In this issue:

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• Reflections by the Rev. Lou Hays: Stewardship, Lent and With God, All Things Are Possible!
• Election of Wardens and Highlights of the Annual Meeting
• ECW Fundraiser - Thank You!
• Wednesday Lenten Series Begins TODAY, March 12
• Trinity's Clothes Closet Needs Blankets and Men's Underwear
• Full Worship Schedule - In-Person and Online
• Scripture Readings for Sunday, March 9
• This Week at Trinity
• March Birthdays & Anniversaries
• Prayer Requests
• Online Giving Link

Reflections by the Rev. Lou Hays: Stewardship, Lent and With God, All Things Are Possible!

This past Sunday we kicked off our annual pledge campaign. In case you haven’t heard, our theme is, “With God, All Things Are Possible!” Admittedly, it’s unusual to have a stewardship campaign during Lent. Normally, parishes have a fall stewardship campaign, usually ending by Thanksgiving, with everyone invited to make a financial commitment to the parish for the following year. Since that didn’t happen this past year, we’re doing it now. I’ve been reflecting on the connection between stewardship and Lent and the importance of generous giving.

I mentioned in my sermons for Ash Wednesday and the First Sunday in Lent the traditional Lenten disciplines and the question of the overall purpose or theme of Lent. The three traditional Lenten disciplines are fasting, prayer and almsgiving. Only one - fasting - involves giving up something for Lent. The other two involve taking up or increasing something. And there are seemingly competing themes or theological underpinnings of Lent - penance and self-examination on the one hand, and joyful preparation for the Paschal feast (Easter) on the other. So we have two seeming contradictions or conflicts: are we to give up something for Lent, or take up something for Lent? And are we to spend 40 days of penitence and self-examination, or 40 days of joy. The answer to both questions is, Yes!

So here’s a quick summary of why I think Lent is actually a great time to focus on financial stewardship. First, almsgiving is one of the traditional Lenten disciplines. Thinking and praying about how much we will pledge allows us to get serious about almsgiving. Second, we can both give up and take up something at the same time: we can give up our attitudes of scarcity and fear, and take up an attitude of gratitude and generosity. We can adopt the attitude that with God, all things are possible! Finally, we can reflect on our giving and whether we are adequately expressing our thanksgiving for all that God has given us, and joyfully give back to God, remembering that God loves a cheerful giver! As Second Corinthians proclaims, “The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)

Here are some questions and answers for your reflection:

What’s so important about a pledge? I give as I am able, but I don’t want to get locked into a pledge.

We are grateful for everyone’s giving, whether via a pledge or otherwise. However, a pledge allows your Vestry to plan with more certainty. Pledge income is the single largest source of income for carrying out the mission and ministries of our parish. That said, a pledge is not a legal document - it can be increased, decreased or cancelled if circumstances change. Making a pledge allows us to be more thoughtful and consistent in our giving. Most importantly, a pledge says we are committed to Trinity and we want to see our parish thrive for generations to come.

I’m not able to give very much. What difference can my pledge make?

Please never underestimate the power of small things. Remember the widow’s mite and the mustard seed as described in the Bible. Like them, your gift may be small, but when combined with other people’s gifts, your giving can do great things.

How much should I give?

How much you give is ultimately between you and God. Some people can afford to give hundreds of dollars a week, others might have to stretch to give a few dollars a week. More important than how much you give is the question of what portion of your income you share with God. We encourage what is called proportional giving. There’s a chart on the back of the pledge card that helps you determine what percentage of your income you are currently giving and what it would mean by increasing your giving by a percent or more.

What’s so important about this year’s pledge campaign?

As you know, we want to be able to call a full time Rector by the end of this year at the latest. Our current level of giving would not be sufficient to cover the cost of a full time Rector for all of 2026. We are praying for a generous response from the entire congregation because having the person God would have to serve as the next Rector is the best way to ensure that Trinity will continue to grow and thrive.

Okay, I’m ready to join with my fellow parishioners by making a generous pledge. What should I do now?

Thank you, and God bless you! You should have received a letter explaining the campaign and a pledge card if you were in church last Sunday, or a letter in the mail soon if not. Please review our request, pray and consider whether you can increase your giving and by how much. Fill out the pledge card and place it in the offering plate on an upcoming Sunday, but not later than Palm Sunday when all of the pledges will be blessed at the altar. Or you can mail your pledge to the church. If you didn’t receive or have misplaced your pledge card, you may pick one up at church.

Is there anything else I can do to help?

Yes! Invite a friend who doesn’t have a church to come to Trinity with you on an upcoming Sunday. Participate in our Wednesday evening Lenten series where we will discuss how to become an even more inviting, welcoming and connecting parish. Participate in our Celebrating Our Heritage event after church on March 23. And if you haven’t remembered Trinity in your will or estate planning, please do so. You can endow your pledge in perpetuity when you designate Trinity as a beneficiary.



Peace and blessings, Lou+

Election of Wardens and Annual Meeting Highlights

Following last Sunday’s Annual Meeting, the Vestry elected Sue Samoviski to serve as Senior Warden and Terry Hurst to serve as Junior Warden. Congratulations and many thanks to Sue and Terry! Thank you for serving us in these senior leadership positions.

In case you were unable to attend our Annual Meeting, here are the highlights:

•  We elected by acclamation three people to serve three-year terms on the Vestry - Terry Hurst, Vic Russo, and Sue Samoviski - and one person to serve an unexpired two-year term, Lee Parrish, as a result of Kathy Smith’s decision to step down from the Vestry.

• We recognized Jennifer Gattermeyer and Ginny Woods for their continuing service as Vestry members, and Jenn Elliott, Kim Jewett and Tom Woods as Officers of the Vestry.

• We thanked Pam Bates, Pat Combs, Linda Griffin and Kathy Smith, our outgoing Vestry members, for their faithful service.

• We gave special recognition and thanks to Jenn Elliott for her incredible leadership and service as Senior Warden for the past five years.

• We announced the return of Lisa Gooding to our staff and thanked Phyllis Wykoff for giving so much of her time and talent in staffing the office in the absence of a paid staff person.

• We thanked every member of Trinity for their dedication and ministries that enable us to be a wonderful parish that serves our members and our community.

• We reviewed the 2024 financial results, most notably that we ended the year with a surplus of a little over $34,000 and are debt-free. The Vestry has designated $20,000 of the surplus to reimburse an account that was used to meet payroll and has set aside $14,000 for transition and search costs.

• We reviewed our investment and endowment results, increasing in amount from the $300,000s in 2024 to around $550,000 today. We stressed the importance of planned giving and remembering Trinity in our wills as important to growing the size of this important source of funds for the mission and ministries of Trinity. The Vestry has adopted a prudent spending policy to assure that our endowment and reserves will not be depleted.

• We reviewed the 2025 operating budget, most notably that the budget is balanced and allows the hiring of an office staff person to work 10 hours a week and assumes the call of a new Rector as of October 1. However, it was noted that the real challenge will be in 2026 when we will need approximately $50,000 in additional income to maintain a balanced budget with a full time Rector for the entire year. We noted this is one reason why our current pledge campaign is so critically important.

• We pointed out the various ministry reports contained within the Annual Meeting package and gave an opportunity for questions.

Click Here to access a copy of the Annual Meeting packet, which includes the financial and ministry reports for 2024.

ECW Fundraiser - Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who coordinated and/or participated in the ECW Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser on March 9. We raised $521 to send to St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Altadena, CA, which was completely destroyed by the recent wildfires.

There were rave reviews of the "Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole" and lots of fellowship and fun. Special thanks to Jennifer Gattermeyer and Chris Russo for their leadership on this fundraiser, and to Pat Combs for the decorations.

If you weren't able to attend but would like to support the fundraiser, you can send a check payable to Trinity Episcopal Church with "ECW Fundraiser" in the Memo line, or use our online giving link and put "ECW Fundraiser" in the Message area.

Wednesday Lenten Series Begins March 12

Not Your Father’s Lenten Series

This year’s Wednesday Evening Lenten Series is critically important to a successful transition period for Trinity Episcopal Church. We hope as many members of our parish as possible will participate; everyone has something vital to contribute.

What is our Wednesday evening program?

We will examine how to invite, welcome and connect people into our congregation. We will explore the theological basis for this work and brainstorm ideas how we can invite, welcome and connect folks in a manner unique to the culture and context of Trinity Episcopal Church. This isn’t just about what the priest does or the Vestry does. It’s about what each member of the parish can do to bring about a healthy, vibrant and growing congregation that’s ready to welcome and afford a full time Rector.

How did this program develop?

Actually, it’s not a program. It’s a ministry, a theology, a way of being based on scripture and tradition, such as the Great Commission in Matthew’s Gospel and our Baptismal Covenant. It’s rooted in our desire to share the Good News of God in Christ and the joy we experience in our Christian community with as many people as possible. Formally known as Invite-Welcome-Connect, it has developed over the past 25 years from the work of a layperson by the name of Mary Parmer working with the now retired Bishop of Texas Claude Payne and the Diocese of Texas following his retirement; and many clergy and lay leaders in Episcopal Churches across the nation. Lou attended a national conference with Mary Parmer while serving as Rector of St. Paul’s in Pittsburgh, and the following year invited her to conduct a workshop for the Diocese of Pittsburgh and his parish.

Why now?

The tools we will develop and behaviors we will learn will contribute greatly to our sacred time of transition. Learning about and promoting healthy behaviors and more effective ways of inviting, welcoming and connecting more people to Trinity will be life-giving to the current congregation and to everyone who walks in our doors.

When does the series begin, and how is each session structured?

Our 5-week series begins on Wednesday, March 12 and concludes on Wednesday, April 9. Each evening begins at 5:30 pm with a soup and salad supper and fellowship. Lou will begin the program at approximately 6 with introductory remarks followed by small group discussion and brainstorming, with sharing and wrap-up at the end. We will adjourn by 7 pm.

We look forward to seeing you. This is your invitation; you will be warmly welcomed; and we guarantee you will become even more solidly connected with your fellow parishioners as the series progresses!

Trinity's Clothes Closet Needs Blankets and Men's Underwear

Trinity's Clothes Closet is thriving and

providing wonderful support to the community! We are serving an average of 200 individuals each month.

Current Special Donation Needs:

Blankets

Men's Underwear

Men's T-Shirts and Hoodies

Socks

Personal Hygiene Products

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 your Support of this Ministry!

Sunday Worship at

Trinity Episcopal Church

115 North 6th Street

Hamilton, OH

Sunday, March 16, 2025

Second Sunday in Lent

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

First Sunday in Lent

March 16, 2025

Year C

RCL

Scripture Readings

Genesis 15:1-12,17-18

Philippians 3:17-4:1

Luke 13:31-35

Psalm 27

Click on the links above to access the readings.

Collect: O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

This Week at Trinity

Wednesday, March 12

Parish Office Open -- 9:00 AM - Noon

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

Lenten Series w Soup & Salad Supper -- 5:30 PM-7:00 PM–Fellowship Hall

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

Thursday, March 13

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

Friday, March 14

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

Sunday, March 16 - Second Sunday in Lent

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

Coffee Hour following the service – Memorial Room

Vestry Meeting in the Fellowship Hall following the Coffee Hour

Monday, March 17

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, March 19

Parish Office Open -- 9:00 AM - Noon

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

Lenten Series w Soup & Salad Supper -- 5:30 PM-7:00 PM–Fellowship Hall

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

Thursday, March 20

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

Friday, March 21

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

Sunday, March 23 - Third Sunday in Lent

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

Celebrating Our Heritage Event following the service – Fellowship Hall



MARCH 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.

MARCH BIRTHDAYS

Stephanie Woods - 3/1

Teresa Durbin - 3/5

Vic Russo - 3/5

Steve Comer - 3/6

Arianna Jenkins - 3/9

Mike Samoviski - 3/10

Robert DeGroff - 3/13

Vicki Riddle - 3/13

Debbie Crowe - 3/15

Lee Parrish - 3/16

Linda Griffin - 3/24

Claire Wittman - 3/27

Caitlyn Jones - 3/29

Georgia Adams - 3/30

Lori Wesley - 3/31

MARCH MARRIAGE ANNIVERSARIES

Jennifer & Rick Elliott - 3/1/03

Michael & Anita Dohn - 3/19/77

Ronald & Marilyn Vanoss - 3/28/70

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:

• Lee and Jackie Parrish in their grief on the recent death of Lee's sister
• Linda and Jack Griffin in their grief on the sudden death of Linda's brother, Thomas Gregory Snow
• Kim Jewett
• Jennifer Elliott
• Joan Fields-Cox, who has died, and for her family in their grief, especially her daughters Susan and Jennifer
• Tisha Patton, who has been diagnosed with cancer
• Marilyn Smith, friend of Karen and Bob Fuhrman
• Jackie Huelsman
• 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
• Art and Sandra Pizzano
• For Taylor David Luxford, son of Karen & Jim Schwartz, who is undergoing treatment for melanoma
• Teresa Durbin
• 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
• Beth and Chuck Blaylock
• 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
• Joan King
• Tom King
• 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
• 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. Please use the P.O. Box address when mailing items to Trinity or else the mail is returned.

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

Lisa Gooding, Parish Administrator / Bookkeeper

VESTRY OFFICERS

Sue Samoviski, Senior Warden

Terry Hurst, Junior Warden

Tom Woods, General Treaurer

Jennifer Elliott, Investment Treasurer

Kim Jewett, Vestry Clerk

VESTRY MEMBERS

Jennifer Gattermeyer, Kim Jewett, Lee Parrish, Vic Russo, Ginny Woods