I’m writing to you from the (tiny) airport in New Bern, NC, waiting to return from the Fall meeting of the General Board of Examining Chaplains of the Episcopal Church. I have the honor of serving as Vice-Chair of GBEC, the committee within the national church that writes, administers, and grades the week-long test that candidates for ordination take towards the end of seminary. It’s one of those jobs within the church that is decidedly less than glamorous: students wish they didn’t have to take the exams, and grading 160 papers right after Christmas is somewhat less than fun. 

But it’s a job that has to be done. The canons of the Episcopal Church require that each ordinand to the priesthood be certified as proficient in 6 areas: Scripture, Church History, Theology, Moral Theology, Liturgy, and the Practice of Ministry. The General Ordination Examination as it now exists was developed in the 1970’s to provide a fairer and more equitable measure of proficiency than what had previously been left up to individual dioceses and bishops. While it is a process that ordinands don’t enjoy, it’s the “least bad” system possible and we are constantly working to make it better than we inherited it. Behind the smiling photos at ordinations lies a lot of behind-the-scenes work, both by ordinands and by the church officials who shepherd them through that process. It isn’t glamorous, but we pray that the result glorifies God and makes it possible to pass the Episcopal Church on to the next generation. It’s an act of faith, and an act of stewardship.  

Our stewardship of Trinity Church works in similar ways. We all appreciate the powerful liturgy and music we experience every Sunday, especially the gifts that Meg, Joseph, and our choirs bring. We love our historic building that is meticulously maintained by Enrique, Roberto, the Buildings and Grounds Committee, and a cast of what seems like hundreds of contractors. Our staff is second to none: hard-working and a cohesive team that works for the good of Trinity Church and for the glory of God. Supporting the mission of Trinity Church by filling out a pledge card and writing a check (or setting up direct withdrawals) may not seem quite as exciting. But God is up to such exciting things at Trinity Church that it’s an honor for me to support it with my own pledge. I pray that we, too, can pass the parish on to the next generation even stronger than it is now. What a joy it is to participate in that work of stewarding what we have been given. 

Yours in Christ,

Litany in Response to a Natural Disaster

(Modified)

Holy God, Creator of heaven and earth,

Have mercy upon us.

Holy and Mighty, redeemer of the world,

Have mercy upon us.

Holy Immortal One, Sanctifier of the faithful,

Have mercy upon us. 

Holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, One God

Have mercy upon us. 

For all those affected by the devastation of Hurricanes Milton and Helene

O Christ, hear us. 

For all who suffer from injury and illness, emotional and spiritual distress. Give them hope and encouragement to meet the days ahead.

O Christ, hear us.

Console all who grieve: those whose loved ones have died, whose families are torn; whose homes have been destroyed, whose possessions have been ruined.

O Christ, hear us. 

In the midst of incomprehensible loss, grant us eyes that see, ears that hear and hands that work so that we may discern how you would have us respond.

O Christ, hear us.

For all churches, agencies, and individuals who assist in relief efforts; continue in them the good work you have begun, through them your presence is made known.

O Christ, hear us. 

Grant your people grace to witness to your word, to open their hearts in love, and to give generously from their abundance, that they may bring forth the fruits of your Spirit.

O Christ, hear us.  

You are our refuge and strength,

   our very present help in trouble.

In you, Lord, is our Hope

   And we shall never hope in vain.

 Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever. Amen.

To support relief efforts:

• Episcopal Relief and Development

https://support.episcopalrelief.org/hurricane-relief/?ID=WS24-DRR_240930DPAHR0100&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=fy24hurricanehelene&utm_source=WS24-DRR_240930DPAHR0100

• American Red Cross

https://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/disaster-relief/hurricane-relief.html

• Local Relief Effort

What does the Anglican Order of Worship at the time of South African apartheid have to say to us as we worship today? Whether you know our Holy Eucharist by rote or are new to our liturgy, join Bonnie Bivins in a discussion of Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s reflections on the sections of the Holy Eucharist, as captured in the Rev. Michael Battle’s book Reconciliation. We will meet in the Flemer Library on Sunday at 9:30 AM.

October 17-19, 2024

• Thursday, October 17th. Preview sale: 4:00- 7:00 p.m ( $10 admission)

• Friday, October 18th. Regular sale: 12:00-4:00 (free admission)

• Saturday, October 19th. Regular sale: 9:00- 12:00 (free admission)

Thank you all for all the wonderful donations!  We received so many beautiful items, that we are now able to have a three day sale!

Volunteers: We need volunteers to help this Sunday, 10/13 to start moving POD donations into the church.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 9:00- 1:00 pm unpacking and setting up the sale

Thursday, Friday and Saturday: Sales help

Saturday: Clean-up at noon

Daily lunches are provided!

Please email us, even if you can only donate a couple of hours to help - it all adds up.

It is going to be a great 49th Rummage Sale!

With thanks and gratitude,

The Rummage Committee

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 we deeply love. We have expanded our gatherings and will offer two separate groups. Please join us as we share our journeys of grief, supported by God’s grace, Scripture, and one another.

Gatherings will be held in Nassau Presbyterian Church’s Conference Room.

Tuesday evenings 7-8:30pm

• Oct 22, 29

• Nov 5, 12, 19

• Dec 3

Friday mornings 10-11:30am

• Oct 25

• Nov 1, 8, 15, 22

• Dec 6

Contact Lois Foley (Tuesday evening group)

Contact Sara Alvea (Friday morning group)

Join the Trinity Church community and the Princeton Seminary Episcopal/Anglican Student Fellowship at 10:30am on November 2 for a festive lunch while watching the livestream of the investiture of our Presiding Bishop-elect, the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, and his first celebration of the Holy Eucharist as Primate. Richard Pryor and Allie Graham will offer commentary on the unique portions of the service. Please register before October 28 at bit.ly/trinity-pb and reach out to Richard Pryor at richard.pryor@ptsem.edu if you have any questions.

Elections for four new vestry members will be held during the Annual Meeting on November 10.  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. 

Trinity Church has a number of groups for formation and fellowship, and we invite you to join us to grow in friendship and in relationship to God. This year, we hope to move our fellowship groups to a set monthly meeting day and time. If you're already a member, or if you'd like to be a member, sign up at the links below and indicate what days and times might work best for you. We need to ensure that everyone who should be on our email lists is on them, so please sign up! 

• 20's-30's Fellowship Signup and Survey:

  • https://forms.gle/iJgJEp2VR4c6NM2n8

• Oregon Trailblazers ("vaguely middle-aged" folks) Signup and Survey:

  • https://forms.gle/vgucdir6JK6KErTDA

• Oasis LGBTQ+ Fellowship Signup and Survey:

  • https://forms.gle/XnLCMk4GMDcRwXs17

• For the Platinum Lunch Club, contact Sylvia Temmer for more information (sbjornberg77@icloud.com). Meetings are on the third Monday of the month at 12:00 PM in Pierce-Bishop Hall.