Upcoming Events
Summer Potluck
at Magnolia!
Join us for our July "Summer Days" potluck! Thursday July 31, 5-7 pm at the church in Magnolia.
Since it will likely be hot, think cool! Bring a dish that's easy, and cool - refreshing drinks, cold salads and sides, main dishes that don't need a hot oven.
Sign up here!
If you can’t bring anything, no worries!
Everyone is welcome!
Sign up anyways to help us plan for seating, etc. 🙂
Summer by the Sea
Sunday Mornings June through August at - 9 am
We are excited to share the news about a special summer meeting place for Trinity —
Trinity’s Summer by the Sea.
WHERE WE ARE GOING IS EXCITING…
The folks at Union Congregational in Magnolia are being wonderfully gracious to us. They have a long tradition of compassionate hearts and prayerful souls. There are good spiritual roots and bones there, and some great people.
Union Congregational church is located at 3 Norman Ave, Gloucester also has a lovely playground for children, and some other aspects that will be helpful. And of course the spectacular Magnolia Rocks, Rafes Chasm, and Coolidge Reservation are all nearby; it might be fun to make a half day of, maybe bring along a picnic brunch.
But most of all, this marks Trinity moving into the heart of the North Shore in a sense. The spaces we have been so far have been beautiful, and this gives us an opportunity to continue meeting in a beautiful setting close to the sea. Join me, your clergy and staff and parish council as we continue our prayers for this summer and we look forward with grateful hearts, to this good opportunity.
Union Congregational has a lovely vision. Their church profile shares, “The love that Jesus Christ taught and modeled compels us to care for Creation through: stewardship of our environment, seeking justice for those oppressed, and being God’s mercy and grace towards one another in our interactions and relationships. As image bearers of our Creator, we are a faith community where everyone belongs and everyone is invited to share their gifts, talents, and insights in our worship and in manifesting God’s love for Creation.”
Along with the children’s outdoor playground, the building has a small chapel that can fit us (see the picture below), and also has rooms for Trinity Kids and Littles, AND has a parish hall that will be excellent for mingling and possible refreshments. Parking is plentiful on the streets near the church. Please be cautious with the kids as it’s not a “parking lot” as we might be used to.
Summer by the Sea FAQs
Sunday Mornings June through August at - 9 am
LOCATION
Union Congregational church is located at 3 Norman Ave, Gloucester also has a lovely playground for children, and some other aspects that will be helpful.
SUMMER BY THE SEA FAQs
OVERALL
Q: How can we help with Summer by the Sea?
A: Volunteers are always welcome! We are looking forward to Elevenses, a relaxed time for continued conversation over coffee following the service, weather permitting outside near the playground. We will need people to volunteer to make the coffee, help get everything set up, and clean up.
WORSHIP SERVICES
Q: Will our worship service times change?
A: Yes — our new service time will be 9 am. Union has graciously offered to take an 11 am service time for us to have the earlier slot.
Q: Will our worship be the same as we have come to know?
A: Our worship will remain the same celebration of Holy Eucharist, with our altar, clergy, worship team, etc.
GENERAL BUILDING INFORMATION
Q: What is the address for our Summer by the Sea location?
A: The church is in Magnolia, though the address is 3 Norman Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930. The address is listed as Gloucester because Magnolia is not technically a town but straddles the Manchester-by-the-Sea and Gloucester line.
Q: Where should I park?
Parking is available on both sides of the street the church is on, Norman Avenue. Also on the main street that runs perpendicular and to the left a little farther up, Lexington Ave (a short walk away). And on any street where there is not signage saying no parking.
There are a few spaces in town limited to 15 minutes parking because they are in front of businesses, so look out for that.
Special Needs Parking
Those who need to come close to the building are welcome to pull right up to the building into the driveway and either leave their car there or someone will valet for you.
Reserved - Drop Off Parking
There will be a few spaces on the street directly in front of the church that will be marked as “Reserved” to be left open for people dropping off one parent with children and through the morning hours to ensure that there will be open spaces for the Magnolia Congregational folks who may come a bit early.
Please only use the Reserved space for drop off, we want the Reserved space open for parking exclusively for our Magnolia Congregation folks.
Q: Is the building accessible for people with disabilities?
A: Yes: the sanctuary and the area where the bathrooms are accessible by ramp.
Q: When will we begin meeting at the summer location?
A: June 1st will be our first service in the new location.
Q: Who else shares this building with us?
A: The building is owned by Union Congregational Church, who have opened their doors to us as a temporary rented home for the summer.
CHILDREN, YOUTH, & FAMILIES
Q: Where will Children’s Ministry take place?
A: Upstairs in a classroom. (The last Sunday of children’s church for the summer will be June 15).
Q: Where will Nursery take place?
A: In the Fellowship Hall (The Summer schedule for nursery is that it will be held on the first two Sundays of June (1st and 8th), July (6th and 13th), and August (3rd and 10th).
Q: Is the new space safe and child-friendly?
A: Yes. The church has been there for 150 years or so, with many children through the years having a good experience. There is a lovely outdoor playground. Please note that children MUST be accompanied and monitored by a parent while on the playground.
Q: How should we handle restless children during the service?
A: As ever, children are welcome in the service at Trinity, and we understand that will sometimes involve a bit of activity or noise, so the first thing is not to stress too much if you are a parent in this circumstance.
There is (only) a center aisle, so whenever possible parents sitting on the aisle may be helpful. But if you need to ask the other people on your pew to let you out, no worries at all.
LOGISTICS & FACILITY USE
Q: Will we have access to the building during the week for meetings or events?
A: Yes, for Trinity events we plan ahead with our hosts.
Q: Who do we contact for building-related questions or issues?
A: Michael or Fr Tim.
Trinity Dinner
Coming Soon!
More info coming soon!
Everyone is welcome even if you and your family/friends are unable to bring anything.
RULE OF LIFE (New appointment times available.)
Our personal rules of life are going to be deeply important in this coming year, given the way things are shaping up, in helping us keep the plot.
I’d love to check in with you (not check up on you) about anything important to you, really, but especially regarding a Rule of Life. Even if that means you aren’t inclined to make one, but are willing to explore it.
You can sign up here for some appts with me and, if none of these work, email me, and we will find something that does.