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36 Main Street, Newtown, CT | | |
Toward a paperless stewardship experience
It’s the middle of October and as I write this I am looking out the kitchen window. I see brilliant colors enhanced by the soft sunshine of fall. It is a bountiful time and at Trinity we have much to celebrate. The reinstallation of our beloved Ascension window is completed. The new roof that will keep our glorious church dry for decades to come is nearly completed. Our outreach efforts continue to have a positive impact in our community and beyond. Our children’s ministry is strong and growing. Our choir and musical programs are expanding. God is good!
We are now at the halfway home point of the 2026 Stewardship campaign. The bounty described above is made possible in large part by your generous commitment to the 2026 stewardship drive. If you haven’t returned your pledge card (life gets busy!), we have a solution for you. You can click the link below which will take you to the Trinity Pledge 2026 page. With a few clicks and taps your pledge will be complete.
www.trinitynewtownct.org/pledge-2026.
If you find you need help negotiating the Pledge 2026 page, I will be at coffee hour with a computer ready to help you enter your pledge information. I look forward to a long line at coffee hour!
God’s blessings upon you!
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All Saints Sunday, November 2, 2025
Beloved Ones, we will celebrate All Saints Sunday on November 2nd at our 9:30 AM service of Holy Eucharist. We invite you to share names in advance with our church office if you would like them read aloud in worship.
We also invite you to bring photos of your Saints, your loved ones, to place in the nooks and crannies around our historic Sanctuary. Oh, the stories such pictures tell! They are a visible reminder of an invisible truth: the communion of saints are surrounding and upholding us, always.
As we age, the more Saints we know. To become older is to be filled with memory, with grief - which, sometimes, melts into wisdom; and, occasionally, flares into deep, abundant joy at the beauty of this life, of relationship, despite the loss.
All Saints Day. A day when we can almost see through the veil between this world and the next; a day when we glimpse eternity. On All Saints Day, we remember those saints of Christian history who exhibited unusual courage, extravagant generosity, and peace in the face of adversity. We remember those who gave even their very lives.
We remember as well our own saints, those who taught us courage and honesty, how to love and do justice and walk humbly with God. Perhaps they were not famous people, but they were good and faithful and helped, in their own way, to build the kingdom of God on earth.
They are here, with us! They are in us, among us, between us … all around us. Invite a friend to pray with us on All Saints Sunday.
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Chronic Pain Support Group
Chronic Pain Support group will meet next Wednesday, October 29th from 4 - 5:30pm. Our group, led by a licensed clinical social worker and trained volunteer, welcomes everyone who is looking for connection and understanding. It is interfaith and nonsectarian.
Chronic pain is pain that lasts for over three months and can affect any part of your body. Sometimes it has a known cause and sometimes it doesn’t. It can interfere with daily life and lead to depression and anxiety.
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🎃 All-Parish Pumpkin Carving Event! 🎃
Sunday, October 26th
Immediately after church in the Glover Community Room
Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of pumpkin carving for a great cause! We’ll be displaying our creations as part of Trinity’s 9th Annual Great Pumpkin Challenge.
$5 per pumpkin — and 100% of donations will benefit the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a nonprofit founded in 1988 by Paul Newman. This incredible organization provides free year-round camp experiences for children with serious illnesses, giving them the opportunity to build lasting friendships and unforgettable memories.
Let’s carve out some time for fun, fellowship, and giving back. All ages welcome!
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The Great Pumpkin Challenge
This will be the 10th year that Trinity has hosted the Great pumpkin Challenge and all proceeds benefits the Hole in the Wall Gang camp, which provides joy, hope, and healing to children with serious illnesses and their families- completely free of charge.
The Great Pumpkin Challenge was originally founded in 2011 by Mackenzie Page as she was inspired to support her friend, Zoe McMorran, who was diagnosed with brain cancer. The youth of Trinity church gladly took over the project in 2016 when Mackenzie left for college.
The Hole in the wall gang camp was founded in 1988 by Paul Newman so children with serious illnesses could experience the camp experiences
Last year, we raised $1253 that was donated to Hole in the wall Gang Camp to help support Paul Newman’s vision of “a different kind of healing.”
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Halloween Candy Collection!
Candy collection bins are out at each entrance. Please help us support Newtown's epic Halloween on Main!
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Halloween at Trinity
Trinity is the place to be on Halloween! Every year, we have our front lawn lit up with Jack-O-Lanterns for the Great Pumpkin Challenge (more on that next week!) We need volunteers to hand out candy to all the trick-or-treaters. Please click here to join in the fun!
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Seeing the need beyond our walls
This week we are asking for a big donation of canned meats. We are completely out!
Tuna, Chicken etc.
Pasta Sauce is always in need
Canned fruit
Shampoo and toothpaste
Store gift cards are welcome!
We can do the shopping!!
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A rewarding and fun afternoon of service on Nov 9
On November 9th, the Youth of Trinity along with Mission and Outreach will travel to New Haven to Chapel on the Green and hand out meals to those in need.
After our service at Trinity, we will make sandwiches in the kitchen at Trinity, pack up cold meal bags and go to New Haven. The event includes an outdoor service with music and communion and handing out food bags. We meet at 12:30 to carpool to the event.
Please join us in this rewarding fellowship, either by making sandwiches or joining us in New Haven at: Trinity on the Green, 230 Temple Street , New Haven, CT.
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This Sunday’s service comes with a joyful little twist that will have you leaving the sanctuary with a smile on your face and a spring in your step. 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 superheroes to pirates to ninjas to random food costumes, these bright faces and colorful costumes remind us that God delights in the joy and creativity of our youth.
After their parade, the kids will help lead the congregation in our closing hymn, “This Little Light of Mine”. Yes we do expect everyone to join in, and don’t forget the hand motions! 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 in the house of God and that their lights brighten our faith. So come ready to sing, smile, and celebrate the light of Christ shining through our youngest worship leaders!
See you Sunday!
Jennifer
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This week is all things Halloween at Church School. In class kids will be learning about shinning their light in dark places. They will learn a pumpkin prayer they can teach their families as they carve pumpkins this week. Join us on Sunday for two fun activities!
Halloween Parade – Kids are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes to church and show them off in a festive parade. Costumes can be spooky, silly, or super creative – we can’t wait to see what they come up with!
During the parade, the children will sing “This Little Light of Mine” and we invite you all to join in singing this familiar tune.
Pumpkin Painting – Join us downstairs in the Glover Room for a fun and creative time decorating pumpkins. We will have sugar pumpkins, paint and plenty of fun! All donations go to the "hole in the wall gang camp."
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. -Matthew 5:16
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Halloween Festivities – Community Outreach in Action
Our youth will once again be hosting our annual Halloween night event on Friday, October 31st, and we need all hands on deck! Every year, we open the church to the community for hospitality and to provide restroom access. It’s a popular and well-loved tradition, but it takes a team to pull it off.
We’ll have a volunteer sign-up available throughout October, and we’d love for both parents and youth to participate — especially in helping hand out candy and supporting the welcoming environment we aim to create.
Here’s the Halloween timeline:
- October 25th (9:00 AM) – Set up scaffolding out front in preparation for Halloween.
- October 26th – Pumpkin carving with the parish! We’ll need youth volunteers to help set up, carve pumpkins, and enjoy the festive spirit.
- October 31st (4:00–8:30 PM) – Halloween Night Event. Volunteers needed to assist with candy distribution, hospitality, and facility access.
Giving Back: Chapel on the Green – Sunday, November 9th
On Sunday, November 9th, our youth group will participate in Chapel on the Green, a mission-centered outreach where we serve meals to the homeless in New Haven. During our regular meeting time, we’ll make sandwiches and then travel together to New Haven for the service.
We usually return by 3:00 PM, and we encourage parents to join us — not only to share in the experience, but also to help with transportation, as parking is limited, and commuting together helps. This is a truly rewarding day of service and connection, and we hope to see a strong turnout.
With gratitude,
Noel Bellesheim & Frank LaBanca
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Weekly Happenings
Trinity's nursery is open every Sunday from 9:15 - 11:15, and is professionally staffed by Wee Care Nanny Agency. Click here to review the nursery guidelines.
Trinity's Grief Support Group runs every first and third Thursday of the month from 4-5:15pm, and is open to all.
Trinity's Chronic Pain Support Group runs the last Wednesday of every month from 4-5:30pm and is open to all.
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Glass and Elevator Doors Open until 9:45am on Sunday Mornings
Trinity’s Ushers offer wonderful hospitality on Sunday mornings! We want all –
especially visitors or newcomers! - to experience their welcome. For this reason, we
believe it is important for people to enter doors that are attended after worship has
begun on Sunday mornings.
If you arrive after 9:45 on Sunday, please enter through the historic red doors on Main
Street. Please speak with Rev. Andrea if you have any questions.
| | 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. | | |
New Process for Vouchers
Vouchers can now be submitted virtually. There is a new page on Trinity's website (Vouchers). Please use this online form as a way to submit vouchers. If you need help learning this new system, please contact Kim.
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Praise and Thanksgiving
For those requesting our prayers
Maureen, Marie, Jennifer, Jacky, Gail, Alveta, Bode, Gracie, Martha, Shirley, Dan, Barbara, Caroline, Brent, Judy, Kathy, Peter, Lindsey, Joann, Rich, Dennis, Larry, Abby, Rich, Betsy, Walt, Tom, Alice, Ali, Cherie
For those celebrating a birthday this week
Ron Dukenski, Elizabeth Zarifis, Christina Lye, Austin Benedetto
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