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Rector's Report for April
On April 9th, we will begin Holy Week during which we will remember the final days of Jesus' ministry. It begins with Palm Sunday and culminates on Easter. Like any anniversary, remembering these events brings forth memories and emotions, both good and bad. Holy Week helps us to never to forget how destructive the powers of evil can be and how redemptive the powers of God can triumph.
As I enter into the biblical stories of these finals days of Jesus, I wonder what the disciples were thinking and feeling. They had settled into a lively ministry with Jesus, looking to him as their leader and savior. Waving palms during his entry to Jerusalem, perhaps they thought they had many more years together with him. Eating and drinking at the Passover, hearing his words of encouragement, washing their feet, and being touched by his compassion, they did not know it would be their final meal together.
Then events began to turn abruptly, including Jesus' agony in the garden, his arrest, trial, and crucifixion. During those dark moments, I am sure the disciples were frightened, not only for an uncertain future, but an uncertain existence. Their love for their master caused them to grieve deeply and despairingly, his death being the final blow. They had lost all hope for a bright future.
But then, the impossible became possible, and they experienced resurrection on Easter Day. Out of the ashes of destruction came new life, new hope, and new ways of walking in the world. No longer would they depend on Jesus to carry out the good news, but the baton had been passed onto them. Filled with courage and the power of the Holy Spirit, they went out into the world and continued a ministry that eventually has expanded into over 2 billion Christians today. The power of resurrection, which is at the core of our faith, is an ongoing gift to us from God. No matter the magnitude of the loss, the despair, or the disappointment, the future holds new possibilities that we cannot even imagine in the present moment. Our hope is in God with whom all things become possible.
I hope you will join me in celebrating Holy Week. The schedule is listed below. It is the holiest week in our liturgical calendar which can bring us together in ways that will strengthen our faith, enhance our community, and help us grieve our losses and anxiety about the future.
By now, all of you should have received my retirement letter in the mail, explaining the timing and reasoning of why I am passing on the baton as rector of Trinity. My final Sunday at Trinity will be on July 30th when we will have a combined service at 9:30am with celebration and tears.
On Sunday, April 2nd, I plan to have an open discussion immediately following both the 8:30 and 10:30 services. These will be held in the church sanctuary. Please bring your questions and concerns. Because of this discussion, the Bible Study will not be held and the 10:30 coffee hour will be delayed.
It is never easy to say good-bye, especially for me. Because you are such a loving congregation, my heart aches as I acknowledge the loss and grief of leaving you. My solace is in knowing that Christ is the head of the Church and Christ will not leave you bereft. As Jesus said to his disciples when he was about to depart from his earthly ministry: "I will not leave you desolate. I will ask the Father and he will give you another to be your Advocate, who will be with you forever, the Spirit of Truth."
{John 14}
It is this Spirit of Truth that permeated Trinity Church when you called me. It is this Spirit of Truth that inspired me to come here in the first place. It is this Spirit of Truth, the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will lead you into the next chapter of this compassionate church community. Know that you all remain in my prayers.
Peace and blessings,
Pastor Karen Siegfriedt+
Holy Week Schedule:
April 9:
Palm & Passion Sunday at 8:30 & 10:30am
April 13:
Maundy Thursday Services at 6:00pm in Jane's Hall/Church beginning with soup supper
April 14:
Good Friday Service at 12 noon
April 15:
Easter Vigil at the Rectory at 7:45 pm. Please RSVP and bring a chair.
April 16: Easter Sunday Services at 8:30 & 10:30am
Photos of Activities at Trinity in March:
Understanding Islam: Lenten Program at Trinity
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| Weekly Lenten Soup Suppers at Trinity |
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Vestry Briefs
By Margaret Lewis, Senior Warden
-Vestry met in Jane's Hall on March 23, 2017
-Mentoring and Disaster Plan were discussed
-Review of the Investment Fund letter received from the Diocese
-Results of the 2015 audit were reviewed
-Rector announced her retirement effective 8/1/17
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Thoughts on Change
By Margaret Lewis
As I am sure is true for most of us, the news of Karen and Steph leaving Trinity has brought me to a place of deep sadness and grief. I say this unapologetically; when we lose someone, whether through death, divorce, or moving away, we need to accept the loss we will experience and be allowed to grieve in whatever way and for as much time as we individually need. It is only when we have fully acknowledged what is to be lost, or what has been lost, that we can begin to move forward. Healthy grieving within a community is essential not only for the individuals but also for the group as a whole.
Gratitude is a perfect accompaniment to grief. When we can focus on what is good in this moment, we allow our brains a rest from thinking about everything outside of this moment. Even as our hearts hurt, they are capable of rejoicing. Whenever possible, allow yourself to focus on
"...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Philippians 4:8).
Here are a few of the things I've been trying to focus on:
-Pastor Karen and Steph will be with us for four more months, giving us time to laugh, share, grieve and pray our goodbyes.
-We are a resurrection people knowing that new life arises from the ashes. In fact, there can be no Easter Sunday until we pass through Good Friday. In the season of Lent, remembering Jesus' journey through the desert can remind us that we have a partner on the journey.
-Trinity is
an inclusive, spiritually dynamic,
loving Christian family sharing
The Good News of Jesus Christ with each other and the world. We will be here for one another offering the support and listening ear that each of us may need over the next weeks and months.
Above all, with gratitude, let us pray to Christ who is the head of the Church - that we remember who we are and whose we are; working together as we walk this path.
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Care Packages Project: Items Needed
Our Care Packages Project is underway and we are collecting food and/or monetary donations until April 9. The Sunday after Easter, April 23, will be the date we assemble the bags between services. Below is the list of needed food and non-food items for the bags. If you want to make a monetary donation, please note "For Care Packages" on the item line of your check. Thank you all for your continued support of this project!
ITEMS FOR THE BAGS
There are two lists: food items and non-food items.
Food Items Basic Ideas:
Items that are easy to carry and eat, high in calories and protein, and need no refrigeration or cooking and with the longest shelf life possible. Keep heavy items like canned goods to a minimum and remove any unnecessary packaging from foods to make them lighter. (NOTE: please mark on the item the expiration date if it is only on the larger container that is being discarded).
Foods to Include: (Priority Items)
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Item
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Possible Variations
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Peanut butter
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Small plastic jar, peanut butter crackers - individual packs
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Nuts and seeds
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Snack packs of different varieties of nuts/seeds, light weight containers of peanuts, sunflower seeds; packs of trail mix - varieties
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Beef jerky
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Snack packs of dried meats
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Canned chicken, chicken salad, tuna or tuna salad, Spam, Vienna Sausage, other Canned meats
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Small, light weight pull-top cans or snack sets with crackers
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Granola or cereal bars
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Several varieties with higher protein
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Fruits
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Raisins, other types of dried fruits - small boxes/bags; fruit leathers; small plastic containers of fruit/applesauce
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Crush 'resistant' crackers/chips
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Pretzels, corn chips, banana chips, some varieties of 'heftier' crackers. Small sizes. Also, peanut butter and cracker or cheese and cracker snacks - individual packs
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Bottled water or water bottle
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Small sizes - easier to carry/reuse
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Powdered drink mixes
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Chewing gum, hard candy, mints, cough drops
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Don't want anything that will melt with higher temperatures
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Gift cards to fast food places
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McDonalds, Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken, etc.
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Other possibilities: Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) - military food sets often sold at camping stores and sometimes Costco or similar; Back packing dehydrated food sets.
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Non-Food Items:
Again, ease of use and simple to carry around are important considerations.
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Hand wipes
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Individually wrapped and put in a non -food zip lock within the food bag. (Those without fragrance best).
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Kleenex, napkins
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Small individual packs
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Plastic utensils
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Restaurant style sets of knife, fork, spoon with napkin
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Toothbrush, toothpaste
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Small set
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Information brochure on where to find food/services in Amador County
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Interfaith Food Bank, Break Bread with Friends, etc.
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No 'preaching' but a card with some words of encouragement might be considered??
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Socks
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Unscented soap
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Care Packages for the Homeless Project
A great way to celebrate Palm Sunday is to bring in your final contributions for our Care Packages Project! Palm Sunday is the last day we can collect funds and items to give the team time enough to obtain any items still needed to complete our goal of 150-200 bags. Lists are included in this newsletter and are in the back of the church and Jane's Hall. Donation containers are in Jane's Hall and in the Narthex. Thank you for your generosity for this annual Trinity project!
Special Opportunities:
Come help us with the preparations for our Care Packages project. Wednesday, April 19 at 10:45 AM, we will meet in Jane's Hall to assemble the toiletry bags. On Thursday, April 20, at 1:30 PM, we'll meet in Jane's Hall to set-up and prep our assembly areas. You are welcome to come join in for any or all of these preparation events. It will be fun - we promise!
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Trinity Historical Vignettes, Part 3 (1906-1910)
In October of 1906, the Trinity Guild received a request from St. Veronica's Guild of Fort Bragg for items that could be sold at their bazaar. Items were selected and sent, and a thank you note was received later. A chicken pie supper was decided upon "if a hall could be obtained." Moore's Dining Hall was reserved. Expenses were later listed: napkins, wood (for heating? cooking?), hall rental, ice and freight charge on cream, printing dodgers (advertising). The net proceeds: $74.05. Evidently the Guild members provided the dinner items.
In early 1907, Rev. Tuson requested a donation of $50.00 "toward the Jackson rectory". The ladies voted to donate $25.00. In April, the ladies voted to present Rev. Tuson with $25.00 for "faithful service", and the secretary was directed to "write a few lines to accompany the donation". One can deduce from the record that Archdeacon Clark visited the area, and that entertainment expenses for him were split between the Sutter Creek and Jackson guilds. A couple of new items are listed as sold: a "sleeve holder" and a "botto bag". In October, members were asked to meet with Mr. Gonsalves to discuss "the changing of the seats", later referred to as "altering of the seats". No more was recorded on this topic. In November, the ladies moved that a stationary wash stand be placed in the Vestry. Mrs. Downs was to furnish the water and Mrs. Deacon the towels. Another chicken pie supper was scheduled, and at the close, the ladies had "in the sack" $135.15 with expenses of $14.65.
January 1908 brought a letter from Bishop Moreland requesting support of the Jackson rectory. The ladies voted to pay the interest of $35.00 on the mortgage. They also voted to lend $80.00 to Mrs. Sausman. No details were included, but succeeding notes recorded her paying the sum back in August. During the rest of the year, Guild members held an ice cream social and another chicken pie supper. Of interest is the note that the "Lady Maccabees" offered the use of their dishes for this occasion. A receipt for $1.00 from the Sutter Creek State Bank was noted, and the following month the loss of $135.10 in the same bank was noted. Did the bank fail?
February 1909 noted a thank you from Rev. Bruns for the $15.00 donation to the Jackson rectory. In April, a discussion was held regarding what time to hold Easter services. Since Rev. Bruns had been ill, they decided- no service! In October, Rev. Adams of Arcata offered to conduct a service if he could be assured of a $10.00 remuneration. "The communication was met "with the hearty approval of all present". So, it seems that there was no pastor at this time. Rev. Clark of Arcata also offered to hold a service, and the ladies accepted. Archdeacon Swan volunteered to hold a Dec. 19 service. In the meantime, the guild members planned another bazaar and turkey supper. This netted $123.43, and the treasurer was instructed to deposit $200.00 in the Branch Bank of Amador County ( a new bank?) The treasurer's annual report listed expenses as: guild expenses $25.55, rector's salary $77.95, apportionment fund $1.25, donation to the Jackson rectory $15.00, the year's electric light bill of $12.00.
1910 brought Rev. J. Shea as noted by his salary. An ice cream and strawberry social was held, and plans were made for the "annual bazaar".
Trinity's history to be continued....
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Food Bank Donations
The Food Bank's cart, in the sanctuary, yielded 112 lbs. of food in March.
Total giving in 2017: 398 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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April Birthdays
The following members of our church family are celebrating birthdays in April!
8th- Linda Busch
18th- Norm Regan
28th- Steve Russell
29th- Mary Elizabeth Yount
If you are celebrating a birthday in April, 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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