“Friendship is genuine only when you bind fast together people who cleave to you through the charity poured abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who is given to us.” - St. Augustine, Confessions, Book V

This has been a difficult week for me. We are approaching the first anniversary of our beloved Sonia Waters’ death. Then, my dear friend Fr. Everett Lees of the Diocese of Oklahoma died, only a couple of weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Everett leaves behind his wife Kristin and three young children, and I ask your prayers for them all. He was a loving husband and father, but I knew him as the kind of friend who helps everyone around him be a better Christian. It was true for his parishioners at Christ Church Tulsa, it was true in the Diocese of Oklahoma, and it was true in the Episcopal Church where he was a tireless advocate for evangelism. Christ Church has been one of the fastest-growing congregations in the Episcopal Church, in no small part because of Everett’s relentless focus on what Good News it is to be made a new creation in Christ. 

St. Augustine tells us that true friendship is found not when we love our friends for worldly reasons, to gain some kind of advantage or favor. Friendship, by which he means Christian friendship, is a model of the friendship between humans and God. We love our friends because we love God in them, and because we love each other towards God. Sonia and Everett were both the kind of priests, and the kind of friends, who loved people towards God - who drew out the best in everyone around them. 

Dear Families, 

I am thrilled to be back at Trinity after my sabbatical. It was such a joy to see  many of you last Sunday! During my time away and upon my return, the Family  Ministry Oversight Committee (FMOC) and I had some important conversations,  leading to fresh insights and clarity about the ministry resulting in some changes. 

First, I regret that Grace Francque is no longer with us. We are deeply grateful for  her contributions to our children and wish her the very best in her next season of  ministry. Second, we are now actively searching for a full-time Director of Family Ministries. This individual will work under my supervision and in close partnership with our FMOC. In the meantime, we are committed to working creatively and  collaboratively to ensure that our programs continue to thrive and flourish. 

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the FMOC members— Krista Galyon, Luise Lampe, Chris Leavell, Alicia McCarther, and our beloved Kara Slade.  Their dedication and faithfulness have been truly invaluable. 

As always, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or thoughts.  Your input and support are deeply appreciated! 

Forward in Faith!

Platinum Club will meet on September 16 at noon. Please bring your own lunch.

John Frederick, a retired Episcopal priest who has lived and worked as a priest in both England and the USA will talk about being a priest on two different continents. It will only be a short talk, meeting new and old friends is the main agenda.

October 18-19, 2024

Donation dates: Sundays after the 10:30 am service at about Noon on September 15, 22, 29 and October 6 at the PODs in the church parking lot.

Reservations are needed: please email your request to rummage@trinityprinceton.org and include the date you would like to bring your donations. Reservations will be confirmed. 

Please help the rummage volunteers by putting your donations in different boxes and bags and note the contents clearly! Boxes, that are broken down, ie. flat, and peel off labels that indicate the contents, will be available on Sunday mornings at the PODs to take home for more donations! Examples include:

• Books in a box and housewares in another

• Children’s clothes in a box

• “Better” clothes for women and men on hangers but jeans in a box or bag

• Boxes of puzzles and games taped so pieces do not fallout in a box

• Pairs of boots and shoes tied together or with a rubber band in a box

• Linens in plastic bags

• Jewelry in small bags and boxes and marked clearly

• Vintage items marked clearly in a box or bag and clothes on hangers

• Boutique items packed well in a box to avoid breakage – mark fragile

• Housewares items wrapped carefully and boxed to avoid breakage

• Cords of electrical items tied up and boxed  

For health, safety and storage reasons, we cannot accept the following items: 

Air conditioners and fans; furniture of any kind; sports equipment; garden planters & tools; florist’s vases; children’s items- car seats, highchairs, strollers, swings, large plastic toys; pet items – fish tanks and equipment, hamster cages, dog beds

We can accept the following in working order and no parts missing: 

Lamps; Sewing machines; Coffee pots and Crock pots; Toaster ovens and electric griddles; Holiday decorations and lights with all bulbs turning on when plugged in; TVs (only small to medium size)

Every rummage sale is a labor-intensive effort so when you bring your donations, please plan to stay and help load the boxes and bags into the PODs.  On Sunday, October 13, lots of help is needed, especially “muscle” help, when the donations stored in the PODs are moved into the church building to the rooms for the sale.  And October 14-17, we need more help to unpack and price the donations.  Please plan to be part of this church-wide effort!

With thanks from the Rummage Committee