Trinity Church in Menlo Park
October 18, 2015 
Trinity Church in Menlo Park Weekly Newsletter
In This Issue
Youth & Children's News
Financial Update
Long Range Planning Process
Donor Sabbath
Scottish Christmas Concert
Nov OWLS Meeting
Rev. Matthew's Classes Begin Soon

October 18, 2015
21st Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday's Scriptures
Isaiah 53:4-12
Psalm 91:9-16
Hebrews 5:1-10
Mark 10:35-45   

        
5:05 Service
John Philip Newell's
Celtic Earth Mass

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Pastoral Care Emergency
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This Week at Trinity
 Sunday, October 18    
8:00 am Holy Eucharist, Chapel

9:00 am Children's Choir & Acolyte Training, Angus Hall

10:00 am Holy Eucharist, Church

11:30 am Youth Commission, Library

5:05 pm Eucharist, Chapel

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Youth Group Movie Night,
Heaton's Home

6:00 pm Church Dinner, Trinity Hall 

Monday, October 19
7:00 pm Living Wisdom Series, The Descent of the Heart, Angus Hall

Tuesday, October 20
5:30 pm - 6:45 pm  
Yoga Class, Chapel

7:00 pm Vestry Meeting, Angus Hall

8:15 pm - 9:15 pm Contemplative Chapel, Chapel

Wednesday, October 21
10:30 pm Living Wisdom Series, The Descent of the Heart, Library   

12:10 pm Healing Eucharist, Chapel  
 
5:15 pm  Centering Prayer, Chapel
 
7:00 pm Al-Anon Meeting, Trinity Hall

 Thursday, October 22 
6:45 pm Bell Choir, Church

7:30 pm Trinity Choir, Music Room
(Angus Hall 2nd Floor)
  
Friday, October 23
NO Morning Prayer, Chapel
(will return next week)

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This week, our gospel reading (Mark 10:35-45) tells us of an argument among the disciples of Jesus about power and privilege, as James and John ask Jesus to give the two of them a special honor.  The other disciples don't react well to that request, and the argument gives Jesus an opportunity to point out that through the lens of the gospel, greatness is not about honor or privilege or power, but serving others.

In addition to our usual services this Sunday, there will be a Church Supper at 6:00 pm in Trinity Hall.  You don't need to bring anything!  Just come and join us for some good food and good fellowship.

Please note that there will be Singing Saints and acolyte rehearsal beginning at 9:00 am, the Godly Play and Explorers meet at 10:00 am.

Next week, October 25, will be our next Faith Full Families beginning at 4:00 pm, and will include the 5:05 Children's Liturgy.  We are also looking forward to Sunday, November 1, which will be our annual celebration of All Saints, featuring special music by the Choir and Bell Choir, as well as a remembrance of our loved ones who have died. 
 
See you in church!

Peace,
MatthewSignatureGenuine

                                              
Youth & Family Ministries Update 
 
Singing Saint and acolyte rehearsal will begin at 9:00 am this Sunday, with Godly Play and Explorers meeting at 10:00 am. 

Youth Group meets this Sunday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Heaton Home for a movie night.

We are looking for people who would be interested in being trained as Godly Play teachers.  This is a great way to participate in the spiritual development of our youngest members -- and to enhance your own spiritual formation, as well!  Trinity covers the cost of the training in return for a minimum teaching commitment.  Contact Rev. Mary for more info!
 
Financial Update
Through August 31, 2015

As we prepare to enter another stewardship season, we wanted to provide you with an update on where Trinity stands financially so far in 2015.   The numbers reflect income and expenses through the end of August.

Pledge Payments Received:  $502,250
Pledge Payments Expected:  $503,886
TOTAL Pledged Income Expected for 2015:  $714,850

TOTAL Income Received: $612,183
TOTAL Income Expected:  $607,183
TOTAL Income Expected for 2015:  $876,794

Total Expenses to Date:  $582,166
Total Budgeted Expenses to Date:  $597,239
TOTAL Expenses Expected for 2015:  $876,794

Income Over Expenses:  $30,017

As you can see, we are in good shape financially through the first 8 months of the year, with pledge payments nearly keeping pace with the budget, with total income running somewhat ahead of budget and total expenses running somewhat behind budget.  Overall income through August exceeded overall expenses by about $30,000.  

Thank you for your financial support of our ministry, and please continue to keep your pledge payments up to date so that we will end the year on a positive financial note.
 
Long Range Planning Process

Most of you will recall that we undertook a significant Assessment Survey of the congregation this past Lent, in order to help us identify those priorities that were on the mind of the congregation, to identify any issues that might need to be addressed, and to provide information that would serve as a basis for development a long range plan.  Those results were shared with the congregation this past Spring, and discussed at a Church Supper in early June. 

Now that the summer is over, the Vestry has returned to this material, and has discussed how best to move forward with this process.  We have decided to convene a summit to solicit input on five areas that emerged as the highest priorities:  grow the congregation, broaden parishioner engagement, strengthen spiritual discovery, deepen family/children/youth formation, and expand outreach/justice ministry.  


More information about this process will be coming soon!  Stay tuned!  If you would like to revisit the results of the Assessment Survey, the material can be found HERE (scroll down to the bottom of the page). 
Donor Sabbath @ Trinity on Nov. 15
Noon to 3 pm in Trinity Hall

The Bay Area association of Kidney Patients, in partnership with Trinity, is presenting the movie Perfect  Strangers on November 15 in Trinity Hall beginning at noon.  The movie tells the story of Ellie, who embarks on an unpredictable journey of twists and turns, determined to donate one of her kidneys.  Meanwhile, there is someone 500 miles away from her who endures daily home dialysis while waiting for that perfect kidney match.  

November 15 is a national Donor Sabbath, a time to remember and thank all those who have donated the precious organs both in life and in death, and also an opportunity to remind people of the possibility of donating badly needed kidneys as living donors.

Reserve your seat for this event (which includes lunch) by clicking HERE.   If you need child care, please LET US KNOW (it's free!).
Scottish Christmas Concert @ Trinity
Saturday, December 12, 5:00 pm

Trinity will host A Scottish Christmas Concert on December 12 at 5:00 pm in the church, presented by Stewart Tartan Pipes & Drums (of which our own Stephen Milburn is a member!), with guest appearances by the Peninsula Scottish Fiddlers and the Piedmont Highlanders Dancing School.  There is no charge, but donations are accepted.
 
November OWLS Meeting
Friday, Nov. 13, 12:00 pm

Everyone is invited to the OWLS luncheon on November 13th at noon, to learn about the dogs and mushers of the Iditarod, the most famous of Alaska's long-distance sled dog races.  Our presenters will be parishioners Margie and Roy Stehle who traveled to Nome last March, to be at the finish line of this great race.  Please let Alecia know if you're planning to attend.
 
Rev. Matthew's Classes Have Begun, Audio is Available

During his sabbatical, Rev. Matthew embarked on a writing project in the hope of synthesizing the insights gained from his study of Richard Rohr, James Alison, and other mystics and theologians with his own experience of God and Christianity.  The result of this project is a manuscript about the spiritual journey from the smaller self to the larger self.  In the course of that journey, we encounter some critical questions about the nature of religion, the Bible, the nature of God, the life and teaching of Jesus, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection, among others.   In this offering, Rev. Matthew will be presenting and teaching from his manuscript about his own experience of struggling with these critical questions and the tentative conclusions he has come to about them.  Participants will have the opportunity to provide feedback, and to engage more deeply their own spiritual journey and the questions that arise as we make that journey. 

Classes are offered on Monday evenings at 7:00 pm with a repeat session on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 am.  Click HERE for more information, and to access audio recordings of the classes.