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Rector's Report for February
The other day, Steph went across the street to play cards with a neighbor and her friends. Suddenly, one of the card players made a remark that all of those demonstrators (who were standing up for human rights in recent weeks) were "paid" to demonstrate. When Steph tried to correct their misconception, they discounted her input. Perhaps they needed to believe deceptive reporting in order to support their own, narrow position. I don't know what motivation they might have had to accept such deceptive reporting from the media. But whenever folks refuse to seek the truth or to think critically (especially when it involves issues of justice, peace, and the dignity of every human being), it deeply distresses me.
On January 21st, forty people from Amador County hired a bus to travel to Sacramento to participate in the Women's March. Five folks from Trinity were part of this community event. Several Episcopal Churches in our diocese were present, along with 20,000 other people who lifted up their voices and showed their support for human rights. None of us were paid! We showed up because we believe strongly in striving for the dignity of every human being, one of the vows in our baptismal covenant. Three million people from all over the world also participated in this show of solidarity. There was no need "to pay" them because they were motivated on their own.
My understanding of the Christian faith moves me to work for justice, for the underdog, for the lame, the loser, the left behind, and all those on the margins. Whenever I see injustice or the whittling away of human and civil rights, I feel called to lift up my voice, to shine the light on untruth, to be courageous, to give generously, and to work tirelessly for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I am committed to keeping God's dream alive; the very dream that Jesus came to teach us about as he demonstrated the path of compassion in concrete terms. What is your faith journey calling you to do?
Peace and blessings,
Pastor Karen Siegfriedt+
Photos of Activities at Trinity in January:
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Trinity Singers celebrate over food & song
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Trinity & Amador County folks support Women's March
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Health Ministry Board: 2017
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Did You Know?
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Bible study on the Book of Acts continues on the first Sunday of each month at 9:40am.
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Cathy Koos-Breazeal is the new chair of Trinity's Health Ministries.
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Next Health Ministry meeting is April 1st at 9:30 am
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Most of our prayer shawls are either knitted or crocheted. However, Cathy Koos recently donated two "sheep to shawl" prayer shawls. What does that mean? In five hours, a team of 7 folks sheered the sheep, spun the wool, and wove the shawl in five hours. Amazing!
-Carol Harper is seeking to rent a room in Amador County. Would be willing to share other arrangements like errands/housekeeping.
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Vestry Briefs for January 2017
Vestry Briefs for Jan. 5, 2017
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2017 Budget approved
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Annual Meeting Agenda planned
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Rector's Housing Allowance passed
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Spring Vestry Retreat discussed
Vestry Briefs for Jan 29,2017 (following annual meeting)
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Margaret Lewis is the new Sr. Warden. Laurie Jo Leed, Martin Hopper, and Mary K Lane are our new vestry members.
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Elections of officers: David Hoos (Jr. Warden), Laurie Jo Leed (Clerk), Carol Holt (treasurer).
-Vestry confirmed future meeting dates as well as vestry retreat date (either April 21-22 or May 12-13).
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Getting to know you!
Would you be interested in getting to know people in the Trinity family better?
Here's a fun way to do that! You would be grouped with 3 other families (couples, singles- doesn't matter!) for a 6 month period. One family is the lead, meaning they consult the others to decide whether the group would like to have potlucks at each family's home or whether each family would host a meal for the others. The lead family would also make sure that the group mutually chooses dates to meet. At the end of the 6 months, you would be placed with a different group of people. I will provide sign-up sheets in the back of the sanctuary and in Jane's Hall. OR... you can call Nancy Moore at 267-5182 or email me at
nancymoore41@gmail.com. Food and friends- a winning combination!
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Baked Cookies!
Sally Murphy was making cookies for our group Breaking Bread for the homeless, but she is leaving going into assisted living. We have anywhere from 35 to 60 people coming Saturdays for breakfast and a bag lunch. We put cookies in the bag lunch, so if anyone is available to bake cookies for our cause, please call me- Russ Berolo at 209-295-3913 or e- mail me at russberolo@yahoo.com Thanks and God bless!
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Amador Soup Kitchen
Blessings all,
We have a small group of volunteers that would like to start a soup kitchen to feed the hungry and homeless of our communities. We are in the beginning planning stages and wanted to reach out to our church community for assistance. According to Matthew 5:7, mercy is an investment: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." The initial investment was given to us when we were saved from the eternal consequences of our sin. Let's not bury what we have been given but rather seek opportunities to invest.
One of the most fundamental exercises in mercy is feeding the poor. Starting a soup kitchen is a direct approach to connect us with those who physically hunger and give us the opportunity to address their spiritual hunger as well.
At this point, this is where we stand with the planning:
1. We have the commercial kitchen required by Environmental health to prepare food.
2. We have a licensed food caterer that is required to oversee the food.
3. We are thinking of serving the soup/food at the Civic center in Jackson, since this is where most homeless are living. We could rotate if needed throughout the community.
4. We are able to open an account with the Amador Community Foundation, once we name our group for donations toward helping with the cost of food.
5. We have a starting base of volunteers willing to cook/serve.
6. Behavioral health is willing to join us to have literature available with assistance programs/counselors.
Future:
We need help with volunteers, which is why we are reaching out to our faith community for assistance. We hope to be able to rotate with different church's/volunteer groups/ service clubs, etc to serve the hungry. We are attempting to feed as often as we are able to, starting out at least once a month.
If anyone has experience with this type of project, advice would be appreciated.
Our goal is to all come together to feed our hungry.
Please contact me if you have any thoughts, questions or advise.
Thank you and bless you for considering this project.
Connie Gonsalves
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Trinity Historical Vignettes, Part 1
The first recording in the "Minute Book" of the Trinity Episcopal Guild was entered on Dec. 11, 1897. With the guidance of a circuit pastor, the ladies who had gathered with the intention of starting a Guild in Sutter Creek decided upon a constitution and a brief set of bylaws. Their goal: to make it possible for an Episcopal church to be established in Sutter Creek.
To become a Guild member, one's name had to be suggested by a founding member for the approval of the group. From the records, everyone was welcomed! The initiation fee was $.25, and members paid $.10 in dues at the twice-monthly meetings. It was agreed that each lady would bring to each meeting an item for sale. The group then decided upon a fair price, and the buyer and amount paid was recorded. For example, at a 1900 meeting, a doll went for $1.25, 2 aprons for $.50, a handbag for $.75. Other items included bonnets, dust caps, doilies, fascinators, and laundry bags.
To find a place to worship when the traveling rector came, a committee was formed to approach the I.O.O.F. which agreed for a short period. Following that, the ladies asked owners of halls if space could be rented. Worship was a movable event!
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Food Bank Donations
The Food Bank's cart, in the sanctuary, yielded 218 lbs. of food in January.
Total giving in 2017: 218 lbs. of food.
Thank you for your generous support of this special ministry.
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Trinity Singers Rehearsals
All are invited to join the Trinity Singers/Worship Team! Rehearsals are the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 7PM. Bring your voices, your instruments, and a heart for worship and praise! For more information, please contact Carol Harper at 916-604-1872 or email
carol@worshipattrinity.com
. Web site: WorshipAtTrinity.com.
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February Birthdays
The following members of our church family are celebrating birthdays in February!
11th- Gloria Tam
14th- Julie Mathis
17th- Jeri Miller
26th- Barbara Wells
27th- Shannan Yount
If you are celebrating a birthday in February, but you don't see your name listed here, please contact our Parish Administrative Asst.
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Would You Like to Contribute to the Newsletter?
If you have an article of interest to the congregation that you would like included in the newsletter, please email it to the office,
office@trinitysuttercreek.org by the
20th of the month. It will be included in the next month's newsletter.
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