A Conversation with Andy Burr
Sunday, May 24th @ 10am on Facebook Live
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Get to know Rev. Andrew Burr. Andy has been a member of Trinity since 2018. He serves as an interim minister in the UCC and is currently "between" churches. Andy has kindly agreed to co-lead worship with Pastor Valeria so you can get to know him.
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Hymn requests are always welcome!
Worship information will be sent out each Friday.
A step-by-step tutorial on how to access facebook Live, click
HERE
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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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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In Case You Missed It
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and watch a
selection of Pastor Valeria's sermons and our worship music.
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PASTOR VALERIA ON
"FRANK AND MARY"
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Pastor Valeria was recently interviewed by Elder law attorney Arthur Bergeron and the director of the Northborough library, Chris Lindquist. Watch the interview here:
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We will not go back to normal. Normal never was. Our pre-corona existence was not normal other than we normalized greed, inequity, exhaustion, depletion, extraction, disconnection, confusion, rage, hoarding, hate and lack. We should not long to return my friends…We are being given the opportunity to stitch a new garment. One that fits all of humanity and nature.
Sonya Renee Taylor
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Coffee or Tea with Pastor Valeria on Zoom
Wednesdays @ 1pm
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Chat with Pastor Valeria on Zoom, Wednesdays at 1pm.
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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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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Zoom Help with Emily
Friday, May 29th from 10am to 11am
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Do you need help with Zoom? Join Emily on Friday, May 29 from 10am to 11am. If Adeline can Zoom so can you! Together we will get you on Zoom.
Can't get on Zoom? Try these instructions:
CLICK HERE
If you know how to get on Zoom but have trouble with audio or other technical questions please join us.
Meeting ID: 834 4675 3495
Password: [email Emily for the password]
Call in: +1 929 436 2866
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Saturday Breakfast Fellowship
Every other Saturday @ 9am (Next one is May 3Oth)
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The fellowship on May 30 will just be a time for conversation. This is an opportunity to gather on Zoom and stay connected.
Please contact Tom,
[email protected]
for the Zoom meeting ID and password
or to be added to the Saturday Breakfast Fellowship email list.
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Pentecost Sunday on Zoom!
Sunday, May 31st @ 10am
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On May 31 we will celebrate Pentecost on Zoom!
We will celebrate the Holy Spirit and its manifold gifts by having brunch together on Zoom. You will all get to see and hear each other and we will go to virtual breakout rooms for small group conversations. This will be like our Fellowship Hall services except we will all be at home, eating brunch in our own living spaces, in our pajamas or comfy clothes. Wear red if you can!
The beauty of Zoom is those who don't have internet can call in over the phone and listen as well as speak to the rest of us.
If you have never used Zoom before we recommend you familiarize yourselves with it beforehand, to avoid frustration and disappointment. Emily will make a tutorial available to you, and offer virtual office hours on Zoom on Friday, May 29, for tech support.
More information to come in next week's email.
We will also be streaming parts of the service on Facebook Live for anyone who does not have access to Zoom or prefers not to use it.
If you have friends/family/neighbors/acquaintances who might enjoy this type of service please invite them to join us and share the link with them. They can worship with us from the comfort of their own home, and if they lose interest they can log off anytime, or mute the pastor.
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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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Baccalaureate Sunday - June 14
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We will be recognizing our graduates on Baccalaureate Sunday, June 14th. Please let us know if someone in your family is graduating so we can include them in this event. Please submit this information to the church office by Monday, June 1st.
High School Grads - Please let us know where you are graduating from, if and where you are planing to attend college, and your field of interest.
College Grads -
Please let us know where you are graduating from, along with the degree you are receiving.
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FROM OUR CHRISTIAN ED DIRECTOR
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Parent Support and Share Group
Sunday Nights at 8pm
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Join Trinity Church's Sherry Clark, Director of Christian Education for Children and Youth on Zoom for a weekly parent support and share group.
This will be an opportunity for parents to socialize, share concerns, and offer support to each other. Although Sherry is not a therapist she has a background in social services and has worked with children of all ages and their parents throughout her entire career. Sherry's intent is to provide a platform for discussion and support and to bring in specialists as the weeks go on.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 870 3308 2889
Password: 492721
One tap mobile
+19294362866,,87033082889# US (New York)
Dial by your location
+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
For more information, questions or suggestions please contact Sherry Clark,
[email protected]
or 508-254-2217.
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Earth Day Challenge continues!
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Write your senior buddy-
we have seniors in our Trinity community that would love a penpal. Please email me for one of their addresses.
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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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Take a pic with JC! Print one of these photos or photoshop yourself into it, and send to Emily. We will share them on our Facebook page and in our weekly emails.
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TRINITY CHURCH RECEIVED A GRANT
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We were recently awarded a Vital Worship Grant through the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Events will begin in June of this year, some of them virtual. Stay tuned for more information. Many thanks to Laurie Hunter, Sandra McCann, Mike Westberry and Julia Woodward for their help in writing the application.
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Northborough Helping Hands Needs You!
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Pastor Valeria recently learned the emergency funds of Northborough Helping Hands are getting low. The mission of Northborough Helping Hands Association (NHHA) is to coordinate programs to assist those in need in the form of Thanksgiving food baskets, Christmas gifts, clothing, medical equipment, and emergency aid for special services.
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During the school closure, the Nutrition 68 program was able to provide a large box of food for approximately 30 students in grades K-8. The partnership with the Northborough Rotary Club and the quick mobilization of volunteers helped to make this happen in a very short amount of time.
Because of the amount of food packed, the Nutrition 68 supply is starting to get low. The Nutrition 68 program is accepting monetary donations to purchase further food supplies to support Northborough students. If interested in making a donation, please make the payment and mailing to:
Nutrition 68
Rotary Club of Northborough
Box 651
Northborough, MA 01532
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Northborough Food Pantry
While we are not worshiping in person please consider making a financial donation to the Northborough Food Pantry. You may also want to check if your employer will match your donation.
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If you need help or are willing to offer help with getting groceries, running errands, etc., please contact Donna Miller at
[email protected]
or
774-276-2356.
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Information from the National Domestic Violence Hotline
Tips for Mental Health and Wellness
- Practice Self-Care:
- Share your feelings and your experiences with family, friends, colleagues.
- Practice breathing and relaxation techniques.
- Limit screen time to no more than 60 minutes at a time, building in mini-breaks throughout your day. It is okay to stick to boundaries and say “no.”
- Avoid or limit caffeine and use of alcohol.
- Remind yourself that it is not selfish to take breaks.
- The needs of others are not more important than your needs. Working all the time can cause harm. Turn to others to help. You are not alone.
- We are in this for the long haul and making these steps to stay well will have long-term benefits.
- Know that you are making a difference and your life matters.
- Be consistent with medications including ensuring that you have access to prescribed medications (get a 90 day supply if possible),
- Limit media exposure to COVID-19,
- Meditate, pray, maintain a sense of hope and positivity that God is with us, ask for help if you are feeling overwhelmed
- Practice Community-Care
- Reach out and connect to another person to provide support.
- Through regular check-ins (phone calls, text, Zoom, FB video, Skype), you can carry the burden of care together.
- Monitor one another’s stress level and safety.
- Encourage each other to take breaks and share opportunities for stress relief.
- Encourage rest, sleep, exercise and deep breathing.
- Be honest and authentic.
- Support children and other people at heightened risk of impact
- Take time to talk with your child about the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Answer questions and share facts about COVID-19 in a way that your child can understand.
- Reassure your child that they are safe. Let them know if is ok if they feel upset.
- Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you.
- Limit your child’s exposure to media coverage of the event.
- Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand.
- Help your child to have a sense of structure.
- Once it is safe to return to school or child care, help them return to their regular activity.
- Be a role model; take breaks, get plenty of sleep, exercise, and eat well.
- Connect with your friends and family members and rely on your social support system..”
- Recognize and know the symptoms of vicarious and secondary trauma
- Acknowledge that STS can impact anyone helping families after a traumatic event.
- Learn the symptoms including physical (fatigue, illness) and mental (fear, withdrawal, guilt).
- Allow time for you and your family to recover from responding to the outbreak.
- Ask for help if you feel overwhelmed or concerned that COVID-19 is affecting your ability to care for your family and patients as you did before the outbreak.
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ANNOUNCING THE NORTHBOROUGH COMMUNITY AID HOTLINE AT (508) 425-4725
The Community Aid hotline is staffed by an online support team of local volunteers ready to help community members during the ever-changing landscape of COVID-19 and social distancing.
Our mission is to connect callers to the right resources, conduct wellness check-in calls upon request, and share information on how to access food and other community resources. The hotline is available 7 days a week, between the hours of 8am-6pm.
Please note, volunteers are equipped to answer basic questions about available community resources. They are not qualified to give medical or legal advice. Should your needs exceed the services provided by the Hotline, the volunteers will encourage you to seek the advice of a qualified professional.
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FACEBOOK SUPPORT GROUP
"Power & Purpose" is a support group for those who suffer from Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Chronic Pain or Illness. These, and other afflictions are sometimes referred to as "Invisible Disabilities", and those suffering often live isolated and marginalized lives.
The Power & Purpose of this group is to bring people together, share personal experiences, edify one another, as we strive to heal ourselves on the inside, and begin to live more confidently, on the outside.
There is a plan to offer weekly, live support groups via video conferencing. One which will be topical in that the meeting will be created around a specific topic, and another that will be for open discussion. The timeline for this plan is still uncertain. But the goal will be to begin these groups within weeks.
This group is meant to remain small to promote camaraderie, trust, personal reflection, growth & healing. Of course "small" in the world of social media takes on whole new meaning. With that in mind, the number to cap this group is yet to be determined, and suggestions are always welcome.
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Watch this interview, hosted by elder law attorney, Arthur Bergeron, and Northborough Free Library director, Chris Lindquist with guests June David-Fors of Youth & Family Services (508-393-5020) and Liz Tretiak of the Northborough Senior Center (508-393-5035).
Senior Citizens who need a regular check in can be added to a list by calling the department's number.
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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.)
Social Security Updates
A Zoom Session with Sabrina Feliciano, Public Affairs Specialist
Wednesday, May 20, 2-3:30 pm, free. Come and learn about benefits & services provided by Social Security, how to qualify for benefits, how and when to apply, online services, planning tools and more. Prior to attending this session we recommend you visit the
website
, and create your own Social Security account at which will provide you with an earnings statement. Covid19 updates and Q & A. RSVP by emailing
[email protected]
to receive the link.
Sleeping Well: Tips for a Better Sleep
A Zoom Session with Robb Webb, RPSGT, RST
Wednesday, June 17, 2-3:30 pm, free. Join Robb Webb, Sleep Lab Manager, MetroWest Sleep Disorders Center, MetroWest Medical Center. Do you chronically have trouble getting a good night’s rest? Do you wake up feeling un-refreshed? Join Robb as he talks about the causes of sleep difficulties, treatments/procedures, and how to identify them- helping you get back on track with a healthier life! Better sleep is a healthier YOU. RSVP by emailing
[email protected]
to receive the link.
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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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~ Julia Woodward. Julia's mother passed away.
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Everyone affected physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially by COVID-19.
~ Donna Miller and her family.
~ Doris and Bob Hobbs and their family
~ 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 Pastor Valeria at the church office, 508-393-8156.
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CANCELLED:
Pastor Valeria will be at Inhouse Coffee on Wednesday mornings from 8:30am to 10am. Inhouse is located at 17 West Main Street. She's looking forward to seeing you and making more connections to local businesses, and to people who live and work in Northborough. She will talk to anyone, not just members of Trinity. Help us spread the word!
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CANCELLED: Community Meal
CANCELLED: Coleman House Service
CLOSED: Count Your Blessings Thrift Shop
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Deadline Date ~ June
Tidings
Please be sure to have all your info for the June Tidings in to the church office by Sunday, May 24, 2020. Your help is appreciated!
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TRINITY CHURCH
23 Main Street ~ Northborough, MA 01532
(508) 393-8156
Virtual Office Hours
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Emily is working from home. Please email her or leave a message on Pastor Valeria's voicemail on the church phone. (Please note Fridays are Pastor Valeria's day off and she will not check her voicemail. In case of an emergency please listen to her voicemail message for her cell phone number.)
Monday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 2:30pm
Tuesday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 2:30pm
Wednesday: 9am - 10:30am & 11:30am - 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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