Dear friends,

As we approach the feast of Pentecost this Sunday, I’m reminded of one of my favorite vignettes in Anglican history, the 1739 conversations between Bishop Joseph Butler and a young priest named John Wesley. Wesley, with his revivalist outdoor preaching, was accused of spreading “enthusiasm” among the people. Bishop Butler told Wesley, “Sir, the pretending to extraordinary revelations and gifts of the Holy Ghost is a horrid thing, a very horrid thing.” Wesley responded, “I pretend to no extraordinary revelations, or gifts of the Holy Ghost: none but what every Christian may receive, and ought to expect and pray for.”

Having attended a Methodist seminary, I confess that I have a soft spot in my heart for John Wesley. In a time when the predominant strain of Anglicanism was heady and philosophical, Wesley called the church to be attentive to the real, powerful work of the Holy Spirit today, not just in history. He reminds Anglicans, and indeed all Christians, that the Holy Spirit is alive and active, changing hearts and transforming minds.

Edgardo Colon-Emeric, Duke’s current Dean of the Divinity School, writes,

When John Wesley first stepped out of the walls of the church in order to reach people working in fields, mines and markets, he preached from the passage from Jesus’ inaugural sermon: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18). This textual choice was not free from controversy. The 18th century dismissed those who talked about the ongoing work of the Spirit as ignorant and irresponsible. 

Against the theological currents of his day, John Wesley refused to limit the Spirit’s presence and power to the age of the apostles or the institutions of the church. The rise of Methodism was for him proof that the power of Pentecost was still at work in the world. The Spirit was still active in history, particularly among the marginalized.

According to Scripture, the love of God is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (cf. Romans 5:5). For Wesley, the social dimension of this love is made visible through works of mercy. Pentecost’s power is at work when we feed the hungry, visit the sick and welcome the stranger. It is also at work when we call sinners to repentance and encourage Christians in the way to holiness.

As we look to Pentecost this Sunday, I invite you to pray with me that perilously life-giving prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to enliven and empower our parish for ministry, and set us on fire with love for the God who has given us this Good News to proclaim. 

Yours in Christ,

Sunday, May 19,  9:30 – 10:15 am

Pierce-Bishop Hall

Calling all newcomers! Join us Sunday, May 19 for a Newcomers’ Forum. The Newcomers Forum is a great way to meet vestry members, clergy and fellow newcomers while enjoying bagels and coffee.  There will be a couple of welcoming speeches but mostly this is a time to talk to new and longtime members of the parish and to meet your clergy. Pierce Hall is the main meeting room in the parish building, which is attached to the church. There is no need to register for this event. Come on out and learn more about getting involved at Trinity Church!

What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the word “Pentecost”? For some people, it’s the sending of the Holy Spirit to the Church. For others, it’s sandwiches! The 20’s-30’s Fellowship will have a Pentecost Panini Party on Saturday, May 25th at 6 PM in Pierce-Bishop Hall. We’ll provide the ingredients and panini presses, you bring yourself and any beverages you’d like to share. RSVP here: https://forms.gle/fUPoG4gxKdp5zwHz8.

On Sunday, June 2, after the 10am service, we invite you join us for a joyous communal picnic on the lawn.

Volunteers are needed for set up, clean up, and to bring individual desserts. Please email Carol Brooks-Thomas at carolbrooksthomas@gmail.com to sign up.

July 13 - 19, 2024

Deadline to register: June 13, 2024

The Prosopon School of Iconology returns to Trinity Church for the (24th!) icon workshop. Beginning students will complete an icon of Christ Emmanuel during the workshop. Never held a paint brush? No worries! You will be given a drawing to trace onto the board, step-by-step instructions, daily demonstrations, and all materials. See the announcement for more information. Still have questions? Contact workshop coordinator and Trinity’s iconographer in residence, Maureen McCormick, at maureen@iconodulestudio.com.

• Dates: June 24-27 (Monday-Thursday)

• Time: 5-7:30 p.m. 

• Cost: FREE!!! 

• Location: Trinity Church (33 Mercer St, Princeton | Next to Princeton Seminary's Wright Library)

• Ages: PreK-Adult Programing

  Just Like Me! is an adaptable Vacation Bible School program that centers the deep and active faith lives of children and the real-world context our kids live in. In the parallel adult sessions, parents and caregivers will have the opportunity to dig into the theological underpinnings of the Just Like Me curriculum.

  This is a multi-church, ecumenical program sponsored by Princeton UMC, Mt. Pisgah AME Church, and Trinity Church. 

  We are so excited to bring you this program, and we look forward to seeing you in June! 

  If you have any questions, please email one of our program coordinators: Pastor Tayler Necoechea (tayler@princetonumc.org) or Carolyn Liverman (carolynliverman43@gmail.com). 

  Register here for Just Like Me!: Community Vacation Bible School 2024!!

  This form is for kids PreK-8th Grade only! 

  If you are an adult and would like to volunteer, please use this volunteer form. High school teens can also sign up as volunteers here.

  If you are an adult and would like to participate in our parallel adult program, you can register here.

Calling all instrumentalists!  During the summer, we will have opportunities for those in our congregation who play musical instruments to offer preludes and/or offertories for services.  If you play an instrument and would like to share your talents, please sign up on the digital form at this link:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NVTEWapN2oon5_D87IlAvv_wJuyNyf48_eloRrPT1XQ/edit?usp=sharing or on the paper sign-up in the narthex or at the front desk. Thank you!

We celebrated Reunions Week with our friends and neighbors at Princeton Theological Seminary. On Tuesday evening, our own Director of Music Meg Harper - along with Associate Director of Music Connor Fluharty and staff singers Noël McCormick, Melissa Fajardo, Michael Martin, and Greg Geehern - presented the 2024 Engle Concert for PTS Alumni and friends. It was a wonderful evening of music for the Ascensiontide! Thank you to all of our staff and volunteers who make Trinity's music program such a wonderful ministry of Trinity Church.