August 2, 2020

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  Jesus leaves the quiet place to which he had withdrawn because he felt compassion for the crowds who had followed him; when at the end of the day his disciples suggest that the crowds should be sent away so that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.

Community Dinners

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.

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.

​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.