✢ EPISTLE WEEK OF SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4 ✢

WEEK OF SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2026
✢ NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST ✢

Fellowship Is (Also) Formation

In the Baptismal Covenant, we promise to "continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers." Right there, in the commitments we make to God and to each other, teaching and fellowship go together. The early Church could never have imagined that we could be formed in faith apart from one another, or that friendship alone, without shared learning and prayer, would make us disciples.

We sometimes treat fellowship as the pleasant extra, the gathering of old friends and new after the “real work” of worship and study. But formation happens at those tables too. We learn patience from the person who disagrees with us about the hymn choices. We learn generosity from the parishioner who checks in on a friend they haven’t seen in a while. We learn hope from the longtime member who has kept faith through decades of change. Christ forms us not in isolation but through the Body.

The reverse is also true: our fellowship and friendship deepens when it is rooted in something larger than shared interests. Studying Scripture together, praying the Daily Office together, asking honest questions together bind us more closely than small talk ever could.

This fall, I invite you to join one of our fellowship groups and attend one of our opportunities for formation. You won’t regret it!

In Christ,

Mtr. Kara

The Rev. Cn. Dr. Kara Slade CGS

THIS SUNDAY

Sermon: The Rev. Stephen Connor

Readings for The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

First Lesson: Isaiah 5:1-7
Psalm: 80:7-14
Second Lesson: Philippians 3:4b-14
Gospel: Matthew 21:33-46

10:30 AM BULLETIN

LIVESTREAM

MEET OUR CLERGY AND STAFF

RECTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE

This Sunday: Breakfast and Update

During the Forum Hour at 9:30 AM, join us for the First Sunday Breakfast and an update on the Rector Search.

Below are the links to register for the Holy Listening sessions, beginning on Sunday, October 4th, 2:00 pm-4:00 pm.

The additional dates and times for the sessions are below.

There are seven sessions in total, four in-person sessions, and three virtual sessions.

Please only sign up for (1) session. Each session will be limited to (25) participants. Total time for each session will be 120 minutes, or 2 hours. All feedback will be captured anonymously and will be used to help us write our Parish Profile.

Yes, it is important to participate in a session even if you have completed the survey assessment. Both tools are necessary to help us accurately capture the beauty, brilliance, challenges and opportunities at Trinity Princeton.

In-person sessions will meet in Pierce-Bishop Hall. Please note when signing up if you are registering to attend an in-person session, or a virtual session. Registration is required in order for us to plan appropriately for refreshments and session facilitation.

Holy Listening Session #1 October 4th, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Holy Listening Session #2 October 6th, 7:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Holy Listening Session #3 (virtual Session), October 11th, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Holy Listening Session #4, October 17th, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Holy Listening Session #5, (Virtual Session), October 20th, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Holy Listening Session #6, (Virtual Session), October 24, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Holy Listening Session #7, October 25th, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Search Committee Chair Thalia Mingo, thaliawmingo@gmail.com, or 732-266-1116

AROUND TRINITY

Stewardship Season is Here!

The words Walk in Love open our Sunday offertory, but stewardship is how we live them out. When you pledge your financial support, you directly fuel the outreach, hospitality, and service that define who we are. As we look toward the coming year, we invite you to prayerfully consider your pledge. Together, we can continue to walk in love, support our ministries, and serve our neighbors.

CORRECTION: Flower Guild Donations

When making a donation for flowers at the altar, please make checks payable to “Trinity Church,” NOT “Trinity Church Flower Guild” as was stated in the letter recently sent out. Instead, please put “flower guild” in the memo line. This ensures we do not run into any issues with our bank. Thank you!

Park Gently, Please: Staff and Desk Volunteer Parking is Reserved 24/7

Just a friendly reminder that the reserved staff spaces in the circle drive and behind Ivy Hall are reserved 24/7 for staff use. Please park in the main lot when you are visiting Trinity. Thank you!

Visit the Virtual Ministry Fair!

Mother Kara has created a “virtual ministry fair” on the bulletin board next to Pierce-Bishop Hall! Scan the QR codes for the ministries you’re interested in to learn more about how you can help serve our church community! Check in again for more opportunities, coming soon!

Caution: Phishing Scams

Please be aware that there has been a prevalence of phishing scams pretending to be clergy or staff. Please make sure to confirm that the email address is coming from the correct @trinityprinceton.org email. We will never solicit or ask you to send money, valuables, or your personal information to an unknown source. If you’re not sure, you can always e-mail us to verify!

Updating Our Member Directory!

Have you updated your directory information yet? Just go to members.instantchurchdirectory.com and log in with the e-mail address on file with Trinity. If you have any technical difficulties, please e-mail Alicia and she will be happy to assist you!

UPCOMING EVENTS

TOMORROW, OCTOBER 3: Baby Shower for Joseph and Stephanie Ferguson

Our beloved Associate Director of Music Joseph Ferguson and his wife Stephanie are about to become parents for the first time! On Saturday, October 3, we will celebrate this joyous occasion with a shower from 3-5 PM in Pierce-Bishop Hall. We are taking up a collection so they can buy the things they need and want, and as always you can send checks to the Finance Office, Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St, Princeton NJ 08540. Put “Ferguson Shower” in the memo line. Or, you can give online at trinityprinceton.org/giving and make a note that it is for the Ferguson Shower.

Please note this collection will be a personal gift to Joseph and Stephanie, and not a tax-deductible gift to Trinity Church.

If you would like to give a gift from their registry, see https://my.babylist.com/sqatmxwyr.

OCTOBER 3 and 10: “Swimming the Tiber to the Thames” with Father Steve

Are you a former Roman Catholic who now attends the Episcopal Church? Join Fr. Steve Connor for a two part conversation on Saturdays, October 3 and 10, from 10-11:30 AM in the Thomas Room.

THIS SUNDAY: First Sunday Breakfast

Please sign up to volunteer for the 1st Sunday Breakfast, this Sunday, October 4th.

Breakfast will be served beginning immediately following the 8:00 am service until 10:15 am.

As it is said - many hands make light work - Parish Life needs your help to make this event successful!!

Sign - up 1st Sunday Breakfast, October 4th

THIS SUNDAY at 1:00: Blessing of the Animals

Bring your critters (on a leash or in a carrier) to Trinity at 1:00 this Sunday, October 4, for our annual Blessing of the Animals! If your pet isn’t feeling social, you can bring a picture of them for a blessing instead. Participants will receive a St. Francis medal.

If it rains, we will move inside the church!

THIS SUNDAY: Young Adults Lunch

This Sunday, our Young Adult fellowship meets for its first gathering of the year after church in Pierce-Bishop Hall. RSVP here to give us your sandwich order from Jersey Mike’s. Contact Mtr. Kara (sladek@trinityprinceton.org) with questions.

Register for the TURKEY TROT!

Register Here to secure your spot! Our partner, Fleet Feet (the running store on Nassau Street), is offering 5K training programs, for both beginners and more experienced runners, beginning October 6! You can get more information and sign up right here, through October 13.

OCTOBER 11: Newcomers Forum, 9:30-10:15 AM, Pierce-Bishop Hall

The Newcomers Forum is a great way for new parishioners to learn more about Trinity while meeting fellow parishioners, clergy and vestry members. Bagels and coffee will be served. Please contact Melissa Scott at newcomers@trinityprinceton.org with any questions.

OCTOBER 11: Mercer Hill Neighborhood Picnic and Youth Acolyte Training

The Mercer Hill Picnic that was rained out has been rescheduled for Sunday, October 11, from 4:30-6:30 on Trinity’s lawn. The Nomad Pizza truck will be there! Come greet our neighbors and enjoy the fellowship.

Also, from 4:00-4:30, interested youth are invited to join Father Paul and Anne Lord for Acolyte Training. Meet at the altar and stay for pizza at the picnic afterward! Email Anne for more information.

OCTOBER 12: 22nd Annual Bishop George E. Councell Memorial Golf Outing

Join Team Trinity for a golf outing! We had three teams last year; let’s try and get four this year! E-mail Father Paul to join a team and learn more.

OCTOBER 18: Oregon Trailblazers Picnic

On Sunday, October 18, the Oregon Trailblazers will meet after the 10:30 service for a picnic in Marquand Park. If you are “vaguely middle-aged,” married or single, parenting or not, this group is for you! For this month’s gathering, bring your kids along for all-ages fun. Contact Mtr. Kara (sladek@trinityprinceton.org) or Alicia McCarther (mccarthera@trinityprinceton.org) with questions.

OCTOBER 22, 23, 24: 51st Annual Rummage Sale!

Your exquisite “no longer wanted” items will be welcomed on the drop off dates in the fall.
Volunteers and donations are needed!

Donation Drop Off Dates:

Tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 AM-2 PM
Sunday, Oct. 11, 12:00 PM (right after the 10:30 worship service)

NOVEMBER 3, 10, AND 17: Princeton Adult School Class with Donn Mitchell

Trinity Church parishioner Donn Mitchell will teach a class on Eleanor Roosevelt’s religious life with the Princeton Adult School. The classes begin at 7:30 PM at Princeton High School. Click here to register for the class!

NOVEMBER 8: Annual Meeting

Save the date to join us for our Annual Parish Meeting after the 10:30 service on Sunday, November 8.

MUSIC PROGRAM

Do you know a child who loves to sing?

Trinity’s Choirs are back in session! Now's a great time to help spread the word about the amazing music that happens here at Trinity Church Princeton.

ABC Choir - Kindergarten-Grade 2. Please email Annie at brysona@trinityprinceton.org for more information.

Treble Choir - Boys Grade 3-voice change; Girls Grade 3-12

- No prior experience needed, only a love of singing!

- Top tier music education ranging from the basics all the way through college-level music theory and singing skills.

- Sing masterworks ranging from 1600 to newly composed pieces, learn music theory and music history.

- Have extraordinary experiences and make friendships that will last a lifetime!

- Completely tuition free.

Send a note to our director of music Meg Harper at harperm@trinityprinceton.org if you know of a child who would be a good addition to our treble choir!

FAMILY MINISTRIES

Click here to read our newsletter, and here to read the Youth Brief!

ADULT FORMATION CORNER

Search Update and Newcomers’ Forum

Dear friends,

I appreciate your patience as I dealt with my very unfortunate kidney stone and associated dramas. Thankfully, my kidneys and I are back in action as usual! Pub Theology will continue on Monday nights, and if you haven’t tried it I encourage you to do so. Morning and Evening Prayer continues in the Michael Chapel and on Zoom. Morning Prayer is at 7:45 AM and Evening Prayer at 5 PM. Again, if you haven’t tried it, give it a go. You may just find that it changes your relationship with God.

Over the next few weeks at the 9:30 hour for adults, we will have a Parish Breakfast with an update from the Search Committee this weekend. On October 11, there will be a special forum for newcomers to get to know each other and the parish. We hope to see you then!

In Christ,

Kara

Formation This Week

Sunday, October 4 at 9:30 AM: Parish Breakfast with Search Committee Update

Monday, October 5 at 7:30 PM: Pub Theology at Yankee Doodle Tap Room

Monday through Friday at 7:45 AM: Morning Prayer Rite II, the Zoom Daily Office link is here

Sunday, October 11 at 9:30 AM: Newcomers’ Forum

Try Our Sermon Podcast

Trinity Church has a sermon podcast! We tried this briefly just after COVID, but the technology wasn’t quite there yet. We’re now able to provide a podcast feed of our sermons on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify, with both video and audio available on YouTube. Click, like, and subscribe!

Education for Ministry (EfM)

Do you have questions about your faith?

Do you wish for a community of like-minded seekers?

Do you want to integrate what you read in the Bible with your daily life?

Then EfM is for you!

Want to know more?

Call Julia Garry at 609-902-1388 or email her at jspenick@aol.com.

SERVING OUR NEIGHBORS

PARISH PRAYER LIST

Please keep the following individuals in your prayers:

Caleb A., Joshua Alexander, Dan Van Abs, Alexey Aulov, Barbara, Christina Baker, Susan Barry, Vanessa Belhomme, Gloria Bellamy, Cynthia Bellamy, Pamela Brecknell, Wesley Brown, Helen Burke, Jennifer Burke, Judy Burke, Brian Burleson, Bill Causey, Linda Clarke, Jessica Connor, Peggy Crawford, Kevin F. Cunningham, Chip Dongara, Daryll Eatmon, Gus Escher, Abigail Evans, Wendy Evans, Sue & Steve Frank, Amy G., Sarah Glazar, Sebastian Godinez, Pat Grabiec, Jackie Greggs, John Hannan, William Hannan, John Havener, Ellen Jane, Anne Jarmon, Deborah Jordan, Joyce Kelleher, Patricia Killian, Kristen Lees and Family, Alexandre Lewkowicz, Noelle Lewkowicz, Philippe Lewkowicz, Cecil Marshall, Makenna Mattesi, Lucy and Megan, Edwin Metcalf, Nancy Metcalf, Clive Muncaster, Dulcie Muncaster, Joan Nester, Ross Parker, Bob Pietrucha, Lisa Witt Pinair, Vinnie R., Elizabeth Read, Carol Reynolds, Samantha Seto, Randy States, Mike Stebbins, Jim Stepleton, Isaiah Stevens, Gary Sykes, Ward Tomlinson, Marue Walitzer, Aaron Ward, Sue White, Amy Wolfe, Nancy, and Joshua.

Individuals will remain on the prayer list for one month, unless we are otherwise notified.

➨ If you want to add someone to the list, please email Annie Bryson at brysona@trinityprinceton.org.

RECOVERY MEETINGS: Looking for recovery meetings? See our list of recurring meetings here.

ZOOM EVENTS: Join all Zoom meetings, unless otherwise advertised, at ZOOM.US/J/2859819016 [By phone: 1 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 285 981 9016 Password: 1979].

ABOUT US: Trinity Church ➨ Est’d 1833 ➨ An Episcopal Church in the Diocese of New Jersey ➨ 33 Mercer Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 ➨ (609) 924-2277 ➨ The Rev. Paul Jeanes III, Rector; The Rev. Cn. Dr. Kara N. Slade, CGS Associate Rector; The Rev. Stephen Connor, Associate Rector ➨ Website: trinityprinceton.org

“We believe God’s love is expansive and unconditional and that through Christ, God has called us to love one another as God loves us. We welcome all people of every gender, race, age, culture, ethnic background, sexual orientation, economic circumstance, family configuration, or difference of ability. We celebrate the worth, dignity, and gifts of every person as a child of God.”

Please know that we are here for you, to support you and pray for you however best we can. Feel free to reach out to the clergy individually, or you can click the button below to reach them all for any pastoral care needs.

PASTORAL CARE