I love this poem by Allan Boesak.  It speaks to the mystery of Advent, and particularly to the reality of the in-breaking of Christ into our lives in a profound way. Allan Boesak  is a South African pastor and theologian in the Dutch Reformed Church, politician, anti-apartheid activist, and author. This poem is taken from his book Walking on Thorns. As you read these words, I invite you to reflect on how Advent challenges us to hope; yes even hope against hope.

Advent Credo

It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss—
This is true: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life;

It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction—
This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.

It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever—
This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called wonderful councilor, mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of peace.

It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world—
This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even until the end of the world.

It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church before we can be peacemakers—
This is true: I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and your old men shall have dreams.

It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history—
This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and in truth.

So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love and peace and justice. Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ—the life of the world.

Advent is upon us and we begin the preparations for the birth of Jesus.  Some of these preparations are spiritual in nature and some are the dealing with the more secular side of our beings.  Hopefully the secular does not overwhelm our ability to do the work of the spiritual.  

This is one of those times of the year when at Trinity we all come together as a community to share in this miracle, when we have a heightened awareness of our good fortune and on the needs of many around us.

It is with gratitude that we share continued progress toward our Annual Pledge goals.  As of this past Wednesday, we have 240 individuals or families who have pledged $822,000 – an average annual pledge of about $3,400.  At that average, we need about 55 more pledges to meet our goal of $1,000,000 pledged.  The goal was set with an eye toward our expected expense budget for 2024.

For those of you who have pledged, we offer our heartfelt thanks.   For those of you have yet to submit your pledge form, we encourage you to do so today.  WE ARE TRINITY CHURCH!

With gratitude for your support,

Trudy Sykes and Bill Hackett

Stewardship Co-Chairs

Did you know that your contributions to Trinity Church may be eligible to be matched through your employer's charitable giving program? Many employers now rely on technology platforms to support their charitable giving efforts. One of these providers, Benevity, includes Trinity Church in its catalog of eligible charitable groups. Hundreds of employers use the Benevity platform, including Billtrust, which is headquartered in Lawrenceville. Last December, Tom Scott used the Benevity platform while employed at Billtrust to match a contribution to Trinity Church. Benevity then sent the matching gift in early February and it was processed by Lily Leonard, our Finance Officer. It helps if you alert Lily by email (leonardl@trinityprinceton.org) after you initiate any matching gift so that she can watch for the payment. If you have any questions about matching gifts or if your employer's platform does not yet include us as an eligible organization, please contact Tom Scott, Vestry member, at tomascott1965@gmail.com. We'd like to ensure that the major charitable giving platforms permit matching gifts to Trinity Church. 

Do you need a little Advent music? Check out some Advent playlists from Trinity staff on Spotify. 

Kara's Advent playlist features contemporary versions of classic Advent hymns, plus some newer songs in the contemporary Christian genre:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bvxy4vpm1DtXAhw39eqjL?si=cef84698c5e344d1

Meg has put together a playlist of the music from this year's Advent Lessons and Carols:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1NsKvBOE7fOVU3xWcuwkx7?si=b4022f1c19474d29&nd=1&dlsi=1c0a3a1d04a8489e

We hope you enjoy these musical treats for the season. 

Join Kara for an Advent book group, Monday evenings on Zoom at 7 PM. 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

St. Nick’s Bazaar is almost upon us! Some important reminders to highlight:

1. Come to the party on Friday night! There will be food, drinks, music, singing, and dancing! Sign up to let us know you are coming. Sign up sheet available on Sunday by the reception desk and in the narthex.
2. Babysitting is available, but we have to know!
3. Don’t forget to come back and shop on Saturday.

And don’t forget the cookies!!!

Please indulge your desire to create and make your favorite baked treats for the St. Nicholas Bazaar Bake Table and Cookie Walk on December 9.  Customers will be lined up, waiting to indulge themselves or find wonderful gifts to freeze for friends and neighbors!

Please leave your treats in Pierce Hall either Friday the 8th or EARLY on the 9th - around 8:30 a.m. would give helpers time to lay them out.

But please, no bought items - we have our reputation as fabulous cooks to maintain!

We would welcome early risers to help with arranging the Cookie Walk trays and Baked Goods table - people line up early for all the wonderful treats!

Call Pegi Stengel at 609-924-4807 to offer help…you’ll be glad you did!!

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.