Weekly eNews
January 23, 2015

 

"God's love calls us to proclaim with joy the Good News of Jesus Christ,
to welcome all people into the community of faith, and to serve Christ through serving others."

 

 

This Sunday's Services
January 25, 2015

7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite 1
10:00 a.m. Combine Service
Annual General Meeting
2:00 p.m. Chapel on the Green

Links


Trinity's Calendar 

 

The Still Small Voice - Trinity Outreach   

 

The Daily Office 

  

Trinity Church on the Green   

 

Diocese of Connecticut 

 

News about the Episcopal Church  

 

 

 

 
Like us on Facebook


Follow us on Twitter 

 you tube

CotG Button
  
   

Join Our Mailing List

 

 A Call for Unity and Action

 

The Music Committee, the Wardens, the Music Staff, and the Rector are calling our parish to action in support of our beloved music program. Trinity's music program is among the best in the country, brings many people into our community, and its importance for our parish life cannot be overstated. Exactly the love and care for Trinity and the future of its music program requires us to follow a double-pronged approach to sustain its excellence and its future.   

 

On the one hand, based on a significant budget deficit and available funding, it is the responsible decision to take action on the music budget and reduce other costs at Trinity in 2015.

 

On the other hand, out of joy and enthusiasm for our music program and the urgency to secure its future, over the next few weeks, we will announce a fundraising campaign for the music program, "Put Your Money Where Your Music Is!".  The Music Committee has set a $50,000 fundraising goal for each of the next three years for this campaign so as to minimize the consequences of this budgetary action.  We will provide more details about how you can contribute to this effort in the coming weeks.  It is our hope that this campaign will lead to the establishment of a Trinity Music Endowment that will sustain our music program well into the future.   

 

These efforts in support of our music program build on several recent funding initiatives to support the music program that include: establishment of the Moore Fund as a Music Director Discretionary Fund, the Soell Fund to support  the funding of instrumentalists, and a new $25,000 anonymous donation to support choir recruitment. Additionally, in 2015 the Music Committee will sponsor two fund raising concerts  and the Madison Premier of the movie "Boys Choir" to support the music program. 

 

Despite the challenges we now face, it is our hope and prayer, that we can work together to ensure a bright future for the Trinity choirs and music program.  We ask you to join us as our community works together to honor and strengthen Trinity's extraordinary music program.

 

Signed,

 

 

The Rev. Luk De Volder (Rector)

Walden Moore (Director of Music) 

Jack Tebes (Senior Warden)

Lisa Omark (Junior Warden)

David Soper (Incoming Treasurer)

The Rev. Rowena Kemp (Assistant Rector)

Andy Kotylo (Associate Director of Music)

 

Members of the Music Committee:

Duo and Liz Dickinson

Joe Dzeda

Barbara Hedberg (Chair)

Gloria Hoda

Veronica Soell

Sarah Woodford 

Erin Gustafson

 

 

 

Trinity's Annual Parish Meeting - Sunday, January 25, 2015, 10AM

 

Join us for our important annual meeting following an 10:00 a.m. combined service. Parishioners are invited to elect vestry members and hear other important information about the life of Trinity. Please help out with the potluck. If your last name begins with: A-K bring a side dish or a salad; L-Zbring a main dish. All dishes should feed at least 8 people and remember to label your dishes and serving utensils. IMPORTANT: Please bring food ready to serve or requiring a quick reheat as oven space is limited. 

Holiday Bazaar Meeting Jan 24 - Postponed due to Snow
 
The Holiday Bazaar Annual Review Meeting scheduled for tomorrow January 24, 9:30am-12pm in our church's undercroft, needs to be postponed, due to the weather report announcing 6 inches of snow for New Haven tomorrow. The new/alternate date will be announced asap.
SIGN UP NOW!
African American Read-InHelp us celebrate the Twenty-fifth National African American Read-In, Sunday, February 1, 2015, immediately following the 9:00 A.M. service.
  

Here at Trinity, this will be our twelfth year to participate. Choose any short piece of literature or an excerpt from a longer text written by an African American author. Select from any genre that is of interest to you: poetry, fiction (novels, short stories, and other narratives), non-fiction (including speeches, biography, autobiography, history, and others).  Those of you who have read previously, please read again, and this year, why not invite a relative, friend, classmate, colleague, or a member of another church to join you.  The Read-In is open to the community. Anthologies of African American literature will be available in the library in the undercroft, and Linda Sheehan will have a book for children. Also, search online and in your school and town libraries. Individual readings may extend to but not exceed 5 minutes.  Drama and other groups are invited to read for a maximum of 10 minutes.
  
Email any questions and the author and title of your reading(s) to Eleanor Q. Tignor ([email protected]).  Deadline: January 27, 2015.
Trinity Supper Club Returns

 

Supper Club
There are just two ingredients to the Trinity Supper Club: food and fellowship. Six to eight people gather at each other's homes to eat together over the next three to four months. We will put you in a group then your group will decide on where and when to meet.  
 
Please fill out a sign up form (get one from the church vestibule or download it here) to provide us with information to make the groups diverse. Please make sure to return your form to the Parish Office by Monday, January 26Trinity newcomer? This event is the best way to meet new people and become part of the Trinity community.   

 

We will meet on Friday February 6 at 5:00 p.m. in the Undercroft for a kick-off party with refreshments. Meet members of your group and plan your first get together-bring your calendar! For more information contact Leigh Cromey at [email protected].

Get Ready to Support Trinity's Church School

Trinity's Church School will be fund raising with Fun Pasta Fundraising! All proceeds go towards purchase of Godly Play lessons for Church School. Your support is greatly appreciated. Pasta is affordable and selling is fun and simple. And best of all, our group can earn up to 50% profit!
 
What is Fun Pasta? Fun Pasta is pasta shaped like the holidays, sports, collegiate team logos, and more. The colorful brochure features a wide variety of shapes that will appeal to everyone!
 
How can you help? Pasta will be sold in church on Sundays: January 11, 18, and 25. No shipping charges if you order in church! An online sales link is available here.
The next book group meeting is on Monday, 26th
 
The next book group meeting is on Monday, 26th January at 7pm at the home of Polly and Andy Fiddler, 215 Highland Street, New Haven, phone 203-865-1269. Email [email protected]. The book being discussed is The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. There is an interview about the book by Oprah on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C60tTaOWsvg

 Youth Group Meetings Resume
 
 Youth Group will meet at Trinity this Sunday, 2pm, and this for the next few Sundays:
Jan 25, Feb 1, Feb 8. Special Retreat Sunday Feb 15 - Monday Feb 16.
For more information please contact Pat Rossiter: [email protected]

Perichoresis this Monday January 26


We meet every other Monday night at 6:11 p.m. in the undercroft for a "dinner church" gathering, complete with food, communion, music from a wide variety of traditions, and an interactive liturgy of the word. 


For more information visit our website, www.perichor.org, and facebook page, www.facebook.com/perichor; there is a link on the website for anyone who would like to sign up for regular updates. 


There are plenty of ways to be involved! Please contact Seminarian Zack Nyein for more information at [email protected].


 Youth Group Meetings Resume
 
 Youth Group will meet at Trinity this Sunday, 2pm, and this for the next few Sundays:
Jan 25, Feb 1, Feb 8. Special Retreat Sunday Feb 15 - Monday Feb 16.
For more information please contact Pat Rossiter: [email protected]

Confirmation Class - Rediscover Jesus
    
Our annual confirmation class will start in January. All who are ready to rediscover the richness of Jesus' message, feel welcome to join. Ages 12+.
Classes will take place at Trinity, in the Upper Room, Sunday at 12:30pm-1:30pm, on dates listed below.
The confirmation date will be May 2, 2015. Here are the dates of the classes through April.
  • Sunday January 18
  • Sunday February 1
  • Sunday February 8
  • Sunday February 15
  • Sunday February 22
  • Sunday March 1
  • Sunday March 8
  • Sunday March 22
  • Sunday April 19: 12:30-3pm (extended meeting)
  • Saturday May 2: Confirmation
Why Confirmation
Many of us have been baptized as infant or have lost touch with the meaning of our faith over the course of the years. Confirmation is the moment when we confirm ourselves as Christians, reclaim the Christian faith as our own and commit ourselves to the mission of the Christian life. When we celebrate confirmation we specifically ask the Holy Spirit to mark God's seal on us, so that we can live in the spirit and mindset of God's Good News for us.
As baptized persons we will make a mature, more informed, and public affirmation of the promises made at our baptism. After making these affirmations the bishop will lay hands on each candidate, mark them with the ointment of God's Holy Spirit, and pray the prayer of confirmation.
Stewardship Update
trinityThank you to so many parishioners who made an annual pledge or contribution to Trinity during the Stewardship month of October. We have now received a total of 165 pledges and 6 partnerships for a total $410,331. The average annual pledge is currently $2,463, the highest ever for this time in the season. The goal for this year is $435,000, so we still have almost $25,000 to go. If you have not yet renewed your pledge or have never made a financial contribution to Trinity, please consider doing so. You can make an annual pledge or a one-time annual contribution-a partnership-to help support the parish. Now more than ever we need your support so that Trinity can continue to serve Christ by serving others through outreach, worship, music, and so many other ministries. Pledge/Partnership cards are available at the back of the church for you to complete and drop into the collection plate or you can call Sherrill Farkas at the Parish Office at 203-624-3101 who can assist you. Thank you again to all who have given so generously to support Trinity!!
Stewardship 2015
Goal
Received
Surplus/(Deficit)
Pledging/Partnerships
$435,000
$410,331
($25,000)

2015 Offering Envelopes 

2015 Offering Envelopes are now ready for those who have pledged. If you requested envelopes, please save Trinity the cost of postage by picking them up on Sunday in the back of the Church, and in the Sexton's Office at other times. Any boxes not picked up by Sunday, January 25 will be mailed. If you requested envelopes and do not see yours, please contact Sherrill Farkas, Parish Administrator at [email protected] or (203) 776-2606. We thank you for your support!

Carly Lindgren in Boston Marathon - Team Run For Cover and the Melanoma Foundation

My name is Carly Lindgren and I am reaching out to fellow Trinity members for support of my running in the 2015 Boston Marathon. I am both humbled and extremely excited to have received a bid with Team Run For Cover and the Melanoma Foundation of New England.  Their mission of prevention, education, and support is one I am very passionate about, as my father and grandmother both battled melanoma. I have ambitious fundraising goals and I would truly appreciate any support that you would be willing to provide. If you have a chance, please check out my fundraising page and our corporate sponsorship program which is very beneficial to the companies who support the cause. It truly is an amazing organization doing incredible things for the New England area. I figured one of the best places to start to look for support would be where my faith lies, and with those that share it, Trinity Church. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

https://www.crowdrise.com/mfneboston2015/fundraiser/carlylindgren

http://mfne.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Boston-Marathon-Sponsorship-Opportunities.pdf

 

Parish Book Discussion: Becoming Human by Jean Vanier

As a lifelong learning community we are all invited to read a book together. Acclaimed as a man who inspires the world, Jean Vanier has made a difference in the lives of countless people. In this provocative book, Vanier shares his profoundly human vision for creating a common good that radically changes our communities, our relationships, and ourselves. All are invited to join the book discussion meeting on Saturday, February 28, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., in the undercroft.


Abraham's Tent at Trinity


 

Trinity will host 12 homeless men from March 2 - 8, 2015 as part of the Abraham's Tent program. They have been specially selected by Columbus House to participate in this program and will spend the nights in our undercroft during this week. Trinity is one of more than 20 faith-based organizations participating in the AT program this year. It takes many hands to make this week go smoothly so please consider signing-up to:

  • stay overnight - 2 people per night (one must be male)

  • make dinner - 2-4 people to prepare and serve the meal

  • provide breakfast (hot or cold) - can drop off the night before

  • provide bag lunches - can drop off the night before

    I can match you with someone else who also wants to help. Contact [email protected] for more information and details.

 

Linda Sheehan Announcing Retirement
Our beloved Sunday School Director, Linda Sheehan, is announcing her retirement. Now that she has built such strong Godly Play curriculum, unique in the New Haven area, it is very hard to accept her decision. Linda is graciously giving us ample notice to secure a smooth transition, especially to ensure her beautiful legacy of the Godly Play program. Linda's announcement is copied here below.
Linda has served our children's Sunday school for twenty years and touched the life and faith of so many children in our community with her gift of teaching and inspiration. It is only fitting that we will honor her for such dedication later this year. Linda: we are infinitely grateful for all you have and will do! - Luk

January 6 ,2015

Dear Trinity Family,

It has been my privilege to be involved with the children's program at Trinity since 1995, first as a teacher and for the past eight years as the director of the church school. After much thought and prayerful consideration I have decided to retire at the end August 2015.

I can't begin to tell what a blessing each and every child has been and what it means to me to have had the opportunity to watch so many grow into fine young adults. Your families have become my extended family. 

Thanks to the dedication and commitment of a fantastic volunteer teaching and support staff, Trinity has a strong Godly Play program that I am confident will continue. 

Thank you all so very much for supporting the children and the growth of their program.

Faithfully yours,

Linda

 

Sunday Forums Coming Up
  
  
campus-studying.jpg
Life Long Learning is part of our Episcopal Church Tradition. Here is an overview of our Sunday Forums (10:10am, parish hall / undercroft) coming up:
  
Sunday January 18: presentation Vestry nominees
Sunday January 25: Annual General Meeting - no forum
Sunday February 1: African- American Read-In
Sunday February 8: Lemert on Niebuhr - part 1
Sunday February 15: Lemert on Niebuhr - part 2
Office Transition

Thank you for your understanding during the transition of our parish secretary. Please check our updated contact information and office hours.

To contact our parish secretary please use this email address:
Telephone remains the same: 203 624 3101

Our current Office Hours are the following: 
Tuesday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Parish Directory Updated

A December 2014 edition of Trinity's parish directory is now available. The directory lists names and contact information for all parishioners, save for those who prefer not to be included in the listing. To obtain an updated copy, send your request via email to: [email protected]. For those who are not email users, you may obtain a printed copy by calling the church office: (203) 624-3101.
Weekly Food Collection, Donations, and Volunteers for Loaves & Fishes

 

Please, don't forget to bring in non-perishable food items for the hungry that live among us. Donations have been declining and the need is still great! The donated food items are delivered to Loaves & Fishes, a ministry of the Episcopal Church of St. Paul and St. James. They also are in need of clothes (especially men's items) to distribute to their guests on a weekly basis. Loaves & Fishes currently serves between 200 and 300 people each week and the need keeps growing. You can drop off donations at Trinity on Sundays or during regular church hours, baskets are located at the rear of the church.

 

Trinity parishioner, David Rivera is collecting donations for Loaves & Fishes, if you would like to donate, please leave it in the tin located on the table in the back of the church.

 

Consider volunteering at Loaves & Fishes, volunteers arrive by 8:00 a.m. at St. PJs kitchen door and are usually done by 11:00 a.m. Parking is available in the lot behind the church or in the Comcast lot just before the church on Chapel Street.

 

If you have any questions please see or contact David Rivera at [email protected] or (203) 540-8161. Thanks for your help in this important ministry.

Volunteers Needed At Columbus House
 
Januar 16 (and the third Tuesday of every month) Trinity cooks and serves the meal at Columbus House. Volunteers are needed from about 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. each month. Please contact Warner Marshall ([email protected]) if you are able to help or for more information.

We pray for... 

 

Those who are on our parish prayer list...


Michael
Dot
Jenn
Anne
Janie
 
Want to add someone to our prayer list? 

 

Would you like to add yourself or a member of your family to the our prayer list? Want to let us know about an anniversary or special occasion? Contact the parish office at [email protected]  

 

NOTE: Prayer requests will remain on the prayer list for TWO weeks, please contact the Parish Office if you wish to add names that have been removed. 

Conference Call   

phone
The 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services are available as a conference call to all of you who are unable to attend church.   
  
To access the conference call, dial 1-877-594-8353 and follow the prompts. When asked the CODE NUMBER type in 58775537 on your phone number pad.   
 
Of course, we especially welcome those of you who are unable to attend church due to medical concerns. However, if you are out of town on vacation you,  too,  can stay in touch with Trinity with the conference call!
Trinity Church on the Green

On the corner of Temple and Chapel Streets

 

Trinity Church Parish Office:

950 Chapel Street, Fl. 2 

New Haven, CT 06510-2515

 

Office Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Phone: (203) 624-3101

Fax: (203) 624-2412

E-mail: [email protected]