Letting Go
by Richard Bough

About fifteen years ago, I saw a film that had a profound effect on the direction my spiritual journey was about to take. The film was "The Tango Lesson," which was about a middle aged woman who wanted to learn how to dance the tango. She had worked very hard to master all the steps to perfection but something was missing. Her teacher took her aside to critique her progress. He told her five words I will never forget, "you have to let go." She stood still, trying to understand what had just been said to her. Suddenly, it was like a switch was turned on. She began to dance like never before. She let go of judgment and self-consciousness, and her body became one with the music. In just a few moments, she went from being a tango student to becoming a tango dancer.

At the present time I find myself letting go once again in the creation of my newest artwork. This has taken great courage because I don't know logically where I am going. When I begin each new work, I don't worry about the product but try to be at all times in the process. I let my intuition guide me. I feel like a child and play with materials and different techniques that feel personally authentic. Isn't this what God wants me to be doing? My work is evolving in new and exciting ways.

Letting go takes great courage, but I feel we can all do it if we take the first step. I thank God every day for allowing me to feel safe and confident enough to begin to let go.

NEXT SUNDAY    

March 18 - Fourth Sunday in Lent 

March 18 Schedule:

• 8:30 a.m. - Eucharist (about 45 minutes)
• NO CHOIR
• 9:45 a.m. - Parent's Meeting (St. Mark's Room)
• 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School and Sunday Forum (below)
• 10:30 a.m. - Sung Eucharist
• 11:40 a.m. - Committal Rite for Claire Evans
• 11:45 a.m. - New(er) Member Brunch

Sunday Forum - Special Lenten Study:
A Watered Garden: Christian Worship and Earth's Ecology

9:30 a.m. - Passavant Hall Read chapter 4 for March 18

HT Family Events for 2012

Sunday, March 18 at 9:45 a.m. (St. Mark's Room)
While the kids are in Sunday School, join Pastor Sevig and other parents to discuss ideas and plans for family events at Holy Trinity. We'll cover Vacation Bible School, service projects, social outings, potluck dinners, as well as some new ideas! Can't make it on the 18th? Send your suggestions to Pastor Sevig.

Committal Rite for Claire Evans

At the conclusion of the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, March 18 those who desire may join us as we process to the memorial garden for a brief committal liturgy and scattering of Claire Evans' ashes.

New(er) Member Brunch

Did you receive an invite to the March 18 New(er) Members Brunch (for those who joined in 2010-2011) but have yet to RSVP? Not to worry...there's still time! Please let Josh know by March 15 if you'd like to attend this chance to experience Holy Trinity's fine hospitality, as well as the opportunity to mingle with other newer members and your Congregational Council.

Weekly readings 

Prayer of the Day
O God, rich in mercy, by the humiliation of your Son you lifted up this fallen world and rescued us from the hopelessness of death. Lead us into your light, that all our deeds may reflect your love, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

President
Meggen Saka

Vice-President
Kelley Bender

Secretary
Megan Whitaker

Treasurer
Steve Hopwood

Outreach
Kristi Harreld, Sarah Hanson

Social Ministry
Ken Duckmann

Finance
Don Marsh

Property
John Flowers, Leon Stevens

Spiritual Life
Megan Eichhorn

Worship
Johanna Olson

Contemplative Eucharist - Tonight, 6:00 p.m.

Make this quiet, contemplative eucharist service part of your Lenten discipline.

Sponsor Flowers For Easter

We welcome special gifts to provide flowers for our Easter celebration. Please designate:
1. Either 'In Memory of...', 'In Honor of...', or 'In Thanksgiving for...'
2. Amount, gifts of any amount from $20 - $500 are welcome.
3. Send or bring a check to Holy Trinity with the above information, or give online now from our website.

In order to be recognized in our Holy Week programs, please make your donation by March 25.  Thank you for your generosity!

Stations of The Cross

Wednesday, March 28 - 6:00 p.m.
Special Lenten service
Features artistic renderings by Holy Trinity member, Richard Bough, and meditations that connect this ancient practice with social justice, and the needs of the world.
An annual liturgy at Holy Trinity; please join us. 

Grief Workshop: Troubled Waters
March 31st, 10:00 a.m. - Noon

Contrary to what most people think, grief is not a "process." It does not progress through an organized set of stages to a clear identifiable end. Instead, the experience of grief is more like a river; dynamic, often turbulent and constantly changing. At times it will require that you learn new skills or to seek-out a more experienced guide who can teach you how to negotiate your way through some of life's most troubled waters.

Instead of using confusing clinical terminology, Thom Dennis uses nature's metaphors to help people cope with the death of a loved one and other significant losses. If you have experienced the death of a family member, a miscarriage, a loss of a job or another significant relationship, and even if your loss has not been so recent, this presentation will definitely change the way you view grief.

Thom Dennis, M.Div., MAPC, LCPC, is the creator of the Grief River® model. He has 20 years experience helping individuals and families come to terms with the stresses of life. His personable and interactive presentation style makes the topic of grief manageable and his vision offers hope for the future.

Contact Pastor Michelle Sevig for more information or to RSVP.

Easter Vigil Reception: Ways to Help

Our elegant champagne reception will follow the Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 7 at around 9:30 p.m. in Passavant Hall. It's a major event at Holy Trinity! The Easter hospitality team needs volunteers for the following:

• Set-up - 2 hours Saturday afternoon
• Clean-up - following the reception
• Prepare hors d'oeuvres or other food
• You may also provide financial assistance for the reception 

We are also preparing a brunch between services on Easter Sunday for staff, choir, musicians, teachers, nursery assistants and others and need volunteers to help prepare and serve that meal.

For more information please contact Kara Grimme (312.860.2954). To sign up, check the sheet in the back of the church or email Josh in the church office.  Thank you for volunteering and sharing in this wonderful event!

Special Congregational Meeting - April 22nd

Mark your calendars for a special congregational meeting following the 10:30 a.m. service. During this meeting members will be voting on amendments to the constitution, the allocation of money between the Mission Endowment Fund, Expansive Faith capital campaign loan, and a proposed Operating, Capital, and Opportunity Reserve.

Use the following links to access resources for the upcoming special congregational meeting:

--Amendments to the Constitution (amendments are highlighted)
--Reserve Initiative FAQs
--Reserve PowerPoint (presented at March 4th's forum)

Announcing Taizé Gathering for Young Adults

A Taizé gathering that is part of the "Pilgrimage of Trust across the earth" will take place in Chicago from 25 to 28 May 2012 (Memorial Day Weekend). The venue will be DePaul University in Chicago. Young adults between the ages of 18 and 35 from all over the United States and Canada will take part. Three Taizé brothers are now living in Chicago and will be coordinating preparations in the city and region. Among other things, they will be working with friends from Chicago to find accommodation with families for the young adults coming from outside the Chicago area. A volunteer will be present at Holy Trinity on Sunday, March 25 to give more information to Holy Trinity members, and to show a brief video after the 10:30 a.m. service.

For more information about the Pilgrimage of Trust please take a look at this site. Here you will find many resources explaining what the Pilgrimage of Trust is, as well as a provisional program for the Memorial Day weekend, and a short video promoting the event.

In addition to the preparations for the Pilgrimage of Trust, the Brothers are also hosting several events around Chicago as well as traveling outside of Illinois to gain interest for the Pilgrimage of Trust. These events include daily prayer services at DePaul University in St. Louise de Marillac Chapel on the first floor of the DePaul University Student center located at 2250 N. Sheffield Ave. These prayer services are open to everyone. The Brothers are also hosting Prayer around the Cross services at churches around Chicago, Friday evenings throughout Lent. For a complete schedule of the Prayer around the Cross services, please follow this link. In addition to these opportunities to see a Taizé style prayer, the Brothers are also hosting Evening Prayer services at 9:30 p.m., Tuesdays at DePaul University and Wednesdays at Loyola University.

Attendance Last Sunday 

8:30 - 15; 10:30 - 139

Financial Update through February 19, 2012

Save the Date: Film and Spirituality

Join us for the next installment of the Film and Spirituality Series on Saturday, March 24 at 5:00 p.m.. We will be watching the film Doubt staring Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman. In a Bronx Catholic school in 1964, a popular priest's ambiguous relationship with a troubled 12 year old black student is questioned by the school's principal. The film provokes wonderful conversation! A light main course will be provided; you are welcome to bring snacks or side dishes to share.  

Spring 2012 Dinner Groups

One of Holy Trinity's most popular offerings, these groups meet in a home for dinner in which the host provides the main course and others provide the side dishes. Sign-up as a couple, with a friend, or by yourself by filling out a form at the back of the church or by emailing the office and letting us know which dates you are available, if you are willing to host 8 - 10 people, if you are vegetarian, and if you request a location near an el stop. Over 50 people participate in dinner groups at Holy Trinity; it's a great way to meet new folks in our community! Sign-up by March 21; groups will meet April 15, 21, 22, 28, 29.

ELCA Disaster Response: U.S. Sever Spring Storms

Between February 22 and March 3, 2012, a deadly series of storms raced across the Midwest and the South, spawning at least 64 violent tornadoes that killed more than 50 people and injured many more in 14 states from Nebraska to North Carolina, Alabama and Georgia. Hundreds of homes, farms and businesses were damaged or destroyed during the outbreak.

ELCA Response: Currently, the ELCA is monitoring the situation and gathering information. No ELCA congregations have reported severe damage. Discussions and evaluations have been made around the ability to respond, shortfalls of resources and emerging needs that are present. We will continue to be in discussion and assess the situation in the days and weeks ahead.

How Can You Help? Gifts to ELCA Disaster Response, designated to U.S. Severe Spring Storms will be used entirely - 100 percent - to help provide immediate and effective support to communities in need. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

It's Circus Time

Join us for a fun afternoon of circus fun with the Triton Troopers. Watch in amazement as Linda Johnson swings from a trapeze, be amused by young Austin and Jake (only 3 and 6) as they clown around with their dad in the big ring, and hold your breath as Randy Johnson juggles all kinds of amazing objects.

There are 4 different performances to choose from, but a group from HTLC will be meeting at Triton College on March 31st for the 1:00 p.m. show. Come early to the pancake breakfast and help us save seats for the show. It's a blast! Tickets are only $6 each and it is a delightful and fun group activity. Children of all ages will enjoy this animal free circus. Questions, please contact Pastor Sevig or Linda Johnson. More information about the circus here. 

The Chicago Bach Ensemble at Holy Trinity

On Saturday, March 31 at 8:00 p.m., Holy Trinity will host this new ensemble for a concert of Bach cantatas.

The Chicago Bach Ensemble is a newly formed ensemble specializing in Baroque Music. True to its name, it will start its first concert cycle with four Bach Cantatas. Each musical part in the score will be represented by only one instrumentalist or vocalist. The chamber musical endeavor is guided under the baton of James Setapen and supported by the baroque expertise of concertmaster Martin Davids. The Chicago Bach Ensemble intends to become an anchor group within the Chicago area by performing four different programs each year in different churches.

For information about the program and other concert dates, please visit this site.
Admission is: Adults, $15; Students, $10; Children, free.

"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 Lakeview Pantry

Holy Trinity members help hand out food at the Lakeview Pantry on the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. For more information or with questions, contact James Perez.

--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.

--PAWS Chicago

Spend an evening socializing shelter dogs and cats! Attend periodic adult volunteer nights where you can spend time acclimating dogs and cats to a life with a family by playing with them, brushing them, petting them, showing them how to play with toys, or just letting them curl up on your lap. You are welcome to pick dogs or cats - or both! THERE IS NO NEED TO ATTEND ORIENTATION. For socializing, you will be shown what to do at the Center. If you would like to do more advanced things, like walk dogs, feed the dogs and cats, etc., contact Beth Morris to talk about scheduling a more advanced orientation. .

Next Baptism Dates: April 22. More info.

Next New Member Orientation Date: 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. 

Third Sunday in Lent
March 11, 2012
John 2:13-22; I Corinthians 1:18-25; Exodus 20:1-17
Pr. Craig M. Mueller

Usually Jesus is our model. The one we imitate. The one who exudes compassion and self-control.

So what are we to do with the scene he makes in today's gospel? You wonder if he missed his meditation period earlier that morning. Or if something else had set him off. He lets loose his anger. He turns over tables in the temple. He drives out the animals. With that kind of energy, you can almost imagine him yelling: Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!

Continue reading this sermon here 

Listen to past sermons here
Listen to entire services here 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14

    6:00 p.m.  Contemplative Eucharist

    7:30 p.m.  12-Step Groups (St. Mark's Room & Passavant Hall) 

THURSDAY, MARCH 15

    10:00 a.m.  Weekly Bible Study 

    6:00 p.m.  HTLC at Lakeview Pantry      

    6:30 p.m.  Worship Pilgrimage Group Dinner
SATURDAY, MARCH 17
    7:00 p.m.  HTLC at The Crib Shelter 

SUNDAY, MARCH 18 

    8:30 a.m.  Eucharist

    NO CHOIR
    9:45 a.m.  Parent's Meeting (St. Mark's Room)
    9:30 a.m.  Sunday Forum (Passavant Hall) and Sunday School

    10:30 a.m.  Sung Eucharist

    11:40 a.m.  Committal Ritual for Claire Evans
    11:45 a.m.  New(er) Member Brunch
MONDAY, MARCH 19

    7:00 p.m.  Meditation Group  

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21

    6:00 p.m.  Contemplative Eucharist
    7:00 p.m.  Choir Rehearsal (Nave) 

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

Full Calendar of Events  

 

COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK
Saturday, March 17 - Patrick, bishop, missionary to Ireland, died 461
A native of Britain, Patrick was kidnapped by pirates at age sixteen and sold into slavery in Ireland. After a few years, he escaped, returned home, and entered the ministry. Returning to Ireland, he successfully served as a bishop and missionary there.

Monday, March 19 - Joseph, Guardian of Jesus
Though the Bible tells us little about the husband of Jesus' mother Mary, we know that he was a carpenter or builder by trade. He is also shown as being devoted both to God and to Mary and Jesus. It is assumed that he died before Jesus became an adult.     

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

Following a brief hospital stay, Elvina Moen's new address is:
Astoria Place
6300 N. California
Chicago, IL 60659 

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

Recommended Book from Sunday's Sermon

The data is clear: religious affiliation is plummeting across the breadth of Christian denominations. And yet interest in "spirituality" is on the rise. So what is behind the sea change in American religion? With the same comprehensive research and insider reporting that made Christianity for the Rest of Us an indispensable guide to cultivating thriving churches, Diana Butler Bass offers a fresh interpretation of the "spiritual but not religious" trend.

Bass--who has spent her career teaching the history, culture, and politics of religion, and engaging church communities across the nation--brings forth her deep knowledge of the latest national studies and polls, along with her own groundbreaking analysis, as she seeks to fully comprehend the decline in Christian attendance and affiliation that started decades ago--and has increased exponentially in recent years.

Some contend that we're undergoing yet another evangelical revival; others suggest that Christian belief and practice is eroding entirely as traditional forms of faith are replaced by new ethical, and areligious, choices. But Bass argues compellingly that we are, instead, at a critical stage in a completely new spiritual awakening, a vast interreligious progression toward individual and cultural transformation, and a wholly new kind of postreligious faith.

Offering direction and hope to individuals and churches, Christianity After Religion is Bass's call to approach faith with a newfound freedom that is both life-giving and service driven. And it is a hope-filled plea to see and participate in creating a fresh, vital, contemporary way of faith that stays true to the real message of Jesus.

Online Lenten Devotionals 

At this link, scroll down to find a variety of online Lenten devotionals to check out!

Huffington Post features poems, prayers and reflections for Lent 2012. 

• Living Lutheran: A Daily Blend of Stories, Culture and Community - <link>
• Spirituality and Practice: Resources for Spiritual Journeys - <link>
• Big Questions Online - <link>
• Religion dispatches - <link>
• Sightings (The Martin Marty Center) - <link>