Weekly News
December 12, 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
December 13, 2015
Advent 3

7:45am H. Eucharist, Rite 1
10:00am Morning Prayer, Rite 1
                 Christmas Pageant
2:00pm Chapel on the Green

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This Sunday: Combined 10AM
Service Christmas Pageant

Rejoice

Some days start with a stream of dread. Christmas presents for the family are late, the costumes for the school pageant are not ready. We missed the sale Target was having. The car needed to go the shop already a month ago. Apart from those simple things there are also our frustrations, bad feelings, times we clearly dropped the ball, ...

If, in addition to all this, we allow ourselves to be exposed to the daily news blasting and breaking dreadful events, then it becomes harder to remain hopeful and find joy. Especially if we don't have anything ready to oppose this stream of worry our minds slide toward pessimism, more stress, a state of energy drain.
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice", is Biblical advice, almost listed as precept, that was never situated in a context of a medicated high or worry-free wealth. This call to rejoice is about mental hygiene, the health of our interior state. It is a proactive stance of our soul to counter the negativity flux with the reality of blessings, privileges, positives that do come our way. By guarding the influence of gloom we strengthen our capacity of hope. Or with the lens of faith: by remembering the blessings from our God, we open ourselves to the hope God is seeking to infuse in our lives. With some similarity to the Buddha smile, we embrace the joy that come from living connected with the Giver of Life. This is how we at times can achieve to be unapologetically joyful, even in moments of dread. 
So let us rejoice, in the Lord, again.
Luk
A Child's Christmas in Wales: December 12
"Trinity Players will present this short work "Concert Style" in the Undercroft, as our contribution to the Holiday Spirit in New Haven, one cold Atlantic coastal port reaching across a half a century and a wide ocean.
Register on line at www.trinitynewhaven.org/wales, call or email the Parish Office for reservations so we know how many to expect (203) 624-3101 or [email protected]. There will be a Freewill Offering (suggested donation is $15 to cover food and beverage costs but all are welcome)"
Christmas Pageant Sunday
December 13 10AM Combined Service

Christmas Pageant: On Sunday, December 13 at 10:00 a.m. Trinity's youngest members will present the annual Christmas Pageant. We will have live animals! Be sure to attend this very special Christmas program. 

And if able, please bring a plate of treats (finger sandwiches, cookies, fruit, bagels, cheese and crackers, etc.) to share at the reception after the pageant. 

Christmas Pageant Rehearsal: The date for the rehearsal is Saturday, December 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided. 

If you are interested in volunteering with costumes, snacks, or supervision, please add your name to the google doc HERE. This will ensure we have enough volunteers for December 12th and the 13th. If there are any questions please contact Julia Johnson. Thank you!
Christmas Pageant Coffee Hour
Right after the Pageant 
December 13 10AM Combined Service

The coffee hour after the Christmas pageant is traditionally a family celebration.
If able, please bring a plate of treats (finger sandwiches, cookies, fruit, bagels, cheese and crackers, etc.) to share at the reception after the pageant. 

Advent by Candlelight:  December 15:
Registration still open!
For the Women of Trinity

This year we are inviting all of the women of Trinity Church to a sacred candlelit dinner, on Tuesday December 15, 6:30-9pm, to honor all of the long hours and effort put forth by the women of Trinity Church. Dinner will be served in the undercroft, followed by a sacred prayer service. You may register online here ( this link can also be found on Trinity's website).
Christmas Concert: December 18

 
CHRISTMAS GIVING

Christmas Offering & Memorial Envelopes
This year, our traditional Christmas Offering and Memorial envelopes have been included in the new Christmas Flyer just recently mailed out.  Please return any Memorials to the office by Wednesday, December 16th to ensure time for names to be included in the Christmas Bulletins.   If for some reason you did not receive the mailing this week, envelopes will also be available in the entrance of the church, or contact Sherrill at [email protected] or (203)776-2606.  

Giving Tree
Trinity's Giving Tree is starting again starting this week- take an ornament from the tree which will detail the gender and age of the gift- and return to the church with the age appropriate gift! The Giving Tree will be used until December 20th and any questions may be directed to Debby Kraemer (203) 915-3702.

Christmas Toy Drive
Please bring extra toys to donate to the children at Cornell Scott Hill Health Center, here in New Haven. Dr. Bob Windom will bring them to the children. Thank you very much.

Chapel on the Green Christmas Gifts
As many years before we prepare Christmas care gifts of packages wrapped as Christmas gifts that include gloves, hats, socks, candy, toiletries, hand warmers, chocolates, $5 gift cards that enable the recipient to sit in a coffee or sandwich shop when especially cold, LED pocket flashlights for comfort and safety in the dark of night, bandaids & first aid kits, nail clippers & files. No mouthwash (someone has to check the toiletries) because it contains alcohol. Preferably no nuts in the candy because of the dental problems of a large number of the recipients (The same reason we don't distribute apples).
These presents can be given upwrapped or can be assembled into gift bags. About 5 presents per bag not including Christmas candy is optimal. 



Simply bring your gifts to the church. 
 Thank you for your warmth and giving spirit in the Christmas season.
 
Kyle's Special Birthday
chapel on the green kyle pederson

The Rev. Kyle Pedersen is very active at Trinity as deacon for urban ministry. Next week (12/19) he will be celebrating a special birthday, one with a number 5 up front :)
To join this celebration, we are organizing a purse and welcome your donation in support of a ministry of Kyle's choice.
Simply send your contribution to our parish office with the note Kyle's Ministry.

Happy Birthday Kyle!
Youth Group - next event

Kids in grades 6-12 are encouraged to join Trinity's youth group, with their second outing this Sunday afternoon! Trinity member and longtime recreation professional Pat Rossiter will lead, along with Julia Johnson and other adult chaperones, outings throughout the year. Trinity youth and friends are invited and encouraged to attend: 
  • What we have planned so far...
    • Sunday, Dec 27,1:00-3:30, Chapel on the Green-Truly celebrate Christmas by helping make and serve lunch and participate in Eucharist with this awesome outreach program. 
More information and specifics will be made available closer to each trip. Watch for announcements. Also, we are looking for adult volunteers willing to give some time and talent to this new youth initiative. Want to work directly with youth? Willing to drive? Willing to bake? Have something else to offer? We want to hear from you! For more information about trips or to volunteer your time, please get in touch with Pat Rossiter by email or phone: (860) 304-9198
 
Upcoming Baptism Sunday
On January 10th at our 11am service we will be having another baptism Sunday at Trinity. People who wish to submit their candidates for baptism must contact the parish office or Luk de Volder.
Winter on the Green
Thanks to those who were able to care for the winter needs of our unhoused neighbors on the Green. Those who received blankets were absolutely thrilled and very grateful. Last Sunday there were just shy of 200 people at Trinity's worship and meal service at 2 pm. Many are still in need as the weather grows colder. Please, if you have unused blankets, sleeping bags, and warm clothing (including coats and sweaters, gloves, even thick winter trousers) consider bringing them to Church on Sunday. You may give them to James Earl Thomas who is always in the parking lot, Marge Eichler, Charles Lemert, or simply leave them in the Sexton's Offices. They will be collected, stored, and distributed on Sunday afternoon. The need is great. If you have concerns or questions contact Charles Lemert at [email protected] .
Ordination of Tuesday Rupp at Trinity

Ordination of Tuesday Jane Rupp to the transitional Diaconate: January 9, 2016 2pm at Trinity. Join our community for this exceptional celebration of God's calling and ministry engagement in the church. Please hold Tuesday in your prayers as she prepares herself for this important step in her life's journey

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Trinity Book Corner

The Trinity Book Corner is now ready and waiting for your enjoyment.  The collection to date numbers over one hundred books selected by members of the Spirituality Committee, the Rector and others. The topics covered are Spirituality, Mindfulness, Faith, the Church, Christianity, Death and Dying and Prayer. The book collection is available for browsing and contemplation. As more books are added attention will be paid to expanding the resources available for spiritual growth and spiritual living.
This is not a lending library. If you find a book that you would like to own, check with Amazon.com.  Most of the books are available through their service and often sold at a price much lower, especially if it has been used.
For more information about our books and resources, please contact Carol Davidson at [email protected]

Wednesday Club Resumes
Wednesday Club resumes Wed January 6, from 9 until noon in the undercroft. We are excited and ready to begin preparations for Holiday Bazaar 2016 and prepare for the Days for Girls sew-a-thon on Jan 16. This is a dynamic group working together, enjoying fellowship and coffee each week and we invite you to join us.
In case of snow we follow the Hamden public school policy. If Hamden is closed so are we. If Hamden is postponed we will start at 9am. Always consider your own safety. 
Days for Girls Sew-a-Thon: Jan 16
January 16 from 9 until 1pm in the Undercroft.  Help assemble reusable menstrual kits, learn how to make kit components. Bring sewing machines, Sergers, sewing tools, scissors, irons and ironing boards. Sewers and non-sewers are needed. Electricity is coming to Chumvi. With a small donation you can help the DFG Ct Chapter and KHCI purchase electric sewing machines for our sister Chumvi DFG Sewing Center. We are looking for groups that might like to support this effort. Contact: Mary Ann or Ralph Stroup at [email protected]
Fourth Tuesday
Join us for an evening of making and preparing items for the Holiday Bazaar each 4th Tuesday of t he month from 5:30 until 8 in the undercroft. Come and bring your sewing machines and tools, extension cords, and ideas. We very much need folks to iron, stitch, and assemble and to support our machine sewist. Come and learn how to knit and help create simple knitted items for the bazaar.  This is a great way to introduce your friends to Trinity. Dates: January 26, February 23, March 22, April 26 & May 24. Join us!  
Volunteers Needed At DESK and Columbus House
Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK): Next trinity date: January 12th (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 to let him know if you are available to help.

Columbus House:
Next Trinity date: December 22 (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  or George Gillin if you are available to help or for more information.

We pray for... 

 

Those who are on our parish prayer list...

Rich Miller, Marge Eichler, Kate, Ben, Nancy, and Michael, Judy, Jack, Kathe. 



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? Let us know about an anniversary or special occasion? Via email or telephone, contact the parish administrative assistant. 

 

Memorial flowers are also available to honor the departed.

 

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. 

Commemorative Flowers
It has been a long tradition at Trinity for individuals or groups to request flowers on the altars that commemorate, honor, or celebrate a special person or event. And our Trinity Altar Guild orders, arranges, and coordinates flowers for all altars. The contribution for commemorative flowers is $35. Color preference will be honored if available through our vendor. There may be more than one request on a Sunday. When this occurs, the first person scheduled, is the one whose choice is followed. For requests and payments please email Erika Lindgren at our parish office or call her at 203 624-3101.
Small Change to Office Schedule
Until further notice, the office will be open from 9:30-5:30, instead of from 9-5; 
We apologize for any inconvenience due to this small change.
 
Church Event Calendar: Contact Sam Sigg

 

Sam Sigg, our head sexton, is now managing our church event calendar. From now on, to schedule meetings or events, via email please contact Sam Sigg. 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.

 

Conference Call   

phone
The 10am service is 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!
Office Information
 
To contact our administrative assistant, please use this email address:
Telephone: 203 624 3101
 
Our current Office Hours are the following: 
Monday - Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
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. - 5:30 p.m.; Monday -Friday

Phone: (203) 624-3101

Fax: (203) 624-2412

E-mail: [email protected]