December 10, 2015

 

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CATHEDRAL 

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"A Growing community making disciples who love and serve Christ and His world"
                             

  
On Refugees
  
At the height of the recession in Nevada, we discovered that preschool had become impossible for a number of the families in my parish. They no longer made enough to pay for private preschool, but couldn't qualify for any state or federal programs. So we decided to offer a one day a week kindergarten readiness program. It was free, and open to all children. As word spread during our second year, a number of Muslim families joined us. It was a year of experiments, adventures, and a lot of laughter as we learned to work with cultural and linguistic differences. We tried different foods, explored the seasons and holidays; a walk to the local farmers market provoked both delight and disgust as these preschoolers sampled different fruits and vegetables.
  
I learned one day in January a little more about the depth of our differences.   As we were lined up in the hallway, ready to return to the classroom, one of the little boys waited patiently tears rolling down his cheeks. As I knelt beside him, I noticed he was trembling. "Amed," I asked, "what's wrong?" He pointed to a stack of boxes in one corner. Puzzled, I stood to walk over to the boxes, and he began sobbing. Through his tears, struggling to find words, he finally made me understand. He was convinced there was a bomb in one of the boxes. I had another teacher stay beside him, as I unpacked each box to show him the church's Christmas decorations waiting to be placed back in storage.
  
At this point I was in tears myself. I, too, had once been an alien living in a strange land. On my 13th birthday my family left the United States for my father's new position in Europe. At first, life overseas was a great adventure. New people and places, rich with history, beautiful and intriguing landscapes - it was fascinating. But it didn't take long for me to realize we weren't really welcome in this place, which had a strong dislike of foreigners, and particularly Americans. And soon I begin to see why. The American tourists I ran into in the streets were loud and rude. They acted entitled, frustrated when people didn't speak English; often showing no respect or understanding of local traditions or customs. As a teenager, I did not want to be identified as one of these rude Americans. I worked hard to become invisible, to blend into the crowds on the streets.
  
It was also a time of violence. Armed military guarded train stations, tanks were on the airport tarmacs. By the time I was 15 it felt as though there was a bombing or terrorist attack somewhere in Europe every day. I worried about my parents who traveled so often. I worried about my friends. Like Amed, the world seemed to me a frightening and unstable place, a place I didn't belong, the potential of violence hidden around every corner. But, unlike Amed, I had a home to go back to. I returned to live in the U.S. again as a young adult. It wasn't an easy transition, but I had family, a home, a place to belong to.
  
In this Advent season, I think often of Mary and Joseph. Their son was born into a world of violence and unpredictable terrorism. I wonder in awe at their struggles and what it must have cost them to keep their son safe: birth in a barn, a flight in the dark of night into Egypt, trying to remain invisible and innocuous as refugees while keeping their baby fed and clothed, and yet another journey back to the land of his birth. It was no small task to raise this little boy.   In this Advent season, let us, too, be stronger than our fears. Let us welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, offer respite to those on the journey. It is the only way we can usher peace into this hurting world.

Kathy+
The Rev. Kathy Hopner
Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries
Sacramento, CA
In this edition....
2016 Annual Appeal...
Thank You!...
Remember Our Veterans...
Room Wanted...
Christmas Flowers...
The Reading Corner...
Cathedral Bookshop...
Traveling Bible Study...
Lunch Bunch & Writing Group...
Centering Prayer...
Christmas Changes...
December 10 TNAC...
VAE Concert...
Trinity Men's Breakfast...
This Sunday...
Christmas Pageant...
What does JOY look like...
Advent Potluck Dinner Church...
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols...
Christmas for the Homeless...
Help Wanted...
Christmas Story Theater...
Divine Ammunition...
e-News Submission Guildlines...
Join Our Mailing List

Links

Trinity Cathedral 2016 Annual Appeal

 
We are so blessed that as of Sunday, December 6, we are at 56% of our 2016 goal of $1.5 million. This is a busy time of the year for us all with the holidays, family and friends. If you haven't done so already, please return your 2016 appeal card to the church office or place it in Sunday's offertory. You may also submit your gift online at www.trinitycathedral.org. Thank you.
  
With many thanks for our many blessing,
Rod Thomas and
Chris Tzimenatos

Thank You

Due to the generosity of the friends of Canon Carey, there was money left over after expenses for his 90th birthday party. Therefore, about $1,500 will be donated to the Trinity Organ Restoration fund! A big thank you to all of the volunteers who made his memorable occasion happen.

Candace Miller 

Remembering Our Veterans at Christmas

 

~~Submitted by the Rev. Diana Turner

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! 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
 
Heaven: Our Enduring Fascination with the Afterlife by Lisa Miller looks to history, popular culture, and Biblical research and dredges up how these views have influenced people's behavior for both good and ill across cultures.
Cathedral Bookshop 
 
Our supply of Nativities is quickly disappearing.
Be sure to get yours
while they last.
 
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
 
There's Christmas Change in the Air

There are a couple of changes at the Cathedral for 2015 that I want to share.  First, the Greening of the Cathedral will be held on Sunday, December 20th following the 11:15 service.  This year the garlands have been purchased already strung on wires.  They will need to be cut and hung in the Cathedral between the pillars but the hand work of creating the cables has been greatly reduced.

The other interior work in the Cathedral and the hanging of the final exterior wreaths remain the same.  The Hospitality Ministry Team will provide a soup lunch and all are invited to stay and help transform the Cathedral nave into a glorious space for Christmas Eve.

Second, the service times for Christmas Eve have changed.  We do not have a Jazz Mass this year.  The new service times are as follows:
3:00pm and 5:00pm - Family Christmas Eve services with Christmas Pageant and Rev. Kathy Hopner, preacher;
  
8:00pm - a majestic Rite I Christmas Liturgy with Holy Eucharist (and incense);

10:30pm - Concert; and

11:00pm - "Midnight Mass" (with incense).

+Bishop Beisner will be with us the entire afternoon and evening, preaching at 8:00pm.  Dean Baker will preach at 11:00pm with the +Bishop as Celebrant of the Christmas Liturgy.  There will be Child Care at both the 3pm and 5pm service.

There will also be a Christmas Day service at the Cathedral on December 25th at 10:00am.  Fr. Jesse Vaughn will be Celebrant and Preacher.

Please invite your friends and join us as we celebrate the coming of Christ into the world this Christmas Season.

The Rev. Canon Lynell Walker+

Thursday Night at the Cathedral

 on December 10

 

Compline - 6:00pm

Dinner - 6:30pm

 Classes - 7:00pm

Classes
 
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.
The Vocal Art Ensemble presents 
"COMFORT FOOD - Choral Music to 
Feed the Soul"

Friday, December 11th at 7:30 pm at Trinity Cathedral

This fall, VAE caters to the imagination with an appetizing menu of choral delicacies. Featuring a smorgasbord of home-cooked ensembles, this hearty spread serves up ancient choral recipes, spicy ethnic flavors, and tantalizing treats from modern composers... to satisfy the most discerning palate. Suggested donation $10-25 at the door.

To honor the spirit of helping to feed the soul, non-perishable food items will also be gratefully accepted at concerts, as part of STEAC's holiday food basket program.
Trinity Men's Breakfast
Saturday, December 12, in the Great Hall at 9:00am
  
All men of Trinity are invited to join us for a delicious breakfast and a short meeting.
This Sunday - December 13
Calling all shepherds, angels,
and kings!
 
Please join us this Sunday, December 13, at the 9:00 service for the first of our three Christmas Pageants at Trinity. In place of the gospel and sermon, our children will tell the Christmas story through a simple play. All children are welcome to join us - we have parts for everyone! We are particularly looking for elementary age children who would like to do some of the main parts: Joseph, the angel Gabriel, the innkeeper, head shepherd, and lead king. We will have one rehearsal this Saturday at 10:00 a.m., but please join us Sunday even if you are not able to make that.
 
Contact Rev. Kathy Hopner for more information or with any questions at khopner@trinitycathedral.org or 916-616-1052. Thank you!
What does Joy look like to YOU?

This Sunday if the third Sunday of Advent and we will light the candle that represents JOY. 

Here is an invitation to immerse yourself more fully in the season of Advent. You are invited to reflect on, and to look for, examples of JOY in your daily life, then capture them with your camera/camera phone. What does Joy look like to you?

Once you take your photos, you are invited to share your pictures with the congregation, online and/or in print. Please  follow this link for information on how to do this.

Blessings,
Pamela
The Rev. Dr. Pamela Anderson
Director of Adult Spiritual Formation
Trinity Cathedral Church
(916) 446-2513
Christmas Gifts for Floyd School

December 13 - Between the 9:00 and 11:15 services, we will be in the Great Hall filling the 350 holiday bags for the children at Floyd School.

We are asking those of you who can come to help us fill the bags. Just look for Mary Lynn Vellinga, chair of this project, she will give you instructions as to what to do.

Thank you to all of you who can help. We should be done by the 11:15 service.

December 18 - We will deliver the bags to the children.
Santa giving gift bags to
Floyd School students.
We need at least 10 cars to deliver all of the bags. Please come to Trinity Cathedral at 9:00am to pick up a grade of bags.
We will deliver them to each grade at the school with Santa and his elf. We hope to be at the school by 10am. Usually we are finished delivering by noon. Holiday garb and Santa hats are encouraged!

Christmas Gifts for Families - We also have about 4 more families who need Christmas gifts. If you can take a family or a child please look for the Floyd School bulletin board and table to sign up for some one to help this Christmas. 

Thank you for your help.

Advent Blessings,
Canon Nancy Tennyson
Crochet / Knitting Group
Meets in the Great Hall at 10:15am
 
Please join us for a crochet/knitting gathering. They will help people who want to learn to crochet and/or knit.
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 Ministry Opportunities.

 

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.
Potluck Dinner Church
Sunday, December 13 at 5pm in the Cathedral
 
- Oil For Your Lamp -

An Advent Service of Communion and Healing.

Come for worship, fellowship,
and a wonderful potluck meal.
 
Please send questions to Rev. Megan at megan@trinitycathedral.org.

Next Week and Beyond... 
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.

Help Trinity Cathedral host an

early Christmas dinner for

the homeless community! 


On Monday, December 21, Trinity Cathedral will once again host the Safe Ground Pilgrimage Outreach Ministry, as well as the Interfaith Homeless Memorial Service.   We are looking for donations of spiral-sliced ham for this very special dinner on this year's Winter Solstice!  Your generous donation will help feed many people who would otherwise go hungry that evening.

Please drop off your spiral sliced ham donation at the Trinity kitchens or office on the weekend of December 19 and 20, and label your donation "Safe Ground."  For more information, please contact Michael at (916) 992-3196.

Thank you, and may you and your family have a warm, safe Christmas!

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
Divine Ammunition: 
The Sculpture of Al Farrow 

A collection of miniature religious buildings, built by Bay Area sculptor Al Farrow, is on display at the Crocker Art Museum at 216 O Street in Sacramento, from now through January 3, 2016.
"Using guns and ammunition, Al Farrow transforms the tools of destruction into creation in his sculptures of reliquaries, cathedrals, synagogues, mosques, mausoleums and other devotional objects." - Crocker description.
This incredible display of 26 metal sculptures, some containing bones, can be found on the second floor of the Crocker, near the connecting hall between the new and old buildings. It includes his elaborately detailed sculpture of a cathedral, that belongs to the DeYoung Art Museum in San Francisco.

Please see this timely, amazing exhibit, that Al Farrow has been creating since 1995.

-Barbara Pattow-Vigil, Trinity member

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