TRINITY ePISTLE Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost Oct 5th ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Trinity Church
Trinity Church ePISTLE logo

WEEK OF SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5th, 2025
✢SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST✢

The Joy of Beauty

It’s that most wonderful time of the year here in Princeton, when the leaves begin to turn, the weather gets cool, and the radiance of fall is all around us. This time of year lends itself well to quiet contemplation, to thinking more deeply about our world – which is in the first instance God’s world. For me, it’s a time to revel in the beauty of creation and the joy of being a creature in relationship with God.

I’ve been thinking quite a bit about beauty and the role it plays (or doesn’t play) in our culture, especially after reading a marvelous interview between Peter Wehner and the novelist and nonfiction writer Marilynne Robinson. Robinson is, I think, our greatest living chronicler of the dignity of humanity as God’s creatures – a humanist in the classic sense.

Here’s a link to the article, which I commend to you enthusiastically. (I hope the gift link doesn’t die…) 

Our contemporary culture, Robinson says, has fallen into a functionalist and materialist aesthetic sensibility, so that anything that points at beauty and the soul is seen as somehow untrue or – at best –an unnecessary luxury:

“It’s like we have made beauty into something falsified. Calvin says there is not a blade of grass that God created that was not meant to ravish us with its beauty. The idea of the beautiful is a signature of God, I think for Calvin and Jonathan Edwards and many other people. This distillation of the joy, the sensory joy, of being among things in the world.”

Despite any cultural claims to the contrary, we live in an enchanted world, shot through with the glory of God and the fellowship of human souls both living and in that “great cloud of witnesses” who rejoice in God’s nearer presence. The spiritual aspects of life are as real (or more real) than the material. As Robinson puts it, the enchantment of the world is “reality clearly perceived.” She continues, “I think God enchanted things and it is for us to acknowledge the fact.”

In this beautiful season of the year in our community, I pray that you will find time to slow down, take a breath, and look for those signatures of God in the enchanted world all around us.

Yours in Christ,

Fall Schedule

We are transitioning to our Fall Schedule 2025:

Holy Eucharist Rite I at 8 AM

Holy Eucharist Rite II at 10:30 AM

This Sunday’s preacher:

The Rev. Paul Jeanes III

§

First Sunday Breakfast

Join us for food and fellowship at the First Sunday Breakfast, 9:30 AM

📍Pierce-Bishop Hall

§

Evensong & Oktoberfest-themed Reception

This weekend features our first combined choirs Evensong of the year, with a festive Oktoberfest-themed reception afterwards.

§

SUNDAY READINGS

First Lesson:

Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4

Second Lesson:

  2 Timothy 1:1-14

Download Bulletin

October 5th

 10:30 AM BULLETIN 
 LIVESTREAM 

Music for Sunday | 5 October 2025

Holy Eucharist

Prelude: Méditation (from Suite Médiévale) - Jean Langlais

Hymns: “Ye servants of God, your master proclaim,” “Strength for service, Lord,” “Come, labor on”

Offertory Music: (8:00) Duo - Gaspard Corrette; (10:30) Who can do anything? - Sally Goodwin (ABC Choir)

Communion Motet: Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face - Percy Whitlock

Postlude: (8:00) Prelude and Fugue in F Major - attr. J.S. Bach; (10:30) Fugue in A Minor, BWV 543 - J.S. Bach

Evensong (followed by Festive Reception)

Prelude: Méditation (from Suite Médiévale) - Jean Langlais

Choral Introit: Hail, gladdening light - Charles Wood

Preces & Responses - John Sanders

Collegium Regale Evening service - Herbert Howells

Anthem: Come, you who are blessed - Jonathan Dove

Hymns: “O gracious light,” “Most Holy God, the Lord of Heaven,” “O God of every nation”

Postlude: Fugue in A Minor, BWV 543 - J.S. Bach

This weekend features our first combined choirs Evensong of the year, with a festive Oktoberfest-themed reception afterwards. Evensong will feature some music that the choirs will take on tour to Westminster Abbey this coming summer. Chief among these pieces is the majestic setting of the Magnificat and Nunc dimittis “Collegium Regale” by Herbert Howells. This setting of the evening canticles was originally written for King’s College, Cambridge, and has quickly become a new favorite of our treble choristers. Please join us for an epic Evensong and reception this weekend!

Memorial Service: Joan Lippincott

Saturday October 4th

📍Princeton University Chapel 11:00am

§

Chamber Music Memorial

Friday October 3rd

📍Princeton Theological Seminary

§

Former Trinity Associate Organist Joan Lippincott's Memorial Service will be this Saturday at Princeton University Chapel at 11:00am (prelude at 10:45). Joan served at Trinity in 1967-8, and taught for many years at Westminster Choir College. The livestream link is:

https://youtube.com/live/Avl-_VlvFJ8?feature=share

Additional events this weekend to memorialize Joan's life and work in music are:

  • Friday, October 3, 7:00 p.m. – the Central NJ Chapter of the AGO will host a performance of chamber music. The concert for strings, harpsichord, and organ will feature Joan’s former home organ (Paul Fritts, Op. 21) which was donated to PTS by Joan and Curtis Lippincott. It will take place in the Gambrell Room (Scheide Hall, 2nd Floor) on the grounds of Princeton Theological Seminary (64 Mercer St., Princeton, NJ 08542). Admission is free.

  • Saturday, October 4, 5:00 p.m. – the Symphonic Choir of Westminster Choir College of Rider University will sing a program of British choral works for choir and organ at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (801 W. State Street, Trenton, NJ 08618).

For ticket information, please visit www.rider.edu/arts.

BREAKING NEWS:

At 5 AM Eastern time on Friday, the Church of England announced that the Rt. Rev. Sarah Mullally, the current Bishop of London, will be the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. This is a historic moment for the Anglican Communion, as Bishop Mullally will be the first woman to hold this historic office that dates back to the 6th century. You can read more about her here: 

READ MORE

Pumpkin Painting

Our first gathering of 20's-30s Fellowship for the year will be this Sunday, October 5, after the 10:30 service. We will meet in Pierce Hall for hoagies from Jersey Mike's and paint pumpkins for the season. If you plan on coming, please do fill out this Google form so we know how many sandwiches to order. 

https://forms.gle/Z2Nqc29bhNAmGSAm7

Hope to see you there!

Blessing of the Animals

Bring your animal friends to Trinity for the annual St. Francis' Day Blessing of the Animals, Saturday October 4 at 10am outside the front doors.

We hope to see you there! 

Trinity’s Children and Family Ministries

Family Ministries Corner

Please consider joining one of the family ministries team below. Reach out for more information!

Hallway Angels

  • Adults that help maintain a safe environment in the education wing while offering hospitality by welcoming visitors and serving snacks to students.

Sunday School teacher

  • Adults that provide presence and support in Sunday School where we explore stories of the Bible and faith practices through creativity, imagination, wonder, and play. Meets 9:30-10:20 a.m.

Youth Group leader

  • Adults that can provide a positive and consistent presence for our middle and high schoolers during their faith formation journeys through fellowship, service, and learning.

Upcoming events:

10/2

This Sunday morning is a special Sunday morning. We’re all having breakfast together at 9:30, and ABC Choir is singing at the 10:30 service. Sunday School and Children’s Chapel aren’t happening, but both will be back next Sunday (10/12). 

Upcoming events:

10/3  Church Family Fun Friday, Princeton University football game (7:30 p.m.) and supper tailgate (6:30 p.m.).

10/4 10 a.m. Blessing of the Animals near Trinity steps

10/5 9:30 Church Family Breakfast, no Sunday School 10:30 ABC Choir sings, no Children’s Chapel

10/5 Youth Group meets for lunch and formation after 10:30 service. 1:30 p.m. dismissal.

10/5 11:45 a.m. 20s/30s Fellowship in Pierce (Contact Anne Lord for childcare needs)

10/6 Move on Mondays. Join other femme-identifying folks to run, walk, or wander. We will meet at 8:30 a.m. on Trinity’s steps and will conclude by 9:30 a.m. No registration required. Bring friends!

10/11 5:30 p.m. Oregon Trailblazers Fellowship  (Contact Anne Lord for childcare needs)

10/12 Sunday School, Children’s Chapel, Youth Group

10/27 6 p.m. Blessing of the Costumes followed by treats and chili

50th Trinity Church Rummage Sale

Countdown to Trinity Church’s 50th Rummage Sale has Begun!

October 16th-18th

Donations will be accepted on Sundays after the 10:30 am service September 14th, 21st, 28th, and October 5th.

What time? Between Noon and 12:45

Where? At the PODs in the Trinity Parking Lot

Are reservations necessary? Yes, by email rummage@trinityprinceton.org

Can you make more than one reservation?  Yes

Which donations will help put our 50th sale over the top? 

Here are some suggestions based on past sales:

Jewelry – gold earrings & charm bracelets, broches with semi & precious stones, and costume items; books; clothes for men, women and children – “better” and “bargain”; framed art & treasures for the Boutique; craft & knitting supplies; holiday decorations & toys; housewares - glassware, fine and everyday china, kitchen pots & pans etc); linens; vintage items - hats, purses, scarves & gloves and dolls & doll houses with furniture; shoes & boots in good condition.

Electrical items in working order are in great demand: coffee pots, tea kettles, crock pots, blenders, toaster ovens & electric griddles; lamps; sewing machines; holiday decorations with lights in working order; small TVs.

MORE INFORMATION

YOUR SUPPORT NEEDED

I would also like to help put the 50th sale over the top and will send a message to rummage@trinityprinceton.org when I will be available:

  • Sundays at the PODs accepting donations

  • Saturday, October 11 from 9:30-11 am setting up the sale

  • Sunday, October 12 from1-3:30 pm bringing donations from PODs to rooms for the sale

  • Monday-Thursday, October 13-16 any time between 9 am-2 pm setting up, displaying and pricing items

  • Thursday-Saturday, October 16-18 at the sale: “meet and greet” and welcome shoppers; be a cashier or a “wrapper”; sell “art in the hallway” & shoes; help shoppers find a holiday gift; pass on information about Trinity Church; take unsold items to the Goodwill truck; be an unsung hero and help clear up and return the rooms for Sunday programs!!!

With thanks for your support,

The Rummage Committee

(Susan, Margot, Dan, Helen, Linda & Bob, Sylvia, Helen & John, Harry & team, Helene, Alison, Terri, Carol, Ireen, Connie, Rosemary, Fred, PA, Camille, Anderson, Amy, Kim, Katie, Liz, Chris, Barb & Barb & Wendy, Rob, Martha, Tracy)

Nicaea at 1700 Conference

October 26th- 28th

2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and the Nicene Creed. This confession of the Triune God’s nature and action in the world set the stage for the development of Christian theology and worship as we know it today. 

Trinity Church invites you to a short conference on October 26th-28th to celebrate this anniversary. The conference will include lectures, choral liturgies, food, and fellowship. It will also include a Council of Nicaea role-playing game led by the Rev. Dr. Kirsten Guidero of Marist College. The conference is intended for interested laypeople and clergy, not only for academics, so please do join us!

To register, click here:

https://forms.gle/L6VHWLW7u1KjopRSA

For more information and a tentative schedule of events, click here:

https://www.trinityprinceton.org/conference

https://www.trinityprinceton.org/conference-schedule-details

Pub Theology

Monday, October 6th

Join us for Pub Theology on Monday, October 6th, at 7:30 PM at the Ivy Inn (248 Nassau St.).

This weekly discussion group is a place to bring your questions and your joys, and to share fellowship with friends new and old.

The clergy and interns will lead the discussion at the first few meetings, but once everyone gets the hang of it we will share weekly leadership roles among the group.

We will end promptly at 8:30 PM. Ivy Inn is cash-only, and you will need to order inside at the bar. If you don't have cash, there's an ATM inside as well. See you there! 

§

Pre-Advent Retreat Community of St. John the Baptist

Are you looking for a way to start Advent in a prayerful way? Would you like to get away from Princeton to a quiet, historic retreat center? 

Join us for a two-night pre-Advent retreat at the Community of St. John the Baptist in Mendham, NJ. We’ll spend time in prayer and reflection, as well as enjoying the community’s natural beauty. The cost for lodging and meals is $250, and we need a firm number of attendees by October 14.

Register at the link below, and contact Kara at sladek@trinityprinceton.org to sign up. 

FORM

CHOIR TO LONDON

In August 2026, our choir will be on tour in the UK, first at Ely Cathedral and then at Westminster Abbey.

Trinity is putting together a trip for any parishioners who would like to support the choir while they are in London - and see the sights in London and beyond.

Whether you are a chorister parent, a spouse or friend of an adult choir member, or a Trinity parishioner who enjoys music, liturgy, and history, this trip is for you!

The tour will include day trips to Canterbury Cathedral and to Oxford, as well as activities in London itself. We will attend daily Evensong at Westminster Abbey, as well as the Sunday Eucharist at which Trinity's choir will sing.

If you're interested in the tour and wish to be added to the list, fill out the form at the link below:

https://forms.gle/jKkcFtroi926g9oy6

Travel to the Holy Land

A couple of years back, some members of Trinity Church traveled with our Rector, Paul Jeanes, and The Rev. Keith Marsh and to the Holy Land.

It proved to be a marvelous and spiritually uplifting experience for all who made the pilgrimage! After retiring in June of 2023, Keith started Spirited Pilgrimages, a business devoted to planning, promoting and hosting unique, small-group pilgrimages around the world for people of faith.

Two pilgrimages have been planned for the fall of next year and you are invited to join: 

  • The Footsteps of Paul – September 9-19, 2026 – travel through Turkey and Greece by land and sea - visit sites from the Book of Acts associated with St. Paul on his missionary journeys: Ephesus, Patmos, Corinth, Athens and more, including the islands of Crete and Santorini  

  • Celtic Christianity – October 12-24, 2026 – follow the path of Christianity’s early years in the Celtic kingdoms, beginning in Ireland and expanding into Scotland and northern England – trace the spread of Celtic Christianity from its introduction by St. Patrick to its demise at the Council of Whitby.

These pilgrimages will be led by Keith, an experienced pilgrimage planner and host. To learn more about these two all-inclusive pilgrimages – expansive itinerary, roundtrip airfare, lodging and meal details, price and deadlines, as well as how to reserve your spot – visit the Spirited Pilgrimages website at: spiritedpilgrimages.com

Nominations for Vestry 

Elections for four new vestry members will be held during the Annual Meeting on November 9th. Any baptized and confirmed parishioner who has pledged is eligible for nomination. Vestry members serve a three year term.

 If you love Trinity Church and would like to serve on its governing body, we encourage you to nominate yourself by contacting the co-chairs of the Vestry Nominating Committee, Melissa Scott (mebscott@comcast.net) and Chris Leavell (cleavell@gmail.com).

If you'd like to nominate someone other than yourself, feel free to contact Melissa and Chris with your suggestion.

§

Lost & Found

If you think you have misplaced something within the church, please check Lost & Found located next to the reception desk as soon as possible.

Anything not claimed by October 9 will be donated to the Rummage Sale.

§

PRAYER LIST:

Please keep the following individuals in your prayers:

Zoe Beaton, Pat Grabiec, Shane Greene, Kate H, William Hannan, Sissy Hoover, Ellen Jane, Edwin Metcalf, Nancy Metcalf, Nancy Slade, Clive Muncaster, Dulcie Muncaster, Dianne Senko, Samantha Seto, Mary Stevens, Gary Sykes, and Phil Unetic

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.”

 PASTORAL 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.

Trinity Church
CHRISTUS MAGISTER EST DOMUS

Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA

Unsubscribe