I was very struck by Mtr Kara’s sermon last week, particularly her acute observation that our current social malaise, described by so many people as “unprecedented,” is in fact quite precedented. The violence, famine, war, hatred, prejudice, injustice, political intrigue — the list goes on and on. We’ve seen all of this before. And a cursory glance at almost any book of the Bible confirms our propensity towards what might be most accurately described as “sin.” The natural reaction to all of this might be screaming and cursing the universe, running away and distancing ourselves, or burying our heads in the sand. Fight, flight, or freeze, well-known stress responses that our primal brain uses when we feel in danger, responses that can keep us alive. But is there another way? A better way?

I am being utterly sincere when I say that I cannot think of a better time to be a Christian. I read something dire almost every day about the rise of agnosticism, the decline of the Church, the end of Christianity. Which is perhaps all factually true. What is also true is that depression is on the rise, loneliness is on the rise, suicide is on the rise, addiction is on the rise. In the words of the old spiritual, “If we ever needed the Lord before, we sure do need him now.” It may very well be that we are in the midst of a second Reformation, a time to reclaim the Gospel from the bondage of Christian Nationalism and false teachings. What an incredible opportunity we have as people of The Way to make true the sacred words that were put down on paper 2000 years ago, “On earth as it is in heaven.”

In his compelling book Do I Stay Christian, Brian McLaren writes, “Religion, at its best, is what re-ligaments or reconnects us to God, one another, and creation. It challenges the stories that pit us against each other: us over them, us overturning them, us competing with them, us isolating from them, us in spite of them, us purifying ourselves of them. It tells a better story—some of us for all of us—a story in which there is no them, a story in which we tear down the walls that have divided us—and from the rubble build bridges.”

I was talking to Kara this afternoon and observed that one of best things about The Episcopal Church is that even as we embrace differences, cherish diversity, and think creatively, we are bound together by our liturgy, and most importantly, by the Eucharist. We come together at a common table to eat and drink, not despite our differences, but because of our differences. On earth, as it is in heaven.

Dear Trinity Church,

As we’ve shared with you in an email earlier this week, Trinity Church has embarked upon a planning study to explore a potential campaign to strengthen the church – for today and tomorrow. As a valued member of the Trinity family, your input is important to us. Please take a few minutes to complete the planning study e-survey developed by our fundraising consultant, The Munshine Group. The survey will be open for three weeks from July 17th - August 7th.

As always, if you have any questions or input please reach out to me at david@trinityprinceton.org or 206.407.8612. Thank you for your participation.

Peace,

David Schneider, Senior Warden

Join us for canoeing or kayaking on the Delaware and Raritan Canal! We will meet at 1 PM on Sunday, August 10 at Princeton Canoe and Kayak Rental at 483 Alexander St. We had a great time last year, and we will have a lot of fun this year too.

Calling all instrumentalists!  During the summer, we will have opportunities for those in our congregation who play musical instruments to offer preludes and/or offertories for services.  If you play an instrument and would like to share your talents, please sign up on the digital form at this link:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NVTEWapN2oon5_D87IlAvv_wJuyNyf48_eloRrPT1XQ/edit?usp=sharing or on the paper sign-up in the narthex or at the front desk. Thank you!

• The 2024 Princeton Community Night Out will be held on August 6 from 5-8 PM at Community Park Pool on 400 Witherspoon St. Free pool admission, food, face painting, inflatables, DJ, and emergency vehicle display. Come on out and meet your neighbors! 

If you're traveling this summer, the Princeton Police Department can conduct vacant house checks on request to make sure everything is secure. Visit https://www.princetonnj.gov/376/Vacant-House-Check-Request?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3YuIlHtmQZjG8WxE5H8eVxo1Ab081xfHhX7i4os2mt0bjJn_JkwDExE3U_aem_GUDegnt_He8BorkzxqD-yA for more information. 

New update from Paul this week! Stay up to date with Paul’s Sabbatical updates here: https://www.trinityprinceton.org/sabbatical-updates.