SEEDS

July 16, 2026

Don't miss out on the ballgame

RSVP NOW

Christ Trinity Church has secured group tickets to a Yard Goats baseball game on Thursday, July 30th, at 7:10pm.

You pay $20, which covers:

-Your ticket

-The bus ride to and from the park

-A $2 park voucher towards food/merchIf you'd like to learn more about the team or venue you can visit their website HERE

Please reach out to Teak, Erik, or Ed Capowich (203-578-5674) if you have any further questions!

Some specific details for attendance:

The ballpark is a cashless venue. This means they do not accept cash anywhere within the park. Be sure to bring your debit/credit card in order to make any purchases.

The $20 for the ticket can be handed directly to Teak so they can keep proper track of everyone who has paid.

The bus and our driver, John Arthur, will be in the church parking lot ready to depart promptly at 5:00pm.

Education for Ministry (EfM)

Curious about your faith?

Wondering about some of life’s larger questions?

Looking for a deeper connection with other spiritual seekers?

Have you always wanted to read the Bible with

others?

EFM is a course in practical theology for all Christians seeking to deepen the

connection between their faith life and their engagement with the world.

The course meets in a weekly seminar over 36 weeks as participants engage

through study, prayer and reflection with the bible, Christian history and

theology.

Come join a vibrant online learning community.

Mondays 2:30 – 5:00p, from Labor Day to Memorial Day.

ALL are welcome.

For info:

http://efm.sewanee.edu/ or Facebook Group: EFM

Contact: Karen Byers, Mentor (Christ Trinity, Sheffield),

kdbyers@comcast.net

Hate Has No Home Here

Our friends over that the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires have sent us a handful of "Hate Has No Home Here" yard signs in the parish hall.

These are available for parishioners to take on a first come first serve basis!

Church Financial News

Don't panic!  Things are fine.  There are just a couple of things we want you to be aware of here in the middle of our financial year.  The giving pattern for many in our congregation is to give their entire year's pledge at the beginning of the year taking advantage of the tax benefits they get from giving out of their 401K's Required Minimum Distribution.  This is a GREAT way to give if you have a RMD!   

Because of this we typically start the year with a large balance that pays our bills well into July.  After July, that initial wave of giving is spent and we then rely on the regular giving of the folks who give weekly, monthly, or quarterly to see us through the remainder of the year.  In nine years it has always worked out so I'm not worried, but I thought I'd let you know that "regular giving" being more literally "regular" in the second half of the year is very much appreciated for that particular reason.  

Second, last year someone's accountant told them that they could either give $5000 to a charity or go into the next higher tax bracket.  They called me and asked if I could help them as they had decided they would rather give that money to the church than the IRS.  Together we found a special project for them to fund.  If you are ever in a similar situation, it probably won't surprise you that Christ Trinity stands ready to help!  We are developing a list of special projects from large to small and we'd be happy to share that list with you any time.  

Lastly, I've talked with several people recently who are updating their wills and trusts this summer, and if you are looking to do that too, I would encourage you to remember the church in that planning.   Sometimes that is as easy as adding the church to the list of beneficiaries on a 401K or life insurance policy.  Other times there are tax advantaged ways to give from your estate that are more complicated.  Talk to your financial advisor to find the best way to give.  

You are an amazingly generous congregation in so many ways and I am continually thankful for that!  Thank you!  

Pastor Erik 

Blueberry Picking for Berkshire Bounty

The Food Bank of Western MA recently contacted Berkshire Bounty to inform them of a 7 acre farm in Chester that would like to donate this year's blueberry crop to food access sites! Additionally, an abundance of raspberries in Monterey has been offered to them too.

They estimate this equates to 10-15,000 lbs of blueberries!

Since this year is also Berkshire Bounty's 10-year anniversary, we would love to see how the community can come together to help reach the 10,000 lb goal.

Day and times are flexible at both sites. You're welcome to organize your own volunteer groups and pick dates that work best for you. We ask that you send us the total amount you picked.

Dates:

Saturday, July 25th at 10am

Monday, July 27th at 3pm

Wednesday, July 29th at 10am

Saturday, August 1st at 10am

Address:

Kelso Homestead Blueberries

207 Bromley Road

Chester MA

Crop Walk Time is Upon Us

If you would like to take the lead for this event this year, please contact:

PAT PALMER I crop.walk.nwct@gmail.com I C : 203.733.5740

COORDINATOR  l   NORTHWEST CONNECTICUT

CROP HUNGER WALK

Plans are moving along for our annual walk on 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.

Important Date: On Tuesday, August 25 at 5:30 pm we will meet at the Congregational Church for the Team Leader Packet Pick-up. Adam Smedberg will be joining us with updates from CWS (Church World Services).

The website is ready for us to use at https://events.crophungerwalk.org/chw/event/salisburyct

A message from the Bishop

Dear Saints,

Our Diocese is committed to serving the most vulnerable among us. This

commitment is a reflection of our faith and our calling as followers of Jesus Christ.

Through Building Bridges, we continue to support hundreds of veterans each month by providing meals, fellowship, and community. We also remain steadfast in ministries that provide diapers for babies, clean clothing for those in need, go bags for children entering foster care, and compassionate listening and pastoral care for women in prison, along with many other life-giving ministries.

One of the largest sources of funding for these ministries has been our annual Diocesan Golf Tournament, and I have asked that we continue this wonderful tradition. Our fourth annual tournament will take place on August 31 at The Ledges Golf Club in South Hadley.

This mission was especially dear to Bishop Doug Fisher. In honor of his episcopate and his unwavering commitment to those on the margins, we have renamed the event:

The Douglas J. Fisher Tournament: Supporting Veterans and the Most Vulnerable Among Us.

I hope our entire diocesan community will support this important ministry in one or both of the following ways:

• Register a foursome or join others for a day of golf, fellowship, and fun. 

• Become a sponsor. If you are a lay or ordained leader in one of our congregations, I invite your parish to consider serving as a tee sponsor or, if you feel called, making an even more generous contribution. Last year, more than twenty of our congregations participated in supporting this ministry. 

I have attached the tournament brochure for your convenience. You may also register online at https://h2h-golf-tournament-2026.eventbrite.com.

The Douglas J. Fisher Tournament not only raises critical funds for these ministries, but also brings our diocesan family together in support of those whom Christ calls us to serve. I hope you will join us.

If you have any questions, please contact our tournament coordinator, Mark Rogers, at 774-482-6013 or mcrogers53@gmail.com.

Thank you for your generosity and faithful support. May God continue to bless you and the ministries we share together.

- Bishop Howell

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