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TRINITY ePISTLE Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost Sept 14th, 2025 ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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WEEK OF SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th, 2025
✢FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST✢
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Dear Good People of Trinity Church, Just before the 5:30 Eucharist on Wednesday, my phone buzzed with news: Charlie Kirk had been killed. A conservative political activist and a deeply polarizing figure—followed by millions, loved by millions, and despised by millions—his death was immediately met with words of horror, outrage, and disgust. The airwaves filled with the usual rhetoric about political violence, gun control, and the deep divides in our society. I walked into the chapel for worship and offered a reflection—disjointed, raw, unrefined. Today, on 9/11 of all days, I am trying to write something more thoughtful. As a priest, people expect me to offer a word: grounding, hope, faith. What follows is simply my heart and mind in this moment. Yesterday my words were different; tomorrow they may be different still. First - why are we shocked? We live in a world steeped in violence. Every day, people are shot and killed. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 47,000 people died of gun-related injuries in 2023—38% were murder. That is nearly 18,000 murders in one year. Someone gets angry, picks up a gun, and takes a life. But violence is not only personal—it is systemic, national, global. Governments plot and plan wars. Entire populations are sacrificed because of power, anger, greed, and fear, but under the guise of something good and noble, necessary and courageous. Violence is not an occasional interruption in our world; it is all too often the normative reality. And the violence of our world is not only about guns, not by any means. There is economic violence, relational violence, sexual violence, emotional violence, “tribal” violence, religious violence – violence contaminates the very fabric of our being. Some is public, graphic, and on display. Some is quiet, subtle, cunning, and seductive—yet just as destructive, just as damning. Second - on Sunday, I said that Jesus warns us: following him will get very real. Because the world is broken—broken in a uniquely human way with envy, fear, jealousy, and hate. Since the beginning, we have continually responded to that brokenness with violence. So, what do we do as followers of Christ? We cannot stand on some imagined moral high ground, as if we have special clarity because we “follow” Jesus. No—we fall to our knees and pray. We beg for forgiveness. We search our souls, honestly confronting the truth of our own violence—sometimes hidden in the shadows of our hearts, sometimes shockingly exposed. And we trust in God’s love and grace. Only then can we begin to live differently, see differently, speak differently, act differently—not adding to the darkness, but bringing even the faintest light. And this we believe: the darkness cannot and will not overcome the light, even when it shines dimly from our fragile human souls. Finally - I do not know if these words bring any comfort or clarity, but I offer them in faith, as we seek our way forward together. My dear ones, there will be more violence - there always is. But, there will also be more love, more hope, more life. There always is! I leave you with a prayer from the wedding liturgy, written for couples beginning their life together, but just as fitting for us, as we continue on this sacred journey. Make [our] life together a sign of Christ’s love to this sinful and broken world,
that unity may overcome estrangement,
forgiveness heal guilt,
and joy conquer despair. Amen. Peace and blessings, |
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We are transitioning to our Fall Schedule 2025: Holy Eucharist Rite I at 8 AM Holy Eucharist Rite II at 10:30 AM |
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This Sunday’s preacher: The Rev. Cn. Dr. Kara Slade
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First Lesson:Exodus 32:7-14Second Lesson:1 Timothy 1:12-17Sunday Forum: There will be no Sunday forum during summer. Download BulletinSeptember 14th
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Music for Sunday | 14th September 2025Holy Eucharist Prelude: Rhosymedre - Ralph Vaughan Williams Hymns: “Praise, my soul, the King of heaven”, “The King of love my shepherd is,” “The God of Abraham praise” Offertory Music: (8:00) Da bei rami scendea - Clementine de Bourges; (10:30) I will worship - George Dyson Communion Motet: Like as the hart - Herbert Howells Postlude: (8:00) Dialogue - François Couperin; (10:30) Finale Jubilante - Healey Willan Compline In manus tuas - John Sheppard Nunc dimittis (Short Service) - Thomas Weelkes Salvator Mundi - Thomas Tallis Much of this week’s music was selected to pair with this Sunday’s Gospel reading, which is the parable of the ninety-nine and features an image of God as a shepherd. Herbert Howells’s beloved anthem “Like as the hart” is one of his most frequently performed compositions. It features many beloved Howellsian musical devices: an accompaniment on the organ that plays nearly the melody of the voices that are singing, but in a slightly different rhythm; the superimposition of a triple subdivision of the beat over a duple subdivision; gradual building to a climactic moment where all voices sing with the same rhythm at the same time (“Where, where is now thy God?); the list goes on. The end effect of all these compositional devices is a piece that is both gentle and moving, and even on the first hearing immediately feels familiar.
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Trinity Ministry Fair SundayAre you looking to get more involved at Trinity Church? Do you want to meet new people and contribute to the life of our parish? Of course you do! Trinity's annual Ministry Fair will take place on Sunday, September 14, at 9:30 AM in Pierce-Bishop Hall. Come on out to discover all the ways you can serve God and help our church family thrive! Join us to learn about all of the exciting volunteer opportunities at Trinity Church and how you can help support the parish, neighborhood, and wider community. Location: 📍 Pierce Hall Enjoy coffee and pastries while learning about the parish’s groups and committees that you may want to join. Each group (e.g., Choir, Outreach, Education, Parish Life, Grounds, Memorial Garden, etc.) will have a table to answer your questions about their ministry. This is a parish-wide event so it’s also a nice way to meet other parishioners. Be sure to stop by the Newcomers Committee table so that our team may greet you.
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Trinity’s Children and Family Ministries
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Family Ministries CornerWe had a great time meeting everyone at New Market Farm last Saturday and at church on Homecoming Sunday! We appreciate all the families that have registered their children for this program year. If you haven’t, please take a few minutes to do so here. Look out for the option to register additional children on the Google form. We have paper registrations available at the church, too. Former children of Trinity, we would love to have your information as well. If you or your children have recently graduated high school, please register here. We want you to know that Trinity is still here for you as you spread your wings. Please stop by at the Ministry Fair on Sunday! You can learn about this year’s plans and take a look at the new curriculum for children and youth. Upcoming events:9/14 Mercer Hill Picnic 4-6 p.m. on Trinity front lawn. Middle and high schoolers, look for our amazing Youth Leader, Donte. You’ll find him near the Nomad truck. 9/21 Sunday School begins for grades K-6, from 9:30-10:20am, Youth group (middle school & high school) gathers for lunch and formation following the second service. Meet in room 201, Me 10/3 7:30 p.m. Church Family Fun Friday, Princeton University football game. Send an email to Anne (insert mail to: link) to reserve your tickets now.
10/4 11 a.m. Blessing of the Animals on Trinity front lawn
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Pub TheologyMonday, September 15Join us for Pub Theology on Monday, September 15, 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
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CHOIR TO LONDONIn 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
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Nicaea at 1700 ConferenceOctober 26th- 28th2025 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
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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.
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Homefront Back to School SuppliesThe parish sent 125 backpacks to Homefront filled with paper, pens, notebooks, markers, etc and our good wishes for a successful school year! Thank you for the contributions of items as well as the contributions of time assembling the backpacks! It was a joy to be able to help children start the school year on a positive, exciting note with a new backpack and Homefront appreciated Trinity’s contribution! THANK YOU ALL!
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Platinum Club Our September meeting is Monday, September 22nd.
Suzanne Dicker suggested that we might like to sing together… All who are interested, please arrive by 11:30am and we will start with hymns and other treasures from the Hymnal. Lunch will start at 12PM. BRING YOUR LUNCH and BRING A FRIEND…or make one if you don’t have one!
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50th Trinity Church Rummage SaleCountdown to Trinity Church’s 50th Rummage Sale has Begun!October 16th-18thDonations 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. YOUR SUPPORT NEEDEDI 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) PRAYER LIST: Please keep the following individuals in your prayers: Thomasina Allen, James Arnold, Cynthia Bellamy, Gloria Bellamy, Boden, Peter Brown, Katherine Burke, Clark, Ruben C, Evon Cassier, Jason Clark, Shereese Clark, Cullen Creel, Kevin Cunningham, Patricia Domino, Lily Dunn, Don Edwards, Christopher Dismas Eldredge, Larry Evans, Steve Evans, Gus Escher, Marty Fitzgerald, Joan Fleming, Pat Grabiec, Shane Greene, Kate H, William Hannan, Sissy Hoover, Tamara James, Ellen Jane, Patricia Killian, Lerose, Charles Lewis, Lillie Lim, Jay Lipscomb, Makenna, Julie Meidlinger, Richard and Marianne Merkelbach, Nancy Metcalf, Edwin Metcalf, Les and Joanne Miley, Candice Miller, Clive Muncaster, Steven Murray, Rosemary Parish, Paul, Ed Perrott, Linda Perrott, Katrina Poskay, Kim Prior, Jason Chandler-Renfro, Roger Quinn, Freddy and Daneel van Rensburg, Lester Robbins, Kieran Ryan, Kathy S, Lynda Schollosy, Amber Schuppan, Dianne Senko, Samantha Seto, Nancy Slade, Maria Smarsh, Liz Stenard, Mary Stevens, Isaiah Stevens, Colina Stanford, Gary Sykes, Marcia Thompson, Trisha Thorme, Phil Unetic, Anthony Wilmoth, Mike Zimmerman, Betty Zuray. ➨ 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.”
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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.
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