Dear Good People of Trinity Church,

In his book, To Bless the Space Between Us, John O’Donohue writes:

“In the parched deserts of postmodernity a blessing can be like the discovery of a fresh well. It would be lovely if we could rediscover our power to bless one another. I believe each of us can bless. When a blessing is invoked, it changes the atmosphere. Some of the plenitude flows into our hearts from the invisible neighborhood of loving kindness. In the light and reverence of blessing, a person or situation becomes illuminated in a completely new way. In a dead wall a new window opens, in dense darkness a path starts to glimmer, and into a broken heart healing falls like morning dew. It is ironic that so often we continue to live like paupers though our inheritance of spirit is so vast. The quiet eternal that dwells in our souls is silent and subtle; in the activity of blessing it emerges to embrace and nurture us. Let us begin to learn how to bless one another. Whenever you give a blessing, a blessing returns to enfold you.”

May we, on this Thanksgiving Day, find ourselves filled with gratitude for the many gifts that God has given us, and in doing so rediscover our power to bless one another. Undoubtedly changed, may God’s loving kindness and blessing flow abundantly from our hearts in all that we do and say so that the parched deserts of this world will overflow with the wellspring of God’s love.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Starting Sunday, November 12, we have begun offering a new program called Playful Worship for young children during the 10:30 a.m. service! 

Here is a brief summary of the details, followed by a short explanation. 

What: Playful Worship

Who: Children ages PreK(4) - 3rd Grade 

Where: Thomas Room (next to the Kitchen) - need help finding this space? Ask one of the Ushers for help. 

When: 10:20 a.m. until approximately 11 a.m. (or during the announcements). 

Alex Englert, a parent in our parish with two young, energetic children, has offered to lead this program each week. This is an opportunity for children from PreK(4) through 3rd grade to engage in worship by practicing a bit of stillness, and plenty of movement. 

Alex will lead prayer, activities, and games for the kids during the first half of the 10:30 a.m. service. Then, he will bring the kids to rejoin the main service during the announcements, so that families can partake of the Eucharist together. 

In order to help this program succeed, we need parental volunteers! If your child will participate in this program, please sign up to help with supervision at least twice between now and the end of May 2024. Use the following LINK. Link also in the QR code.

Families can bring their children to the Thomas Room between 10:20 and 10:30 for drop-off. Children must be in PreK (4 year old) and be fully independent in the bathroom. 

Play clothes and outdoor layers encouraged! 

Are you interested in Confirmation or Reception into the Episcopal Church? Just want to learn more about our faith? Join Kara for Episcopal 101, this Sunday at 1 PM in the Thomas Room. Contact Kara at sladek@trinityprinceton.org if you'd like to sign up - or just come for the session.

Join Kara for an Advent book group, Monday evenings on Zoom at 7 PM starting on November 27th. We'll read Heaven and Earth: Advent and the Incarnation by Will Willimon of Duke Divinity School, former Dean of Duke University Chapel and United Methodist Bishop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_F74Y_RwSg

Zoom link here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2859819016

Book available here, among other retailers: https://www.amazon.com/Heaven-Earth-Incarnation-William-Willimon/dp/1791029035/ref=asc_df_1791029035/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=663441678178&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7351613376227992612&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003941&hvtargid=pla-2216341697644&psc=1&mcid=dac8edffafe637fea6f2cd2bd8816783

Are you vaguely middle-aged, with kids or without? Join us for the launch of Oregon Trailblazers at Trinity at our Liturgical New Year's Eve party! We'll get together on Saturday, December 2, from 6-8 PM at the church to ring in Advent. Bring your kids if you'd like and we will make sure they leave with you - alive. Contact Kara for details (sladek@trinityprinceton.org).

Breaking News from St. Nick’s! 

Our own Connie Escher will read from her published book, “She Calls Herself Betsey Stockton”, on Saturday Dec. 9th. Adults and children will delight in hearing Connie’s description of a  Christmas long ago through the eyes of Betsey Stockton. Connie has received accolades for the deep dive into historical documents which she used in telling this story of a most unusual American woman.
Put December 9th on your calendar - to buy your Christmas wreath, a bag of home made Christmas cookies, and all the other unusual items for sale.   

AND, meanwhile, Junior Shoppers/mini boutique needs donations of small, newer or never used gift items for children and adults. Children can shop “in secret with a helper” to find gifts for siblings and parents. Other helpers will wrap them so they are a real surprise. Adults may also shop later in the morning.  Needed items are: small toys, stuffed animals, toy vehicles decorative items, fancy teas, soaps, , accessories and jewelry.
Children will be able to shop for their whole list for about $10! 

Looking for Cookie, Cake, Pie and Special Treat Makers!!

Please indulge your inner pastry chef to create and make your favorite baked treats for the St. Nicholas Bazaar  "Bake Table and Cookie Walk" on December 9.  Our customers will be looking for treats for themselves and wonderful gifts to stash in their freezers.

You can leave your goodies in Pierce Hall either Friday, December 8 or early on the 9th, but please, no bought items - we have our reputation as fabulous cooks to maintain!

Schedule

On Tuesday Dec. 5 in the Thomas Room, we start making Boxwood trees from 10-2pm and continue on Wednesday from 10-2pm.

Wednesday night (Dec 6) starting about 6 pm will be wreath decorating also in Thomas, which will continue on Thursday all day.

Friday is decorating the parish hall day. And Friday night is the party for all the parish! Food, drinks, music, singing, and dancing!

Then don’t forget to shop on Saturday at our St. Nick’s Bazaar!

Join us for a writing workshop led by Dr. Elaine Pagels.

Assisted by Dr. Nithila Peter.

• 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

• December 7th, December 12th, December 21st, 2023

• January 11th and January 18th - 2024

(full capacity - around 10 - 12)

Email - nithilapeter@eileads.com or sladek@princetontrinity.org to sign up.

We welcome those willing to explore the process of writing—in the key of memoir, about something you've experienced—recently, or long ago, or whatever!  It could be about an experience or moment that has been meaningful, or a turning point, a surprising ending of some episode—whatever you decide. We'd suggest that you consider writing one to five pages a week, and, when you're ready, share what you're writing with the rest of us. We're looking forward to the challenge of just starting in, seeing what happens; often unexpectedly rewarding.  

Dr. Elaine Pagels joined the Princeton faculty in 1982, shortly after receiving a MacArthur Fellowship. Perhaps best known as the author of The Gnostic Gospels, The Origin of Satan, and Adam, Eve and the Serpent, she has published widely on Gnosticism and early Christianity, and continues to pursue research interests in late antiquity.  She has also written one personal book - Why Religion. This writing workshop is inspired by that experience.

Dr. Nithila Peter works as counsel and coach for emotional intelligence and the leadership journey @ Princeton, NJ.  She writes mini-memoirs and EI life-work/work-life stories.  She will assist Elaine in the writing workshop.

Saturday, December 9, 2023, 4:00 PM

Join Voices Chorale NJ for a festive concert featuring the heartfelt, rarely performed Christmas Oratorio by Camille Saint-Saëns and spirited arrangements of holiday favorite classics including, Joy to the World, There Shall a Star from Jacob Come Forth, Wassail, and joyful Hanukkah favorites. Led by Artistic Director Dr. David A. McConnell, the chorale continues its tradition of presenting engaging, challenging, and diverse music in this winter concert. Dr. Akiko Hosaki will accompany the choir on piano and organ. Visit VoicesChoraleNJ.org for more information. 

The Angel Tree project is happening again this year.  The Tree will be up in the Narthex on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. We have requests this year to help 160 people with gifts from the three agencies listed below.  Many want gift cards but there will be some gifts for children.  All gifts will need to be at church by Sunday, Dec. 10th.  More specific directions will be by the tree and in future Epistles.

Housing Initiatives of Princeton – this program, which was started by Trinity Church, provides transitional housing for 24 months coupled with supportive services.  They also provide temporary rental assistance to enable low-income families to retain existing housing or acquire affordable housing.

Urban Promise of Trenton - their mission is to equip Trenton’s children and young adults with the skills necessary for academic achievement, life management, spiritual growth and Christian leadership.  We have supported this agency since their inception 11 years ago with the Turkey Trot, summer day camp, and of course the Angel Tree.

Arm in Arm – is another agency started by Trinity church in the 1980’s. We will support the All Kids Thrive program of 15 youth and the Housing Stability  program of 23 families.