SEEDS May 12, 2021
Christ Trinity Garden Club News
With Spring and in-person worship looking more likely every day, our Christ Trinity Garden Club is looking for help in boosting our summertime curb appeal! We are looking for someone to adopt our two blue front door urns. The adopter buys and plants the containers with beautiful annuals of their choice and the Garden Club makes sure it stays watered throughout the summer. If you would like to do that, email pastorkaras@gmail.com today! 
 
The Memorial Garden renovation continues. This spring the areas that will become new lawn are having the last of the stubborn invasive weeds evicted, then soil will be added and graded to create a more level lawn and finally planted with grass. Additionally, two small hosta beds will be planted on either side of the entrance under the crabapples, the ground under the holly bushes will be covered with weed barrier and a matching stone mulch, and an 18" border will created in front of the "U" where the markers are placed, then lined with weed barrier and stone mulch so the markers stay clean and weed free. 
 
Finally, we are sad to see that our former Garden Club Guru, Gay Tucker has sold her home next door to the church even while we rejoice with her that she will be moving closer to her daughter in Maine. Over the years she has generously shared her gardening knowledge, plants, and labor with the church (and also provided sweet treats to the worship team during covid!) as well as being the very best of neighbors. We pray for a smooth transition for you Gay, and wish you Godspeed to your new home! You will be greatly missed!  
Memorial Day, Hot Dog Church, and Memorial Day Flags
One of the things I appreciate about Christ Trinity is the history of our church's connections to military veterans. These connections start all the way back with Brig. Gen. John Fellows, an aide-de-camp to Gen. George Washington who built the house that is now our Rectory. It continues with Maj. Gen. John Barnard who oversaw the defenses of Washington D.C. in the Civil War, then continues further with members interred in our Memorial Garden as well as our beloved veterans who are current members of our congregation and community. 
 
Our church honors that connection most publicly on Memorial Day when we serve hotdogs to our whole town for free following our town's annual Memorial Day parade. Our plan this year for Memorial Day is to resume "Hotdog Church" but only if the Mt. Everett High School Band determines it is safe to march in the parade. If not, we'll be sure to pick up that tradition again next year! 
 
This year we are also planning to honor our connection to our veterans by starting to more diligently follow the United States' Flag Code when it comes to the flags placed in our Memorial Garden. According to the Flag Code, an American Flag can’t be displayed at night unless it’s properly illuminated. But the Cemetery Administration makes an exception for gravesite flags on holidays like Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. This exception allows flags to be placed three days prior to the holiday and remain for up to one week afterward. In between holidays the flags will be removed and properly stored for placement at the next holiday.  

Pastor Erik+
Crossed Fingers
Scholars believe that Paul did not write all the letters attributed to him and similarly that some of the other letters in the New Testament, were not authored by the person whose name they carry. Study of this problem is called ‘pseudepigraphy.’ It raises issues of authenticity and credibility and informs the ways in which the nascent Christian movement was being shaped in the early decades after Jesus’ death and resurrection and what we have received today. 
 
1 and 2 Kings begins with the death of David and covers the reign of Solomon, David’s son, the building of the first temple and many successor kings until the end of the exile. These kings faced many challenges and had to make many decisions, most of which were reckoned as wrong by the Lord. Our group reflected on the attached picture of a man with his fingers crossed facing the choice of two different roads.
Blessed are you, O Lord God who gives us free will to choose our path. 
You stand beside us at the crossroads,
And give us courage and perseverance on our journey. 
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
AMEN
Karen Byers, Mentor
Our Appalachian Trail Ministry needs YOU
Christ Trinity Appalachian Trail Local Coordinator is sought

Our shared Appalachian Trail ministry with First Congregational Church of Sheffield is back for 2021 thanks to a grant from The Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts. This year, we are excited to offer an expanded season, our usual Monday and Wednesday FCC/CTC shared days of hospitality with Friday available as well this year. In addition, one-day Mission Trip opportunities are being offered to sister Episcopal, Lutheran and UCC churches. Eleven church groups have already stepped forward to take advantage of this opportunity. We will have COVID protocols in place.  

It is a distinct privilege to greet hikers on The Appalachian Trail with our Corner of Kindness. However, with cautious restrictions still in place, we may need to keep our number of local volunteers to a minimum. To assure your place under the grand AT tent on West Sheffield Road, please volunteer to be our Appalachian Trail Local Coordinator. email pastorkaras@gmail.com today! 
The ministry runs June 21st through August 14th.
The Rural Health Network boosts Feeding Sheffield
Thanks to you and all the volunteers who made me feel, (notwithstanding my incapability to go out), still belonging to this Community.
 – a Feeding Sheffield meals recipient

For 2021 Christ Trinity Church has been working closely with The Southern Berkshire Rural Health Network (SBRHN) in our efforts to fight food insecurity. The restrictions placed on the vulnerable members of our community by the pandemic defined much of our winter program. With statewide restrictions now easing, we are taking another look at how to best fight food insecurity, particularly in Sheffield, but also coordinating efforts with the rest of the towns in our school district, and other agencies in South County. 

We have already increased the number of Southern Berkshire Regional School District families we are serving by 25. We have done this with the generous help of Berkshire Bounty and People’s Pantry in Great Barrington. The south parlor of Old Parish Church has been taken over as the staging platform for this five week program and the Old Parish parishioners are lending a hand and helping us coordinate with the Sheffield Food Assistance Program. The bottom line is, 25 more school families will be receiving a generous and varied box of groceries on Tuesdays!

Then, the SBRHN has found a local commercial kitchen and has hired a chef and a team of novice cooks to prepare weekly meals for the most vulnerable members of our South County community, particularly those who are homeless.

All the agencies and churches within SBRHN are working together to refine and make a more equitable referral process so that we can serve those who are facing food insecurity or are isolated from the community. We are carefully looking at what is possible and furthering collaborations with restaurants like The Marketplace, Pleasant and Main, a newly established restaurant called 20 Railroad Trattoria & Pub, and The Prairie Whale. If you would like to get involved in the formation of this new phase of Feeding Sheffield, we are looking for an organizer and would welcome your help. If you are interested, please email Jean at christtrinitychurch@gmail.com  
Climate Emergency
Sheffield Pride June 25

On Friday, June 25th, Old Parish and Christ Trinity will sponsor our second in-person Sheffield Pride celebration. This will take place right as the Farmers' Market is winding down for the day. While the shape of this year's celebration will depend on the guidelines for gathering in place at the time, we are looking forward to celebrating this part of our town's generous welcome once again. 
Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts
A Journey to the Holy Land in 2022

Canon Rich Simpson and (retired) Dean Jim Munroe will be leading
our next diocesan pilgrimage in May 2022.
 
14-Days: May 11-24, 2022
May 12-17 Saint George’s Guest House
May 17-20 Sisters of Nazareth
May 20-23 Saint George’s Guest House
 
Download the draft itinerary to see all the sacred places you will visit.
Arrangements have been made with Qumri Pilgrimages, and our guide will be company founder, Canon Iyad Qumri (pictured above center).
 
The total cost, including airfare, accommodations and travel insurance, will be approximately $5,000. A 50% deposit will be required by January 31, 2022. More information will be available when registration opens after Labor Day.
Memorial Days of not too long ago
Saturday, June 12th is our Concert under the Pavilion.
Please reserve the date.

Christ Trinity Church 413-229-8811
180 Main Street
PO Box 127
Sheffield, MA 01257

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