Volume 69 - No. 10 | OCTOBER 2017
ADDITIONS TO OCTOBER TIDINGS
Four-week study on the Reformation
Sundays ~ 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19 11:30am
On October 31, 1517, Dr. Martin Luther published his 95 theses in Wittenberg, Germany. They marked the beginning of a long, complicated movement we now call the Reformation that ultimately led to the Protestant churches splitting off from the Catholic church. Protestant Christians all around the world have been celebrating the 500th anniversary of this event all year long.
While Trinity Church is not Lutheran, our Congregational, Reformed and Baptist roots trace back to the Reformation as well.

Pastor Valeria invites you to learn more about this movement and its significance for the church and for western culture as a whole.

The group will meet Sundays at 11:30, for about an hour: October 29, November 5, November 12, and November 19.

Please register with the church office by Monday, October 16 , so study guides can be ordered.
Coffee House OPEN
Friday October 20th, 7pm
Please join the Coffee House for their first open mic of the season Friday, October 20th at 7pm.

We invite you to come enjoy talented musicians performing a variety of music. You may even hear some poetry recitation. Coffee and refreshments will be served with a suggested donation. BYOM (Bring Your Own Mug). A $5 per person donation will be accepted at the door ($10 max family).
 
No charge to performers. Contact Janet Robbins for more information,

Mark your calendars for every third Friday of the month at 7pm to join the Coffee House fun!
Rainbow Dance DATE CORRECTION

Saturday, October 28th 7pm
Join us for an evening of fun with DJ Dave, refreshments, and dancing - all in a safe, accepting environment. No matter who you are we'd love to dance with you! Or you may enjoy the music just tapping your foot.

You're welcome but not required to wear your Halloween costume.

Saturday, October 28, at 7 pm.

For more information or to find out how to help please contact Monica Osborn monica.osborn16@charter.net.
Help a Veteran
Friday, October 13 8am-4pm
Please join Outreach to help with critical home repairs that will benefit a Veteran.

Volunteers needed for all or part of the day, Friday, October 13th 8:00am - 4:00pm in Sutton, MA.

For more information please contact John at  johnposluszny@gmail.com


Thank you!
A Few Words from Pastor Valeria
Happy Fall! 
I am just back from Germany. I was moved by the many celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation: A Luther Pop Oratorio with around 3000 lay voices singing all over the country, a playmobil figure of Martin Luther (its fastest-selling toy in the history of their company!  http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/31514940/playmobil-say-martin-luther-is-their-fastest-selling-toy), new children's books, exhibits, and much more. It was encouraging to see a church celebration finding its way into popular culture. 

If you are interested in learning more, plan to attend worship on Reformation Sunday (October 29), and/or the Reformation study I will be offering. See info below.

I look forward to the many exciting events happening at Trinity Church this month.

Another topic I have been thinking about is Baptist history and theology. When I accepted the call to become your pastor I committed to seeking standing in the American Baptist Churches. I am currently taking a class on Baptist History and Polity in order to be granted standing, and had to do a lot of reading about colonial Baptist history in Rhode Island (the class is being offered by the Rhode Island Baptist Heritage Center.) I will confess there are topics I find more interesting. But then I started reading "A Baptist Manual of Polity and Practice" and found I am already more Baptist than I realized!

According to its authors, worship in the Baptist tradition is not ornamental or complacent but needs to serve a purpose. It is not an opportunity for escape from the world, but to inform the conscience, increase compassion and motivate people to greater faithfulness and service. In other words: Our job as worship leaders is not to present something that people will "like", but something that will inspire them in their faith and encourage them to serve.

Concern for the poor and oppressed is also a central theme of American Baptist tradition, as is social justice. The church's role is that of a healer and prophet and therefore it cannot bypass social issues of our time. 

Stay tuned for more insights on what it means to be a Baptist church!

Wishing God's blessing and guidance upon you and Trinity Church -
Pastor Valeria
STEWARDSHIP
“Because of God’s Great Mercy” is the title of our pledge campaign this year. The scriptural basis of this focus on our stewardship of all that God has entrusted into our care is II Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.”

We begin by proclaiming all that God has done for us, hence the title “Because of God’s Great Mercy.” God has made us God’s own people. We will also consider how generous giving is an important part of every Christian’s life, and how our combined generosity can make even greater things possible through our congregation.

We will think together about how our giving to Trinity Church is an important part of our Christian faith, and how Trinity uses our offerings to do God’s work within the congregation’s walls, in our community, and around the world.

“Because of God’s Great Mercy” will ask you to do two things. First, prayerfully consider all that God has so abundantly done for you and your household. Second you will be asked to make a pledge commitment for 2018, and increase your giving to Trinity by ½%, if at all possible.

“Because of God’s Great Mercy” will use mail, e-mail, and time in worship to share information with you. Watch for materials in the mail and join us for our kick-off on October 15, and Celebration Sunday on October 22.

Your Stewardship Committee, June Hamilton and Robert Mulligan.
WORSHIP SERVICES ~ SUNDAYS, 10AM
Sunday October 8: Celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day

Sunday October 15: Pledge Campaign Kick-Off

Sunday October 22: Celebration Sunday with Trinity's Band 

Sunday October 29: Reformation Sunday

OUTREACH
Join the Outreach Committee!
The Outreach Committee is looking for new members and/or people who are interested in participating in activities. All are welcome and encouraged to attend the Outreach Committee meeting Monday, October 16th 7:30pm (Room 105).

For more information please contact John at  johnposluszny@gmail.com
Worcester Fellowship
We need volunteers, Worcester Fellowship will be making lunches to donate on November 19th and December 17th before worship at 9am.

Donations of food or small monetary amounts towards lunch supplies are welcome.

For more information please contact John at  johnposluszny@gmail.com
Work Mission Trip
Outreach is planning our next work mission trip is back to Clendenin, WV between Christmas and New Years. We will be helping individuals repair their flood damaged homes. Last year, we helped repair the Clendenin First Baptist Church social hall.

For more information please contact John at  johnposluszny@gmail.com
FROM OUR CHRISTIAN ED DIRECTOR

Faith Foundations Note

We are off to a great year upstairs in Faith Foundations. I have really enjoyed meeting all of your kids. Pleas help us out with the program by answering a few quick questions in the survey below:

We still have a BIG need for teachers on Sundays! You do not need to have kids, you don't need experience as an educator and you don't even need to do any prepping. You just need to like children and be willing to preview the lesson of the week. Please use the sign up below to donate some of your time: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a084dafa92ca31-faith

We now have a great lending library of Faith bases books! Feel free to come up as a family or have your child check out books after class on Sunday.

Upcoming lessons:
Oct 8th Indigenous People Exodus 32: 1-14
Oct 15th 2 Corinthians 9:8
Oct 29th Romans 3:21-28
Nov 5th Faith 5: Worship for All Ages

Please feel free to reach out to me at anytime with questions or comments trinitycenorthboro@gmail.com .

Sherry Clark, CE

Messy Church
October 7, 3pm-4pm
Saturday, October 7th, you are invited to “Messy Church” – a church that is fun, creative, and messy! 

We will sing songs, hear a story from the Bible, do a messy craft and have snacks.

All kids age 6 and under are welcome (their parents, grandparents, siblings and friends, too).

Saturday, October 7th 3pm – 4 pm
NEWS FROM OUR MUSIC DIRECTOR
Calling all singing voices! Trinity Church will include a Christmas musical in worship on December 17th this year, and you are invited to join! There will be only one rehearsal a month as follows, Oct. 26, Nov. 30, and Dec. 14 (All times are at 7:30 pm). This is a great opportunity to sing with others, and you'll also have materials to help learn your part on your own in between rehearsals. Email Mike Westberry at  mfwestbe@gmail.com  for more details.
ONA
Rainbow Dance
Saturday, October 28 7pm
Join us for an evening of fun with DJ Dave, refreshments, and dancing - all in a safe, accepting environment. No matter who you are we'd love to dance with you! Or you may enjoy the music just tapping your foot.

You're welcome but not required to wear your Halloween costume.

Saturday, October 28, at 7 pm.

For more information or to find out how to help please contact Monica Osborn monica.osborn16@charter.net.
FUNDRAISING
FUNDRAISING
AppleFest Update
I would like to thank everyone who volunteered their time and efforts for Applefest. Between the crafter spaces and the Cookie Café, over $1,000 was raised!
 
Sincerely,

Linda Corbett
Mistletoe Mart ~ Saturday December 2nd 10am-3pm
The Mistletoe Mart Holiday Fair Committee is busy planning for our biggest fundraiser of the year! It will be held on Saturday, Dec.2 nd from 10 – 3.

There will be beautifully decorated live wreaths and swags for sale, the “Festival of Wreaths” artificial custom wreath raffle, crafters selling their handmade wares, a Trinity jewelry table, a Handbag table, a Cookie Walk, and lunch for sale.  Please plan to visit us that day and bring a friend. It’s a great way to get some of your Christmas gifts checked off of your list and to get into the holiday spirit!

The committee is also looking for the following:
Wreath makers and/or sponsors for the Festival of Wreaths (artificial wreaths). The cost to sponsor a wreath is $75, or $50 if you also make a wreath and donate it to the raffle. 
Helpers to decorate the live wreaths the week before.
Decorations “do-dads” for wreaths.
Gift cards to Michaels, AC Moore, or anywhere that sells Christmas decorations.
Gently used jewelry (see Lynn, Bonnie, or Barbara)
Cookie bakers (see Carolyn )
Donations can be dropped off in the Mistletoe Mart bin, in the office, or with one of the committee members.
The committee members are: Rae Carlsen, Martha M, Barbara Baker, Jane O’Toole, Lynn Firth, Bonnie Dodson, Nancy Robbins, Carolyn Squillante, Judy and Frank Bissett, Doug Scally, and me.
 
We hope to see you there! Spread the word to your family and friends!
 
Thank you,
Linda Corbett
Cell:  508-688-9392
Applebee's Fundraiser
Thursday, October 26, 4pm - 9pm

Come support a fundraiser to benefit Trinity Church! Applebee's will donate up to 15% of your check! Dine-In or Takeout!

October 26, 2017 4pm-9pm
Applebee's of Northborough, 10004 Shops Way

Pick up a coupon at the church (located on the storage cabinets by the bulletin board), or download one using the link above.
EVENTS
Ongoing Events at Trinity
Grief Support Group - Come support and share with others who experienced loss. A Grief Support group is held the first Tuesday of each month, 7:30pm in Room 105. Next meeting date is September 5. All ages are welcome. If you have questions, please contact Carey Rublesky, 774-258-1814.

Community Meal - Join us each Wednesday, 6pm in the Fellowship Hall. 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!

Saturday Morning Hiking Club - Join us for a time of nature appreciation and friendly conversation with our Hiking Club. The club is still walking most Saturday mornings. Meet at the church at 9:30am and hike on one of the many Northboro trails. A leisurely pace is kept and hikes are typically done by noon. Contact Wade Robbins to receive weekly notifications via email, 508-393-2512 or robbinsfam105@gmail.com.


Community Events


Northborough Free Library ~ 'Faith Traditions in America' - A Four-Part Series - Next Meeting is October 11th, 7pm - 8:15pm

The Northborough Free Library is sponsoring a four-part series on Faith Traditions in America, featuring Pastor Valeria and other local faith leaders from greater Northborough who will be discussing their faith traditions.

Repair Cafe! Saturday, October 14th, 10am-2pm

Do you have a broken toaster or some clothes that need mending? Don't throw them away!
GFWC Northboro Jr. Woman's Club's Conservation Committee is hosting a Repair Cafe to be held here at Trinity Church from 10am - 2pm on Saturday, October 14.

Bring your items that need repair, and knowledgeable volunteers will help you try to fix them for free. The volunteers can work on items such as small appliances, computers, lamps, bikes, jewelry, clothing, and power equipment. They can also sharpen knives, scissors, and garden tools. You only pay for needed parts. If you know what parts are needed, please get them ahead of time and bring them to the Repair Cafe to save time. For more information or to volunteer contact info@northborojuniors.org .


Interfaith Community Discussion Sunday, October 15, 2017 3pm - 5pm
The Interfaith Book Club of the Islamic Center of Boston, Wayland invites you to a discussion of Getting to the Heart of Interfaith, the story of a Pastor, a Rabbi, and an Imam and the friendship that grew out of their search for mutual understanding. To be held at ICB, Wayland, 126 Boston Post Road, Wayland, MA.

A note from the book club:

Dear All,

I wanted to share more information on the community interfaith discussion. In March of 2017, we hosted our first community book read/discussion. We had over 120 attendees and many people were eager for another similar event. So, we are organizing a second Interfaith community discussion on Sunday, October 15, 2017. The title of the book is, Getting to the Heart of Interfaith, the Eye-Opening, Hope-Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi and a Sheikh. 

Our book group  has been meeting for over 15 years and w e look forward to the opportunity to support interfaith understanding through this event. 

We invite you and your congregation to join us and add your voices to our discussion about bringing 'hope' to our sometimes divided world.

In Friendship and Peace,
Shaheen 

PLEASE NOTE: READING THE BOOK IS NOT A REQUIREMENT TO JOIN THE DISCUSSION. 

Northborough Community Blood Drive Thursday, October 19 1pm-7pm
The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive on Thursday, October 19 from 1pm to 7pm at Trinity Church. Please help support the cause by coming in to donate blood!

Simple Church Saturday, October 21 11am
Central Massachusetts Baptist Association presents: Simple Church at the Fall Meeting Saturday, October 21. Simple Church will be held at First Baptist Church of North Oxford, 693 Main Street (Route 12), North Oxford, MA. Registration begins at 10:30am, $10 per person ($30 max per family). Program begins at 11am. For more information please contact:
Rev. Becky Tornblom, Moderator: beckytornblom@msn.com
Mark Bigelow, Treasurer: msb080456@aol.com

Trunk-or-Treat! Saturday, October 21 3pm-5pm
GFWC Northboro Junior Woman's Club presents their first ever  Trunk or Treat event! There are two ways to participate:
Park your car, pop the trunk, and decorate the trunk with your imagination!! - OR - Just wear your Halloween costume and join us for the afternoon of fun!   

LGBT Asylum Gala! Saturday, October 21, Doors open @ 5:30pm

The LGBT Asylum Task Force is a group in Worcester which provides support to people seeking asylum in the US due to repression, threats and fear of harm and/or death in their home countries, due to their sexual orientation. They provide each asylum seeker with a place to live, a monthly stipend, health and psychological care, spiritual support, access to an attorney and transportation.

The men and women who seek them out are extraordinarily brave. They leave their countries and everything familiar behind in order to seek a life in a country where they can be their true selves. Their stories are heart wrenching and each one comes to us with their own individual path of courage.

They are extremely devoted to their work and strive to provide them with a better life. They do not turn anyone away. But supporting them is a very expensive proposition. They receive most of their funding from a few foundations and the generous support of individuals and many churches. On Saturday, October 21, they will hold their first Gala at the Beechwood Hotel in Worcester, where they will celebrate the asylum seekers and the people who have helped them, eat great food, and dance the night away!
Dale LePage and the Manhattans will be the entertainment that night, with their wonderful unique style of music.

The LGBT Asylum Task Force is asking churches and individuals to sponsor one or more asylum seeker(s) for $75 a person, so they can attend this special event, or purchase your own ticket for $75 per person. Two seats are still available at Trinity's table! Please contact Monica Osborn, Chair of Trinity's ONA Ministry Team for more information, monica.osborn16@charter.net.

Active Bystander Training Sunday, October 22, 12:30 - 2:30pm

Do you want to learn how to be active and effective in responding to interpersonal harm-doing that you see? We are hosting another Active Bystander Training at Trinity Church, October 22, 12:30 - 2:30pm.
The facilitators ask for a $10 donation. Scholarships available. Please register through the church office by Wednesday, October 18.
Festive Breads w/Pastor Valeria
Pastor Valeria has resumed Wednesday coffee talk on October 4th. See you then!
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.
NEW CHURCH ADMIN
Hello Trinity Community,
Thank you all for such a warm welcome! My first week went very well and I appreciate those of you who reached out to say hello and introduce yourselves through email and in person.

If you missed my Welcome Letter please click the link to read it.

A couple exciting projects I am working on:
  • Updates to the website
  • Updates to the bulletin board (volunteers/ideas/supplies welcome)
  • Updating the Google calendar to include all events/meetings and room reservations!

Do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance.

God bless!

Emily 

PS. Please note the new admin email is  TRINITYCHURCHNBORO@gmail.com

New Office Hours:
Monday 9am-Noon and 1pm-3pm
Tuesday 9am-2pm
Wednesday 9am-10:30am and 11:30am-3pm
Thursday 9am-2pm
Friday 9am-2pm
Deadline Date ~ November Tidings
Please be sure to have all your info for the November issue of Tidings in to the church office by Sunday, October 29, 2017. Your help is appreciated!


TRINITY CHURCH
23 Main Street ~ Northborough, MA 01532
(508) 393-8156
trinitychurchnboro@gmail.com

Office Hours:
Monday 9am - Noon & 1pm - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 2pm
Wedesnday 9am - 10:30am & 11:30am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - Noon & 1pm - 3pm
Friday 9am - 2pm


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.