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Invitation to Trinity Episcopal Church’s 292nd Annual Meeting
Sunday, January 28th – Worship at 9:30 AM, Breakfast and Meeting at 10:45 AM
Beloved Ones of Trinity Church,
Our festivities on Sunday, January 28th will begin in the Sanctuary with the Sacraments
of Baptism and Holy Eucharist. Immediately following worship, we invite you to gather
for Breakfast in the hall beneath the Sanctuary, as we celebrate our many ministries in
our 292nd Annual Parish Meeting.
We will raise our voices in song, pray, share reports, thank our lay leaders and elect
new ones. We do have two very special announcements to share! We will conclude
our time by commissioning our leaders. Thank you in advance for our Breakfast and
hospitality ministries!
As we anticipate this gathering, our Book of Common Prayer offers us this prayer ‘For
the Parish:’
Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven
and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen
the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent.
Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring
us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
See you on Sunday!
Rev. Andrea
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Annual Meeting BRUNCH!
Please join us after service this Sunday for Fellowship and Food. We will be serving up Croissant Sandwiches, Asian Coleslaw, the infamous “Best Baked Beans in the World”, Cheesy Potatoes, Fruit Salad and something sweet.
All are welcome!
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The Creation Care Team calls your attention to this invitation from our Lutheran sisters and brothers. "Lutherans Restoring Creation" are eager to share a resource that faith communities can use to start discussions and inspire community-based-solutions to grow climate justice. The three-part documentary "Regenerating Life" offers attainable solutions to the climate crisis through an ecological approach that unpacks the social and environmental crises confronting us.
Register now to gain free temporary access to the film to watch at your convenience, prior to meeting virtually with the filmmaker on February 27 at 8:00 PM. (Note: you can watch the film w/o attending the February 27 discussion.)
| The Creation Care Team calls your attention to the Episcopal Church's monthly Creation Care Newsletter. It's filled with resources, upcoming virtual and in-person events, grant updates, and stories from across the Church. You can subscribe to it here and take a look at the January issue here. | |  |
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Our neighbors at Newtown Congregational Church invite us to join them on Friday, February 9, for their next "thoughtful film" screening, "The Occupation of the American Mind: Israel's Public Relations War in the United States." Come to refresh your knowledge of what has happened in Israel and Gaza and learn why we in the US are experiencing so much debate about our support for Israel.
The event begins with a light supper at 6 pm, followed by the film at 6:20 and discussion until 9 pm. You are welcome to bring your own supper or to order sandwiches for $6.50 via the sign-up link below (order by Thursday, February 8; pay onsite).
To add your name to the sign-up list, click here https://rebrand.ly/sign-Israel-war, or contact Katherine Simpson at 734-645-6909 or [email protected].
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As I went down to the river to pray, studyin’ about that good ole way and who shall wear the starry crown, Good Lord, show me the way. O sisters, let’s go down, let’s go down, come on down, O brothers, let’s go down, down to the river to pray.
This Sunday, the Trinity Choir will sing the anthem “Down to the River to Pray”, which has been described as a Christian folk hymn, an African-American spiritual, an Appalachian song, and a Southern gospel song. It has even been thought to be a Native American Tribal song adapted to Christian words. No one knows for certain its true origin, but its musical structure and possible double meanings point to an origin in spirituals.
Because of its references to immersion baptism, it is often sung for baptisms (and we have one at Trinity this week!). Though, it could have a deeper meaning behind its lyrics. When enslaved people escaped captivity, they would often walk in the river to avoid the bounty hunters’ dogs catching their scent. As pointed out in Sweet Chariot- the Story of Spirituals, The “starry crown” may well be referring to their traveling under the protection of nighttime, and ‘Good Lord, show me the way” is a prayer for guidance to an escape route, likely the Underground Railroad. Songs sung by the victims of slavery contained coded messages about escape, and this song could easily fall into that category. Indeed, it is included in the 1867 Slave Songs of the United States, with transcription attributed to George H. Allan of Nashville, TN.
Beyond this fascinating history, the song has become a favorite of choirs on the occasion of baptisms, and it became popularized by Alison Krauss’s sweet voice in the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou. It’s words convey a deep commitment with an undercurrent of hope, a fitting tone for this week’s baptism at Trinity.
In Faith,
Jennifer
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Thanks to all who showed up to our Valentines for Troops event last Sunday.-- nearly 50 valentines were lovingly made! What a wonderful way to thank a soldier for their dedication and service to our country!
This Sunday in church school we will conclude our rotation learning about the parting of the Red Sea. Many thanks to Laurie Veillette for helping with this rotation. Following worship the church will hold its Annual Meeting in the Glover Community Room. A delicious church breakfast will also be served. A movie will be showing in the nursery during the meeting for younger children who may crave a little entertainment!
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Church School students have earned their first attendance award! Kids will enjoy a movie and popcorn next Sunday, 2/4, during church school and worship. We will be watching Evan Almighty, rated PG. This movie is a fun and modern adaptation of the story of Noah's Ark, which the kids learned about earlier this year. They have been very excited about this award and we hope they will be able to attend.
Upcoming events:
*Sunday, January 28, Annual Meeting and Church Breakfast following worship
*Sunday, February 4, Movie and Popcorn during church school and worship
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We are collecting names and addresses of all college kids to send Valentine boxes - please e-mail the church office or Julie at [email protected].
Some suggestions include:
Index cards
Gum
Hot chocolate packets
Chapstick
Post it notes
Toothpaste
Youth will meet in library this week to make Valentines to send to the troops.
February 11: Youth meet in library and pack college gift boxes
March 10: Youth meet in library
April 7: Youth meet in library
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Do you or someone you care about need prayers?
There are several avenues for prayer at Trinity!
Weekly bulletin:
Send in a prayer request to [email protected] or ask Rev. Andrea.
Intercessory prayer team:
This team commits to praying regularly for the people in the bulletin list and also a private list of prayer requests. The private list is for those who wish for their prayer requests to remain private. The intercessory prayer team has been trained in confidentiality and honors that request. To get a prayer request onto their list, contact [email protected], or use the Prayer Request button on Trinity’s website, or ask any member of the team: Cindy Anderau, Andrea Castner-Wyatt, Frank Brill, Barbara Chamberlain, Martha Dayton, Teddy Jameson, Kelly Rowan, Gordon Strother, Glenda Strother, Karen Wojtowicz. This team also meets once a month (3rd Saturday, 10:30-11:30) to pray together for those on these lists as well as any other prayer concerns that they bring with them that day. This group is open to anyone who would like to join. We will provide confidentiality training for you. For more information contact Cindy Anderau.
Emergency prayer team:
This team is committed to praying as soon as the request goes out to them (via email and text). They stop whatever they are doing and pray for the person or situation sent to them. This team is also trained in confidentiality and honors that for all prayer requests.
What is considered an emergency? This really applies to anything that is needed in the
moment. Someone has just been admitted to the hospital, or was in an accident, or has had a sudden loss, anything for which immediate prayers are needed. This prayer request can also be used for something that is scheduled for the future at a particular time when prayer would be needed. For example, if you knew that you were going to have surgery on Tuesday and wanted prayers said for you that day you could reach out to this team and request that prayers be said for you on that day (and even at a specific time if you have one). For these requests, contact Rev. Andrea or [email protected].
This prayer group is also open to anyone who would like to join them. We will provide
confidentiality training. You must have access to email and be able to receive text messages and be able to commit to praying as soon as you get the request. For more information contact Cindy Anderau.
Prayer Request button:
See button at the bottom of Trinity’s home page. Your request can go on the public or private list.
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Caregiver Support Group – Winter 2024
Are you care-giving for a loved one? Perhaps children or teens, perhaps elders or partners? Being a caregiver can be isolating. We invite you to a community support group as we share our experiences together.
These monthly conversations are open to our wider community as well as to members and friends of Trinity Church. Led by Rev. Andrea Castner Wyatt and trained Stephen Ministry listeners, we offer an interfaith and non-judgmental space for mutual encouragement.
We will gather on the Fourth Thursday of the month, on these days:
Thursday, January 25 @ 4:00 – 5:15 PM
Thursday, February 22 @ 4:00 – 5:15 PM
Thursday, March 28 @ 4:00 – 5:15 PM
We meet in the Johnson Library, on the 2nd Floor of Trinity Church, accessible through the glass doors to the rear of the Church. Elevator access, as well as ample parking, are available. RSVP to [email protected].
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Girl Scout Cookie Time!
Nina is once again selling Girl Scout Cookies! Here is the link for folks to order online. They can either have them shipped directly to them, or they can request for Nina to deliver the cookies (pickup will be at Trinity).
https://digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/nina755724
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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. The next sessions will be held on 1/23 and 2/13. All are welcome!
Free will offering is completely voluntary.
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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.
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, Judy, Cheryl, Leon, Shirley, Dan, Brian, Viola, Donald, Susan, Cindy, Barbara, Lucille, JM, Diane, Gordon, Marie, Erin
For those who have died
Elaine Marie Clark
For those celebrating a birthday this week
Pernille Traczyk, John Melville, Carter Ready
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