TREE Tip

by Ann Rothschild

 

 

Be informed about chemicals.

The number of chemicals in our lives is astounding.  Although many are benign and natural, many are manufactured for convenience and profit.  The Government Accounting Office (GAO) informed us in 2006 that of the 80,000 chemicals registered for use in the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had required testing of only 200.  As you know, bisphenol A (BPA) is in nearly all plastics and perchlorate, a component of rocket fuel, has leaked into ground water from Aerojet's plant in Rancho Cordova.  Current research indicates that BPA may affect the development of infants. Perchlorate can harm the development of the nervous system and endanger the health of children and pregnant women. Both these chemicals already reside in 90 per cent of people monitored in a 2009 Center for Disease Control study. See www.worldwatch.org/node/541 for the full story--perchlorate is in the drinking and irrigation water and crops of 43 states.

 

In 2009, the GAO named EPA's chemical management program "High Risk" because the EPA was not informed enough to limit public exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. Also the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was weakened by court decisions and poor implementation.   So Senators Barbara Boxer and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) have developed S.847, the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011, which would overhaul the TSCA. It requires more information be made public on toxic chemicals, authorizes EPA to review the safety of all chemicals over time, and requires chemical manufacturers to show that their chemicals are not threatening public health. 

 

This last requirement worries me since I don't trust the manufacturers to truthfully tell us about the safety of their products. Corporations like Chevron (Ecuadorian Amazon despoliation), Philip Morris (tobacco), and P.G. & E. (Erin Brokovitch) have shown us that profits are more important to them than our health. If you are concerned about this, write Senator Barbara Boxer - my source for this article. I will.

JOURNEY WITH JESUS

FINAL MEETING UNTIL ADVENT

9:00-10:15AM Conference Room

 

The Journey through Easter... Today Journey with Jesus will reflect on our experience of Holy Week: Palm Sunday - from celebration to the passion & death of Jesus; Tenebrae; Maundy Thursday - Easter Sunday - Supper & clean up to Alleluia's! How did this week long re-enactment of death to new life impact on you? Come to our 9:00 meeting to reflect on the experience.

Sunday with Morey

Begins April 15 at 10:15am in Room A

 

The AX of the Apostles - In 40 Whacks with Morey Lloyd, MDiv. The Kingdom of God is Story-Telling. Drop-ins are always welcome.

 

40 days of the Risen Lord's teachings, 40 years of the Lord's presence with the Apostles and 40 decades of the Beginning of the Coming of the Kingdom of God. A reflection of what went on and what went wrong and how to repair the past. How to Not Be Embarrassed for Christ's Sake.

 

April 15: What the Apostles Wanted from Jesus - Power to Have a Kingdom in Jerusalem

 

Life Planning Workshop

Tuesday, April 17, 9:00am to 12:00pm

at Trinity Cathedral

 

This will be a lively and life-giving workshop that will help you plan your end-of-life wishes. Only your thoughtful planning will make this time easier for the ones you love.
 

This workshop will touch on pertinent topics such as organizing your important papers, making end-of-life choices, writing love letters to your family, completing Advance Directives, and more.   Each participant will receive a binder filled with essential information and tools for personalization.

 

The Trinity community will surround and uphold your family and friends when you pass - communicate your wishes so that your loved ones be supported and can carry out your requests. Adult family members are encouraged to attend together.

 

For more information call the church at 916.446.2515 or call Katherine Keeney at 916-281-8781. Katherine can be reached at kmkeeney@comcast.net. Please state 'Trinity Life Planning' in the subject line of your email.

Basic Christianity Classes

Offered as part of Thursday Night at the Cathedral

Starting April 19

 

"How do I find my way around the Bible?" "Why do people genuflect or make the Sign of the Cross or bow in church?" "What is it to be an 'Episcoplian'?" What is right or wrong according to the Church?" These are questions that have come up as people prepare for baptism, confirmation or reception into the church. You may have them whether you are baptized or not. The Adult Spiritual Formation team will offer one or two basic courses during each Thursday Night at the Cathedral series. From April 19 - May 24, during the Thursday evening classes, the basics courses are:

• "An Introduction to the New Testament" led by Jerry Paré, MA in Scripture (If you have a laptop or I-pad, please bring it.  If not, that's fine too.)
• "Jesus was an Episcopalian" led by Randy Knutson, Mdiv and Canon Lynell Walker

Come and get and give some answers.

Youth Sunday - April 22

 

Youth Sunday is a special day set aside for the youth of the Cathedral to give service to the worship activities that adults usually do. We will have youth preachers, ushers, readers, intercessors and oblation bearers at the 9:00 and 11:15 services. The fourth and fifth Graders will present a Gospel skit. The fifth graders will receive their Bibles as has been a tradition for many years at Trinity. Children and youth who would like to participate in one of the services may contact Nancy Tennyson 916-446-2513 or tennyson@gmail.com to sign up to do the jobs listed above. We have many young people who do a wonderful job in their chosen roles on Youth Sunday. Be sure to be at church that day to be a part of this wonderful time.

On April 22 we will begin watching/discussing the Uppity Women of the Bible DVD series - another great reflection series developed by Living the Questions. 

Trinity's 6th Annual Earth Day Fair
Earth Day is Sunday April 22nd
Throughout the morning in the Courtyard.

A famous frog once proclaimed that it's not easy being green ... And we couldn't agree more.  But we also know that the need to be good stewards of our environment is more critical now than ever.

This year, celebrating Earth Day is as easy as going to church on Sunday, April 22nd at Trinity Cathedral, as TREE hosts our 6th Annual Earth Day Fair.  TREE means Trinity Respecting Earth & Environment.  Our mission is to raise the consciousness of Trinity Cathedral members about the need to care for God's creation and the earth's environment.  In our own small way, we work to protect the earth's ecosystems, safeguard public health, and ensure sustainability in harvesting the earth's resources.

The Earth Day Fair will feature displays of environmentally friendly offerings from local companies such as Farm Fresh To You, Hall's Windows, and Solar Cookers International.  Tomato plant starts grown by Green Acres Nursery are available.  We only ask that if you take a baby plant, that you grow it, care for it, and enjoy the harvest from it.  You can also check in on the learning corner to watch topical videos of issues facing our planet today.  And, you can forget those wasteful and expensive disposable plastic water bottles after you treat yourself to a stylish and eco-friendly aluminum TREE Sports Bottle!  All available at this year's Earth Day Fair!

Show your gratitude for the beauty of God's creation and join us on April 22nd.

Click here to make a donation or buy tickets to the Feast.  Follow this link  to the Francis House Center web site.