Trinity Newsletter for May 5, 2021

May 5, 2021

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.

A NOTE FROM MOTHER CYNTHIA

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

This truly feels like a season of resurrection. What a beautiful spring we’re having. I have roses about to bloom and the azaleas are still blessing us with color. Spring migration is underway, and everything seems to proclaim new life.

New life is coming to Trinity. We are approved for in-person worship indoors as well as outdoors. That’s fantastic news. Of course, since we are still under the shadow of the pandemic, we have here very specific guidelines for regathering. We aren’t ready to fill the pews, but this is an important next step.

For Sunday Worship

Our pews are marked off with ribbon, (you might have noticed that during the livestream.) When you arrive at church, the ushers will lead you to the next available seat. There is still no congregational singing. The ushers will guide you during communion and after the service. Our wonderful vestry members will be on hand to help with check-in and to answer questions.

We are still on a week-to-week discernment about the safety of gathering. This decision is led by our bishops and uses the risk levels from http://globalepidemics.org

For groups that meet at Trinity

If we are open for worship, we are open for your group to gather! Please send me an email cmckenna@trinity-fredericksburg.org with your plans for gathering indoors or outdoors. I’ll need your safety plan (masks, physical space, disinfecting, etc.) We are not allowed to serve food or beverages at this time. If our infection rate goes up, your group might have to pause gathering until the numbers return to safer levels.

Parish Office remains closed

The Diocese will let us know when our offices can open.

This Eastertide brings new growth, new routines, and new hope. We continue to be called to love God and with all our heart, mind, and strength, and to love one another, Love will carry us through this transition. I’m so excited to be traveling on this journey with you.

Blessings and love,

Mother Cynthia+

* * * * * * * *

You must register to attend either service. Registration allows us to know how many people are attending and provides a record for contact tracing.

link: https://bit.ly/3b6X402

Please plan to arrive at check-in at least 15 minutes early so the ushers can seat you. If your mobility needs require extra time, please be at check-in by 20 minutes early.

Masks will be required. You will also need to print the bulletin or bring your phone or tablet to follow along.

Please bring your own lawn chair for the outside service. If you need assistance with your chair, there will be people able to assist you. You will be sitting with people in your own “germ bubble”, and spaced six feet apart from others. You might want to bring a hat, sunscreen, or a blanket.

If we need to cancel Church on the Lawn because of cold temperatures or precipitation, we will notify you via email, and will post a notice on Facebook by 6:00 am.

The Trinity Chapter of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew (BStA) and the Sisters of St. Jane Chapter, Daughters of the King have been encouraged by their respective national offices to collaborate on May 6th as a National Day of Prayer. The Director of the Trinity Chapter, BStA, and the President of the Sisters of St. Jane Chapter are encouraging all Trinitarians to pray individually at 12:00 Noon on May 6th.

CAREGIVERS' SUPPORT GROUP will meet on Thursday, May 13th, 10:00-11:30 am at Trinity. We will meet outside if the weather permits (bring chairs) or inside if it does not. Should the COVID numbers worsen a link to Zoom will be sent out to those persons who have attended or expressed interest in the meeting.

Men and women who are caregivers for a disabled or ill adult or child are invited to participate. If you are interested in joining the group or have questions about it please contact Randall Clingenpeel (540-207-0600), Brenda Chase (540-226-2628), or Claire Curcio (540-479-6988).

PARENTS OF GRADUATING SENIORS

We would like to recognize Graduating Seniors in the newsletter again this year in addition to during the service on May 16th. With your permission and that of your senior we will also post the information on Trinity social media. Parents, if you would like to have your senior’s name, picture, and post-graduation plans published in the newsletter and on social media, please send their name, picture (if desired), school from which they are graduating, awards or scholarships they received, church activities in which they have been active, sports they play, clubs and community activities in which they participate, hobbies, and post-graduation plans (whether it’s college, the military, the workforce, or trade school) to Sam Burton at sburton@trinity-fredericksburg.org by May 11th for inclusion in the May 12th newsletter. Let’s show our graduating seniors some love!

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) is a period for the duration of month of May for recognizing the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. During APAHM, communities celebrate the achievements and contributions of Asian and Pacific Americans with community festivals, government-sponsored activities and educational activities for students.

Some notable Asian/Pacific Americans are listed below.

1. Allan Feliciano. Allan is of Pacific Islander descent. He is a Trinity parishioner who served his country honorably as a U.S. Navy Commander until retiring several years ago and then continuing his career with a Navy contractor. Allan and his wife, Holly, reside in Stafford County along with their two children, Collin and Ellen.

2. U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland. Congressman Strickland proudly represents Washington State’s 10^th Congressional District. Born in Seoul, South Korea, Strickland is the first African-American to represent Washington State at the federal level and the first Korean-American woman elected to Congress in its 230-year history.

For a full list of Asian/Pacific Americans click here .

There will be a Trinity

YARD CLEAN-UP on May 22 from 9:00 am until 12:00 Noon.

Join us with tools and gloves, and enjoy fresh air and friendship! Thanks!

Questions? Contact Bruce Adkins.

YOUTH AND PARENTS OF TRINITY YOUTH

Amirah Ahmed, of Fredericksburg Muslim Youth, the local Muslim youth group, is looking to begin a Youth Interfaith Committee for the Fredericksburg faith community that will allow youth from all faiths to grow an interfaith community to facilitate important discussions for unity. Panel events, monthly meetings, and programs will be held virtually until it is safe to meet in person. The goal is to uplift youth of faith and to help youth better understand their differences and similarities. Parents, if your youth is interested in being Trinity’s representative to the Youth Interfaith Committee, please have them contact Sam Burton for an application.

FOR GRADES 4 – 8

From the Office of Christian Formation of the Diocese of Virginia

The PYM weekend committee has planned a spring weekend for youth in grades 4 – 8

on Saturday, May 8th. They will be offering an online Popup event for 4th – 8th graders. Students can join the PYM Committee online for songs, games, speakers, workshops, and worship. Sam Burton will post the sign-up link as soon as it comes out. For further information see the announcement below. If you are interested in participating, contact Sam Burton.

ONLINE SUNDAY SCHOOL continues to meet at 10:30 a.m. Sundays on Zoom. If you would like for your child to participate, please contact Sam Burton.

There will be no Youth Group meeting this Sunday, May 9th because of Mother’s Day.

Pentecost season opens with Way of Love Revival Weekend

‘One in the Spirit’ features churchwide virtual worship and concert

The Episcopal Church greets Pentecost with "One in the Spirit," a Way of Love Revival Weekend designed to fan the flames of hope, celebrate difference, honor creation, foster beloved community, and send people toward Jesus’s Way of Love. The weekend of events includes the following: Saturday, May 22, 6-7:30 p.m.: Concert for the Human Family and “From Many, One” Community Conversations