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Trinity Tidings

The E Newsletter of Trinity Episcopal Church, Sutter Creek


August 2016


In This Issue
Rector's Report
Did You Know?
Back Pack Success
Hunger Doesn't Take a Vacation
Missio:Engage!
You! & Trinity Ministries
Food Bank Donations
Trinity Singers Rehearsals
Birthdays this month
Would You Like to Contribute to the Newsletter
Quick Links...
 
 
 
 
Rector's Report for August 
 
As you read this newsletter, I am still on my mini-sabbatical and will return for Sunday services on August 7th.  My sabbatical plans include the following movements:
 
  1. Attend the Conspire Conference in Albuquerque New Mexico, featuring Richard Rohr who leads the CAC (Center for Action & Contemplation).  The CAC attracts many progressive Christians.  Its theology is all about personal transformation which leads to public action, two vital pillars of the Christian journey. 
  2. Spend time in the desert, including time at the Monastery of Christ in the Desert in Abiquiu, New Mexico.  This is a religious community of Benedictine Monks in an isolated monastery in the desert, an ideal location where the monks can focus on prayer and deepening their relationship with God.  They accept visitors to spend time with them in contemplation, prayer, worship, and discernment.  Check out their website at: www.christdesert.org
  3. Spend time reading Scripture and other books to gain wisdom in leading Trinity Church into the 21st century.  One particular book I am looking forward to, speaks to the blessings of a small church:  Small Does Not Mean Struggling by the Rev. David Smith.
  4. A quick trip to Washington D.C. to visit my new grand-nephew.  Steph will accompany me on this portion of my sabbatical.
 
I look forward to sharing with you and the vestry what I have learned during this time off.  Thank you for the privilege of offering this time to deepen my spiritual bearings. 
 
On a different note, the bishop is coming to Trinity on September 25th for a visit during which he will confirm and receive people into the Anglican Communion.  Confirmation comes from the word "to confirm."  In confirmation, we are confirming our baptismal vows to love our neighbor, to resist evil, to seek and serve Christ in all persons, and to strive for justice, peace, and the dignity of every human being.  "Confirmation is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by the bishop." {See The Book of Common Prayer, pg. 415-419}.  Our vows are made to God, not to the church.  Reception is for those who have already been confirmed in another Christian denomination, but would like be received into the Episcopal Church by the bishop with a handshake. 

In preparation for the bishop's visit, I am inviting you to meet for a one, three-hour session to learn more about the history, theology, and practices of the Episcopal Church.  All folks are welcomed to this session, either for general knowledge or in preparation for confirmation/reception.   After the session, you can decide if confirmation/reception is for you.

While it is difficult to know people's schedules ahead of time, I am thinking of having two sessions.  Attendance at one of these sessions is required for confirmation.  Please let me know if you can attend [either by email: rector@trinitysuttercreek.org or phone: 209-267-0255].  I would love to gather with you and explore a life 'lived in Christ.'  The two sessions are listed below.  Choose one and RSVP as soon as possible so I will know how to schedule my time and resources.
  1. Friday, August 19: 1pm-4pm (in the church)   or
  2. Saturday, August 20: 9am-12noon (in the church)
May God who has begun a good work in you, continue to bless you and strengthen you in your journey towards wholeness.
 
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Karen Siegfriedt+

Emergency Procedure/Contact during the Rector's Sabbatical (July 12-August 5)
  1. Call Sheilah in the office immediately.  If she is not there, leave a message.
  2. If Sheilah is not in the office and it is an emergency situation, then call Carolyn Hennings who is chair of Health Ministries.  She will be able to dispatch pastoral care, a deacon, and other health ministry needs.
  3. If there is a general parish emergency, call a vestry member listed on your Sunday bulletin.  The officers of the vestry are:  Nancy Moore, David Hoos, Carol Holt, and Margaret Lewis.
If there is a sudden death, severe illness, or tragedy requiring the sacramental duties of a priest, call Father Craig in Placerville.

Photos of Activities at Trinity in July: 
Watching Fireworks at the Rectory

 Safeway Food Drive for Interfaith Food Bank

Christ in the Desert Monastery; Abiquiu, New Mexico
Did You Know? 
-Bible study on the Book of Acts continues on the first Sunday of each month at 9:40am.
-August 2nd- new carpet will be installed in Jane's Hall.
-August 6th 3:00pm-6:00pm:  Barbeque and swim (optional) at the Lafferty's home in Ione.  Hotdogs and hamburgers provided.  Bring a side dish to share and schmooze with the Trinity community.
-Aug. 12, 19, 26  5:30-7:00pm: Book Study at Trinity led by rector-  Breathing Under Water by Richard Rohr.  Held in undercroft of church building.
-Aug. 19th (1-4pm) or Aug. 20th (9-12noon):  Confirmation/Reception gathering.  All are invited to learn more about the Episcopal Church, its theology and practices.  Held in church.
Back Pack 2 School- Another Success!
Trinity parishioners once again stepped up to show love and support for the children in our community by donating backpacks, supplies and books for the Back Pack 2 School program; as well as $815.00 in monetary donations.  This is an important program to ensure that students who would otherwise not have the supplies and tools they need for success in school.  What a wonderful expression of God's love!  Thank you for your heartfelt engagement in this project.
            Janet Kendig
Hunger Doesn't Take a Vacation
We did it again! Thanks to the 40-plus folks who made it happen, we were able to collect 3,413 pounds of food and $1,272.61 in donations at our food drive for the Interfaith Food Bank on July 8th and 9th. The Amador Ledger Dispatch's Lifestyle Section featured an article by Caitlyn Schaap, promoting the food drive, and Carol Harper designed a beautiful advertisement for the event.  Many customers stated that they had read about the food drive in the paper.

In case you hadn't heard, Safeway recently was bought out by Albertson's. Consequently, there were many staff changes at the store in Martell. The new manager, Richard ("Rich") Lopez, started work on the Monday of our food drive. He was just getting oriented when Trinity Episcopal Church volunteers showed up for a food drive.

Tom Thompson, Food Bank Director, stopped by Safeway and met with Rich. Tom introduced himself and explained how the food bank operates, its history, and how it is a vital part of Amador County. It is through efforts such as Trinity's that they get donations of food and money that enable the food bank to function. Following the food drive, Rich said he has never experienced such an outpouring of generosity in a small community for donations to a food bank.

We have a wonderful, giving community that takes care of its residents: the elderly, disabled, families in need, and the marginalized. The citizens of Amador County they are generous with their gifts because they care for their neighbors.
The Interfaith Food Bank and Great Finds Thrift Store would not be able to function were it not for the many caring people who volunteer their time and talents to insure that Amador County residents are fed and clothed. Volunteers come from all denominations and some do not attend church, but all are part of the food bank family of volunteers.
 
Volunteers are always needed to help out at the food bank and at the thrift store. If you have two hours or more per week to help out, please stop by either the food bank or the thrift store and fill out an application. Thank you for your continued support of this vital outreach.

The Missio:Engage Team
Missio:Engage!
"Taking our joy and energy out into our community and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with all whom we encounter," is the mission statement of the Missio:Engage! team.  To the team this translates into our motto:  Radical Hospitality.  Trinity's team, among others, started in 2012 as a diocesan sponsored approach to revitalizing congregations by expanding ministry in community.  Since that time, we have sponsored successful food drives, implementation of Needy Care bags, Back Pack 2 School Program collection, upgrades in welcoming and hospitality bags, and more.
 
The team currently consists of:  Carol Harper, David Hennings, Carol Holt, Janet Kendig, Noreen Lafferty, Margaret Lewis, Nancy Moore, Martha Robbins and Steph Sherman.  Typically, the team meets monthly after the second worship service to brainstorm, prioritize and plan events/projects.  We invite anyone wanting to deepen their outreach to attend and participate in our next meeting, Sunday, September 11.  Ask or email any member for more information.  
You! and Trinity Ministries
At Trinity, we have an abundance of opportunities to participate in our life together as loving, caring Christians. 
 
Consider:  Altar Guild, Music Ministry, Centering Prayer, Prayer Station, Hospitality and Newcomers, Lector, Vestry, Missio:Engage! team, grounds keeping/gardening and others.  Please review ministry opportunity lists at the back of the church on the bulletin board and commit to what inspires and challenges you!  That's how we grow in love and service together as a parish.

The team currently consists of:  Carol Harper, David Hennings, Carol Holt, Janet Kendig, Noreen Lafferty, Margaret Lewis, Nancy Moore, Martha Robbins and Steph Sherman.  Typically, the team meets monthly after the second worship service to brainstorm, prioritize and plan events/projects.  We invite anyone wanting to deepen their outreach to attend and participate in our next meeting, Sunday, September 11.  Ask or email any member for more information.  
Food Bank Donations

The Food Bank's cart, in the sanctuary, yielded 129 lbs. of food in July. Total giving in 2016: 1,071 lbs. of food.

 

On July 8 & 9, Trinity held its annual community food drive at Safeway. The drive yielded 3,413 lbs. of food and $1,272.61 in monetary donations for the Interfaith Food Bank. The Missio team thanks all of you who participated.

Trinity Singers Rehearsals
All are invited to join the Trinity Singers/Worship Team! Rehearsals are the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 7PM. Bring your voices, your instruments, and a heart for worship and praise! For more information, please contact Carol Harper at 916-604-1872 or email carol@worshipattrinity.com. Web site: WorshipAtTrinity.com.
August Birthdays

The following members of our church family are celebrating birthdays in August!

     

 5th- Joy Blair

 6th- Rolly Matson

 10th- Rosalie Escamilla

 10th- Teddy West

 14th- Noreen Lafferty

    17th- Alexis Lewis

 

If you are celebrating a birthday in August, but you don't see your name listed here, please contact our Parish Administrative Asst.

Would You Like to Contribute to the Newsletter?
If you have an article of interest to the congregation that you would like included in the newsletter, please email it to the office, office@trinitysuttercreek.org by the 20th of the month. It will be included in the next month's newsletter.