November 27, 2019

I will praise the name of God with a song;

I will magnify him with thanksgiving.

-- Psalm 69:30

Thursday is Thanksgiving Day. Tables are set and meals are prepared for absolutely everyone in the country. No one goes hungry. The smell of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, all sorts of side dishes, and the aroma of fresh-baked pies will fill the air in many homes. Everyone has their favorite food at this time of year, and I’m sure some people might discover a new favorite.

The Smithsonian reports that the menu at the 1621 day of thanksgiving was quite a bit different than our modern Thanksgiving menu. Meats were the primary food -- turkey, passenger pigeons, and deer, with abundant portions of eels and shellfish, too. Early records show that the Wampanoag people did much of the hunting. As far as vegetables, there were many varieties of corn, squashes, and root vegetables. Pumpkin was known to the Pilgrims. A savory soup made with pumpkin might have been on the menu, but pumpkin pie as we know it would have to wait at least another two hundred years to be an American staple. The Pilgrims didn’t have ready access to wheat or other grains, so pies were most likely not on the menu. All-in-all, about 140 people attended - 90 Native Americans and 50 Pilgrims, and the feast lasted for three days. 

One of the first documented Thanksgiving Day celebrations in central Arizona was held by Charles Trumbull Hayden at La Casa Vieja on Mill Avenue in Tempe in 1878. Even though the population of Tempe was only about 100 people, Mr. Hayden had 80 people to his home to share a Thanksgiving meal that year. We don’t know what was on the menu, but it must have been quite a party!

At Trinity Cathedral, our Thanksgiving holiday begins today, Wednesday, November 27, with our annual Thanksgiving Holiday Eucharist at 12:10 p.m. In this celebration, we remember the many blessings we’ve been given over the past year. We also give thanks for the times we’ve had to rely on the guidance and love of God to see us through the challenges of life.  

Our celebration continues on Thursday morning, with our annual Thanksgiving Homeless Breakfast. A wonderful team of people from Trinity prepare and serve a hot breakfast to many of our friends and neighbors who might not have connections to this type of fellowship for the holiday. Every year, hundreds of cups of coffee, countless smiles and greetings, and dozens of eggs, sausage, bacon, and breakfast breads are served with joy and good cheer. We especially thank Dave Howell and Tom Weller, along with everyone who has contributed in his or her own way in helping make this wonderful and blessed event a beacon of hope for all who enter the cathedral courtyard and campus.

Finally, our act of offering thanks during this season is simply starting -- there is much more to do! Even though Thanksgiving Day will come and go, our Advent season at church brings a multitude of opportunities for engaging the community and offering our support and blessing. We have great ministry opportunities ahead for each and every one of us. We have a holiday party at Garfield Elementary, toy drives with ICM and with UnitePHX, and beautiful musical offerings throughout the season. We continue our heart-warming worship on Sundays, but we also celebrate Posadas and Christmas Lessons & Carols, and once again serve a hot breakfast to those experiencing homelessness on Christmas morning. Our congregation finds new layers of vitality during this season, and you are invited to be a part of everything we do!

A wonderful season awaits. Jesus calls us to be in fellowship with one another, and to be of service to everyone. Our joyful community encounters new experiences that make our hearts sing. Let us praise the name of God with song, and magnify the Lord with thanksgiving!

A very happy Thanksgiving to you,

Annual Quilt Show

Only one week away from your Annual Quilt Show in the Olney Gallery.

On Sunday, December 8, enjoy a preview of the 2020 Raffle Quilt and the quilts given in your name to families at the Sojourner Center, a refuge for women and children fleeing domestic violence.

Notice the quilts in process and consider joining Trinity Quilters to finish them and create new ones.

Garfield School Christmas Party

The Annual Garfield Christmas Party will occur on Saturday, December 14 ^th from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Volunteers are needed for Craft tables, Toy distribution, Help with Games, Making and distributing hot Chocolate, and Distributing water.

A sign-up sheet is on the Front Desk in the Olney Room or you may contact The Rev. Myra Kingsley, Deacon at [email protected]

Volunteers may park at Aim Right Ministries, 1013 N 13th St, Phoenix, AZ 85006 (Corner of 13 ^th Street & Roosevelt).  

Christmas at Garfield School

The Garfield Partners are trying to gather at least 1,000 Christmas Presents for the children in our neighborhood. Every child attending the Garfield Christmas Party gets to pick exactly what they want.

You can help.  Buy a toy for no more than $10.00. This is the time of the year that the stores have big sales…watch the sales and pick up a toy for the kids.

Bring your gift to Cathedral, there will be a box in Olney gallery. We will need all gifts (unwrapped) by December 11 ^th .

Thank you, thank you for your generosity.

Questions? Email The Rev. Myra Kingsley, Deacon at [email protected]  

Toy Sorting Party

Help us sort toy at Aim Right Ministries for the Garfield Christmas Party on Wednesday December 11 ^th at 6:00 p.m. Sorting will take approximately 2 hours.

The sorting will occur at Aim Right Ministries, 1013 N 13th St, Phoenix, AZ 85006 ( corner of 13 ^th Street & Roosevelt) .

A sign-up sheet is on the Front Desk in the Olney Room.

Adopt-A-Child for Christmas

Adopt-A-Child for Christmas (in cooperation with ICM Food & Clothing Bank)

Names of Children and Wish Lists will be available in Olney Gallery. Try not to spend more than $40/child. Return to the Cathedral unwrapped no later than December 15.

Questions? Email The Rev. Myra Kingsley, Deacon at [email protected]

Christmas Music and Flower Donations

Christmas is a special time for adorning the church with seasonal plants and flowers and for praising God with special music and song. You are invited to make a contribution to the Christmas Flowers or Music Fund in thanksgiving or in memory of loved ones. Donors' names and memorials will be listed in the Christmas service bulletins.

 

Your flower donations will be used to pay for Christmas greenery and decor. Your music donations will be used to help pay for guest musicians for the string quartet on Christmas Eve.

 

Please complete the form ( PDF copy here ) and place it in a sealed envelope in the offering plate on Sunday with your contribution or mail it to the Cathedral office (100 W. Roosevelt St., Phoenix, AZ 85003). Checks should be made payable to  Trinity Cathedral  with a notation in the memo for  Flower Fund  or  Music Fund .

 

Last date for donations in order to be listed in the bulletin:

Wednesday, December 18.

Blankets for the homeless as the cold winter days are approaching and we’re asking that you consider donating blankets, quilts, afghans or throws to help the homeless. They can be new or used (however, we ask that if they’re used , they be in good shape and clean). Donations can be dropped off in the collection bins behind the interior staircase in the Olney Room art gallery. Questions should be directed to John or Vicki Cary (602) 770-5452 or [email protected]

Are you feeling crafty Trinity?

Loosely Knit Craft Guild is looking to recruit those who knit or crochet to assist in our community drive to make beanies, scarves, cowls, etc. These accessories are to be distributed at our annual Thanksgiving and Christmas breakfast celebrations for our homeless population.

Interested individuals/groups or those wishing to donate yarn, please get in touch with Dyane Welt at [email protected]

Additionally, gently used outer garments, sweatshirts, tee-shirts, blankets, and toiletries donations would also be greatly appreciated by our friends who attend the Breakfasts for the Homeless.

Giving Thanks with Brushes

Often, I find it isn't enough to feel grateful. I want to express my gratitude by showing kindness and service to others. An opportunity to express gratitude for our own housing is the Habitat for Humanity workday on Saturday, December 14.  

We will be painting the house built this fall by the Episcopal Habitat Coalition at 8486 W. Madison in Peoria. A crew of at least 5 is needed from Trinity Cathedral. Please consider offering a few hours. No experience necessary, good fun and paint spots will be the order of the day. Beginning at 7:00 am - until late morning when food is provided.  

Please contact Cathedral member Joe Harte with questions at (602) 621-3673 (voice/text) or email at [email protected]

Hjalmarson Art Pottery

Holiday Studio Event

Thanksgiving Weekend

45 West Lynwood Street, Phoenix (1 blk south of McDowell & 1 blk west of Central)

(602) 254-1222 www.claybeware.com [email protected]