36 Main Street, Newtown, CT | |
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2024 Stewardship Update
Good Afternoon,
I would like to thank all of you who have sent in your 2024 pledge cards. Trinity touches so many lives with our ministries and commissions which isn't possible without your commitment. During the last few months I had the opportunity to witness first hand those commitments in action - feeding our homeless population at Chapel on the Green in New Haven; during Halloween by gathering pumpkins and donations for the Hole in the Wall Gang and opening Trinity's doors for warm place to sit and listen to spooky music. And finally feeding six of Newtown's ladies after Halloween - see pics below.
If you haven't returned your 2024 pledge card and received a 'Thank you' card confirming your pledge amount (No thank you card = Trinity hasn't received your 2024 pledge) please do so this week - even better hit the button below and send it to us electronically!
There are still a number of outstanding pledges for 2024. If you need to reach me my contact info is below. Please reach out by whatever means works best for you.
See you Sunday at Breakfast!!
Noel Bellesheim - Treasurer
nbellesheim1033@gmail.com
203-470-2689
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Sunday Conversations
Members of Trinity are invited to join our neighbors at Newtown Congregational Church (NCC) for a "Friday Conversation," as their "Thoughtful Film" series continues on Friday, November 17, in NCC Great Room. "Owned - A Tale of Two Americas" illustrates the long-term effects of mid-20th century housing rules and their emphasis on owning real estate. These created not only the housing lift some of us enjoy, but also the defunded and perpetually segregated rental communities. As we know, affordable housing continues to be an issue in Newtown. Sign up by contacting Katherine Simpson at kroesslersimpson@gmail.org, or 203.304.9390 (home), or 734.645.6909 (cell). We're invited to join NCC for a light supper beginning at 6:00 (bring your own or order a $6 sandwich by calling Katherine), or to arrive by 6:30 when the 1hr and 23 min film begins. Discussion will follow from 8:00-9:00.
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Christ's birth is always happening. And yet if it doesn't happen in me, how can it help me? Everything depends on that. -- Meister Eckhart
Interested in approaching Christmas from a different perspective this year? Join Lisa Mages on Sunday, November 26, at 11:00 AM to contemplate "The First Christmas: A Story of New Beginnings" by poet and translator Stephen Mitchell. This reimagining of the Christmas story is a short and wise read.
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Collection for the Center for Empowerment
The Center for Empowerment (formerly called the Greater Danbury Women’s Center) is in need of toiletry items for its emergency shelter. Our Music Minister Jennifer Sisco and Trinity’s Missions and Outreach Committee have teamed up to collect much-needed items for the women and children who urgently rely on the Center’s services.
Since 1975, The Center for Empowerment and Education has been a safe haven as the sole provider of services to victims of domestic and sexual violence in Northern Fairfield and Southern Litchfield Counties. Each year, the Center serves over 30,000 individuals with confidential services that are available 24/7, 365 days a year, and are provided at no-cost.
The Center's services include an emergency residential facility, support services, counseling and advocacy, crisis intervention, community education, primary prevention, and training.
Toiletries can be regular or travel size. Please see the list of needed items on the flyer, spread the word to your family and friends, and bring the donations to church! Collection boxews can be found near the entrances.
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Let us gather in interfaith unity to share a spirit of gratitude as we prepare for Thanksgiving! You are warmly invited to bring a neighbor or friend, as we lift up readings, prayers and song from our different faith traditions. Let us be in prayer for our neighbors and for our world.
Elevator Access at Rear of Church. Ample parking available behind Trinity Church, entering at 12 Church Hill Road. Questions: trinity@trinitynewtownct.org
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Kids of all ages are invited to decorate a bag and return it with food to stock our new Little Pantry.
Join us after service on November 12 during Breakfast Sunday in help decorate MORE bags for The Little Pantry at Trinity. When you return the bags with donations, leave them on the benches outside the sanctuary. If you want to keep your bag for next time, leave the donations in the shelf marked DONATIONS in the room at lower level and bring your bag home!
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The Creation Care Team call your attention to Newtown's "Fall Wildlife Panel" on Sunday, November 12, from 1-2:30pm, at the Newtown Community Center at 8 Simpson Street. The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary will be hosting experts from across the state including Wildlife in Crisis, Beardsley Zoo, Newtown Animal Control and Wild Birds Unlimited. Together, they will share strategies to embrace our wildlife neighbors in the healthiest and most responsible ways…a win-win for humans and animals! Registration is required. | | |
Love Never Ends and Neither Does Laundry | |
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I keep so busy praisn’ my savior. Cuz when I’m helpin’ the sick, I’m praisin’ my Jesus.
Lord, I keep so busy workin’ for the kingdom. Cuz when I’m feedin’ the poor, I’m workin’ for the kingdom. Cuz when I’m givin’ my all, I’m servin’ my Master. Ain’t got time to die!
-“Ain’t Got Time to Die” by Hall Johnson
As we culminate our season of stewardship, we take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible things that the people of Trinity do in our community and beyond. I have been your Music Minister for just over a year, and I am continuously in awe of the generosity of time, talent, and treasure that I see over and over, all with a spirit of joyfulness. What a special place this is!
The choir will sing a celebratory anthem this week, “Ain’t Got Time to Die” featuring our very own John Sullivan as soloist. This anthem is a spiritual arranged by Hall Johnson whose father was a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Growing up, Hall Johnson’s grandmother, who was born a slave, would sing spirituals to him. This brought about a passion in Johnson to preserve the uniqueness of the spiritual’s musical form. After moving to Harlem, he formed the renowned Hall Johnson Negro Choir and set out to bring spirituals to the masses. In his words, “True enough, this music was transmitted to us through humble channels, but its source is that of all great art everywhere- the unquenchable, divinely human longing for a perfect realization of life. It’s most tragic utterances are without pessimism, and its lightest, brightest moments have nothing to do with frivolity. In its darkest expressions there is always a hope, and in its gayest measures a constant reminder. Born of the heart-cries of a captive people who still did not forget how to laugh, this music covers an amazing range of mood.”
The lyrics of “Ain’t Got Time to Die” mirror what we hear at Trinity are all about in our various ministries. When we’re helping the sick, we’re praising Jesus. When we’re feeding the poor, we’re working for the Kingdom. When we’re giving our all, we’re serving our Master. There is an undercurrent of hope in all we endeavor to do.
Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
I hope to see you on Sunday!
Jennifer
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Would you like to be a part of coloring this year's giant Advent mural? A poster and a fresh pack of markers will be given to the first four families who volunteer to color a portion of this year's mural -- starting this Sunday! It is a wonderful, family-focused activity to do over Thanksgiving break. Completed posters need to be returned by Sunday, December 3rd. The mural will be on display starting in Advent and continue through the twelve days of Christmas. Email or speak to Miss Frances to express interest in this fun project! | |
Now is the time to register your child for this year's Charismas Pageant! Click here to get the registration form and contact Miss Frances with any questions. | |
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Upcoming events in November and December:
*Sunday, November 12, Paint shopping bags for Trinity's Little Pantry AND Church Breakfast
*Sunday, November 26, Advent Devotional for families becomes available
*Sunday, December 3, Christmas Pageant Practice (all participants)
*Sunday, December 10, Advent Merriment at coffee hour -- All ages event
*Sunday, December 17, Christmas Pageant performance AND Church Breakfast
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Sunday 11/12 Youth meeting after church in library
Sunday 12/10 Youth meeting after church in library
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Christian Yoga
Join Christian Yoga class on alternating Tuesdays at 7 pm for an hour of movement incorporating prayer and scripture. This is a great way to connect to yourself, with others and with God. Dates for the rest of the year are 11/14, 11/28 and 12/12. All are welcome! Free will offering is completely voluntary.
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Connecticut Choral Society Concert - November 10th
Join the Connecticut Choral Society and Trinity Episcopal Church for The Breath of Life—part of the Connecticut Choral Society’s 2023/2024 Concert Season. The Breath of Life features Dan Forrest’s celebration of joy and life woven with the pain of loss. The concert will also feature Forrest’s Light Beyond the Shadow and Always Something Sings, Astor Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, and Two Songs by American composer Amy Beach. Under the direction of Eric Dale Knapp, concert will feature soprano, Francesca Federico, soprano, Michael Ferri, violin, Mirian Liske-Doorandish, cello, Max Vladimiroff, piano, and renowned organist and pianist, Linda Sweetman-Waters. The Connecticut Choral Society will also be joined by ORCHESTRANEXUS and the Nexus Choral Artists. The Breath of Life will be performed here on Friday, November 10th at 7:30 pm. Two matinees are also scheduled for Saturday, November 11th at 3:00 pm at North Congregational Church, 11 Main Street North, Woodbury, or Sunday, November 12th at 3:00 pm at Valley Presbyterian Church, 21 West Whisconier Road, Brookfield. General Admission is $25 and tickets may be purchased online or at the door. To purchase tickets or for more information visit: www.ctchoralsociety.com and LIKE/FOLLOW the Connecticut Choral Society on Facebook & Instagram @connecticutchoralsociety.
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Trinity's nursery is open every Sunday from 9:15 - 11:15, and is professionally staffed by Wee Care Nanny Agency.
Trinity's Grief Support Group runs every first and third Thursday of the month, and is open to all.
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Praise and Thanksgiving
For those requesting our prayers
Arlene, Maureen, Janet, Rick, Marie, Jennifer, Joyce, Jacky, Gail, Alveta, Bode, Gracie, Martha, Daniel, Elaine, Beverly, Linda, Judy, Cheryl, Leon, Shirley, Dan, Brian, Hilda, Jim, Bea, Viola, Donald, Susan, Cindy
For those celebrating a birthday this week
Lorraine Speros, Marcia DeBrock, Yvonne Misarti, Ed Wojtowicz, Luke Pepin
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