Holy Trinity eNews December 2020

Holy Trinity

Parish eNews

December 2020

The Season of Advent

A message from Fr. Brad

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

So, I think that it is no coincidence that during the “waiting season” of the church year, we are cast back into deeper COVID restrictions. For many people that I have spoken with, this is bordering on depressing. The season of Christmas for Christians is a joyous end to the calendar year and a celebratory start to the Church year; the arrival of the infant Jesus. Every year we look forward to gatherings with family and friends, but for this year we are being asked to restrict those things and show some restraint.

What to do...what to do?

When life feels out of our control, it makes us unsettled and puts us back on our heels.

In the sermon from Sunday, I spoke about my court experiences.

Waiting on a judge to make a decision is nerve-racking.

It is always better to make a decision outside of the courtroom.

Judges can do strange things.

But, God, as our judge, is not like this.

He has made it clear what the expectations are and how things will go.

He has provided for us a dismissal of charges for us that make us free from judgment.

This dismissal is meant to free us up to love.

WHILE we wait.

Which is what we are called to now.

To love.

To be a beacon to those around us in all things.

And in all ways.

But, waiting is still hard.

We all, collectively, wait for the day all of this will be redeemed and Jesus will return.

But while we are waiting,

Why not live life?

And encourage others to do so as well.

Even during this crazy COVID era.

Where Christmas may not be or feel like what we want.

But maybe this year, it is about the little things.

Having an attitude of thankfulness.

And maintaining an intention to love.

All I know is that time is a wasting if we just wait and do nothing.

So why not continue being about the business of love?

And remembering.

And reminding.

And having faith.

And waiting with the hope that the God of the universe, who sent His Son for us, will in all things, keep us and watch over us.

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for,

the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Peace,

brad+

What's Happening at

Holy Trinity in December?

The Sunday Morning

FORUM

is BACK!

(only now it is on Wednesday Evenings!)

With the Reverend Dr. David Davidson-Methot

As we move into a time of transition during the season of Advent - from one Church calendar year to a new one - let us gather for a time of discussion, reflection and, hopefully, increased insight into how the “old, old story” continues to inform a very new, and more complex and challenging “today”? I will be hosting a Zoom discussion on Wednesday evenings, 6:30pm until roughly 7:30 or 8:00 PM, depending upon how lively our discussion becomes!

Look for the link in the weekly updates that will be provided! Enjoy your dessert and what I hope will be a lively and informative exploration of themes in the Advent Gospels revolving around the general theme of “Transitions”!

For our discussion point of departure, we will use the

Gospel lesson from the preceding Sunday.

Wednesday December 9th - Mark 1:1-8

Wednesday December 16th - John 1:6-8, 19-28

Wednesday December 23rd - Luke 1:26-38

The Collect for 1st Advent calls upon us to “put away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light.” An archetypal theme if ever there was one! Log in and join the discussion. I look forward to seeing you again, after these many months of “Zoom church”!

Meeting ID: 247 598 7412

Passcode: 579180

Click here on Wed. at 6:30 to join the FORUM

Christmas Eve & Day Services

At this time it appears we will have to move forward with plans for vertual services on Christmas Eve, however, if the Diocese re-approves in-person services, we will make sure that will happen as well.

Meanwhile, an awesome team of people at Holy Trinity are working to provide you with a very special Christmas Eve service.

The virtual service will be available at 4:00 PM on Christmas Eve, but you can watch it at anytime after that.

More information to come, stay tuned!

This Year's Holy Trinity

Christmas

Family Project

For many years Holy Trinity has teamed up with the United Methodist Church in Nevada City to provide gifts and food to families at Christmas.

This year, the United Methodist Church will not be able to host this event, however there are still many families in need, so this year we are organizing a special Holy Trinity Christmas Family Project. Cheryl Tadman will be organizing this wonderful ministry.

If you know of a family in need, if you have questions or would like to help with this project, please contact Cheryl at (530) 913-8278.

Advent Wreath Drive-Thru

Last Sunday the hospitality committe gave away hand-made wreaths to all of the parishioners who signed up. The decorated wreathes were beautiful and they smell heavenly!

If you missed the Advent wreath give-away, you can still participate in this lovely tradition with us by using your own Advent wreath, (or just using candles) and the prayers linked below...

Click to downloadAdvent Prayers

Holy Trinity Rocks!

Over the previous few weeks, several Holy Trinity Parishioners have been busy painting "blessing rocks" to share with everyone.

The painted rocks were blessed by

Fr. Brad during the first Sunday of Advent Service. They will be placed around the church yard for anyone (this means you!) to come by to see, and maybe take one that inspires you, or one that you would like to share.

Next time you are in the neighborhood, drop by for a little blessing from the folks at Holy Trinity, on the rocks.

No matter which service you normally attend, if you are brand new to Holy Trinity, or a lifetime church member, whether you prefer coffee, tea or no beverage at all, we hope you will be able to tune in online.

JOIN OUR VIRTUAL

"Coffee Hour" !

We will start at 9: 30

and end promptly at 10:15

Anyone who wants to join in can follow the Coffee Hour link on your

Sunday Service email invitation.

Each week one person volunteers to "host" the coffee hour on Zoom. If you are interested in hosting a future virtual coffee hour, please contact the church office at office@holytrinitynevadacity.org

Confirmation Exploration

Have you been wondering about being confirmed in the church? Do you have questions about what it means to be an Episcopalian? Have you wondered about traditions behind the liturgy, Eucharist or other church practices?

Are you ready to explore confirmation

in the Episcopal Church?

If you are interested in attending confirmation classes, please talk to Fr. Brad or contact the church office at (530) 265-8836, or email us at office@holytrinitynevadacity.org, or just click the link below...

ARE YOU BEING CALLED TO SERVE?

It is that time of year again when the Vestry would like to start receiving nominations for both Vestry and 2021 Convention Delegates. Every year we nominate 3 new Vestry members and 5 Diocesan Delegates to Convention.

We will except nominations now through through December 13th. You may nominate someone by contacting a current Vestry member (their names appear at the bottom of this email). Please make sure that your nominee has given approval to be nominated before passing her or his name forward.

Morning Prayer

Live Services Online

Take time to start your day in prayer

Please join us via Zoom at 8:00 AM

on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

A beautiful way to invite Jesus to live

in and through you, throughout your day

NOTE: If you are receiving this email you should also be receiving regular invitations for all online services, including morning prayer. If you are not receiving them and wish to, please contact the church office and ask to be placed on the email distribution list for church members.

It's Pledging Season

It has always been through the generosity and faithfulness of the Holy Trinity family that the mission of the church has been accomplished. Pledging season is a time to commit to how you plan on supporting the work that happens through Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Please consider how you will pledge your time, talents and treasure in the coming year

This year we have made available online pledging. Simply click the Estimate of Giving link below to fill out your card.

Estimate of Giving

Holy Trinity Outreach Ministries

Dinners & More

for Our Neighbors

Holy Trinity Parish will continue feeding the homeless every other Tuesday at 5:00, outside the church.

CHRISTMAS IS CHRISTMAS, COVID OR NOT

As is our custom at Trinity, we provide bags of food for families in need to supply them with a nice breakfast and a Christmas dinner. In the past, we’ve coordinated with the Nevada City Methodist Church on this project, but for Christmas 2020, we’re “going it alone.”

Most luckily for us, we have received a generous donation that will pay for a turkey for each family. But we still are asking you, as a parishioner, to donate a bag filled with the items on the list below. You will notice from the list that there are no perishable items in the bags, so you may bring them in on any Monday or Friday in December, during office hours (11 am – 4 pm). Best to call the office before coming, as sometimes Paula is away from her desk.

If you are unable to leave your house, but are able to prepare the bag, Carol Fegté (432-0659) will pick it up at your home.

If you prefer, you could make out a check for $20 dollars and we will do the shopping. Please mark the check “Christmas Project” on the memo line.

Please have the bag ready no later than Tuesday, December 22, in order that we might have time to deliver the bags to the lucky families.

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Click here for a printable Christmas Family Project Food for the Hungry shopping list

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TUESDAY NIGHT DINNER:

Our upcoming dinners for the homeless will be Tuesday December 8th and 22nd at 5:00PM at Holy Trinity. Sign up to help by contacting Carol Fegté (432-0659 or cfegte@yahoo.com) to bring food and/or serve. You can bring food to the church between 4-4:30pm on Tuesdays.

HOSPITALITY HOUSE:

One again, we will be sending a check to cover the expense of our “Second Sunday” dinner, until the COVID regulations are lifted at Hospitality House. You may also contribute by sending a check to "Holy Trinity Church" and in the lower left-hand corner write, "Outreach Ministries."

Serve + Love Circle

Holy Trinity T-Shirts

We have some LOVELY Holy Trinity Church tee shirts available for purchase.

The front has the Episcopal shield on the upper right. The back says Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Nevada City, with a word circle representing our mission; to Love and Serve the Lord.

A THOUGHTFUL CHRISTMAS GIFT!

These Shirts are soft cotton and great quality. They are available in M, L, XL and the cost is $15 each. If you'd like one, call or email Carol, or the church office to order your Holy Trinity LOVE+SERVE circle T today.

They are going fast!

Thanks for your good work!

Gratefully,

Carol Fegté - 432-0659 - emailil: cfegte@yahoo.com

ON-LINE GIVING INFORMATION

If you cannot mail your pledge offering to Holy Trinity

and you would like to continue supporting the ministry here,

please click on the link below. Thank you!

Online Giving

FORWARD

DAY by DAY

DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR DECIPLES

Forward Day by Day is a booklet of daily inspirational meditations reflecting on a specific Bible passage, chosen from the daily lectionary readings. The meditations are rich in substance and offer a wide range of witness and experiences.

Holy Trinity has both the pocket-size and large print editions, which cover the upcoming 3 months, November through January.

If you would like to have one of these lovely prayer and meditation guides, they are currently available in the church office.

Please call or email Holy Trinity

to reserve your free copy, while they last. Supplies are limited.

Regular office hours are

Mondays and Fridays only,

from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Call: (530) 265-8836

Click here to Email the Church office to request your copy

Milestones & Prayers

December Birthdays & Anniversaries

December Anniversaries:

12/04 - William & Karolyn McElwain

12/04 - Ben & Kacie Mills

12/06 - Don & Sharon Fairclough

12/11 - Ken & Cheryl Tadman

12/27 - Rusty & Linda Hamer

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December Birthdays:

12/01 - Roland Teuber

12/04 - Karen Hoida

12/08 - Donna Hajduk

12/09 - John Azevedo

12/11 - Ian Butler

12/14 - Dennis Spence

12/15 - Abby Garcia, Betty Larimer

12/20 - Vickie Reinheimer

12/21 - Sherry Dunn

12/29 - Leanne Jacobson, Christie Walker

12/31 - Erin Thomas Rose

Requests for Prayers:

Members:

Roland Teuber, Denise Halvorson, Sharon Fairclough, David Denkers, Jean Hoy, Greg Fultz, Allan Rogers, Jim Booth, Polly Tuggle, Alberta Seymour, Pam Bergthold, John Azevedo, Karolyn McElwain, Scott Gillette, Rainey & Ron Spiller, Hank Acker

Friends & Family:

Camille Muir, Richard Peterson, Michael Pocock & family, Peggy Vielbig, Ben Perry-Thistle & family, Baby Levi, Lani MacRae, Lisa Raupp, Tanya Markis-Meyer, Leda Chavarria, Ron Tapp, Susan Silburn, Afton Wasley, Peter Phelps, Dave Schafferzick, Louis Ceci, Lucie Thomas, John Price.

Prayers for the Departed:

Doris Schaffarzick, Melinda Day, Mary Booth, Bill Klemens, Wanda Perez, Carolyn Newton-Power, Rev. J. Barrett Miller, Chester Ennis, Linda Bolelli, Elta Barber, Mervin Baker, Roy Brooks, Maxine Davidson, Si Reedy and all of those whom we love but see no longer

Click to Download Prayer List

Your Help is Needed!

We are updating our parishioner Birthday and Anniversary information.

If you notice an error or omission, or if you have a prayer request, please contact Paula at the church office at (530) 265-8836 or by emailing office@holytrinitynevadacity.org

- Thank you!

Additional Information:

OFFICE HOURS: CLOSED DURING COVID SHELTER IN PLACE

Normal office hours, Mondays and Fridays from 11:00 - 4:00, will resume when it is safe. Meanwhile, you may contact church staff by leaving a message at (530) 265-8836, or email the church office: office@holytrinitynevadacity.org

THE eNEWSLETTER is generally published monthly, the first Friday of the month. All are invited to send announcements, articles, & suggestions to the church office: office@holytrinitynevadacity.org. Articles need to be approved and received no later than the 15th of each month for the upcoming publication.