TRINITY ePISTLE Sunday August 10th, 2025

WEEK OF SUNDAY, AUGUST 10th, 2025
✢NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST✢

Homeward Bound (Soon)!

Fly Fishing on the Upper Illinois River

Dear friends,

My sabbatical time here in Tulsa will soon be drawing to a close. It’s hard to believe that it’s already August, but it is. My time in Oklahoma has been incredibly fruitful, both for my own growth personally and as a leader, and for my ministry at Trinity Church. I have preached and taught classes around the Diocese, at parishes that range from a rapidly growing church plant to the Cathedral in Oklahoma City. Everywhere I have been in this beautiful state full of beautiful people, I have learned far more than I have taught. My “home parish” of Christ Church in Tulsa is a model of deep discipleship as well as resilience after the death of their young rector, Fr. Everett Lees.

I have had plenty of time to explore and enjoy the outdoors, hiking and fishing on one of the local lakes as well as the Upper Illinois River. Here are a few pictures, and for more you’ll have to come to my Forum in early September where I tell you all about my sabbatical.

I have also started planning for the upcoming program year, and our offerings will reflect what I’ve learned this summer. In addition to reworking the Episcopal 101 class, we will have several new opportunities for formation and fellowship during the week.

Monday evenings: Pub Theology, with topical discussions suggested by members of the group. Come out and meet new friends and old, and bring your questions.

Tuesday evenings: Education for Ministry. EFM is back after its COVID hiatus! This program of learning in Scripture, theology, and history is sponsored by the School of Theology at Sewanee. If you’re interested in EFM, contact Julia Garry at jspenick@aol.com.

Wednesday evenings: Bible Study following the 5:30 Eucharist.

Thursday afternoons during treble/ABC rehearsal: Choir Parents’ fellowship and discussion time.

Stay tuned for more information about these formation programs, as well as the Foundations class for new members.

I will begin my drive home to Princeton on Friday, August 15. On the way home, I plan on stopping in Memphis to worship with our beloved Wesley Rowell at Calvary Church. I will also make a visit to friends in Sewanee and spend a few days in the mountains of North Carolina and Virginia. I will be back at Trinity on Sunday, August 24th. I can’t wait to see you all, and I can’t wait for all the amazing things God has in store for us at Trinity Church this year.

Yours in Christ,

Kara

Pub Theology with Christ Church, Tulsa

At Grace Church in Yukon, OK with Fr. Tim Baer

War memorial at Tahlequah, capital of the Cherokee Nation. All the signage in Tahlequah is bilingual, in English and Cherokee.

God of Grace and Glory: A Comprehensive Campaign for the Future of Trinity Church

Dear Trinity Church Family,

We are writing to share an exciting update on our God of Grace and Glory: A Comprehensive Campaign for the Future of Trinity Church. This bold initiative to strengthen the spiritual, community, and physical foundation of Trinity Church Princeton for generations to come.

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity and commitment of many within our congregation, we have reached a significant milestone. As of today, we have received $5.3 million in commitments toward our overall goal of $7.5 million. This remarkable progress would not have been possible without the faithful support of 86 families, whose prayers and pledges have brought us this far.

The Comprehensive Campaign is designed to address the needs identified in our parish’s long-term vision. These includes the opportunity for all of us to invest in the church we love—supporting our historic buildings and sacred spaces, enriching our worship and ministries, and securing our future.

As we celebrate this achievement, we are mindful that this campaign is about more than just numbers—it is about our shared vision, our ministries, and the enduring legacy we are building together. Every commitment, no matter the size, brings us closer to reaching our goal and fulfilling our mission for generations to come.

We prayerfully invite those who have not yet had the opportunity to participate to join us in this important endeavor. Your support—whether through a cash financial pledge or through a pledge through your estate planning—is vital to the success of the Comprehensive Campaign and to the future of Trinity Church.

If you would like to learn more or have questions, please visit https://www.trinityprinceton.org/campaign or contact campaign co-chair Jeanne Garner at jeannensg@gmail.com or David Schneider at david.c.schneider@outlook.com. We would be happy to speak with you individually and share more about this exciting effort.

With gratitude and hope,

Jeannie and David

Comprehensive Campaign Co-Chairs

Summer Schedule

Holy Eucharist Rite I at 8 AM

Holy Eucharist Rite II at 10AM

This Sunday’s preacher:

The Rev. Dr. Caroline Carson (Canon for Congregational Vitality & Engagement, Diocese of New Jersey)

Canon Caroline received her MDiv from the Sewanee School of Theology in 2019 after an almost 20-yr career as a Conductor (DMA University of SC, MM Emory). She has been an ordained priest for five years in the Diocese of NJ, serving on numerous committees and as convocation dean. An Episcopal Communicator, UTO Province II representative, and member of the Standing Commission on World Mission, Caroline+ enjoys working with congregations and clergy. She has high energy and enthusiasm for life and loves people, coffee, space, travel, puns, photography, and her mischievous cat Bluebell. She is also a NASA Solar System Ambassador.

Contact Caroline for Mutual Ministry Reviews, Vestry Workshops, Pastoral concerns, and Diocesan Communications.

SUNDAY READINGS

First Lesson:

Genesis 15:1-6

Second Lesson:

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16

Sunday Forum: There will be no Sunday forum during summer.

CONTRIBUTION

Rooted in Faith. Moving Forward in Hope.

Trinity Church has stood as a beacon of worship, learning, and service in Princeton for nearly 200 years. As we prepare for the next chapter, we are launching a $7.5 million comprehensive campaign to ensure our ministries thrive and our historic campus is preserved for generations to come.

Inspired by the beloved hymn, God of Grace and Glory, this campaign reflects our gratitude for God’s past provision and our collective call to invest in Trinity’s future.

READ MORE

Is God Calling You or Your Child to Serve on the Altar?

Trinity Church is launching a new Acolyte Program for children and teens in grades 5 and up—and we’d love for your family to be part of it!

Youth are invited to join our team of adult and seminary acolytes in the important role of torchbearers during worship. This meaningful ministry offers a unique opportunity to grow in faith, learn the rhythms of our liturgy, and take an active leadership role in the life of the church.

What’s Involved?

Low commitment: Serve just 6 times a year, at the 10:30 a.m. service (or 10:00 a.m. in the summer), using a simple online sign-up.
Initial training: A single one-hour session will prepare participants for service.
Ongoing mentoring: New acolytes will receive support and guidance as they grow in confidence.
Treble Choristers are encouraged to acolyte on their off Sundays—offering a fresh and enriching view of the liturgy.

To sign up or learn more, please email:

Allie Graham: allie.graham@gmail.com

Include your child’s grade for the 2025–2026 school year and height so we can assign appropriate robes.

Curious adults are also warmly invited to explore this ministry!

Homefront School Supply Drive

The Outreach Committee is supporting HomeFront again this year by providing back to school backpacks and school supplies. Our goal is to fill 125 backpacks with supplies.

We have the backpacks, but it's up to you to fill them!

See the Amazon wish list and have your donation delivered to 'Trinity Church 2025 School Supply Drive' on the menu, or you can manually enter the church address:

Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08540.

Parishioners:

➡️ (1) Donate funds for us to buy school supplies; and/or

➡️ (2) Buy supplies on the Amazon link for the Outreach Committee to distribute and;

➡️ (3) Volunteer to fill the bags with the school supplies we have collected on Saturday, August 9th and Sunday, August 10th after the 10 a.m. service.

Note: We will be packing backpacks on this Saturday from 10 am-noon and then again on Sunday from 9-10am and after service.

Summer Choir Returns!

For the months of July and August, we will have a come-and-sing summer choir open to all.

Each Sunday in those months, simply show up at Ivy Hall for rehearsal at 9:00 a.m. (arrive no later than 8:50) to learn the music for the 10:00 service.

You can sing as many or as few weeks as you like!

The music will be fairly straight forward, so it’s a great way to give choir at Trinity a try if you love to sing!

All ages are welcome, but please check with Meg if you have a child younger than age 10 who wants to sing so that we can make sure it’s a good experience for them.

You could even bring your whole family to sing together!

Contact: Meg Harper harperm@trinityprinceton.org

50th Trinity Church Rummage Sale

This is an amazing time for Trinity Church…

50 years, and going strong with the Rummage Sale!!!

Save the date: October 16th-18th 2025

Please start putting all your treasures aside this summer to support our sale! Collections will begin in September but start sorting your donations now! As always, we are not collecting furniture, pet items, baby items, broken electronics, and/or torn damaged goods.

Questions? Please email: rummage@trinityprinceton.org

PRAYER LIST:

Please keep the following individuals in your prayers: Thomasina Allen, James Arnold, Cynthia Bellamy, Gloria Bellamy, Boden, Peter Brown, Katherine Burke, Clark, Ruben C, Evon Cassier, Jason Clark, Shereese Clark, Donna Crafford, Cullen Creel, Patricia Domino, Don Edwards, Christopher Dismas Eldredge, Steve Evans, Gus Escher, Marty Fitzgerald, Joan Fleming, Pat Grabiec, Shane Greene, Kate H, William Hannan, Sissy Hoover, Tamara James, Ellen Jane, Patricia Killian, Lerose, Charles Lewis, Lillie Lim, Jay Lipscomb, Makenna, Julie Meidlinger, Richard and Marianne Merkelbach, Nancy Metcalf, Les and Joanne Miley, Candice Miller, Chris Moser, Clive Muncaster, Steven Murray, Rosemary Parish, Paul, Ed Perrott, Linda Perrott, Katrina Poskay, Kim Prior, Jason Chandler-Renfro, Roger Quinn, Freddy and Daneel van Rensburg, Kieran Ryan, Kathy S, Amber Schuppan, Dianne Senko, Samantha Seto, Nancy Slade, Maria Smarsh, Mary Stevens, Isaiah Stevens, Colina Stanford, Marcia Thompson, Trisha Thorme, Phil Unetic, Anthony Wilmoth, Mike Zimmerman, Betty Zuray.

➨ 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.”