Volume 71 - No. 9 | September 2019
|
|
Message from Pastor Valeria
|
|
Welcome Back!
Many of you have been away, hopefully relaxing, exploring, connecting with family and friends.
We have been busy at Trinity and are excited and ready for an eventful month. Welcoming the kids back, Worcester Pride and Applefest are some of the highlights.
In addition, the adult CE team is putting together a workshop on death and dying, to be led by Rev. Julie Cedrone. A small group from our Worship Team has been exploring the possibility of applying to a grant for vital worship. The Outreach Team and Deacons have projects in the works for us to be more involved in our community. And our coffee house team is preparing its next season. The kitchen committee and Property Team have been working tirelessly all summer.
As I am looking at this list and the many other things that are happening at and because of Trinity, I am humbled and grateful to be part of such an active, vibrant community. Many church buildings sit empty all week long. Ours doesn't. Many congregation focus on their own membership and mostly stay inside their building. We don't. Of course we can and always need to do more, but it's important to acknowledge the good we are already doing. We are making a difference in our community. A visitor recently said to me, "You're in the paper a lot! We're looking for a church that focuses on outreach."
So, for that, I give all of you a lot of credit, and I thank you. I also thank God for inspiring us, encouraging us, and pushing us to step outside of our comfort zones and into a world that needs God's love so desperately.
I know you all have a lot going on in your personal lives, your family, work, and/or school.
Whether you are frazzled or lonely or worried - I hope and pray that Trinity Church will continue to be a place for you to be filled with joy, with comfort, with opportunities for spiritual and personal growth, and mostly, with the endless love of God.
God bless you all!
Pastor Valeria.
|
|
WORSHIP SERVICES ~ SUNDAYS, 10AM
|
|
September 1
:
In Fellowship Hall, with Communion
September 8
:
Welcome back to our kids! Bring a friend.
September 15
:
Bring a friend, part 2
September 22
:
No worship in the Sanctuary. We will be worshiping God by welcoming the community with music, food and fun
September 29
:
"Living Well and Dying Well" with Rev. Julie Cedrone's Installation
|
|
"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."
- William James
|
|
SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
|
|
From the Deacons
We are calling a special congregational meeting after worship service on Sunday, September 15, at 11:30am.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss and vote on funding for unforeseen expenses for the kitchen renovation. We are proposing reallocating capital funds designated for exterior work to the overruns on the kitchen. We also would like to discuss ideas for replacing those funds so the exterior work could be done. Our kitchen renovation has encountered some totally unanticipated problems. These problems are mostly related to structural issues uncovered as work progressed.
|
|
FROM OUR CHRISTIAN ED DIRECTOR
|
|
It's a new year
with a lot of exciting things happening!
I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing summer. I am looking forward to seeing everyone again!
Our kick-off will be on
September 8th
with an intergenerational service followed by ice cream and a scavenger hunt during coffee hour!
Faith Foundations will begin
September 15th
.
Safe Church Training
October 13th
following coffee hour. If you work with our youth in any capacity please plan to stay for this training.
This message is a bit content heavy but please take a minute to read through and see all the fun things we have coming up this year. I am also looking for both adult and youth volunteers for various activities in order to run them. Most importantly we have switched to online sign-up forms for Faith Foundations and Youth Group to make it easier.
Please be sure to use the following link to sign your children up so we can have all the important information we need to keep them safe :-)
Be sure to fill out all forms for your child's age group.
I am looking for some ADULTS to help with the following things:
The kids are excited for their
mission trip
and it requires fundraising and some organizing. I have asked Dave Gauthier to help me out to keep the trip process moving smoothly.
Amy Kwasny will be the parent lead for our
Trunk or Treat fundraiser
.
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.
|
|
Youth Dates and Help Needed
WANTED: TEEN HELP - Blessing Bags during Applefest
I would like to get some teen help during Applefest for the
Blessing Bags
.
Linda Corbett would like and appreciate any interested teens to stay and help with
carnival games.
WANTED: YOUTH for Communion Sundays
We are hoping to involve the youth in Communion this year. 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, September 8th, 3:30pm - 6pm Kayaking at Lake Chauncy
- Sunday, October 6th, 2pm - 3:30pm Hike
- Sunday, November 3rd, 6pm - 8pm Giant Board Game
- Sunday, December 8th, 6pm - 8pm Trinity game night and Christmas cookie swap
Please have your child bring a $5 item donation on 9/8 for our Youth Group Applefest basket. The basket theme is Teen so anything from a $5 ice cream gift card to some candy or a game will work.
|
|
Blessing Bags at Applefest
The youth at Trinity will again be having a Blessing Bag table during Applefest at Trinity. If you have been collecting hotel size hygiene products or will collect them over the summer please consider donating them!
Most needed items:
Small tissue packs, hand sanitizer individual packs, travel size deodorant, toothbrushes, small waters, Combs, individual sunscreen packets, socks, wash cloths.
|
|
Youth Group Mission Trip Planning/Fundraising
Can collection will end on 9/1
The teens decided at their last meeting to keep their mission trip closer and participate somewhere in New England during April vacation 2020.
|
|
|
GSA Link
The Link that Connects
The GSA Link is a project connecting local GSA high school 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
6:00pm-8:00pm
September 13th & 27th
For more information please contact:
Melissa at projectgsalink@gmail.com or 508-735-1267
|
|
Applefest Fun Days at Trinity !
Mark your calendars for September 21
st
and 22
nd
for our fundraiser, Applefest Fun Days!
Please spread the word to all of your friends and family! The Basket Raffle is going to be awesome!
Lots of crafters with unique, hand-made crafts!.
We’ve added:
- Westboro-based “Yummy Mummy” cookie decorating on Saturday 9am - 1pm
- Trinity Bake Sale on Sunday 11am - 3:30pm
Volunteers are needed to bring in home-made baked goods for Sunday.
There will be a volunteer sign-up sheet after church.
We’re also looking for a few 10 X 10 / 10 X 12 tent canopies for Sunday so let us know if you have one.
Thank you,
The Applefest Committee
|
|
Worship in Fellowship Hall with Communion
Sunday, September 1 at 10am
We will not have access to the oven or dishwasher. You are welcome, but not required, to bring finger foods like sandwiches, pastries, or cookies. In order to minimize trash we invite you to bring your own reusable place settings and cups, and join us for worship and a picnic in Fellowship Hall!
|
|
|
|
|
Bring a Friend Sundays
September 8 & 15 at 10am
|
We are offering two opportunities for you to invite a friend to come to church with you! September 8 will be an intergenerational service as we welcome our kids back after the summer. A great opportunity to invite anyone with children to experience what we offer.
|
|
Worship Service with Faith Foundations
Sunday, September 15 at 10am
|
September 15 will be a regular worship service with Faith Foundations for the kids. If you know someone who is not attending a church please invite them to join you. Tell them why you belong to Trinity Church and what it means to you to be an active part of a faith community. Offer to meet them before church so they don't have to walk in alone. Stay with them during coffee hour and introduce them to others. We all know Trinity is a place filled with the love of God. Let's share that love with others!
|
|
|
|
|
Open Conversation on Gun Violence
Sunday, October 6 @ 11:30am
|
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.
|
|
Worcester Pride
Saturday, September 7, 9am - 3pm
|
Trinity Church will have a table at Worcester Pride to show the LGBTQ community that we are a welcoming and affirming church and that God loves everyone! We will also march in the parade.
To join the fun and / or help set up, tear down, or staff the table, please contact Pat Faldetta
pfald@me.com
, or just stop by our table on the Worcester Common.
|
|
|
FROM THE STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
|
|
"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 more information to come.
Donna Miller
|
|
ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
|
|
Death and Dying Workshops
|
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:
Saturday, October 19, 8am: Saturday Breakfast Fellowship – What does the Bible say about death and the afterlife?
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
Stay tuned for registration information and more details in the upcoming weeks! Please contact Rev. Julie Cedrone with any questions at
julie_cedrone@vnacare.org.
|
|
INSTALLATION OF
REV. JULIE CEDRONE
|
|
On September 29
th, our worship will recognize hospice ministry and the spiritual renaissance that can accompany the dying process. With Jesus’s comforting words from the Gospel of John at the heart of the service, “Let not your hearts be troubled,” we will explore the peace, resolution, and deepening of faith throughout the dying process.
As part of the worship, Rev. Julie Lynn Cedrone, an ordained United Church of Christ minister and hospice chaplain at VNA Hospice, will be officially installed in a Four Way Covenant with Trinity Church. In the United Church of Christ, this liturgy honors the special relationship between a Christian faith community, the denomination, and its pastors who serve in specialized ministries like hospice, and will also be a prayerful opportunity to learn more about the spirituality at the end of life in an open, inspiring way.
|
|
In July, Trinity sent in 1 bag of footwear which included 9 pairs of sneakers, plus 4 pairs of shoes (non-athletic styles) that will be distributed across the world and 7 pairs of unwearable recyclable sneakers. The total earned for the month of June is $10.10.
|
|
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.
|
|
Kitchen Renovation Project Update
|
|
We’ve been doing these updates in the Tidings for a number of months and it seems like we should be finished. However, as most of you have seen in the past couple of weeks, the kitchen is not finished.That’s the bad news.
The good news is that we are still making progress. The electrician finished his rough wiring and it passed the rough inspection. The plumber has installed the grease trap and is working on finishing his rough plumbing. The carpenter has finished his framing and just needs to install insulation and the rough floor. And the cabinets arrived last week so they are ready to go.
I’m sure most of you heard that we had a number of setbacks with plumbing changes, electrical changes, and rotten wood which needed to be dealt with. These, too, are behind us. So, all in all, things are progressing.
Because of the setbacks, however, there are cost overruns which will be discussed at a church meeting on September 15.
We’ll keep you posted on the progress.
Your kitchen team,
Tom Danforth
Mary Kemp
Martha Michalewich
Nancy Robbins
|
|
|
|
Worcester Fellowship
Sunday, September 15th
1pm Worship @ Worcester Common
|
We need donations!
We will be making lunches to donate on September 15th 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.
|
|
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
|
|
|
Food Pantry Donations
Bag Distribution: September 8th
Bag Collection: September 22nd
Thank you to everyone for your generosity! Next month our emphasis
will be
juice boxes and regular juice, jelly, spaghetti sauce and black beans.
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
|
|
|
|
Calling all knitters, crocheters and quilters!
|
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.
|
|
Sunday, September 8th – Pastoral Care Team meeting in Rm. #202, ASAP after coffee hour.
|
|
The “Count Your Blessings” Thrift Shop will be celebrating
a “Grand Re-Opening” on
Saturday, September 14st, from 10am to 3pm.
We plan to be open during Applefest.
Thrift shop hours of operations are Tuesday, 12pm – 3pm and Saturdays, 10am – 1pm. (Applefest Saturday we will be open from 10 -3).
Donations of gently used clothing can be dropped off in the marked bin in the church hallway starting at the end of September.
We are also looking for more volunteers to “work” at the shop on Saturdays and/or Tuesdays. Please contact Linda Corbett if you are interested:
lcorbett12@hotmail.com
or 508-688-9392
|
|
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
.
|
|
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.
|
|
Online giving is now available through Trinity's website!
Start your online giving here:
LINK
|
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
|
|
IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Festive Breads w/Pastor Valeria
|
Pastor Valeria is at Festive Breads every Wednesday from 8:30 - 10am and looks forward to your visit! Festive Breads is located at
299 W Main St
in Northborough, near Romaine's.
|
|
|
Saturday Morning Hiking
-
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
-
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
-
Tuesday, September 17th at 2:30pm.
|
|
WamsWorks.org - Lunch & Learn Symposium
Wednesday, September 18, Noon to 1:30pm
|
Speakers include a representative from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University who will speak to their recently released 2019 State of the Nation’s Housing report with a particular focus on the state of Massachusetts.
Lunch will be included as well as an opportunity for volunteers to construct, paint and decorate a playhouse for a Veteran family.
In addition to joining us, please invite others in your faith community and beyond. All are welcome.
|
|
APPLE PIE CAFE
The Northboro Junior Woman’s Club will be sponsoring the Annual Apple Pie Café on Saturday, September 21 st from 9am-2pm. This year the café will be located at St. Bernadette’s Pastoral Center at 266 Main Street, Northboro. There are a lot of family fun activities being offered. We will be serving our fabulous warm apple pies and crisps, plain or ala mode. Plus,there will be a selfie station, a temporary tattoo table for the young and young at heart and weather permitting, a Corn Hole station outside. Please come join the Northboro Woman’s Club during Applefest and we hope to see you there!
|
|
Deadline Date ~ October
Tidings
Please be sure to have all your info for the October Tidings in to the church office by Sunday, September 22, 2019. Your help is appreciated!
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
