News for the Week of April 26th

A Meditation for the Third Sunday of Easter
April 26, 2020

We had hoped . . .  [Luke 24.21[
Every year at this time we read the story of Jesus’ encounter with two disciples as they walk to Emmaus on the evening of the resurrection. The two men do not recognize Jesus when he comes near because they are preoccupied with the death of Jesus and the “astounding” story told by the women who had visited the empty tomb.  We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel, they say [Luke 24.21].  They can no longer see the future they had imagined.  They cannot fit together the different pieces of the stories they have heard until they later recognize Jesus when they share supper.  They thought they had lost everything, but Jesus showed them that they were wrong: They still had the open minds and burning hearts that led them to Jesus in the first place, and they were still able to offer hospitality to a stranger—even to one who seemed suspiciously ignorant about the week’s events.  
 
I have a feeling that this phrase we had hoped will resonate more deeply for all of us this year. My heart goes out in particular to those who anticipated being on the threshold of a life they had dreamed of-–especially our high school and college graduates. They may feel  that their future has been stolen from them; they may not be able to make sense of advice that is now outdated, of the goals that may now seem irrelevant, or of the sacrifices they have made to achieve dreams that may now be elusive.  
 
And yet, perhaps this year we will be able to hear Jesus’ assurance more clearly.  Jesus reminds us—with these two disciples-- that we have the resources to reimagine our lives, that everything—both what we have expected and what has blindsided us—makes sense in the long history of God’s saving grace and the larger vision of God’s ongoing creation. This story reminds us that it is in the small, ordinary acts—walking together, telling stories and sharing meals—that we discover the truth of who we are and we see a new path open before us.  We will gradually glimpse unforeseen possibilities, for these are gifts of God’s grace, as rare and as ordinary as freshly baked bread.
                       
Holy and Loving God, through the resurrection of your Son, help us to face the future with courage and assurance, knowing that nothing in death or life can ever part us from your love. Jesus, we believe you.  You break the bread; we recognize you. You are the fire that burns within us; use us to light the world. Amen.
 
Responding to the coronavirus pandemic at Trinity
The Other Side of the Virus: An Opportunity to Awaken.
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise, you can hear the birds again. . 
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting.
All over the world people are looking at their neighbors in a new way.
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
      To how big we really are.
      To how little control we really have.  
      To what really matters.
      To Love.
So we pray and we remember that yes there is fear.  But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.  But there does not have to be loneliness. . . .
Yes there is sickness.  But there does not have to be disease of the soul.
Yes there is even death.  But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now. . . .
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic-
      The birds are singing again
      The sky is clearing,
      Spring has arrived.
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul.
                                                                  - Written by Fr. Richard Hendrick, OFM, March 13th 20
 
Magee has returned to be in the office one or two days each week to do essential work.  Mother Judith is working remotely and is available by email and by phone, and she is checking phone messages regularly.   All parish meetings will be held remotely.         Public worship is suspended until further notice
 
Videos of Mother Judith’s reflections are posted on Wednesdays and Saturdays. We will continue to videotape a simple service of Holy Communion that will be available on our website by 9 am on Sundays.
For a copy of the Service Leaflet for Sunday click here.
For a copy of the readings for Sunday, click here.
For the weekly announcements, click here.

Sunday School: Rachel Carpenter will lead Digital Sunday School on Sunday at 10 am.  This Sunday, we will be focusing on Earth Day and how we can take care of God’s creation.  We will be doing a hands on project and I will be dropping off supplies to everyone on Saturday.   Please email Rachel  at [email protected] if you will be attending zoom Church school this Sunday!   
Click here for a simple nature scavenger hunt to take with you on a walk this week!.
Sunday school activities are available on our website by Monday morning.  www.trinitychurchmilford.org

Holy Communion at Home
You are welcome to set aside bread or crackers to eat while participating the Holy Communion service on Sundays.  We will be sharing what is called “spiritual communion,” and the bread will be a sign of the Christ-centered bond we share as a community of faith.  For suggestions on setting up a home altar for Holy Communion click here.
 
Zoom-Chats: Wednesdays @8 pm 
& Mondays @ 7 am 
Twice a week we gather and share what is working well and not so well as we shelter at home.  Anyone over 18 is welcome to join when you can.    You are welcome to participate once or often. Our evening chat is scheduled to be after dinner and chores and before we begin our evening routines, while our morning chat is scheduled before we begin our workday. Sarah Prevelige will host, with Laurel Pirelli and Cindi Scrimgeour joining her to facilitate our conversation.  In their professional lives they work with families and individuals of all ages and they are themselves parents of teens and pre-teens. 
Go to zoom.us and in the upper right corner click “Join a Meeting”
Wednesdays:  meeting ID: 474316522   Password: 744170
Mondays: meeting ID: 413315567    Password: 715478
Sarah Prevelige will host the meeting via zoom. Please contact her for information on how to join the meeting [email protected]. 
Please send any questions you’d like to discuss to Cindi Scrimgeour at [email protected] 

ZOOM BINGO  SUNDAYS AT 3 PM
FUN FOR ALL AGES
Join friends from Trinity for  a weekly BINGO game on Sunday afternoons at 3 - 4 pm. We will be doing a classic 5 x 5 card array with a Free space in the center. (Numbers are 1-75) The game is open to all ages.  Members of each household  are welcome to play as a team or as individuals. We'll see how it goes, and perhaps add a second hour, or organize a tournament.What to do:
Make your own bingo cards, or go one of the following websites to print them:  (These are free.)
 https://myfreebingocards.com/bingo-card-generator
https://print-bingo.com/
https://bingobaker.com/view/1228516 
http://www.dltk-cards.com/bingo/bingo7.asp
Sarah Prevelige will host. Please contact her for help in making cards or entering the game. Here is the Sunday Zoom Meeting Information:
Go to zoom.us, and in the upper right corner click "Join a meeting'
Meeting ID: 946 0462 5193    Password: 450074
ZOOM Game Night:  Watch for more information.

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.  

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.

Face Masks
Now that we are required to wear face masks in public, Trinity wants to help provide them. Several people have inquired about how to make masks, and others have inquired about how to get them.  Ginny Starkis is coordinating our efforts to locate materials and to distribute masks.  Please contact Ginny if you would like to participate in this project.. v[email protected] 

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/

Community Dinners
Because we cannot plan to serve dinners in April or May, Trinity and our partners are planning to fund takeout dinners from local restaurants for our first responders at the hospital, fire hall, police station, post office and grocery store. This week, we are coordinating with Christiano's. Gene's Variety Store, and Chipotle to have meals delivered to the hospital and to Stop n Shop.  We are also donating $200 to the Food Pantry, which continues to be open to receive donations on Monday evenings. To contribute to this project, please send your check payable to Trinity Church with Community Dinners on the memo line. 

Trinity GFS Scholarships are Available:  Deadline extended to May 15th
Each year, Trinity gives monetary awards to qualified members who are entering an institution of higher education. These awards recognize attendance and service to Trinity Parish during the applicant's high school years. The application is available to download on the Trinity Church website at www.trinitychurchmilford.org Applications must be received by May 15th  and the recipients will be notified shortly thereafter.  Please direct all questions to GFS Scholarship Committee a [email protected]
 
Habits of Grace: An invitation for you, from Presiding Bishop Curry
 A new video meditation will be posted on Mondays through May.