It was really really hot, and so humid that our tickets had wilted by the time we got to the gate.... then the rain came down in sheets, but TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME proceeded as planned regardless. And in the end, we all had a great time! No one had more authentic fun, though, than the two great guys above: Eric, our acolyte, and Marshall, our bell ringer. Both members of our LifeShare Community, Eric and Marshall really know how to have a good time.
For many, it was a chance to take a ride together on the big yellow school bus, then decide whether to cheer for the Pittsfield Suns or the Norwich Sea Unicorns. Wahconah Park served great french fries and chicken nuggets. We sang vigorously during the National Anthem, and met the parents of some of the baseball players, who are all Massachusetts and Connecticut college students.
There were true baseball fans and former softball players among us; there were also those of us who didn't entirely understand the rules of the game, but we all came home a little richer. Thank you to Thrivent Financial for making this community building outing possible. And as Eric's shirt points out, we are all learning to live generously!
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A huge thank you to John-Arthur, who not only arranged for the transport by school bus, but drove us up there, serenading us en route.. Our appreciation also goes to the Massinis for providing the bus! We had our very own flight attendant on the bus giving us the safety protocols to follow. More photos of this outing at the bottom of this issue of Seeds |
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Mendelssohn's Concert Piece No. 2 in D minor, for Two Clarinets and Piano |
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Grey Cottage Construction and Financing Update |
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For construction, we’ve been blessed by one of our newest members, Gordon Cochrane, and his large crew who have descended on the project and moved it ahead more in mere days than it has moved in the last few months. (Some of them are above during their lunch break in the back yard.) Please don’t go inside the building, but do walk around to the driveway and see all that has been done. Catherine Miller has been there day in and day out making sure things go as planned. Mark Holmes and Frank Garretson have also been by to ensure the construction goes to plan. Since only a couple of us live next door to the project you may not have seen their dedication, but it has been incredible to see! Please make sure to thank them all for what they are doing for our church.
For financing, we’ve also been blessed with the financial talents of Bob Mercurio and Karen Byers. It has been a financial obstacle course with the bank equivalents of barbed wire and pits of deep mud. Their first attempt was to use our property as collateral. The title company however, insisted that since the title from 1866 was in the name of the Rector, Wardens, and Vestrymen of Christ Church, our attorney would need to research every Rector, Warden, and Vestryman from 1866 forward to see if any of them as individuals pledged the property as collateral somewhere along the way. This would take months and an unbearable amount of legal fees. Bob and Karen, with the Vestry Council’s blessing, have pivoted to use our endowment as collateral instead of our property. Please make sure to thank them as well for their incredible work.
This new financial plan will work, but it will take time. Meanwhile, Gordon’s amazing crew is working hard and so the church is “borrowing from itself” to cover those costs while trying to speed the construction loan process. Additionally, using the endowment as collateral will not allow us to borrow as much as we wanted to borrow using the property to guarantee the loan. The church is still financially in good shape, but our usual buffer of funds that keep us all from any nail biting is being used up quickly as this financial needle gets threaded through the construction. Catherine is doing one of the things she does best and is relentlessly keeping costs as low as possible but the reality is that we may run about $50,000 or so short of what we need to complete the project. Work is already underway to find a way to fill that gap. If you have ideas, I know they would appreciate your help.
I am confident we will get there and much of the path forward is clear. I am certain that by the time we get toward the end, the way to the finish line will become clear.
Pastor Erik
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Lich Gate Concerts returns September 17 |
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Lich Gate Concerts returns to the Pavilion in the Sheffield Town Park on Saturday, September 17 at 4pm for the last concert of this season. Jorge Avila has programmed Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Divertimento in F Major, K. 138, Antonín Dvořák’s Waltzes, Op. 54, Nos. 1 & 4, Jessie Montgomery’s “Strum” for String Quartet, and Johannes Brahms’ String Quartet No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 51, No. 1.
Become a Lich Gate Concerts Sponsor!
As experienced concert-goers, you are aware that ticket sales cover only part of the expense of presenting concerts. We need your help to support this endeavor to present live Classical music in Sheffield and invite you to become a Sponsor of our concert series, by adding a tax-deductible donation to your purchase, and help us even more by covering the processing fees incurred by your purchase.
As a Sponsor, you will receive advance information, priority seating, an introduction to our artists and guest artists, and our everlasting gratitude.
Tickets available on our website and below:
$40 under the Pavilion;
$20 on the Lawn (children under 18 are FREE on the Lawn, accompanied by an adult)
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One of our regular AT volunteers, Imelda is filling a very critical need. She left 8 gallons of fresh water at the AT/Jug End crossing last night. When she came back through today, all 8 gallons were empty, so she brought the empties back to the church to refill with fresh Sheffield water. It's easy to actually see all that kindness overflowing from her. On behalf of the Appalachian Trail hikers who are experiencing the drought firsthand, Thank you, Imelda!
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Worship Sundays at 8:00 or 10:00 |
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In addition to our regular 10:00 worship with music and the choir, we also offer a spoken Episcopal Rite II Eucharist at 8:00 am, where we will use the Book of Common Prayer. Our 10:00 service is live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube. We look forward to seeing you at 8 am or 10 am, this and every Sunday! |
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EfM resumes on September 6th using a hybrid format.
Lich Gate Concerts returns to the Pavilion in the Sheffield Town Park on Saturday, September 17 at 4pm for the last concert of this season.
A private day-long AA spiritual retreat will be held at Christ Trinity
on September 24th
The CropWalk takes place on September 24th
starting at Old Parish
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Berkstock will return in 2023 |
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Take Me Out to the Ball Game |
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Seeds is going on vacation for a couple of weeks. This editor is likely to post a few photos on Instagram while on break. See you in September.
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Christ Trinity Church 413-229-8811
180 Main Street
PO Box 127
Sheffield, MA 01257
Rite II spoken services at 8:00 on Sundays
Livestreamed services at 10:00 Sundays:
Questions you may have about us will probably be answered at:
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.
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Please follow and like us on Instagram. |
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