Hello All! Trinity’s online worship service for Lent 5 is now available to watch. Thanks to the multiple people who participated in this week’s service. In case you missed last week’s it is also available on our newly created YouTube Channel. You can find it by searching for Trinity North Bay on Youtube, visiting our facebook page or under the worship tab on this page!

Hello Trinity Friends,
As we continue to journey through Lent and learn how to navigate this new (temporary) situation I have been encountering great signs of hope in our world. There are blessings and challenges that we will continue to face but it is wonderful to see the creative ways that people are continuing to stay connected with each other.  I have taken to calling it physical distancing rather than social distancing. 
This week (and every week that we are not able to worship in the building) we will be providing an online worship service. We hope you will join us Sunday morning at 10:30 online – but you are also welcome to watch at anytime that is convenient – or even watch multiple times!  We are grateful to those of you who have offered to take part in this.  We are delighted that Tracy Davis, Minister from St. Andrew’s, will be participating in worship with us the next few weeks as well.  We have plans for a Good Friday service and a very special Easter Sunday service as well – which at this point, are likely to also be online.
A few important reminders. 

Donations to Trinity

Although we are unable to “attend” Trinity in the traditional sense, your staff still continues to work, the expenses and the bills are still coming in, the roof still needs to be paid off and our food bank and infant food bank continue to operate. While our church is closed, this may mean a reduction in our offerings –  We know that this is a difficult time for many but if you are able to – here are some options to consider should you wish to make a donation to Trinity.  Thank you for your continued and valued support!

1) Sign up for PAR or increase your monthly PAR contribution

2) Drop a cheque/cash off in the secure church mailbox.
3) Send an e-transfer through online banking​ ​to:   trinityuc.treasurer@gmail.com4) Give via the Donate Now button on our Trinity United Church website – please note choosing this option allows you to use a credit card however the tax receipt will come from Canada Helps and they take 3% admin fee.

The AOTS Gift Cards are still available.   An order will be submitted on Sunday evening, 29 Mar.  Should you wish to place an order you will need to get in touch with Ed Rose to receive instructions on how to make your order and where to deliver the cheque.  NOTE:  The bank has recently stipulated that all cheques must be made payable  to — Trinity United Church AOTS — to be acceptable. ​ ​The next order date is scheduled for 3 May 2020.

​One final note, the Church building remains closed to all people, including staff.  Staff are able to go in to grab needed items but are not allowed to work on site – with the exception of Ryan, our custodian.  As Food Bank services ARE considered an essential service, we have been given permission to continue to operate the Monday Food Shelf and Wednesday Infant Food Shelf programs.  Please note that we have implemented many extra precautions for the health and safety of the volunteers and those coming in for food.  Email and phone messages are being checked regularly.  Should you have any concerns or need to reach a staff member please email or leave us a phone message.  If you are in need of grocery shoppers, or need an errand done and you are not able to leave your home, please DO get in touch with us and we will find a way to help you, if we are able!  Thank you for your patience and for keeping in touch with us.  
​Blessings to each of you!​

Hello Trinity Friends,
With gratitude to John Roberts and Rev. Ted for getting this together in lightening speed, I am happy to share this link with you. If you like, your family could “attend” worship from your own living rooms Sunday morning at 10:30, so that we can all join together in worship and community. https://youtu.be/4BmBMSot2Es Of course, you are free to watch this anytime that is convenient for you – no dress code required!

In the week’s to come, you can look forward to a weekly worship service, some Sunday School activities, and some other ideas to fill your time at home.
If you would like to participate in the worship (reading scripture, leading a prayer, performing the blues call to worship song, etc.) please connect with Rev. Ted (email the church or leave us a message and we will connect you to him) It would be helpful if you had access to good technology for videorecording but we may be able to help you if you are willing to learn!

Please remember that we are here for you – if you have any needs at this time – groceries, mailing letters, etc. please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We have a wonderful group of volunteers who have offered their time to help anyone who needs it. Remember – we are NOT alone. Thanks be to God

Hello Trinity Friends,

Wow – alot has sure changed in a week! We hope that you are staying well during this time. As we settle in to the new (temporary) reality of physical distancing while maintaining social connectedness we will be looking at ways of continuing to be the church! Rev. Ted, with support from John Roberts, is working on an online worship service. It will be a wonderful way to worship and stay connected as a community from the comfort of our living rooms. Stay tuned for more information about that!

For Church related activities, there are many places that are offering worship services, bible studies, hymn sings, daily prayer, Sunday School activities, and more. The United Church of Canada’s website lists some of these, but there are many more! I will be posting some ideas from time to time on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/trinitynorthbay/ Feel free to check there often for regular info.

Many of you have been sharing great information on how to stay connected – there is a wealth of arts organizations, musicians, theatre companies, museums, parks and galleries are offering free performances and virtual tours. Fitness organizations and educational institutions are offering online classes too. There are plenty of online posts with wonderful ideas of how to fill the time while at home isolating. Thank you for all your efforts in sharing messages of hope and love during this time!

Although the Church is closed to all activities and worship, we will continue to offer outreach and pastoral care support as best as we can. The Monday Food Shelf and the Wednesday Infant Food Shelf will still operate but with many modifications in place to ensure the safety of the volunteers and the participants. Should you have a pastoral care or outreach need please do not hesitate to reach out to us – through this email, the main church email or by leaving a message on our answering machine. We will be checking those regularly. We have a team of caring people who have offered to help with those who are not able to leave their homes – shopping, picking up mail or medication, etc….please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you need help. We are here for you!

Some announcements that we want to share with you.

The AOTS Hams have been cancelled for this year. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have already paid for your hams this will be refunded to you.

The GOOD FRIDAY breakfast has also been cancelled this year. At the moment, the Easter Sunrise Service is still planned as it will be an outdoor service. If there is need to cancel that, we will let you know.

Take care of yourselves and one another, you are not alone!

Trinity Friends,
A brief Spring newsletter can be found below. Tomorrow, we will have some news about how we can join in worship together (from our own homes).  In the days to come we will share some ideas of ways that we can maintain our connection together.  Worship, prayer, Sunday School activities, perhaps a sing-a-long and more!  We continue to hold one another in prayer and love.  Email and phone messages will be checked regularly should you need to reach us.