The tradition of giving thanks

This is my favorite week of the year: it ushers in winter--I'm all about nesting as the winter chill sets in; it's a short work week leading up to Thanksgiving; and then there's still a weekend to enjoy. And of course there's Thanksgiving Day itself--a holiday without the trappings of consumerism (at least before Black Friday started backing up into Thursday). This holiday is about family, friends and feasting (and for many-football). In a very Norman Rockwell best-case scenario, this week is about gathering around the table with those we love.

On this day we focus on gratitude, which is sometimes in short supply. We do that in a variety of ways--around the Thanksgiving meal table by saying what and who we're thankful for, but also in worship (Wednesday evening at Holy Trinity or wherever you find yourself this holiday).

With small children in the home, we're always in the process of starting and keeping traditions. The kids think that if we've done it more than once, it's a tradition. And Thursday will be packed with tradition: staying in our PJs and eating cinnamon rolls while we watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, smelling food cooking and gathering at the table with those we love. And Thursday evening, we'll watch the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special.

And through it all, we'll continue to teach our kids to be mindful of those whose cupboards aren't nearly as full this year, whose hearts ache from loss, or who long for a job, a partner, improved health, and an end to addiction or abuse. Because in reality, our lives are often a far cry from Norman Rockwell's paintings or clever Facebook updates.

But on Thursday I wish for you not only a slice of pie, but a slice of rest: rest from the scurry and stress that seems a "tradition" throughout the year. Rest after too much food (and sometimes too much family), but may you also rest in God's promises with a heart full of gratitude and hands that reach out in service. If it isn't already, it could be become your favorite week of the year, too.

~Julie Sevig

UPCOMING SUNDAY  

Stir up your power, and come! The psalmist's plea in Psalm 80:2 has become familiar to us in the Advent prayers. Isaiah wants God to rip the heavens open. Both cry out for an apparently distant, angry God to show up, to save, to restore. When we hear Jesus describing the coming of the Son of Man with stars falling from heaven, it can sound dire and horrible, not like anything we would ever hope for. But when we really look at the suffering of people God loves, we can share the hope that God would tear open the heavens and come.

• 8:30 a.m. - Eucharist (about 45 minutes)
• 9:15 a.m - Choir Rehearsal
• 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School and Sunday Forum (below)
• 10:30 a.m. - Sung Eucharist

Sunday Forum - Today's Readings

9:30 a.m. - Passavant Hall
Join us for a discussion on the lectionary texts for this Sunday. Led by Seminarian Chris Brown.

Weekly readings 

Thanksgiving Eve Service- Tonight, 7:30 P.M.

In place of a sermon we will have a mini-hymn sing of Thanksgiving hymns. The service will be followed our annual pie reception.  

Note: in former years the service was at 7:00 p.m. Now that our weekly Wednesday service is at 6:00 p.m. (no 6 p.m. service tomorrow) our standard time will be 7:30 for special services. 

Volunteers Needed To Help Sell Fair Trade Goods

What we need:
* Volunteers to help set up and sell fair trade goods at our monthly sale

Time required:
* ~ 1 hr every 2-3 months

Qualifications:
* A heart for social justice

Even if you don't know much about fair trade we'd love to talk to you! Please contact Anita Engh 

2012 Generosity Appeal 

If you have not yet made your 2012 generosity commitment:
* Give online here
* Download the Generosity Form and mail to the office. 

Making your commitment by November 27 will allow the Congregation Council to use this important information when developing the 2012 budget. Thanks for your generosity. 

Festival of Lessons and Carols for Advent

Join us on Sunday, December 11 at 4:00 p.m. for Holy Trinity's annual Festival of Lessons and Carols for Advent. Scripture readings, anthems, Advent hymns, quiet meditation, candles, incense and prayer combine to provide a memorable service that will bring focus to your Advent experience. Music by the Holy Trinity Choir and Strings will include compositions by J. S. Bach, Thomas Ravenscroft and Healey Willan as well as traditional carol settings and the Collegium Regale setting of the Magnificat by Herbert Howells. Make Lessons and Carols a part of your Advent tradition!

Mark your calendar for these upcoming events:

• Thanksgiving Eve Service - Nov. 23, 7:30 p.m. (followed by Pie Reception)
• Advent Retreat: Transitions - Dec. 3, 9:30 a.m.
• Christkindl Market - Dec. 4, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
• Festival of Lessons and Carols for Advent - Dec. 11, 4:00 p.m.
• Christmas Services:
  • Christmas Eve Services: 4:30 & 10:00 p.m.
  • Christmas Day Service: 10:30 a.m.
• New Year's Day Service - 10:30 a.m.

8:30 - 27; 10:30 - 171

Thanks from RefugeeOne

Holy Trinity,
Thank you for the generous in-kind donation fo several bags of winter coats and clothing for the RefugeeOne Winter Clothing Drive and a $500 Sears Gift card for the Dhakal family. Your congregation's continued support of RefugeeOne is a source of strength and encouragement.
Sincerely,
Gregory Wangerin
Executive Director
Many thanks to the generous foks of Holy Trinity

Messiah Performances

Saint Clement Parish announces its annual Christmas Concert, George Frederich Handel's beloved Messiah sung by the festival chorus and orchestra of Saint Clement, joined by four internationally renowned soloists, all under the baton of Music Director Paul Nicholson (Holy Trinity member).

Performances are:
* Saturday, 10 December 2011, 7:30 p.m.
* Sunday, 11 December 2011, 3:00 p.m.

For more information visit www.stclementchurch.org/messiah
For tickets and donations visit www.events.org/messiah2011 

Meditation Retreat: Holding Intentions With Wisdom and Compassion

Start your new year by joining the Chicago Weekly Sitting Meditation Group for a one day Mindfulness meditation retreat, Saturday, January 7, 2012, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. here at Holy Trinity in Passavant Hall. We will explore how the meditative practice of Mindfulness can help us embrace life with more joy. This retreat is appropriate for both newcomers to Mindfulness and meditation as well as for experienced practitioners. For more information, download the flyer here or head online for more information on the retreat and how to register.

"Team Trinity" Volunteer Opportunities

Please consider joining Team Trinity today! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Check out Volunteer website for upcoming opportunites.  It is Holy Trinity's goal to register as many members on-line to assist in helping with our ministry projects within the community.  Simply log-in now and sign-up online to volunteer today

--The Crib

The Night Ministry has reopened their youth/young adult homeless shelter, The Crib. Holy Trinity will be preparing and serving a meal once per month. On the third Saturday of each month, volunteers will meet at Holy Trinity at 7 p.m. to prepare the meal, then will head to The Crib to serve the meal. For more information, speak with or email Ken Duckmann.

--The Night Ministry Outreach Van

Holy Trinity will be assembling and distributing 'meals in a bag' with the Night Ministry in Rogers Park on a quarterly basis. Stay tuned for more information and how to help out.

Next Baptism Dates: December 4, January 8, February 12. More info.

Next New Member Orientation Date: January 22, April 15.  More info.

Office Hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs., 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Wed., 12:00-7:00 p.m.; and Sun., 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. 

November 20, 2011
Christ the King Sunday
Matthew 25:31-46
Seminarian Ben Adams

MORE OR LESS, WE NEED GRACE

"We are the 99%." This slogan has received a lot of attention lately as it has emerged as the rallying cry for the Occupy Wall Street movement. The 99% make up the majority of the American public who struggle to make ends meet while the top 1% of earners of our country control about 40% of the total wealth. In a time where our wage gap is beginning to look more like the grand canyon of wage gaps, the Occupy Wall Street movement has given a voice to those who may lack the effective means to really get their voice heard.

It's heart wrenching to hear of bank foreclosures forcing people from their homes, unemployment leaving many Americans without a means of providing for themselves, and rising college loan debt that is leaving students with a huge financial burden as they set out into the desolate job market.

In our reading today from Matthew, Jesus refers to the economically and socially oppressed as the least of these.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23  

    7:30 p.m.  Thanksgiving Eve Service (followed by pie reception)
    7:30 p.m.  AA & SAA (St. Mark's Room & Passavant Hall) 

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24

    Office Closed: Thanksgiving  

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26

    5:00 p.m.  Common Solutions  

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27

    8:30 a.m.  Eucharist     

    9:15 a.m.  Choir Rehearsal

    9:30 a.m.  Sunday School and Sunday Forum      

    10:30 a.m.  Sung Eucharist   

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28

    7:00 p.m.  Meditation Group  

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30  

    6:00 p.m.  Contemplative Eucharist  

    7:30 p.m.  AA & SAA (St. Mark's Room & Passavant Hall) 

COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2010 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26481.

Kelly and John Archambault gave birth to their son, Elijah Vinyard Duncombe, on Thursday, October 20.

Please send news about awards, new positions, life passages and other important events in your lives for this section of our e-news.

Why We Need Advent  

(by Bruce Epperly)

.... Healthy spirituality lives between radical acceptance of life as it is and a holy restlessness, inspired by what could be in God's realm of shalom.   Advent challenges us to live with the tension of "this is God's world, filled with wonder and beauty" and "why are we aren't we there yet? Why haven't we reached the promised land, the beloved community of wholeness and healing?"  We have to start where we are in a God-filled, imperfect universe; but we cannot end our journey in accepting injustice, oppression, inequality, and disease.  Advent inspires a prophetic unrest that challenges our current achievements as well as our obvious failures in light of God's realm of possibility, beauty, and wonder.

How shall we practice Advent? We know that we neither can nor should ban Christmas carols, parties, and celebrations.  But, we need not be so caught up in the merriment of the season that we fail to examine our own lives, congregations, and political systems.  Advent suggests a different type of spiritual practice in which feelings of peace do not lead to contentment with the way things are.  The stillness of meditation inspires us to listen for the voice of possibility within our lives and communities.  As an examination of conscience, we need to ask ourselves, "What is our deep restlessness?  What unrealized dreams of community and spiritual growth still lure us forward?  Where are we complicit in the injustice and suffering of the world?"

Read the entire article here.