 Meditation for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost October 18, 2020 I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness, I make weal and create woe; I the Lord do all these things. [Isaiah 45:6-7] Anthony Mello tells the story of a wandering teacher who had reached the outskirts of a village and settled down under a tree for the night when a villager came running up to him and said, “The stone! The stone! Give me the precious stone!” “What stone?” asked the teacher. “Last night an angel appeared to me in a dream, “ said the villager, “and told me that if I went to the outskirts of the village at dusk I would find a teacher who would give ma precious stone that would make me rich forever.” The teacher rummaged in his bag and pulled out a stone. “He probably meant this one,” he said, as he handed the stone over to the villager. “I found it on a forest path some days ago. You can certainly have it.” The villager gazed at the stone in wonder. It was a diamond, probably the largest diamond in the whole world, for it was as large as a person’s head. He took the diamond and walked away. All night he tossed about in bed, unable to sleep. Next day at the crack of dawn he woke the teacher and said, “Give me the wealth that makes it possible for you to give this diamond away so easily.”[1] Isaiah promises this “wealth” of the peace that comes from believing that God is the single source of life, in its darkness and its light, in storm and calm. If we trust in the goodness of God, we will be free from the distractions of fear and second-guessing our decisions. Spoken to the King of Persia, these words also warn us that we will be held accountable for overreaching. According to the Gospel of Matthew this is the image of God that Jesus teaches. It is a theology that has been explained well by Bruce C. Birch: Israel's God is defined first and foremost by divine freedom and not by the fate of any particular culture or nation. This conception of the radical freedom of God emerges in opposition to the nationally defined gods of imperial triumphalism in Egypt. The God of covenant is so free that God can choose to enter relationship with a people who are merely a band of slaves with no standing, no power, no influence in the world. This God is defined by freely offered compassion to those who, by the world's definition, are the helpless, the oppressed, and the dispossessed. - Bruce C. Birch, "You Shall Be My People" (Sojourners, May 1984) Yes, God is present in the smallest and least important of persons and circumstances. Yes, our longing for security and our greed begin in our feeling of helplessness. Yes, God’s rule will prevail even beyond the instability in our own nation. Yes, the wealth of the peace we seek is our capacity to trust and to hope. Beyond our understanding you alone are God; you speak to a world of brutal rule and shallow indifference, of arms fairs and reality shows: may the one who came to sit at table with the victimized and excluded disturb our barren peace and call us to another feast where only love may rule; through Jesus Christ, the bridegroom. Amen. -from Prayers for an Inclusive Church [1] Anthony De Mello. The Song of the Bird. New York: Doubleday, 1984., p.. 140-41. Sunday Schedule for October & November 8-8:30 am Outdoor service of Holy Communion in the parking lot 9 am Morning Prayer on Zoom 9:30 am Zoom Coffee Hour 9:45 am Zoom Sunday School meets 10am – 10:30 am Zoom Sunday School Class 10:30-11:30 am Distribution of Holy Communion to individuals in the church Sunday afternoon - Home Communion for those who cannot come to the church MORNING PRAYER via ZOOM Ministers of the Liturgy The Rev. Dr. Judith Lee Members of the Vestry: Ginny Starkis (Warden) Edla Ann Bloom, Lucille Clinkman, Steve Ketcham, Lisa Ruggiero, Peach Warren Musicians: Randolph Bloom, Mary Johnson, Jeff Lukas May all I say and all I think be in harmony with thee, God within me, God beyond me, maker of the trees. - Chinook prayer, Pacific Northwest Coast, North America 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. Sunday School Message from Rachel Carpenter: We will begin at 9:45 on Sunday on a separate Zoom meeting. Children and youth from St. Matthew's and the United Parish of Upton will join us. Join Zoom Meeting : https://zoom.us/j/94832771037?pwd=d3BYREU4Q3U3OVlNR1doOWZtNEJvdz09 Meeting ID: 948 3277 1037 Passcode: 435036 Our youth are together planning projects for the year. We are asking our youth (grades 6 and up) to complete this brief survey. Thank you Click here for the survey. This Week: The Office will be open Monday-Thursday, 10am-2pm Mother Judith is working remotely and can be reached by phone [716.949.8194] or email Tuesday 7:30-8:30 pm Profile Committee Focus Group on Zoom Wednesday 10 am Morning Prayer & Fellowship on Zoom Meeting ID: 831-6113-8171 Password: 497792 Telephone: 929-205-6099 Wednesday 7 pm – Zoom Chat Thursday 4:15 pm: Grab n Go Meals distributed at Trinity Thursday 7:30 pm – Profile Committee on Zoom Friday Noon Lunch and Bible Study: Women of the Bible: October 16th - Ruth & Naomi - The Book of Ruth October 23rd- Elizabeth, Mary, & Anna - Luke 2-3 Zoom Chats are Back! Wednesdays at 7 pm Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87135083870?pwd=allwUzdwTExXeWZ1Y1RGRDg1bUhGQT09 Meeting ID: 871 3508 3870 Passcode: 252400 Conversation, reflection, and a meditation This is a time for us to share what's working and what's not as we begin a new phase of our transition and life during covid. Thank you to Sarah Prevelige, Lauren Pirelli, and Cindi Scrimgeour Next Steps: Moving Forward God of the living word, give us faith to receive your message, the wisdom to know what it means, and the courage to put it into practice. -from A New Zealand Prayer Book The Stewardship Committee has formed: Kevin Keppler (Chair), Pat Keppler, Beth Moeller, Val King Our Stewardship Campaign will take place in November: We plan to send out your pledge cards during the week of October 25th. Watch for more information. Vestry Highlights: October 12, 2020 Resolved:
New Rector Search: Next Steps: October-November The Profile committee will hold parish meetings on Zoom to discuss who we are and how we are preparing for new ministry with your next Rector. Mark your calendars. Tuesday October 20th – 7:30-8:30 pm the choir, altar guild, and liturgical ministers Sunday October 25th 9:30-10:30 am – general Wednesday October 28th – 10:30-11:30 am - general Sunday November 1st 7 pm – Youth October through December: Update website, hold Stewardship Campaign, discern new leadership January The Profile Committee will present the Parish Profile to the Vestry for approval. An updated timeline of the 3 "arcs" of the search process can be found on our website: https://www.trinitychurchmilford.org During this Time: Trinity in Stage 2:
Wednesdays @ 10 am: Morning Prayer & Fellowship via Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83161138171?pwd=TitUUzdtRVhjZVFadjNZbFlxV1dhdz09 Meeting ID: 831 6113 8171 Password: 497792 Telephone: 929-205-6099 Friday Bible Study & Discussion @ Noon - Women in the Bible Topic for October 16th - The Book of Ruth For the outline & schedule, Click here. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87474952317?pwd=UkdpQTNuNmtxVkhtYlZkVGVDVkZOQT09 Meeting ID: 874 7495 2317 Password: 097331 Ecumenical Service of Remembrance & Witness for the Victims of COVID-19 Wednesday October 28th - 7 pm Livestreamed from United Parish of Upton Mark your calendars to join this service of lamentation and hope led by the churches of Milford, Hopedale, Mendon, and Upton. We want to remember by name those whom we know have died from complications during the coronavirus. Please send names of your loved ones to Mother Judith by Monday, October 19. Our Prayers Are Offered For: Parish Members & Friends: the Gagnon Family; the Rev. Aileen DiBenedetto; Ryan Schmidt; Dorothy Lutterbaugh; Erick Guzman; Alan Smat; Somasundaram Ulaganayagi; Dave Clinkman; Elleana Shearer; Marco Weiss; Al Price; Amy Hendrick; Jane; Mary Torian, Sharon Manoogian; Sal & Vas Ferreira; Laura Uretsky; Brad Gustavesen; Erin Lewis; Beth & Terry; Esther McKenzie; Jean Conway; Lisa Wilson; Sandra Arbogast; Len Baird; Judy Shea; Robin Rowe; Skye Bayleigh Plaisted; Alex; Alisha Starkis Weddeke; Chrissy & Mark; Thomas Scano; the Canali Family; 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. The Deceased: Georges Gagnon Our Partner Dioceses: Kumasi and Asante-Mampong in Ghana Those celebrating birthdays this week: Tracy Nelson; David McGovern; Samuel Waugh; Paige Anderson; George Adams; Jack McCarthy; Barbara Poch; Chloe Cornwell; Shealynn Elliot; Maria Bruno; Emily Morais; Andrew Nobel; Mackenzie George; Damien Krupa; Olivia Varteresian; Grace Shields; Zachary Gallerane; and Kyra Richards. Pledges: Thank you to all of you who have been sending in your pledges. We are behind in pledge income by about $8000. If you are behind, please try to catch up by early November in order to give the Vestry a baseline as they prepare the 2021 budgtet. 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. Mount Saint Charles Academy invites prospective students and their families to our online open house on Sunday, Oct. 18 from 10 AM to 12 PM to learn about our rigorous academics, service-learning, dedicated faculty, and a wide range of student clubs, sports, and fine and performing arts opportunities. You'll get to meet teachers, alumni, and current students and be guided on a virtual tour of our school! Mount Saint Charles Academy is a Catholic, college preparatory school for boys and girls in grades 6-12 that is committed to developing the whole child. Register at https://www.mountsaintcharles.org/2020-open-house/ or call 401-769-0310 to learn more. Please note: Unscrupulous people have contacted parishioners claiming to be Mother Judith and asking for money. Mother Judith's only email addresses are jlee.trinitychurchmilford@gmail.com or lee.judith.mary@gmail.com and her phone number is (716) 949-8194 . She never asks for money! Other false emails from Mother Judith and other parishioners ask for you to reply because she needs to consult you. 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. A Message from the Presiding Bishop "It is a Christian obligation to vote, and more than that, it is the church's responsibility to help get souls to the polls. Cast your vote, not on a partisan basis, not based on your biases, but vote your values. Vote the values of human dignity and equality. Vote the values of the rock on which this country was built. Vote." -Presiding Bishop Michael Curry Click here to see Bishop Curry's full message. A Pastoral Message from Bishop Doug Fisher Click here to view. 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/ Mission Matters: News from the Episcopal Diocese of Western MA latest issue can be found here.
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