Dear Friends,

This Sunday, we will gather to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We celebrate the truth of God’s love. A love that created the universe, a love that holds us and sustains us, and a love that will not leave us in the darkness of the grave but breaks the chains of death and sorrow to set us free to Easter life and joy. 

Our closing hymn, He is risen, he is risen!, beautifully articulates our Easter hope and our Easter call.

He is risen, he is risen!

Tell it out with joyful voice.

He has burst his three days’ prison;

Let the whole wide earth rejoice.

Death is conquered; man is free.

Christ has won the victory.

Trusting in the truth of the resurrection and the victory we have in Christ, we are to “Tell it out with joyful voice” so that all the world might know the Easter message.  

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday as we gather with our siblings in Christ from around the globe to celebrate the victory over death and our freedom from the bondage of sin … for Christ has won the victory

Easter Blessings,

The Agape Meal will take place on March 30, 2024, directly following the Easter Vigil (around 9:30 pm).

Volunteers are needed at 7:30 to help with setup. Volunteers are also needed for cleanup duties. Please email Carol Thomas to sign up: carolbrooksthomas@gmail.com.

Bishop French's Visitation at the Easter Vigil

Saturday, March 30, at 7 PM

Trinity Church is honored to welcome Bishop Sally French as our Celebrant and Preacher at the Easter Vigil this year. Since this is her official visitation to Trinity for the year, Bishop French will do Baptisms as well as Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation of Faith as part of the service. Before she comes, we need to fill out a form listing the people being baptized, confirmed, etc. If you or your child(ren) are interested in Baptism and haven't already talked to us, please let Annie or Paul know. Young people who plan on being confirmed should contact Emily. Adults who would like to be confirmed, received, or making a reaffirmation of faith* should contact Kara. 

For confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation, we will need to know your full name, previous church affiliation if any, age, and the date and place of your baptism (a 'guesstimate' is fine). 

*What's the difference? In Confirmation, our young people affirm the promises that were made for them at their baptism. Adults from other traditions commit to living out their Christian life in the fellowship and communion of the Episcopal Church. Those who were previously confirmed in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches are received by the Bishop rather than confirmed again. And anyone, at any time, can make a public reaffirmation of their faith with the Bishop and receive her blessing on God's continuing work in their lives. 

Join the United Black Agenda on Wednesday, April 3rd at 5pm in the Princeton University Friend Center as we listen to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s prophetic last speech and discuss the role of his economic vision to today’s society.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Tc_0_e9lgxlhmLzXYhXL5nG7Qaj0bvPw4mxlMLiXknI/viewform?chromeless=1&edit_requested=true

Hello dear Trinity family,

Back in college I came across this painting above: Jesus on the cross, juxtaposed above Abraham and Isaac at the scene of near sacrifice. The text at the bottom reads, “Gen. 22:8 - God will provide the lamb.” I was so moved by this painting that I felt inspired to create in response to it. The result was a Good Friday choral piece called Elahi, from the Aramaic phrase, “Elahi! Elahi! Lema sebaqtani?” (“My God! My God! Why have You forsaken me?”) I invite you if you are interested to listen to this piece as part of your meditation on Christ’s sacrifice for us this Good Friday.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RJf5FzDHLUtDMwhx-A0oF877RaSvusat/view?usp=drive_link.

Peace,

Char

Trinity Church and Nassau Presbyterian Church will once again co-sponsor a grief group called GriefEncounter this spring. The group meets for six sessions at Nassau on Tuesday, March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 9 and 16, from 7pm to 8:30pm. GriefEncounter is led by a trained grief counselor for folks experiencing feelings of loss due to the death of a family member, friend, colleague, anyone who has been part of your life. For additional information, please contact, Wesley Rowell, 646-279-1595, rowellw@trinityprinceton.org.  

It is a clear positive that civil and human rights for the LGBTQIA+ community have progressed greatly in the last few decades. It is also very clear that hatred and violence towards queer people is on the rise. In the first three months of 2024, over 300 anti-gay bills have been introduced in state legislatures across the country. Many of these bills invoke Christianity as the impetus behind them. There is still so much work to be done.

Oasis is the Trinity Church group for people who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. We plan to gather in the weeks after Easter (TBA) for the opportunity to fellowship together and explore how our queerness is a gift from God.

Please contact Wesley Rowell (rowellw@trinityprinceton.org) if you are interested in joining the Oasis group.

Celebrating 15 years of knitting prayer shawls and prayer squares as outward and visible signs of God’s grace and love. We give thanks for this important ministry.

From left on the photo surrounding the shawls: Liza Morehouse, Robbie Ellsworth, Donna Crafford, Judy Maksymovich, Susan Finlay, Martha Lashbrook, Molly Schneider.

Sunday, April 14th at 4pm

New to Trinity in the past year or two?  The Newcomers Committee invites you to join the clergy, vestry members and fellow newcomers for refreshments and fellowship at the Rectory where Fr. Paul Jeanes lives.  It's next to our parish hall at 25 Mercer St.  We'll start at 4 pm and end at 5 pm.  Then feel free to join us as we walk next door to the church for the evening prayers said during Compline.  Registration is not required but is appreciated; email tomascott1965@gmail.com. 

Sunday, April 21, 2024

3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Evensong at 5:00

Tickets for the Tea will be on sale on April 7 and April 14 after services, so bring your checkbook or cash! The event, priced at $35 per person ($40 at the door) is a fundraising effort for the choir. Please be sure to make your reservations early as seating is limited; if desired, entire tables may be reserved. Reservations may be made by emailing mstengel329@hotmail.com or calling 609-924-4807 and leaving a message.

Lots of helping hands are needed for this to be a success. On Saturday, April 20th we will be making the beautiful flower centerpieces for the Tea in the library. Instead of the butcher, baker and candle makers, we need Waiters, Bakers and Sandwich Makers. Please email Sylvia Temmer: sbjornberg77@icloud.com to volunteer.

Christians have long known the spiritual benefit of going to another place, whether in a pilgrimage or in a monastic retreat, in order to focus on God without the distractions of everyday life. Pilgrimage is praying with your feet, an active way of drawing closer to God. Retreat is another way of drawing closer to God by not-doing instead of by doing. Here at Trinity Church, we have two exciting opportunities for pilgrimage and retreat coming up soon: one is a grand expedition and one is a quiet retreat close to home. 

1. Exploring our Anglican Heritage: A Pilgrimage from Canterbury to York

October 17-28, 2024

The deadline for putting down a $500 deposit on the Canterbury to York pilgrimage is Easter Monday, April 1. If you are planning on going, please fill out the booking form online or contact Kara for a paper brochure and booking form. 

https://lightlinena.com/pilgrimage/exploring-our-anglican-heritage-a-pilgrimage-from-canterbury-to-york/

The Rev. Keith Voets of the Diocese of Long Island says, "We did this tour several years ago. It was actually the tour that we got engaged on. It really was extraordinary. Highly recommended!" 

Date and Time: Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 4pm

Location: Trinity Church
Join Voices Chorale NJ and the Berks Sinfonietta chamber orchestra in appreciating the mastery of one of Franz Joseph Haydn’s most distinctive and memorable compositions: Missa in Angustiis (Mass for Troubled Times), more popularly known as the Lord Nelson Mass. Between sections of this liturgical work, the chorale will perform contemporary pieces that respond to themes within the Mass, bringing new perspectives on forgiveness, praise, faith, peace, and unity in a divided world.

VCNJ continues its tradition of presenting various musical styles and eras together in thought-provoking concerts to delight and inspire audiences and musicians alike. Contemporary works include Fragile by Sting and Exsultate! Jubilate! by Kyle Pederson.

Tickets and information are available at https://www.voiceschoralenj.org.  

Adult: $20 ($25 at the door);  Child/Student: $10 ($15 at the door).

Contact Linda Silber (lindafsilber@gmail.com) for more information.

The Convoco Choral Ensemble performed a beautiful reportoire of traditional and modern pieces last Friday, concluding our Lenten Meditation Series. The recital featured the works of Duruflé, Gombert, Holst, Pärt, Potteiger, Sævarsson, Victoria, and more.