FROM THE RECTOR

I’ve been Dean of the South Shore for a couple of years now, and one thing that I find is consistent, both in our Deanery and in others, is that people have grown less and less willing to attend events with other churches. When I first arrived in this diocese way back in 2009 (!), Deanery Assembly could bring in easily 50 people. These days, we’re lucky to see 25, and there are several churches who just don’t participate at all. Some of the responsibility for that lies with the priests – if they don’t promote the Deanery as something important, folks won’t show up. And some of it, of course, is time. We’re all so darned busy!

But some of it, too, is that we’ve grown quite parochial. We like our church and our people, and although we pray for other parishes (and we just got prayed for!), we’re not very likely to do anything with them. For example, I invite the other parishes in the Deanery every year to VBS; nobody ever comes. I’d like to see the South Shore Deanery do better. As churches grow smaller, we’re simply going to have to learn to collaborate more. Are there projects that we can do together? Opportunities for worship that we can attend together? Can we support each other’s fund raisers, both by inviting and attending?

The Deanery has just begun a Middle School Youth Group that meets roughly monthly; a couple of churches are involved in that, and it’s a terrific way to start the process. I’m hopeful that we can find more opportunities to work, worship and socialize together as a Deanery, rather than remaining friendly but isolated. Open to suggestions!

Sarah+

STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY

Hello, Trinity Parishioners and Supporters,

Stewardship Sunday is November 17, 2024. You should already have received a letter and a commitment card.

Our theme this year is Walk in Love, and it calls us to remember that our greatest gift in community is how we align, come together in purpose and mission. When we walk in the same direction, we can do so many things.

During this season we talk a lot about money, about our budget. Yes, those things are important, they are the way we fund the Church, but the real focus is on what our gifts can do for our community and the world.

Please prayerfully consider how you will fill out your commitment card and make your financial promises for the year 2025. Every gift matters, and every gift will be accepted, brought to the altar, and blessed before God and our community.

Completed commitment cards may be mailed back to Trinity or placed in the collection plate on Sunday, November 17th. See you in church!

Walking with you in Love,
Debbie Morse, Stewardship Chair

DIOCESAN CONVENTION

Your clergy and representatives will be gathering in Quincy on Saturday, November 9th for our annual Diocesan Convention. Your delegates will be happy to answer your questions and give a report following the event.

THE LIVE NATIVITY RETURNS

Yes, that traditional offering of this parish to the Rockland Holiday Stroll is coming up on Saturday, November 30th! We will once again focus on a display of Nativity sets, as well as our home-made cookies and cider. We are also hoping to have the Holy Family present in the parish hall during the event. We will NEED a couple of people to assemble the “stable” on Saturday morning, as well as folks to be greeters, cookie and cider distributors, and all-around helpers. We also need home-baked cookies donated. Everyone can help out with this annual outreach event! Please let Rev’d Sarah know how you’re planning to participate!

TRINITY ROCKLAND "AT" ABINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

On Sunday, December 1st , our parish historian, Karen Bonn, will be making a brief presentation about the history of our church at the request of the Abington Historical Society, which will meet here beginning at 2PM. Everyone is encouraged to attend – let’s show them a good turn out! There will likely be a carol sing prior to the event, and the AHS will provide refreshments. Ask Rev’d Sarah for more information and do plan to attend. And if you’ve got pictures of the church or other memorabilia, please let us know!