In my office there’s a little sign that says, 

O priest of God,

say this Mass 

as if it were your first Mass,

your last Mass,

your only Mass. 

That little saying is a traditional reminder to priests about the dangers of complacency. Sometimes, if we aren’t careful, we can take for granted what we do each time we encounter Jesus Christ in the Sacraments – and especially each time we receive Him in the Eucharist. Sometimes, if we aren’t careful, we can start to take the Church for granted. 

Four years ago this week, Bishop Stokes sent out a message closing our churches for public worship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That Holy Week was one of the lowest points for me, personally, in my 10 years of ordained ministry. There’s nothing I love more than walking with the parish through those momentous days of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. During those days in 2020 when we proclaimed that Christ’s death and resurrection are still conclusively, unalterably true, I resolved anew never to take this time of year for granted. I resolved to live each moment of Holy Week as if it were the first time, the last time, the only time, I would be able to observe those liturgies and share the Good News of Christ’s resurrection. I resolved to be “all in,” all the time, every time. 

Holy Week is coming soon, and we have so much to celebrate here at Trinity Church. Our attendance continues to rebound to almost pre-COVID levels, such that our current average Sunday attendance puts us in the top 2% of Episcopal churches nationwide. Our stewardship campaign was a smashing success. There is a wonderful spirit in the parish, with so many people joining us for the first time, getting involved, or deepening their involvement in our many ministries. These, too, are gifts we can never take for granted. 

This year, I encourage you to join us for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday. I especially encourage you to come to this year’s Easter Vigil as we welcome Bishop Sally French as our celebrant and preacher. 

I’m “all in.” Are you? 

In Christ,

Kara

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word. – BCP p. 265

Dear friends,

This season of Lent is an opportunity for each of us to turn and return to God. It’s a time to slow down and refocus our lives on the things that really matter. And, it’s a time for deepening our relationship with God in Christ through worship, learning, and fellowship. I invite you to join us at Trinity Church as we walk these holy days of Lent together.
Here’s a schedule of what’s going on at Trinity during this season:

Sundays at 9:30 AM: The Virtues

What does it mean to live a good life as a Christian? How does the shape of our lives lead to our flourishing? What kind of people do we want to be as followers of Jesus. In the Adult Forum this Lent, we’ll discuss the virtues with the clergy and ministry staff. 

Sundays at 5:00 PM: Lent Super Sundays

Join us at 5 PM for our choral evening services, followed by a program at 6 PM. The programs for youth and adults may serve as preparation for confirmation this Easter, but you don’t have to be planning to be confirmed in order to participate.

• Youth: What is life in Christ?

• Adults: Episcopal 101 with Kara

• Parents: Conversations with Paul 

Wednesdays at 5:30 PM: Eucharist, Dinner, and Lent program

Our Wednesday evening program begins with Eucharist at 5:30, followed by dinner at 6 and program at 6:30. Each week, we will focus on one chapter of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together, a classic exploration of Christian community. Even if you didn’t get a chance to read the book, join us for discussion! 

Weekdays at 7:45 AM and 5:00 PM: The Daily Office

If you’ve never experienced the Daily Office, and if you’re curious about a regular prayer practice in community, join us at 7:45 AM or 5 PM for Morning and Evening Prayer, either in the Michael Chapel or on Zoom. It’s a wonderful way to start or end your day. 

Every blessing in this most holy season,

Kara

You did it!!! Early last October we stood before you all and announced our goal of reaching $1,000,000 in pledges from all of you to support our beloved Trinity community. We have been closing in on that number for a while now – and this week we – you – did it.  Thank you for recognizing the importance of this community in your lives and in the lives of your fellow parishioners. It is only one step in the process of financial stability, but it is one giant step.  Thank you all. We ARE Trinity Church.  

Trudy Sykes and Bill Hackett, Stewardship Co-Chairs

Bishop French's Visitation at the Easter Vigil

Saturday, March 30, at 7 PM

Trinity Church is honored to welcome Bishop Sally French as our Celebrant and Preacher at the Easter Vigil this year. Since this is her official visitation to Trinity for the year, Bishop French will do Baptisms as well as Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation of Faith as part of the service. Before she comes, we need to fill out a form listing the people being baptized, confirmed, etc. If you or your child(ren) are interested in Baptism and haven't already talked to us, please let Annie or Paul know. Young people who plan on being confirmed should contact Emily. Adults who would like to be confirmed, received, or making a reaffirmation of faith* should contact Kara. 

For confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation, we will need to know your full name, previous church affiliation if any, age, and the date and place of your baptism (a 'guesstimate' is fine). 

*What's the difference? In Confirmation, our young people affirm the promises that were made for them at their baptism. Adults from other traditions commit to living out their Christian life in the fellowship and communion of the Episcopal Church. Those who were previously confirmed in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches are received by the Bishop rather than confirmed again. And anyone, at any time, can make a public reaffirmation of their faith with the Bishop and receive her blessing on God's continuing work in their lives. 

Trinity Church and Nassau Presbyterian Church will once again co-sponsor a grief group called GriefEncounter this spring. The group meets for six sessions at Nassau on Tuesday, March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 9 and 16, from 7pm to 8:30pm. GriefEncounter is led by a trained grief counselor for folks experiencing feelings of loss due to the death of a family member, friend, colleague, anyone who has been part of your life. For additional information, please contact, Wesley Rowell, 646-279-1595, rowellw@trinityprinceton.org.  

It is a clear positive that civil and human rights for the LGBTQIA+ community have progressed greatly in the last few decades. It is also very clear that hatred and violence towards queer people is on the rise. In the first three months of 2024, over 300 anti-gay bills have been introduced in state legislatures across the country. Many of these bills invoke Christianity as the impetus behind them. There is still so much work to be done.

Oasis is the Trinity Church group for people who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. We plan to gather in the weeks after Easter (TBA) for the opportunity to fellowship together and explore how our queerness is a gift from God.

Please contact Wesley Rowell (rowellw@trinityprinceton.org) if you are interested in joining the Oasis group.

Sunday, April 21, 2024

3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Evensong at 5:00

With beautiful Spring colors on display all around, we invite you to join us for a delicious traditional English tea on Sunday, April 21, 2024 from 3 - 4:30 pm. There will be freshly baked savories, sweets and traditional scones with clotted cream and a delicious tea especially blended for us for this occasion. Our formally garbed waitstaff and beautiful floral arrangements will all take you back to an elegant era. Following the tea, Trinity Church's exceptional choir will perform a Choral Evensong in the church.

The event, priced at $35 per person ($40 at the door) is a fundraising effort for the choir. Please be sure to make your reservations early as seating is limited; if desired, entire tables may be reserved. Reservations may be made by emailing mstengel329@hotmail.com or calling 609-924-4807 and leaving a message.

Christians have long known the spiritual benefit of going to another place, whether in a pilgrimage or in a monastic retreat, in order to focus on God without the distractions of everyday life. Pilgrimage is praying with your feet, an active way of drawing closer to God. Retreat is another way of drawing closer to God by not-doing instead of by doing. Here at Trinity Church, we have two exciting opportunities for pilgrimage and retreat coming up soon: one is a grand expedition and one is a quiet retreat close to home. 

1. Exploring our Anglican Heritage: A Pilgrimage from Canterbury to York

October 17-28, 2024

Over the past four weeks, we have explored Dietrich Bonhoeffer's both challenging and life-giving book, Life Together in our Lenten Wednesday series. This week, we will conclude our exploration with a panel discussion of the final chapter, Confession and the Lord's Supper. "In confession, there occurs a breakthrough to new life." This new life allows us to experience the truth and essence of the Christian community in sharing Holy Communion: "Here, the community has reached its goal. Here joy and joy in Christ's community is made complete."

Come and join us this coming Wednesday, as we seek to live more fully our life together in Christ.