This Week at Trinity

36 Main Street, Newtown, CT

Worship at 10am on Sundays

Please note: If you would like to make an announcement on Sundays, please email our Wardens Patrick and Christina to coordinate.

Search Process Update

The "observation" phase of our rector search is drawing to a close. Thanks to everyone who's shared their thoughts with our committee thus far. The deadline for providing input is Saturday, October 31. The questions are available here, as well as in flyers at the back of church and at coffee hour.

In November, the Observation Committee will synthesize what we've heard and use it to complete the documents required by the diocese. These will be an important part of "advertising" our opening to prospective rectors, so, please, do speak up.

Here's who we are and how to reach us:

Lisa Mages (chair)

Please consider donating Halloween candy -there are boxes at front and rear entrances of church. Sign up on line or just come and help pass out candy on Halloween between 4-8pm. We expect to get thousands of trick or treaters.

Trinity will be hosting the Great pumpkin challenge for its 11 year. Carving pumpkins will happen after church on Sunday or feel free to drop off your carved masterpiece anytime between 10/25-10/31 and a suggested donation of $5. All proceeds will go to Hole in the wall gang camp which is a camp that hosts children with serious illnesses and lets them experience the joy of summer camp and is provided at no cost. Last year we raised $750. Let’s spread light and love and continue this wonderful tradition!

All Saints Sunday, November 1, 2026

We will celebrate All Saints Sunday on November 1st at our 10:00 a.m. service of Holy Eucharist.

We invite you to share the names of loved ones with the church office in advance if you would like their names read aloud during worship.

We also invite you to bring photographs of your saints—your loved ones—to place in the nooks and crannies of our historic Sanctuary. Oh, the stories such pictures tell! They are a visible reminder of an invisible truth: the communion of saints surrounds and upholds us, always.

As we age, the more saints we know. To grow older is to be filled with memory and grief—grief that sometimes melts into wisdom and, occasionally, flares into a deep and abundant joy at the beauty of this life and our relationships, even in the midst of loss.

All Saints Day is a day when we can almost see through the veil between this world and the next—a day when we glimpse eternity.

On this day, we remember the saints of Christian history who showed unusual courage, extravagant generosity, and peace in the face of adversity. We remember those who gave even their very lives.

And we remember our own saints: those who taught us courage and honesty, how to love and do justice, and how to walk humbly with God. Perhaps they were not famous people, but they were good and faithful. In their own ways, they helped build the kingdom of God on earth.

They are here with us. They are in us, among us, between us—all around us.

Bring a photograph. Share a name. Tell a story. And invite a friend to pray with us on All Saints Sunday as we celebrate the lives, love, and legacy of those who have gone before us.

The deadline for submitting names is Wednesday, October 28th.

Thank You for Supporting the Little Pantry!

A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who supports the Little Pantry. We are so grateful for your generosity and continued kindness!

Unfortunately, the need in our community continues to grow. While we are fortunate to be able to supplement donations by purchasing grocery items when they are on sale, we still need to cut back on the quantity we are able to provide to each family.

Your donations make a real difference! Please continue to donate the items we are always in need of:

Ready-to-eat meals (such as Chef Boyardee or canned chili)
Pasta (please, no macaroni and cheese)
Canned meat or tuna
Canned fruit

Every donation, big or small, helps us continue to serve our neighbors in need. Thank you for being part of our Little Pantry family and for helping us make a difference in our community!

Interested in a Men's Group at Trinity?

Would you be interested in joining a men’s group at Trinity? We’re exploring the idea of creating a welcoming space where men can come together to connect, share experiences, support one another, and grow in faith and friendship.

Possible discussion topics could include:

Religion & Faith: Exploring our beliefs and asking questions.
Spirituality: Deepening our spiritual lives and relationships with God.
Everyday Life: Talking about family, relationships, work, and the things we all navigate in our daily lives.

The goal is to create a comfortable, supportive environment where men can share openly, listen without judgment, and build meaningful connections.

Interested in being part of the conversation? Please reach out to Anthony Pellagrino to let us know! We’d love to hear from you and see how much interest there is. Once we have a better idea of who would like to participate, we can work together to choose a day and time to meet.

We look forward to exploring this opportunity to build fellowship and support within our Trinity community!

The Youth Commission encourages Trinity families to donate candy for Main Street Halloween. Donations can be placed in the boxes at front and rear entrances of the church. Because we expect to get thousands of trick or treaters, volunteers are need. Sign up online or just come and help pass out candy on Halloween between 4-8pm.

This year, Trinity Youth will again host the Great Pumpkin Challenge. All Trinity members are invited to carve pumpkins after service on Sunday. Members can drop off their carved masterpieces anytime between 10/25-10/31 on the front lawn. A suggested donation of $5 is requested. All proceeds will go to Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, which hosts children with serious illnesses and lets them experience the joy of summer camp for free. Last year we raised $750. Let’s spread light and love and continue this wonderful tradition!

Youth Commission student members are encouraged to join for "pumpkin prep" on Saturday at 10 am in the Trinity kitchen, Sunday after service to assist families with carving, and Halloween night to collect funds and distribute candy.

Many thanks,

Frank LaBanca

Jessica Gibson

Rebecca Merrick

This Sunday’s Morning Prayer service comes with a joyful little twist that will put a smile on your face. Our Church School kiddos will be sharing their light as they make their way through the sanctuary in their annual costume parade, a beloved tradition on the Sunday before Halloween. From superhero’s to pirates to ninjas to random food costumes, these happy faces and colorful costumes remind us that God delights in our children.

After their parade, the kids will present a song we’ve worked on in Church school and will reprise it for our closing hymn so we can all sing it together. Beyond the fun, this moment will be a great reminder that worship is something we do together as a church family of all ages. When our children lead us in song, even dressed up in silly costumes, they are learning that their voices and presence matter and that they too can minister through music. So, come ready to sing, smile, and celebrate the light of Christ shining through our youngest worship leaders!

See you Sunday!

Jennifer

SAVE THE DATE!

Friday, October 30, 6:00 PM in the sanctuary

Carolyn Fagerholm recital: “Music, Mischief & Magic”

Reception to follow

Sunday, December 6, 3:00 PM in the sanctuary

Choral Evensong

Jennifer

In Church School, we’ve been learning more about the people of God in the Old Testament. So far, we’ve heard how Gideon prayed for a sign when he was unsure about a decision, and how Ruth and Naomi journeyed to a new land together and found kindness along the way. This week we’ll meet David, who faces a giant challenge! Through David’s story, we’ll discover how we can be courageous by trusting that God is with us, even when things feel overwhelming. Together, we’ll take part in a fun problem-solving activity inspired by David and his five stones. As we work through different challenges, we’ll explore how God can help us use the gifts we already have, and how we can find the courage to try even when something feels difficult.

In keeping with our Halloween traditions, Trinity will be partaking in Newtown's Great Pumpkin Challenge. After church this Sunday come join us in the Glover Room for pumpkin fun! We will be carving pumpkins. There will also be paint available for the younger ones to paint pumpkins.

Speaking of pumpkins...and spooky things, we will also be having a costume parade march in church this Sunday as well. Children are invited to come in costumes (no scary masks please), and we will gather during Church School for a festive entrance back into the church.

Should you wish to make a donation to LL, please mail a check to First Congregational Church of Ridgefield (FCC), 103 Main Street, Ridgefield, Ct 06877. The memo line should read LLGD or click here.