Magnificent Humanity

On Monday, the Vatican released Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity: On Safeguarding the Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence). To be sure, we are Anglicans and not Roman Catholics, and we don’t have the same relationship to the Pope as our Catholic siblings do. But this letter is addressed to Christians throughout the world, and indeed to all people of good will. It’s worth engaging with in that spirit. The debut of this document has been an important event for me personally, as I sit on the House of Bishops theology committee on artificial intelligence. I encourage everyone to take a look at it, or at least at some articles about it. (It’s 180 pages long!) Here’s the (very compelling) video “trailer” for the encyclical. Here’s the Vatican panel discussion featuring a number of prominent scholars, which I woke up at 5:30 AM on Monday to watch live. Here’s a short summary. And here’s the whole thing.

One of the overarching images Leo uses is the contrast between the Tower of Babel and the rebuilding of Jerusalem in Nehemiah. The Tower of Babel, he writes, “was a project conceived without reference to God, supported by a uniformity that eliminated diversity and that chose homogenization over communion. When a city is built on pride and the claim to self-sufficiency, communication breaks down, languages are confused and people no longer understand each other.” The rebuilding of Jerusalem proceeds from a different basis, “not through the initiative of one man, but through the shared responsibility of all: men, women, priests, artisans, heads of households and young people all play a part. It is an undertaking with God at the center, which rebuilds relationships before rebuilding with stones.” The challenge that AI presents to us is the challenge of remaining resolutely human in a world that chafes at limits, that devalues the mutuality of relationship, that prizes efficiency above anything else.

There is much that we can do, each in our own lives, day by day:

The twentieth-century Catholic author J.R.R. Tolkien, in the words of a protagonist in one of his novels, described our responsibility in this way: “It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till.” The civilization of love will not arise from a single or spectacular gesture, but from the sum total of small and steadfast acts of fidelity that serve as a bulwark against dehumanization. For this reason, it is worthwhile pausing to reflect on some aspects of how we, each in our own way, can cooperate in building the civilization of love. (Magnifica Humanitas 213)

May we all play our part in building that civilization of love in all we do, here at Trinity Church and in our community of Princeton.

In Christ,

Kara+

Where’s the RED?

Dear Beloved of Trinity,

In 2024, we lost one of our dear parishioners, Lisa Belshaw, after a long and courageous battle with a brain tumor.

Among the many gifts Lisa shared was her Instagram account, wheresthered — a joyful collection of moments in which she noticed the color red woven throughout everyday life. She photographed red wherever she found it and invited others to pause and see the world with fresh eyes. As we approach Pentecost Sunday, I want to borrow Lisa's practice.

As we prepare for Pentecost, keep your eyes open — not only for the color red, but for signs of the Holy Spirit moving in our world and in our lives. Red is the liturgical color of Pentecost, recalling the tongues of fire that descended upon the apostles and symbolizing the Spirit’s power, presence, and love. It is a vivid reminder that God is still at work among us, igniting courage, compassion, and hope.

So, this Sunday, I invite you to wear red as we celebrate the feast of Pentecost. But more than that, I invite you to look for red in the world around you — and to be red in word and deed. To be an outward sign of the Holy Spirit's presence. To be a witness to the grace and love that God pours out upon all people.

May we carry the spirit of Pentecost with us well beyond Sunday, so that wherever we go, people might sense that the Spirit is near — to hold them, protect them, and sustain them always.

Looking forward to seeing you in your RED!

Happy Pentecost,
Paul+

You Will Be My Witnesses

Dear friends,

 This Sunday, we’re in that strange place between the Ascension, which happens this Thursday, and Pentecost, which will be on the 24th. But this Sunday’s lectionary looks towards Pentecost even as it tells the Ascension story. In Acts 1, Jesus says “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” To be a witness to Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is to be sent out to share the Good News everywhere we go.

Having attended a Methodist seminary, I confess that I have a soft spot in my heart for John Wesley. In a time when the predominant strain of Anglicanism was heady and philosophical, Wesley called the church to be attentive to the real, powerful work of the Holy Spirit today, not just in history. He shared the love of Christ in the highways and byways of his time and place - in fields and in mining towns as well as in city churches. Today, Wesley still reminds Anglicans, and indeed all Christians, that the Holy Spirit is alive and active, changing hearts and transforming minds.

Edgardo Colon-Emeric, Duke’s current Dean of the Divinity School, writes,

When John Wesley first stepped out of the walls of the church in order to reach people working in fields, mines and markets, he preached from the passage from Jesus’ inaugural sermon: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18). This textual choice was not free from controversy. The 18th century dismissed those who talked about the ongoing work of the Spirit as ignorant and irresponsible. 

Against the theological currents of his day, John Wesley refused to limit the Spirit’s presence and power to the age of the apostles or the institutions of the church. The rise of Methodism was for him proof that the power of Pentecost was still at work in the world. The Spirit was still active in history, particularly among the marginalized.

According to Scripture, the love of God is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (cf. Romans 5:5). For Wesley, the social dimension of this love is made visible through works of mercy. Pentecost’s power is at work when we feed the hungry, visit the sick and welcome the stranger. It is also at work when we call sinners to repentance and encourage Christians in the way to holiness.

As we walk the road to Pentecost in the coming week, I invite you to pray with me that perilously life-giving prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to enliven and empower our parish for ministry, and set us on fire with love for the God who has given us this Good News to proclaim.

Yours in Christ,

Kara+

Rector Search

Dear Trinity Church Family,

During our forum hour this past Sunday, we reviewed the plans and timetable we expect as we engage upon our Search Process for a new Rector of Trinity Church.  In order to provide this important information to the entire church, I have provided a summary of the meeting below and have also included a copy of the presentation as well as a recording of the discussion. 

Meeting Summary

Trinity is embarking on a prayerful search for our next rector — a leader who will honor our rich heritage while guiding us into the next chapter of our ministry together. Trinity enters this process from a position of strength. Founded in 1833, we are one of the largest Episcopal churches in New Jersey, a vibrant community grounded in worship, education, and service. Our ministries are flourishing, our finances are healthy, and our parish life continues to grow.

To support this work, Vestry has begun establishing the leadership and structure needed for a successful search. David Schneider will continue serving as Senior Warden through January 1, 2027, at which time Bill Hackett will assume the role. Bill will begin attending Vestry meetings this month to ensure a smooth and thoughtful transition. We are also pleased to share that Thalia Mingo has been selected to chair the Rector Search Committee. The full committee — nine members reflecting the diversity and ministries of our parish and school — will be elected by the Vestry later this month.

The search process will unfold over the next 12 to 15 months. This summer, the Search Committee will begin gathering input from the congregation and school community as they prepare the Parish Profile — a document that will help us articulate who we are and what we seek in our next Rector. In the fall and into next spring, the committee will review candidates, conduct interviews, and engage in prayerful discernment before making a recommendation to the Vestry for their consideration and approval. While the exact timing will depend on the process, we anticipate welcoming a new rector in the fall of 2027.

Throughout this journey, we invite your prayers, your presence, and your partnership. Trinity has always been strengthened by the faith and commitment of its people, and this moment is no different. We also invite members of the parish to prayerfully consider serving on the Search Committee. Expressions of interest may be submitted to Thalia Mingo (thaliawmingo@gmail.com) or David Schneider (david.c.schneider@outlook.com) by email.

As we walk forward together, we do so with gratitude for all that God has done through Trinity Church — and with confidence in all that God will continue to do. We remain, as always, grounded in prayer and guided by the Holy Spirit.

With faith and hope,

David Schneider

Senior Warden

Rector Search Meeting May 10th

Faith and Weather

It is Wednesday May 6. I am officially in my 5th day on staff at Trinity Church. Yesterday was a brilliant taste of summer with temperatures in the 80s. Today is cooler with a soft spring rain falling. Tomorrow calls for seasonal temperatures, which seems to be the pattern going forward. Or is it? There are times we look at the forecast and then we look outside and what we read and what we see are different. We expect to see what we read in the forecast. After all, forecasting the weather is a science and science is about facts which lead to solid conclusions.

            For some people, there is an expectation that faith works like the weather. To have faith means there is a prescribed or “forecasted” path to follow and if we do all that is asked we will be rewarded. If only it was that clear. Much like the weather, there is the “forecasted” life of faith and then there is the one we “see out the window,” the one we live every day. There are days when the prescribed path of our faith is difficult to see, understand, or follow. There are days when what we thought was happening turns out to be the opposite of our expectations. And there are radiant days when all is as it should be.

            We are in the joy and glow of the Easter Season. A season of faith when our voices rise with alleluias and our is hope renewed. The Franciscan theologian Richard Rohr writes: “We must honestly admit that we don’t always understand the seemingly random forces at play, but if we believe that the Risen Jesus is the full and trustworthy unveiling of the nature of God, then we live in a safe and love-filled universe.”  This is the solid foundation of our faith that sustains us through the days of our lives whether they are calm or stormy for we our surrounded by a “love-filled universe.”

In Gratitude,

Rev. Stephen J. Connor

Onward—and Welcome to the Rev. Stephen Connor

Dear Friends,

I am overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude for the outpouring of kind words and support since last week’s announcement of my upcoming retirement. I am profoundly thankful for your encouragement, appreciation, and love.

But, dear ones, there is still much to do — nine more months to serve together as the people of Trinity Church. As we enter this time of transition, we will not be idle, but rather this will be a season of reflection, discernment, and preparation.

With that in mind, it is my great pleasure to introduce our new Associate Rector, the Rev. Stephen Connor. Stephen is already part of our Trinity community. He and his husband, Ron, have been members of our church for many years. He will be joining Kara and me as a much-needed third priest on our staff.

Onward, dear ones! There is work to be done, prayers to be lifted, songs to be sung, love to be shared, and Good News to be proclaimed.

Peace and Blessings!

Paul+

An Important Word from the Rector

A Word From our Wardens

The Gift of Joy and Wonder

Dear Beloved of Trinity,

Thursday was “Take Your Child to Work Day.” For those who could, it meant a day away from school and an adventure alongside a parent—getting a glimpse into their world. I remember going to work with my dad during the summertime. It was always such a joy to spend that time with him. I was “Little Paul” and entrusted with my own special tasks, helping with whatever project was at hand.

This week, we were blessed with the presence of Lily McCarther, whose mom, Alicia, serves as my administrative assistant. As it happened, the day of her visit was also the ninth anniversary of her baptism!

We prepared a “Letter of Agreement” for her first official day in the working world. (See below!) For those who know me well, no further explanation is needed.

Her presence was truly a gift to all of us. Throughout the day, I found myself returning again and again to the prayer we say at baptism:

Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon these your servants the forgiveness of sin, and have raised them to the new life of grace. Sustain them, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.

I have long held this prayer close to my heart—not only for my own children, but for all of us. This is who we are called to be as the people of God at Trinity Church: sustained by the Spirit, inquisitive and discerning, courageous and persevering, always growing in our desire to know and love God—and one another—more fully.

And alongside all of this, we are invited to keep our souls open: open to the abundance of God’s joy, open to awe and wonder, open to the sacred gift of creation and of life itself.

For me, Lily embodied that beautifully.

Thanks be to God for the gift of our children, who so naturally and generously reveal joy and wonder to us. Perhaps we really should have more “Take Your Child to Work” days—we might all be better for it.

Peace and blessings,

Paul+

P.S. This Sunday, there will be a special surprise in the bulletins—courtesy of Lily!