If you are not a regular Trinity Church supporter, we invite you to DONATE HERE.
Thank you for supporting our ministry during this time.
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When I was a child,
I learnt to count to five
one, two, three, four, five.
but these days, I’ve been counting lives, so I count
one life
one life
one life
one life
one life
because each time
is the first time
that that life
has been taken.
-Pádraig Ó Tuama
Today is the 5th anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood. I have been looking forward to the celebration of that. But this week I am grieving the passing of a world I once believed in, but now seems very far off. That the mass murder of a black community’s elders by a white supremacist in Buffalo, of Taiwanese Presbyterians in Orange County, and of the innocent children and teachers in Uvalde has become so routine just horrifies me. That we persist as a society in allowing mass shootings of our elders and babies horrifies me. Scripture tells me that it horrifies God as well. Jeremiah 19:4-5 is an exemplary statement of God’s horror over the sacrifice of children to violent idols. Both Isaiah (1:11-17) and Amos (5:21-24) state that God prefers acts of justice and loving-kindness over empty ritual, and that we should not come to God in sacrifice when we allow the blood of others to flow to idols of violence like Baal. Given that mass shootings continue to occur, I think it’s past time for us to acknowledge that thoughts and prayers on the matter of gun-based violence are the sort of empty ritual that God rejects.
I am not opposed to responsible gun ownership. I’ve owned several in my life. People I know feed their families through hunting. Guns are a tool among several others in farming. But, in 2008 my nephew’s best friend was killed by another child while they were mishandling a .44 magnum pistol. They were 14 at the time. Aidan, the friend who was killed, had just beaten Leukemia. It was horrible, senseless, and terrifying. Had the barrel been pointed in a slightly different direction it would have been my nephew. Instead, he held his best friend as he died, and it broke him. At the time, I was a hobbyist who owned probably 12 firearms. I had to confront the reality of what my hobby entailed. My assessment was that the risk of injury or death in my household was not worth it. I no longer really hunted, nor did I need them as tools on a farm. Today I own no guns and my life is just fine without them. The worst-case scenarios are statistically unlikely, and each life is precious… Moreso than the individual satisfaction derived of any hobby. The right to life supersedes all others. It’s not politics, it’s the sixth commandment: You shall not murder.
I hope we find the strength of will as a society to have real conversations toward real solutions this time. But that’s nebulously big picture stuff… So, as Christians, I urge you to take some time today in contemplation and prayer about the high level of violence of our society and how you relate to it. If the entertainment you consume is overly populated with realistic human violence, perhaps it is time to spend leisure time on other, constructive, pursuits. Let us offer no more sacrifices to Baal through our spending, or in real blood. “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream.” (Amos 5:24)
Love one another. Each, and every, precious life.
Peace and all Good,
Tim+
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Holy Baptism & Bishop's Visit |
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Join us this Sunday for our annual visit from Bishop W. Nicholas Knisely!
During our service at the 10am, we will be baptizing Iris Oliver, Confirming Cassandra Dias, Receiving Terry Commodore, Norris Commodore, and Donna Ellis, and reaffirming Michael Bowley.
We welcome your presence and prayers.
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Memorial Day - Monday, May 30th |
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The office will be closed on Tuesday, May 24th,
in observance of Memorial Day.
Please Note:
Canon Tim will be out of the office from June 6th – July 2nd.
Pastoral emergencies should be routed via the office, 401-846-0660, and our Parish Administrator will arrange assistance for you.
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Strawberry Festival - Sign up today! |
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Please save the date for the annual Trinity Strawberry Festival:
Saturday, June 18 from 11am-5pm
As usual, we will serve freshly made Strawberry Shortcakes and Lemonades and we will have live music. Please help by volunteering to work one or more of the various shifts prepping the berries the days prior and serving on the event day.
Sign up to volunteer today! - There are a few spots left!
Link Below
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If you prefer to have us add you to Signup Genius, please email Ellen or Kay at the addresses below.
PS. We need some strong men to help us with all shifts but especially setup of tent and event day, and cleanup.
Many hands make light, and fun, work.
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The Tower was lit on Monday, May 23rd, in loving memory of Mary, Pro, and Susan Lyon, on the day of Mary’s birthday, by their family.
The Tower will be lit on Friday, June 3rd, in loving memory of her beloved husband, John B. Lawton, on his birthday, by Beverly Lawton.
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8AM Service
Celebrant: The Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely
Assisting Priest: The Rev. Canon Timothy J. Watt
Bishop’s Chaplain: The Rev. Jim Kelleher
Deacon: The Rev. Christine Cassels
Lector & Intercessor: Mary dePinho
Altar Society: Jane Roach, Jodi Rodrigues, Pam Alexander, Terry Commodore, and Pat Blakeley
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10AM Service
Celebrant: The Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely
Assisting Priest: The Rev. Canon Timothy J. Watt
Bishop’s Chaplain: The Rev. Jim Kelleher
Deacon: The Rev. Christine Cassels
Organist: Michael Bahmann
Acolyte & Crucifer: John Smith
Lector: Cheryl Hatch
Ushers: Richard Alexander, Larry Pulice, and Turner Scott
AV Production: Dennis Kretzschmar
Altar Society: Jane Roach, Jodi Rodrigues, Pam Alexander, Terry Commodore, and Pat Blakeley
Coffee Hour: Trisha Baylor, Pam Alexander, and Anne Livingston
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Live Streaming on Sundays
at 10:00 am
via Facebook LIVE!
no account needed
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In this time, it may be difficult for you to give your pledge in person. Please consider changing to online giving.
Whether it is weekly, monthly, yearly, or a one-time payment, we have options online that will fit all your needs.
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If you haven't already,
please be sure to follow Trinity Newport on
Facebook and other social media sites during this time of fluidity.
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Please remember in your prayers this week:
Lewis Smith, Anita Beaumont, Jackie, Peter Chabot, Dennis, George and Sandra V., Karen A., Betsy Jauss, Sid Gorham, Todd, Roger King, Robert and Joyce Patterson, Eileen Schrader, Donald Smith, Phyllis, Pat, Amy Van Liew, John McCurdy, Carolyn McIntosh, Pam, Kate, Rob Walker, and John.
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Trinity Loving Community (TLC), is the Pastoral Care ministry of this parish. Reaching out with visits, meals, cards, and phone calls; and providing rides and errands, TLC extends the love of Christ to those in need. If you are aware of a need – for yourself or for someone else – please contact the TLC Monthly Coordinator(s). |
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The TLC Coordinator for May & June 2022 is:
Kay Winston
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Trinity Church
1 Queen Anne Sq.
Newport, RI 02840
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