Dear Beloved of Trinity Church,
A week or so ago, the clergy of the Diocese of New Jersey gathered in Toms River for our annual Fall Clergy Conference—two and a half days of learning, reflection, and fellowship with Bishop French and the Rev. Gay Jennings, former President of the House of Deputies and member of the Presiding Bishop’s staff.
One recurring theme throughout our time together was that we can no longer live with a status quo mindset. “Business as usual” is no longer sustainable. The world around us is changing—rapidly—and these changes compel us to make intentional choices about how we live out our ministries in an ever-evolving society.
One of the phrases that framed our discussions was:
“The world as we know it is ending.”
In truth, that’s been the case since the beginning of time. The world is always changing. Yet, today, the pace and scope of that change are unlike anything humanity has ever experienced. Transformation that once unfolded over centuries or decades now happens in years, months, even weeks. New ideas, technologies, and global connections are reshaping our lives at an unprecedented rate.
So how do we live faithfully in such a rapidly changing world—anchored in the timeless truth of the Gospel?
With that question in mind, I invite you to join me this Sunday during our Adult Forum for a conversation shaped by six questions adapted from our clergy discussions. My hope is that this conversation will help us deepen our shared understanding and prepare us thoughtfully and prayerfully as we approach our Annual Meeting on November 9.
We need to be intentional, prayerful, and proactive as we discern together the future of our ministry at Trinity.
Here are the questions we’ll explore:
What do we need from each other?
What do you need from your clergy?
What do the clergy and leadership of Trinity Church need from you?
How can we best support one another?
What would be the signs of a strong community and a strong church?
What is our fundamental job as the Body of Christ?
The world as we know it is ending—and we have a vital role to play in what is being created anew. Filled with the Holy Spirit, empowered by God’s love, and sustained by God’s grace, we are invited to help shape the world that is coming into being.
And that, my friends, is exciting.
Forward in Faith!
Paul+
