Meditation for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
August 2, 2020
 
Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full.
[Matthew 14:19-20]
 
In this Sunday’s gospel we read the first of two stories of Jesus feeding the crowds told in the Gospel of Matthew.  It is perhaps particularly poignant this year because Jesus’ blessing and distribution of the bread reminds us so vividly of the Eucharistic liturgy that many of us miss deeply.  It is a story through which Matthew reiterates his theme that Jesus’ ministry is a fulfillment of prophecy.  In reassuring his disciples and blessing the bread, Jesus is a living sign of the God who speaks in the passage from Isaiah that we read today: Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! [Isaiah 55:1]  This story also teaches us that the healing sought by thousands of people is a healing of both body and soul, just as our hunger is a hunger of both body and soul.   Matthew makes this a story of Jesus’ compassion – it is not just a story of a powerful wonder-worker or a popular preacher.  Jesus leaves the quiet place to which he had withdrawn because he felt compassion for the crowds who had followed him; when at the end of the day his disciples suggest that the crowds should be sent away so that they can buy their own food, Jesus thinks first about their comfort “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat,” he says. 
 
We learn from this story that compassion is grounded in fearless trust.  We are reminded that in baptism we promise to help one another grow into the full stature of Christ--to be persons whose compassion inspires us to find ways do what seems impossible.  In baptism, we promise to see and to show each other our hunger - our needs, our failings, our inconsistencies, our gifts, our hopes.  We promise to remind each other that—together—we will always have enough and that we will provide for each other even when we do not feel we have—or are—enough.  We promise to turn to one another when our burdens are too heavy. We promise that each of us will always find a home in the Body of Christ, where our hunger will enable us to meet the hunger of others, where we will know the fullness of Christ’s presence in our hearts and in the company of friends.
                       
May all of us know, in the depths of our being, both the hunger that brings us to Christ and the compassion we will find in Christ.
 
Glory to you, O God our Creator, when you inspire us to serve our neighbors, to make humility shine in our souls; deep-piercing rays of light fall into the hearts of each one of us. . . . Glory to you, transfiguring our lives with deeds of love.  . . .Glory to you, present in fragrant compassion.  Glory to you, sending us failures and afflictions to make us sensitive to other people’s sufferings.   . . . . Glory to you, welcoming the impulse of our heart’s love. Glory to you, for raising love above everything on earth.  Glory to you, O Holy God, from age to age. Amen.  [Metropolitan Tryphon]

MORNING PRAYER
via ZOOM
Ministers of the Liturgy
The Rev. Dr. Judith Lee
Mary Johnson, James Jones, Mary Beth Sweet,  Landon Sweet
Musicians:  Randy Bloom, Jeff Lukas
The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, * and you give them their food in due season.
You open wide your hand * and satisfy the needs of every living creature. [Psalm 145.16-17]
 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82256827302?pwd=Z0E3ZlpXY0hIRFdIZHN0ZnltdXNlZz09
Meeting ID: 822-5682-7302     Password: 546896
If you cannot access through your computer, you may participate by telephone.
Telephone: 929-205-6099
For the Morning Prayer leaflet, click here.  
For the Weekly Announcements click here.

​A Message from Rachel Carpenter:
HI all!  This week, we are learning about the Fruit of the Spirit, PATIENCE!  
Watch Douglas Talk's video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgovFZUEORI  
And try out this activity:  The Fruit of the Spirit is Patience Activity Instructions
Hands On: Sweet Treat Test of Patience Object Lesson

• Supplies: A Favorite Sweet Treat (gummy bears, m&m’s, fruit snacks, mini marshmallows, chocolate chips), 2 Small Bowls or Bags (per person)
• Instructions:

1. Place one treat in one bowl and a handful of the treat in the second bowl.
2. Offer the treat to your child before dinner, but let them know they have an option. Either they can have the first bowl that has only one treat in it before dinner or if they wait patiently until after dinner they can have the second bowl that has a lot more.
3. Talk about it: Depending on which option your child chose you can talk about whether they were patient or not and why they chose to be patient or wait or impatient and eat the treat.

As always, email me something you learned from the Douglas Talks video or a video / picture of you doing the activity and you will get a point towards a prize at the end!

I hope so much you are all having a great summer!!
~Rachel

Next Steps:  Moving Forward
Make us glad, we pray you, gentle God,
to give each other your loving care;
make us happy to receive it.
May there daily grow within us a generous, trusting spirit.
-from A New Zealand Prayer Book

New Rector Search: Next Steps:
Search Committee Appointed: The Vestry has appointed the following people to the Search Committee:  Pam Hennessy (Chair); Katherine Cote, Jim Donohoe, Steve Howe, Touie Jackson, Mary Johnson, Hilary Stafford, and Lucille Clinkman (Vestry Liaison). They will be commission during the service on Sunday, August 9th. 

The Holy Cow Survey - The Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT), also called the Holy Cow Survey because it is designed by Holy Cow Consulting, is the first official step in your preparation for new ministry. The questions provide a profile of Trinity in your demographics and your views of Scripture, liturgy, mission, qualities of a Rector, parish life, and theology. The final summary shows where Trinity fits in the spectrum of Episcopal churches across the country. It is very, very important that as many people as possible take the survey.  Each adult member of every household should complete a survey.  It takes about half an hour. to complete. Your responses are anonymous.
For  link to to the online survey click here.
We have mailed hard copies of the survey to those members who may not be comfortable working online. We will also pair each person who has received a hard copy with someone who will work with you to complete the survey, and then someone will enter the data onto the website. Your written responses will remain anonymous.
hard copies must be returned to the church by August 10th The online Survey must be completed by August 17th. 
Holy Cow Consulting  compiles the results and sends them to Canon Simpson, who will review the results with the Vestry, Search Committee, and Profile Committee on September 12th.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the parish meetings.  For a summary of those conversations, including a summary of the Youth conversations, click here.
May God continue to inspire us, bless us, and guide us.
Entering Stage 2:
The church is now open for private prayer for 3 hours each week:
       Tuesday evening  6:30-7:30pm
       Thursday morning 10am-11am
       Sunday morning 11am-noon
We will adjust these hours in the coming weeks, depending on interest and need.
Each person will be asked to sanitize their hands and to wear a mask upon entering the church through the main door. (We will provide both as needed.) Seating will be designated according to safe distancing, and you will be asked to bring your own prayer book. The church building and the bathrooms will not be open.
The sanctuary, offices, and Lane Chapel room have been cleaned and sanitized.
We will continue with Morning Prayer on Sundays and Wednesdays via ZOOM.
Beginning this Sunday, we will have the opportunity to break into smaller groups for fellowship and discussion.

On August 10th, the Vestry will review a revised Building Use Agreement with Addenda that include a liability waiver, a checklist of safety protocols, and a health questionnaire.  When those documents have been approved, we will submit a proposal for opening our building to community groups and opening our office to the public. Pending a peer review, those steps will take place at the beginning of September. ​

Parish Zoom Events:   Summer Schedule:
     ZOOM Bingo on Sundays at 3 pm  & Game Night on Tuesdays @ 7 - We'll resume in September
     Zoom-Chats: Mondays @ 7am & Wednesdays @ 8 pm:  every other week:
             Mondays: August 10;     Wednesdays: August 5 & 19

Wednesdays @ 10 am: Morning Prayer & Fellowship via ZOOM - We'll continue weekly
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83161138171?pwd=TitUUzdtRVhjZVFadjNZbFlxV1dhdz09
Meeting ID: 831 6113 8171  Password:   497792
Telephone: 929-205-6099
Fridays @ Noon: Lunch & Bible Study:  The Gospel of Matthew We will have a final meeting on July 31st, and then begin again on Friday, September 18th. 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87474952317?pwd=UkdpQTNuNmtxVkhtYlZkVGVDVkZOQT09
Meeting ID: 874 7495 2317  Password:  097331
This Friday we will continue our discussion of the Gospel of Matthew with special focus on Chapter 24 & Chapter 28.

​Sacred Ground:A Film-based Dialogue Series on Race and Faith
Sacred Ground is a film- and readings-based series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups will walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity. This program designed by The Episcopal Church has 10 sessions; groups of 4-10 participants will meet every other week, beginning in September. Mary Johnson and Mother Judith will lead the program for Trinity and members of other churches will participate with us.  To learn more see https://episcopalchurch.org/sacred-ground and watch for more information about how to register with either Mary or Mother Judith.

We will distribute  meals prepared by Oliva's from the parking lot at Trinity on  August 27th.  In addition, we distributed meals  to the staff of Cornerstone Assisted Living  in July and we will arrange for delivery of means to Whitcomb  House in August. Your generosity has made it possible for us to continue feeding about 100 people each month during the pandemic, in addition to supporting our local restaurants.   If you can volunteer to help with setting up and taking down the tables, distributing meals, and bring leftover meals to the Food Pantry, in July or August, please contact Glen Peterson.   We will certify Community Service credit. 
At their August meeting the Vestry will make a decision on how to continue the Community Meal program in the fall, pending peer review by the Dean and the Bishop. Meanwhile, we continue our strong partnership with the Food Pantry and with other local churches and community organizations. 
To contribute to this project, please send your check payable to Trinity Church with Community Dinners on the memo line or donate directly to Hopedale Unitarian Parish, who is managing the funds for this project, by going to https://hopedaleunitarian.org  and  pressing the Donate button. ​

​Prayer List
Please send Magee the names of people you would like to be on the Prayer List. Our policy has been to remove names after 4 weeks, but we want to be sure we follow the wishes of families and friends.
Our Prayers Are Offered For:
Parish Members & Friends: Mary Torian, Bob Bloomburg; Brad Gustavesen; Arlene Person; Sharon Manoogian; Sal & Vas Ferreira; Cami Carter; Alana Phoenix-Laliberte; Jill Henderson; Patty Souder; Rose Marie Moore; David Stochaj; McKenze Cahill; David Gillis; Ruth Warner; Sandra Arbogast; Len Baird; Judy Shea; Robin Rowe; Skye Bayleigh Plaisted; Alex; Alisha Starkis Weddeke; Chrissy & Mark; Thomas Scano; the Canali Family; Heidi Donnelly; Sherel & Lou Frere; Craig Silverman; Justin Perkin; Dr. Stephen Janko; Tom Childs; Nancy Sharoogian; Bob Mezzadri; all those serving in the military and the Peace Corps, especially Avary DeRagon; Dan Consigli; Drew Beauchamp; Charles; Laura; Elena; Brendan Wood; Danielle & Joel Marsh; Tom Bento; Joel Joudrey; Justin Woessner; Chris Ketcham and their families.
Homebound Parishioners: Betty Henneberry; Verna Parente, and Wayne Morey.
Our Partner Dioceses: Kumasi and Asante-Mampong in Ghana
Those celebrating birthdays this week: Cathy Harrison; Alex Papasodero; Ava Cortese; Rene Phaneuf; Mary Ann Stand; Travis Montag; Betsey Scrimgeour; Mary Webber; Allen Tattrie, III; Kristin Foody; Rebecca Leverock; Elisa Williams; Nia Welter; Anna Prevelige; Vandel Forgione; Dotty Butler; Ronald Kuligowski; Eric Lyon; Arianna Morese; Molly Steen; Lindsay Sweet; Wayne Morey; Brian Kelly; and William Jones.

​Pledges: Thank you to all of you who have been sending in your pledges.  Our deposits are being made on a different schedule these days, so there may be a delay in seeing the record of your payment.  Some of you are facing financial stress: if so, please give what you can; if not, please give a bit extra to support those who cannot.

​How to keep up with Trinity news:  All notices, videos, and links can be found at www.trinitychurchmilford.org
and on the Trinity Church-Milford Facebook page.
Our diocesan website offers links to online worship in our diocese.  https://www.diocesewma.org/
Worship from the National Cathedral is available online every Sunday at 11:15 am. https://cathedral.org/
The Episcopal Church offers valuable resources for spiritual renewal.  https://episcopalchurch.org/
Habits of Grace: An invitation for you, from Presiding Bishop Curry
 A new video meditation will be posted on Mondays through July. Click here to view the latest.

Mission Matters: News from the Episcopal Diocese of Western MA latest issue can be found here.

Meditation for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
July 26, 2020                          
 The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.  [Matthew 13:31-32]

I love this image of the mustard tree, the beautifully lush shelter for birds that grows from “the smallest of seeds.” We often think of the mustard bush as a weed that will grow under any conditions. However, mustard seeds were planted along the border of vegetable gardens in order to distract birds by providing a place where they could build nests. The mustard seed was not just an image of wildness, of a divine energy and purpose undeterred by barren ground or hostile climate.  It was also an image of abundance, in particular a life-giving abundance that doesn’t merely bring individual comfort but also provides safety for others.  This vividly colorful image captures the wonder of this.
Like any good teacher, Jesus uses several different images to describe the realm of God, knowing that each will resonate differently with different listeners:  a mustard seed, yeast, a treasure discovered in a field, a pearl more precious than any others, a net that catches fish without sorting them.   Even with their differences all these images show God surprising us with an unexpected gift discovered in the course of ordinary life.
 We can take comfort in this promise for our own lives, especially during this time when clarity and comfort elude all of us.  Jesus teach us that a small, priceless gift is hidden in plain sight.  And we are inspired, as a community of faith, to be the unexpected gift discovered by people who may have given up on seeking.  While we understandably spend a lot of time wondering when we will once again gather for worship and share Holy Communion, Jesus’ parables remind us that our mission remains unchanged and necessary:  Sharing the Grace of God, the Light of Christ, and the Power of the Holy Spirit through worship, ​ministry, and fellowship. Even in our own spiritual and emotional hunger, we are mustard seed, yeast, hidden treasure, net. We are not called to be all things to all people.  We are called to feed, shelter, find, and gather ordinary people in ordinary ways. ​

New Rector Search: Next Steps:
Search Committee Appointed: The Vestry has appointed the following people to the Search Committee:  Pam Hennessy (Chair); Katherine Cote, Jim Donohoe, Steve Howe, Touie Jackson, Mary Johnson, Hilary Stafford, and Lucille Clinkman (Vestry Liaison). They will be commission during the service on Sunday, August 9th. 

The Holy Cow Survey - The Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT), also called the Holy Cow Survey because it is designed by Holy Cow Consulting, is the first official step in your preparation for new ministry. The questions provide a profile of Trinity in your demographics and your views of Scripture, liturgy, mission, qualities of a Rector, parish life, and theology. The final summary shows where Trinity fits in the spectrum of Episcopal churches across the country. It is very, very important that as many people as possible take the survey.  Each adult member of every household should complete a survey.  It takes about half an hour. to complete. Your responses are anonymous.
For  link to to the online survey click here.
Today we will mail hard copies of the survey to those members who are not comfortable working online. We will also pair each person who has received a hard copy with someone who will work with you to complete the survey, and then someone will enter the data onto the website. Your written responses will remain anonymous.
The Survey must be completed by August 17th. 
Holy Cow Consulting  compiles the results and sends them to Canon Simpson, who will review the results with the Vestry, Search Committee, and Profile Committee on September 12th.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the parish meetings.  For a summary of those conversations, including a summary of the Youth conversations, click here.

May God continue to inspire us, bless us, and guide us.

Entering Stage 2:
The church is now open for private prayer for 3 hours each week:
       Tuesday evening  6:30-7:30pm
       Thursday morning 10am-11am
       Sunday morning 11am-noon
We will adjust these hours in the coming weeks, depending on interest and need.
Each person will be asked to sanitize their hands and to wear a mask upon entering the church from the back door. (We will provide both as needed.) Seating will be designated according to safe distancing, and you will be asked to bring your own prayer book. The church building and the bathrooms will not be open.
The sanctuary, offices, and Lane Chapel room have been cleaned and sanitized.
We will continue with Morning Prayer on Sundays and Wednesdays via ZOOM.

On August 10th, the Vestry will review a revised Building Use Agreement with Addenda that include a liability waiver, a checklist of safety protocols, and a health questionnaire.  When those documents have been approved, we will submit a proposal for opening our building to community groups and opening our office to the public. Pending a peer review, those steps will take place at the beginning of September. 
Parish Zoom Events:   Summer Schedule:
     ZOOM Bingo on Sundays at 3 pm  & Game Night on Tuesdays @ 7 - We'll resume in September
     Zoom-Chats: Mondays @ 7am & Wednesdays @ 8 pm:  every other week:
             Mondays:July 27 & August 10;     Wednesdays: August 5 & 19

Wednesdays @ 10 am: Morning Prayer & Fellowship via ZOOM - We'll continue weekly
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83161138171?pwd=TitUUzdtRVhjZVFadjNZbFlxV1dhdz09
Meeting ID: 831 6113 8171  Password:   497792
Telephone: 929-205-6099
Fridays @ Noon: Lunch & Bible Study:  The Gospel of Matthew - We'll continue weekly through the month of July.  
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87474952317?pwd=UkdpQTNuNmtxVkhtYlZkVGVDVkZOQT09
Meeting ID: 874 7495 2317  Password:  097331
This Friday we will continue our discussion of the Gospel of Matthew through Chapter 24.
Sacred Ground:A Film-based Dialogue Series on Race and Faith
Sacred Ground is a film- and readings-based series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups will walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity. This program designed by The Episcopal Church has 10 sessions; groups of 4-10 participants will meet every other week, beginning in September. Mary Johnson and Mother Judith will lead the program for Trinity and we have invited members of other churches to participate with us.  To learn more see https://episcopalchurch.org/sacred-ground and watch for more information about how to register with either Mary or Mother Judith.

We distributed 45 meals on June 25th and donated 5 meals to the Food Pantry. We will distribute  meals prepared by Oliva's from the parking lot at Trinity on July 30th and August 27th.  In addition, we will distribute meals  to the staff of Cornerstone Assisted Living  in July and Whitcomb  House in August. Your generosity has made it possible for us to continue feeding about 100 people each month during the pandemic, in addition to supporting our local restaurants.   If you can volunteer to help with setting up and taking down the tables, distributing meals, and bring leftover meals to the Food Pantry, in July or August, please contact Glen Peterson.   We will certify Community Service credit. 
At their August meeting the Vestry will make a decision on how to continue the Community Meal program in the fall, pending peer review by the Dean and the Bishop. Meanwhile, we continue our strong partnership with the Food Pantry and with other local churches and community organizations. 
To contribute to this project, please send your check payable to Trinity Church with Community Dinners on the memo line or donate directly to Hopedale Unitarian Parish, who is managing the funds for this project, by going to https://hopedaleunitarian.org  and  pressing the Donate button. 
 
Prayer List
Please send Magee the names of people you would like to be on the Prayer List. Our policy has been to remove names after 4 weeks, but we want to be sure we follow the wishes of families and friends.
Our Prayers Are Offered For:
Parish Members & Friends: Cami Carter; Alana Phoenix-Laliberte; Jill Henderson; Patty Souder; Rose Marie Moore; David Stochaj; McKenze Cahill; David Gillis; Ruth Warner; Arlene Person; Sharon Manoogian; Sal & Vas Ferreira; Len Baird; Judy Shea; Robin Rowe; Skye Bayleigh Plaisted; Alex; Alisha Starkis Weddeke; Chrissy & Mark; Thomas Scano; the Canali Family; Heidi Donnelly; Sherel & Lou Frere; Craig Silverman; Justin Perkin; Dr. Stephen Janko; Tom Childs; Nancy Sharoogian; Bob Mezzadri; all those serving in the military and the Peace Corps, especially Avary DeRagon; Dan Consigli; Drew Beauchamp; Charles; Laura; Elena; Brendan Wood; Danielle & Joel Marsh; Tom Bento; Joel Joudrey; Justin Woessner; Chris Ketcham and their families.
Homebound Parishioners: Betty Henneberry; Verna Parente, Wayne Morey.
Our Partner Dioceses: Kumasi and Asante-Mampong in Ghana

Those celebrating birthdays this week: Katie Gallerane; Jessica Peguero; Derek Gatchell; Angus Scrimgeour; Jennifer Kane; Sejal Abraham; Evan McCall; Len Baird; Cindi Scrimgeour; Michael Ibrahim, Jr.; Riley Person; Sharon Manoogian; Robert Kleinfield; Barbara Dutko; Timothy Murray; Andy Spencer; Sal Morese, Jr.; Anne Smith; Cathy Harrison; Alex Papasodero; and Ava Cortese.

​Pledges: Thank you to all of you who have been sending in your pledges.  Our deposits are being made on a different schedule these days, so there may be a delay in seeing the record of your payment.  Some of you are facing financial stress: if so, please give what you can; if not, please give a bit extra to support those who cannot.

​How to keep up with Trinity news:  All notices, videos, and links can be found at www.trinitychurchmilford.org
and on the Trinity Church-Milford Facebook page.
Our diocesan website offers links to online worship in our diocese.  https://www.diocesewma.org/
Worship from the National Cathedral is available online every Sunday at 11:15 am. https://cathedral.org/
The Episcopal Church offers valuable resources for spiritual renewal.  https://episcopalchurch.org/
Habits of Grace: An invitation for you, from Presiding Bishop Curry
 A new video meditation will be posted on Mondays through July. Click here to view the latest.

Mission Matters: News from the Episcopal Diocese of Western MA latest issue can be found here.

​Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; *
                       knit my heart to you that I may fear your Name.  [Psalm 86.11]

Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with all its marvelous order,
its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and the infinite complexity of living creatures:
Grant that, as we probe the mysteries of your creation,
we may come to know you more truly,
and more surely fulfill our role in your eternal purpose;
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
 
 
  9 AM SUNDAY - MORNING PRAYER
via ZOOM
Prayers for A Time of Transition
Commissioning of the Profile Committee:
Leigh Martin (Chair),
Dave Clinkman, Peach Warren, Mary Beth Sweet, Wayne Stochaj (Vestry Liaison)
Ministers of the Liturgy
The Rev. Dr. Judith Lee
Dave Clinkman, Peach Warren, Wayne Stochaj
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans for welfare and not for evil,
to give you a future and a hope.  [Jeremiah 29:11]
 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82256827302?pwd=Z0E3ZlpXY0hIRFdIZHN0ZnltdXNlZz09
Meeting ID: 822-5682-7302     Password: 546896
If you cannot access through your computer, you may participate by telephone.
Telephone: 929-205-6099
For the Morning Prayer leaflet, click here.  
For the Weekly Announcements click here.

​The service will begin with a brief organ prelude, and Jeff Lukas will offer a musical meditation.
After the service, Ginny Starkis and Wayne Stochaj will introduce you to the Congregational Assessment Tool (Holy Cow Survey) which will be available to be completed online July 20th - August 17th.

​We will hold Morning Prayer via ZOOM at 9 am every Sunday in July and August

New Rector Search: Next Steps:
The Holy Cow Survey - The Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT), also called the Holy Cow Survey because it is designed by Holy Cow Consulting, is the first official step in your preparation for new ministry. The questions provide a profile of Trinity in your demographics and your views of Scripture, liturgy, mission, qualities of a Rector, parish life, and theology. The final summary shows where Trinity fits in the spectrum of Episcopal churches across the country.
It is very, very important that as many people as possible take the survey.  Each adult member of every household should complete a survey.  It takes about half an hour. to complete. Your responses are anonymous.
On Monday July 20th we will send a parish email with the link to the survey.
On Thursday July 23rd we will mail hard copies of the survey to those members who are not comfortable working online.
We will also pair each person who has received a hard copy with someone who will work with you to complete the survey, and then someone will enter the data onto the website. Your written responses will remain anonymous.
The Survey must be completed by August 17th. 
Holy Cow Consulting  compiles the results and sends them to Canon Simpson, who will review the results with the Vestry, Search Committee, and Profile Committee on September 12th.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the parish meetings.  For a summary of those conversations, including a summary of the Youth conversations, click here.

May God continue to inspire us, bless us, and guide us.

Entering Stage 2:
The church is now open for private prayer for 3 hours each week:
       Tuesday evening  6:30-7:30pm
       Thursday morning 10am-11am
       Sunday morning 11am-noon
We will adjust these hours in the coming weeks, depending on interest and need.
Each person will be asked to sanitize their hands and to wear a mask upon entering the church from the back door. (We will provide both as needed.) Seating will be designated according to safe distancing, and you will be asked to bring your own prayer book. The church building and the bathrooms will not be open.
This week, the sanctuary, offices, and Lane Chapel room were cleaned and sanitized.
We will continue with Morning Prayer on Sundays and Wednesdays via ZOOM.
We may hold one special outdoor service in August, pending public health protocols and peer review by the Dean and the Bishop. 
On August 10th, the Vestry will review a revised Building Use Agreement with Addenda that include a liability waiver, a checklist of safety protocols, and a health questionnaire.  When those documents have been approved, we will submit a proposal for opening our building to community groups and opening our office to the public. Pending a peer review, those steps will take place at the beginning of September. Meanwhile, we are preparing the Lane Chapel .
Parish Zoom Events:   Summer Schedule:
     ZOOM Bingo on Sundays at 3 pm  & Game Night on Tuesdays @ 7 - We'll resume in September
     Zoom-Chats: Mondays @ 7am & Wednesdays @ 8 pm:  Every Other Week:
             Mondays:July 27 & August 10;     Wednesdays: July 22, August 5 & 19

Wednesdays @ 10 am: Morning Prayer & Fellowship via ZOOM - We'll continue weekly
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83161138171?pwd=TitUUzdtRVhjZVFadjNZbFlxV1dhdz09
Meeting ID: 831 6113 8171  Password:   497792
Telephone: 929-205-6099

Fridays @ Noon: Lunch & Bible Study:  The Gospel of Matthew - We'll continue weekly through the month of July.  
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87474952317?pwd=UkdpQTNuNmtxVkhtYlZkVGVDVkZOQT09
Meeting ID: 874 7495 2317  Password:  097331
This Friday we will continue our discussion of the Gospel of Matthew through Chapter 20
 
Please note: Unscrupulous people have contacted parishioners claiming to be Mother Judith and  asking for money. Mother Judith's only email addresses are [email protected] or [email protected] and her phone number is (716) 949-8194 .  She never asks for money! Please do not respond to any other email addresses or phone numbers. If you have a question about whether a request is REALLY from Mother Judith, please contact her first at these email addresses/phone number before sending any money. Thanks.
 
 Sacred Ground:A Film-based Dialogue Series on Race and Faith
Sacred Ground is a film- and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity. This historical program designed by The Episcopal Church has 10 sessions; groups of 4-10 participants will meet every other week, beginning in mid- to late August and ending by January.  Mary Johnson and Mother Judith will lead the program for Trinity and we have invited members of other churches to participate with us.  To learn more see https://episcopalchurch.org/sacred-ground and watch for more information about how to register with either Mary or Mother Judith

​Community Dinners

We distributed 45 meals on June 25th and donated 5 meals to the Food Pantry. We will distribute  meals prepared by Oliva's from the parking lot at Trinity on July 30th and August 27th.  In addition, we will distribute meals  to the staff of Cornerstone Assisted Living  in July and Whitcomb  House in August. Your generosity has made it possible for us to continue feeding about 100 people each month during the pandemic, in addition to supporting our local restaurants. 
If you can volunteer to help with setting up and taking down the tables, distributing meals, and bring leftover meals to the Food Pantry, in July or August, please contact Glen Peterson.   We will certify Community Service credit. 
At their August meeting the Vestry will make a decision on how to continue the Community Meal program in the fall, pending peer review by the Dean and the Bishop. Meanwhile, we continue our strong partnership with the Food Pantry and with other local churches and community organizations. 

To contribute to this project, please send your check payable to Trinity Church with Community Dinners on the memo line or donate directly to Hopedale Unitarian Parish, who is managing the funds for this project, by going to https://hopedaleunitarian.org  and  pressing the Donate button. 

Prayer List
Please send Magee the names of people you would like to be on the Prayer List. Our policy has been to remove names after 4 weeks, but we want to be sure we follow the wishes of families and friends.
Our Prayers Are Offered For:
Parish Members & Friends: Rose Marie Moore; David Stochaj; McKenze Cahill; David Gillis; Ruth Warner; Arlene Person; Sharon Manoogian; Sal & Vas Ferreira; Len Baird; Judy Shea; Robin Rowe; Skye Bayleigh Plaisted; Alex; Alisha Starkis Weddeke; Chrissy & Mark; Thomas Scano; the Canali Family; Heidi Donnelly; Sherel & Lou Frere; Craig Silverman; Justin Perkin; Dr. Stephen Janko; Tom Childs; Nancy Sharoogian; Bob Mezzadri; all those serving in the military and the Peace Corps, especially Avary DeRagon; Dan Consigli; Drew Beauchamp; Charles; Laura; Elena; Brendan Wood; Danielle & Joel Marsh; Tom Bento; Joel Joudrey; Justin Woessner; Chris Ketcham and their families.

Homebound Parishioners: Betty Henneberry; Verna Parente, Wayne Morey.
Our Partner Dioceses: Kumasi and Asante-Mampong in Ghana
 
Those celebrating birthdays this week: James Jones; Viviana Elliot; Julian Piacente-Perez; Andrea DellaCroce; C. K. Hagedorn, II; Chip O’Connell, III; Erin McCarthy; Leah Prevelige; Joyce Nogler; Sydney Redden; Jason Adams; Dante Leone; Mikael Bedrosian; Lyall Chambers; Matthew Negrotti; Cathy Poch; Kali Vickery; Katie Gallerane; and Jessica Peguero.
Pledges
Thank you to all of you who have been sending in your pledges.  Our deposits are being made on a different schedule these days, so there may be a delay in seeing the record of your payment.  Some of you are facing financial stress: if so, please give what you can; if not, please give a bit extra to support those who cannot.
 
How to keep up with Trinity news:  All notices, videos, and links can be found at www.trinitychurchmilford.org
and on the Trinity Church-Milford Facebook page.
Our diocesan website offers links to online worship in our diocese.  https://www.diocesewma.org/
Worship from the National Cathedral is available online every Sunday at 11:15 am. https://cathedral.org/
The Episcopal Church offers valuable resources for spiritual renewal.  https://episcopalchurch.org/

Habits of Grace: An invitation for you, from Presiding Bishop Curry
 A new video meditation will be posted on Mondays through July. Click here to view the latest.

Mission Matters: News from the Episcopal Diocese of Western MA latest issue can be found here.

The service will begin with a brief organ prelude. Thank you to Randy Bloom and Ann Marie Lockwood.
After the service we will have an opportunity for conversation with your Wardens and Vestry members about where things stand with preparing for the search and our shared hopes and concerns.
We will have this conversation with the Wardens and Vestry on one Sunday each Month.  Our next conversation will be on Sunday August 16th. ​

​Next Steps:  Moving Forward
Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve:
Bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others;
that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his Name
to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy;
for the love of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Beginning this week, the church will be open for private prayer for 3 hours each week:

• Tuesday evening 6:30-7:30pm
• Thursday morning 10am-11am
• Sunday morning 11am-noon

​We will adjust these hours in the coming weeks, depending on interest and need.
Each person will be asked to sanitize their hands and to wear a mask upon entering the church from the back door. (We will provide both as needed.) Seating will be designated according to safe distancing, and you will be asked to bring your own prayer book. The church building and the bathrooms will not be open.
This week, the sanctuary, offices, and Lane Chapel room will be cleaned and sanitized.
We will continue with Morning Prayer on Sundays and Wednesdays via ZOOM.
We may hold one special outdoor service in August, pending public health protocols and peer review by the Dean and the Bishop. 
At this week’s meeting the Vestry will decide when to open the building to community groups and under what conditions.
For the month of July the office will be open by appointment only on Mondays and Thursdays, 10am – 3pm

Parish Zoom Events:  We have a new Summer Schedule:
     ZOOM Bingo on Sundays at 3 pm  & Game Night on Tuesdays @ 7 - We'll resume in September
     Zoom-Chats: Mondays @ 7am & Wednesdays @ 8 pm:  Every Other Week:
             Mondays:July 13 & 27, August 10;     Wednesdays: July 22, August 5 & 19

Wednesdays @ 10 am: Morning Prayer & Fellowship via ZOOM - We'll continue weekly
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83161138171?pwd=TitUUzdtRVhjZVFadjNZbFlxV1dhdz09
Meeting ID: 831 6113 8171  Password:   497792
Telephone: 929-205-6099

Fridays @ Noon: Lunch & Bible Study:  The Gospel of Matthew - We'll continue weekly through the month of July.  This week we will begin at 11:30 so that the ROMEOs can begin at 12:30 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87474952317?pwd=UkdpQTNuNmtxVkhtYlZkVGVDVkZOQT09
Meeting ID: 874 7495 2317  Password:  097331
This Friday we will continue our discussion of the Gospel of Matthew through Chapter 16
 
Please note: Unscrupulous people have contacted parishioners claiming to be Mother Judith and  asking for money. Mother Judith's only email addresses are [email protected] or [email protected] and her phone number is (716) 949-8194 .  She never asks for money! Please do not respond to any other email addresses or phone numbers. If you have a question about whether a request is REALLY from Mother Judith, please contact her first at these email addresses/phone number before sending any money. Thanks.
 
For the weekly announcements, click here.

New Rector Search: Next Steps
Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in the Parish Meetings.  During this time of preparing for new ministry, it means a lot to listen to each other express our hopes and concerns for the future.  We have heard some good ideas about what we might initiate and improve,  and you have been very clear about what is important to you.  Your stability and commitment to ongoing ministries is a real strength and it will be a clear message to your candidates. If you have not taken part in the zoom meetings, nothing is more important now than for you to send your written responses to the church or to email them to Ginny Starkis ([email protected]) by next Wednesday July 15.   We need to present an accurate portrait of our congregation  to candidates, and your responses are absolutely necessary for the Profile Committee to design a Parish Profile. 
On July 13th, the Vestry will appoint the Chairs of the Profile and Search Committees.  The members of the committees will be appointed at a later meeting.
On Sunday July 19th i will commission them, and they will be our Readers in the Liturgy.
For a copy of the questions to respond to by mail or email click here.
May God continue to inspire us, bless us, and guide us.

​Community Dinners

We distributed 45 meals on June 25th and donated 5 meals to the Food Pantry. We will distribute  meals prepared by Oliva's from the parking lot at Trinity on July 30th and August 27th.  In addition, we will distribute meals  to the staff of Cornerstone Assisted Living  in July and Whitcomb  House in August. Your generosity has made it possible for us to continue feeding about 100 people each month during the pandemic, in addition to supporting our local restaurants. 
If you can volunteer to help with setting up and taking down the tables, distributing meals, and bring leftover meals to the Food Pantry, in July or August, please contact Glen Peterson.   We will certify Community Service credit. 
At their August meeting the Vestry will make a decision on how to continue the Community Meal program in the fall, pending peer review by the Dean and the Bishop. Meanwhile, we continue our strong partnership with the Food Pantry and with other local churches and community organizations. 

To contribute to this project, please send your check payable to Trinity Church with Community Dinners on the memo line or donate directly to Hopedale Unitarian Parish, who is managing the funds for this project, by going to https://hopedaleunitarian.org  and  pressing the Donate button. 

Prayer List
Please send Magee the names of people you would like to be on the Prayer List. Our policy has been to remove names after 4 weeks, but we want to be sure we follow the wishes of families and friends.
Our prayer list is included in the weekly announcements . 

Pledges
Thank you to all of you who have been sending in your pledges.  Our deposits are being made on a different schedule these days, so there may be a delay in seeing the record of your payment.  Some of you are facing financial stress: if so, please give what you can; if not, please give a bit extra to support those who cannot.
How to keep up with Trinity news:  All notices, videos, and links can be found at www.trinitychurchmilford.org
Our diocesan website offers links to online worship in our diocese.  
https://www.diocesewma.org/
Worship from the National Cathedral is available online every Sunday at 11:15 am. https://cathedral.org/
The Episcopal Church offers valuable resources for spiritual renewal.  https://episcopalchurch.org/

Habits of Grace: An invitation for you, from Presiding Bishop Curry
 A new video meditation will be posted on Mondays through July. Click here to view the latest.

Mission Matters: News from the Episcopal Diocese of Western MA latest issue can be found here.

Meditation for Independence Day
July 2, 2020

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love serve one another.  [Galatians 5:13]

This year’s 4th of July celebrations will be an opportunity for us to invent new traditions, either by modifying what we are used to doing or by trying something we haven’t done before.  In the poignant mix of disappointment and appreciation that will inevitably color this weekend, we give thanks. 
On this weekend, we remember and honor the people who took great risks to come to an unknown land, to build a society that had never existed before.  We remember, too, the costs and mistakes that continue to be part of making their dream come true.  We remember with humility that our work is unfinished and we accept with awe the mercy with which God continues to guide us to repair the damage we have done.
We pray for the grace to stop waiting for the world to be the way we want it to be and to remember that God’s promise of a community of mutual respect and shared dignity means that our personal freedom cannot be limitless.
We prayer for the grace to turn our thoughts from our limitations to our freedom:
       from what we cannot do to what we can do, from what we should do to what we must do.
We pray for the grace to reach beyond the barriers of self-pity and self-indulgence and to clasp the hands that are reaching out to us in compassion and hope.
O God, who out of nothing brought everything that is,
out of what I am bring more of what I dream but haven’t dared; 
 direct my power and passion to creating life where there is death, to putting flesh of action on bare-boned intentions, to lighting fires against the midnight of indifference, to throwing bridges of care across canyons of loneliness;n so I can look ocreation, together with you, and, behold, call it very good;
through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
​[Ted Loder, Guerillas of Grace]

On June 22nd, your Vestry met to consider plans for re-opening the church building and in-person worship for the months of July and August. Their two considerations were the well-being of the congregation and faithfulness to your Mission Statement: Sharing the Grace of God, the Light of Christ, and the Power of the Holy Spirit through worship, ministry, and fellowship.

1. We will continue with virtual worship for the summer.  A Vestry subcommittee will plan a special in-person service (outdoors) to be held in August, pending public health protocols.Pending peer review by the Dean and the Bishop, we will arrange for the church to be open for private prayer one weekday evening, one weekday morning, and on Sundays. We will also arrange for a "tech partner" to help anyone who is having trouble accessing online worship.
2. Despite our commitment to supporting our community, the Vestry felt more research is needed into what other churches are doing, what other community resources are available for meetings, and what our own liability would be, before opening our building to community groups.  A Vestry subcommittee will do the necessary research and present a proposal to the Vestry on July 13th.   At that meeting the Vestry will also approve a new Building Use Agreement. 
3. Recognizing the importance of providing opportunities for in-person, non-virtual ways to share discussions about the preparations for the search, especially, the Vestry agreed to wait until after the virtual meetings, phone conversations, and mail-in responses to the topics for discussion scheduled in June. After that, they will decide whether in-person small-group meetings are both necessary and safe.  They agreed that the people who might seek the small-group meetings are the very people who might be most vulnerable in a room with other people.
4.  There was strong consensus that whether or not to open the office should be determined by the amount of time needed for Magee to do the work that is required for current church operations.  They agreed that this decision should be made by Mother Judith in consultation with the Wardens.  Through July, Magee will be in the office on Mondays and Thursdays, 10 am – 3 pm

Parish Zoom Events:  We have a new Summer Schedule:
ZOOM Bingo on Sundays at 3 pm  & Game Night on Tuesdays @ 7 - We'll resume in September
Zoom-Chats: Mondays @ 7am & Wednesdays @ 8 pm:  Every Other Week:
Mondays:July 13 & 27, August 10
Wednesdays: July 8 & 22, August 5 & 19

Wednesdays @ 10 am: Morning Prayer & Fellowship via ZOOM - We'll continue weekly
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88905158309?pwd=dVpmY1JhajN6RWpTZmEzQ3NnOERBdz09
Meeting ID: 889-0515-8309   Password:  365669
Telephone: 929-205-6099

Fridays @ Noon: Lunch & Bible Study:  The Gospel of Matthew - We'll continue weekly through the month of July.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87474952317?pwd=UkdpQTNuNmtxVkhtYlZkVGVDVkZOQT09
Meeting ID: 874 7495 2317  Password:  097331
This Friday we will continue our discussion of the Gospel of Matthew through Chapter 13.
Please note: Unscrupulous people have contacted parishioners claiming to be Mother Judith and  asking for money. Mother Judith's only email addresses are [email protected] or [email protected] and her phone number is (716) 949-8194 .  She never asks for money! Please do not respond to any other email addresses or phone numbers. If you have a question about whether a request is REALLY from Mother Judith, please contact her first at these email addresses/phone number before sending any money. Thanks.
 
For the weekly announcements, click here.
​
 New Rector Search: Next Steps
Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in the Parish Meetings.  During this time of preparing for new ministry, it's helpful to listen to each other express our hopes and concerns for the future.  We have heard some good ideas about what we might initiate and improve,  and you have been very clear about what is important to you.  Your stability and commitment to ongoing ministries is a real strength and it will be a clear message to your candidates. If you have not taken part in the zoom meetings, nothing is more important now than for you to send your written responses to the church or to email them to Ginny Starkis ([email protected]) by July 15.   We need to present an accurate portrait of our congregation  to candidates, and your responses are absolutely necessary for the Profile Committee to design a Parish Profile. 
On July 13th, the Vestry will appoint the members of the Profile and Search Committees.
On Sunday July 19th i will commission those members, and they will be our Readers in the Liturgy.
For a copy of the questions to respond to by mail or email click here.
May God continue to inspire us, bless us, and guide us.

​Community Dinners