First Day of Spring, March 20, 2019
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There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature – the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.
— Rachel Carson
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Lots of Free Bulbs!
This week "mass saves" visited both the Rectory and the Church to do an energy audit. As part of that process they changed 57 old style bulbs in the Rectory and 67 in the church over to LED bulbs... FOR FREE! That was well over $1,500.00 worth of free bulbs that will now last for many years! In addition, the bulbs they took out used 60 watts of power and the ones they put back in their place only use 9 watts for the same amount of light. Our electric bill should drop by a bunch! And did I mention...
THEY WERE FREE!
It's free, saves money, it's an easy way to care for our planet and did I mention... ITS FREE! To get an energy audit for your home click on the link below to
www.masssave.com
. Then, before they come out, talk to me for the secret inside info to getting the most free stuff you can out of this process that you can. - Pastor Erik
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The Power of Prayer
An Interfaith Service Helps Sheffield Heal
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The spirit of our Shared Ministry with First Congregational Church compelled our pastors to sweep into action and orchestrate and lead a beautiful prayer vigil for Sheffield. Pastor Erik Karas and Pastor Jill Graham coordinated an extraordinary healing service and shared meal, which took place last Saturday at Old Parish Church. This, only days after two tragedies struck our little town.
Among the gathered clergy who offered invocations, prayer, and song, was Rabbi Liz Hirsch of Temple Anshe Amunim in Pittsfield. She led the assemblage in a Jewish psalm of comfort and strength:
“Those who sow, who sow in tears, will reap in joy.”
Rabbi Neil Hirsch and Rabbi Jodie Gordon of Hevreh; Pastor Trip Weiler of Greenwoods Community Church; and Deacon Sean T. Mulholland and Fr. Peter Naranjo of Our Lady of the Valley Church also offered prayers and invocations.
Our own Trudy and John-Arthur Miller beautifully sang the Civil War Era gospel hymn, "Angel Band." The entire service can be seen above.
To all the clergy, the musicians, the folks with their therapy dogs, the cooks, the extraordinary church kitchen volunteers, the table schleppers and the organizers: WE THANK YOU!
Everyone present was invited to share a meal together in the social rooms of Old Parish, immediately following the prayer service. The next time you are in
The Marketplace Cafe
on Elm Court, please thank them for the generous and yummy culinary contributions of mac n' cheese and vegetarian chili which they donated to the potluck healing meal.
There will also be a vigil on Saturday - at 6:30 at Sheffield Town Hall organized by parents from the Elementary School
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The Vernal Equinox is a time of hope and renewal. Nothing helps us align our priorities more clearly than a newborn baby. Here is Don and Doris Scherling's beautiful grand-niece, Sylvia Elaine from western Nebraska. The wonderful hand-knitted outfit that Sylvia is wearing is the handiwork of our own Hope Swanson and was purchased by Doris at the Christ Trinity Holiday Fair last December. The beautiful things that Hope created and the joy that she brought to us, not only remain, but add light.
When we see a beautiful little baby like this, we are reminded of how important it is to take care of our physical and cultural world. We want Sylvia Elaine, and all of our children to grow up on an Earth where they can thrive.
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Check it out! We now have the Reconciling in Christ logo right on our home page! Most weeks, there will be a link from the website to the latest issue of Seeds. However, the best way to stay in touch with what is happening here at Christ Trinity Church is to subscribe to this email, Seeds. We send it out most every week. Efforts are made to keep the information relevant, up-to-date and colorful. We are happy to include photos that you send us, like the one above. So, if you are seeing this newsletter, but you are not yet a subscriber, please let us know that you want to join or click
subscribe
below.
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OWLES
The Owles (Older, Wiser Lutherans and Episcopalians) will travel to the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield for their April outing on Wednesday, April 3, with lunch on the way home at On a Roll in Lenox Commons.
The museum has several interesting exhibits on display right now: Leonardo Da Vinci's Machines in Motion, Berkshire Backyards, and the history of the NAACP in the Berkshires. Cost of museum entry is $13 per person, but we can get a discount if we have 10 or more. Also, the libraries in Sheffield and Hillsdale have free passes, so if we get these, that can defray the cost for all of us. Attendees may meet at 9:30 at the church, or at 9:45 in the Barrington Plaza parking lot near the Price Chopper. Drivers will be needed, of course, too. Email Nancy King if you plan to come at
king2380@roadrunner.com
.
All are warmly welcomed at OWLES events.
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*note from the editor: We realize that this week's issue is a little on the schmaltzy side. No apologies. This is just the way it is, after the week that we have had here in Sheffield. Next week will be better. In more ways than one.
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Christ Trinity Church | 413-229-8811
180 Main Street
PO Box 127
Sheffield, MA 01257
Our worship services are Sundays at 8:00 & 10:00
*Office hours Mondays & Wednesdays 9:00 - 4:00
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