Weekly News
April 17, 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
April 12, 2015

7:45am  H. Eucharist, Rite 1
9:00am H. Eucharist, Rite 2
11:00am Morning Prayer, Rite 1
2:00pm Chapel on the Green

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Practical Dimensions of the Resurrection

 

The Rev. Dr. Luk De VolderTalk about Christ's resurrection tends to focus on the afterlife dimension, the presence of the living Lord, or the peace that God seeks to insert in our days. But there are also very practical dimensions related to the resurrection. As a victim of religious violence Jesus did address for example the issue of religious violence in his "post-mortem" conversations with his disciples. And this issue is obviously still pertinent today. 

A 2015 Pew report shows how in 27% of 198 countries social hostilities involving religion occurs, with attacks on minority faiths or pressure to conform to certain norms. Of course, these days Boko Haram. Al-Qaedy or ISIS keep these percentages rising, with violent practices never seen in history, exceeding crusaders' "temper tantrums". Jessica Stern, who recently coauthored the book "Isis, The State of Terror", calls the ISIS caliphate army "the crystal meth of religious violence". Many people ask what can there be done to this escalating trend of religious violence?

 

The "two cents" from the Gospel are on topic: given the religious framework of Jesus' death sentence, Jesus did address these violent roots of religion. His approach is twofold: his guidance calls to block attempts to capsulate God that all to easily lead to violence. Next, the healthier alternative is to enter into fellowship, to prioritize the relational dimension of life with God and each other. 

1) Jesus blocks attempts to capsulate God. With his call to leave Jerusalem and go into the world, Jesus makes the case that restoring the kingdom is not about a territorial fight. No caliphate, holy mount, or sacred tomb will be able to secure the presence of God. In other resurrection accounts Jesus boldly states: "Don't hold on to me." The point is that our desire to have tangible certainty regarding the divine, through 'direct' presence, through lists of laws, through literal Bible readings, through a specific holy site or territory, will fail and will often generate violence. Territorial claims lead to territorial fights, moralism leads to puritan incidents, or literal reading leads to oppression, idealization of certain social contexts. Most of these claims eventually generate a proprietary defense mode that easily tilts towards violence. The cross being the prominent case in point.

2) After the resurrection Jesus explicitly calls to go beyond these tangible realities that people tend to identify with the divine. And He pushes his disciples to let go of these claims, to enter into a different realm, the realm of fellowship, the fellowship of the risen Jesus. The first Letter of John highlights the dimension of fellowship (1John1). Meaning: the relational dimension of life is so far more important than any territorial or moralistic claim. Prioritizing the relational dimension is exactly the realm of the divine. This is why in the Gospel of John Jesus comes to one commandment: Love one Another. The focus on fellowship with God and each other, relational living, is the prominent guide and antidote against religious violence. 

Will Jesus call automatically bring a solution for today? 2000 years of history illustrate there is no easy path, because every human has proprietary claims that easily inflate, also on the level of religion (my parish versus your parish). But a growing awareness of the value of the Gospel's focus on fellowship does encourage us to become more explicit advocates of criteria of religion that should more permanently plead against unacceptable religious claims. Simultaneously we should call more boldly to the alternative of deepening fellowship with God and each other. While we don't have an instant solution, we do have a strong message that need more bold assertion. May we all enter more deeply into this fellowship dimension of life with God and each other.

Luk  

Friends of the Green Saturday April 18, 10 am


New Haven Green

It's Our Green!  Let's Take Care of It!

The New Haven Green, a historic and central gathering place for people from New Haven, the United States, and around the world, is also home to our Church.  Friends of the Green, based at Trinity, organizes five Clean the Green Days each year, beginning with Trinity's Clean the Green day on SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 10:00 am to 11:30 am.  Wearing gloves and sturdy shoes, we gather to pick up the small trash items that disfigure this handsome space in the Upper Green. 

 

Please join us for a worthy, enjoyable time of light work and meeting others.  Gloves and trash bags provided; please wear sturdy shoes, no open toes.  If you have a rake, please feel free to bring it.  Questions:  Please write to Charlotte Rea, [email protected].

 

Trinity Coffee House Saturday April 18, 7 pm


Trinity Coffee House - Saturday, April 18, 2015 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall (Undercroft)

 

Join us for a relaxed evening of fellowship, refreshments and music.  Doofus is a lively, old time band.  They sing and play guitar, autoharp, mountain and hammered dulcimer, fiddle, banjo, mandolin and acoustic bass.

 

Tickets: $15                  Register Here!

 

Movie: "Son of God" April 18, 1-4 pm


 

In our church's parish hall (undercroft).
A Trinity ECW Event to which all are invited. Come, enjoy, be spiritually uplifted.


 

 

Budget and Program Vision Update

During
the Sunday Forums of Sunday April 19 and Sunday May 17, 10AM in our church'sundercroft. The Rector, the Wardens, and the Treasurer will give more updated information regarding our Budget Planning and the Program Vision for our church in the upcoming months.
Confirmation Class - Rediscover Jesus
    

Classes will take place at Trinity, in the Upper Room, Sunday at 12:30pm-1:30pm: Sunday April 19: 12:30-3pm (extended meeting)
Confirmation will be on Saturday May 2: Confirmation, 10AM Trinity Branford, Regional Confirmation Celebration.

Put Your Money Where Your Music Is
Boys Choir Oct./2011

Easter was a stunning example of how much music inspires and enhances our worship. Trinity's long term financial stability urgently requires that the parish find new ways to raise money and control costs - without raising new funding the Music program will face budget cuts to reduce its cost. Our goal is to raise at least $50,000 each year for the next three years. Many pledges and donations have come in but we still need your help!  

We have received over $16,000 in pledges and gifts toward our goal of $50,000. It's important that to communicate things are already happening but we still need your support.  

The money raised will support the music portion of our budget and create an endowment that will ensure the continuation of our music program for many years to come. The first phase of this effort is an appeal to parishioners to give one-time gifts, or pledges to be paid throughout 2015, dedicated to music. In the very near future, the music committee will be sponsoring fundraising events, such as concerts, and launching an appeal to alumni, former choir families and others in the greater New Haven area who love Trinity's music. While the challenges we face may be difficult, they are not insurmountable. Together we can work to ensure a bright future for Trinity's music program.

Trinity Annual Mother's Day Plant Sale

  

We are now accepting orders for Trinity's annual plant sale for arrival on Mother's Day weekend. This year there are some new pre-order plant options available, including a few herbs for your garden. As always delicious baked goods and small gift items will be available for sale on Mother's Day weekend when plants are picked up. Plant orders must be received by April 22. Please see the flyer in the Sunday Bulletin or view a PDF . All proceeds go to support Trinity's general fund.  

 

 

Livingston Taylor at Trinity May 29, 7p.m.

Tickets available soon.

Trinity Players: April 26

 

Performing on Sunday April 26The Babel Trilogy: Three Comic Three Minutes Plays , by Neil C. Olsen, at all Sunday morning services. The three plays are all based on the legend of the Fall of the Tower of Babel. Contact director&author Neil Olsen: 203-874-4005.

ECW Annual Meeting


 

134th Annual Meeting
Episcopal Church Women
Diocese of Connecticut
Thursday, May 7, 2015
The Aqua Turf (Southington)
Reserved Seating Only: $20 per person
Deadline: Wednesday April 15, 2015
Contact: Eleanor Q. Tignor
See poster for details

 

Volunteers Needed At DESK and Columbus House
 

Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK): Next Trinity date: April 21, 2015 (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 pm each month. Please contact Warner Marshall ([email protected]) or George Gillin ([email protected]) if you are available to help or for more information.

Columbus House: Next Trinity date: April 14, 2015 (and the second Tuesday of every month) volunteers are needed from 5:00 - 7:00 pm to serve the meal and help with clean-up. DESK serves from the Center Church Parish House, 311 Temple St., New Haven. Please contact Chuck Kaywood at [email protected] to let him know if you are available to help.


 

Support Loaves & Fishes

"REACHING OUT TO HELP OUR BROTHERS & SISTERS"

SUPPORT LOAVES AND FISHES At St. Paul & St. James


 

April is Peanut Butter and Jelly Month. Remember to add it to your grocery list. 


 

Bring 1) non-perishable food each week to church- just add it to your weekly grocery list- Peanut Butter, Jelly, Pasta, Tuna, etc.; 2) clothing, especially for men.

Volunteer on Saturdays from 8:00 to 11:00 am at St. PJ's on corner of Olive and Chapel St

Trinity Contact: David Rivera, [email protected]
 

Perichoresis Monday April 20


The next Perichoresis service with dinner and Eucharist around the table will be this Monday night at 6:11 PM, centered around Thomas the doubting disciple.  Come at 5:40 if you'd like to help with meal preparations.  All are welcome!  www.perichor.org


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].


200th Anniversary Celebration Committee

 

In 2016 Trinity Church will celebrate the anniversary our our present building's consecration on the NH Green.  A group has been formed to identify & produce a series of community events & activities honoring this important occasion but more people are needed to help!  We particularly need 1) newcomers who want to get involved & meet new people, 2) those who love Trinity Church & the NH Green, 3) people with lots of energy & ideas, 4) those who want to be part of a fun-loving group!  If this sounds like you, please contact Barbara Lamb at 203-931-9090 or [email protected] 


 

Church Event Calendar: Contact Sam Sigg

 

Sam Sigg, our amazing head sexton, is now managing our church event calendar. From now on, to schedule meetings or events, please contact Sam at [email protected]. Before announcing your meeting or event to the community, make sure your date and venue are confirmed by Sam, given our limited space for meetings.


 

 Wednesday Club


 

The Wednesday Club We are pleased to announce that the group which has been meeting on Wednesday mornings in Trinity's undercroft from 9:15 until noon is now called 'The Wednesday Club'. Please come, and invite your friends to join this informal group of people who meet to have coffee and fellowship while sewing, knitting, wrapping, sorting, pricing ... This group is not just targeted towards the holiday bazaar but for other projects including Days for Girls. Afterwards many of us attend the Wednesday, Eucharist and Healing service at 12:10. Contact: [email protected]

 

April is Jewelry Month

Clean out your jewelry box and bring your donation to Trinity.

Put it in the pink box in the Sexton's Office.

Help us get a jump start on the Holiday Bazaar Tag Sale!


Jewelry Box
  

 

 Holiday Bazaar Sew a thon and Knitting


 

bazaar

Join us for an evening of making and preparing items for the Holiday Bazaar on Tuesday, April 28 from 6pm until 8:30 in the Undercroft. Come and help, bring your sewing machines, extension cords and sewing tools. We also welcome folks who are not sewers to assist our sewers to hand stitch, iron and assemble. Come learn and help create simple knitted items for the bazaar. Kits are available Friends are invited. Contact Catherine Williams
[email protected] or Mary Ann [email protected]

 

 

 

Holiday Bazaar needs, folks who machine or hand sew, are crafty, knit, crochet or have a particular hobby craft they can contribute to the bazaar.  Projects are available or join the Wednesday club or join us in a home group.  It is time to bring in your costume jewelry and surprise gift offerings.  Contact Mary Ann Stroup [email protected] or Catherine Williams or Leigh Cromey.

 

 Days for Girls Collaboration with Trinity


 

 Days for Girls collaboration with Trinity and Kenyan Health Care Initiatives helps to keep girls in school by providing sustainable Feminine Hygiene Kits and health educational programs.  Donations of quilting fabric, flannel, Girls panties size 10-16, brightly colored washcloths and freezer quality gallon size bags are needed. Always needed are sewers, sergers, folks to wash and iron fabric. Contact Mary Ann Stroup at [email protected]

 

 

 Moving Forward from the Historic Stenciling Project

 

What surprises did the late 19thc stencil uncovered by the Stenciling Project bring us at Trinity, and, as a result, where might we go from here?  Parishioner Peg Chambers, AIA, our Consultant on this dual grant-supported project, will present a summary PowerPoint presentation meant to bring about some initial discussion as to how we might go forward.  She will be joined by Trinity History Ministry Historian, Chris Janis, whose understanding of the theological milieu which motivated our late 19thc rector, the Rev. Dr. Edwin Harwood, will no doubt enliven our discussion!

 

 

 

NOTICE:  Seminarian Zack Nyein is taking a class at Yale on "Ethnography as Pastoral Leadership."  As part of the class he has been making observations about the congregation during Sunday services in the months of March and April that he will use to write his final report.  Please don't hesitate to contact him should you have any questions regarding the project.  [email protected]


 


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.

Save the Date: Parish Retreat on Saturday September 19

 

POPParish Retreat has been postponed to September 19, 2015: Save the date! In a time of discernment and decision making we need to balance our action with prayer. Please join us for a guided retreat on Saturday Sept. 19.  

On Saturday September 19, 9:30am-2pm, we will gather in prayer, guided by our spirituality team to strengthen our hearts and deepen our hearts, community life, service in the Holy Spirit!
 

Parish Retreat Program

9:30am Opening Prayer, Church Nave

10:00am Introduction to the Parish retreat, Parish Hall (Undercroft)

10:30am Prayer Options for the morning:

  • Centering Prayer
  • Mindfulness Experience
  • Ubuntu Bible Meditation
  • Walking Meditation

12:00pm: Meal Eucharist, Parish Hall (Undercroft), with brown bag lunch or simpel meal options to share. Drinks are provided

1:30pm: Closing Prayer, Church Nave

 


We pray for... 

 

Those who are on our parish prayer list...


Paula
Bob
Bill
Jackie
Dean
Kitty
Dothia
 
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]