December 3, 2015

 

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CATHEDRAL 

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"A Growing community making disciples who love and serve Christ and His world"
Brian Baker                              
 
 
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

This opening stanza of Yeats' The Second Coming always comes to my mind in Advent.  It is also an apt description of our current time.  He penned these words after the horrific First World War.  People had witnessed unspeakable horrors and an unprecedented amount of death.  WWI claimed over 15 million lives and the flu pandemic killed another 30-50 million people worldwide.  It was a time of profound loss and chaos.  While we are not experiencing death on such a scale, we are in the midst of a time of frightening chaos with increasing levels of horrible violence.   

I am writing this the day after 14 people were killed in San Bernardino, days after 2 were killed in a restaurant in South Sacramento, a week after 3 people were killed in an abortion clinic in Colorado Springs and three weeks after the coordinated terror attacks in Paris that killed 130.  There have been 351 mass shootings in the U.S. so far this year.  These numbers are staggering.  The constant news of killings is frightening.  This is a terrifying time.  Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world and seems to be growing and getting closer to home.  

There also seem to be few voices of hope.  Whatever conviction the best may posses, it is drowned out by the worst who are full of passionate intensity.  

As a Christian, there are a couple of things I think that are important for us to remember.  First, while this situation may be unique, it isn't new.  And it isn't the worst it has been.  We have been here before and we will be here again.  Evil will find a way to exert itself into our world.  Our job is to stay connected to the love of Christ as we respond to these forces of Evil.

Second, we need to remember our faith, that "We believe in God, the Father Almighty . . ." and "God's will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."  This is certainly not a new situation for God.  I am not saying this to move us to inaction - to leave this in God's hands.  Rather I am saying this to reinforce the belief that love wins.  The bigger danger is not the shooters or terrorists, the bigger danger is we will give into our fears and sell our humanity for a greater sense of safety.  We must oppose evil without becoming evil.  That means we need to take responsible steps to combat gun violence and terrorism without scapegoating or terrorizing others.

Finally I want to point out that this is exactly the situation Christ came to influence.  The reason I always think of Yeats' poem in Advent is because Advent is a season of darkness.  The theme of Advent can be summarized, "The world is not OK, come Lord Jesus."  The world is not OK.  But that's just the prelude - the invitation for light to shine in darkness.  In this season we anticipate that light shining in the darkness of our own lives so we can become that light for others.

The way out of this time of violence is not fear and hatred.  The way out of this time of violence is through a child born in a manger.  Come Lord Jesus.  

Blessings,
Brian
The Very Rev. Dr. Brian Baker
Dean, Trinity Cathedral
Sacramento, CA
In this edition....
2016 Annual Appeal...
Room Wanted...
Christmas Flowers...
The Reading Corner...
Cathedral Bookshop...
Traveling Bible Study...
Lunch Bunch & Writing Group...
Centering Prayer...
Giving Thanks...
Annual Christmas Fair...
December 3 TNAC...
New TNAC classes...
Crafting Retreat...
This Sunday...
Nelson Lucas...
Advent Potluck Dinner Church...
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols...
Help Wanted...
Christmas Story Theater...
e-News Submission Guildlines...
Join Our Mailing List

Links

Trinity Cathedral 2016 Annual Appeal

"For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me."
1 Corinthians 9:17

Again, we would like to thank everyone who has submitted their 2016 gift towards our 2016 Annual Appeal. As of November 22, we are at 44% of our goal of $1.5 million. If you haven't completed your appeal card, please mail or drop it off at the church office. You may turn your card in during Sunday's offertory. You can also go online at www.trinitycathedral.org to submit your gift too.
  
With many thanks for our many blessing,
Rod Thomas and
Chris Tzimenatos

Trinity parishioner is looking to Rent a Room in a home.  Please contact Nancy Stoltz at 916-420-8476. 

Advent Greens and
Christmas Flowers
 
As a gesture of anticipation, beginning on the first Sunday of Advent (November 29), your Trinity Cathedral Flower Committee will be using evergreens only in place of our regular Sunday flowers. We hope you enjoy the simplicity of those evergreens, as we "stop and wait" during this season of expectation.
 
As early as late summer, we have been formulating plans for The Christmas Adornment. On the Sundays, December 6th and 13th, we will be actively soliciting donations for The Christmas Adornment and flowers for Sunday services throughout the year. We work entirely from a budget supported by our Trinity family. Please consider remembering or honoring loved ones, or in thanksgiving for your blessings, with a donation for The Christmas Adornment.
 
There will be Donation Forms available on the bulletin board near the church office, at the Welcome Center at the Sunday Coffee Hours, and printed on the Cathedral Announcement Sheet of the Sunday Service Program or by following this link.
 
Thank you from your Trinity Cathedral Flower Committee.
The Reading Corner... 
There's always something new in our library, which you can check out on the first Sunday of the month.     ~~Phyllis Ehlert
 
Dietrich Bonhoeffer - funny spelling, German name - but what it represents, a man who chose to return to Germany as the Nazis destroyed their country and attempted to manipulate the Lutheran Church into being complicit. From his prison cell, Bonhoeffer pondered and wrote much.  Life Together: A Discussion of Christian Fellowship represents his thoughts on Christian community and service. It is a short read at 122 pages but long in ideas.
Cathedral Bookshop 
 
Come in and see our selection of
Advent candles, calendars and books
and our assortment of Christmas Cards.
 
Bookshop Hours: 
Tue, Wed, Thu:
11:00am - 5:00pm
Sun: 8:30am - 1:00pm
  
Phone: 916-442-9194 

Ongoing... 

Traveling Bible Study and 
 Spirituality Group
Every Sunday at 5pm young adults gather at restaurants, coffee shops, and other fun locations around Sacramento for fellowship and conversation on the Bible and spirituality. If you would like to be added to the email list contact Rev. Megan at megan@trinitycathedral.org
Lunch Bunch
meets Thursdays at Noon
in the Conference Room
 
While there will be no single topic, all are invited to bring a poem, quote, reading or any other subject we could discuss during our time together. 
 
Bring lunch and come to join in some holiday fellowship.
 
If you have any questions, contact the Rev. Pamela Anderson at pamela@trinitycathedral.org
or Susan Van Dyke at svandyke59701@gmail.com   
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Writing
Writing Group
Meets on Thursdays at 
4:30pm in the
Conference Room

Anyone who would like to write in an informal setting is welcome to drop in. Writing prompts are offered, we write for 20 minutes, then share what emerges or not, as the spirit moves. For information, please contact June Gillam at jgillam@wavecable.com. 
Centering Prayer 
Centering Prayer
 
Tuesday's, 6-7pm,
Thursday's, Noon-1:00pm,
Cathedral East Transept
and
Friday's, 5:15pm,
St. Paul's - 15th and J
(Please don't come later than 5:20 because doors close to provide for a quieter experience.)
Contact the Rev. Anne Slakey at
  
Centering Prayer is a method of meditation that helps quiet the mind and participate in God's presence. It is a receptive form of prayer - a kind of resting in God.  Learn to just be...in the midst of God's love. All are welcome. 
 
Cathedral Contacts are:
Shelley Mydans: smydans@gmail.com
 
Dean Baker, Charis Hill and Michael Donnoe.
Giving Thanks

Last Wednesday, Trinity Cathedral hosted the Safe Ground Pilgrimage for a "Thanksgiving Eve Celebration."  We fed over 200 hungry people, prayed with and blessed all who asked, and in turn, our entire congregation and community were blessed by this service.  We are deeply thankful to our talented Chefs Kevin Donohue and Ron Waddell, and also to our 35 volunteers and 20 turkey cooks, who all put together a beautiful meal for the homeless community!

We also wish to gratefully and humbly acknowledge the work of two very special ministries that helped make this Thanksgiving Eve extra special:  the children / youth groups at Trinity, and the knitting group.  Rev. Kathy Hopner had the children pray for and make cards for our guests, and
Pie, pie and more pie.
the knitting group generously donated scarves that they'd knit for the homeless.  These simple, beautiful gifts of heart made this a truly special evening for all.

The Safe Ground Pilgrimage will return to Trinity Cathedral once more on Monday, December 21, when we will also host the interfaith Homeless Memorial service, for all in the homeless community who have died in the past year.  We hope that you will consider donating your time to this poignant, special evening on Christmas Week.  More details will come in a future e-news!

With our deepest gratitude and prayers, thank you all!

Michael Donnoe,
Bill Shane,
and John Kraynak
Trinity Cathedral Safe Ground Pilgrimage Co-Coordinators
TREE hosted its Annual Christmas Fair on November 29 and a good time was had by all.

Thursday Night at the Cathedral

 on December 3

 

Compline - 6:00pm

Dinner - 6:30pm

 Classes - 7:00pm

Classes beginning December 3
 
A Peaceful Christmas:
Honest Communication that Connects
Facilitated by Alex Leach
Christmas and the Holidays can be tough. None of us want to be biting our tongues, or tip toeing around certain topics. Come learn and practice concrete communication skills to honestly connect this Christmas season. This two day class will cover the powerful skill of empathizing with difficult messages, and speaking up with compassion, setting boundaries and expressing gratitude. There is a way to talk openly and honestly with the in-laws that won't ruin Christmas morning.
 
Alex has been teaching communication skills for over three years in the Sacramento/Davis area. He has worked for the Relationship Skills Center, a non-profit in Sacramento working to teach communication skills to low-income families. He has been running a private practice teaching communication skills in Davis for over three years.
 
A Christmas Carol
Facilitated by Susan Hotchkiss
Ebenezer Scrooge had a lot to learn about being a compassionate, giving human being. Past life experiences had led him to put more time and effort into making money rather than cultivating relationships and hoarding cash rather than giving to those less fortunate. Ultimately this led to denying himself any quality of life.   Was there still time for him to change??? The story is a short one but chock full of 19th century issues we still battle today - poverty, class divisions, prison overcrowding. And the theme of redemption is ongoing and universal. Join us in the Cathedral Bookshop as we read A Christmas Carol aloud. Then on December 18th we will gather in the Assembly area to watch one of the many versions of this classic story.
A Crafting Retreat
Saturday, December 5 from 1-4 in the Great Hall

My name is Kelly Mieske and I craft A LOT.  Mostly knitting and crochet, but I dabble in a variety of other mediums. I would love to have this retreat be open to a wide variety of different crafts, just let me know what you need. 

And isn't this just the perfect time of year for such a retreat with so much charity and gift giving in the air.

Perhaps you are like me and wonder if your hobby/pastime can also be a spiritual practice. Let's find out together. 

This is call for all Trinity crafters to come together and share our passions. This is also an opportunity for those who want to learn.  For sure there will be knitters and crocheters with decades of experience who would be delighted to teach someone how to begin. 

If you are interested or have any questions, please contact me at kmieske@gmail.com or (916) 719-8149.
This Sunday - December 6
CIMCalifornia International Marathon:
Beware of Delays

The CIM will be run this Sunday, December 6, causing some intersections near the church to be closed.  The race starts at 7am near Folsom Dam and travels Oak Avenue, Fair Oaks Blvd, and J Street to the Capitol.  Intersections will be closed only while the race comes through, but be prepared, if necessary, to leave home early and avoid the race course on your way to church. 
Click here for a list of road closures with approximate times Click here for a course map.
St. Nicholas Night has changed! 
We'll celebrate St. Nicholas this Sunday morning!

This Sunday we celebrate our First Sunday Family Service at 9:00 a.m. in the Great Hall.  It is also the day when we traditionally honor St. Nicholas, patron saint of children, and remember his generosity.  Rather than have two separate events we have decided to celebrate them both in the morning - we will not have a St. Nicholas night event!

Please join us for our Family Service where St. Nicholas will pay us a visit.  Our service will be followed by brunch, arts and crafts, and St. Nicholas himself!  We invite everyone to have their picture taken with this famous saint.  We'll also follow his tradition of serving others: we'll make cards for recovering soldiers and veterans, and choose gifts to purchase for families in need from Floyd School.

Please note:  Sunday morning is the California International Marathon.  The race will come down Fair Oaks Blvd, J Street, and L Street to the Capitol - avoid those streets after 8:00.  P and N will be the best exits off Business 80. Find links for route maps and road closure information by clicking here.

For more information, please contact Rev. Kathy Hopner at 930-8027.

Christmas Gifts for Floyd School Families

We now have another 18 families who have asked for Christmas gift help this year.


There will be a Floyd School table in the Great Hall between the 9:00 and 11:15 services. Please help by shopping for a family or a child or what ever you can do. Stop by the table to get the information on the families. The gifts need to be either delivered to the families or taken to the school at 401 Mc Clatchy Way, Sac. 95818 by December 18.


If you would like to help but don't have time for shopping you can send a check written to Trinity Cathedral with Floyd School in the memo line and we will be sure that all of the families will be taken care of.
 

Santa giving gift bags to

Floyd School students.

Next Sunday,December 13, we will be filling the Holiday gift bags for all of the children at the school.  Please come by between services to help fill the bags.

On December 18 we will meet a the church at 9:00 to pick up the bags sorted by grade and deliver them to the Floyd School with Santa.  It is always  a fun experience. Please come if you can. It is so helpful if we have one car per grade. Mary Lynn Vellenge is in charge of this activity and I know she would appreciate your help.

Advent Blessings,
Canon Nancy Tennyson

The Christmas Greens are here!
 
If you ordered Christmas Greens through the youth group, they have arrived and will be available for pick up this Sunday at all services! If you have not yet paid for your order, please bring a check or cash. Thank you all so much for your support!
Confirmation
Our Confirmation program for youth begins this week!
 
Our Confirmation program for youth in grades 8th - 12th will meet upstairs in Room F on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month during the 11:15 service. This program includes an overnight retreat, trip to visit Episcopal churches in San Francisco, and a Palm Sunday lunch with Bishop Beisner. It concludes with the Easter Vigil on the Saturday evening before Easter Sunday. If you would like more information, please contact Rev. Kathy Hopner or Rev. Megan Anderson at 916-446-2513.
Awaiting the Already:
An Advent Journey Through the Gospels
Meets in Room A at 10:15am
 
This book by Magrey R. deVega will be our guide for the four Sundays of Advent. Each week we will look at what one Gospel has to say about the season, eventually touching all four Gospels. Some material will be presented each week to get us started, but there will be lots of time for shared thoughts and discussion. Bud Swank is the leader.
Living Well Through Advent: 
Practicing Patience With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind
Meets in the Conference Room at 10:15am

Join us for this Advent Journey! Questions? contact Amy Dierlam - dnarock@pacbell.net.

Newcomers' Group

Meets in Room C at 10:15am 

 

The group will meet to discuss Living with Change.

 

All are invited 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
is still in start-up mode.
Meets at 3:00pm in the Assembly Area
 
 
"Change ourselves. Change our hearts" and "get off of our butts and change the world!"
These are the two "how to's" that Dean Baker gave us in his sermon on November 1. What was the Dean talking about? How we can become part of what Presiding Bishop Curry calls "the Jesus Movement".
 
GROWING IN FAITH is an excellent way of changing ourselves; changing our hearts and getting off of our butts to be part of the Jesus Movement! How do we...how do YOU do this? Come and see!
 
What do we do? We gather at 3:00 in the "Upper Room" (also known as the Assembly Area). We form small groups. We reflect on Scripture using a method called Lectio Divina (no previous Bible knowledge necessary). We take a break. We pray together and we return to our daily lives enriched by this moment of our road trip with Jesus. Who is this "we"? There are your fellow members of Trinity participating in this Spirit filled process. There is a team of small group leaders to facilitate our discussions. Sound simple? It is. Following Jesus is simple...and not so simple. Becoming part of the Jesus Movement is simple...and not so simple. Bishop Curry and Dean Baker are challenging us. Come this Sunday and find out more. Just bring yourself, your questions, your curiosity. Jesus said to each of his disciples, "Come, follow me!" Take this opportunity to do just that.

Next Week and Beyond... 
Remembering Nelson Lucas
 
We will gather to remember our brother in Christ, Nelson Lucas, on Tuesday, December 8 at 6:00pm.
 
The celebration of Nelson's life will continue at the reception in the Great Hall following the service. You are welcome to bring an appetizer or treat to share. Finger foods that are pre-plated and ready-to-serve are most appreciated.
 
The service that Nelson and his husband, our Deacon Steve Skiffington, planned together will be a beautiful tribute to a remarkable man. Do join us as we honor Nelson and share our memories of his grace-filled, indomitable spirit and the many ways he has touched our hearts and lives.
 
Questions? Please contact Kathleen Montgomery at ladyiris49@gmail.com or 916-801-1144.
Advent Potluck Dinner Church
Sunday, December 13 at 5pm in the Cathedral
 
Hope to see you there!
 
Please send questions to Rev. Megan at megan@trinitycathedral.org. If you would like to contribute food/drink and/or liturgical pieces to the gathering, please let us know.
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Saturday, December 19th at 7:30 pm
 
Please join the Cathedral Choir and Cathedral Choristers for our traditional service of Lessons and Carols. The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is a service celebrating the birth of Jesus, which is traditionally followed at Christmas. The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus is told in nine short Bible readings, interspersed with the singing of carols, anthems, and hymns. The service was originally designed by the Reverend Eric Milner-White, and has become known worldwide through the broadcasts from the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge, England.

Included will be music by George Malcolm, David Willcocks, Otto Goldschmidt, Peter Hallock, and others. For more information click here.
Elf Help Wanted!

Want to be a "Santa's Helper"?  Consider helping with set up or serving at one of the Christmas Eve receptions (which follow the services at 3, 5, 8 and 11 p.m.).  It's fun and we need a few people for each one.  Please email or call Georgianna at dugongs@sbcglobal.net or (916) 266-1802 by 12/20 with any questions and to sign up for a specific service and task (set up and/or serving).  Thanks! 

In the Community... 

Christmas Story Theater

Join in the Christmas spirit and support a great cause at the same time!  Please plan to attend:  A "Christmas Story Theater" to benefit River City Food Bank.

Where:  St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 2140 Mission Avenue, Carmichael

When: Friday, Dec. 11 @ 7:30 PM
           Saturday, Dec. 12 @ 7:30 PM
           Sunday, Dec. 13 @ 2 PM
 
What: Enjoy a series of short traditional and non-traditional Christmas-themed readings, followed by a group singing of "Silent Night," and a special reception afterwards!

Cost: $20.00 per household, $10.00 Individual, $8.00 Student/Seniors:  All proceeds benefit River City Food Bank.

Follow this link for a printable poster

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