Reflections by the Rev. Lou Hays: Who Knew?; Submit Names for All Saints' Sunday Remembrance by 10/29; Register for Convention by 10/31; Potluck Brunch on 11/2; Return Pledge Cards by 11/16; More

Trinity Church News

October 22, 2025

In this issue:

Click "view entire message" at bottom of email

to view the full newsletter.

Reflections by the Rev. Lou Hays: Who Knew?
You Are Invited to Celebrate Our Trinity Community! Potluck Brunch on November 2
Stewardship Campaign - Return Pledge Cards or Use Online Pledge Form by November 16
Submit Names for All Saints' Sunday Remembrance by October 29
Vestry Meeting on Wednesday, October 22
Register by October 31 to Attend Diocesan Convention in Hamilton
Altar Flowers Donations Sign Ups will Resume in January; Dedication for October 26
Coffee Hour Refreshments Sign Ups for November and December
New Book About the 150 Years of the Diocese of Southern Ohio
Photos for Updated Parish Directory
Trinity's Clothes Closet: Personal Hygiene Products and Children's Underwear Collection
Holy Trinity, Oxford: Red Door Community Concert October 24
Follow Us on Facebook
Sunday Service Livestream Information
Worship Information and Scripture Readings for Sunday, October 26
This Week at Trinity
October Birthdays & Anniversaries
Prayer Requests
Online Giving Link

Reflections by the Rev. Lou Hays: Who Knew?

Did you know that Desmond Tutu once visited and preached at Trinity Hamilton? I learned this amazing fact on Sunday morning. I told a story about Tutu to illustrate how God uses people to bring hope, justice and healing to our broken world. As a young man, Desmond went to his priest in great frustration and asked, “why do our people have to suffer so much? Why is there so much poverty, so much oppression, so much persecution? Why doesn’t God do something? And the priest answered, “God has done something. God has created you!”

As I was finishing the story, a parishioner sitting near me said, “Did you know that Desmond Tutu was here at Trinity?” (Thank you Mike!) And of course I said in amazement, I had no idea. I’ve never heard that.

Did you know that Desmond Tutu, either as Bishop or Archbishop, visited Trinity and preached on a Sunday morning? If you know any of the details, I would love to hear about them. It turns out according to Google that Tutu made several visits to Cincinnati over the years, in part because he was friends with our then bishop, Herbert Thompson. So his visit could have been in the 1980s or 90s. He also visited Cincinnati in 2005, but it seems his visit to Trinity was earlier than that.

I had the privilege of hearing Tutu preach twice, once in Pittsburgh and a second time at Virginia Theological Seminary. He was a man of small stature but huge presence. He could fill up a room with his commanding presence and huge smile. I will always remember when I heard him preach the first time. He stepped up to the front, outside of the pulpit, and boomed out, “I really only have one sermon.” And then standing on his tiptoes and with a radiant smile lighting up his face proclaimed, “God loves you!”

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a giant. He helped bring apartheid to an end in South Africa. His Truth and Reconciliation Commission prevented much bloodshed and promoted healing in the aftermath of apartheid. He has been and continues to serve as an inspiration to people around the world who strive for justice and peace, respecting the dignity of every human being. We should have a plaque at Trinity proclaiming that on a certain date, Desmond Tutu preached here!

Peace and blessings,

Lou+

You Are Invited to Celebrate Our Trinity Community!

Potluck Brunch November 2

We always love our Trinity potluck meals! We had a great turnout for the potluck on October 15. You won’t want to miss this next opportunity on November 2!

Fellowship Hall - Sunday, November 2

This will be a potluck brunch with our guest preacher, The Rev. Derrick Fetz, Missioner for Stewardship of the Diocese of Southern Ohio and friend of Trinity. It will immediately follow our 9:30 a.m. service. This will be another opportunity for time together with old and new friends and to share our thoughts about securing our bright future of doing God’s work in and through our community. Please sign up for brunch items such as breakfast casseroles, quiche, potato dishes, coffee cake, fruit salad and the like. We will provide drinks and tableware.

Here are photos from the gathering on October 15:

Stewardship Campaign - Return Pledge Cards or Use Online Pledge Form by November 16

Our Stewardship Campaign, Securing Our Bright Future with Gratitude, kicked off on Sunday, October 12. Letters and pledge cards were distributed to those who were in attendance that day and have been mailed to parishioners not in attendance.

Please return your pledge card by Sunday, November 16. You can place them in the offering plate on a Sunday morning or mail them to Trinity Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 851, Hamilton, OH 45012.

Pledge Online

You can also click here to submit your 2026 pledge online. If you use the online pledge form you do not need to return the paper pledge card.

Submit Names for All Saints' Sunday Remembrance

Please submit the names of those who have died to be included in the remembrance during the All Saints' Sunday service on November 2.

Names can be submitted using the inserts that will be included in the worship service bulletins on Sunday, October 19 and 26 (place form in offering plate) or you can submit the names to the Parish Office by email to trinitychurchhamilton@gmail.com

or by phone to 513-896-6755. Please include pronunciation, if needed.

The submission deadline is Wednesday, October 29.

Vestry Meeting on Wednesday, October 22

This month's Vestry Meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 22 at 4:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall.

Minutes from the past meeting are available in the Memorial Room.

The Convention will be held in Hamilton on November 14 and 15 at Champion Mill Conference Center at Spooky Nook.

Convention attendance is open to all parishioners. If you would like to attend the Convention you must register by October 31. Click here to register. Select the option to register as a "Guest."

There is no cost to register and everyone will have the opportunity to have refreshments, attend the Convention banquet and participate in workshops and plenary sessions, all at no charge.

See you at Convention!

Altar Flower Donations - Sign Ups Will Resume in January

All dates in November are now filled and we use greens during Advent and poinsettias for Christmas. Altar flower donation sign ups will resume in January.

The Altar Flowers for Sunday, October 26,

are given by Jennifer Elliott, with gratitude for our wonderful Trinity parish.

Coffee Hour Refreshments

Sign-Up Sheet for November and December

A sheet is available in the Memorial Room to sign up to provide food refreshments for Coffee Hour. Thank you for your participation in this time of fellowship!

New Book About the 150 Years of the

Diocese of Southern Ohio

As part of the celebration of the 150 year anniversary of the Diocese, we have received a copy of A People’s Sesquicentennial History, by Donna M DeBlasio, PhD. This new publication is a bottom-up history of our Diocese, featuring many stories of individuals who have contributed mightily to our development up to the present day. If you would like to see the book, it may be viewed in the church office. Later we will make it available to check out for those who would like to take it home and read it.

Photos for Updated Parish Directory

If you have a photo you would like to include in our updated parish directory, please either email a photo to trinitychurchhamilton@gmail.com or text it to Lisa Gooding, our Parish Administrator, at 937-371-1066. If you text a photo to Lisa, please also let her know your name.

Having photos in the directory is also very helpful for a new Rector to more quickly become familiar with everyone.

You're Invited to the Next Red Door Community Concert at Holy Trinity, Oxford on October 24

Trinity's Clothes Closet Needs Children's Underwear and Personal Hygiene Products

Trinity's Clothes Closet is great need of soap, shampoo & conditioner, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and similar personal hygiene products. There is a clear plastic bin in the Memorial Room to collect donations of these items.

Additionally, the children's closet is in need of children's underwear, in all sizes.

If you are affiliated with an organization or business who may be willing to donate larger quantities of these items, please let Pat Combs or Sue Samoviski know. Our Clothes Closet serves over 200 individuals per month, and the need continues to grow for these items.

Other Donation Needs:

Men's Shoes

Infant Clothing

Men's and Women's Socks and Underwear

Children's Toys

Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads, Tampons, etc.)

Blankets

Men's T-Shirts and Hoodies

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!

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

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/

Sunday Service Livestream Information

We continue to livestream our 9:30 a.m. worship service every Sunday. Click here to go directly to the livestream area on our YouTube channel. You can also access the livestream through the button on our website to "Click Here to View Sunday Service."

Sunday Worship at Trinity Episcopal Church

115 North 6th Street, Hamilton, OH

Sunday, October 26, 2025

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Proper 25

Year C - Track 1

RCL

Holy Eucharist, Rite I

in the Sanctuary at 9:30 AM

The Rev. Lou Hays Celebrant and Preacher

Sunday's Scripture Readings

Joel 2:23-32

Psalm 65

2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18

Luke 18:9-14

Click on the links above to access the readings.

Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

This Week at Trinity

Wednesday, October 22

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

Parish Office Open -- Afternoon

Vestry Meeting -- 4:00 PM – Fellowship Hall

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

Thursday, October 23

Parish Office Open -- Afternoon

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

Friday, October 24

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

Sunday, October 26 - Twentieth Sun after Pentecost | Proper 25

Holy Eucharist Rite I -- 9:30 AM – Sanctuary

Coffee Hour following the service – Memorial Room

Monday, October 27

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

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

Tuesday, October 28

Round Table Meeting -- 6:00 PM – Memorial Room

Wednesday, October 29

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

Parish Office Open -- Afternoon

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

Thursday, October 30

Parish Office Open -- Afternoon

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

Friday, October 31 - Halloween

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

Sunday, November 2 - All Saints' Sunday

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

Potluck Brunch following the service – Fellowship Hall

OCTOBER CELEBRATIONS

We encourage you to remember these people on their special days!

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

Mary Ann Jordan - 10/1

Jennifer Elliott - 10/7

Terri Comer - 10/12

Jack Griffin - 10/12

Vicki Riddle - 10/13

Angela Vanoss - 10/16

Joan King - 10/17

Susan Tarbuck - 10/23

Michelle Anderson - 10/28

OCTOBER MARRIAGE ANNIVERSARIES

Vic & Chris Russo - 10/5/96

Bryan & Laurie Kile - 10/23/93

If we don't have your birth or marriage dates, please contact the office to be included on the list.

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:

Herm Lorance, who has died, and for his family and friends in their grief
Pam Hurst
Tom Puckett, who is recovering from surgery
Patrick, who is in a coma, and is a family friend of Bob and Karen Fuhrman
Lorie Friedman, friend of Linda and Jack Griffin
Mike Bahlmann
Tina Chandler
Bruce Brown
Joan King, who has moved to Troy, Michigan, to live with her son, Andy
Carl and Mary Bishop
Suzi Samoviski, sister-in-law of Mike and Sue Samoviski
Christie Brown
Asher Johnson, grandson of Kathy Smith's friend, Brenda Johnson
Goldie McKinney, mother of Pat Combs
Beth and Chuck Blaylock
Ann Anderson
John Winkler, childhood friend of Lee Parrish
Kim Jewett
Tisha Patton, who has been diagnosed with cancer
Jackie Huelsman
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
Art and Sandra Pizzano
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
Lorna and her children
Richard Isaacs
Barb Morris, sister of Tom Woods
David, Gayle Sisson's Brother
Andrew and Maria Cole
Doctor Bob
Chris Russo
Candy, sister of Teresa Durbin
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
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
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
Liz Minor, friend of Lee and Jackie Parrish
Casey Graff
Steven Palmer
Barbara and Michael Clifton
Rita Stanton
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
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

Give your offering with Trinity's secure credit card/check draft link

Click the button below, scan the QR code or access the giving link via the trinityhamilton.org website.

Click Online Giving in the menu and fill out the form.

You can donate one time or set up recurring credit card or checking account gifts. The site will generate a receipt after every gift. You have the option to cover the credit card processing fees (usually 2.5% of the transaction amount) or leave that check box blank. We also can take automatic withdrawals from your checking account.

Trinity's Online Giving Link

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 on Wednesday & Thursday Afternoons

Email and phone messages are checked daily.

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.