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.
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Realizing that about half of Trinity’s congregation falls within the senior ranks caused me to reflect on just how many of us either have already become caregivers or will someday soon take on this role. Caregiving takes many forms, for example, caring for one’s spouse, parent(s), in-law(s), an adult child, or other family member who may be dealing with issues such as heart attacks, COPD, broken bones, strokes, and a decline with dementia.
Caregiving responsibilities can transform a person’s life overnight, particularly when they have to be dealt within one’s own home and, especially, when situations pop up during a worldwide pandemic and outside caregivers may not be available. Such times often cause physical and emotional stress levels to sharply rise for all involved and may seem endless for caregivers.
In our culture there’s a tendency to want to find a cure to any and all sorts of conditions, even when a cure is not available. What then do we have as a fallback, other than to provide care when the “fix” does not exist. Offering care for another can feel very strange for a new caregiver. It presents the caregiver with a new sense-of-self. The caregiver isn’t sure what this new role means. Henri Nouwen has written that caregiving is “entering another person’s pain” and “to suffer with.” In short, caregiving can become an expression of compassion. Marjorie Thompson, in her book Courage For Caregivers, says that caregivers can always grow in their capacity to care for another. She also writes that it’s not up to caregivers to take away someone’s pain, but to “be present” and to “listen with understanding.”
Thompson channels Nouwen when she writes about the “mutuality of caregivers” even when it may seem one-sided. While it may not be apparent early on, a reality is that both the caregiver and the care receiver have something to offer the other. Perhaps there’s a history of the care receiver having been a tremendous support to the family in former times. Reminding care receivers of this can help restore their dignity. Even when a day has been difficult, and filled with tension for all involved, at days end it might help for the participants to review the day together. Celebrating that they made it through the day can be healing, particularly when they can share a good laugh, which helps to strengthen bonds. In all caregiving situations there is mutuality that can be nourishing.
However, caregivers need help as well, especially in the midst of a pandemic. They may be fatigued to the max and need a sounding board. The person they are caring for may be the only person the caregiver sees, making self-care more important than ever. Caregivers need others – you and me – to sustain them.
Let’s make that choice. There are important points we must remember to remind caregivers about. First of all though we need to contact caregivers and tell them they are not forgotten. We might share a cup of tea together over a phone chat. In doing so we’re acting as a sounding board. We can remind caregivers to take care of themselves; to maintain a practice of prayer and meditation; to rely on trusted others – their wisdom and strength – to talk with and be a valve to release the pressure; and perhaps most of all we can listen. Henri Nouwen once wrote that “...most people do not want to be distracted but heard, not entertained but sustained.”
Take a moment and remember the caregivers you know. Our calls are one way to bring God’s love to both a caregiver and a care receiver. Pick up the phone – now could be a good time.
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Financial Update from the Treasurer of Trinity
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Trinity Sunday collection for School Dressing Days as of 6/30/2020 ($ 1,335.00)
As you can see, June was a light month from an income standpoint. In order to meet our
budgeted income, we need to average $41,736 per month over the last 6 months of the year.
Our biggest shortfall is coming from our non-pledge income, since we are not holding services in our church building. I am encouraging those of you who put checks in the plate each Sunday you attend to mail your contribution to the church or to set up on-line giving.
While our expenses are down, due in large part to the fact we don't have a full time Rector, I am concerned about the financial impact our inability to hold church services in our building will have on our overall budget.
Thank you for your continued support of our life at Trinity as we go through this unique experience together.
Val Folden
Treasurer
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Compassion Camp, our online VBS, begins this Sunday, July 12th!
We will learn some new songs, listen to stories, play games, do arts and crafts, and learn about compassion and how we can show compassion to others. 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 12
th
. 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. Come join us! “Be loved, Be Kind, Be You!”
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OFFICE UPDATE -
Denise Symonds, Trinity's Office Manager, will be out of the office starting July 13, 2020 due to knee surgery. Priscilla Turner, Office Assistant/Webmaster, will handle office duties while Denise is recovering. Please email Priscilla newsletter items, updates to the prayer list and any pastoral care concerns. Her email is
pturner@trinity-fredericksburg.org
.
Our efforts in the process of calling a new rector are ongoing and steadfast. We appreciate your continued prayers for the candidates, discernment committee, and our parish during the discernment period.
Trinity Discernment Committee
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.
VESTRY MEETING HIGHLIGHTS June 2020—
The June Vestry meeting included the following items: In the May Treasurer’s report, Val Folden noted that collections were at 43% of the annual budget, partly because several Trinitarians had prepaid their 2020 giving. Non-pledge giving was below budget, as expected since we are not holding worship services at Trinity. Expenses were only about 36% of budget mainly because we are not paying a full-time rector. (Five months of the year would be 42%.) There was discussion about resuming worship services, but the Vestry agreed that until we have further guidance from the Diocese, we will continue to suspend worship services in our building. In opening a discussion on dismantling racism in America, several suggestions were made about possible activities. Suggestions included reading a book or watching a movie and then offering discussions via internet-based meeting software such as Zoom or inviting a speaker or panel discussion via Zoom. After the discussion there was a proposal to put up a sign in support of our community and a committee was appointed to recommend wording back to the Vestry. Barry Holliday reported that the Technology Committee was looking into ways to continue to broadcast or live-stream worship services after we re-gather for physical worship at Trinity. Lastly, the Vestry agreed to designate the Trinity Sunday offering for School Dressing Days.
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.
CULTIVATING COMMUNITY: CARRYING THE LOAD - While some of our churches are still closed, Micah Ecumenical Ministries continues to help those in our community. They are always in need of volunteers and supplies. Read more about ways you might help on their Facebook page
here.
UNITED THANK OFFERING presents the
Inaugural Great EpisGOpal Race!
The United Thank Offering (UTO) invites all to support the 2020 Ingathering by joining them in gratitude, grabbing a pair of sneakers, and racing YOUR way in the Great EpisGOpal Virtual Race. Anytime between July 22 - July 31, choose a preferred mode and distance and race to raise money for COVID-19 relief. Participants can bike a 10K, run a half marathon, skate a mile, and more—the options are limitless. All of the funds that are raised will be collected for the 2020 UTO Ingathering and dispersed to ministries responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking for some friendly competition? Start a team with friends, church, or diocese and see how far the team can collectively go. Registration is just $15 with the option to purchase a race shirt with an amazing original design by Chris Corbin. With a whole week to complete the event, UTO asks that participants please
adhere to all CDC recommended social distancing guidelines
,
maintain a safe distance from others, and avoid trails and walking paths during peak times. To learn more about the race and how to participate, click
here
.
UNITED THANK OFFERING -
More than $1 million awarded in 2020 for Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion mission and ministry and young adult, seminarian grants. To see a list of recipients, click
here
.
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.
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.
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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 Porter Taylor "Lighting Small Fires to Bring About Lifelong Change" may be found
here.
PARISH YOUTH MINISTRIES
is seeking applications for committee membership for 2020-21. Find more information or how to apply
here
.
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NEWS FROM THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
HABITS OF GRACE, July 7, 2020 - An invitation for you from Bishop Michael Curry. Please read more
here.
Season 3 of The Episcopal Church’s
podcast
THE WAY OF LOVE
with Bishop Michael Curry, is now available. These weekly conversations, featuring Bishop Curry, podcast host Sandy Milien, and a variety of guests, center on ways to live a life committed to living the way of God’s unconditional, unselfish, sacrificial and redemptive love.
To read more about the podcast, click
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
.
The Episcopal Church invites everyone to participate in
GOOD NEWS GARDENS
. Join the movement to Plant, Pray & Proclaim! More information can be found
here
.
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Wednesday, July 8
5:00 pm Campus Ministry via Zoom
Thursday, July 9
Friday, July 10
Saturday, July 11
8:00 am Brotherhood of St. Andrew via Zoom
Sunday, July 12
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
10:30 am Compassion Camp VBS Online
2:00 pm Youth Group via Zoom
Monday, July 13
Tuesday, July 14
10:30 am Compassion Camp Check-In
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Wednesday, July 15
5:00 pm Campus Ministry via Zoom
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
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