 Meditation for All Saints Sunday November 1, 2020 ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ [Matthew 5:9] I want to share my favorite story of a saint, told by Anthony DeMello in his book Taking Flight. A woman was so godly that even the angels rejoiced at the sight of her. She had no notion that she was holy. She just lived an ordinary life, radiating goodness without trying. Her holiness lay in the fact that she forgot each person’s past and looked at them as they were now, and she looked beyond each person’s appearance to the very center of their being, where they were innocent and blameless and too ignorant to know what they were doing. One day, an angel came to her and said, “I have been sent to you by God. Ask for anything you wish, and it will be given to you. Would you like the gift of healing?” “No”, said the woman, “I’d rather God did the healing himself.” “Would you like to bring sinners back to the path of righteousness?” “No,” she said, “it is not for me to touch human hearts. That is the work of angels.” “Would you like to be such a model of virtue that people will be drawn to imitate you?” “No,” she said, “for that would make me the center of attention.” “What then, do you wish for?” ask the angel. “The grace of God. Having that, I have all I desire,” she said “No, you must ask for some miracle,” said the angel, “or one will be forced on you.” “Well, then I shall ask for this: let good be done through me without my being aware of it.” So it was decreed that the holy woman’s shadow would be endowed with healing properties whenever it fell behind her. So everywhere her shadow fell--provided she had her back to it—the sick were healed, fountains sprang to life, and color returned to the faces of those who were weighed down by life’s sorrow. But the woman knew nothing of this because the attention of people was so centered on the shadow that they forgot about her. And so her wish that good be done through her without calling attention to herself was abundantly fulfilled.[1] On All Saints Sunday we walk in the life-giving shadow of the people whose lives we have shared – who have guided us, listened to us, and recognized our goodness. On All Saints Sunday we remember that we are not alone. We affirm that when we share lives—no matter how brief—those lives are woven into our own—without end. On All Saints’ Sunday we don’t just remember people who are no longer with us-- We honor our ongoing relationship with them. We thank God for allowing us to share in their lives. We promise to walk in their shadows, and to trust that God will use our shadows to bring healing and peace to the world. May our shadows be long and broad. [1] Adapted from Anthony De Mello, Taking Flight (New York: Doubleday, 1988), pp. 110-111. Go, be healing to God's people; seek and share the saving call. Be the touch of Christ for others, be the voice of Christ for all. Lives are broken all around you, and Christ has no hands but yours; hold in them the ones who suffer so Christ's healing love endures. -Martin Willett DAYLIGHTSAVINGS TIME ENDS ON SATURDAY EVENING WE TURN BACK OUR CLOCKS AN HOUR! MORNING PRAYER via ZOOM Ministers of the Liturgy The Rev. Dr. Judith Lee The Youth of Trinity: Sebastian Carpenter, Allison Kee, Emily Kee, Anna Prevelige, Lauren Ruggiero, Tessa Scrimgeour, Landon Sweet Musicians: Randolph Bloom, Mary Johnson, Jeff Lukas https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82256827302?pwd=Z0E3ZlpXY0hIRFdIZHN0ZnltdXNlZz09 Meeting ID: 822-5682-7302 Password: 546896 Telephone: 929-205-6099 You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but citizens together with the saints and members of the household of God. [Ephesians 2:19] No Sunday School on Sunday. Senior High Youth We will meet at 7 pm on the First Sunday of each month November 1st - Grace Prevelige & Brandon Kee will lead the Profile Focus Group Discussion December 6th - A combination of Game Night, Mission Project Planning, and a meditation. 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 Monday 7 pm Finance Committee Meeting Monday 7 pm Diocesan Prayers for Our Nation on the Eve of Election 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 pm: Grab n Go Meals distributed at Trinity Thursday 6:30 pm Diocesan Pre-Convention Meeting on Zoom Thursday 7:30 pm – Profile Committee on Zoom Friday Noon Lunch and Bible Study: Women of the Bible: October 30th Martha and Mary of Bethany (Luke 10) @ 11:30 am November 6th The Samaritan woman at the well [John 4] The woman taken in adultery [John 8:2-11] Friday 12:30 -1:30 pm ROMEOs on Zoom Saturday 9am – Noon Diocesan Convention on Zoom Thanksgiving Dinner: November 26th, 10:45 am It’s time to place an order and/ or sign up as a volunteer. This year parishioners of Trinity and St. Mary’s will again deliver dinners to those who will be alone on Thanksgiving Day. If you will be alone on Thanksgiving, or if you know of someone who will be in need of a Thanksgiving meal, please call the Parish Office at 508-473-8464 or send an email to office.trinitychurchmilford@gmail.com no later than Wednesday November 18th & leave the name of the person to whom the meal is to be delivered, the address & the phone number. We will deliver to Milford, Hopedale, and Mendon. This year due to the Coronavirus the deliveries will be a “Curbside Delivery.” If you would like to volunteer to deliver a meal, please call 508-473-8464 or send an email to office.trinitychurchmilford@gmail.com & leave your name & phone number. Volunteers will be given masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer. We ask that all volunteers be at Trinity Church by 10:45 am. Because of the extra planning required by public health protocols, we cannot accommodate volunteers who show up without notice. This project is made possible by Abundant Care, Inc. and by the volunteers of Trinity & St. Mary’s. Stewardship: A Season of Thanksgiving Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his mercy endures forever. [Psalm 106.1] During the month of November we will be reviewing and returning our pledges for 2021 and giving thanks together for our community at Trinity. You will receive your pledge card in the coming week, and you will be able to make your pledge by mail or complete a form on our website. Our Prayers Are Offered For: Parish Members & Friends: Elleana Shearer; Marco Weiss; Al Price; Mary Torian, Brad Gustavesen; Sharon Manoogian; Sal & Vas Ferreira; Laura Uretsky; Ryan Schmidt; Dorothy Lutterbaugh; Erick Guzman; Alan Smat; Somasundaram Ulaganayagi; Dave Clinkman; Beth & Terry; Esther McKenzie; 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. Our Partner Dioceses: Kumasi and Asante-Mampong in Ghana Those celebrating birthdays this week: Charles O’Connell, Jr.; Jennifer Menges; Lauren Masse; Jason Stokes; Monique Clark; Bryan Tattrie; William Lukas; Matthew Sheedy; Grace Gorham; Mileena McCarthy; Jacob Cahill; Randy Bloom; Cierra Meurant; Christopher Prunier; Carol Davis; Audrey Kerxhalli; Shannon Murphy; Cole Palinkas; Colin McGovern; Susan Edmondson; Deborah Murphy; Dom Roda; Benjamin Menges; Elaine Rizoli; Debi O’Toole; Andy Hagedorn; Reese Anderson; and Dean Anderson. For news and access to Diocesan meetings and worship, go to https://www.diocesewma.org/
For news about events at Trinity and the National Episcopal Church go to https://www.trinitychurchmilford.org
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