In the United States, we are currently experiencing the largest and fastest religious shift in the history of our country, as tens of millions of formally regular Christian worshipers nationwide have decided they no longer desire to attend church at all. These are what we now call the dechurched. About 40 million adults in America today used to go to church but no longer do, which accounts for around 16% of our adult population. For the first time in the eight decades that Gallup has tracked American religious membership, more adults in the United States do not attend church than attend church. This is not a gradual shift; it is jolting one. *

Dear Beloved of Trinity Church,

You may read the above selection from The Great Dechurching and find yourself despondent and afraid for the future of the church and our faith. I invite you however to take another look. What this means is that there are people all around us without a church home. When we speak of the dechurched that means people who used to be part of a community of faith, but for some reason, over a period of time, have fallen away from active participation in the church.

I will not go into the myriad reasons that has led to this decline in church participation and affiliation. But rather, I would like to propose that this means that we are living in a time with a great opportunity for growth and renewal. Consistently, the most effective tool in reversing this trend is not a social media presence, not a fancy membership program, not a new church building, but simply the willingness of one person to invite another person to come to church.

“If there is one single application from our research that you walk away with, please let it be this: invite your dechurched friends back to a healthy church with you. But unlike a simple nudge to go back to the gym, we would do well to open the doors of our homes and chairs at our table. We are not just telling them they should go back to church; we are inviting them into our lives, which includes church. Belonging (or lack thereof) is the primary pain point many dechurched feel. Of all the things people said would make them likely to return, this is the greatest felt need” (p.123)

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to invite people into our lives! “Church is not an event; it is a family. It not a perfect family, but it is a real spiritual family. We are, in some mysterious way, all grafted into Jesus’ body.” (p.125)

As we begin the new program year, I invite to invite someone to church.  And remember, you are not inviting them to a spiritual or religious event, not inviting them to a building, not inviting them to join a club, you are inviting them into your life, into our family, an imperfect one for sure, but one that is ultimately defined and animated by bondless love of God. Trinity Church is not a building, not program, not service, not a creed. Trinity Church is you and me, imperfect people finding our way together held, sustained, and guided by the love the God.  

I hope you feel that Trinity is truly worth being part of and something worth inviting someone to be a part of.

Peace and Blessings,

Well, sometimes you just need to write a note!

Yesterday we had our monthly Vestry meeting and, in addition to the various business items, we discussed how fortunate we all felt to be part of Trinity Church!  There is so much positive momentum at the church, and we are all excited about what this year will bring us!

For those of you at kick-off Sunday, I am sure you agree that it was just the right way to start our year.  A fabulous sermon (thank you Dr. Walton!) a celebratory picnic and a warm welcome for the new members of the Trinity team.  I would like to add my welcome to Meg and Wesley.  They are both amazing additions to an already stellar team.

And, we have so much to look forward to over the next few months as we move through the church year.  From All Saints Sunday to Advent to Easter; the calendar is full.  Plus there are so many ways to get involved and be part of the church beyond Sunday service  – Rummage, Turkey Trot, St Nicks – just to name a few!

We are also blessed to have Trudy Sykes and Bill Hackett leading our Stewardship Campaign for 2024.  More to follow soon, but please do prayerfully consider how you can support Trinity; in Time, in treasure and in talent.

The entire vestry is available at anytime if you have any thoughts, concerns or ideas.  I can be reached at david.c.schneider@outlook.com.

Finally, I want to thank Fr. Paul for his leadership.  The past few years have not been easy at all.  Suffice it to say – it has been a lot.  And Paul has handled it all with Love, Kindness and Confidence.  We are all blessed to have his leadership at Trinity.

Trinity is a very special place where we can worship, love and pray with one another. I thank you all for the opportunity to serve Trinity.   – it is an honor.

In Peace,

David

Church School and Youth Group begin this Sunday! Church School will be from 9:30-10:20 upstairs. It’s not too late to register. Looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday morning! 

(Here’s the link to the google form for registration: https://forms.gle/i4CSmVufhtbBnHWE6) 

Youth Group will meet from 6 - 7:15 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Wesley and I are super excited to see everyone. We’ll bring the Pizza. Come on out for some food, fun, and conversation. 

Emily

Linked below is the Registration Form for Trinity's Church School, and for Youth Group, restarting in September 2023!

Church School meets on Sundays at 9:30–10:20am and is geared toward children ages 3-10, from PreK–5th grade. Emily Pruszinski teaches Church School with help from our clergy, interns, parents, and teen volunteers. 

Youth Group meets on Sundays from 6-7:15pm and is geared toward pre-teens and teens ages 11-18, from 6th–12th grade. Our wonderful Lay Pastoral Associate, Wesley Rowell, will co-lead Youth Group this year with Emily Pruszinski. 

Parents and Caregivers — If you are interested in volunteering to help run classes, bring snacks, wrangle sheep at the Christmas Pageant, we welcome your help! There are options listed below for both weekly and seasonal events. If you have any questions, please email Emily Pruszinski (pruszinskie@trinityprinceton.org).

Complete the questions in the attached form to register your child for Church School on Sundays for the 2023-2024 school year. Please fill out a separate form for each child you are registering.

Tuesday, September 26 at 4-5:30pm 
in Pierce-Bishop Hall

Please RSVP to Colette Breen at colette_breen@yahoo.com.

In this collaborative reading three acclaimed Irish poets, Jane Clarke, Katie Donovan and Catherine Phil MacCarthy reflect on a changing Ireland. In the process, they explore how poetry may reveal and restore the past, giving memory and story legitimacy.  They affirm Michael Longley's assertion that "A poet must look after words... And he must not use them as a mere tool, but rather make with them..."

Fr. Paul warmly invites you to join him on Monday, October 9th for the 19th annual Bishop George E. Councell Memorial golf outing. Breakfast and lunch included. Click the link below for the registration form with more details.

https://trinitycathedralnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Registration-and-Foursome-Form-combo.pdf

Carey Wallace the author of Stories of the Saints, illustrated by Nick Thornborrow.  She will be coming to talk to us about some of the saints in her book, and about being an author. We will have copies of her book on site for purchase (put what you can in the basket). We’ll have some snacks as well. This is a forum for all ages, so caregivers, bring your kids, and tell you friends to come on out! You do not want to miss this! 

There will be Sunday school on October 15. 

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.

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)

The Rummage Committee is now collecting donations.  Please email us to make a reservation to drop them off at: rummage@trinityprinceton.org. 

We are taking donations after the 10:30 Sunday service.  Please check-in with a Rummage volunteer that will be located on the patio outside the Narthex, for further instructions.  Please leave your donations in your car.

Our sale is just a few weeks away.  Please dig deep into your closets and attics and donate all those items that you simply do not use anymore.  All proceeds go to our Outreach programs both near and far!!!  It is a great event.  Donate, Volunteer, and be part of the biggest Parish lead Outreach program of the year!!!

Please donate:

• Toys & puzzles

• Seasonal decorations

• All kitchenware, dishes, glasses cutlery and small kitchen appliances

• Gently-worn & Clean Men’s, Women’s, and Children’s Clothing for All Seasons

• Better Ladies’ Dresses & Men’s Clothing

• Housewares (Please, No Glass Vases)

• Electronics

• Books

• Linens

• Shoes

• Jewelry (Fine & Costume)

• Vintage & Antique Items (Remember that Edison Diamond Disc Gramophone from last year?)

• Boutique Items (Crystal, China, & Art)

Please Leave at Home:

• Sporting Goods (Uniforms, sporting equipment, gym equipment, bicycles, skateboards, ice skates, kayaks, skis, etc.)

• Furniture of Any Kind

• Rugs or Other Large Floor Coverings

Many thanks to all!

Calling all who love to sing! Trinity Choirs are kicking back off after Labor Day, and we would love to have you join us.  We have opportunities for singers of all ages, and we’re excited to welcome you to join us. If you’re interested, please reach out to Director of Music Meg Harper at harperm@trinityprinceton.org.  

Dear Beloved of Trinity Church,

I am delighted to introduce our Interim Communications Director, Char Mansfield. Char (they/them) is a Princeton Theological Seminary MDiv recipient living in town until they finish their MSW at Rutgers in 2025. Originally from Seattle, WA, Char also has family throughout their homeland of Sweden. On top of being our Interim Director of Communications, Char is currently writing a book on the profound calling of Christian living. Attempting to follow this radical way of Jesus in their own life, they hope to develop and inspire Christian intentional communities as a reinvigoration of the koinonia practices of the early church for our modern world.

Char’s responsibilities will include maintenance of the website, overseeing the weekly e-Pistle, and managing the livestream of our Sunday worship.  We are truly blessed to have Char as part of our team. He will undoubtedly enrich our community. Please extend a warm and gracious welcome.  

I would also like to express my gratitude to Tom Scott, Nithila Peter, Annie Bryson, and Emily Pruszinski who will be guiding us through a search process for a permanent Communications Director.

Peace to all,
Paul