Dear Beloved of Trinity,

I just had the joy of being on retreat at the Washington National Cathedral with my dear friend and first boss at Christ Cathedral in Louisville, Fr. Keith Marsh, our own beloved Rev. Joanne Epply-Schmitt, and 30 other beautiful children of God. We were guided by the wisdom of John Philip Newell—spiritual teacher, speaker, and author rooted in the Celtic tradition, and former warden of Iona Abbey in the Western Isles of Scotland.

Together, we entered a sacred time of prayer, reflection, sharing, and healing, centered on his powerful work Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul: Celtic Wisdom for Reawakening to What Our Souls Know and Healing the World. John Philip’s teaching was a clarion call to awaken—from the slumber of disengagement and disillusionment, from the false gods of greed and power—and to be grounded again in the truth of God’s love revealed in Christ which is deep in our hearts and the truth of our identity.

He reminded us that we, as children of the Living God, are beautifully and wonderfully made. And as we live within the painful reality of a broken world, our faith is not an escape hatch; it is a sacred pathway that allows us to live as people of light and love in the midst of pain, division, and strife.

We are pilgrims on this earth—not knowing where the journey will lead, yet “seeking one’s place of resurrection, setting sail into the unknown in search of new beginnings.” (p. 222) As Newell writes, “Each one of us is a voyager. This is what the universe invites us to be in our lives and relationships, because the universe keeps changing, unfolding, evolving. Anything that resists new beginnings and new ways is finished.” (p. 248)

In this sacred time together, we received an invitation to “voyage faithfully” — even through the darkness — always looking for God’s light, always watching for “the coming of a new dawn.” (p. 248)

As we continue to live in this Easter season, may we open our hearts and souls to destinations yet unknown. For God who is faithful and loving—will surely lead us. And we, beloved voyagers, will indeed find our way home and to the coming of a new dawn.

Easter Blessings,

Join Fr. Paul, David Schneider, and Jeanne Gardner on May 18, 2025 at 9:30am in Pierce Hall for an all-parish meeting regarding the capital campaign . There are exciting updates to share!

Additionally, you can now visit our campaign landing page on Trinity’s website here.

Sunday, May 18, 2025, 3 - 4:30 pm 

Evensong at 5:00 pm

Pierce Hall, Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St

You are invited to join us for a delicious traditional English Tea at Trinity Church.  Enjoy this lovely opportunity to return to an elegant era and have a ‘cuppa’ plus homemade scones with clotted cream and jam, savories, and sweets.  All that and a delicious tea especially blended for this occasion, all served by formally garbed waitstaff and surrounded by lovely floral arrangements.  Following the tea at 5 pm, the exceptional Trinity Choir will sing a traditional Evensong in the historic church, accompanied by our master organists, Dr. Margaret “Meg” Harper and Joseph Ferguson.

Best of all, you will be helping our magnificent choir continue to make beautiful music, not only here in Trinity Church but on an invited tour to sing at English cathedrals in 2026!   This special event, priced at $45 per person with a special new opportunity for a VIP room with champagne and cocktails/mocktails ($85 for VIP room ticket), is a fundraising effort for our choirs.  Our choirs will sing for a week at Ely Cathedral and will be the Choir in Residence for an entire week at Westminster Abbey - an amazing opportunity for an outstanding choir!    

Be sure to make your reservations now as seating is limited.  Payment by cash, check, or Venmo to ‘Trinity Church’ with ‘Choir Tea’ in the memo line.   Questions and/or reservations? Please e-mail Terri Brown at terribrown4@gmail.com or call 609-915-3800.

Tickets will be on sale Sunday, April 27, outside Pierce Hall before the Common Grounds Café at 9 a.m. and in the narthex after the 10:30 service.  On Sunday, May 4, they will be on sale before the Forum in Pierce Hall and after the 10:30 service in the narthex.

We look forward to seeing you there! 

Calling all tenors! Trinity's adult choir is in need of a couple volunteer tenors. If this might be you, please reach out to our Director of Music Meg Harper at harperm@trinityprinceton.org!

Road Trip! On the Go with God: Vacation Bible School 2025!

Dates: June 23-27, 2025, 9:00 am-12:00 pm

Road Trip! VBS is based on Joshua 1:9, "The Lord your God is with you wherever you go." This verse reminds us that God's presence is always near, no matter where the journey of life takes us. Road Trip! invites us on an exciting journey as we discover new places, new friends, and ways that we can discover God's goodness and presence everywhere. 

Road Trip! is set out on the open road in an imagination-powered vehicle which will take Travelers on amazing adventures to exciting destinations. During each session, Travelers will learn that God is with them in whatever situation they face. With the help of great stories from the Navigators' Guide (the Bible), Travelers will explore timeless Bible stories that show how people from the Old and New Testaments journeyed with God through many locations and situations and found strength in God's presence wherever they went. 

Road Trip! VBS stations include Bible Stories, Music, Crafts, Recreational Games, and Science. Snack will be provided. 

Registration is open to children in grades prek-6. To register, please complete this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf9e1Cpd3DLkBjbNcHnRb0LUnJRNl3qHKcKdKcj4vDqVUBa5A/viewform?usp=sf_link

We need many volunteers to make this happen! We will need volunteers to sign up as both Station Leaders and Group Leaders. Teens are welcome and encouraged to volunteer as Group Leaders. To volunteer, please use this form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdM7oSW1UXE9gYAJIbv224hyvlu-nUizy6oEYzzpE06eQ0dBw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106570045769459346946

If you have any questions, please email Annie Bryson (brysona@trinityprinceton.org). 

Oregon Trailblazers May Gathering: Saturday, May 17

On Saturday, May 17, the Oregon Trailblazers fellowship will celebrate the end of the program year with a potluck. To celebrate Mtr. Kara's impending sabbatical departure, the theme this month will be Wild West. Bring tacos, barbecue, or anything else festive! Sign up here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1moYWLZgHG4OK7St6dz4ZtOxfTqk9yAAwmQUP1A8xa5k/edit?usp=sharing

Trinity Comm