In response to my recent e-pistle article titled "The Great Dechurching," two parishioners shared with me an insightful piece by Nicholas Kristoff that addresses the pervasive loneliness epidemic not only in America but across the globe.

Loneliness crushes the soul, but researchers are finding it does far more damage than that. It is linked to strokes, heart disease, dementia, inflammation, and suicide; it breaks the heart literally as well as figuratively.

Loneliness is as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and more lethal than consuming six alcoholic drinks a day, according to the surgeon general of the United States, Dr. Vivek Murthy. Loneliness is more dangerous for health than obesity, he says — and, alas, we have been growing more lonely. A majority of Americans now report experiencing loneliness, based on a widely used scale that asks questions such as whether people lack companionship or feel left out.

Our innate need for one another is woven into the very fabric of creation. In Genesis 2, God proclaimed that it's not good for us to be alone. We are designed to live in community, fostering connections with both the divine and our fellow human beings; it's literally in our DNA. Yet, it seems increasingly challenging for people to discover genuine community and meaningful connections.

Early on, some thought that Facebook and other social media would bind us together, but many experts now think these platforms have instead made us more lonely. People look at Instagram feeds and conclude that everyone else is having fun. Meanwhile, time with screens substitutes for time with human beings. All this may help account for the crisis in mental health of young people over the last dozen years. We often think that older people are most lonely, but polls find that young adults are twice as likely as seniors to report loneliness.

The good news is that we possess the ultimate Good News—the Good News of Jesus Christ. Our faith calls us to be part of a community, for we do not lead our Christian lives in isolation but always in relationship with others. In these times, the church is perfectly positioned to offer a remedy to the growing pandemic of isolation and loneliness. We can provide a sense of community and belonging! One of the individuals who shared the article with me rightly stated, "Recently, a Trinity member told me that they come to Trinity for the 'Community,' and the religious services are an added bonus. If I am honest with myself, I feel that way too. I think we should invite people to join the 'Trinity Community,' not just the church services. We should 'Invite a friend to join in our Community.'" 

How true! We aren't merely inviting people to attend a 'service'; we're inviting them to become part of a community, a family. We're inviting them to share in our lives as we wholeheartedly embrace God's love, as revealed to us through Christ. I hope you share my enthusiasm for inviting people to be a cherished part of our Trinity family! It is not good for us to be alone!

Peace and Blessings,

Paul

Linked below is the Registration Form for Trinity's Church School, and for Youth Group, restarting in September 2023!

Church School meets on Sundays at 9:30–10:20am and is geared toward children ages 3-10, from PreK–5th grade. Emily Pruszinski teaches Church School with help from our clergy, interns, parents, and teen volunteers. 

Youth Group meets on Sundays from 6-7:15pm and is geared toward pre-teens and teens ages 11-18, from 6th–12th grade. Our wonderful Lay Pastoral Associate, Wesley Rowell, will co-lead Youth Group this year with Emily Pruszinski. 

Parents and Caregivers — If you are interested in volunteering to help run classes, bring snacks, wrangle sheep at the Christmas Pageant, we welcome your help! There are options listed below for both weekly and seasonal events. If you have any questions, please email Emily Pruszinski (pruszinskie@trinityprinceton.org).

Complete the questions in the attached form to register your child for Church School on Sundays for the 2023-2024 school year. Please fill out a separate form for each child you are registering.

Fr. Paul warmly invites you to join him on Monday, October 9th for the 19th annual Bishop George E. Councell Memorial golf outing. Breakfast and lunch included. Click the link below for the registration form with more details.

https://trinitycathedralnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Registration-and-Foursome-Form-combo.pdf

Carey Wallace the author of Stories of the Saints, illustrated by Nick Thornborrow.  She will be coming to talk to us about some of the saints in her book, and about being an author. We will have copies of her book on site for purchase (put what you can in the basket). We’ll have some snacks as well. This is a forum for all ages, so caregivers, bring your kids, and tell you friends to come on out! You do not want to miss this! 

There will be Sunday school on October 15. 

On October 17, at 1pm, our very own Margaret Harper has an organ recital at Trinity Wall Street in St. Paul’s Chapel as part of their series Pipes at One.

Meg has been hailed by the Diapason magazine for her “elegant performance” and by the Boston Musical Intelligencer for “outstandingly lively, punchy” playing. In response to one of her international performances, Croatian newspaper Glas Slavonije wrote, “The freezing cold of a January evening dominated the cathedral in Djakovo, but it could not diminish the richness and warmth of sound brought out of the cathedral organ by Margaret Harper.” This will be a recital you do not want to miss.

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 whom we love deeply. This October, Trinity Episcopal Church will partner with Nassau Presbyterian Church at its Fall Session of GriefEncounters.

This support group is open to all Trinity parishioners and friends who have sustained the recent or not so recent loss of a loved one. The meetings will be held Tuesday, 7-8:30pm, in the conference room at Nassau Presbyterian Church on October 17 & 24; November 7, 14 & 28; and December 5. There will be no meeting on Tuesday, October 31 (Halloween) or on Tuesday, November 21 (Thanksgiving week).

Each meeting will incorporate confidential sharing and guided conversation, with supportive scripture and prayer. If you are interested in finding out more information about the group, please email Deacon Hank Bristol at hbristoldcn@gmail.com.

October 19-21

October 19th. 12:00- 4:00 (admission ticket, $10)

October 20th. 12:00-4:00 (free admission)

October 21st.  9:00- 1:00 (all merchandise ½ off)

The Rummage Committee is now collecting donations.  Please email us to make a reservation to drop them off at: rummage@trinityprinceton.org. 

We are taking donations after the 10:30 Sunday service.  Please check-in with a Rummage volunteer that will be located on the patio outside the Narthex, for further instructions.  Please leave your donations in your car.

Our sale is just a few weeks away.  Please dig deep into your closets and attics and donate all those items that you simply do not use anymore.  All proceeds go to our Outreach programs both near and far!!!  It is a great event.  Donate, Volunteer, and be part of the biggest Parish lead Outreach program of the year!!!

Please donate:

• Toys & puzzles

• Seasonal decorations

• All kitchenware, dishes, glasses cutlery and small kitchen appliances

• Gently-worn & Clean Men’s, Women’s, and Children’s Clothing for All Seasons

• Better Ladies’ Dresses & Men’s Clothing

• Housewares (Please, No Glass Vases)

• Electronics

• Books

• Linens

• Shoes

• Jewelry (Fine & Costume)

• Vintage & Antique Items (Remember that Edison Diamond Disc Gramophone from last year?)

• Boutique Items (Crystal, China, & Art)

Please Leave at Home:

• Sporting Goods (Uniforms, sporting equipment, gym equipment, bicycles, skateboards, ice skates, kayaks, skis, etc.)

• Furniture of Any Kind

• Rugs or Other Large Floor Coverings

Many thanks to all!

Calling all who love to sing! Trinity Choirs are kicking back off after Labor Day, and we would love to have you join us.  We have opportunities for singers of all ages, and we’re excited to welcome you to join us. If you’re interested, please reach out to Director of Music Meg Harper at harperm@trinityprinceton.org.  

Sam Denler is a tenor based in Hamilton, NJ. Sam is a singer in the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir, and regularly performs with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Yannick Nézet-Séguin. He also sings with Ryan Brandau in Amor Artis and Princeton Pro Musica. He recently filmed with Bradley Cooper for a scene in Netflix's upcoming 'Maestro', a biopic on Leonard Bernstein, finished his fifth residency with the Spoleto Festival USA Chorus, is a 2023-24 Voces8 US Scholar and is currently a finalist for Chanticleer. This year, he has been singing in and recording with startup group Convoco, a small ensemble comprised of young professionals, and recently completed a tour of Joby Talbot's 'Path of Miracles' with the Trenton-based Lotus Choir. He earned his Bachelor’s in Music Education at Westminster Choir College in 2019, where he was a member of the Westminster Choir for three years, touring across the US, Spain, and China, Kantorei, an elite ensemble specializing in early performance practice, and Symphonic Choir, with whom he performed several works in premiere venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kimmel Center.