Thursday Night at the Cathedral

 on March 6

6:00pm - Candlelight Compline

6:15pm - Dinner ($7.00)

7:00pm - Classes 

Classes

(Classes will not meet on March 20 or April 10 so participants can attend Dean Baker's class on Forgiveness in the Assembly Area)

Book Study: Radical Forgiveness: God's Call to Unconditional Love by Brian Zahnd 

Rev. Anne Arthur and Canon Walker, Facilitators

Class meets in the Conference Room.

Recover the true beauty of Christianity as found in forgiveness. If Christianity is to be a compelling and relevant voice in the 21st century, it needs a return to its roots. Beginning with the horror of the Holocaust, Radical Forgiveness explores what forgiveness means - and how far it should go - in the real world of human suffering. Zahnd tackles questions such as: Should we always forgive? Is forgiveness always even possible? Does forgiveness enable evil? Does it sacrifice justice? Are there any limits?

Book Study: The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagel

Susan Hotchkiss, Facilitator

Class meets in the Cathedral Bookshop.

Elaine Pagel's book gives a clear, readable and effective introduction to the gnostic tradition within the early church. These early writings, defined as heretical by the second century, were a challenge to early orthodoxy. Pagel's book shows what impact the discovery of the Nag Hammadi texts in 1945 has on modern interpretations of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

The New Bible Challenge (New Testament/Psalms only) and the Book of Common Prayer

Rhonda Canby, Facilitator

Class meets in Classroom F

This second "Bible Challenge" from +Bishop Beisner is a much lighter read! It invites participants to read a chapter from the New Testament, a Psalm, and one of the prayers from the Book of Common Prayer each day beginning March 5th and ending December 30th. The Bible Challenge's goal is to re-acquaint us with scripture and our Prayer Book as part of our own spiritual journey.

The Meaning of Mary Magdalene: Discovering the Woman at the Heart of Christianity by Cynthia Bourgeault 

The Rev. Kathy Hopner, Facilitator

Class meets in Classroom J

Mary Magdalene is one of the most influential symbols in the history of Christianity-yet, if you look in the Bible, you'll find only a handful of verses that speak of her. How did she become such a compelling saint in the face of such paltry evidence? In her effort to answer that question, Cynthia Bourgeault examines the Bible, church tradition, art, legend, and newly discovered texts to see what's there. She then applies her own reasoning and intuition, informed by the wisdom of the ages-old Christian contemplative tradition. What emerges is a radical view of Mary Magdalene as Jesus's most important disciple, the one he considered to understand his teaching best. Cynthia shows how an understanding of Mary Magdalene can revitalize contemporary Christianity, how Christians and others can, through her, find their way to Jesus's original teachings and apply them to their modern lives.  

 Set your clocks forward one hour

before bed on March 8 

Lost & Found Items

Please check the table in the Great Hall for ANY items you may have left on the Cathedral grounds.

Any remaining items will be given to River City Food Bank or Floyd School for their use or distribution.

The Jesus I Never Knew

by Philip Yancey

Through April 13

Facilitator: George (Bud) Swank

"No one who meets Jesus ever stays the same."

Phillip Yancey offers a new and different perspective on the life of Christ and his work-his teaching, his miracles, his death and resurrection-and ultimately who he was and why he came. Yancey presents a complex character who generates questions as well as answers; a disturbing and exhilarating Jesus who wants to transform us radically and strengthen our faith.

Newcomers' Group

The current group will be recognized at the 1115am service.

A new group begins next Sunday, March 16 at 10:15am in Room C.

Everyone is welcome to be with us, especially Newcomers and visitors. If you have questions contact Randie Strike at email randie.trinity@gmail.com or 916-446-2513.

Growing in Faith

Meets in the East Transept of the Cathedral at 3:00pm

For more information contact Jerry Paré (930-8032 or jpare111452@gmail.com)

Celebrating 30 years of service 

Annual Day of Prayer
Sponsored by COSSA (Contemplative Outreach Sacramento/Stockton Chapter)

Saturday, March 15, 2014
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Assembly Area (upstairs)
2620 Capitol Ave., Sacramento, CA 95816

 
$20 suggested donation (scholarships available)*
($5 discount for early registration - by Monday, 3/10/14)

To Register - please contact Janice Boyd -
e-mail: jboydcp@gmail.com or (916)747-2950

Follow this link for more information.

Sharing our Treasure; Developing Souls

Trinity's Stewardship Program

During the recent Vestry retreat and in a recent e-bulletin message, Dean Baker shared this quote from Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn as Mr. Solzhenitsyn contemplated the meaning of life during his years of desolation as a prisoner in the Gulag. "The meaning of earthly existence lies not, as we have grown used to thinking, in prospering, but . . . in the development of the soul." Dean Baker focused on this profound observation as a central part of Trinity's mission - through our celebrations, our prayers, our ministries, and our caring for one another, we (the Trinity family) are "developing souls". I am profoundly moved by this mission. And in my role as chair of Trinity's Stewardship Program, and more importantly, a member of the Trinity family, I have meditated on the first part of Mr. Solzhenitsyn's revelation, "The meaning of earthly existence lies not ... in prospering." From my perspective, I would add "but in sharing the fruits of our prosperity ... to develop souls".

The mission of Trinity cannot be achieved without the active engagement of each member of the Trinity family, sharing their time, talent, and treasure. So beginning this year, Trinity's Stewardship Program will be expanded from the Fall Stewardship Appeal to a 12-month program with the addition of the Easter "Living Your Legacy" Appeal. I am delighted and we are blessed that Tina Hurley, a member of Trinity, colleague, and friend, will be taking the lead in the Easter Appeal which will focus on Planned Giving as a means of sharing your treasure to support and participate in "developing souls". I invite you to read Tina's article in this issue.

In the coming months, I will introduce a number of exciting activities related to our 12-month stewardship program. For now I wish each of you a reflective and meaningful Lenten season and a joyous Easter.

May we all be blessings to those with whom we come in contact.

Patricia Keast

Member of the Vestry and Chair of the Stewardship Program                           

Living Your Legacy

by Tina Hurley

As we start the Easter season, I am pleased to be starting a discussion about a special type of giving, typically called Planned Giving. It can be one of those topics that quickly causes an audience of lively, alert folks to get sleepy very fast. That is one of the reason I like to use the term, "Charitable Investing" because this is far more about your current life and legacy, and not so much the "D" word, unless you mean "D" for tax deduction (both income and capital gains taxes). When you make a charitable investment, you receive a special ROI (return on investment), if I can use that term more expansively: Both a personal financial benefit and creating enormous good with the gift you give.

My family and I have attended Trinity for several years and we love the community and services offered here. During my treatment for colon cancer in 2008, the powerful prayer and support here meant the world to me.   When I thought of how I could give back, I realized I could offer my knowledge and skills to help you and the parish with charitable investing. I am currently a planned giving officer for UC Davis Health System and prior to that was Executive Director of Estate and Gift Planning for University of the Pacific. I came to work in this area through related experience as Treasurer of the UC Berkeley Foundation (Go Bears!), Vice President of Kaspick and Company, a firm that specializes in managing the trust and annuity portfolios for charities, and my consulting work with clients like The San Francisco Foundation.

So, where to start? One type of charitable investing that is very popular is the Charitable Gift Annuity. It is a simple and convenient way to make a gift that also directly benefits you. In the annuity agreement, you irrevocably transfer cash or appreciated property to the church. In return, they pay an annuity to you or your designated annuitant, for life, or for the lives of two joint and survivor annuitants (e.g. husband and wife) plus you receive an immediate income tax deduction.   The payment rate is based on the annuitant's age. For example, a 75 year old would receive a fixed payment of 5.8% for life and a portion of that income would be tax-exempt. Gift Annuities can be deferred, have flexible start dates and are great ways to supplement retirement income. I can help you see how these are a win-win for you and for the specific area you wish to support.

I am here to help; if you have any questions about planned giving as a means to realize your charitable giving, please don't hesitate to contact me. My e-mail is: cchurley123@gmail.com and my cell is 916-716-8714.

Thank you!                              

Come: Be a part of our Family Promise hosting week: April 6-13

Family Promise Ministry at Trinity extends an invitation to participate in the next hosting: April 6-13; sign-up sheet is up and ready for your signature! In addition, we are looking for two coordinators to work with the present coordinator to keep this Ministry running smoothly and successfully.   Family Promise of Sacramento helps homeless families achieve self-sufficiency and regain a home for themselves and their children through an interfaith hospitality network of 16 diverse faith communities and 13 support communities. The various congregations host the families for one week at a time (for up to four times throughout the year), providing safe shelter, meals, activities for the children, sleepovers, and friendly, nonjudgmental smiles. Trinity has been involved with Family Promise from its beginning in 2004 and strongly supports this mission with time and volunteers; however, we MUST HAVE help in administering the program.

Please contact Lyle Gramling (lylegramling@gmail.com or 916-752-4376) if you are interested in helping families get back on their feet and into permanent housing. The experience can be transforming indeed.

Floyd School Help

We are always looking for additional donations of food for the weekly Back Snack Program at Floyd School, particularly items that would be lightweight, nourishing, and practical for children to carry home easily.  If you would like to help, please bring donations of tuna cans, small fruit cups, peanut butter jars, granola snack bars, as well as boxes of macaroni & cheese and instant oatmeal.  We ask that you please check the expiration dates on all food donations.  Please place the food in the containers at the top of the stairs above the offices.   

Thank you so much for supporting this program.  If you are interested in helping at Floyd School, please contact Dale Reinhard at 916-730-0741 or by email: dale.reinhard@gmail.com.  

Clothes Closet

We need donations of gently used children's clothing. We take all sizes - Infant thru size 16. Please deposit donations in the two bins at the top of the stairs.

Nursery Renovation

Thanks for all of the donations to the nursery renovation fund.  The project is almost complete! We are grateful to the members of our men's group who put a great deal of time and effort to prepare the area for our new flooring, paint, hardware and window covering. Special thanks to Steve Twibell who donated two full days of his time. Please stop by and take a look at our fresh and inviting nursery!

A nursery that is attractive, warm and welcoming is extremely important if we are to realize our hope of attracting younger families to our Cathedral family. And we can't forget that those of us with grandchildren will enjoy our having a lovely place for our precious little ones as well.

This bay window is perfect for a window seat with storage!

We need to complete several more steps before we have our official nursery blessing. Nancy Tennyson has dreamed of a window seat in the bay window for both seating and storage. As this project is especially to honor her years of service to the Cathedral, we hope to make that special wish a reality. Also, the design committee thinks a mural in the back room would be the perfect "finishing touch".

The generous support of our Cathedral family has made this project possible.  Thus far, we have received donations of $6,785 towards our costs of $11,106.  As we all have a special interest in making all areas of our church home the loveliest they can be, we are hoping to receive further donations.  For those of you have already given, would you consider another gift?  And for those of you who have not yet had a chance to participate in this project, it is not too late!  If we all pull together, we can easily cover our expenses and could move forward with the window seat and mural.  Please note on your check "Nursery Fund"

With your help, we will soon celebrate the nursery completion and can gather together to christen the "Nancy Tennyson Nursery"!

TREE Tip

by Ann Rothschild

This Spring: A Wildscape?

Yes, it is raining, but the drought will probably be with us again this summer. Why not take this opportunity to turn your environmentally ridiculous lawn into a wildscape of native plants that attract butterflies, birds, and pollinators? UC Davis has published drought resistant flowers, bushes, and plants for over a year now-I have been saving them from the Bee Home and Garden Section every Sunday! Start in a corner of the yard or lawn if you are not ready for a complete transformation.  Lent, Spring-what better time to start something new and planet friendly? Information at www.arboretum.ucdavis.edu 

A Water Perspective.

The water on this planet is all we ever had or will ever get because of the cycle of water-from clouds to rain to seas/rivers to evaporation-it is all the same stuff. We had better look after it and manage it sustainably. And only 2.8% is fresh water.

An informative children's game re Water No-Knows and more information at two websites of the Water Education Foundation: www.watereducation.org   www.aquafornia.com