Dear Good People of Trinity,  

This Sunday is the joyous celebration of our annual Christmas Pageant, a time when the youngest members of our church family not only narrate the story of our Savior's birth but also breathe life into its very essence. They don't just tell the tale; they embody it, infusing it with vibrancy and life. Their portrayal of gentle lambs, angels, shepherds, and figures like Gabriel, Mary, Joseph, brings the story alive for us in new and wonderful ways.  

In their roles, the children extend an invitation for us not merely to witness but to actively discover our own roles within the beauty and power of the Christmas story. Moreover, they invite us to discern our place in the ongoing narrative of God and God’s people. As the children transition through the roles of the pageant, so do we, as we mature and evolve in our faith. This becomes a living testament to the dynamic nature of our spiritual journey, as God continually works within us in unexpected and transformative ways.   I invite you to join us this Sunday, not just to hear the familiar recounting of our Savior's birth but to fully immerse yourself in the profound experience. Come, discover your role in the ongoing narrative of healing in our world. Your presence is not merely that of an audience; you are the living words of the ever-unfolding story.  

Advent Blessings to all,

Joy to the world, the Lord is coming and our Savior reigns!  As we look forward to our celebration of the birth of Jesus let us not forget our brothers and sisters who are hungry, homeless and experiencing challenges living day to day.  It is through your financial support to Trinity that enables us to answer Jesus’ call, Matthew 25:40, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sister of mine, you did for me.”  Your PLEDGE enables us to not only “keep our lights on” but to remember and show our concern for all of God’s children.   Thank you if you have pledged, and please, pledge today if you haven’t.  As of mid-week we have 249 families and individuals who have pledged with a total of $839,679 toward our goal of $1,000,000.

With gratitude for your support,

Trudy Sykes and Bill Hackett

Stewardship Co-Chairs

It is with heartfelt appreciation that we thank the following members of our Trinity community who pledged for 2024. We Are Trinity Church! 

• E. Kim Adams & Terrance O'Malley

• Mary Elizabeth Allen

• Judith Anderson

• Linda Anderson

• Greta Anderson

• Nathan and Celeste Arrington

• Betsy Ashton and James Stapleton

• Steven and Elizabeth Baglio

• Janet Baker

• Barbara Banks

• Grayson Barber

• Daniel and Jennifer Bartell

• Paul and Holly Becker

• Andrew and Stephanie Benjamin

• Merrill Biancosino

• David and Bonnie Bivins

• Jayne Blankenship

• Brett Boal and Lisa Shepard

• Sheila Bodine

• Raju and Lindsey Bohra

• Henry and Michele Bowden

• Benjamin Brand

• Rebecca Brewer and Keith Snedeker

• Dcn Henry and Susan Bristol

• Carol Brooks Thomas

• Eric and Therese Brown

• Greta Brown

• Peter and Elizabeth Brown

• Anne Bryson

• Ryan Bubb

• Margaret Burger

• William Burks

• B Thomas and Barbara Byrne

• Marlene Carlson

• Milton and Elizabeth Charbonneau

• Charles and Julia Chesebrough

• Jeannette Ching

• Dora Ching and Richard Wong

• Wendell Collins

• Jeanne Conerly and David Venturo

• Joseph and Donna Crafford

• Donna Culin

• Carter Cunningham

• Randall and Heidi Currier

• Daniel and Tracy Dart

• Helene Davies

• Trey Delaney

• Julia Denny Clark

• Adrian and Suzanne Dicker

• Angela and Edward DiJoseph

• Jacob and Patricia Dlamini

• Michael and Leslie Edwards

• Anne Elliott

• Shawn and Roberta Ellsworth

• Art and Cheryl Eng

• Alexander Englert and Luise Lampe

• Gustav and Constance Escher

• Abigail Rian Evans

• Larry and Wendy Evans

• Stephen and Cheryl Evans

• Marisa and Richard Farnum

• Anne Faynberg

• Evelyn Flory

• Robert and Elizabeth Fraser

• John Frederick

• Richard and Mary Funsch

• Vikram Galla and Pradeepa Jayakumar

• Jeanne Garner

• Julia Garry

• Alexander Gedye and Fang Yan

• Aristides and Elizabeth Georgantas

• Albert and Patricia Gerbig

• Alexandra Gerry

• Victor and Jacqueline Gibbs

• Lloyd and Kari Gold

• Solveig Gold and Joshua Katz

• John and Judith Golden

• Robin Gosnell

• Allie Graham-Hicks and Margaret Hicks

• John and Rebecca Griffith

• Robert and Wanda Gunning

• William and Katharine Hackett

• Helen Hannan

• Carrie Hanson

• Janet Haring

• Dr Margaret Harper and Michael Gratkowski

• Christine Hart

• Dan and Nell Haughton

• Jeanne-Louise Haviland

• Jennifer Hayden

• William and Aline Haynes

• Donald Healy

• Irene Hechler

• JoAnn Heisen

• Scott and Wendy Heiser

• Neal and Cynthia Hesterberg

• Curtis Hoberman

• Jim and Meg Holland

• Mary Hulme

• Gregg H Hutchison

• Andrea Hyde

• Paul and Christina Jeanes

• Lawrence and Deborah Jordan

• Bruce Jordan and Jeanne Perantoni

• Belrena Kelemen

• Joyce Kelleher

• Scott and Larissa Kelsey

• John and Mary Kemp

• Lanny King

• Allan King and Helen Burke

• Michael and Louise Kingston

• Dana Klinges

• David Knowlton and Diane Zompa

• Nina Kola

• Fred and Gina Kornfeind

• Ira Lackey

• William and Martha Lashbrook

• Penelope Lattimer

• Andrea Lauber

• Ann Laughlin

• Owen and Beverly Leach

• Christopher Leavell and John Cooper

• Lily Leonard

• Lynn Lepore

• Emma Levitt

• Robert Lewis

• Constance Leyden

• Frank and Sharon Lorenzo

• Kay Mack

• Robert and Joanna Martin

• Sean and Alicia McCarther

• Mark McConnell and Kangyan Chen

• Maureen McCormick and Phillip Unetic

• Lindsay McDowell

• Scott McGoldrick and Linda Noel

• Gary and Shirley McKnight

• James and Julie Meidlinger

• Robert Meier

• Edwin and Nancy Metcalf

• Jim Meyer

• Theresa Meyers

• John and Denise Miller

• Douglas and Debbier Mink

• Thalia Mingo

• Edmund Moeller

• Dorothy Morin

• John and Lauri Mulvey

• Clive and Dulcie Muncaster

• Sarah Jones Nelson

• Ronald Novak

• Michael and Morgane O'Connell

• Elaine Pagels

• Constantin and May Papastephanou

• Herman and Rosemary Parish

• Dee Patberg

• Deborah Pege

• Anil and Nithila Peter

• James Phillips

• Joseph and Marte Pierson

• Robert and Shirley Pietrucha

• Conrad and Rebecca Plimpton

• Madeline Polhill

• John Pollock

• Robert Predale and Karen Howard

• Frances Preston

• Jolyon and Emily Pruszinski

• Peter and Mary Anne Quinn

• Gil and Camille Quinton

• Paul Raeder and Robert Holley

• Elizabeth Read

• Rebecca Reynolds

• Abigail and Spencer Reynolds

• John Richardson and Juliet Wynne

• Lester and Barbara Robbins

• Claire Roberts

• William and Maeryn Roebling

• Linda Rothkopf

• Wesley Rowell

• Clarence and Leslie Rowley

• Ralph and Barbara Rubano

• Henry Rulon-Miller

• John and Ruth Sayer

• William and Lisa Schmid

• David and Molly Schneider

• William Schowalter

• Thomas and Melissa Scott

• Edith Senyumba

• Elizabeth Sheldon

• J Nicole Shelton

• Jane Shillaber

• Tara Sikma

• Kara Slade

• Steve and Jean Snyder

• Thomas and Margaret Southerland

• John and Carol Spears

• Vernon and Elaine Spencer

• James and Michelle Stabler-Havener

• James and Monica Stahl

• Michael and Jody Stebbins

• Anne Steinhorn

• Elizabeth Stenard

• Rob and Pegi Stengel

• Mary Stevens

• William and Joanna Storrar

• John Sturges

• John Sully and Katherine Rohrer

• William A Sweeney

• Gary and Trudy Sykes

• Joseph Syzdek and JoAnn Witherow

• Susan Tarr

• Sandi Tatnall

• Sylvia Temmer

• John Thurman and Hilary Winter

• Daphne Townsend

• James Trowbridge

• Linda Twining

• Martin and Joan Valcin

• Janet Van Abs

• Sara Vasiliu

• Henry and Meredith Von Kohorn

• Robert von Zumbusch

• Ronald Waetzman and the Rev Stephen Connor

• Brent Walker

• J Calvin and Judy Walker

• M'lou Walker

• John and Happy Wallace

• Carol Walsh

• Robert Walsh

• Amy and Jeff Watkins

• George and Judy Webb

• Ann Weeks

• Dorothy Werner

• Cynthia Westbrook

• Maureen Westerman

• Dennis Wheeler and Catherine O’Neill

• Constance White

• John and Susanne White

• John White and Mary Alden

• Cheryl Whitney

• Amelia Willson

• Bruce Woodger

• Stuart and Winifred Woody

• Richard and Ann Zultner

On Friday, December 15 through Sunday, December 17, the Flower Ministry is conducting our annual Advent Poinsettia Delivery.  We bring this touch of Christmas cheer to members of our community to say “Trinity Church is thinking of you.”  A great example of our mission to Care for One Another; we need volunteers of all ages to deliver the plants. 

We are hoping to get enough volunteers to create pairs of people to deliver the plants. We provide a list of recipients, and the deliveries are grouped by location, so it only takes 1-2 hours.  The day and time you deliver is up to you.  It is a wonderful activity, and one that families often like to do together.

If you want to join this enjoyable and worthwhile event, please contact Terri Hassett Brown either by email at terribrown4@gmail.com, or by phone:  609-915-3800.  

WHAT A SUCCESS!

The congregation's response to the St. Nicholas Bazaar Bake Sale and Cookie Walk was wonderful to behold!  As those of you who attended the Bazaar and bought cookies and baked goods can attest, the quality of the offerings by a number of excellent parish chefs was extraordinary!

Thanks to the following wonderful workers: Ann Zultner, Anne Steinhorn, Pegi Stengel, Eric Brown, Liz King, Allan King, Helen King, Rob Fraser, Liddy Fraser, Connie Escher, Helen Hannan, Elizabeth Richards, Glyn Richards, Rhys Richards, John Hannan, Bill Lashbrook, Helene Davis, Amy Greenwood, Bonnie Bivins, Alison Roth, Carter Cunningham, Mary Hulme, Cheryl Eng, Gina Kornfeind, and a cast (of hundreds?) of cookie bakers! And let’s not forget Dr. Margaret Harper’s contribution of cookies inspired by Hildegard of Bingen. “Cookies of Joy” and were they good - none left!  And, Dr. Kara Slade’s hard work dismantling old candles paid off in a collection of lovely votive candles.

BUT, there are wreaths and boxwood trees still to buy. Don’t miss out! Stop by and pick one up. Leave a check at the Reception Desk or Venmo with the memo line denoting what you bought.

P.S.  If I left anyone out in giving thanks, forgive me, your contribution is valued. 

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

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.

Arm in Arm is a long-time partner of Trinity Church, helping Mercer County residents in need with food and housing assistance.    Join fellow parishioners on Saturday, January 20, 2024 from 10 am to Noon as we prepare food packages for their pantry.  We'll be doing this at Arm in Arm's facility at 1 N. Johnston Ave, Suite A230 in Hamilton NJ.  Families are welcome but this activity is not recommended for young children.  Please contact Melissa Scott at mebscott@comcast.net to register or for questions.