Trinity Church News:Outreach and Pastoral Care, Trinity Task Committee Reports

Trinity Church E-Pistle

May 28, 2009

I don't know about you, but the more I learn the more questions I have. I was talking about this at lunch today and my friend said, "Well, you're just getting curiouser and curiouser." (Quoting Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.) Curiouser and curiouser indeed! Life and faith are fascinating and glorious journeys of mystery and discovery. The more we learn, the more we realize just how little we know.

This has given rise to an idea. The project is called Curious Christians. Just because we believe and have faith in Christ does not mean that we check our brain at the door before entering the church. Curious Christians ask, "Why?" I have questions about scripture, theology, church history, Christian ethics, etc. I have my questions and I'm sure you have yours. For example, there are two creation stories in Genesis. Why? What are the theological and faith ramifications of this? What about creationism versus evolution? There are two different birth accounts of Christ and only two of the gospels give any mention to the birth of our Lord. Why the differences? Are these differences important? Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) What does that mean? What does it say to our Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Jewish sisters and brothers?

These are only a couple of questions, but there are many more. What are yours? I would like to know. Please send me your questions at (jeanesp@trinityprinceton.org) With your questions in hand, I will begin to seek to find "some" answers, and I can almost guarantee, I won't find "the" answer. I suspect this will only lead to more questions. The end product will be a writing project and the development of Christian education programs.

One of the gifts of an Anglican identity is our embrace of the questions and our willingness to grapple with the mystery of faith, not sure where God is going to lead us. And even though we live with the questions and perhaps become curiouser and curiouser, we rest in the sure and certain hope of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace,

Paul+

Worship & Education

Sunday, May 31, 2009
Pentecost Sunday

8:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist, Rite I
(Traditional Language, no choir)

Sunday morning childcare, for infants to 3-year olds, is available upstairs in the Nursery in Room 202 from 8:45 a.m. until the conclusion of the 11:15 a.m. service.

9:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist (Rite II)
(Contemporary Language with choir)
The 9:00 a.m. service is perfect for families with children! Children may begin the service upstairs in Children's Chapel (Room 201) and then join their families for communion. If you prefer to worship together as a family, children are always welcome in church.

10:15 a.m. - Christian Education for all ages!
Immediately following the 9:00 a.m. service
children have choices based on their age:

children through 6th grade report to their classrooms for Sunday School.
Rite 13 and J2A students (grades 6 - 9) gather in their own dedicated spaces on the lower level.
Sr. High students (grades 10-12) meet in the Parlor.

For Adult Forum Hour, enjoy coffee, tea and choose from:

In Pierce Hall, Pastoral Care and Outreach are the focus of two Trinity Task Committee reports

Discuss today's readings in the Library with the Rev. Gordon Graham

In the George Thomas room, greet one another in fellowship for relaxing conversation

11:15 a.m. - Choral Eucharist (Rite II)
(Contemporary Language with choir)
The 11:15 a.m. service offers a slightly more classic liturgy, with Mass settings sung by our gifted choirs. If you enjoy the rich traditions of Anglican worship, this service is for you.

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009
12:10 p.m. Holy Eucharist with homily.

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009
5:30p.m. Holy Eucharist with prayers for healing

The church is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. weekdays for meditation and prayer.

Worship Leaders

May 31st

8:00 a.m.
Reader: Tom True
Acolyte: Peter Brennan
Chalicist: Curtis Hoberman
Ushers: Lewie Kingsford, Ed Metcalf

9 a.m.
Reader: John Sully
Intercessor: Michael Stebbins
Verger: Juliet Richardson
Ushers: team 2
Chalicists: Betty Ayers, Hank Bristol, Grant Fraser, Peter Nalen, Sylvia Temmer
Acolytes: Matthew Burns, Dan States, Lily Leonard
Audio: Charles Anene
11:15am

Reader: Jovi Tenev
Intercessor: Kathy Rohrer
Verger: Juliet Richardson
Ushers: team 2
Chalicists: Louise Dunham, Denise Gordon-Miller, Steve Isham, Donna Laessig
Acolytes: Ann Laughlin, Lily Leonard, Jolanis Alexandre
Thurifer: James Scott
Audio: Brook Richards

June 7th

8:00 a.m.
Reader: Phyllis Billington
Acolyte: Irving Newlin
Chalicist: tba
Ushers: Lewie Kingsford, Guy Pierson

10 a.m.
Reader: Van Davis, Anne Burns
Intercessor: Mark McConnell
Verger: James Scott
Ushers: Dan Haughton, Rob Hearne, Costa Papastephanou, Patrick Rulon-Miller
Chalicists: tba
Acolytes: Andy Schmid, Jack Patterson, Jolanis Alexandre
Audio: Marc Sibilia

Crisis Ministry Father's Day
Food Drive!
The Crisis Ministry Van will be in the Trinity Circle Sunday, June 21

HONORING OUR FATHERS
Father's Day Donations
to the Crisis Ministry and
Father's Day Food Drive -
Sunday, June 21

Please take a Crisis Ministry grocery bag from the Narthex this Sunday and return it with your food donations (a list is stapled to the bag) on
Father's Day, June 21st. Here is an abbreviated letter on the drive from the Rev. Jarrett Kerbel;

click here to learn more.

Dear friends,

My father taught me how to be generous. The example of his unfailing generosity and charitable concern lives in my heart. Whenever I make a gift I am honoring my father, honoring his values and the spirit he gave me.

Honor your father this Father's Day by making a gift to your neighbors in need, either by making a donation to the Crisis Ministry through the food drive being held at Trinity Church.

Don't forget the Old Spice-just spice it up with a gift to the people who come to the Crisis Ministry in need.

-Jarrett Kerbel, Executive Director
The Crisis Ministry of Princeton and Trenton

cereal boxes held by girl

Oatmeal, instead of Old Spice, cereal, instead of a tie,
would make a great gift to the Crisis Ministry in your Dad's honor on
June 21st.

Episcopalians Party On!
175th Anniversary Photo Display in Parish Reception Area

Photography by Robbie Ellsworth. Thank you Robbie! Please email your party photographs to rotha@trinityprinceton.org (we're especially looking for a shot of Meg Novins-Hannington!).
Thank you to everyone who contributed to
the success of a delightful evening.

Mr. and Mrs. Nalen seemed to enjoy
the party.

Vacation Bible School to see
"Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat"
Register by June 28th!

Kids of the Kingdom Vacation Bible School is now taking registrations. Trinity will be hosting the All Saints'/Trinity Vacation Bible School this year the week of July 13th - 18th from 4:30-6:30pm each day. Children 4 years old through entering 4th grade are invited to come and participate as Jean Prall Rosolino, director of the YouthStages drama program, and Trinity volunteers help to lead the week. The cost is $25 for the first child in a family and $10 for each additional child. There will be an optional field trip on Saturday, July 18th to see the 2pm show of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat" at Mercer County Community College. The VBS registration fee covers the cost of this optional outing. Please sign-up for VBS by Sunday, June 28th. To register contact Jennifer Parker Wrzeszcz at jenniferpw@trinityprinceton.org. Looking forward to your child joining the fun!

June 9th Next Integrity Meeting

Integrity Eucharist and Meeting - Tuesday, June 9, at 7:30 pm
Integrity/Princeton, the Episcopal gay and lesbian outreach for Trinity Church and Central New Jersey, will hold a Eucharist and meeting on Tuesday, June 9th, at 7:30 pm, at Trinity Church, beginning in the Sanctuary. The Rev. Howard Wood will be celebrant and the Rev. Paul Jeanes will continue our discussion following the service in Room 206 about the upcoming General Convention, to be held in Anaheim in July. For more information, please contact Paul Raeder at 609-683-5111 or praeder@princeton.edu
Last month we were joined by many new people from Trinity and the surrounding area, so we again welcome all members of Integrity and friends to join us.

Summer Schedule of
8am and 10am Services begins June 7th

Sunday, June 7, 2009
Trinity Sunday with Teacher & Choir Recognition
8:00am Holy Eucharist Rite I
10:00am Choral Eucharist Rite II
(parish potluck picnic on the lawn to follow the 10am service. Slides for children and family activities! See story below.)

Slide into Summer!

Choir Recognition and Sunday School Families Fellowship and Fun on June 7th, Trinity Sunday, after the 10am Service on Stockton Street Lawn!

Save the date and com Air Mattress Slide

e celebrate! On Sunday, June 7th, at the 10:00am worship service, we will be recognizing and giving thanks for Trinity's Sunday School teachers, choir and choristers. After worship there will be a time of fellowship and lots of fun out on the Stockton lawn. Please come along as we praise God for the music and teaching ministries here at Trinity!

Yes, there will be one slide and one bouncy castle ( for different age categories) on the lawn for the children to enjoy.

Stoking the Sustainability Fire
June 5th and June 6th
Rider University

Do you want to make your community more sustainable? Parishioner David Prescott (photo) has assembled an impressive list of sponsors and underwriters for Stoking the Sustainability Fire: Expanding Vision, Leading Change at Rider University on Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6. Attendance is flexible. Friday you can learn about Sustainable Jersey, or join the evening's Sustainability Slam, or attend one or more Saturday session, or all three.. Detailed program information and registration procedures can be found online here.

Notes on This Sunday's Readings
by Allan King
Summer Break! Join a discussion at 10:15am on the Readings in the Library before our Summer Hiatus

Pentecost Sunday, or Whitsunday in the Anglican tradition, is the day which celebrates the down-coming of the Holy Spirit to be with the Church, following Jesus' Resurrection and Ascension. The long Summer season up until Advent will comprise Sundays 'after' Pentecost. What we celebrate today is that important in the Church Year.

But for modern folk the feast of Pentecost may be more confusing than enlightening. What is all this that Acts attests to? A violent wind and then tongues like fire lighting upon the heads of the disciples. The disciples being filled with a Holy Spirit and speaking in other languages. Even to the extent that St. Peter had to assure the crowd that they were not drunk!

The point is that something extraordinary happened to those disciples. They were enlightened by what St. John calls the 'Spirit of Truth'. That Spirit which Jesus promised He would send to His disciples. Which He called an 'Advocate'.

This is the Advocate who comes from the Father and which is to testify of Jesus. This is the Spirit which is to guide the disciples and the church into the way Jesus and the Father desire. This is the Spirit which, Jesus says. Will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment. Sin because people do not believe in Him; righteousness because He is going to His Father; and judgment because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

In Jesus' place it is the Holy Spirit which we have about us every day and in every place. It is God proving the world wrong about sin, righteousness and judgment. It is the Holy Spirit which calls us to reject the world and its ways and its ruler and cleave instead to Him who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Oct. 30th Kirkridge Retreat with
Juliana and Dick Fenn