November 9, 2020: Liminal

“Liminal” is a word that is not used very frequently in most of our vocabularies, but it has never been more relevant in so many aspects of our lives than right now. I gave a sermon on “liminality” a few weeks ago, but didn’t use that word. Can you guess? It was the sermon when I talked about molting of insects and crustaceans. The time in their life with they shed their exoskeleton and are at their most vulnerable. They don’t have what once gave them shelter and protection and enabled them to move and they haven’t yet developed their new exterior. They are in a “liminal” time.

If you need a more specific definition, try the following. A liminal time is “…one thing has ended and a new thing has yet to begin.” That definition comes from the book I am about to finish titled, “How to Lead When You Don’t Know Where You are Going: Leading in a Liminal Season” by Susan Beaumont.

“Liminal” seems fitting for today, doesn’t it? Everywhere we look it seems like one thing has ended but a new thing hasn’t begun. We are in the middle of a pandemic and our old way of life has ended and we are waiting for a vaccine for it to start again, but we are unsure of what will be the same and what will be different. If you are a parent, it can be a permanent time of liminality as you try to raise kids. They are always in the process of becoming something new and never exactly who they used to be. Churches are in this place also. We once were in the middle of society as people looked to us for guidance and planned life around us. Now, we have been moved to the fringe as people are busy and don’t always have time for worship, or Bible Study and many people in society see us as irrelevant. Church is no longer the center and we aren’t sure where we fit in right now. All of this can be exhausting!

It is very common for institutions and people who are in the midst of liminality, (in the process of becoming something new and don’t know yet what that will be) to reverse course and want to return to what once was. When the future is uncertain, fear can become powerful and certainty can be appealing. We are not people who are comfortable being uncomfortable. We want to move our way through it fast without doing the proper work to understand what led ourselves to be in this place or the proper work that will help move us out of it. We move through it quickly because we feel we are in danger and if action isn’t taken quickly, we may not survive. We fear we are like the lobster or crab that has shedded its exoskeleton and is vulnerable to predators who will devour it during the time it is rendered defenseless.

The reality is, during a liminal time, opportunity abounds, if we are willing to sit in the discomfort. Discernment, the revealing and dreaming up of new ideas and directions, happen during this time if we give them time to develop. God is not far off, but close and we trust the Holy Spirit is alive and kicking during times of liminality. We are not like the lobster or crab that will simply grow a bigger shell, in the same design as the one they just got rid of. Instead, we have feelings and thoughts and consciousness and prayers to help decide what will come next and what it will look like.

Perhaps, pray this prayer for your life, Holy Trinity and the world.

Creator of all things,

Throughout history, you have always been present during liminal times.

In times of doubt, you were there.

In times of uncertainty, you were there.

In times of fear, you were there.

Today, when we are feeling all of these things again, we boldly and humbly ask you to be with us again.

We don’t want to return to the past, instead

Send your Spirit to lead us into your future.

A future of which we have doubt, uncertainty and fear.

But a future that also contains joy, and love and hope.

Give us your presence to sit in the discomfort of the day and to discern your will for tomorrow.

Amen.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Tim

November 5, 2020: Be rooted in love.

The city of Corinth, in biblical times, was extremely important, busy and diverse. Due to its location, in Greece, it touched both the Aegean and Ionian seas and was a port city, bringing people together from all different cultures, religions and parts of the world. Due to this diversity, people didn’t always get along, particularly in the church that the apostle Paul and others were working to establish there. As the saying goes, “where two people are gathered, three ideas emerge.” (You thought I was going to give another quote!)

It is in the first letter to the Corinthians where Paul gives the characteristic that should guide everything. The characteristic is love. I am sure you have heard the passage before, most likely at weddings.

“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things… And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” (I Corinthians 13: 4-7,13)

The irony here is that they were not written for the type of love that is celebrated between two people at a wedding. As mentioned, they were written for a group of people that were struggling to get along. They were struggling to get along because of a difference in ideas, values, and morals. Then, because of those differences, they were letting their anger get the best of them and prevented them from moving forward as a people. (That isn’t happening today, is it? )

As a country, we might have people with different ideas about ideas, values and morals, but as Christians, living in this country, all of it should be rooted in love. Love that is not only a word, but are actions. Actions that display humility and generosity and all of those characteristics that Paul lists above.

I don’t know what the outcome will be. I don’t know when we will learn of the outcome. I only know one thing. I know I want love to be what guides us. A love that conquers all divisions and enables us to all to see with new eyes and new hearts. A love that doesn’t allow us to return to our old ways, but leads us to a new life. A love that is patient and kind. A love that hopes and endures.

May you experience love in your day and may someone experience love because of you.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Tim

p.s. I hope to see you in worship this Sunday, whether that is online or in-person (don’t forget to sign up and wear a mask!)

November 2, 2020: The Fruit of the Spirit

We all know what tomorrow is here in the United States. It is election day. Before I get into any of that, I hope you have either taken the time to vote early or have a plan for voting tomorrow. It is a right that we, as citizens of the United States of America, have and should not take it for granted or think our voice and vote do not matter. It does. The democracy that America is supposed to stand on only functions properly if its people exercise the rights given to them. Please vote.

I have read in many places people of faith trying to calm the nerves of others by saying things like, “No matter who wins the election on Tuesday night (or in the weeks to follow) Jesus is still king.” Or perhaps, “Remember our hope rests not in a President or in our government, but in Jesus.” Here is one more, “It doesn’t matter who wins, God is in control.” At some level, they might contain some truth (although I really struggle with the last one), but honestly, they seem empty. If I were to say those things, I would be diminishing the moment we are in. Those clichés appear to say what happens in the election doesn’t really matter. But I believe it does matter. I am willing to bet you also think it does. Whether you and I are voting for the same candidate or not, we both believe it matters, probably more so than in the past.

Perhaps that is the thing. When we feel the stakes are high, like now, we are more invested. We care more about the outcome. If our candidate wins, hubris takes shape in our lives and is acted on. If our candidate loses, we are more easily angered. We don’t like being wrong. We want to be right and we try to find ways to explain what happened that prevented the outcome we were hoping for. We may become more negative and go into greater depths of despair when things don’t go our way.

Therefore, however the election turns out, whether we know on Tuesday night or two weeks from now, stop and breath. Don’t immediately react. Decide how you react. Take a moment. Read this scripture about the Fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-26

“…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.”

Let the Fruit of the Spirit be what guides you in the coming days. This doesn’t mean be passive or simply to “get over” the result, but it means to decide how you will process the result and act in the aftermath. Maybe a peaceful protest is in order. Maybe there will need to be demonstrations or marches. That is part of what makes this country what it is. But what the world doesn’t need are winners who gloat and losers who are bitter. We need people who are passionate about what they believe, work to bring it into fruition (pun intended) but do so with grace, compassion and empathy and all those prior characteristics given in the Galatians reading.

Remember, the sun will rise again and the world is not coming to an end, despite how it might feel. Some things are in your control. Some things are not. When you stop and breathe, think about what is in your control (i.e. how you react) and how that can follow the Fruits of the Spirit.

Because let’s be honest, we all need more fruit in our diet.

October 29, 2020: Be still and know that I am God.

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

My wife, Vicky, has the first two words tattooed on the inside of her left wrist. It was her second tattoo. She got it in a time in which she wanted to reassurance that the presence of God was with her and to help strengthen her faith. Over the years, it has taken on new meanings. It doesn’t leave the old meaning behind, but rather adds to the depth of meaning. She was telling me the other day it is a continual reminder to stop and be still. Life is moving so fast, is so hectic and feels like there is always one more thing to do that she needs a literal reminder that it is okay and good to stop.

For me, I am thinking of a third meaning. As I have said before, we all seem to be living on edge. Anxiety is high. COVID fatigue is setting in. Schools are mainly virtual. It is getting darker earlier. The presidential election is next week. Thanksgiving plans are unknown and it appears that regular large gatherings are not going to happen like in the past. On top of that, we all have our own personal issues. Maybe a relationship is struggling. A boss or employees are annoying. Money is tight and bills are piling up. There could be any number of things going on.

So right now, stop. Close your eyes and breathe. Take a moment and pause. Be Still. Let your lungs fill up with fresh air and then exhale it out. Feel your face muscles relax and your shoulders drop. Do it again. Do it a third time.

Know that God is with you. Not in a far-off place looking down on you, but rather in an intimate and personal way. It is in a way that is says God is part of the essence of your being. God is as real to you as the air you just breathed in. God is as vital to you as the food you eat and the water you drink.

Quiet your mind and body and hear these words from the creator of the universe who loves you with an energy and fire that is greater than a thousand burning suns.

“Be still and know that I am God.”

Grace and peace,

Pastor Tim

October 26, 2020: We need your help to worship safely.

The week has arrived. Our first indoor worship service is this Sunday at 8:30am. All the precautions and guidelines to follow were given out last week and are available on the website. Remember, signing up is required.

One more thing. In order for these services to occur, we need help from all of you. Due to COVID-19, we can’t assign Sunday morning volunteers like we have done in the past. Instead, we are asking you, if you are going to attend an indoor service, to look at the “jobs needed” on the Sign-up Genius and consider doing one of them. You will be given all you need to know prior to the service and no experience is necessary (except for “Counters.” Experience is required.)

Remember, whether you are in the sanctuary on Sunday or at home in your living. The church is not a building. The church is a group of people assembled, in any way, place or time, to worship and receive the love of God revealed in Jesus. We are one people, not because of walls, but because of Christ. The One who knows no boundaries and breaks down all walls.

Lastly, New Hampshire and all of New England has done really well, overall, during this pandemic. Our numbers are consistently some of, if not the lowest, in all the country. That is because we have done our job. We keep distance from each other. We were masks. We wash our hands. After 6 months of this, “pandemic fatigue” is very real and can set in. It is tempting to grow tired of it all and say “Forget it. I am going back to the way things were. I don’t want to do this anymore.” Resist that temptation. Keep going. Keep doing what you have been doing. I know it will be hard. We are headed into winter and it will be more difficult to be outside. Now is not the time to let up. Now is the time to find a little extra resolve and continue doing what we have been doing. It can be hard, but it is worth it.

Hope to see you in one way or another on Sunday.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Tim

October 19, 2020: A recap of everything coming up at HTELC

Sometimes it is hard to think about what to say each week. Do I write something devotional, informative, funny, serious, etc…Most of the time, I write whatever comes to my mind that would be important for you all to know about or be aware of here at Holy Trinity. Sometimes that leads me to feel I am being repetitive. But, let’s be honest, we generally need to hear things more than once. So below is a recap of what is coming up. There is A LOT coming up!

• This Sunday is Reformation Sunday. We are hoping to do a big Virtual Choir of “A Mighty Fortress.” Please join us by letting Mark know you would like to participate and he will get you the directions.
• This is Sunday is Confirmation Sunday. This year, we have one young adult who will Affirm their Baptism, my youngest son, Micah Krick. We will record the service on Saturday and show it during worship on Sunday.
• This Sunday is also “Pledge Sunday.” Last week, you should have received your Stewardship Packets in the mail. The goal is to return your Estimate of Giving Cards for 2021 back to church by this Sunday. Please mail them, drop them off or make your pledge online. Obviously, we will accept any all pledges after this Sunday.
• Sunday, Nov. 1, we will add an indoor/in-person worship to accompany our zoom worship. We will have a worship in our sanctuary at 8:30 (you need to sign up using the link here as there is limited seating) and Zoom worship will be at 9:30am.
• Sunday, Nov. 1 is also All Saints Sunday. We will remember those from our community who have died this past year along with all of the people who have died from COVID-19 globally. If you have a loved one who has died this past year and would like to have them included in our worship, please email a picture and their name to Mark in the office at office@htelc.com
• Sunday, Nov. 22 at 2pm, we have scheduled a congregational meeting to vote on our new Statement of Welcome and Affirmation. When we accept this statement as a congregation it will designate us as a Reconciling in Christ congregation, meaning we are a church that has a public statement that specifically mentions the welcoming and affirmation of people who identify as LGBTQIA+. (If you haven’t seen the statement yet, it will be mailed out to everyone with specifics for the meeting in the next week or two.)

I think that is enough for now. Like I said, it is A LOT.

Thanks for all the ways you are part of our faith community. We are better because of it.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Tim

October 19, 2020: Indoor Worship to resume

The time is almost here. Indoor/in-person worship is just under two weeks away. In order for it to be safe for everyone involved, there are some guidelines that we need you to know and to follow. Please read carefully.

• Masks are required. One will be supplied for you if you don’t have one.
• If you are feeling ill, have a cough, fever, cold or flu symptoms, or been in contact with anyone with COVID-19…stay home.
• Please sign-up using “Sign-up Genius” or contact Mark in the office ahead of time (but “Sign-up Genius” is preferred and is available now).
• “Walk-ups” will not be allowed.
• When you arrive, a check-in will be required to match up who signed up with who showed up. We want to be diligent about who is here for the purposes of contact tracing.
• If you do contract Covid-19, or come into contact with someone who does, and were at one of our services, please contact us immediately so we can notify others. Your identity will remain anonymous.
• Please, no handshakes or hugs or other physical touching while in our building.
• Upon entering the building, please move directly to the sanctuary and have a seat. No gathering with friends. Sorry.
• Pick up a bulletin and communion from a table when entering the sanctuary. (You will take these with you when the service is over.)
• 6’ physical distance will be required for seating, except between members of the same family.
• There will be no congregational signing or a physical touching during Passing of the Peace.
• Offering plates will not be passed, but there will be a centrally located plate in the Narthex for people to leave an offering.
• Restrooms will be available before, during and after the service, but please wipe down after use.
• There will be no nursery, or other child care services available.
• People will be dismissed from the sanctuary and directed to use specific doors.
• There will be no fellowship time at the conclusion of the service.

Perhaps it might seem like we are being over-the-top. Maybe, but as the saying goes, “We would rather be safe than sorry.” Thanks for following these guidelines.

Not only do we need people to follow those guidelines, but we need several other jobs filled in order to have these services. If you are willing, please indicate on the “Sign-up Genius” that you would like to help and what you are willing to do. Prior to the service, you will be contacted about the specific responsibilities of what you signed up for.

Greeters – Stand in usual position just inside the main doors. Welcome people and check them in as they arrive. Ensure that everyone has a mask, is wearing it and provide a mask if needed.

Ushers – Stand near the entrance to the sanctuary behind a table with bulletins and communion elements on it. Welcome people to worship and ask them to pick up (please do not hand out) what is needed for the service.

Cleaners – After the service, we would like a couple of people to wipe down high touch areas, such as doorknobs and tables with bulletins and elements.

Counters – After each service, we need two experienced counters to count and record the offering.

Singers/musicians – While we will not have congregational signing, we will have music and a soloist, (who will be positioned far from others and wear a mask while signing). If you would like to be a soloist, or have another musical gift you would like to share, please contact Pastor Tim.

Lastly, our first service back in the sanctuary, as you know, is Nov. 1. That Sunday is All Saints Sunday. It is a day in which we remember those from our community who have died this past year. If you have a loved one who has died, please email Mark in the church office (office@htelc.com) with their name and picture if you would like their memory to be included in the service. Also, we will not only remember all those from our own community, but all those who have died around the world from the pandemic that caused us to leave our building in the first place. Therefore, while there will be excitement about being some of us being back together in the same physical space, it will be tempered with a heaviness with the reminder of why we had to leave the building to begin with. As of now, over 220,000 people in the US and over 1.1 million people worldwide have died from the coronavirus. We will pray for God to welcome them all into God’s arms and for God to be with all of us as we continue to work our way through this pandemic.

Thanks for all you are doing and have done to keep everyone safe and healthy in our little neck of the woods. I am grateful the people of New England seem to be taking this more seriously than any other place in the US. It is because of this that we feel gathering in our building is even possible.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Tim

October 15, 2020: Giving, RIC, and In-Person Worship coming soon.

Greetings!

By now you should have received your Stewardship packet. I simply want to highlight the two letters you should have found in there and provide links to them here, to provide another opportunity to provide consistent communication and highlight the addition of an indoor/in-person worship.

The first letter you should have read in the packet was in regards to your Estimate of Giving to Holy Trinity for 2021. Please read carefully the instructions and pray about the way you may continue your financial support of the ministry here, at Holy Trinity. If you haven’t seen the letter yet, you can access it here.

The second letter is in regards to resuming the process of becoming a Reconciling in Christ congregation. Again, this means that we are a church that has a public statement that welcomes and affirms people and has a specific mention of people who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. We will be holding 3 meetings to continue our conversation, one each on October 18, 19 and 20. There are in-person and virtual meetings available. You can read the letter announcing all of this here.

Third, this wasn’t in the packet, but it is important information. We are adding an indoor/in-person worship beginning Nov. 1. We will be following strict safety protocols and will require people to sign-up for it using Sign-up Genius. Look for instructions on how to attend the week of Oct. 25.

Lastly, things are hard right now. I mean, it is really difficult. Everyone seems to be on edge. We are annoyed quicker. Patience is thin. Frustration sets in immediately. Give yourself some grace. Give grace to others. All that we are dealing with is temporary. That doesn’t mean it isn’t hard, it just means that it won’t last. It will end. Things will get better. A new day is coming. Light is on the horizon. We will get there together.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Tim

October 12, 2020: Stewardship & RIC

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening and good night, (think the daily greeting from Truman to his neighbor in the movie “The Truman Show”),

This week, you will receive your annual stewardship packet (If you haven’t already). It will contain all the information you need to make your “Estimate of Giving” for the year 2021. Please prayerfully discern how you might continue your financial giving to the ministry at Holy Trinity and return your “Estimate of Giving Card” back to church by October 25th. Thank you in advance.

The last page in this packet is a letter from the Reconciling in Christ team. As you might remember, just before the pandemic hit, we were in the final stages of becoming a Reconciling in Christ church. This meant that we were in the process of becoming a congregation that makes a public statement affirming that people who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community are welcome here and are able to participate fully in the life of our congregation. We got so far in the process as to even scheduling the date when we would have the vote! Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we were never able to hold the vote or bring the process to completion.

After several conversations, council has asked the RIC team to pick up where we left off. This is what the final page in your packet is about. It provides the dates for conversations and meetings that are still needed. Please read it carefully and think about how may participate. (You will also find a copy of the letter by reading my article below.)

There is one part of the letter that I would like to further explain. Becoming a RIC church will require a congregational meeting and vote. During the pandemic, we are not able to meet, physically, the way we normally would for a congregational meeting. This does not mean we cannot proceed. We are in consultation with other churches, our own constitution and a lawyer to help develop a plan that would allow for us to have a congregational meeting and vote that still adhere to the guidelines of which we are bound. This will entail having the discussion portion of our meeting on zoom, while voting will be done by driving to church to cast a vote in-person, or allowing people to vote electronically (email or perhaps utilizing survey monkey). The final details of this all are still being worked out, but we are confident we can do it with integrity. In fact, we might be able to include more people than if we were to hold the meeting in the sanctuary. Hopefully, all goes smoothly, as we will most likely need to do it again in the coming months to approve a budget for 2021.

These are exciting times for the church in the world today. I am grateful that we are a place that is not letting the pandemic stop us from being who we were made to be. Rather, we are adapting and learning new ways to live out our faith together.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Tim

October 8, 2020: RIC Conversations to resume.

Sisters, brothers, and siblings in Christ:

None of us will ever forget 2020, will we? Each of us will have different memories and remember different challenges and varying successes in meeting those challenges. We are so fortunate at Holy Trinity that we have never had to close but have been able to continue to worship and meet and learn together, albeit virtually for the most part.

Nevertheless, the pandemic has meant that some activities and undertakings have had to be put on the back burner. And even though we are not out of the pandemic woods yet, we have learned so much about how to keep us going and how important it is to look forward.

As you will recall, Holy Trinity was working through a very important project when COVID hit; we were well along in the process of becoming a RIC (Reconciling in Christ) congregation. In fact, we were readying for a congregational vote. The Church Council and the RIC team have decided that we should move ahead with the final steps of the process and the vote at this time.

Because it has been a few months since we worked on this together, we would like to review, briefly, the steps so far. It all began a little over two years ago when a church member asked whether we might put a rainbow flag in our parking lot to show when we say “All are welcome” we include LGBTQIA+ persons. The Council felt this decision should not be made without having wider conversations among the people of the congregation.

A team was put together to develop a plan to guide us through that process. The plan involved educational forums that included speakers and conversations, listening to each other, and sharing personal stories. Topics ranged from “What is a RIC congregation and would it mean for us?” to “What does the Bible say about same-gendered sexual relationships?” to “A Pediatrician’s Understanding of LGBTQ” (to name a few).

The RIC team believes that after several months of unhurried presentations and conversations, there is wide ranging support for Holy Trinity to take this important step. This is the timeline for the final discussions, which will culminate in a virtual congregational meeting and vote to become a Reconciled in Christ church.

Sunday, Oct. 18, 2:00 p.m. (in-person outside); Monday, Oct.19, 7:00 p.m. (ZOOM meeting); and Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6:00 p.m. (in-person outside) - The RIC team will present the draft of the Welcome Statement and some ideas on how this will be implemented and advertised. The congregation’s feedback will be asked for and wanted. (cont. on back)

Thursday, Nov. 5 - Having received and considered feedback from the congregation, the RIC team will send out the final revised Welcome statement on which Holy Trinity members will vote.

Sunday, Nov. 22 - A Zoom congregational meeting will be held to vote on becoming a Reconciled in Christ congregation. The basis of this meeting will be held virtually on zoom, but people will be able to come to church to vote in-person or vote stay at home and electronically. We are currently working out the details but we have consulted our constitution, a lawyer and other churches who have already held congregational meetings and votes during the pandemic and are ensured this can be done with full integrity. In fact, we believe he format being developed will allow more people to participate in this process! In the week prior to the meeting we will give you the details of how it will occur.

Thanks for participating in this journey. The work of the church is never complete but this is an important step in proclaiming that we when say “All are welcome” we really mean it!

Grace and Peace,

The Reconciling in Christ Team

Jo Whiting, Glenn Oswald, Matt Nania, Cristina Dolcino, Pastor Tim Krick

October 8, 2020: Resuming in-Person worship

Siblings in Christ,

At a specially called church council meeting on Monday, October 5th, it was approved to add an in-person/indoor worship beginning on All Saints Sunday, November 1, 2020

Here is some basic information for you to know.

• We will continue a zoom worship for those who are unable or uncomfortable attending. Times of both services are still to be determined.

• Safety guidelines and protocols will be required and not simply “recommended.” Specifics of those guidelines will be released the week prior to Sunday, Nov. 1. Please expect the need to sign-up to attend. It will be limited seating and not “first come, first serve.”

• Council reserves the right to cancel this worship if we decide it becomes unsafe to continue gathering in this way.

• This is not a return to “worship as it was before.” This will be a shortened and abbreviated service with no congregational singing. We are investigating ways to offer communion safely.

Our decision to add an indoor/in-person worship was not taken lightly. We based our decision on several factors.

• New Hampshire and our surrounding states are doing a good job of following guidelines to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We are one of the healthiest areas in the country.

• The results of our survey sent out 2 weeks ago showed 56% of responders would attend an in-person/indoor worship and 88% agreed that it was okay for the church to offer this type of service. (We received 104 total responses)

• We have the ability to follow state recommended guidelines for places of worship to provide a safe environment.

Honestly, I have mixed feelings about it. Part of me doesn’t like “splitting up” the community that we have formed online during this time. While there are times in which I am tired of online worship, I enjoy us all having the ability to gather at one time, even if that is virtually. Inevitably, to an extent, we will become two separate worshipping communities. At the same time, I do long for some semblance of “normalcy.” I miss seeing people “in-person” and gathering physically in the sanctuary. This will allow for that.

There were a couple of reasons to make All Saints Sunday our first Sunday back in the sanctuary. One, it gives us time to put together the guidelines to follow and get the building ready. Perhaps more importantly, the purpose of All Saints Sunday is to remember those who have died this past year. By last count, this pandemic has taken the lives of over 210,000 people in the US and over 1 million globally. Therefore, while it is a joyful experience to return to the sanctuary, let us not forget the reason why we had to leave, and may need to once again. This “Holy Day” will allow us to acknowledge the loss of life that has occurred and ask God to welcome them all into the everlasting arms of rest and peace.

Lastly, I want remind us all that we are not “opening up.” We never “closed.” All we did was move our worship, and any type of in-person gathering, online or virtual. We were always “open for business.” In fact, I think you could argue we have been more active these last 6 months than in any time since I have been here. Thank you for the ways we have continued to be church when we haven’t been able to be in the building.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Tim

September 17, 2020: What we have accomplished during a pandemic

Siblings in Christ,

If you are like me, you thought this would all be over by now. When we suspended worshipping in our sanctuary on March 15th, we believed it would last for two weeks and we would have been back inside by Easter. Currently, it is 6 months later and just this past week someone asked me if we had plans for Christmas Eve services!

I wish, between council and myself, that we had the answers. Unfortunately, we don’t. What we do have is a promise to all of you that we will make the best decisions possible that take into account, physical health, emotional health and spiritual health. Unfortunately, we all have different needs in all of those areas and there is not “one size fits all.” So, let me first say this. Thank you for all the ways you have continued to support the ministry here at Holy Trinity during this time. As I think about what has gone on here during the last 6 months, I have been amazed. Things have occurred that would have been terrific despite a pandemic, and we have done them during a pandemic! Here are just a few.

• Started a mobile or “Pop-Up Pantry. Each week we give away several hundred dollars of food to anyone in need.
• Started a new weekly faith study titled, “Bring Your Own Bible and Beverage” (BYOB^2). As many as 30 people have joined on zoom to talk about topics like racism and the Bible and how everything affects our lives and the world.
• While there is not an exact science regarding attendance for online worship, our best estimates show we have increased our summer worship attendance over previous summers. We are engaging and interacting with people all over New England and the country on a weekly basis.
• Our indoor Wednesday evening gathering moved outside on Tuesday evenings and at least doubled in size.
• New people have been involved in worship and people are sharing stories about what faith and Holy Trinity mean to them.
• Giving has remained strong. We planned for approximately a $12,000 deficit going into this year. At the end of July, we were $86 in the black! We had a little setback in August but we remain optimistic for the fall.
• A team is meeting about upgrading the technology in the sanctuary to allowing for the recording and live streaming of our services.
• New methods are being developed and implemented regarding faith formation and empowering families to discover faith together, in the home. We are partnering with Luther Crest Bible Camp for weekly children’s sermons for our online worship and for recorded skits and songs for online “Sunday School.” Look for more information to come out soon!
• 7 people are running to support Camp Calumet and at least 15 people are sponsoring them.

Now, with all that being said, things are not fully where we want them to be either. Primarily, we still are not worshipping inside our building. There are a lot of thoughts and opinions on how to proceed. As council discerns the best way to move forward, we want to gather some information from all of you. Lower in this email, is brief message and a link containing a 3-question survey we are asking everyone to fill out. Please note, this is not any type of vote, we simply want to know your thoughts. After the 3 questions, you have space to share other thoughts regarding our response to the pandemic during this time. Thank you for taking a few moments to share your thoughts.

In the end, thank you. Thank you for the way you live your faith every day. It matters.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Tim

September 8, 2020: Faith Formation Opportunities

Beloved of Christ,

Labor Day is past and we are now in unofficially in Fall. It seems to be cliché, but things look different then in the past. Specifically, I wanted to mention Faith Formation. You can look for ways to form your faith in three primary ways this fall. The details are being worked out still, but the following should give you an overview of how to participate in what is going on here at Holy Trinity.

Sunday School – We are going to partner with Luther Crest Bible Camp to bring you faith formation activities for children up through 6th grade. They will produce a weekly Children’s Sermon for worship (while we are still online) and also “Sunday School Lessons” that will include a skit, bible story and song. These will be in video form and made available on our website. This will begin the first week in October and look for more information to come.

Confirmation – In the past, we met monthly for food, games, learning and meditation. This year, we are changing gears and will use the “6 Marks of Discipleship” for the youth to practice their faith weekly and then gather virtually to discuss how things went each month. The “6 Marks” we will be using are: Pray, Worship, Read/Learn about Scripture, Serve, Give, Encourage. If you have a youth in 7th grade and older that would like to participate, please contact me. We meet for the first time this coming Sunday, Sept. 13th at 6pm, here at church, under the tent.

Intergenerational – A weekly email will be produced by our Faith Coordinator, Faith Bygd, that all people are welcome to subscribe to. It will consist of links to the content provided by Luther Crest along with other questions/activities/ ideas to form faith at home. This could include a weekly meal grace, bedtime blessing, craft or activity, weekly question, daily scripture reading, book suggestions, podcast and article recommendations. As with “Sunday School” this will begin the first week in October. Look for more information to come. Also, we will meet weekly on Tuesdays at 5pm, for as long as the weather allows, under the tent, to learn camp songs, practice the FAITH 5 and eat dinner together (BYOD, Bring Your Own Dinner).

Adult – Multiple opportunities on a variety of topics will be offered for people to meet via zoom to learn about and discuss. This will include a continuation of BYOB^2 (Bring Your Own Bible and Beverage with Pastor Tim) and other books or relevant ideas let by other members of the congregation. Also, don’t forget, while the weather permits, we are meeting on Tuesday evenings at 7pm, under the tent, for music, scripture and prayer. These have been well attended and well received.

I believe there is some silver lining to all that is happening right now, concerning the pandemic. We are forced to think about faith formation in new ways, which in all honesty, has needed to happen, for all churches. We are being forced to come up with ideas that we may not have considered before and might have been resistant to. We are no longer dependent on people coming to the building to learn, but rather, will learn in our homes and throughout the rest of our lives.

Some of what we attempt and try will work out great. Some will go “fine” and require some tweaking. Some will fail miserably and we will move on from it. Who knows? We won’t know unless we try. Thanks for being willing to try.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Tim

August 31, 2020: You could use a rest

What’s up y’all?

(How do you like my new greeting? I thought I would try a new one each week on Tidings. Enjoy! )

The weekend coming up is Labor Day. As you know, it signifies the unofficial end to summer. Schools are starting, the days are starting to feel shorter and vacations are over. Because of everything going on, this weekend might have a different feel to it. Schools are starting, but depending on where you live and what district you child attends, they might be going to the actual school building or they might be starting school from your dining room table. The days are still getting shorter, but you may not have been able to take a vacation this year.

I don’t know your situation, but I have a feeling, you could use a rest. I think this is the intention of Labor Day. It is a time to recognize and celebrate the work one has done and to take a break from it. I don’t know about you, but I feel that I could use a rest.

Our faith has a word for taking a rest from work also. It is called sabbath. The first chapter of Genesis stresses this. On the seventh day, God rested.

I don’t have any profound words, but I know sometimes, we need permission to rest. Our society values and rewards hard work. There is nothing wrong with hard work. It is needed, but it is not the only thing that is needed. Rest is needed also. If we don’t stop and rest, we would not be able to continue to do the important work that we are called to do.

This Labor Day weekend I hope you find time to rest. You get to determine what it looks like to rest. For some, it might mean working on a project that they find to be life-giving. For others, it might mean sitting down and reading a book and a beverage next to them. Who knows, the point is to find something that restores your soul and helps you breathe a little easier.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Tim

Confirmation

I owe you all a huge apology. While Holy Trinity has done a lot of good things to adapt during the ever-changing circumstances that have been brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, I have failed miserably in one area. That specific area is confirmation. I have no excuses that are worth your time or are legitimate. I have simply let you down and I apologize. I understand if you are frustrated or angry about it and I can only ask for your forgiveness. I am sorry.

Despite the current situation we are living in, faith formation for confirmation-aged youth has always difficult. Churches for decades have tried to come up with something that is “new and improved” to keep our kids in the church and faith, only to see the majority of them leave once they have the opportunity to choose for themselves. There are many theories and opinions on why this occurs but part of my prevailing theory is that as a Church we focus too much on head knowledge (are they able to repeat and recall basic information about the Bible and Jesus) but not actually ask them or demonstrate ways to practice the faith. There is a scene from the tv show “Big Bang Theory” in which Sheldon insists that he has learned how to swim. Leonard reminds him that he only learned on the internet and floor and has never actually gone swimming. I believe this similar to what we do. We insist our youth, and all of us, know basic facts without ever understanding how to put it into proper practice in our lives. (You can watch the clip by clicking HERE.)

I also understand there are other issues that faith, church and confirmation pose for individuals and families. Time is a major constraint. We all have so many activities and options to participate so that we cannot always attend “class” or make it to worship (even when worship has been online the last several months). Therefore, one thing I would like to change this year is the ability to put more of the “learning and practicing” in your own hands to do on your own time. Then when we gather (whether physically or on zoom) it will be more of a “debrief” than it is teaching.

I would like to structure confirmation on what are called the “6 Marks of Discipleship.” The idea is that people who become/are disciples of Jesus do 6 things on a regular basis. They are: Pray, Worship, Read and learn about scripture, Serve the church and the world, Give to those in need, and Encourage one another. Every month, each confirmation youth will be asked to practice each of the “6 Marks.” They will have the opportunity and will be empowered to practice it when they would like and, in some instances, how they would like. Parents are asked to oversee that it is being practiced and to help where asked and designated. We will meet every month, either on zoom or at church to talk about questions and to share experiences.

What I hope to accomplish is to support the youth to learn about and practice their faith by developing habits that can continue throughout life that will continue long after they reach their point in life where church and faith is their choice and not one that is chosen for them by family.

Lastly, some youth are planning on being confirmed or affirming their baptism this fall (students in 9th grade and older). That is still possible. This is what I ask. The youth needs to participate in confirmation for September and October and then complete a “Faith Statement” like youth of the previous years have done. I will give this to them when we first meet. What the confirmation service will look like is still to be determined, but in keeping with tradition here at Holy Trinity, it will be around Reformation Sunday, October 25th.

I would like to meet, in person at church, outside and under the tent on September 13th at 6pm. Each youth and an adult should plan on attending. At this meeting, I hope to cover expectations, again apologize for the lack of communication and opportunities for confirmation and ensure we are on the same page moving forward.

If you would like a sneak peek at a great resource we will be using for the “Read and Learn about Scripture” “Mark of Discipleship”, go to www.bibleproject.com. They have terrific videos that will provide much of our content. They are good for people of all ages.

Please let me know that you will be able to join us on Sept. 13th at 6pm. You can email me at pastortim@htelc.com

Have a great day,

Pastor Tim

August 24, 2020: Reach the Beach

To my family in Christ,

In worship on Zoom yesterday, you saw a video with Knute Ogren, the Development Director at Camp Calumet. (If want to see it, go to our website, www.htelc.com, to watch the worship. Knute begins at the 6’30” mark.) In it, he talked about Reach the Beach. In the past, 72 people ran in support of Calumet, along with hundreds of volunteers and participated in a Ragnar race here in New Hampshire. If you don’t know what that means, just know that a lot of people run a long time and raise a lot of money for Calumet. In fact, they raise northwards of $100,000 each year! Unfortunately, Reach the Beach has been cancelled this year due to COVID-19. Therefore, Calumet has tried to be creative to try and raise that money and so they are doing their own version of Reach the Beach.

There are 3 ways you can help. First and foremost, hold Calumet in your prayers. Calumet holds a special place in the hearts and faith development of so many people. Pray for the camp to remain in a place of financial security so their work will continue for generations to come. Second, be a runner! They are looking for 200 runners to run whatever distance they want at whatever time they want during the weekend of Sept. 18-19. They are asking for a $100 donation to participate. THE CHURCH WILL PAY THIS! Third, be a donor or sponsor of a runner. Each runner is asked to find 5 sponsors to make a donation of any amount to Calumet. If all you can do is $5, that is great as that counts as being a sponsor. No gift is to small and no gift is to large.

If you choose the second or third option (runner or sponsor), please email me at pastortim@htelc.com. I will then send out the information you need to sign up to run or to sponsor a runner. Currently, we have 5 runners (do the math in your head, but that means are looking for 25 sponsors) and 2 sponsors (again, due the math in your head, but that means we are looking for 23 more sponsors).

This should be a great time as there are some ideas brewing about how can we be a little creative with our runs so it has more of a community feel. Thanks for all the ways you have supported Calumet in the past and will continue to do in the future. It makes a difference.

Boom! Chicka! Boom! (If you didn’t know, this is a Calumet thing.)

Pastor Tim

August 20, 2020: Be Kind

To my siblings in Christ,

As you know, there is a lot going on in the world. Honestly, it seems like most of us are on edge. Schools are announcing how they are going to teach students in the fall. This can cause so many emotions in administrators, teachers, parents, school staff and students. One person might be pleased and confident with the decisions, while another has several choice words for those same decisions. We are gearing up for not just an election season, but a Presidential election season. The one thing everyone seems to agree on is that this is an important election that will have affects for decades to come. Therefore, people seem to be nervous, scared, excited, or anxious about what may or may not happen. Finally, you have the situations that are specific to you. You might have job insecurity. You might be in an unhealthy relationship. Depression could be a regular part of your day. I don’t know what it is, but I am willing to bet, at some level you wish something could be going differently or better.

With all of the proceeding, this is what I ask of you. Be kind. Be kind to yourself. Be kind to one another. Be kind to the people you love. Be kind to the people you struggle with and who struggle with you. Be kind because everyone is fighting a battle that you know nothing about.

We already put enough pressure and stress on ourselves and criticize ourselves that we don’t need each other to help us out in that department. What we need is for each other to model kindness, forgiveness and empathy.

You don’t have to agree with someone to be kind to them. You don’t even have to like someone to be kind to them. Remember, Jesus doesn’t say to “like” everyone, as if you are going to be best friends with everyone you meet. Jesus says to love everyone. The way we express love is not dependent on whether we get along with someone or share common interests. Love is rooted in recognizing the common worth and value that each and every person inherently has within them because they are created in the image of God, even if we feel we have a hard time seeing that image ourselves. Remember, they might have a hard time seeing that same image of God when looking at us!

You have heard me say, the three most important rules when interpreting scripture is, “Context. Context. Context.” I just ran across another quote by American author Henry James, who wrote at the turn of the 19th Century. He says, “Three things in life are important. Be kind. Be kind. Be kind.” Seems like words that God could have written.

Be Kind.

Pastor Tim

August 13, 2020: Sisters and Brothers in Christ

Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Recently, I was asked why I always begin my Tidings articles, and all my articles for that matter, with the greeting of “Sisters and Brothers in Christ”? This person conveyed they had never seen anyone do anything other than “Brothers and Sisters in Christ.”

My response was simple (at least in my opinion!). By making a slight change in the wording of something that we all are accustomed to, I hope to make people think differently about what is said. When we use “Brothers and Sisters,” in that order, we are consciously or unconsciously, reinforcing old stereotypes of the male being superior as the male pronoun is used first. This is done in many ways in society. Traditionally, we say “Husband and Wife” or the husband/male is addressed first on a letter, i.e. “Mr. Tim and Vicky Krick.”

I believe this does have an effect on us when we see it over and over. It reinforces a view of male superiority. I am not saying it is responsible for that, but it is a remnant from an age (that still exists in many ways) in which the male is more important and should be in the more dominant role. I make the subtle change in the greeting as it helps to remind me (and I hope all of us) of the equality that God has bestowed on everyone and to help me to live into it.

As I write this, I am now thinking if there is even a better greeting that I could or should be using. One of the things I learned this past year from going through the Reconciling in Christ process, is that we live in a very binary society, but gender is not as binary as we once thought. Meaning, while I am trying to be more inclusive in the greeting, some could read it knowing they do not fit into either of the two categories that are represented by “Sisters and Brothers” (namely female and male). Perhaps a better greeting would be “Siblings of Christ” or “To all Children of Christ.” This is more encompassing and whole. I think you should be on the lookout for one of those greetings in the future.

In the end, no matter how you identify, I hope we are place that communicates to you that you are loved. That you hear and come to trust that there is nothing that you can do to make God love you more and there is nothing you can do to make God love you less. God loves you. Period.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Tim

July 30, 2020: A update on Communion, and Home Communion.

Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

As soon as I finish this letter to you for the Tiding’s I am headed home and will begin vacation! So, I will keep it brief.

As most of you know, we have started receiving communion again. Not every week, but we will be doing it on the first and third Sundays of the month while worship remains online.

We know there are some people who are not able to access worship through zoom, and therefore do not have access to communion. This is a similar problem to when we had worship and communion in the building and not everyone was able to attend. To enable everyone to have access to the sacraments (specifically communion) we will start doing home communion visits again. Our communion visitors will use the elements that we provide from church and visit people who do not have access to our online worship. If this is you, and you would like to receive communion, please contact the church office and we will make arrangements for you to receive communion. No one should be left out of receiving God’s love and forgiveness in this way.

Thanks for your patience during this time of exile from our building.

Have a great day and “see” you again in a couple of weeks.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Tim

July 27, 2020: I am going on Vacation.

Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Hope you all are surviving the heat. Just a couple of things to update you on for this edition of The Tidings.

First, I am going to be on vacation from Aug. 1-10. Because of this, there will be minor changes to our weekly ministries. There will not be BYOB^2 on Wednesday Aug. 5th, nor will there be our Weekly Outdoor Gatherings on Tuesday, Aug. 4th or Wednesday, Aug. 5th. There still will be Wednesday Morning Bible Study and our Sunday morning worship on Zoom. Pastor Amanda Gerken-Nelson (Aug. 2nd) and Pastor John Corgan (Aug. 10th) will record sermons for worship on those Sundays. Dot and Kurt Kasik and Mark Belivue have agreed to “host” worship for those respective Sundays, also. If there is a pastoral emergency, please call the church office and you will be put in contact with Pastor Dave Dalzell.

Secondly, even though there will be a pastor as part of worship, we will refrain from communion for the next two Sundays. They will not be joining you live, online, for worship, therefore, communion does not seem right to partake in through “recorded” means. We will resume communion on the Sunday I return, Aug. 17th and then begin receiving communion on the first and third Sundays of every month.

As always, thank you for the ways you have continued to adapt to worshipping in this new way. I wish I could say when we will be back in our sanctuary. Honestly, to even have a “hoped for” date seems misleading as numbers and information seem to constantly be in flux. I encourage you to sign up for the Weekly Outdoor Gatherings, as you are able and are comfortable. Kids and adults are welcome at either one, even though each does have its own, unique feel. People have said how much they have appreciated being back on our property and seeing each other. Plus, each Tuesday evening I start off with a killer joke. Just ask anyone who has been there! 

Lastly, for a bit of fun, watch this parody an Episcopal Priest did of the song “You’ll Be Back” from the musical Hamilton. It should put a smile on your face. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFduNE4pXAQ.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Tim