Greetings!The purpose of Trinity Memorial is to be the heart, hands and feet of God in the world ... work and play, word and action ...
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Do you have enough food to feed your household for the next week? Those who do not are legion.
At the Diocesan Convention last month Bishop Gutierrez and Presiding Bishop Curry called on churches to respond to the profound food insecurity of people all around us. Our thanks to Susan Weinman and Sallie van Merkensteijn for spearheading a new initiative through Trinity to bring excess food from "Caring for Friends" to friends and strangers in our neighborhood who had no idea when they were going to get fresh food next.
Susan has taken to social media to offer food confidentially and to recruit helpers to transport, re-pack and distribute the food. You might recognize the faces of Carmen, Jesse and David – thank you. I met new faces (or at least eyes and masks) on Tuesday and heard the love that each volunteer was spreading with their hands, feet and hearts as they enthusiastically made this happen.
Advent is a time of preparation and waiting for God to enter in again to our lives. Let’s not miss all the ways that God is ever-present – in the cry of those who are hungry and in the joy of those who are just waiting to prepare an agape feast. You are each a blessing that will not wait ‘til Christmas morning.
Shalom, Donna+
Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.
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Following the Advent map you received, we celebrate St. Lucia on Dec. 13. You might start your blessing chain on Sunday as you read about St. Lucy and her service to others. Write a blessing on each piece of paper and curl it around, interlocking it with the next circle to make a continuous chain of blessing.
We are on the road toward Christmas together.
... and Blue boxes: Part of our stewardship practice at Trinity is filling blue UTO boxes as we remember our blessings daily. If you have not put together your United Thank Offering box yet, please get it from your Advent bag and begin today. They are collected and sent in to join money from around the world to fund projects that affect millions of people.
Presiding Bishop Curry’s Christmas message:
Joy to the world! The Lord is come: let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing. "Perhaps like me, you’ve sung this hymn for years – in church, at home with your family, gathered with friends and neighbors. Perhaps you’ve sung it to yourself – in your car, on a walk, or quietly in the dark of night. Read more … "
LAST CALL: HOLIDAY GREETING CARDS FOR SHUT-INS: Once you have your cards ready, call or email me [email protected] for a time to bring them to me. I will find a way to get them there. Pax, Deacon Lynn
The church office is closed. Chris is feeling much better but will work from home exclusively at least until Dec. 23. She will be picking up messages from the office and answering all email in a timely manner. There is no access to the building unless absolutely necessary.
Reminder: for info about shelter meal delivery please email Terry Hirshorn: [email protected] or 215-732-0364.
The voicemail will be picked up daily. Please stay in touch.
CBS TV for Advent and Christmas: Bishop Gutierrez returns to CBS for Sunday services at 5:30 a.m. weekly beginning 11/29; and 6 a.m. on Christmas Day. You can record and watch later! Each week features a different church building, preacher and choir.
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Stewardship: all that we do, with all that we have, all of the time.
This is our season of stewardship awareness and commitment. As we have been absent from our physical space, we have been concerned as a body with the blessings at hand. We have thanked God for family, health, healing, food, friends, teachers … so much and so many. And, we have not neglected to give gratitude for the gift of the physical plant where Trinity PlayGroup children and WinterShelter guests find refuge. It is where TCUL broadcasts concerts even during Covid times and where food is distributed to hungry souls.
Let us not neglect to listen to God’s call to service of others and to contemplate our financial contributions to Trinity in the coming year. This is an uncertain time yet the reality of budgeting and paying the bills goes on. As good stewards, the Vestry will look at the 2021 numbers on Thursday. You will receive a hard copy letter and pledge card in the next few days and an email version soon. Please use the means that best suits you to respond to God’s call of stewardship.
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Bishop Gutierrez met with Diocesan clergy on 12.8 with guidelines for church gathering, or NOT:
First, Please stay home!
Second, if you feel compelled: We will be in Phase one through Epiphany except fors Christmas service
To recap, the next several weeks follow this schedule:
· 12/8/2020 – 12/23/2020: Phase I protocol in effect
· 12/24/2020 and 12/25/2020: Updated Phase II protocol in effect
· 12/26/2021 – 1/3/2021: Phase I protocol in effect
He also noted that the diocesan finance structure is working on funding for communications enhancement so that churches will continue online presence even after the virus is under control.
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Wreath Sale
If you ordered a wreath, ick up will be in church courtyard on Saturday, December 12 from 10AM - 12 Noon. Cash or check only - no credit cards.
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Food Box Project -- (see the article above for description)
The next planned date is December 22.
Needed:
- 4-6 people who are comfortable bending over a lot to help with sorting, breaking down any boxes to be recycled and throwing trash out neatly.
- two vehicles doing each run (in case there is an issue with one vehicle or person we can still continue.)
- we have some volunteers lined up so call or write to Susan (below)
- donations of 20-medium size moving boxes or 40+ heavy grocery bags (e.g., doubled Trader Joe's bags) that can hold heavy loads for each day.
This will all happen outside (Trinity courtyard) for now due to Covid.
If you can help with this project, please contact Susan Weinman at [email protected] or 215 317 9858).
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Rhea enjoys cocoa,
Eva colored St. Nicholas, Elliott enjoys a snack
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Deacon's corner
This Advent I have been reading the words of different Christian writers and saints. I have been moved by their inspiring words an d the beautiful way they articulate the meaning of Advent. One of the “saints” whose words have meant a lot to me is Dietrich Bonhoeffer who wrote this in a letter to his parents while imprisoned by the Nazis in Tegel Prison Camp November 29, 1943:
“Jesus stands at the door knocking (Rev. 3:20). In total reality, he comes in
the form of the beggar, of the dissolute human child in ragged clothes, asking
for help. He confronts you in every person that you meet. As long as there are
people, Christ will walk the earth as your neighbor, as the one through whom
God calls you, speaks to you, makes demands on you. That is the great
seriousness and great blessedness of the Advent message. Christ is standing
at the door; he lives in the form of a human being among us. Do you want to
close the door or open it?”
It touches my heart that he could write about Christ walking among us while suffering imprisonment; knowing that his death might be imminent. The message is clear, requiring no explanation: Jesus is with us in every person, especially those on the margins and we can open our doors and hearts to Christ in our midst or not. It is our decision. Will you close or open your door and your heart this season and beyond?
Let us pray:
God, let us find Christ in every person we meet. Let us open our hearts and doors to you as we prepare for your coming. Amen.
Pax,
Deacon Lynn
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Worship leaders 12.6.20
9:00
leaders: Rachel, David, Mia
10:30
Readers: Anita, Andrea
Prayers: John K
Officiant & Preacher: Donna Maree
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Birthdays
December
5 Missy Randolph
9 George Stuempfig
18 Susan Weinman
29 Abbie Kinzler
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Worship:
Sundays: all on Zoom
9:00 children ages 0-7 and their families
10:30 everyone welcome; hymns led by the TMC choir, prayers, sermon
coffee hour after both
Wednesdays 9:00 Morning Coffee & Prayer
Thursdays 5:30 Evening Prayer All welcome
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Prayer is the most powerful tool we have when we can't be there personally for friend or stranger ...
Healing and support especially for: Mark, Sarah W, Sasha, Shirley, Bill, Travis, Luca, Sallie & Jim W., Jack, Lynn, Andrea, Susan W, Richard, Chris and family, Ulpiano, Carmen O., Peter D. (Sharon's brother-in-law), Charlotte, Abbie
Special prayers of gratitude, especially for the Food Box ministers
Grace for those who have died and all who mourn
Stamina and creativity for all essential workers, especially teachers, clerks, IT professionals, trash collectors, medical personnel, delivery, bankers, restaurant employees ...
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As you prayerfully consider your financial support for the work and presence that Trinity provides, please use this link
Designate your gift for:
Pledge
Special Fund
Rector's Discretionary Fund
General Fund for expenses
Other
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Our building is closed but the church is still open!
We continue to pray together and worship by moving our services online. We are also keeping our staff employed, repairing and readying for building rentals and and all activity to resume.
While our physical gathering is limited please do not neglect to provide for the work of the church with your financial contributions. You may send a check in the mail, make a direct payment through your ne banking platform or click on the DONATE button to go directly to our secure online service.
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Trinity Memorial www.trinityphiladelphia.org
Donna 330.766.5904
Lynn 908.217.6365
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