be: Gift Card Request = Scam.
• Pay attention to the language used. Scammers all seem to imagine that I must write in a pious way, talking about prayer and quoting Bible verses in every email I write.  You know that is NOT the way I talk or write. As they seek to impersonate me they also imagine I would begin an email with a more formal greeting. You know my typical greeting in an email is "Hey." If it doesn't sound like me, assume it isn't!  
• Always, Always, Always Call. Before you put out any money in any way other than the plate on Sunday, through the secure link on our website, or by sending a check to the office by mail, ALWAYS check with me by phone. Not email. Not text. Make sure you hear my voice. Scammers will tell you "there's no time to check" but that's just another tell. There is always time to call and my cell phone plan allows me to use my same number anywhere I might be in the world. So ALWAYS call!  Even if I'm on vacation or sabbatical. Always call. Make sure you hear my voice before giving a dime.
• Watch out for scammers moving to texting. While I have not yet seen clergy impersonation scams going out via text, I can easily imagine that will be next. I can imagine them texting you and saying "This is pastor Erik and this is my new number" but don't you believe it! Apply all the safeguards I'm suggesting for email to any text you might receive as well. Is it my number? My number is (970) 590-3540. Are they asking for gift cards? No gift cards! Does it sound holy and pious? That's not me!  Make sure to call and hear my voice before you put out even one single dime!  

OWLEs Return!

Hurray, the Owles (Older, Wiser Lutherans and Episcopalians) are planning trips again for the fall!.

The first one is Friday, September 11. We are driving to Chester (just east of Becket on Rte.20) to visit the Chester Railway Museum where we will hear a private fascinating talk about the history of the railway line that used to run in the area. After lunch in a local restaurant we will drive up the road and take a short walk to see the first of the famous keystone arches that supported the rail line.

Car pools will be arranged to arrive in Chester at 10:30 AM. There is no charge, the museum is supported by free will donations, but a donation of $10 per person is suggested.

Email or call Liz Wells or Nancy King if you plan to come. This event should be a fascinating and fun day. We are looking to grow this group, so come along and try us out.

ANNOUNCEMENT & INVITATION FROM YOUR CHOIRMASTER!

Greetings,

As summer winds down I'd like to thank all the summer participants who have blessed the choir stalls to support our services this busy summer.

Time to "re-up" for regular choir beginning SEPTEMBER 13th!

That means rehearsals on Sunday mornings at 9:00 before the service.

I hope all can make the commitment for another year of joyful singing supporting the congregation. I would also extend an invitation to others to try this experience. Amateur singers are welcome. (If the note goes up, you sing higher, if the note goes down you sing lower!!) Your colleagues and choirmaster will help YOU! There is a special need for a couple of lower voices but we certainly have room for high voices as well! Come, join us!

- John Arthur Miller

Flower Mess Up

Altar Flower Sponsors,

It has been brought to my attention that I made a mistake in regard to pricing. I have sent out emails confirming reservations and requesting payment of $65 for each Sunday. The price for each is actually $60. My sincerest apologies! If you would like to work out a way for reimbursement or redistribution to future flowers, please contact me directly at christtrinitychurch@gmail.com. If you would like to leave things as they are I thank you very much and appreciate your understanding!

- Warmly,

Teak

Block Party

Celebrate the end of summer with live music, food, family fun, local vendors, and the public launch of our new name, Impact South County.

Join us August 30th in downtown Great Barrington for a free afternoon of community celebration. 

Willy Welch Concert

Next weekend support our local musician and community space!

Crop Walk Time

September 27, 2026

Sign-ins begin at 1:00 with the walk beginning at 1:30 pm.

We will be walking the same route as last year, beginning at the Congregational Church of Salisbury using the rail trail to Lakeville out into Lakeville to the Methodist Church, then back to trail at the crosswalk by the fire house - Brook Street and ending back at the Congregational Church.

Save July 26-30, 2027 for Retiree VBS

We have been awarded a grant to put on a Retiree version of Vacation Bible School next summer. We are targeting July 26-30, 2027. We know that is almost a year away but our hope is that by telling everyone now, you might block out that week now and plan your other summer activities and trips around that week so you can attend. 

Each day of that week will begin with Morning Prayer. We will explore liturgies both familiar and new. The rest of the morning will be spent in an exciting class taught by Dr. Jason Larson. (More details are coming!) Each day will include a delicious catered lunch and then the afternoon will be spent doing an activity or going on a field trip that will help us connect theology and film, theology and music, theology and play, theology and creativity, and theology and art. Each activity will be led by experts who will encourage us to see our everyday world through a theological lens.

Just like VBS did for many of us "back in the day" our hope is that at the end of this week we will have all learned something new, met some great new friends, and above all, had a really fun week.  

An Episcopal/Lutheran congregation

WORSHIP SUNDAYS at 10:00

Christ Trinity Church 413-229-8811

180 Main Street

PO Box 127

Sheffield, MA 01257

Services are also livestreamed on: Facebook and YouTube

Our weekly worship bulletin is available at: ChristTrinityChurch.org

The best way to get a message to the office is via email: christtrinitychurch@gmail.com

Find Pastor Erik's sermons at Rectory Ramblings erikkaras.blogspot.com



If you have a loved one who you would like us to remember in our Sunday prayers, please email us by Wednesday morning.

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Seeds editor: Teak Welch