Volume 73 - No. 9 | September 2021 |
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Worship on Sunday, September 5 @ 10am:
"Seeing God" with Lay Preacher Jean Leif
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A step-by-step tutorial on how to access Facebook Live, click HERE
Have your Bible, a candle and lighter ready and create a worshipful space, maybe with a cross, a nice tablecloth, or other devotional items that are meaningful to you.
Replay on Verizon channel 31 and Charter channel 191
Sundays (previous week's) at 6pm and Thursdays at 8:30am.
Emily is here to help you. If you need technical assistance please email her at trinitychurchnboro@gmail.com or call her (508) 614-8989 during virtual office hours and she will walk you through each step.
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Sunday, September 5th
Coffee Hour before worship
on Zoom @ 9:30am
Meeting ID: 861 4930 6259
Password: 201552
Meeting Link:
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MESSAGE FROM PASTOR VALERIA |
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Dear Trinity Church,
This was not how we had planned it. We thought if we waited until September to return to the sanctuary for worship, we could go all out and have a big, joyful celebration together. With everybody there, with hugs, with singing, with coffee hour!
And yet, Delta. And yet, low vaccination rates in some parts of the population.
We've decided not to postpone our return to the sanctuary any longer. We need to be together as the Body of Christ. We need to hear, see, and feel each other's energy and love. It will be a quieter celebration than hoped, as our voices will be hushed by our masks. There will be no congregational singing (yet) and no big spread of food in a crowded Fellowship Hall (yet). We will keep the service shorter. And some of our members and friends will not yet feel safe to be around a group of people.
As we have been during the last 18 months, we will try our best to accommodate all of your needs. You can worship with us on Facebook live, if you prefer. We will do what we can to keep those of you who will join us in the building safe. We will only be using every other pew and will be avoiding times of close personal contact. No handshaking, no hugs...
Here's what we will do! We will be together in the sacred space that many of us love. We will hear live music and hear live breathing. We will see each other in 3-D and not just on Zoom or our names pop up in the Facebook comments. We will actually be together again to pray, and to experience the Spirit of God moving in us and around us. Nothing can replace that feeling of being together "in the flesh." And we will have a simplified coffee hour outside after worship.
We will keep a close eye on the development of COVID in our region, and we will adapt as necessary. We'll need to be a little flexible. That can actually be a good thing.
There are a lot of changes happening at Trinity right now: The sale of the parsonage, our "hybrid" worship format, transitions in our staff. Clearly, God thinks it's time to shake us up. Not only a little, but a lot. Gee, thanks. Like we haven't been shaken up enough because of COVID. While this comment was facetious, I do believe God has good intentions for us. A friend of mine said, "wow, you're in a boot camp!" We get to seriously practice and train what I preach and believe: that God knows better than we do, and God will give us everything we need.
Let's every one of us do what we can to keep each other safe. Let's trust each other, trust the leadership of Trinity Church and our political leadership, trust the medical community. Let's be patient if things don't go perfectly right away. And, most of all, let us trust that God will provide us with the wisdom, compassion, and resilience we will need to make it through yet another phase of the pandemic, and this time of great change and renewal. I firmly believe God will.
I am excited to see some of you again on September 12. I am hopeful that we will use this challenging situation as an opportunity to learn. And I'm confident that we will continue to grow in love, in commitment, and in faith.
May God bless you all!
Warmly,
Pastor Valeria
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It is with happiness and sadness that the Deacons report that Emily Donovan is resigning as our church administrative assistant, and will be leaving us on September 10. She has found a new position in Westboro, and although we are sad that she will no longer be with us, we are happy she is able to pursue this new opportunity. We have certainly appreciated all her work over the years, her welcoming presence in the office, and especially her willingness to be adaptable with all the changes the church has gone through during the COVID pandemic. Emily, we will miss you and wish you all the best! |
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Dear Trinity Family,
Thank you for a wonderful four years! I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know so many of you and your families. I have so many special memories of Trinity from greeting your smiling faces to participating in the Mystery Dinner Theatre, to experiencing God through a cotton ball during a family church service. I feel blessed that Trinity welcomed me (and Adeline) with open arms.
I am excited to pursue a life long passion in a local bakery. No, I will not be baking. I will be doing everything from technical support and website design to dipping cake pops. In middle school I had my own cake decorating business and I have had a passion for sweet treats from a very young age when I learned to bake with my mother and aunt.
Although this past year and half has forced us to be physically distant I hold Trinity near and dear to my heart. I am not going far and I plan to be in the building often. God bless and I hope to see you soon.
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Welcome, Rita Chaousis!
We are excited to introduce Rita as our new administrative assistant starting September 13. She is currently training with Emily to ensure a smooth transition in the office. Please help us welcome Rita to Trinity!
I am a lifelong resident of Marlborough, MA where I currently live with my husband Danny and my two beautiful daughters Kara Marie & Molleigh Elizabeth. Some of my many hobbies are reading, traveling, and spending time with friends & my family. I bring with me a long, successful and rewarding career in the hospitality and customer service industry. I am looking forward to my new chapter with all of you at Trinity Church of Northborough.
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We would like to inform the congregation and friends of Trinity that Mike Westberry, Minister of Music, will be leaving Trinity effective Sept 30th. We thank Mike for his years of service, and especially for his dedication to the choir, the worship band, and the music program here at Trinity. We wish Mike the best of luck. We shall surely miss him.
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Dear Trinity Church,
As you may have heard, I will be leaving my post as Music Director at the end of September. Over the past 12 years, I have had the honor and pleasure of serving this community of faith through many changes, both personally and in the life of the church. I have great gratitude for the many memories illustrating how beautifully music enriches our spiritual lives. There are too many individuals to thank who were part of creating our environment over so many years, but I pray you all know who you are - those who sang, those who sang along, those who fill the air with the sound of an instrument, and all those who simply listen to experience the presence of God.
Music has a wonderful way of connecting us with each other and with God. Though I am stepping down, my prayers are with everyone that we may continue to deepen our relationships with God through worship, prayer, and music, wherever we may be. God be with you till we meet again.
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PASTOR PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE |
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The Pastor Parish Relations Committee, or PPRC, consists of three people whose purpose is to “support and sustain an open and healthy relationship between the pastor and the members of the congregation…and to ensure open and honest communication amongst all parties.” Our monthly meetings include a time of sharing within the group and a discussion of timely matters, mainly concerns expressed by members of the congregation. Committee members and contact information are listed here:
PPRC Members:
Barbara Baker, bakerb2939@gmail.com (978) 562-2460
Forest Lyford, flyford@msn.com (774) 258-1096
Kristine McLaughlin, sicilin.3@gmail.com (774) 258-0285
Pastor Valeria, trinitypastorvaleria@gmail.com
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The Deacons have called a special business meeting to be held on Sunday, Sept. 19th, at 11:15 in the sanctuary for a congregational vote to proceed with selling the parsonage. We will be holding an informational Zoom meeting, on Tuesday, Sept 7th, at 7pm, to discuss the reasons for this decision and the details of the sale and the housing allowance we will be providing Pastor Valeria. Please join us at this informational meeting and at the business meeting on Sept 19th.
Join the Zoom Meeting on Sept 7th:
Meeting ID: 865 0916 4246
Passcode: 723173
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Ever since the leadership of Trinity Church started deliberating the sale of the parsonage last year, Allyn and I have been in agreement and have taken this as an opportunity to downsize. Living in an apartment suits our personal values and tastes much better. We are happy and excited to be moving to Attleboro on Oct 1st, thereby significantly reducing Allyn's commute to UMass Dartmouth, and we fully stand behind the sale of the parsonage. This will free up significant resources (money, and volunteer time) that can be used more effectively to do actual ministry. We know that Trinity will continue to support us, as I am committed to serving you and our wider community. |
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FROM OUR CHRISTIAN ED DIRECTOR |
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September 12th we will kick off the new Faith Foundations year! To start off we will meet one room classroom style under a canopy. Please check your email for a quick survey about how we want this year to look. I am so excited to see all of the kids again and look forward to seeing them all back together. I am also looking for kids to volunteer for Applefest to help with peace rocks and friendship bracelets. If your child can help please contact Sherry at trinitycenorthboro@gmail.com
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We are in need of teachers and assistant teachers. Sherry preps all the material and sends it to teachers to preview before Sunday. If you can help please email her at trinitycenorthboro@gmail.com. It is a wonderful way to spend some time with our youth and cultivate intergenerational relationships.
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Zoom Bible Study
Mondays @ 1pm
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Have you ever wanted to delve into the Bible and talk with others about how it really pertains to today's life? Zoom Bible Study will resume Mondays at 1pm starting Sept 13th. All are welcome. Contact Jean Leif (jhleif@gmail.com) for the Zoom link.
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The thrift shop will be opening on September 18th for Applefest from 10am - 4pm and will be open on Saturdays and Wednesdays from 10am - 2pm thereafter.
The thrift shop will be accepting donations starting after Applefest.
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Trinity Bell Choir Needs You! |
Have you ever wondered what bell ringing is like?
How does a group of people, playing different instruments, generate the bell tunes we’ve heard in worship?
Would you like to learn how to play bells?
I would like to restart Trinity’s bell choir this fall and would be delighted to have you as a bell ringer! You don’t have to have played bells in the past, I will teach you the basics so you can grow into a bell musician. We will start with some simple pieces (no solos ) and grow as people become comfortable with ringing.
If you can read music, that’s great; however, it isn’t a requirement. We’ve had accomplished musicians in the bell choir as well as people who didn’t know anything about music. There are a number of videos on YouTube which you can use to learn the basics of reading music as well as learning the basics of handbell ringing. If you’re interested in learning, I’ll share the links to these online resources.
Rehearsals will be from 7:00 – 8:15 PM on Sundays, once we start and yes, we will be wearing masks. The choir will be open to everyone high school age and older.
If you’re interested in being part of a handbell choir, please send me an email. Let me know your contact information, if you can read music, and if you’ve played an instrument.
Tom Danforth
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Celebration of Life for Alan Mosher
Saturday, October 9th at 1pm
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Chris Mosher and family invite you to celebrate the life of Al Mosher at 1pm on Saturday, October 9th at Trinity Church. |
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Coffee or Tea on Zoom
Wednesdays @ 9am
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Chat on Zoom, Wednesdays at 9am.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 954 033 518
Password: 569713
Dial by your location
+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 954 033 518
Emily is here to help you. If you need technical assistance please email her at trinitychurchnboro@gmail.com or call her (508) 614-8989 during virtual office hours.
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RESOURCES FOR COPING DURING THE LINGERING PANDEMIC |
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From your Faith Community Nurse, Minister of Health & Wellness, Southern New England Conference of the UCC, Deborah Ringen
Wow, it is August already! Summer days bring fun, family, vacations, and the realization that the new school year will begin soon.
This year we are faced with rising coronavirus infection rates, the Delta variant and others on the horizon that infect more people, more quickly and even infects some who are vaccinated. Children under 12 are the largest part of the population that is not eligible to be vaccinated yet. Despite the fun outdoor activities of the season, worry and anxiety are increasing during what should be a time of relaxation and renewal. We are called to continue wearing masks, washing our hands, get vaccinated and encourage those who can, to get vaccinated too.
It is critically important that we work to maintain our mental health and the mental health of our children. While we can’t immediately fix the consequences of the pandemic, we can work on changing how we respond.
Here are some resources to help people of all ages cope during this difficult time.
Take time each day to focus on what in positive in your life. Encourage children to think about what kindness means.
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Random Acts of Kindness offers a Kindness at Home Curriculum which offers activities, discussion topics and journal prompts to be used at home. A guide for parents is included in this free download. Topics include respect, caring, integrity, responsibility courage, and Inclusiveness.
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Coping Skills for Kids offers tips to help children cope with stress, anxiety, and anger that are helpful for adults too! Tips include ideas for relaxation, distraction movement and more.
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SNEUCC Mental Health/ Spiritual Health Resources Multiple links are available to provide information and resources related to Spiritual and Mental Health including helpful ways to reduce stress and anxiety as well as domestic violence help lines and suicide prevention hotlines.
“God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in the. There
is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” ~ 1 John 4:16b, 18a
Gracious God, we know you are with us. Help us find moments of calm in your presence. Help us find peace in the chaos. We are grateful for your love. This pandemic will come to an end, we will grow and learn from the experience and continue to spread your compassion and love throughout the world with Your help. ~ Amen
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These are challenging times for many. If you are not financially impacted by the current situation we ask you to prayerfully consider increasing your support to Trinity Church, to make up for those who cannot meet their pledge, so we may continue to do God's work through Trinity Church. Thank you for your faithful, generous giving!
Please make your checks payable and mail them to Trinity Church: 23 Main St, Northborough, MA 01532
You can also use “bill pay” and have your bank mail a check to us on a regular schedule set up by you, at no cost.
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Did you know your shopping can earn Trinity money?
Shop at your convenience all year!
Trinity Church is set up as a charity on iGive! Please consider downloading the app or shopping through the iGive site and a percentage of your purchase will be sent to Trinity Church! This does not cost you any extra money, the donation comes from the stores you already shop at.
Please consider shopping through iGive to help support Trinity.
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You shop. Amazon gives.
- Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.
- AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
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Support Trinity Church by choosing it as your charitable organization at smile.amazon.com
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Watch Sunday's worship using the link below. You do not need to have a Facebook account to view this video!
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Subscribe to our YouTube channel and watch a
selection of Pastor Valeria's sermons and our worship music.
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Community Meal Take-Out
We have resurrected Community Meals but in a to-go manner and we need your help.
We will be ordering $5 meals from local food establishments and distributing them to our community meals guests to-go, every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Trinity Church. Various organizations have committed to monetary donations for these entrees.
But, you can't have a meal without servers, water and dessert. We are looking for volunteers to sign up to donate a case of water or 2 dozen individually wrapped desserts and/or stand in the parking lot and deliver the meals to guests in their parked cars. All guidelines of social distancing will be observed.
If you are interested in helping, please see the available opportunities and sign up here:
To donate towards the purchase of meals, please make your checks out to "Helping Hands Association" with "Community Meal" on the memo line, and mail them to Northborough Helping Hands, P.O. Box 383, Northborough, 01532.
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Pride Events in Worcester, September 8-14, 2021
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Assabet Valley Mastersingers - Open Rehearsals
The Assabet Valley Mastersingers (“AVM”) announces Open Rehearsals for their October 30, 2021 concert. AVM offers a choral experience in a community of welcoming, inclusive, respectful, collegial, and talented vocalists who value high artistic standards. While vocal training is not essential, basic musicianship, a good musical ear, and a dedication and love for the choral classics are a must for AVM vocalists.
Interested vocalists are invited to attend an AVM Open Rehearsal to get a sense of how regular rehearsals are run and of the group itself. Open Rehearsal Dates:
Monday, August 30, 2021
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
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Are you interested in being added to the online church directory?
Please use the instructions HERE to add yourself and your family to the Trinity Church online database.
If you need any assistance connecting to the online directory please contact the church office:
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IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS |
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~ Everyone who is currently in cancer treatment.
~ Everyone affected physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially by COVID-19.
~ Nursing home residents, their families, and staff.
~ All first responders, health care workers, grocery workers and anyone who is working on the front lines.
If you know of someone who is hospitalized, ill, suffering from the loss of a loved one, or troubled in some way and in need of a pastoral call, please call Pastor Valeria at the church office, 508-393-8156.
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Deadline for October Tidings |
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Please be sure to have all your info for the October Tidings in to the church office by Sunday, September 26. Your help is appreciated! |
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TRINITY CHURCH
23 Main Street
Northborough, MA 01532
(508) 393-8156
Office Hours:
Monday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 3pm
Tuesday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 3pm
Wednesday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 3pm
Thursday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 3pm
Friday: 9am - Noon & 1pm - 3pm
Rev. Valeria Schmidt, Sr. Minister
Trinity Church is an Open & Affirming / Welcoming & Affirming Congregation
Trinity Church's mission is to fill its people with the love of God
and share God's love in all the world.
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