July 15, 2020

The mission of Trinity Church is to share Christ's love and grace in a vibrant community whose joyful spirit empowers people to do God's work.

SENIOR WARDEN'S NOTES
Do you ever get tired of the headlines reminding us of this strange, strange time we’re in right now?

“How Pandemics Wreak Havoc – and Open Minds”

“The Slob-Chic Style of the Coronavirus Pandemic”

“(Insert name) Virus Case Numbers Rising Fast”

The first two above are from The New Yorker’s cover this week and the third, from today’s (or any other day’s or any other newspaper) Free Lance Star.

I keep looking for the learnings from all this and this is some of what I’ve heard and observed.

  1. We now worship on-line with each other at least twice a week, with spiritual communion and music on Sunday mornings (who knew Barry would be our next organist?!)
  2. Old dogs can indeed learn new tricks. Some parishioners have gone from basic computer skills to the competence to attend Zoom meetings and pass information in a virtual format. Most of us, while still not able to keep up with our children and grandchildren, have learned a lot.
  3. A clean t-shirt and fluffing your hair have become an acceptable way to prepare for many group meetings – in fact, preferable for some meetings, with no traffic congestion on the way. It doesn’t take the place of personal touch but it does enable us to get stuff done, sometimes more efficiently.
  4. Trinity activities continue and in some cases thrive through virtual media. The Daughters of the King and the Brotherhood both hold virtual meetings, sometimes involving former members who live at a distance. The Brotherhood honored Patrick Brantley’s achievement of Eagle Scout with appearances of two national representatives of the Brotherhood to add their virtual congratulations. The Executive Committee meets often virtually and the work of the Vestry continues with regularly scheduled meetings through Zoom.
  5. Our contact with the community continues. Denise and Priscilla handle all manner of phone calls and emails. While we no longer serve through Outreach on Tuesday nights, we contributed money to a nearby church that still has a face-to-face food pantry. And Michele still pays the bills, thanks to your continued contributions to Trinity.
  6. We are expressing our beliefs to the community through our new banner, “Let’s Dismantle Racism”. Thanks to Harry, Val, Randall, and Mike for their work on this. Elsewhere in the newsletter you will see an invitation to participate on a task force to plan our next steps in this endeavor.
  7. Micah still benefits from our participation. Fifteen of our parishioners volunteered to help feed hungry children through the food drop-off school lunch/breakfast program; because of Trinitarians and 59 meals were handed out to kids who needed them last week. We are one of 17 sites, staffed by Micah church and community volunteers.
  8. Children’s programs continue. If we were to drop into Sam’s house right now, we’d see a small “camp” set up, thanks to her and her husband Butch’s ingenuity, to serve as backdrop for this summer’s Bible school. She has enlisted the help of young volunteers and the programs promise to be at least as exciting and rewarding as any other Bible school.
  9. We care for each other. Emails, phone calls, and prayers have flown fast and furious the past three days for three Trinitarians who had surgery this week and one who lost a dear family member. We have done a “welfare check” on a parishioner whose out-of-state contacts couldn’t reach them and thus contacted the Trinity office.

These are just a few examples of how Trinity continues to thrive and, indeed, to grow ideologically. Yes, we’ve lost a great deal, but we still have worship services; personal contact among parishioners; business, social, and spiritual meetings; and service to others. We are learning new ways of doing things that I believe will show us some new and even better ways of connecting with each other when we are at last post-pandemic.

Thanks be to God!

Claire Curcio, Senior Warden
TRINITY NEWS
Dismantling Racism

The Vestry wishes to appoint a task force to plan Trinity’s role in dismantling racism and bigotry in any fashion. You may have seen our new banner hanging by the Trinity sign on the corner of our property, “Let’s Dismantle Racism”. The banner is a small first step. Now we need to plan our response to our slogan. Initial suggestions have included holding group conversations on a particular topic; reading a book and then discussing it; watching a movie and talking about its message and implications; and beginning a study group based on offerings from the Diocese or Church Next.

We want participation with as much diversity and representation by race, age, gender and other demographics as possible. If you would be willing to be a participant on this planning task force, please notify Claire Curcio, Senior Warden( curciocc@msn.com , 540-4796988) or Barry Holliday, Junior Warden ( BWHolliday@verizon.net , 540-786-0552) as soon as possible. We’d like to get this task force organized and working right away – by Zoom, of course!
Trinity Discernment Prayer

O Everlasting, Omniscient, and Loving God
We confess that our daily worries and concerns often blind us to your voice and guidance in our lives. We thank You for this time of change, may it be an opportunity to grow together more closely as followers of your son Jesus Christ as we work to discern your path forward for our congregation. We pray that You will watch over the Bishop, diocesan transitional ministry team, the parish clergy, members of our vestry, and the other leaders of our church as they lead us on a new path for our parish. We pray for the members of the discernment committee as they endeavor to do Your holy work in calling a new rector for Trinity. We pray for all the members of our parish family during this time of transition that we come closer to You and feel your presence in our hearts. AMEN.
Compassion Camp

Compassion Camp, our online VBS, had a great first week! We are learning about compassion and how we can show compassion to others and having fun. Come join us! Compassion Camp will be five weeks long instead of five consecutive days. It will meet at the normal Zoom Sunday school time of Sundays at 10:30 a.m. beginning July 12th. There will also be a 30-minute check-in session on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. 

Please email Sam Burton at sburton@trinity-fredericksburg.org to let her know if you are interested in Compassion Camp so that materials can be mailed to you.

“Be Loved, Be Kind, Be You!”  

NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS
OFFICE UPDATE - We received word yesterday that Denise Symonds' knee replacement went well and she is at home. Our prayers for a complete and speedy recovery are with her and her family.


ANNUAL MEETING - Yes, we will have an Annual Meeting. No, we don't know when it will be. We have discussed holding a Zoom meeting but do not believe we can guarantee that everyone will be able to participate on this platform, a requirement of the Diocese to hold a virtual meeting. We are very certain that we want to be sure every parishioner has an equal opportunity to participate. For now, the officers and Vestry members already elected are extending their terms. When we can meet, we will elect 4 new members and new officers who will comprise the Executive Committee. Until then, we assure you both the Executive Committee and the Vestry continue to meet and make decisions for Trinity.


YOUTH GROUP MEETINGS VIA ZOOM!! Youth are invited to join us for youth group meetings via Zoom on Sunday afternoons from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. We will catch up with each other, do a brief Bible study, and this week we will have a scavenger hunt! If you did not receive an email last week with the information to join the youth group meeting and would like for your youth to participate, please contact Sam Burton.


Micah Ministries is sponsoring a high school PLANNING GROUP FOR JUSTICE to be organized by Ritta Amstead (Shiloh Baptist Church - Old Site). The purpose will be to bring young people together to discuss questions such as the role of the church, of the community, of elected officials. The group will provide a safe space for discussion of such issues. Micah is requesting two high school students from each of the nine Micah churches to participate in the discussion and perhaps plan for a larger group discussion at a later time. For now, the meetings will be on Zoom. Please contact Claire Curcio or Sam Burton if you would be willing to be a high school representative from Trinity to participate in this important discussion.


TRINITY SUNDAY SPECIAL OFFERING – The Vestry has designated the special offering for Trinity Sunday for School Dressing Days to help those in need prepare to go back to school. Please send a check to Trinity Church (825 College Ave., 22401) with Trinity Sunday offering in the memo space or go to the Trinity website, pick online giving, and select Trinity Sunday as the fund. Hopefully we can be generous as the program will rely more on donations of money instead of donations of clothing this year.


REBUILDING TOGETHER - As the COVID-19 situation evolves, the Fredericksburg Rebuilding Together leadership is trying to get an idea of what support can be marshaled to help with this year's delayed Rebuilding Together efforts. No date has yet been set and, I'm presuming, will be based on level of anticipated support. Since having a sign-up list isn't practical, please let Geoff Pomroy know if you're available, willing, and/or interested in this year's program. Please send him an e-mail at g_w_pegasus@yahoo.com to provide him your information and/or ask any questions. Thanks for your consideration.


FORWARD DAY BY DAY and GOOD NEWS DAILY - Reminder: copies of the Forward Day by Day and the Good News Daily are available in the wooden box outside the Ida Beck doors. You are free to take copies. Please let the office know if there are no more copies or if the box has turned up missing.
 

CAMPUS MINISTRY will continue to meet through the summer on Wednesdays from 5pm – 7pm! We would like to invite all college students (no matter which college!) to gather with us by Zoom. A Zoom link may be found on our church website, www.trinity-fredericksburg.org, or find the event on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/trinityfredericksburg/ .


During this time when we cannot be together physically, let’s keep in touch virtually.  Please check out the  TRINITY FACEBOOK PAGE  for information, inspiration, and some things to make you smile. Messages from Bishop Curry and from our Bishop Susan Goff are posted as they are received. Don't forget our follow  Instagram page  and subscribe to our newly formed  YouTube channel.

NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF VIRGINIA

Welcome BISHOP PORTER TAYLOR to the Diocese of Virginia. Bishop Taylor joins us as the Assisting Bishop. Find out more about Bishop Taylor here.

This week's Diocesan MEDITATION from Bishop Goff may be found here.

PARISH YOUTH MINISTRIES is seeking applications for committee membership for 2020-21. Find more information or how to apply here .
NEWS FROM THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

HABITS OF GRACE - An invitation for you from Bishop Michael Curry. Please read more here.

The Episcopal Church encourages support of the DREAM ACT . The Episcopal Church has long advocated for legislation that protects Dreamers and offers a pathway to citizenship. Through Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a program that allows those brought to the U.S. as children to remain in the country without fear of deportation, nearly 800,000 Dreamers have come forward, passed  background checks , and been granted permission to live and work legally in the U.S. Ending DACA in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic would be detrimental to the health and safety of families and communities around the country. For more information, click here .
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Wednesday, July 15
5:00 pm Campus Ministry via Zoom
6:30pm Daughters of the King online


Thursday, July 16


Friday, July 17


Saturday, July 18


Sunday, July 19
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
10:30 am Compassion Camp VBS Online
2:00 pm Youth Group via Zoom


Monday, July 20


Tuesday, July 21
10:30 am Compassion Camp Check-In
Wednesday, July 22
5:00 pm Campus Ministry via Zoom


Thursday, July 23


Friday, July 24


Saturday, July 25
8:00 am Brotherhood of St. Andrew via Zoom


Sunday, July 26
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
10:30 am Compassion Camp VBS Online
2:00 pm Youth Group via Zoom
Links
(540) 373-2996