SEEDS   December 28, 2022

We have been talking about and planning my sabbatical for over two years since it was delayed due to Covid but with a lightning fast Fall season that including Stewardship, Silent Movie Night, the Grey Cottage, Broadway Cabaret, Bake Sale, Thanksgiving, and Christmas I know the beginning of my sabbatical still really snuck up on me!  I thought it might have snuck up on you as well so I wanted to catch you up before I left.  

 

I will preach and preside on January 1, 2023 (that’s this coming Sunday) and then on January 3rd I leave for three months.  I will spend roughly a month in Israel, a month in Southeast Asia, and a month in New Zealand.  Kelly will join me for almost two weeks in Israel and the whole time in New Zealand.  While I’m gone both my phone and email will be turned completely off but my prayers for each of you and our congregation will continue.

 

We were very fortunate to be awarded an incredibly generous Lily Grant which will pay all my expenses and all the expenses for the church including supply clergy and a congregational retreat.  Please do everything you can to participate in that retreat, including the Lily funded party that goes with it!  Rev. Peter Feltman-Mahan will preside for all the services and preach once per month.  Rev. Cn. Rich Simpson will preach twice each month.  Rev. Janet Zimmerman will preach once and the Rt. Rev. Jack McKelvey will preach the remaining two Sundays.  In addition, Bishop Jack has agreed to be the point person for any pastoral emergencies while I’m away.  Both of us would appreciate you staying healthy and crisis-free if at all possible!  

 

It is a tremendous gift that you have given me to have a sabbatical or a “Time of Clergy Renewal” as they are calling it these days.  This will be my first in 23 years of ordained ministry so I’m very thankful.  Please stay well and continue to care for one another with the good humor and compassion for which we are known.  I hope to see you one more time on Sunday and then I’ll see you next on Palm Sunday.  

 

Peace,

Erik +

A few highlights of 2022

Celebrating the light

People of many faiths joined us for our beautiful 2022 Christmas Eve celebration.

A Late Winter Retreat


Christ Trinity will hold a congregational retreat the first weekend in March. Our friend, Darreby Ambler of Maine will lead us. If you would like to be part of the planning, please let us know. We would like to involve as many people as possible in this weekend event which includes a Lily-funded party.

Pride Celebration June 9th

A planning meeting for our Pride Celebration in June 2023 will be held on Sunday, January 8th at 11:30 in the parish hall. All are welcome to attend.

Jewish Family Service of Western MA

A year ago this time, Jewish Family Service of Western MA had just opened its Berkshire office and was in the process of welcoming several Afghan families here. So many community members came together to support these families, and so much has been accomplished this year, which has been a gift to experience.  

 

The resettlement process and the adjustment to life in another country is a long journey and much ongoing assistance is needed, especially for those refugees learning English. I am reaching out to you because I recently learned that federal funding for ESOL instruction for the refugees served by JFS has ended, which means that classes can't continue this spring unless $4,128 is raised. This is a doable amount to raise for a valuable program, especially because the students are eager to continue, the supplies are already there, and the space is ready; only funds are needed to pay for staff.  

 

The Berkshire Community College Adult English for Speakers of Other Languages Program offers free beginner, intermediate, and advanced ESOL classes to immigrants in Berkshire County and adjacent areas.


The beginner level class offered at St. Stephen’s Church in Pittsfield serves the particular needs of refugees and asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Guatemala. This class began in January 2022 and has run continuously for one year. In addition to learning English, students learn to navigate American systems, visit local cultural institutions and have developed a strong sense of community. The students have also greatly benefited from the class location, where they can easily check in with their caseworkers at Jewish Family Services of Western Massachusetts and the Berkshire Immigrant Center before or after class. We are also able to provide childcare at St. Stephen’s Church.


Federal Funding for this class has ended but the students’ desire to learn has not. Other ESOL programs in the county have long waitlists and cannot accommodate children. In addition, the students, who have already experienced great changes in their lives, WANT to continue attending class together in a space they feel comfortable. The BCC ESOL program seeks $4,128 to pay for staff time to continue this class through May 2023. Please call Ana Suffish at 413-236-5260 for more information.


To donate to the ESOL class at St. Stephen’s church please,


1. Click on this link below to the Berkshire Community College Foundation


2. In the “Scholarship” drop-down menu, select “BCC Adult Learning Program”


3. In the “Leave a Comment” box, write, “For English classes at St. Stephen’s.”


4. The BCC Foundation will send you an acknowledgment letter for your tax-exempt donation. Thank you very much for your support

BCC


Christ Trinity Church 413-229-8811

180 Main Street

PO Box 127

Sheffield, MA 01257


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The best way to get a message to the office is via email: christtrinitychurch@gmail.com



If you have a loved one who you would like us to remember in our Sunday prayers, please email us Monday morning before 10:00.


Seeds editor: Jean Chapin



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