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March, 2008 |
From your Interim Priest:
As I write this we are nearing the 4th Sunday in Lent. Last Sunday we worshipped in a combined service at 9:00 a.m. The Rev. Cynthia Hubbard was our guest preacher. Cynthia is part of the Diocesan Congregational Development & Parishes in Transition team for suburban parishes, along with Bishop Bud Cederholm. After the service we had a delicious brunch, followed by the Appreciative Inquiry workshop, led by Cynthia. 39 people stayed to participate in the workshop. It was lively and many good thoughts came forth!
The Vestry and Search Committee have agreed to meet at a later date with Cynthia to do a weekend retreat…Friday evening and Saturday. They will be working with the information gathered on Sunday. If all goes well, they may possibly come up with a mission statement and profile for the parish. That is a big step in beginning your search process. At the end of the morning Cynthia answered questions about the search process.
A small - but faithful - group has been meeting each Wednesday evening at 6:30 pm for a light supper, followed by Bible Study at 7:15 PM. We end each session with Compline, a lovely service for the end of the day. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 127) I invite others to join us – for supper or afterward for the Bible Study. Each week we read the Gospel for the next Sunday. We discuss what it means to us, beginning with a brief commentary on the passage. We have had some interesting discussions each week.
About this time in Lent it is very easy to slip away from our Lenten disciplines (me included!) – in spite of our good intentions. Life has a way of getting in the way. But, each day you have another chance to begin again. It doesn’t matter if you have taken on something - or given up something. What matters is your faithfulness in returning. Remember that our loving God is always faithful to us – always waiting for us to return when we stray – always ready to welcome us back.
Blessings during the next few weeks of Lent – and then a Holy, Blessed and Joyful Easter to each of you.
Greetings to everyone. Much has happened in the short month that I was voted in as Senior Warden. I first must thank Ann Merriman, Marion Dunn, Sue Johnson and Karen Boyle for their service to the church over the past three years. They did a fabulous job and made the transition for me and the other new vestry members very easy. John Lutts, our new Junior Warden, along with our new vestry members, Kat Wiley, Steve Johnson and Joyce Joseph are excited to serve during this important time of transition for the parish. Our themes this year are organization, preparation and communication. We have begun the all-important self-study as we prepare to welcome a new rector. Our Search Committe has already been established and has met with our consultant from the Diocese, Martha Popolosky. We have conducted the Appreciative Inquiry, led by the Rev. Cynthia Hubbard. It was a remarkable program that allowed us all the opportunity to reflect on what is good about Trinity, and start to define our vision of the future. The Search Committee will be providing you with regular updates of the process. Any questions you may have can be directed to a Search Committee member. John and Mike Lotti, the "official" chairperson of the Building Committee have met to address the issues affecting our physical plant, including much-needed roof repair. Questions about the building and grounds can be directed to them. This is a very exciting time for Trinity and I am looking forward to serving the parish. We are all in this together and I am blessed to have such a supportive vestry and congregation. Watch for important information in future newsletters and on our developing website, www.trinityrockland.org.
| Palm Sunday: Sunday, March 16th | |
| 8:00 AM | Blessing of Palms & Holy Eucharist/Rite 1 |
| 10:00 AM | Blessing & Procession of the Palms (children included) / ASL interpreted |
| Maundy Thursday: Thursday, March 20th | |
| 6:30 PM | Supper |
| 7:00 PM | Holy Eucharist/Rite II – Stripping of the Altar & the Vigil / ASL interpreted |
| (A signup sheet for the vigil will be available beginning on March 2nd) | |
| Good Friday: Friday, March 21st | |
| 12:00 Noon | Good Friday Liturgy |
| 7:00 PM | Good Friday Liturgy / ASL interpreted |
| Easter Day: Sunday, March 23rd | |
| 8:00 AM | Rite I Eucharist |
| 10:00 AM | Rite II Eucharist / ASL interpreted/ Children will “flower the cross” |
Please join us for as many of these services as you can. Walking with Jesus during Holy Week – remembering his passion and death – makes the joy of the Resurrection on Easter so much more wonderful.
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Brochures & applications have arrived for the summer camp program. Please call or see Rev. Billie to obtain them, or for more information. Camp runs from June 20th to August 10th. This is a beautiful camp located in southern New Hampshire on a lovely lake. I encourage you to send your children. There are programs for children entering grades 3 through 11. Financial assistance is available for families who need it.
Jobs are also available: counselors, lifeguards, and program staff. For more information see their website: www.bchcenter.org or email them at info@bchcenter.org
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Attention all teens: There is a South Shore Deanery Youth Event Planning Meeting on Saturday, March 8th, from 10:00 AM – 12 Noon, at St.Andrew’s Church in Hanover. If you would like to join in planning a deanery-wide youth event, please let Rev. Billie know ASAP. She will attend with any youth who are interesting in going.
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On Saturday, March 15th, 9 a.m. – 12:45 pm, Dr. Marcus Borg will present a program: Sharing Jesus: Talking the Talk”, a morning program of exploration of Christian Faith. Dr. Borg is often cited as one of the leading historical Jesus scholars of his generation. He has published a number of books. Those attending are encouraged to read one of them, if possible. Rev. Billie will be attending, if anyone would care to join her. Advance registration: www.diomassevents.org. In lieu of a registration fee, an offering will be collected for the St. Andrew’s Society Housing Project in Ramallah.
Baby-sitting is available at the 10:00 a.m. service for infants and Toddlers.
Please call or see Karen Boyle if you are interested in volunteering.
The Sunday School students are collecting food and toiletries for the Rockland Food Pantry during Lent. Please help them achieve their goal!! Donna Reed is going to be working with the older Sunday School student’s grade 5 and up. They're getting together on March 2 during the 10:00 service to see what the students and Donna would like to do. If your child is interested, please join them. If you can't join them this Sunday, let me know at sundayschool@trinityrockland.org and I'll give you the information.
The Women's Group will meet on Monday, March 10th at 7:00 p.m. We will be planning a 'Bake less Bake Sale' fund raiser. Please keep your eyes open for information coming to your home and support us in whatever way you can. All women are invited to attend. Thank you for your continued support.
The Search Committee will meet on Monday, March 3rd at 7:00 p.m. All members of the committee are urged to attend. We will meet the first Monday of the month on a regular basis. Trinity had a wonderful kick-off to our search with the Appreciative Inquiry on Sunday, February 24th. Let's keep the positive momentum going!
The Choir will host a Corned Beef and Cabbage Supper on Saturday, March 29th at 6:00 p.m. The cost is $8.00 per person. Please see Debbie Morse for tickets or more information. Thank you.
Reminder that daylight saving time will start on Sunday March 9, 2008. (Spring Ahead!) Please make a note on your calendar.
Looking for a place to sing? Looking for a way to have fun and participate in the worship service? Then the Choir is the place for you. Under the direction of John Ferguson, the choir at Trinity is an enriching experience that uplifts your spirit and frees your voice. They meet on Thursday evenings at 6:30pm at Trinity. All are welcome and no previous singing experience is required. Come join us and learn to sing!
At the January supper when it came time to set the tables it was discovered that a large number of dishes were missing. If anyone knows who borrowed these dishes would you please let them know we would like to have them back. Some of the suppers have a large attendance and we really need all of the set. They were a gift from a parishioner and they cannot be replaced. They are white with a red band around the edge. The person who gifted them is very upset that someone would take them without asking. Thank you for your cooperation. God Bless the person that returns these dishes
A reminder! Easter Flowers for the Altar. If you would like to remember a loved one on this special day or have a Thanksgiving to honor, please let me know. Envelopes will also be in the Sunday Bulletins.
The Flower Calendar is posted if there are changes you wish to have made to the list, please add, omit or let me know I will be happy to make any adjustments.
He who angers you, controls you!