SHEFFIELD, Mass. — The Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, will be the presider at Christ Trinity Church on Sunday, March 30, at 10 a.m. 

 

Fisher visits all the 50-plus congregations in the diocese every two years. Bishop Nathan D. Pipho, of the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will preach. 

 

Christ Trinity is an officially Federated congregation connected fully with both the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts and the New England Synod ELCA. This is the first time both bishops have shared the visitation day in Sheffield.

 

The Rev. Erik Karas, who has led the congregation since 2017, will welcome the bishops to this growing community of faith. Following the service on Sunday, the bishops will enjoy coffee hour with the community and will meet with the vestry afterwards. This is the governing body of the congregation elected by the members.

 

Christ Trinity is deeply engaged in the local community. In addition to the ecumenical "Trail Magic" ministry, which offers hospitality and a meal to hikers, Christ Trinity has a summer cycling hospitality program. The church provides water, a rest station, chairs and a table, and a fix-it station for small bicycle problems. Believe Out Loud, an Episcopal designation, and Reconciling Works, a Lutheran designation, mark this congregation as intentionally LBGTQ-plus affirming. The rainbow chairs on the front lawn are a sign of this welcome.