When I am feeling particularly self-righteous, my friend Dave asks me:

“Wesley, would you rather be right or would you rather be happy,” and I’m embarrassed to say that my initial response is usually “Yes.”

This past week, I posted something on social media that I was convinced was “right” (I am sure I am not alone in this).  An acquaintance commented very strongly that they thought my post was inappropriate and offensive. And my first thought was “But I’m right.” People in 12 step recovery often talk about “restraint of pen and tongue,” and I might add, thumbs. Does it need to be said? Does it need to be said right now? Does it need to be said by me?

The gift of social media, especially platforms like FaceBook and X, is that we have immediate and instant access to content and news that even 25 years could have taken weeks to trickle down to us. Actress Carrie Fisher once quipped, “The problem with instant gratification is that it takes too long.” We live in a world where everything can be at our fingertips at Amazon Prime speed. But what do we lose?

I am currently in discernment for priesthood in the Episcopal Church. It’s not a quick fix , fast-track, done deal. It’s a process. In fact, our recently consecrated Bishop ofNew Jersey, Bishop Sally French, has put the entire process on hold while she prayerfully and carefully reviews and considers the steps and procedures that lead to ordination. Now, as a newly minted seminary graduate and your newly employed Lay Pastoral Associate; and as someone who is closer to Baby Boomer than Millennial, I could be anxious and nervous about who what when where and how “my” time will come. Or, I could be appreciative of the opportunity God has given me to more deeply ponder and consider the vocation I truly believe I am called to.  The choice is mine. Which choice will bring me more peace? And more importantly, which choice will make me a better priest?

Every day, we are given the choice between right and happy. And often we don’t even take a breath before we plunge into opinions and arguments that are out of our depth, or nastily debate issues that require far more context and nuance than can be reduced to a 280 character tweet. And I want to be clear that I am not at all saying that we don’t have the right to our beliefs and convictions. Many times we need to forcefully passionately take sides. But when we take the dive into the abyss of our surety, our chances of meaningful conversation and dialogue vanish. Alone in our “rightness.”

Proverbs 17:19 says, “Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin.” And Jesus said, “No one is good—except God alone.” (Luke 18:19).

Oh, and I deleted the post. And apologized. To God be the Glory. 

October 19-21

October 19th. 12:00- 4:00 (admission ticket, $10)

October 20th. 12:00-4:00 (free admission)

October 21st.  9:00- 1:00 (all merchandise ½ off)

Trinity offers services during the week as well! If you would like to participate in the liturgical life of Trinity outside of Sundays, please consider attending one of the following services. 

Tuesdays

12 noon | Holy Communion Rite I

SAID SERVICE with TRADITIONAL LANGUAGE & RECEPTION of  COMMUNION (NO LIVESTREAM)

Wednesdays

5:30pm | Holy Communion Rite II

SAID SERVICE with CONTEMPORARY LANGUAGE & RECEPTION of  COMMUNION (NO LIVESTREAM)

Every Monday – Friday

7:45am | Morning Prayer

5pm | Evening Prayer

JOIN MORNING & EVENING PRAYER
IN-PERSON or on ZOOM

Grief is one of life’s most profound experiences. Many of us are simply not prepared for the level of sadness, isolation and vulnerability that often result after losing someone whom we love deeply. This October, Trinity Episcopal Church will partner with Nassau Presbyterian Church at its Fall Session of GriefEncounters.

This support group is open to all Trinity parishioners and friends who have sustained the recent or not so recent loss of a loved one. The meetings will be held Tuesday, 7-8:30pm, in the conference room at Nassau Presbyterian Church on October 17 & 24; November 7, 14 & 28; and December 5. There will be no meeting on Tuesday, October 31 (Halloween) or on Tuesday, November 21 (Thanksgiving week).

Each meeting will incorporate confidential sharing and guided conversation, with supportive scripture and prayer. If you are interested in finding out more information about the group, please email Deacon Hank Bristol at hbristoldcn@gmail.com.

Halloween is for "crafts"! The 20's-30's fellowship will meet at Trinity at 6 PM on Sunday, October 29th for Halloween "Craft" Night. Bring your favorite craft beverage - beer, root beer, ginger ale, etc. - and we will share pizza around the fire pit and in Pierce-Bishop Hall. We'll have some pumpkins to carve if you want to participate.

Are you new to Trinity Church, or wondering how to make Trinity a part of your life in a different way? Join us at a forum for Newcomers on Sunday, October 29, at 9:30 AM in Pierce-Bishop Hall. Come meet new friends and find out more about our parish family. This is a great way for new parishioners from the past year or two to meet vestry members, clergy and fellow newcomers while enjoying bagels and coffee. 

Are you interested in Confirmation or Reception into the Episcopal Church? Just want to learn more about our faith? Join Kara for Episcopal 101, Sundays in November at 1 PM in the Thomas Room. We'll start Sunday, November 5. Contact Kara at sladek@trinityprinceton.org if you'd like to sign up - or just come for the first session.

So much is happening at Trinity Church these days!  It's a great time for an experienced Communications professional to join Trinity's staff as our next Communications Director.  This is a part-time position (25 hours per week).  A detailed job description can be found at http://www.trinityprinceton.org/employment.   Please forward it to any people you know who might be interested.  Candidates should send their resume to communicationsearch@trinityprinceton.org.  The search committee for this position, which consists of Tom Scott, Nithila Peter, Annie Bryson, Emily Pruszinski and Phil Unetic, will begin reviewing resumes in several weeks. 

Annie Bryson, mezzo soprano, has been a staff singer at Trinity Church since 2014. Annie originally sang alto with the Adult Choir, switching to the Schola Choir in 2022. She also directs Trinity's ABC Choir, works with the Trebles teaching RSCM material, and serves as the Parish Administrator. Outside of Trinity, Annie is an Adjunct Professor at Rowan University, teaching Musical Theater Voice. She taught voice and piano lessons to children ages 4-18 for thirteen years, at such institutions as Chapin School Princeton and Princeton Day School.

Originally from Connecticut, Annie relocated to Princeton for  graduate school in 2011. She holds the degrees of Master of Music in Vocal Pedagogy and Performance from Westminster Choir College and Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Western Connecticut State University. She is an experienced performer in the areas of musical theater, opera, choral music, and popular music.

As a performer, Annie can be seen frequently in recital and on the stage. Most recently, she performed at the Kelsey Theater in West Windsor, NJ in "Bye Bye Birdie" (Mrs. Merkle), "Crazy for You" (Irene) and "Thoroughly Modern Millie" (Alice). She has also presented musical theater recitals at All Saints Episcopal Church in Princeton, NJ. During her time at Westminster, Annie performed with the Symphonic Choir at Carnegie Hall and The Kimmel Center with world-renowned orchestras such as The Berlin Philharmonic and The Philadelphia Orchestra, under the batons of Simon Rattle, Yannick Nezet Seguin, and Gustavo Dudamel.