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Sunday Adult Forum

I invite you to join me this Sunday during our Adult Forum for a conversation shaped by six questions adapted from our clergy discussions.

My hope is that this conversation will help us deepen our shared understanding and prepare us thoughtfully and prayerfully as we approach our Annual Meeting on November 9.

We need to be intentional, prayerful, and proactive as we discern together the future of our ministry at Trinity.

Here are the questions we’ll explore:

1. What do we need from each other?

2. What do you need from your clergy?

3. What do the clergy and leadership of Trinity Church need from you?

4. How can we best support one another?

5. What would be the signs of a strong community and a strong church?

6. What is our fundamental job as the Body of Christ?

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SUNDAY READINGS

First Lesson:

Genesis 32:22-31

Second Lesson:

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

Gospel:

Luke 18:1-8

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October 19th

Music for Sunday | 19 October 2025

Holy Eucharist

Prelude: Pleni sunt caeli (from Te Deum laudamus) - Dietrich Buxtehude

Hymns: “Come, O thou Traveler unknown,” “Come, risen Lord, and deign to be our guest,”

“Spread, o spread thou mighty word”

Offertory Music: (8:00) Nachspiel - Anton Bruckner (10:30) Insanae et vanae curae - Franz

Joseph Haydn

Communion Motet: We shall walk through the valley - Undine Smith Moore

Postlude: (8:00) Vorspiel - Anton Bruckner; (10:30) Toccata in D Minor - Dietrich Buxtehude

Evensong

Prelude: Nachspiel - Anton Bruckner

Preces & Responses - John Scott

Magnificat: Meine Seele erhebt den Herren, SWV 426 - Heinrich Schütz

Nunc dimittis: Plainsong

Anthem: In te Domine speravi - Josquin Des Prez

Hymns: “O gracious light,” “Christ, mighty savior,” “Come, O thou traveler unknown”

Postlude: Toccata in D Minor - Dietrich Buxtehude

Franz Joseph Haydn’s dramatic “Insanae et vanae curae” (“Insane and vain worries”) began as part of the oratorio “Il ritorno di Tobia” (“The return of Tobias”). The subject matter of this oratorio is taken from the book of Tobit from the Apocrypha. While Haydn’s more popular oratorios “The Creation” and “The Seasons” have carried on well in perpetuity, “The return of Tobias” had a mixed reception from the start. Haydn himself re-composed the oratorio significantly between its initial performances, perhaps reflecting a lack of satisfaction with the work. However, “Insanae et vanae curae” lives on as a vivid and exciting stand-alone choral work. The text of this anthem talks about how the worries of this life are ultimately less important than God’s favor. This pairs well with this Sunday’s gospel reading from Luke, which ends as follows: “And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. Andyet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Nominations for Vestry 

Elections for four new vestry members will be held during the Annual Meeting on November 9th. Any baptized and confirmed parishioner who has pledged is eligible for nomination. Vestry members serve a three year term.

 If you love Trinity Church and would like to serve on its governing body, we encourage you to nominate yourself by contacting the co-chairs of the Vestry Nominating Committee, Melissa Scott (mebscott@comcast.net) and Chris Leavell (cleavell@gmail.com).

If you'd like to nominate someone other than yourself, feel free to contact Melissa and Chris with your suggestion.

Newcomers Forum

Sunday, November 2

9:15am – 10:15am

Pierce Hall     

The Newcomers Forum is a great way for new parishioners to meet fellow parishioners and vestry members while enjoying bagels and coffee. 

There will be a couple of welcoming speeches but mostly this is a time for newcomers to get to know more people in the parish.   

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Adult Formation Corner from Kara 

On Thursday night, I had the pleasure of talking virtually with a small group from Trinity Church in Oshkosh, WI. The group is studying each of the Eucharistic Prayers in Rite I and Rite II in turn, and I discussed Prayer I in Rite I with them. This is the prayer that we use every Sunday at Trinity's 8 AM service. It's the most historic of all our Eucharistic prayers, virtually unchanged from the liturgy of the Scottish Episcopal Church as it was adapted in the 1750's and 1760's. Why Scotland? Well, you'll have to watch the video to hear the whole story, but it has to do with a deal that was made with a group of Scottish bishops when they consecrated Samuel Seabury to be the first bishop of the new post-Revolutionary War Episcopal Church. Rite I Prayer I features some classic Reformation themes, including the singular nature of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, "his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world." (BCP p. 334) 

You can watch the whole video here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKn-R07q7uc&t=3129s

In the interests of full disclosure, I guessed at a date and got it wrong by 3 years. The Scottish Book of Common Prayer was published in 1637, not 1634 as I said in the video. As you can see in the image, it was not received well by everyone. A riot ensued when it was first used at St. Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh! 

You can read digital versions of the historic Scottish books at this website: 

1637 Scottish Book of Common Prayer: http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/Scotland/BCP_1637.htm

The "Wee Bookies": http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/Scotland/wee_bookies.html

In Christ,

Kara+

This Week in Adult Formation:

Sunday 9:30 AM - Adult Forum with Fr. Paul in Pierce-Bishop Hall 

Monday 7:30 PM - Pub Theology at Yankee Doodle Tap Room (NOTE NEW LOCATION)

Wednesday 6:00 PM - Bible Study on Art and the Bible in the Library

It isn't too late to register for the Nicene Creed mini-conference on October 26-28! Regardless of whether or not you come to the whole conference, though, we invite EVERYONE to join us for a very special choral Eucharist with Bishop French and early music ensemble Demestvo on Monday, October 27, at 5 PM. 

Trinity’s Children and Family Ministries

Family Ministries Corner

This week Trinity is blessed with many voices in our

hallways and rooms. It’s Rummage week! If you happen to stop by to shop, stroll the second floor and start imagining what it could look like. We will soon begin brainstorming how we can spiff up our space to reflect our energy and creativity.

This Sunday is a regular schedule with Sunday School (K-6) at 9:30, Children’s Chapel (PreK-2) during the 10:30 service, and Youth Group (MS/HS) following the 10:30 service. See you then and thanks for your support!

Upcoming Events:

10/19 Sunday School, Children’s Chapel, Youth Group

10/20 8:30 a.m. Move on Mondays, Meet at 8:30 a.m. on Trinity’s steps. No registration required. Bring friends!

10/20 4:15 p.m. Middle Grade (4-8) small group begins, room 207

10/27 6 p.m. Blessing of the Costumes: supper followed by parade and treats 

11/2 9:30 a.m. Church Family Breakfast , ABC CHOIR SINGS, children’s sermon, no Sunday School or Children’s Chapel, Youth Group meets as usual.

11/21 6 p.m. Church Family Fun Friday, Visit the Farminary: Tour and campfire supper

50th Trinity Church Rummage Sale

October 16th-18th

Donations will be accepted on Sundays after the 10:30 am service September 14th, 21st, 28th, and October 5th.

What time? Between Noon and 12:45

Where? At the PODs in the Trinity Parking Lot

Are reservations necessary? Yes, by email rummage@trinityprinceton.org

Can you make more than one reservation?  Yes

Which donations will help put our 50th sale over the top? 

Here are some suggestions based on past sales:

Jewelry – gold earrings & charm bracelets, broches with semi & precious stones, and costume items; books; clothes for men, women and children – “better” and “bargain”; framed art & treasures for the Boutique; craft & knitting supplies; holiday decorations & toys; housewares - glassware, fine and everyday china, kitchen pots & pans etc); linens; vintage items - hats, purses, scarves & gloves and dolls & doll houses with furniture; shoes & boots in good condition.

Electrical items in working order are in great demand: coffee pots, tea kettles, crock pots, blenders, toaster ovens & electric griddles; lamps; sewing machines; holiday decorations with lights in working order; small TVs.

MORE INFORMATION

YOUR SUPPORT NEEDED

I would also like to help put the 50th sale over the top and will send a message to rummage@trinityprinceton.org when I will be available:

• Thursday-Saturday, October 16-18 at the sale: “meet and greet” and welcome shoppers; be a cashier or a “wrapper”; sell “art in the hallway” & shoes; help shoppers find a holiday gift; pass on information about Trinity Church; take unsold items to the Goodwill truck; be an unsung hero and help clear up and return the rooms for Sunday programs!!!

With thanks for your support,

The Rummage Committee

(Susan, Margot, Dan, Helen, Linda & Bob, Sylvia, Helen & John, Harry & team, Helene, Alison, Terri, Carol, Ireen, Connie, Rosemary, Fred, PA, Camille, Anderson, Amy, Kim, Katie, Liz, Chris, Barb & Barb & Wendy, Rob, Martha, Tracy)

Nicaea at 1700 Conference

October 26th- 28th

2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and the Nicene Creed. This confession of the Triune God’s nature and action in the world set the stage for the development of Christian theology and worship as we know it today. 

Trinity Church invites you to a short conference on October 26th-28th to celebrate this anniversary. The conference will include lectures, choral liturgies, food, and fellowship. It will also include a Council of Nicaea role-playing game led by the Rev. Dr. Kirsten Guidero of Marist College. The conference is intended for interested laypeople and clergy, not only for academics, so please do join us!

To register, click here:

https://forms.gle/L6VHWLW7u1KjopRSA

For more information and a tentative schedule of events, click here:

https://www.trinityprinceton.org/conference

https://www.trinityprinceton.org/conference-schedule-details

Pub Theology

Monday, October 20th

New Pub Theology Location! 

We've moved Pub Theology indoors as the weather continues to get colder.

Join us at 7:30 PM this Monday, and every Monday, at the Yankee Doodle Tap Room at the Nassau Inn, 10 Palmer Square. 

CHOIR TO LONDON

In August 2026, our choir will be on tour in the UK, first at Ely Cathedral and then at Westminster Abbey.

Trinity is putting together a trip for any parishioners who would like to support the choir while they are in London - and see the sights in London and beyond.

Whether you are a chorister parent, a spouse or friend of an adult choir member, or a Trinity parishioner who enjoys music, liturgy, and history, this trip is for you!

The tour will include day trips to Canterbury Cathedral and to Oxford, as well as activities in London itself. We will attend daily Evensong at Westminster Abbey, as well as the Sunday Eucharist at which Trinity's choir will sing.

If you're interested in the tour and wish to be added to the list, fill out the form at the link below:

https://forms.gle/jKkcFtroi926g9oy6

Travel to the Holy Land

A couple of years back, some members of Trinity Church traveled with our Rector, Paul Jeanes, and The Rev. Keith Marsh and to the Holy Land.

It proved to be a marvelous and spiritually uplifting experience for all who made the pilgrimage! After retiring in June of 2023, Keith started Spirited Pilgrimages, a business devoted to planning, promoting and hosting unique, small-group pilgrimages around the world for people of faith.

Two pilgrimages have been planned for the fall of next year and you are invited to join: 

• The Footsteps of Paul – September 9-19, 2026 – travel through Turkey and Greece by land and sea - visit sites from the Book of Acts associated with St. Paul on his missionary journeys: Ephesus, Patmos, Corinth, Athens and more, including the islands of Crete and Santorini  

• Celtic Christianity – October 12-24, 2026 – follow the path of Christianity’s early years in the Celtic kingdoms, beginning in Ireland and expanding into Scotland and northern England – trace the spread of Celtic Christianity from its introduction by St. Patrick to its demise at the Council of Whitby.

These pilgrimages will be led by Keith, an experienced pilgrimage planner and host. To learn more about these two all-inclusive pilgrimages – expansive itinerary, roundtrip airfare, lodging and meal details, price and deadlines, as well as how to reserve your spot – visit the Spirited Pilgrimages website at: spiritedpilgrimages.com

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Lost & Found

If you think you have misplaced something within the church, please check Lost & Found located next to the reception desk as soon as possible.

Anything not claimed by October 9 will be donated to the Rummage Sale.

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PRAYER LIST:

Please keep the following individuals in your prayers:

Zoe Beaton, Chip Dongara, Pat Grabiec

Ellen Jane, Edwin Metcalf, Nancy Metcalf, Nancy Slade, Clive Muncaster, Dulcie Muncaster, Dianne Senko, Samantha Seto, Gary Sykes, Phil Unetic, and Marcia Welch

Individuals will remain on the prayer list for one month, unless we are otherwise notified.

➨ If you want to add someone to the list, please email Annie Bryson at brysona@trinityprinceton.org.

RECOVERY MEETINGS: Looking for recovery meetings? See our list of recurring meetings here.

ZOOM EVENTS: Join all Zoom meetings, unless otherwise advertised, at ZOOM.US/J/2859819016 [By phone: 1 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 285 981 9016 Password: 1979].

ABOUT US: Trinity Church ➨ Est’d 1833 ➨ An Episcopal Church in the Diocese of New Jersey ➨ 33 Mercer Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 ➨ (609) 924-2277 ➨ The Rev. Paul Jeanes III, Rector; The Rev. Cn. Dr. Kara N. Slade, Associate Rector ➨ Website: trinityprinceton.org

“We believe God’s love is expansive and unconditional and that through Christ, God has called us to love one another as God loves us. We welcome all people of every gender, race, age, culture, ethnic background, sexual orientation, economic circumstance, family configuration, or difference of ability. We celebrate the worth, dignity, and gifts of every person as a child of God.”

Please know that we are here for you, to support you and pray for you however best we can. Feel free to reach out to the clergy.