September 10th

e-blast Meditation for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Creation Season
September 13, 2020
 
Finally beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  [Philippians 4:8]
 
A saying by the Sufi poet Hafiz expresses well what we are learning during this Creation Season:  
     Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I’d like to see you in better living conditions.
By paying attention to the sacred order in the physical universe, as proclaimed in the opening lines of the Gospel of John that we read last week (In the beginning was the Word In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God), we will not cower in fear before the challenges of climate change and we will see more clearly the connections between environmental instability and social justice. We will recognize—anew—the times we have allowed others to live in fear by leaving them in “the cheapest room in the house.” We will pay attention to ways that Christ has disguised himself as he walks and lives and prays in our midst. 
  
On any given day, we are called upon to take a risk, perhaps to trust a God who has been silent in our lives, perhaps to trust someone who has not been reliable, perhaps to offer ourselves to someone who has not valued us. It is in taking this risk, remembering Christ is in our midst—disguised-- that we will move out of “the cheapest room in the house” and we will find the peace promised by Jesus.

   In the words of margaret Bullitt-Jones, Diocesan Missioner for Creeation Care:                               
 As for me, I draw strength from the living presence of Jesus Christ who is with us as we listen to Scripture, who comes to us as we sing and pray, whose love is poured into hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit, and who feeds and strengthens us when we stretch out our hands to receive the bread and wine of the Eucharist. Our fears can be strong, and the powers-that-be in this world are surely doing everything they can to stoke our fears of each other and to pull us apart, but Jesus’ words and presence convey bracing good news: we are infused and surrounded by a divine love that holds us together and that will never let us go. God loves us, and loves all Creation, with a love that nothing can destroy. As we breathe in that divine love and breathe it out in acts of healing and justice and compassion, our courage and strength are renewed.

O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
  MORNING PRAYER via ZOOM
Prayers for our Music Ministry

Ministers of the Liturgy
The Rev. Dr. Judith Lee
Members of our Choir:
Edla Ann Bloom, Randolph Bloom, Millie Williams,
Wayne Stochaj, Beth Stochaj, Mary Frances Best
Musicians:  Randolph Bloom, Jeff Lukas
 When in our music God is glorified, and adoration leaves no room for pride
It is as though the whole creation cried. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Let every instrument be tuned for praise let all rejoice who have a voice to raise!
And may God give us faith to sing always. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
 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.

Forward Day by Day Booklets are now available at the church.
Please call the Church Office or let Mother Judith know if you would like a copy.

​A Message from Rachel Carpenter:
Sunday School will be on Zoom this year, at 9 am on Sundays.  Our first officiat day will be October 4th- when we will have a family service and Blessing of our Pets.  Watch for more information.

This Week: 
The office will be open for regular hours: Tuesday through Thursday 10am-2pm. 
Sunday 4 pm Canon Simpson meets with the Profile Committee on Zoom
Monday 7pm Vestry Meeting on Zoom
Friday noon - Bible Study & Discussion:  Women in the Bible on Zoom
Saturday 4:30 pm  Celebration & Blessing of a Marriage: Joan Brodeur & Matt Rich

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 Boo

New Rector Search: Next Steps:
September 20th – Discussion after the service about the results of the Holy Cow Survey and the Vestry meeting.
October-November The Profile committee will hold parish meetings via Zoom to discuss future plans for new ministry with your next Rector.
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

Entering Stage 2:
We will re-open the church for private prayer in October.
Mother Judith is now reviewing our new Building Use Agreement with leaders of the community groups who have met in our building and we hope to resume our regular schedule of meetings by the end of September.
We will begin preparing take-out meals from our kitchen on the last Thursday of each month beginning on September 24th. 
We are making plans for outdoor worship.  Watch for more information.
Our parish Zoom Chats, Family Game Night, and Bingo will resume in October.

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

Friday Bible Study & Discussion @ Noon - Begins September 18th.
Women in the Bible.Week One:  Sarah and Hagar:  
                                  Reading: Genesis  Chapters 11-13, 16-18, 20-23, 25
Click here for the outline & schedule
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87474952317?pwd=UkdpQTNuNmtxVkhtYlZkVGVDVkZOQT09
Meeting ID: 874 7495 2317    Passcode  097331

​Sacred Ground:
A Film-Based Dialogue Series on Race & Faith Beginning on September 26th
For a copy of the schedule click here.
Registration Deadline: September 20th
How to Register: Email either Mother Judith (jlee.trinitychurchmilford@gmail.com) or Mary Johnson (mary.johnson8@comcast.net) stating whether you are registering for the Sunday session (5-6:30 pm) or the Tuesday sessions (7-8:30)
The programs requires the purchase of 2 books:
      Howard Thurman, Jesus and the Disinherited   [Beacon Press, 1949;1976]
       Debby Irving, Waking Up White [2014; Elephant Room Press]
 Mary Johnson and Mother Judith will lead the program for Trinity and our group will include members of other congregations. To learn more see https://episcopalchurch.org/sacred-ground. 

Community Dinners

​We have received a grant from the Milford Community Health Network (CHNA) to distribute meals prepared at local restaurants every week, September through November. Please contact Glen Peterson or Mother Judith if you are able to volunteer.
 We will prepare takeout meals in our kitchen on the last Thursday of every month beginning on September 24th.  We are seeking grant funding and donations to continue the program through next spring. To contribute to this project, please send your check payable to Trinity Church with Community Dinners on the memo line.

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: the Lutterbaugh & Kalns Families; David Stochaj; Dave Clinkman; Alan Smat; Farooq Kovelakunila; Dorothy Lutterbaugh; Rachel Hagen; Marco Weiss; Marilyn Stasio; Al Price; Natalie Bottomley; David Gillis; Bob Hicks; Mary Torian, Bob Bloomburg; Sharon Manoogian; Sal & Vas Ferreira; Brad Gustavesen; Elizabeth Klisiewicz; Liz Gienger; Cathy Poch; Samantha Guzman; Pat & Amy O’Connor; Somasundaram & Amuthavalli Ulaganayagi; Mike Obrofta; 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; 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.
 
The Deceased: John Lutterbaugh
 Our Partner Dioceses: Kumasi and Asante-Mampong in Ghana
 
Those celebrating birthdays this week: James Tracy; Anne Ketcham; Melissa Nylander; Connor Harrison; Collin Cameron; Maia Cerrito-Stingo; Aislyn Murphy; Andy McNulty; Daniel Johnson; Daniel Manoli; Nicholas Roy; Liam Murphy; Erika Schoaf; Cadence Garrett; Quinn Garrett; Janelle Tattrie; John Edmondson, III; Janet Nezgoda; Kacie Najarian; Megan Najarian; Caleb Carter; Candia Cuddy; James Uthoff; & John McCarthy.

​Pledges: Thank you to all of you who have been sending in your pledges.  There has been a slight drop in our pledge income this month.  This is understandable for  the summer, but please do not let your contribution lapse. 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 jlee.trinitychurchmilford@gmail.com or lee.judith.mary@gmail.com 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.

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

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