The Washington Post writer Gene Weingarten is a strong advocate of gay rights. He is also an avowed atheist. In his October live discussion with readers, he wrote the following:

"My hypothesis is that the more fervently religious the person, the greater his private terror of death....And that's why I do not envy the religious, and why I envy even less the deeply religious. I believe on that deepest level of awareness, the one that emerges in our fitful dreams or in the insomnia of our bleakest moments alone with ourselves, I believe I have greater peace of mind. I expect only an end and while I fear it, I have come to terms with it. If I have a faint suspicion somewhere that I am wrong-I have inventoried my consciousness and been unable to find such a thing, but it must lurk in there somewhere-Wow! Cool.

There is no 'wow, cool' in the faint suspicions of the devout. It has to haunt them."

I thought about what he had written, and then replied this way:

"Gene, I go to a church where questioning the existence of God is okay. I believe there are some things we are never going to know, and I see church as a place to gather with people who realize we're all in the same boat, and the best thing we can do during our time spent on Earth is to be kind to each other. You seem to find the idea that physical death is The End as comforting as those who believe in Heaven, find that comforting. I think, no matter what we believe/don't believe, longing for certainty is part of the human condition--but so is making peace with the uncertainty. The people who scare me are the ones who fashion a creator for themselves in their own image, and see that god as an excuse to bash people over the head. I avoid such people. Churches aren't necessarily full of them, or full of it, though. The truth is, we just don't know what the truth is. And that's okay."

Gene published what I had written, along with this answer: "Yours is, paradoxically, my kind of church."

Holy Trinity is my kind of church, too. I am glad Pat and I belong to a congregation that even Gene Weingarten might want to visit.

~Amy Buzby
Holy Trinity Member

CHRISTMAS/EPIPHANY SERVICES    

All the baptized have a calling in God's world. God calls not just the clergy but also the youngest child, like Samuel. The story of the calling of Nathanael plays with the idea of place. Nathanael initially dismisses Jesus because he comes from Nazareth. But where we come from isn't important; it's where-or rather whom-we come to. Jesus refers to the story of the vision of Jacob, who called the place of his vision "the house of God, and ... the gate of heaven" (Gen. 28:17). Jesus says he himself is the place where Nathanael will meet God.

• 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  
• 11:45 a.m. - Anti-Racism Forum

Sunday Forum - Death & Dying

9:30 a.m. - Passavant Hall
Medical science has extended dying and its impact on relatives and loved ones. While people may have gained extra years, this may come with added costs--medical, social, economic and personal. Barbara Wahler, a therapist with Holy Trinity's Spiritual Life Center, facilitates this forum where we can begin to explore the contemporary, as opposed to traditional, grief we face as a result. Led by Barbara Wahler.

Antiracism Discussion Opportunity

You are invited to join other HT members in week 2 of a 6-week study of racism and white privilege. We're using a workbook called "The White Elephant" to explore this subject. We'll meet on Sundays, Jan. 15, 22, Feb, 5, 12, 19 from 11:45 to 12:30. While each lesson will build on the one before, you can come for one, two, or all sessions. Please see Karen Andersen Moran, Ken Duckmann or Barbara Wahler for more information. You can get your own copy of the workbook for $15, speak to Ken or Barbara; there will also be some common copies to share.

Weekly readings 

Contemplative Eucharist - Tonight, 6:00 P.M.

Take a break from the busy city life, and join us for this simple, contemplative eucharist.    

Mom's Night Out - January 13

Join us for Mom's Night Out. Not only do we learn and grow in faith, we also have a lot of fun with new friends. Please join us on the 2nd Friday of the month, January 13 from 7:30-9:00 p.m., at the home of Rebecca Sims. If you can make it, please RSVP to Rebecca (rsims@1702.org) and she will send you her address and directions.
If you can't make it this week, please mark your calendar for the second Friday of each month and join us in the future.

Dream Group Meeting

The Holy Trinity Dream Group meets monthly and welcomes everyone. Better understanding one's inner/spiritual life is a goal for us all. Dreamwork can be a helpful tool in accomplishing that task. Please consider joining us January 19th, 7 -9 p.m. at the church. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact Karol Weigelt, koldfront@msn.com.

Movie Night - Departures

Saturday, January 21, 3:30 p.m. - Passavant Hall
Departures examine the rituals surrounding death in Japan with this tale of an out-of-work cellist who accepts a job as a encoffineer (the Japanese equivalent of an undertaker) in order to provide for himself and his young wife. Departures received the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film of 2008. Japanese director Yojiro Takita has created a cinematic masterpiece that is both funny and sad and all the emotions in between. The movie allows us to reflect on the ways ritual is used to honor the body after death. Since the movie is long we are beginning at 3:30 and will break for a light supper. Please bring snacks or side dishes to share.

Read a review of the movie here. 

New Member Orientation

Maybe you've attended Holy Trinity a few times or many. Maybe you are looking for a church home. Maybe you have mixed feelings about church and whether it is for you. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome at Holy Trinity! Here is a special invitation to learn more about Holy Trinity, what makes Lutheranism unique, meet some other folks, and find out more about our mission and ministry. Orientation sessions are held four times a year. The next session is Sunday, January 22. We will meet from 9:00 - 10:20 a.m., followed by the 10:30 a.m. worship service. We continue upstairs in Passavant Hall over a light lunch, concluding before 1:00 p.m. Sign-up at the back of the church or email the office (office@htchicago.org).

January Book Club

The first book group meeting of the new year will be Tuesday, January 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Becky Sims, 1702 W. Barry, 773-388-3590. We'll be reading A Book of Secrets: Illegitimate Daughters, Absent Fathers by Michael Holroyd. Intrigued? Please join us whether you have time to read the book or not!

Annual Meeting Of The Congregation

Sunday, January 29, following the 10:30 a.m. service
Please bring a main dish, salad, or dessert to share.
The annual meeting will follow the potluck and will include brief reports and elections of officers. The printed annual report will be available online by January 25.

Baptism Seminar-It's for Life!

Thursday, February 2, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
This seminar is offered for expectant parents, parents with newborns, those planning a baptism in the coming months, parents or others who would like a refresher on the meaning and theology of baptism. All parents planning to have a newborn baptized are asked to attend this seminar at some point before or after the birth of their firstborn child.

Baptism isn't a one-time event-it's for life! Topics of the seminar will include baptismal theology, the role of parents and sponsors, and scheduling a baptism. For more information talk to Pastor Michelle Miller or e-mail her.

Sects and the City
Feb. 11 Worship Conference

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will host a one-day worship conference on February 11, 2012. Sects and the City: Gen X | Y and Mainline Protestant Worship will explore this question: "While many mainline Protestant congregations are aging, what are young adults finding meaningful in the worship services of urban congregations with a high percentage of Generation X and Y?" The conference moderator will be Benjamin Stewart, a professor of liturgy at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. There will also be responses from three young adult leaders with connections to Gen X | Y as well as informal reflections by several dozen young adults from neighboring congregations. Costs: single $20; $30 at the door; $50 for three or more from one congregation, free for Holy Trinity Members and Pilgrimage Project participants. The conference website includes much more information and online registration.

Attendance Last Sunday 

8:30 - 23; 10:30 - 171  

God & Gays Film Festival

The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago's chapter of Integrity USA is hosting a film festival from January 13 - February 3 at the Center on Halsted (3656 N Halsted). This is a film festival about religious communities' discovery of homosexuality and how they respond to it. A $5 donation will be accepted at the door, and refreshments, including popcorn, will be provided. The films are:

-Incompatible with Christian Teaching - Jan. 13, 7:30 p.m.
-Trembling Before G-d - Jan. 20, 7:30 p.m.
-Anyone And Everyone - Jan. 27, 7:30 p.m.
-Love Free or Die - Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m.

Thrivent Event: Basket of Hope - Jan. 21

Volunteers of all ages will participate in packing and assembling Hope Totes full of Christian materials and other gifts. The totes will be delivered by professional football players and coaches with a Basket of Hope full of toys and gifts to children and families at Advocate Hope Childrens and Children's Memorial. The event will take place on Saturday, January 21 from 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at The Lutheran School of Theology (1100 E 55th Street). Please register before January 18 by contacting Chris Brown (Christopher.brown@thrivent.com). Visit basketofhope.org to learn more.

"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: 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. 

The Epiphany of Our Lord
January 8, 2012
By Craig Mueller
Read by Josh Judd-Herzfeldt

Twelve days after Christmas we celebrate the Epiphany of Our Lord. Epiphany means to reveal, to manifest, to show forth.

Sometimes we have an epiphany in our lives, an 'aha experience' in which something draws on us in a new and surprising way. Other times we seek an epiphany, especially at times of tragedy or suffering. We seek to understand the mystery of God's ways.

The feast of Epiphany is actually older than Christmas. The date of January 6 coincided with the Egyptian winter solstice. The Epiphany signified several things, all of which had to do with Christ manifesting God. Quite early the fest celebrated three Epiphany events: the revelation to the Magi, Jesus' baptism in the Jordan, and his first miracle or 'sign' in which he turned water into wine.

The Epiphany has had different histories and meanings in the Eastern and Western churches.

In the West, the Epiphany commemorates the visit of the Magi to the infant Christ, but this year, with January 6 past, and today being the Baptism of Our Lord, we are celebrating the more ancient three-fold Epiphany. We will read the three gospel accounts and sing a hymn after each reading. You will note that several of the hymns mention all three of the epiphanies in their texts. We will also celebrate a baptism, as well as the coming of the Magi.

Epiphany is a fitting conclusion to our Christmas celebration, for the purpose of the incarnation is made clear. The glory of God is revealed in Christ and is made manifest, is shown forth, to all people.

We now are a part of the epiphany as we reveal Christ to others through our words and deeds. From this place we 'go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.' In other words, we live our baptismal faith in our homes, schools, and workplaces. We are called to be an epiphany to the world, our lives being the sign of Christ's presence to others.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11 

    6:00 p.m.  Contemplative Eucharist

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 12 

    10:00 a.m.  Weekly Bible Study

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13

    7:30 p.m. Mom's Night Out 

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15

    8:30 a.m.  Eucharist

    9:15 a.m.  Choir Rehearsal

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

    10:30 a.m.  Sung Eucharist

    11:45 a.m.  Anti-racism Discussion

MONDAY, JANUARY 16

    7:00 p.m.  Meditation Group  

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18

    6:00 p.m.  Contemplative Eucharist

    7:00 p.m.  Endowment Committee Meeting 

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

Full Calendar of Events 

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.

On Sunday, we welcomed in baptism Lydia Rae Dombrowski, daughter of Elizabeth Lucas and Keith Dombrowski, sponsored by Helen Strietelmeier.

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

Your prayers and well wishes for Holy Trinity member, Claire Evans, have been much appreciated during her recent illness. She has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and begins treatment this week. Please continue to pray for her and all those who are ill and in need of healing.

'The poor you will always have with you'

by Ken Wheeler - via Living Lutheran

I have always been troubled whenever Jesus' words, "The poor you will always have with you," have been quoted because I usually hear them as a justification for poverty.

It is a justification that often comes from the lips of those who have more than enough.

Continue reading...