In this issue:

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• Reflections by the Rev. Lou Hays: An Attitude of Gratitude
• ECW Meeting This Sunday, February 9
• The Death of Joan Fields-Cox
• 2024 Giving Statements Have Been Mailed
• Altar Flowers Dedication for February 9
• Save the Date - March 9: Trinity Annual Meeting and ECW Fundraiser
• Sign Up to Provide Coffee Hour Refreshments
• Red Door Community Concert - February 14
• Follow Us on Facebook
• Trinity's Clothes Closet: Winter Coats Needed, Especially Children's Sizes
• Full Worship Schedule - In-Person and Online
• Sunday Scripture Readings
• This Week at Trinity
• February Birthdays & Anniversaries
• Prayer Requests
• Online Giving Link

Reminder: ALL TRINITY MAIL MUST BE SENT TO

Trinity Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 851, Hamilton, OH 45012

Reflections by the Rev. Lou Hays:

An Attitude of Gratitude

I’m grateful for the time we spent together last Sunday with the Rev. Derrick Fetz, Missioner for Stewardship for our Diocese. Whether you were able to join us for the program after church or not, I would like to invite you to reflect further on the subject of stewardship. As I said, this topic is particularly dear to my heart because I first heard God calling me to ordination as the lay leader of the stewardship campaign in my home parish in Maryland. I have had the privilege of preaching and teaching about and expanding stewardship in every parish I have served.

What is Stewardship?

Stewardship is about how we live our lives: how we care for ourselves, our families, our neighbors and communities and all of God’s creation. It’s about how we set our priorities and use our resources of time, talent and financial resources. In the Christian context, it includes how we advance the Kingdom of God through word and action. And it definitely includes giving our money in addition to our time and talent.

Why do we give?

As Christians we believe that all that we are and all that we have comes from God. We give in grateful thanksgiving for all that God has given us. We give not out of obligation or guilt, we give out of gratitude. Too often churches stress the need to give because of the parish budget. But we don’t just give to a need, we have a need to give. Of course the parish needs money to enable the mission and ministries that God is calling us to carry out. The Gospel and God’s grace are free, but ministry costs money. But the goal is to invite everyone to give generously and to their ability based on gratitude, not obligation. To quote my Bishop in Connecticut, “stewardship is a spiritual issue and how much we give is a faith statement.”

How much should we give?

Ultimately the answer to that question is between us and God. It’s a fair and valid question, the answer to which depends on prayer and consideration of one’s situation and resources. An amount that might be hardly missed by one giver could be impossible for another giver. It’s really more about the percentage of one’s income that’s given than the amount of the giving. I practice tithing, giving 10% of my income back to God through the Church. I invite you to consider what percentage of your income you are currently giving and consider increasing it by a certain percentage, perhaps ½% or more each year as you are able.

What do we need to consider in the current context at Trinity?

First, as you know we did not have a pledge campaign this past year asking people to make a pledge for 2025. Please consider increasing your giving amount now, as you are able. And please remember that pledges can always be increased, decreased or even cancelled at any time.

Second, you may know that to afford a full time Rector during all of 2026 will require around $50,000 in additional income in 2026 and beyond. We hope that some portion of that amount will come from increased congregational giving and other sources we will be exploring.

Third, parish finances, including the number and amount of pledges, are important measures of the health and vitality of a parish that potential Rector candidates carefully consider before deciding to apply.

Final thoughts

Our giving says that we are committed to the mission and ministries of our parish. We want to see Trinity Hamilton thrive, not just survive. We want Trinity to continue to make a difference in the lives of our parishioners and the people of Hamilton and beyond. We are grateful to God for all of our blessings, and we want to give back to God through our church and all that it does.

I am praying that the people of our parish will respond in generosity with an attitude of gratitude. I am praying for you.

Peace and blessings, Lou+

ECW Meeting

This Sunday, February 9

This month's Episcopal Church Women (ECW) meeting will be held this Sunday, February 9, following the 9:30 a.m. worship service. We will be having a pizza party during the meeting!

The Death of Joan Fields-Cox

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Joan Fields-Cox, a longtime member of Trinity. She died on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the age of 86, surrounded by her family.

Joan was predeceased by her husband, Tom Cox, several years ago. Funeral arrangements for both Tom and Joan will be announced once finalized.

Please keep Joan and Tom's family, especially their daughters Susan and Jennifer, in your prayers.

Condolences can be sent to both Susan and Jennifer at the following address:

Susan Cox

417 Ross Ave

Hamilton, OH 45013



May God receive Joan and Tom into the arms of God's loving embrace and grant them life and light perpetual.

2024 Giving Statements Have Been Mailed

Please be on the lookout for your 2024 Pledge/Giving Statement, which were mailed at the end of January. If you have questions or see discrepancies, please contact the parish office at trinitychurchhamilton@gmail.com or 513-896-6755.

The Altar Flowers for Sunday, February 9

are given by Ginny Woods,

to the Glory of God and in memory of Conrad Weitz.

Altar Flower Donations Update

All dates are filled until Lent, when we do not use flowers on the altar. If you would like to sign up for dates beginning with Easter, please contact Sue Samoviski at 513-478-8918 or suesamo63@gmail.com, or contact the parish office to reserve a date(s).

Save the Date - Sunday, March 9

Trinity Annual Meeting and ECW Fundraiser

Mark your calendars to Sunday, March 9! We will have Trinity's Annual Meeting immediately following the Sunday morning service. This is an important meeting to attend as we will vote on new Vestry members, our delegates for Diocesan Convention, and review the 2025 budget. We plan to keep the meeting to approx. 45 minutes.

Following the Annual Meeting, the ECW will hold a "Spaghetti Dinner" fundraiser to raise money for St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Altadena, CA which was completely destroyed by the recent wildfires. For $10 per person, enjoy a menu of "Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole," salad, bread and desserts while raising helping one of our fellow parishes. Invite your family and friends too!

Sign Up to Provide Coffee Hour Refreshments

A sign up sheet is available in the Memorial Room to provide light refreshments for Coffee Hour following the Sunday morning worship services. You may also contact the parish office to schedule a Sunday to provide Coffee Hour refreshments.

Upcoming available Sundays are March 2, 16, 23, and 30.

Red Door Community Concert

Friday, February 14 at 12:15 PM

at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Oxford, OH

Everyone is invited to this free concert!

Follow Us on Facebook

Are you on Facebook? If so, be sure to "follow" Trinity's Facebook page for announcements, updates and photos from our church, the diocese, and the wider Episcopal Church.

You can find us on Facebook by searching for Trinity Episcopal Church Hamilton Ohio, or through the following link:

 https://www.facebook.com/Trinity-Episcopal-Church-Hamilton-Ohio-151615496591/

You can also access our online worship, either live or through the replays. A Word and A Prayer is at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and Compline is at 8:30 p.m. those same days. Our online Morning Prayer worship service is held at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday through Facebook Live.

And be sure to "like" and share our posts with others!

Trinity's Clothes Closet Current Needs: Winter Coats, Especially Children's Sizes

Trinity's Clothes Closet is thriving and

providing wonderful support to the community!

Current Special Donation Needs:

Winter Coats, especially for children

Other current needs include:

• Hangers (especially children's clothing and pant hangers)
• Deodorant, lotion, soap and shampoo/conditioner
• Shoes (especially closed-toed casual shoes/athletic shoes)
• Sheets / Pillow Cases / Blankets

Reminder: Please contact the parish office prior to dropping off clothing items! (Donations of personal hygiene products can be brought to the office without prior notice).

Thank you for all who have brought in plastic grocery

bags. We continue to need these!



Thank You for your Support of this Ministry!

Sunday Worship at

Trinity Episcopal Church

115 North 6th Street

Hamilton, OH

Sunday, February 9, 2025

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

In-Person Worship

Holy Eucharist, Rite II - Music

in the Sanctuary at 9:30 AM

The Rev. Lou Hays, Celebrant

Online Worship

Morning Prayer at 9:30 AM on Facebook Live

Click here to attend the service on Facebook Live

****************************************************

Other Online Worship Opportunities

on our Facebook Page

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

A Word and A Prayer – 9:30 AM

Compline – 8:30 PM

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

February 9, 2025

Year C

RCL

Scripture Readings

Isaiah 6:1-8

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Luke 5:1-11

Psalm 138

Click on the links above to access the readings.

Collect: Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

This Week at Trinity

Wednesday, February 5

Parish Office Open -- 9:00 AM - Noon

Clothes Closet Open -- 10:00 AM - Noon – Basement

NA Meeting Wednesday -- 7:00 PM – Fellowship Hall

Thursday, February 6

Private Event - P.E.O. Meeting -- Noon - 2:30 PM – Fellowship Hall

NA Women’s Group -- 7:00 PM – Fellowship Hall

Friday, February 7

AA Meeting Friday -- 8:30 PM – Fellowship Hall

Sunday, February 9 - Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Holy Eucharist Rite II - Music -- 9:30 AM – Sanctuary

ECW Meeting -- 11:00 AM – Fellowship Hall

Monday, February 10

Parish Office Open -- 9:00 AM - Noon

Clothes Closet Open -- 10:00 AM - Noon – Basement

Greater Power Discussion Meeting -- 7:00 PM – Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, February 12

Parish Office Open -- 9:00 AM - Noon

Clothes Closet Open -- 10:00 AM - Noon – Basement

NA Meeting Wednesday -- 7:00 PM – Fellowship Hall

Thursday, February 13

NA Women’s Group -- 7:00 PM – Fellowship Hall

Friday, February 14

AA Meeting Friday -- 8:30 PM – Fellowship Hall

Sunday, February 16 - Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany

Holy Eucharist Rite II w/Baptism - Music -- 9:30 AM – Sanctuary

Christian Formation Forum (during Coffee Hour) – Memorial Room

FEBRUARY CELEBRATIONS

We encourage you to remember these people

on their special days!

If we don't have your birth or marriage dates,

please contact the office.

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

Terry Hurst - 2/6

Austin Vanoss - 2/8

Bob Fuhrman - 2/11

Linda Diesh Chesher - 2/15

Allison Wesley - 2/15

Georgine Bowman - 2/24

FEBRUARY MARRIAGE ANNIVERSARIES

None

Prayer List

If there is someone you would like to include on or remove from the list, please email the Parish Office at

trinitychurchhamilton@gmail.com

Prayer requests for:

• Joan Fields-Cox, who has died, and for her family in their grief, especially her daughters Susan and Jennifer
• Marilyn Smith, friend of Karen and Bob Fuhrman
• Jackie Huelsman
• Diane Harris, who has died, and for her family in their grief, especially her daughters Jessica Dunbar and Heidi Rice.
• Ginny Woods, recovering from knee replacement surgery
• Jim Croom, brother in-law of Ginny Woods, who has terminal pancreatic cancer
• Lisa Llafet, step-sister of Linda Griffin
• Rebeca from Brazil, Ginny Woods' Compassion International Child
• Mort Mullens
• For Barb Waddell, who has died, and for her family in their grief, especially her husband, Clyde, and daughter and son-in-law Laurie and Bryan "Mark" Kile
• Kim Jewett
• Carl Bishop
• Art and Sandra Pizzano
• For Taylor David Luxford, son of Karen & Jim Schwartz, who is undergoing treatment for melanoma
• Teresa Durbin
• Christie Brown, who will have back surgery soon
• For Rev. Kip Colegrove's sister Bobbi, who is undergoing cancer treatment
• Jackie Huelsman's mother Jacky
• Chasity Mae Pelopida's family, and especially her step-father, Dan Wolf
• The Renners family
• For Pastor John Lewis of The Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, who was diagnosed with a sarcoma in his leg.
• Mayo Torres, father of Jennifer Torres Bates, who is recovering from a stroke.
• Pam Hurst's continued recovery from health issues
• Beth Blaylock's continued recovery from recent successful surgery
• Sue and Ken Lawrence
• Lorna and her children
• Carrie O'Connor, friend of Jennifer Elliott, whose cancer has returned
• Richard Isaacs
• Barb Morris, sister of Tom Woods
• David, Gayle Sisson's Brother
• Andrew and Maria Cole
• Tina Chandler
• Doctor Bob
• Chris Russo
• Candy, sister of Teresa Durbin
• Amanda, Mike and Penelope - friends of Linda Griffin
• For Alan
• For peace in the Middle East
• For Wade Hensley, whose mother has died
• Richard Elberfeld, brother of Anne Cole
• Donnie Eschenbrenner, recovering from a broken hip
• Herm Lorance
• Leslie and Warren Grossklaus
• Sarah Ruston and her son, Tom
• The Vanoss Family
• Dave Bahlmann, brother of Mike Bahlmann
• Caitlin Bomar - wife of the Priest-in-Charge at Diane Line's church
• Mary Kay Kroner, friend of Jennifer Elliott
• Candra
• For Jeff, brother of Kim Jewett
• Ryan Moore, Terri Comer's son
• Ken Huelsman
• Susan Tarbuck
• Nella Hurst, friend of Mike and Sue Samoviski
• Casey Graff
• Goldie, mother of Pat Combs
• Steven Palmer
• Barbara and Michael Clifton
• Rita Stanton
• Carl and Mary Bishop
• Beth and Chuck Blaylock
• Joan King
• Tom King
• Tom Snow, brother of Linda Griffin
• Haley, Anne Elberfeld’s daughter
• Our Nation
• Wesley and Mary Kay
• Bruce, nephew of Pam Bates
• Doug Ottke, friend of Ginny and Tom Woods
• Carol Paschal and her family
• Lee and Debbie Schutte, friends of Ginny and Tom Woods
• Bill, Amy, William and Jordan
• The sister of Heather Komnenovich
• Anne Cole
• Russ Thompson
• Tom Wilson
• Georgia Adams
• Heather Komnenovich
• Stephanie Woods
• James Noble
• For Ukraine
• For Peace
• Jackie Huelsman
• Mac
• Bob Ross

Post Office returns mail sent to 115 N. Sixth St.

We use the post office box because it is a reliable and safe way to receive our mail since the parish office is not open every day. The forwarding time has ended so please use the P.O. box address.

MAILING ADDRESS INCLUDING ZIP CODE

Trinity Episcopal Church

P.O. Box 851

Hamilton, OH 45012

Parish Office Hours

Mondays and Wednesdays - 9:oo a.m. to Noon

Phone Messages checked weekdays.

Email checked throughout the week.

The Rev. Lou Hays can be reached at louisbhays@gmail.com. This is also the best way to schedule a phone conversation or in-person meeting with Lou. You can also contact the parish office.

Church phone number:

513-896-6755

Church email:

trinitychurchhamilton@

gmail.com



Website:

trinityhamilton.org



Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Trinity-Episcopal-Church-Hamilton-Ohio-151615496591/

Parish Leadership

TRINITY STAFF

The Rev. Lou Hays, Interim Rector

Pam Bates, Sexton

Jennifer Elliott, Music Director

VESTRY OFFICERS

Jennifer Elliott, Senior Warden

Terry Hurst, Junior Warden

Tom Woods, General Treaurer

Jennifer Elliott, Interim Investment Treasurer

Kim Jewett, Vestry Clerk

VESTRY MEMBERS

Pam Bates, Pat Combs, Jennifer Gattermeyer,

Linda Griffin, Kim Jewett, Kathleen Smith, Ginny Woods