✢ E-PISTLE WEEK OF SUNDAY, MARCH 15th, 2026 ✢

WEEK OF SUNDAY, MARCH 15th, 2026
✢ FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT ✢

I’m Sorry, but I Don’t Understand

Dear Beloved of Trinity Church,

As I write this letter, I’m sitting in the teachers’ lounge at the school where Sophia is working in Madrid, Spain.* My Spanish is elementary at best. The teachers come in and warmly welcome me, but after a brief exchange most conversations quickly and politely come to an end. If we continue, we both have to work very hard because we are, quite literally, speaking different languages with very limited fluency in the other. Two phrases I do know are : “Lo siento, pero no entiendo.” (I’m sorry, but I don’t understand.) “Hablo solo un poco de Español.” (I speak only a little Spanish.)

So…it takes work—real work—if we want to engage in conversation. It takes patience, creativity, and a willingness to explore different ways of communicating.

This can also be true at times even when we speak the same language—it can seem as if we don’t. Even if we understand every word being said, we may not truly comprehend one another. We see the world through different eyes. We hold different perspectives and opinions about what is true, or right, or good. We may be speaking the same language, but we still fail to understand—and sometimes, even when we do understand, we simply no longer want to engage.

It takes work and commitment, especially in our current reality, to truly communicate with one another—to genuinely seek understanding and to discern a way forward. Many of us are tempted to take the easier path: to throw up our hands and walk away. After all, it’s so much easier to be with people who speak the same language and think the same way we do.

We must resist, however, that temptation and do the hard work to keep the conversation alive. Only then do we have any real possibility of finding a way forward. And perhaps that way forward, precisely because of our differences, will be richer and more vibrant for everyone.

Peace and blessings,

*Olga y Marta (Two of Sophia’s co-workers)

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 or valuables to an unknown source.

This Sunday’s Sermon:

The Rev. Cn. Dr. Kara Slade

9:30am Adult Forum

Sunday, March 15 at 9:30 AM: Questions on the Way with Mtr. Kara: The Creeds

§

SUNDAY READINGS

First Lesson:

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Second Lesson:

Ephesians 2:1-10

Gospel:

John 9:1-41

Download Bulletin

March 15th

10:30 AM BULLETIN

LIVESTREAM

Office Space Available in the Belshaw House

Trinity owns a historic building at 22 Stockton Street known as the Belshaw House. It is named in honor of the Right Reverend G.P. Mellick Belshaw (1928–2020), the 9th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey. For nearly fifty years, it was home to Trinity Counseling Service, which moved into a building of their own several years ago. Since then, it's been home to nine tenants, consisting of three non-profit agencies and six mental health or social work professionals.

The building has been fully leased since 2024, thanks in part to its excellent location just around the corner from downtown Princeton. We have an opening in May for a small office on the first floor with eighty (80) square feet. If you know someone looking for such an office, please refer them to Tom Scott at tomascott1965@gmail.com. or ask them to call the front desk at Trinity. The building's use is restricted to low-traffic tenants such as independent professionals and non-profit agencies.

Calling All Future Acolytes!

Might you or your child be called to serve God and Trinity Church on the altar?

Trinity is starting an acolyte program open to all kids and teens grades 5+.

Kids and teens are invited to join our adult and seminary acolytes as torchbearers.

This meaningful and important ministry will help participants to better understand the liturgy and enable them to take a leadership role in the service.

Low-commitment, participants will be required to attend an initial one-hour training and to sign up to acolyte at the 10:30am (10am in the summer) service at least once every-other month (6x year) via a sign-up genius and will be mentored as they progress. Treble choristers are encouraged to participate on their off Sundays to experience the liturgy from a different perspective.

Email Allie Graham at allie.graham@gmail.com for more information along with your child's grade for the 2025-2026 school year as well as their height. Adults who are curious about this ministry are also welcome to inquire.

§

Watercolors with Hank Bristol

After Easter Sunday - please bring a friend and join Hank Bristol at church for an Introduction to Watercolors Sunday afternoons in April at 3pm

Meeting Dates: 4/12, 4/19, 4/26

[...followed by our Evening Prayer/Compline...]

Most materials will be provided.

Questions and to pre-register: call/text Hank

609-915-5134 cel

§

Dear Friends,

As we enter the season of Lent, we are introducing our new Parish Directory with InstantChurchDirectory.com. Please click below to sign up:

PARISH DIRECTORY

Please update your information. You can also upload a picture if you choose! If you have any technical difficulties please reach out to epistle@trinityprinceton.org.

Thank you for helping us keep our amazing church community connected.

Peace,

PLATINUM CLUB

PLATINUM CLUB MEETS NEXT MONDAY…MARCH 16TH…
Noon—.

Bring your own lunch and enjoy our senior status!

Sylvia

§

New day and time! Oregon Trailblazers March 15 after the 10:30 Service

Are you 'vaguely middle-aged'? Then Oregon Trailblazers is for you! Join us for lunch after church on Sunday, March 15. RSVP here and let us know you're coming!

https://forms.gle/Yr1HX5scjPkqD4DR8

Music for Sunday | 15 March 2026

Holy Eucharist | 8 and 10:30 am

Prelude: (8:00) Méditation - Maurice Duruflé; (10:30) Communion improvisée - Vincent Dubois, trans. Jospeh Ferguson

Hymns: “My shepherd will supply my need” (tune: Resignation), “I am the bread of life” (tune: I am the bread of life), “O for a thousand tongues to sing” (tune: Azmon)

Offertory Music: (8:00) Voluntary in A Minor - William Boyce; (10:30) Timor et tremor - Francis Poulenc

Communion Music: Purge me, O Lord - Thomas Tallis

Choral Evensong | 5 pm

Prelude: Communion improvisée - Vincent Dubois, trans. Jospeh Ferguson

Preces & Responses: Käthe Wright Kaufman

Hymns: “O gracious light” (Plainsong), “O Trinity of blessed light” (tune: Bromley), “I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve breath” (tune: Old 113th) Canticles: In F - Peter Aston

Anthem: We Are - Ysaÿe Barnwell

Trinity’s Family Ministries

NEWSLETTER

§

Adult Formation Corner:

Lent Continues

Dear friends,

Lent is a time to recommit ourselves to following Jesus, and to turn to Jesus as our friend as well as our savior. Part of that journey with Jesus is spending time in prayer and in study – and Trinity has several opportunities for you to do just that!

On Sunday mornings during Lent, we are exploring the Catechism and delve deeper into what we believe as Episcopalians with our series Questions on the Way.

We will also have our traditional program of Eucharist, dinner and formation on Wednesday evenings during Lent. On Wednesdays, join us for Eucharist at 5:30, dinner at 6 PM, and a discussion of Walk in Love: Episcopal Beliefs and Practices by Scott Gunn and Melody Wilson Shobe.

This program is for everyone, but it will also serve as confirmation preparation for adults. If you’d like to buy your own copy of the book, you can do so here:

https://shop.forwardmovement.org/product/2463

If you’re interested in confirmation, email me at sladek@trinityprinceton.org so I can add you to the list.

Yours in Christ, and in Christ alone,

Adult Formation This Week:

Sunday, March 15 at 9:30 AM: Questions on the Way with Mtr. Kara: The Creeds

Monday, March 16 at 7:30 PM at Yankee Doodle Tap Room: Pub Theology with Jakob Wilcoxson

Wednesday, March 18: Eucharist at 5:30 PM, dinner at 6:00 PM, and Lent program at 6:30 PM

§

PRAYER LIST:

Please keep the following individuals in your prayers:

Dan Van Abs, Joshua Alexander, Barbara, Susan Barry, Zoe Beaton, Vanessa Belhomme, Peter Brown, Jennifer Burke, Brian Burleson, Peter, Bill Causey, Kevin F. Cunningham, Chip Dongara, Daryll Eatmon, Gus Escher, Amy G., Pat Grabiec, Reverend Dana Hall, John Hannan, William Hannan, Ellen Jane, Anne Jarmon, Deborah Jordan, Patricia Killian, Edwin Metcalf, Nancy Metcalf,, Louise Mountford, Joan Nester, Guy Pierson, Bob Pietrucha, Lisa Witt Pinair, Carol Reynolds, Claire Roberts, Jennifer Sanborn, Kara Slade, Nancy Slade, Clive Muncaster, Dulcie Muncaster, Dianne Senko, Samantha Seto, Randy States, Isaiah Stevens, Gary Sykes, Sylvia Temmer, P.A. Tippett, and Joshua.

Please pray for the following souls who have recently passed:

John Bertalot

Billy Mitchell

Dorothy Morin

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, 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.”

PARISH CARE

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.