Adult Education for this Sunday January 29 at 9:30 will be Founding Mothers led by Kate Walton, author of Paradox Lake of Memories.
Kate will introduce Sally Roesch Wagner, an early social justice activist, and other precocious Anglican/Episcopal and Protestant American women in upstate New York who struggled to help women win equality with males. Their movement was inspired by the example of their neighbors, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) women, and their sister nations.
Trinity's Annual General Meeting will take place this Sunday, January 29thin the nave after the 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist Service. The agenda is included in the 10:30 a.m. Bulletin. In advance of the meeting, all are encouraged to review the Annual Report. The meeting will take place in the nave, but will not be followed by the usual luncheon, due to high levels of viral infection and corresponding advice from public health officials. After the meeting everyone is welcome to a special coffee hour in the undercroft.
Wednesday Club is back!
It meets weekly in the undercroft at 9 am to noon for fellowship and to make items by sewing, crafting and knitting to support "The Christmas Market".
Come join the fellowship.
New faces are always welcome!
Mission Council Corner
Similar to how churches have vestries, the Mission Council is a representative body of clergy and lay leaders that oversees certain administrative and financial matters in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut.
Rev. Heidi Thorsen is one of the current members of the Mission Council. In an effort to keep Trinity members in touch with the work of Mission Council and the diocese in general, we share the following update:
January 2023 Update
Our most recent meeting of Mission Council was on January 14, 2023 at Camp Washington. This meeting highlighted how we are stronger together, in the following ways:
We are stronger together, financially:
Churches are working together to lower operational costs – a great example of this is how churches’ property insurance is at a more reasonable rate through affiliation with ECCT
ECCT is considering other ways of helping churches generate income, such as an agreement with a company installing 5G cell phone technology on church properties. This is still in the early stages of exploration.
ECCT is helping churches make faithful and financially wise decisions around property. In general, the selling of property is a last resort. ECCT is in conversations with a realty group that could be a potential resource in considering property sale and usage.
We are stronger together, spiritually:
Mission Council prays together and reflects on scripture (“dwelling in the word”) during our meetings. We recognize that there is a spiritual component to financial and administrative decisions.
On Jan. 14 Mission Council voted to allow four different task forces, formed at previous ECCT Conventions, to continue their work for another year. The work of these task forces helps us stay faithful and relevant:
o Task Force on Fostering Right Relationship with Indigenous People and ECCT – will continue to explore how justice for indigenous people is very connected to other concerns: environmental justice, creation care, and racial justice, reconciliation, and healing.
o Task Force on Reparations – will explore how a Truth and Reconciliation model could be used among churches to lead the work of truth-telling and racial reconciliation, and as a pre-requisite to a reparations program for ECCT.
o Task Force on ECCT Model Policies – will work to make policy trainings (specifically Safe Church) more accessible and efficient
o Task Force on Racism, Homophobia and Misogyny within the Title IV Process – will work to ensure that the clergy disciplinary process (Title IV) is fair and just for all with respect to gender, race, and LGBTQ orientation, with a focus on diversifying this task force and better understanding the demographic makeup of ECCT.
Submitted by:
Karolyn Nicolaides
The Rev. Sandra Stayner
The Rev. Rachel Thomas
The Rev. Heidi Thorsen
Prepare for Lent—by signing up to contribute one or more reflections for our Words in the Wilderness Lent Devotional series! Every day (except on Sundays) we will post a photo and a brief refection on Facebook from a Trinity community member responding to a Lenten "word of the day." There are a whole new set of words this year, as we continue to reflect on words from our lectionary readings for the third year in a row.
Participate! Here's how:
(1) Sign Up - Email Heidi (hthorsen@trinitynewhaven.org) if you are interested in doing a reflection, and let us know which word / date you are interested in. You can view a full list of words, or sign up directly by adding your name, in this Words in the Wilderness 2023 Sign Up.
(2) Prepare your Reflection - your reflection consists of two parts: a photo, and some text to accompany it. The photo is a photo you've taken, either in the past or for the sake of this exercise. It can be a view from your window, a photo from a family album, a photo of an art work - any thing that reminds you of the word you are reflecting on. The text is a short reflection (around 250 words) on the word of the day. You can tell a story related to the word, reflect on the word, or share a favorite Bible text or piece of writing that relates to the word of the day.
(3) Send your Reflection - All reflections are due the Saturday before the day you sign up for. Email your photo and the text to Heidi (hthorsen@trinitynewhaven.org) and we will share it on Facebook and our website, with attribution.
At our upcoming Annual General Meeting on Sunday, January 29th, Trinity will vote in a new class of Vestry members. Please review their bios below and get to know them and join us in church to vote.
Margaret grew up in the Presbyterian Church in Columbus, Ohio and moved to New Haven for the first time to attend Yale, where she studied history and was active in the service and singing communities. As a study abroad student in the UK, she joined the Pembroke College Chapel Choir and found a church home in the Anglican tradition.
After several years away, including a year at St. Mark's Episocpal Cathedral in Minneapolis, she returned to New Haven with her partner Stefan Weijola in 2021. Margaret and Stefan sing in the Choir of Adults and Girls and were married at Trinity in July 2022. Margaret teaches History and Civics and coaches Cross Country at Wilbur Cross High School.
Having joined the choir of men and boys at the age of 7 in 1986, Charlie O'Connell has enjoyed a life long affiliation with Trinity Church on the Green. Currently, Charlie lives in New Haven with his wife Dominique, and three daughters Violet, Ella, and Clara. The O'Connell family returned to Trinity as regular members in 2017, and enjoy the fellowship, love, music and message of Trinity. Charlie is the founder and CEO of GlucoseZone (www.glucosezone.com), a New Haven based health and wellness company dedicated to helping people living with diabetes around the globe through fitness.
Formerly Head of School at The Williams School in New London, Charlotte was an English Teacher for many years at the Dalton School and Head of the Upper School at the Brearley School, both in Manhattan. She served as Academic Dean at Northfield Mt. Hermon School in Massachusetts and Assistant Head at the Westlake School for Girls in Los Angeles. After serving as a search consultant to independent schools, Charlotte retired and lives in Hamden. A life-long Episcopalian, Charlotte has belonged to the wonderful community of Trinity for ten years and has served on the Vestry and as Warden.
Before retiring to New England 8 years ago, Bob was an organizational development professional for 30 years with the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. His role was to develop and implement strategies to achieve institutional goals and to create a workplace environment consistent with the university’s values. His goal was to not only increase employee satisfaction but to create employee engagement. As a result, the University was consistently ranked as one of the Best Places to Work in the Houston metroplex. Because of his expertise and success, he became a sought after national speaker on the subject.
The Episcopal Church has always been a source of strength and an opportunity to serve for him. Among the many ministries he has leant his time and talent to include lay reader, altar guild, children’s Christian formation, annual giving campaigns and chairing a search committee. His goal, if elected, would be to use his skills to increase parishioner engagement through new opportunities and ministries .
I have been a member of Trinity for more than 20 years. I have enjoyed serving as an usher, on the Altar Guild, on the Vestry, and have participated in other programs. I love this faith community. Over the past two decades I have witnessed our parish opening its doors and heart to an increasingly diverse population. We have adapted our worship practices to meet people's spiritual needs in ways that have brought me closer to God through Christ. I am grateful to have found Trinity. I work as a librarian at Yale, where I manage a team of people who have come to the New Haven area from around the globe. Together, our unit receives and catalogs non-Latin script collection material for the library. I am immersed in a world of many languages and faiths, and have come to appreciate the importance of compassion and courage. I truly believe in the mission of the church to serve God through serving others.
Food and Personal Care Donations
Food insecurity is at its highest ever, with the cost of essential food rising with no end in sight. Please consider picking up an extra non-perishable item or 2 to bring to church. I usually look at the aisle caps for things on sale, such as soup, beans, cereal, or peanut butter. There is also a need for personal care items, such as toothpaste, soap, and feminine care products.
There will be a basket at the back of the church which will be brought to the altar with the collection.
Donations will be delivered to the Milford Food Bank each week.
Any questions, contact Gloria Hoda 203-430-4066
YAE Winter Hike
Looking for a reason to get outdoors? Join us Saturday, January 28 at 2:30pm for an outdoor hike around East Rock Park. We’ll meet outside Atticus Market (771 Orange Street, New Haven) at 2:30pm and head out from there. We’ll end up back at Atticus for a warm beverage, following our hike.
RSVP to yaeforjesus@gmail.com, so we’ll know to expect you.
In case of harsh weather, we would reschedule to Saturday, February 4 and notify those who RSVP’d via email.
Young Adult Episcopalians (YAE) Events are for young adults, ages 18 through 39ish.
Trinity parishioner and folk singer David Lindsay, along with Kathleen Schomaker, will lead us in a joyful, interactive, half hour of song. We’ll be singing some of his original titles for children as well as some of his favorites from Raffi and others. Join us in the Undercroft on Jan. 29 at 9:30 AM.
Presentations by Trinity Authors
The books mentioned below can be found on Amazon or by contacting Charles
All meetings will be Sundays 9:30 in the Undercroft
++++++++++++++++
January 15 and 22
Neil Olsen, author of The Two Lives of Harry Croswell
On January 15, Neil will present a
30 min visual presentation on Croswell who was early Trinity’s longest priest library, followed by a discussion. On January 22, the presentation will continue.
Croswell spent the first half of his life as a
newspaper publisher dedicated to ensuring Freedom of the Press against
the federal government’s attempt to cancel his newspaper, and how
Alexander Hamilton rallied to his defense. Embittered by partisan
politics, he spent the second half of his life as Rector of Trinity Church, a friend of the African Americans and a promoter of Freedom of Religion and toleration.
++++++++++++++++
January 29
Founding Mothers by Kate Walton, author of Paradox, Lake of Memory
Kate will present on the work of Sally Roesch Wagner, founder and director of the Matilda Joslyn Gage Center for Social Justice Dialogue, in upstate New York. She will begin by explaining how, after of the American Revolution, precocious Anglican/Episcopal and Protestant American women in upstate New York struggled to help women win equality with males. The movement was inspired by the example of their neighbors, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) women, and their sister nations.
++++++++++++++++
February 5
Breaking Bread by bell hooks and Cornel West
By Charles Lemert, author of Americans Thinking America
For African American Month
Charles will present on two of the modern era’s most important
Black intellectual leaders, bell hooks and Cornell West. They have published Breaking Bread: Insurgent Black Intellectuals.
++++++++++++++++
February 12
Calvin Ramsey, author of Ruth and the Green Book
Calvin (if he is available) will discuss his now classic book
on which he presents all over the country
Do you love baking muffins, making dips, or making people happy with food, in general? This year, each first Sunday of the month will be a potluck coffee hour, with snack food provided by members of our community. You can let us know what you are bringing by emailing vestry member Faith Kasor (faith.kasor@yale.edu), or simply show up with something to add to the table. Save these dates for the first half of the year:
February 5
March 5
April 2
May 7
June 4
Fear not! Pledge Envelopes for 2023 are en route. Due to staffing issues with Trinity's envelope vendor, contribution envelopes for 2023 were delayed. Envelopes have been ordered and are en route. Please watch the eNews for updates and instructions for pick up. Questions may be directed to Kyle Picha at kpicha@trinitynewhaven.org.
Adults, teens, and children are invited to explore this special way to serve God and our community. Acolyte Training takes place on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 10:00 AM. Rev. Heidi will meet those interested in the Undercroft, during the Sing-Along, and then head upstairs for robing and training. You decide when you'd like to serve. Contact Rev. Heidi with any questions.
Concert in Celebration of the
175th Anniversary of St. Thomas's Church
Sunday, January 29, 4 p.m.
Featuring the
St. Thomas's Choir and St. Thomas’s Schola Antiqua
directed by Noah Horn
with Soprano Sherezade Panthaki
Together with special guests the
Connecticut Gay Men’s Chorus
Reception to follow +++ Free +++ Donations welcome
In person (face masks required) & on Zoom (meeting id: 2506069964)
St. Thomas’s Episcopal Church
830 Whitney Avenue, New Haven 06511
www.stthomasnewhaven.org
Sherezade Panthaki has been lauded for her “astonishing coloratura with radiant top notes” (Calgary Herald); “full, luxuriously toned upper range” (The Los Angeles Times), and passionately informed interpretations, “mining deep emotion from the subtle shaping of the lines” (The New York Times).
Noah Horn is a conductor whose work has been praised as superb (The New York Times), "well-prepared and joyful" (The Detroit Free Press), "excellent," and "fluent and fresh" (Opera News).
For over 35 years, the Connecticut Gay Men's Chorus is proud to have been a standard bearer for a powerful mix of performance, community activism, empowerment and inclusiveness, establishing it as an icon among Connecticut's LGBTQ organizations.
Morning Meditation (Mon/Wed/Fri) resumes on Monday, 1/9 at 8:30am. Please join us when you are able. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86359786006?pwd=Z3hJWitYK3YyWS9JRTcweDVHdG9vdz09
The Trinity Sages will be meeting for the first time this year on Tuesday, 1/10 at 4pm, and after that on the second Tuesday of each month. Please join us via zoom.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88357110190?pwd=SjhUajlVTHhhY1FXdTlVSnhmdUxlZz09
The new spirituality course with Luk and Lilian on Original Blessing will begin on Wednesday, 1/11 at 5pm and will meet weekly. Please join us on zoom.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89292276648?pwd=bVQyNzd3RW5WT25HU01PYXU4Y3RpZz09
Women’s Bible Study and Beyond resumes its weekly meetings on Thursday, 1/12 at 4pm via zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/677543587
Our Christmas Pageant is LIVE and back in the Nave on December 18 during the 10:30 AM Service. Cast members: Please arrive promptly for rehearsal at 10 AM on Saturday, December 17, in the Narthex. Everyone: Don't forget to bring a toy for the 'r Kids Family Center toy drive on December 18, being coordinated by Parishioner Bob Windom. Thank you to all who are helping with the revival of this special Trinity tradition!
Family Christmas Festival: Christmas Eve at 4 PM
A craft, game, photo booth, and caroling are featured prior to and during our half-hour Service which includes the well-loved story of the Jesus' birth and Holy Communion. Doors open at 3:45 PM.
Giving Tree: Bring gifts this Sunday!
Giving Tree gifts help provide gifts to families in our community, who may not otherwise be able to celebrate the holiday in this way. The invitation is for Trinity members to sign up for a gift, wrap it, write the number of the gift on the outside, and bring it to church on Dec. 11 (if you need to bring it in on another date, contact Lisa at cotg@trinitynewhaven.org).
If you have signed up already – thank you! And don’t forget to bring your gifts and put them under the tree at the front of the church this Sunday.
Would you like to sign up? There are still a few unclaimed gifts that need to be purchased. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BA9AF2CA0FEC43-trinity
Departed friends and relations may be remembered with a Christmas memorial to be published in the Trinity Christmas Eve Bulletin. To make a listing, please fill out this form to submit names.
Donations may be submitted on this page or via check mailed to Trinity on the Green, 950 Chapel Street, Floor 2, New Haven, CT 06511.
Please ensure that all submissions are made by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 14th to ensure publication in bulletin.
“You are cordially invited to attend my 30-minute organ recital at 4:45 pm this Sunday, December 11 in Marquand Chapel. I am delighted to present a program of early music on the historic Taylor & Boody organ, featuring music from Spain, Mexico, France and Italy.” Nico Tjoelker
“I would like to invite the church to my first-ever Yale organ recital, which will be this coming Wednesday, December 14th, at 12:30 PM in Dwight Hall. The program will be about half an hour long and feature works by J.S. Bach, Robert Schumann, and Paul Hindemith.” David Preston