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36 Main Street, Newtown, CT | |
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"A Future With Hope" - An Invitation to Stewardship
Our Warden Christina Lye offered a beautiful vision, last Sunday, for our annual giving
to Trinity Church. Thank you, Christina, for your moving words! This week, we received
in the mail our autumn Stewardship Appeal, “A Future With Hope.” We invite you to
return your Pledge as soon as possible, as we begin to craft our Budget for 2025.
We give of our prayer, our energy, our unique gifts to Trinity’s many ministries – and we
give money! A word for our many newcomers – Trinity Church is fully self-funding. If
you give regularly, prayerfully consider making a Pledge. A financial promise of what
we expect to give next year helps our Vestry to be wise and faithful stewards and
‘forecasters.’
We are in a multi-year pattern of reducing the percentage of what we take from our
inherited endowment, and 2025 is the year we move down to a 3 ½ percent draw. I am
incredibly proud of Trinity for this outstanding commitment to our future. I will be
increasing my pledge, and we invite you to do so as well, as we meet the financial
expectations this reduced draw will entail.
We continue to juggle low staffing hours with an unusual level of growth in ministries
and members. We need you! Pledge online here!
Thank you!! Rev. Andrea and the Trinity Church Vestry
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Anglican Prayer Bead Workshop
Saturday October 19th (10am-12:30pm)
Anglican Prayer Beads, also known as the Anglican Rosary, are a relatively recent innovation, developed by an Episcopal priest in Texas. His combination of the Eastern Orthodox prayer rope with the Roman Catholic rosary to create something distinctly Anglican (there are hundreds of ways to pray with the beads!) has been popular from the very start.
On October 19th, we will be offering a workshop introducing Anglican prayer beads. Participants will learn about their history and symbolism, make their own beads (cost $25), and find out how to pray with them.
Registration is limited and required. Below you will see the bead and cross options available to you. You must contact Cindy Anderau to register and make your selection. The deadline to register is Oct 6. Lunch will be provided.
Please click here to view options for Beads and Cross
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In celebration of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
On Sunday, October 6th, you might just see St. Francis, who so loved all of God’s creatures, at Trinity Episcopal Church! Join us at 3:00 PM, at the Labyrinth/Gazebo, behind the Church - for a time of informal prayer, fellowship and fun.
You will see some interesting critters. Meow, cluck, woof … moo??
We invite you to bring your beloved pet/s – or barnyard friends, for a special Blessing of the Animals as we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi.
Bring your puppy, kitty, turtle, chicken, llama, hamster, etc. Anybody have a goat?? Come join us at the Gazebo/Labyrinth area behind Trinity Church – hang around for conversation.
If you are unable to load up your llama or hamster, we invite you to share in this Prayer of St. Francis:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light; and
where there is sadness, joy.
O, God, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying
that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
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2025 Clergy Professional Development Leave (Sabbatical)
August of 2025 will mark 5 years since Rev. Andrea Castner Wyatt arrived at Trinity
Church – in deep pandemic! We have all partnered in Christian discipleship in so many
ways. We have seen Trinity return to many vibrant ministries.
Rev. Andrea’s ‘Letter of Agreement’ with Trinity Church and ECCT states that “three
months of professional development leave for each five years of continuous service in
parish ministry shall be made available to the rector.”
In July of 2024, Vestry Leaders of Trinity Church submitted papers to the Episcopal
Church in Connecticut about Rev. Andrea’s upcoming Sabbatical, and Diocesan leaders
have approved this leave. She will depart in early August and return in early November.
Rev. Andrea is planning to continue her study of ancient Celtic Christianity on the west
coast of Ireland, and of the Irish Gaelic language. She is also studying the application
of Celtic Christian theology and practice to the contemporary climate crisis, and she
hopes to engage with climate leaders in Ireland as well.
The Vestry is working to establish a plan of clergy, lay and Diocesan support during this
Professional Development Leave - to ensure that Trinity’s high level of energy and
ministry continues. Please speak with Rev. Andrea, with Wardens Christina Lye or
Robert Gardner, or with any Vestry member with questions.
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A rewarding and Fun Sunday afternoon of service
On October 13, the Youth of Trinity along with Mission and Outreach will travel to New Haven to Chapel on the Green to hand out meals.
After our service on 10/13, 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 and carpooling is available.
For more information, contact Julie Dunn or Martha Dayton.
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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The Pantry continues to be a great resource to our surrounding community. Thank you for your continued donations to this much needed ministry. Pantry needs this week are:
Peanut Butter/Jelly
Ground Coffee/tea bags
Canned fruit
Canned stew, ravioli etc.
Soups
Pasta Sauce only
Boxed milk, "i.e." Parmalat (stop & shop)
Small Laundry detergent/dish soap
Toilet paper
Feminine hygiene products
Deodorant, bar soap/body wash, toothpaste
Walmart or Grocery gift card-We'll purchase the items
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Trinity welcomes Organ Scholar Elijah Morris, organ student at Trinity College
We have been blessed to have a rotation of wonderful organists play for our worship services over the years, and now I am delighted to announce that Trinity has engaged an Organ Scholar for the academic year 2024-2025. Not only does this provide a training ground of on-the-job experience for one of tomorrow’s promising church music leaders, but it also gives our music program and choir greater continuity throughout the program year.
The Organ Scholar position has deep Anglican roots and is still today a common position in churches for organists to gain practical experience. In large cathedrals, the organ scholar is often an assistant to the primary organist, and in many churches, he or she is the primary organist. Elijah will be with us for a few Sundays each month, starting this Sunday. I have heard him play on a couple of occasions and was quite impressed with such talent and ability to accompany congregational singing, especially for such a young person. It’s exciting to see the younger generation answering God’s call to music ministry!
A little about Elijah:
Elijah Morris, a native of Newtown, is a freshman at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. At Trinity, he studies organ with Professor Christopher Houlihan, and has the position of Assistant Chapel Organist. He began studying organ with Mrs. Bev Thompson at Christ the King Lutheran in Newtown. After that, he studied for two years with Mr. John Rose, Professor Emeritus of organ at Trinity College. He enjoys organ repertoire from many different time periods, but particularly from the early 20th century. In his free time, he can be found reading theology, thrifting, mountain biking, or working on his car.
When you see Elijah on Sunday, please offer him a warm welcome!
In Christ’s Service,
Jennifer
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Trinity Episcopal Church Welcomes You Back to Church School! | |
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In honor of the Feast of St. Francis we will be holding a blessing of the stuffies! During worship on Sunday, October 6nd, your child can come forward with their favorite stuffed animal to have it blessed. If it is too tough to pick just one stuffed animal for this special blessing, your child is welcome to bring all that they can comfortably hold in their arms. Adults are, of course, welcome to participate!
Later that same afternoon, families are welcome to return to Trinity with their pets to have them blessed by Rev. Andrea. Meet by the labyrinth at 3:00 PM. All furry, feathered, and scaled friends are welcome.
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Church school at Trinity has just begun and kids are welcome to join us at any time. Registration continues and if you haven't already done so, please see Miss Frances for a registration form. Our theme this year is "We are God's Masterpiece!" This welcoming and inclusive theme will cover stories about hand-picked messengers that did God's good work. Kids will learn that God does not expect us to be perfect but willing to work together to make positive change. We are just as he made us, ready to shine in His name!
The Children's Ministry Team was happy to see everyone who enjoyed frosty treats at the ice cream truck social last Sunday! Thanks for joining us.
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Upcoming Events:
Sunday, 10/6, Blessing of the Stuffies, Church breakfast, Afternoon St. Francis service
Sunday, 10/13, Families and youth make sandwiches, Chapel on the Green
Sunday, 10/27, Halloween costume parade, Pumpkin painting and carving after worship
Sunday, 11/3, Clocks fall back
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Welcome back youth!
(Grades 7-12th)
Sunday October 6 meet in library after church
Sunday October 13- make sandwiches after church and serve them that afternoon at Chapel on the Green in New Haven
Saturday October 26- set up planks and “gut pumpkins” for pumpkin carving after church on 10/27 (time TBD)
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Newtown Lions Club
The Third Annual Newtown Lions Club Stuff-A-Truck Food Drive in cooperation with Big Y World Class Market and the US Army 411th Civil Affairs Battalion will be held on Saturday September 28th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Queen Street Shopping Plaza in Newtown .
The event benefits Faith Food Pantry (Newtown) , Hospitality Hall (Newtown), Daily Bread Food Pantry (Danbury) and the Bridgeport Rescue Mission in Bridgeport.
Just come by Big Y on Saturday September 28th and purchase a pre-packaged bag of food or shop for any number of suggested grocery items and then come Stuff-A-Truck courtesy of the US Army 411th Civil Affairs Battalion, Big Y and the Newtown Lions Club.
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Nursery Guidelines
What Trinity Church agrees to do:
· Provide consistent child care, staffed by Wee Care Nanny Agency, on Sunday mornings from 9:15 - 11:15 AM.
· Provide a welcoming and clean nursery area.
· Provide a changing table and nursing/feeding area.
· Call you in case of emergency, needed diaper change, or needed trip to the bathroom.
· Call you to come and retrieve your child should your child request it.
· Welcome infants and children younger than Kindergarten into the nursery.
What you agree to do:
· Retrieve your child by 11:15 AM.
· Make sure your child has been free from fever (100.4 F or higher), vomiting, and/or diarrhea for 24 hours. Also, if your child has symptoms that would readily spread illness please keep them home.
· Make sure the nursery attendant has your current cell number, in case of emergency, diaper change, or needed trip to the bathroom.
· Abide by Trinity Nursery's age limit.
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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 session will be held on 10/24. 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 from 4-5:15pm, and is open to all.
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New Process for Vouchers
Thank you to all of you who have seamlessly transitioned over to the new system - it is such a pleasure to be working with Lori Rohrbacher again!
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, Janet, Rick, Marie, Jennifer, Joyce, Jacky, Gail, Alveta,
Bode, Gracie, Martha, Daniel, Shirley, Dan, Barbara, Lucille, Caroline,
Eric, Brent, Paula, Karen, Judy
For those celebrating a birthday this week
Thomas Maxwell, Jessica O'Meara
For those celebrating an anniversary this week
Cathy & Anthony Filiato
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