36 Main Street, Newtown, CT | |
|
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].
| |
|
Mission & Outreach selected the Operation Fuel Program/Social Services in Newtown for the special Christmas collection. This program provides valuable assistance for needy Newtown’s residents heating requirements.
Trinity responded so generously with plate donations reaching $3,000.00. We had many visitors attending our Christmas services so they probably contributed too. Mission & Outreach added an additional $1,641.00 for a grand total of $4,641.00 donation.
A representative from Social Services acknowledged this generosity with a big WOW!
Once again, Trinity has demonstrated their willingness to reach out to the less fortunate in a generous spirit.
| |
A big thank you again for donating and volunteering at The Little Pantry, Trinity.
This week at the Pantry we are low and need:
Coffee
Tea
Canned Fruit
Open and serve meals
Pasta
Pet food
Currently we are overstocked and don't need:
Rice
Breakfast
Canned Beans
| |  |
|
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].
|  | |
The Creation Care Team calls your attention to next week's public presentation of the Pootatuck River Watershed Management Plan (PRWMP) that a coalition called Pootatuck River Partners has sponsored over the past two years with funding from the State-administered EPA 319 grant program and the Long Island Future’s Fund. The presentation will take place Wednesday, January 24, in the Newtown Legislative Council Room from 5:30 – 7:00 PM. It addresses the state of the Pootatuck River and Deep Brook watersheds, includes a vision and goals, and identifies some areas of concern and needs to protect the vital water resources and their surrounding habitat.
The presentation meeting will also be available via the Zoom link below:
Topic: Pootatuck River Watershed Management Plan Opens for Public Comments
Time: Jan 24, 2024, 05:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82650613358?pwd=dUVRMHFoTklydmdMd3FHMERzTnF4dz09
Meeting ID: 826 5061 3358
Passcode: 788005
| | |
 | |
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan. Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone. Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, in the bleak midwinter long ago.
I find it somewhat ironic that we sing the song “In the Bleak Midwinter” during Advent and Christmastide, with its poem written by Christina Rosetti, and yet it is hardly “mid-winter” when we sing it! “In the Bleak Midwinter” feels more appropriate to the middle of January when we are (finally) getting snow and ice here in Connecticut and the days feel dreary and cold. There is no excitement of Christmas in the air, and we are looking at the long stretch of winter left ahead of us. THIS is when I think of that song and its lyrics that invoke images of icy conditions and bone-chilling cold temperatures (at least for your music minister who grew up in California!).
Rosetti’s poem, published in 1872, juxtaposes the bitterness of winter with the transcendence of Jesus’ birth, the angels’ gathering, and the mother’s kiss as an act of worship. Rosetti was not insinuating that it was icy and snowing in Bethlehem, but she rather contrasts the coldness of earth to the light and warmth that Jesus brought to humanity. British hymn writer Elizabeth Cornett provided some very interesting additional commentary where she noted that when Rosetti wrote these words, “Women were largely excluded from the professions and from higher education.” Rosetti was not employed like the shepherds, not educated like the wise men, and thus her position “gives a special sharpness and poignancy to the last verse for those who wish to find it”. That final verse reads: What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb, if I were a wise man I would do my part, yet what I can I give him, give my heart.
The simplicity and humility of those words can be the spirit of our ‘bleak midwinter’. How will we give him our heart this year? What are our simple gifts that we can share in God’s name? How will we provide warmth and light to those who need it?
May God’s presence warm your hearts during this cold week!
Jennifer
| |
|
Valentines for Troops
This Sunday, 1/21, families will have the opportunity to make valentines for troops! Join us in the library (after grabbing some coffee hour snacks, of course!) to make some thank you notes for military personnel with a bit of Valentine's Day flair. It is a great way to thank a soldier for their dedication and service. This fun activity will be run by our very own Trinity youth! Creativity is encouraged but not necessary.
| |
|
Church School students have earned their first attendance award! Kids will enjoy a movie and popcorn on 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 21, Valentines for Troops after worship in the library
*Sunday, January 28, Annual Meeting after worship
*Sunday, February 4, Movie and Popcorn during church school and worship
| |
|
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.
January 21: Youth meet in library
February 11: Youth meet in library and pack college gift boxes
March 10: Youth meet in library
April 7: Youth meet in library
| |
|
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.
| |
At the event, we will be sharing information with the public about the basics of hospice services as well as the benefits to patients and their loved ones. The refreshments will be sponsored by Perfusion Bar of Newtown. | |
|
Celebrate Winter With Faure
Join the Connecticut Choral Society for a Winter Sing of the Faure Requiem—part of the Connecticut Choral Society’s 2023/2024 Concert Season. The Winter Sing is an opportunity for singers to join in the fun or for music lovers to simply come and enjoy. Under the direction of Eric Dale Knapp, The Winter Sing will feature soprano Francesca Federico, bass Damian Savarino, and organist Linda Sweetman-Waters. The Winter Sing will be Sunday, January 21 st at 3 pm at Valley Presbyterian Church, 21 West
Whisconier Road, Brookfield, CT. Scores will be available or you are welcome to bring your own. There is a $20 suggested donation at the door for listeners and singers who bring their own music or a $25 suggested donation if a score is provided by the Connecticut Choral Society. For more information visit: www.ctchoralsociety.com and LIKE/FOLLOW the Connecticut Choral Society on Facebook & Instagram
@connecticutchoralsociety.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
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
For those who have died
Robert Dunn
For those celebrating a birthday this week
Emilia Merrick-Traczyk, Nancy Maxwell
| | | | |
