Worship With Us at Trinity Church

Sunday, 16 August

The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

10:00 AM

Holy Eucharist Rite II in the Church

Celebrant, The Rev. Dr. Marta S. Rivera Monclova

Preacher, Alan Rice

and live-streamed via YouTube

Trinity Church YouTube

In This Week's eVoice

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Outside Worship this Sunday- August 16

Notes from the Threshold

The Rev. Dr. Marta S. Rivera Monclova

Summer Office Hours

Property Management update

Eucharistic Visitor Training - August 15

A Place of Welcome - August 16, and 23

2026 Backpack Ministry -Due on August 16

Altar Training - August 29

Volunteers Needed - September 6

Rededication Sunday - September 13

Rededication Sunday Prayer-September 13

Book Club Meeting - September 25

ECCT Annual Convention - October 23-24

Volunteers

Confirmation, Reafirmation, Reception

Pastoral Care

A Notice from the Prayer Team

Prayer List Requests

Weekly Calendar

News from the Diocese

August Birthdays

eVoice Deadline for Announcements submission

Outside Worship This Week!

In part because of the AV trouble last week, to allow extra time for them to be resolved, we are pivoting to outdoor worship this week. The weather is set to be good, and we look forward to welcoming Dr. Ryan back as our cantor.

Notes from the Threshold

Each week for these first weeks, I’ll be telling a story, at least until it feels less like we’re all on the threshold and we’ve moved into a new space.

I've mostly been talking about the past, but today I thought I might talk a little about what I've been doing in the recent present! When I was being hired, I asked a few people: What do you most want out of your new priest? (And anyone else who wants to answer that question is welcome to offer more answers!) One of the first answers I got: "Just love us." And, thank you, friends, for making that an easy task! But, I want to make sure it's more than theoretical, so one way I've been leaning into this is that I've been writing cards. Whenever anyone points me to a name of someone who hasn't been able to get to church in a while, or for other reasons. I want as much of the congregation as possible to know I'm thinking about you!

Another answer I got was: Make sense of it all! By which I believe was meant, "our systems have systems and our old systems don't always know what our new systems are and we don't know where to find everything we need!" Well, I don't know if I've mentioned it much, but in addition to once teaching English, I used to work in tech. In the 90s I worked in IT at an investment bank and did everything from helpdesk to Y2K work (remember that?!). From 2015 until 2020, I worked in a company that made big data storage solutions, and I worked writing their educational documentation. Well, all of that just only barely prepared me for tackling the files, the folders, the digital file structures and all that. I've spent a great deal of time doing what I think of as archeology. For example, "Well, this is a fascinating account of a confirmation class that took place in 2014. But perhaps it doesn't have to be in the file drawer at my right hand all the time, because I just don't think I'll need to refer to this every day. On the other hand, where is a copy of the budget!?" (Yes, I now have a copy of the budget.) So, this physical and digital archeology is going to be a longstanding project, but I think lots of things will be clearer on the other side.

And additional office volunteers would be welcome!

Lastly, another answer I got was something like "ideas" or "vision" and that is harder to articulate in a jaunty anecdote. But I have been in conversations with three different organizations who might be interested in some level of partnership. It's too early to see if there's potential there yet, but I have been told that in the long transition, outreach is one of the areas that has sufffered the most, so I'm working actively to see what kinds of programming we might offer, host, participate in, partner with.

And here's the tagline I've been saying to a lot of folks: "I'm your new priest. Ask me anything! Tell me everything."

-Mtr. Marta



The Rev. Dr. Marta S. Rivera Monclova

Summer Office Hours

M-W: 8-12, Th: 2-4

And by appointment.

For now, to make an appointment,

send an email: mrivera@trinityhartford.org

or call the office 860-527-8133 X202

NOTE: 
Mary Rojas' office hours have also shifted:

M, T, W, F: 8-12, Th: 12-4

3 Updates From

The Property Management Team

1. The Kitchen exhaust fan had a screen installed to keep the squirrels out.
2. The Sound issued we had last Sunday has now been resolved.
3. New State of Connecticut Elevator Certificate has been received, printed/and installed in the elevator cab.

Eucharistic Visitor Training

A note from Mtr. Marta about this training.

Organized by our own Marsha McCurdy Adell, this training will be a great refresher to those of you who have engaged in this ministry before. We have many beautiful eucharistic visitation sets in the sacristy, and many lovely parishioners who would benefit from this ministry. I encourage every one of you who can attend to do so, and I will be happy to follow up with you about any questions or anxieties you might have. We can practice, do some role plays, or whatever might help you feel comfortable undertaking this holy work.

Sat, Aug 15 | 10 am–2 pm | St. Monica's, Hartford | Lunch provided

Learn to carry and distribute Communion to the homebound, hospitalized, and those in long-term care. Taught by Archdeacons Pat Jackson and Bonnie Matthews, you'll learn practical steps, how to distribute the sacrament properly, what to say, how to be present with someone who's struggling. There's also time built in for prayer and reflection on what it means to live into this holy ministry.

​** This training is the first step toward becoming a licensed Eucharistic Visitor. After the training, a public background check and Safe Church Training will also need to be completed before submitting your application for this licensed lay ministry.

Please contact Archdeacon Bonnie Matthews (bmatthews228@comcast.net)

by Tuesday August 11th, if you plan on attending. 

A place of learning

Last week, the Adult Christian Formation met to discuss everything related to Christian Formation. This week, those who are on or are interested in the Flower Guild and Altar Guild are invited to convene after church in the Library. Again, all informal chats! Get your coffee, say hello; Mtr. Marta will ring the bell, and then we’ll meet in the Library. 

Coming soon:



August 16    Flower Guild and Altar Guild will convene after worship, let all who are interested stop by the library.

August 23    Stewardship will convene after worship, let all who are interested stop

by the Library.

See the theme here?

Even if you’ve never tried any of these things before, come on in!

2026 Backpack Ministry for Covenant to Care:

LAST WEEK!

Trinity is once again participating in the Adopt A Social Worker program of Covenant to Care to support Hartford children in need as they return to school. This year we've been asked to simply provide backpacks, as these are generally the biggest cost factor for the families.

Backpacks may be for any level of school children, with gender-neutral designs please. They may be placed in the Baptistery until Sunday August 16. A blessing will be included in our service that day, and they will be delivered to Covenant to Care on August 17.

Have questions? Contact Penny Pearson, 860-243-0020, pennypearson@comcast.net

Altar Party Training

One of my questions on the cards for my first week was: "What is one thing at church you wish you could touch, carry, ring, light, sing, or help with?" Well, now's your chance! From experienced acolytes to those who look with longing, this is your time to learn, to relearn, to refresh, or to teach!

We'll be having a training and retraining for various roles in the altar party: chalice bearer, table acolyte, crucifer, thurifer. August 29, 10am. We'll gather with coffee, we'll get to learning, we'll break for lunch, and then celebrate a low-key Eucharist with those gathered, and anyone else who wishes to join us at about 1pm.

All are welcome to come and learn, all are welcome to a Saturday afternoon Eucharist! Those who wish to come and learn, drop a note to Mary office@trinityhartford.org so we can plan food accurately.

Volunteers to help Sept 6

Vinnie is taking a well deserved Labor Day Weekend off, and will not be available to open the building on Sunday morning. We'll have a "cheatsheet" of things to remember and such, but could really use a couple extra folks to help with getting the church up and running in the morning, and get it shut down after folks leave. These do not have to be the same persons! Thank you in advance, email Mtr. Marta to offer your generous services!

Rededication Sunday! September 13, 2026

We will celebrate together. Choir and choristers return to the loft. Labor Day weekend is over and summer peregrinations concluded. A new season begins. We will be having—at some later date—a "proper" celebration of New Ministry, but in the words of Linda MacGougan, "we will take a time during the service for the congregation to welcome/celebrate/pray for Mother Marta’s ministry with us." But wait, there's more! Continuing in Linda's words, we will also have "a time during the service for the congregation to rededicate ourselves to our own participation in God’s work at Trinity," and "to thank God for God’s faithfulness to Trinity through some difficult years." Amen. Lastly, we will conclude with a party that will be written about in the next hundred year booklet!

Rededication Sunday Prayers

I would like to solicit additional forms of prayer requests for the Prayers of the People on our Rededication Sunday. We, of course, will be praying for our returned choir, our returned choristers, our new priest (me!), but I also want to offer the chance for anyone to submit either an idea or fully formed wording of other prayers for the church.

What is there from the long days of transition that you are still holding that the church can help you release? What hurt is there from something that has transpired that you can let prayer help heal? What vision do you have for Trinity? What do you want Trinity to pray for publicly?

Email: mrivera@trinityhartford.org, even if you have only a slight idea of what you'd like said, we can make the words go.

Trinity's Book Group

Looking for a good book to close out the summer? Consider Independent People, by Nobel Prize-winning Icelandic author, Halldór Laxness. The book is "a magnificent novel that recalls Iceland's medieval epics and classics, set in the early twentieth century, starring an ordinary sheep farmer and his heroic determination to achieve independence." 

Trinity's Book Group will discuss it at its gathering on Friday, September 25th, 7:00-8:30 pm, and everyone is welcome! That's why it's called a Book GROUP, not a Book CLUB: people attend as their schedules allow and their interests incline; some people come regularly and others come once. Jack and Penny Pearson will host the meeting at their home in Bloomfield. Please let them know if you plan to come so that they have plenty of chairs and refreshments ready. (pennypearson@comcast.net; text or call 860-836-8937)

The 242 Annual Convention of the

Episcopal Church in Connecticut

October 23-24, 2026

To learn more and to register,

Please Click Here

Volunteers, especially chairs

We're trying to refresh the roster of who to call to help with what. Specifically, we're looking for a few volunteers who can be available to set up chairs when we have outdoor Sundays. We're indoors this coming week, but reaching out to Vinnie vpacileo@trinityhartford.org and cc me mrivera@trinityhartford.org with the best way to reach you (even if you think you're already on the list of who to ask!)

Confirmation, Reaffirmation, Reception

If you are interested in confirmation, in being received into the Episcopal Church from another denomination, or reaffirming your committment to the church, we will be gathering a group together for that purpose. Email mrivera@trinityhartford.org with your interest, and your availability to meet in person or online.

A new season for

pastoral care



In this extended transition time, some well-beloved folks might have fallen through the cracks of our care. If you know anyone who would like a visit, or a call, please reach out to Mtr. Marta directly: mrivera@trinityhartford.org

A NOTICE FROM THE PRAYER TEAM

At Trinity Church we believe in the power of prayer.

• Your written prayer requests are welcome. There are prayer jars on tables at both entrances in which you are invited to place prayer requests. You may also call or email the church office to make a prayer request. During the week, written requests will be collected and prayed over privately. At your discretion, such requests can be placed in the Sunday service leaflet. 
• Prayer requests will be published for four weeks, then deleted unless you choose to renew them by contacting the Parish Administrator. 
• Intercessors are stationed in the south (lectern side) aisle of the Nave during communion each Sunday. Please approach them if you desire a moment of personal prayer. All personal prayers will remain confidential.

Prayer List

Should you like a name added to the Prayer List, please contact the office at office at Trinityhartford.org or 860-527-8133 ext. 204.

Please note that unless the office is otherwise notified, the name will be on the list for 4 weeks and then removed. If a name is taken off the list in error, we are happy to add it back in.

Weekly Calendar

Find upcoming events HERE .

News from the Diocese

Click the link below to read up on what's going on in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut.

ECCT Newsletter August 12,2026

Trinity Family wishes you a Happy Birthday,

Filled with Love and Laughter

Frank Kirkpatrick - August 4

Stephanie Thomas - August 4

Jane Mogor - August 7

Peter Vreeland - August 10

Christina Gellman - August 12

Amy Arlin - August 13

Fred Margeson - August 16

Agatha Okeke - August 18

Cathy Rowe - August 18

Penny Pearson - August 19

Davonte Griffith - August 20

Michael Thomas - August 26

Carmen Belgrave - August 30

If you wish to have your Birthday month included in the eVoice,

please contact the office.

eVoice Deadline

All announcements should be submitted to the office at office@trinityhartford.org by Wednesday 9am for publication that week. Announcements that are submitted late will be held until the following week’s edition.