This year we welcome two new seminarians from Yale Divinity School who will assist in various ministries within our parish.

Tonita Branan (she/her), a native of Georgia and former English professor, spent most of her child-rearing years in Greenville, NC. Post-divorce she turned from academics to the nonprofit sector (Recovery Café in Seattle, WA, the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, NM, and Mission Farm in Killington, VT) before landing at Yale Divinity School, where she is currently a second-year M.Div. student. Tonita enjoys reading, long walks, and listening to her younger friends’ (and kids’) music recommendations—also visiting her son, William, in Boston, and daughter, Laura, in Chapel Hill, NC. She looks forward to this year with Trinity, especially working under Lisa Levy with Chapel on the Green and being schooled by Chuck Kaywood as an acolyte (shout-out to Chuck, the most amazing mentor).

Elishia McAllister (they/them) is a devoted parent, community organizer, coalition builder, former film industry professional turned high school English & Social Studies teacher turned seminarian and multidisciplinary artist whose spirit feels most fulfilled when working at the intersections of prison abolition, food & housing justice, universal healthcare & universal wages, and education policy reform. Very Radical. Very Queer. Elishia is deeply committed to bridging generational gaps and nurturing spiritual growth for all community members, but most especially those who are disenfranchised and under-served. Their current internship at Trinity on the Green Episcopal Church and Advisory Board role at Wethersfield UMC each capitalize on Elishia’s expertise in public-facing theology and coalition-building skills in order to develop transformative programming. They seek to uplift and grow initiatives which are designed to resonate deeply with young adults, fostering a space where spiritual narratives are fully valued and meaningfully cultivated. Transitioning from a background in education to church leadership, Elishia has honed the ability to listen actively, guide thoughtfully, and inspire action. With a dedicated focus on creating dialogue and opportunities for development, the congregations Elishia is in community with each strive to nurture a culture that cherishes every individual's story and ever-evolving spiritual progression.

Welcome, Tonita and Elishia!

A funeral service for beloved parishioner Lois Read will be held at Trinity Church on Saturday, November 30, 2024. More details will be released closer to the date. Click the button below to read Lois' obituary.

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Lois. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

Preparation is underway for our 2024 Christmas Market, which will take place this year on November 21-24 (mark your calendars!).

Join us this Saturday, September 14, for a Cookie Bake! Help us bake a variety of cookies to freeze in preparation for the market. The event takes place in the undercroft at 12 noon. Contact Gloria Hoda for more details. gloria.hoda@gmail.com

Further events include the Knitting Ministry, which will meet on September 22 and October 27, and our Tag Sale will start collecting items on Saturday, September 28.

Learn more about the Christmas Market by clicking HERE!

We only need 19 more recipes to reach our goal of 100! The final deadline to submit is Monday, September 19. Please submit recipes ASAP via the online form or email them directly to Rev. Heidi. hthorsen@trinitynewhaven.org

Young Adult Episcopalians (YAE) are having lunch this Sunday, September 15, at 12:30 p.m. and newcomers are welcome! We host a planning meeting a couple times a year, to make a plan for the ways we will gather together in the coming months (trivia meetups, apple picking, cooking for Chapel on the Green and more).

YAE is a community for young adults ages 21-40ish who want to connect with other young adults with similar values and a commitment to faith. Episcopalians, Lutherans, and seekers welcome.

RSVP to yaleforjesus@gmail.com. We'll meet up on the Patio of Nica's (603 Orange Street).

We are delighted to introduce our new Organ Scholar, Nicholas Stigall! As Nicholas begins his studies at the Yale School of Music and Institute of Sacred Music, he will also be with us at Trinity assisting on the organ and with our chorister program.

Originally from Knoxville, TN, Nicholas completed his undergraduate degree at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He most recently spent a year as Organ Scholar at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland, OR, before moving to New Haven; he has also held Organ Scholar positions at Trinity Episcopal Church in Bloomington, IN, and the Chautauqua Institution in western New York. Nicholas has achieved many awards in organ performance competitions including first prize in the Southeast Regional Competition for Young Organists and second prize in the Arthur Poister National Competition in Organ Playing. Last year, he earned the Associateship Certificate through the American Guild of Organists Certification Exams (AAGO). Nicholas is currently the National Councilor for Young Organists through AGO.

In his free time, Nicholas enjoys taking group fitness classes or drinking loose leaf tea—typically a roasted oolong. He also practices the Alexander Technique. Welcome, Nicholas!

We are 62% of the way towards our goal of 100 recipes! We have extended the deadline for Trinity's Recipe Book. Please submit recipes ASAP via the online form or email them directly to Rev. Heidi. hthorsen@trinitynewhaven.org

We're still accepting recipes for our forthcoming Trinity Cookbook (inspired by this summer's sermon series connecting food and faith). Help us reach our goal of 100 recipes—we're only 31% of the way there! Multiple submissions are welcome. Deadline is September 1. SUBMIT A RECIPE HERE

Choristarters is a new singing group at Trinity open to all children ages 4 to 8 (kindergarten to second grade, non-auditioned). The Choristarter mission is to provide children with the basis for an excellent musical education and to learn about music together in a supportive environment. We will meet every week on Wednesdays from 4:30-5:15 in the choir room beginning on September 18th. One of the goals of this group is to instill confidence in children through performance opportunities, and to sing approximately once a month in church during a 10:30 family service. If you know a child who is interested in exploring their singing voice please be in touch with Associate Director of Music Sarah Johnson. sjohnson@trinitynewhaven.org

Trinity parishioners celebrated God's creation as we walked the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, rode the carousel, ate lunch, and met Igora the Russian Tortoise (up close and personal!). Thanks to everyone who participated in this outing sponsored by our Children, Youth, & Family Ministry. VIEW PHOTOS

Speaking of Children, Youth, & Family Ministry ... there are so many events to look forward to as we approach the fall season. LEARN MORE

Morning Meditation: Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays at 8 a.m.

Have you ever wished you could start the day in silence? It is a great way to begin the day, to gather the energy for your daily activities, and simply to sit in silence and quiet with your own soul in a group. We have been doing this for several years—on Zoom, three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Although the meditation is private, just the fact that we sit in a group enhances being present to each other. After a summer hiatus we will resume our practice on Wednesday, September 4, this time at 8-8:30 a.m., facilitated by Lilian Revel. We invite you to join us whenever your spirit calls for deep silence. Join the Zoom meeting.

Trinity Sages: Every Second Tuesday at 4 p.m.

The Trinity Sages are a group of seniors in the parish who meet on a monthly basis to connect with each other and discuss issues of mutual importance (both spiritual and practical). Their first meeting of the fall season will be on September 10. All are welcome!

Starting September 15 and continuing through November 10, drop in for a series of Sunday morning conversations about women saints throughout history: their strengths, contextual limitations, and call upon our lives today. Sessions are led by parishioners, seminarians, and staff in rotation. All meetings take place at 9:30 a.m. in the upper room.

As we prepare to welcome our Interim Music Director Simon Lee to Trinity, we are reaching out to our generous community for support. Simon will be with us for the academic year, and we are seeking a reliable vehicle for him to use during his stay. Before seeking to purchase a vehicle on the open market, we want to hear from our community. If you or someone you know might have a reliable vehicle you'd be willing donate, please contact the church office. kpicha@trinitynewhaven.org

Your generosity would make a huge difference in helping Simon connect with the New Haven community during his stay with us.

For more than eight years, Lilian Revel has helped weave our community together into a stronger fabric through prayer, pastoral relationships, and her own deeply rooted spirituality. Lilian has encouraged us to expand our minds both within and beyond traditional Christian frameworks, and has consistently connected with members of Trinity in times of transition—including significant moves, planning for end of life, and loss. As Lilian approaches a period of transition in her own life, she will be reducing her hours this fall. Thankfully Lilian has expressed her desire to continue as a member in our community, which may include ongoing leadership roles.

A note from Lilian: “I am so grateful to have had the opportunity of working with the wonderful people of our church. It is a two-way street. Through God’s grace we have at all times received and given to each other of our gifts and thereby formed a loving community. We are all part of each other. I feel very blessed. As I am entering a different phase in my life, my official work at Trinity will change somewhat, but I would like to reassure you that I will still be here whenever you need a listening ear, a healing prayer, or a stimulating conversation. Thank you for all your love.”

Our pastoral care team is delighted to welcome a familiar face into a fuller role at Trinity, as Lisa Levy transitions in her role from Outreach minister (part time) to full time Community Care Minister. In this expanded role, Lisa will continue to lead Trinity’s Chapel on the Green program and outreach care efforts, while also taking on aspects of Lilian’s role and responsibilities—in essence caring for our community both within and beyond the walls of our church. In this role Lisa will build on her experience as a graduate of Yale Divinity School and a former hospital chaplain, and her gifts for bringing people together and listening with compassion.

A note from Lisa: “I am humbled and grateful to be stepping into the role of Community Care Minister. At its best, ‘community’ can be the arms of God embracing us with loving-kindness and infinitely tender care; it can reduce isolation and loneliness and help people feel authentically seen and known. Over the past two years in my role as Outreach Coordinator, I have fallen in love with this Trinity community, both the part that worships out-of-doors and the part that worships inside, and I hope that in this expanded role, I will be able to help bring those parts into closer communion with one another. As I assume some of Lilian’s responsibilities, I know that I have enormous shoes to fill; my prayer is that I will be able to provide the same kind of compassionate presence that Lilian brings to her every encounter.”

The summer season is drawing to a close ... which means our annual Christmas Market is less than 100 days away! This year's Market takes place from November 22-24, with a Champagne Preview Party on November 21. All proceeds from this year's Market will go toward a restoration fund for our Aeolian Skinner organ.

This week we invite you to consider donating to our TAG SALE. It's time to start cleaning out your nooks, crannies, and attic! Help us make the Tag Sale bigger and better this year by donating items that are ready to sell.

Drop off dates:

• Saturday, Sep. 28, 10 a.m. - noon

• Sunday, Oct. 13, after morning worship services

• Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. - noon

• Wednesdays between Oct. 2 - Nov. 6, 10 a.m. - noon

We seek the following items in clean, working, 'like new' condition:

• Kitchenware, appliances, housewares

• Small furniture

• Art

• Kids' toys and games

• Holiday decor

• Home/yard decor

• Linens

• Jewelry

• Craft supplies

• Personal accessories (purses, scarves, etc.)

While we appreciate all expressions of generosity, we cannot accept the following items:

• Books

• Records, CDs

• Movies (VHS, DVD, BluRay)

• Electronics

For questions about the Tag Sale, please contact Constance Cahill; for questions about the Christmas Market, please contact Leigh Cromey.

cahillconstancet@gmail.com

leighcromey@gmail.com

Alice Sipple’s Buttermilk Pancakes & Waffles

By Peter Sipple

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 t. baking powder

• 1 t. baking soda

• 1 t. salt

• 1/2 to 1 T. sugar

• 1/4 t. cinnamon

• 1/4 t. nutmeg

• 1 T. finely diced walnuts (optional)

• 2 cups whole milk Buttermilk*

• 2 eggs beaten

• 2 T. melted butter

• 1/8 t. vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup wild blueberries (optional)

Steps

In one large mixing bowl, sift, then stir together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, spices, and (optional) walnuts.

In a second bowl, beat eggs and stir in buttermilk, melted butter, vanilla, and (optional) blueberries.

Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until all dry ingredients are moist. Don’t over-mix and don’t worry about small lumps.

*Whole-milk buttermilk is not easy to find in grocery stores. Recently we located it at Fresh Market in Guilford.  You may find it elsewhere. Low-fat buttermilk can be used but doesn’t result in the best pancakes or waffles.

Mark your calendars for our annual Parish Picnic on Sunday, September 8! We'll gather at the Harbor Pavilion of Lighthouse Point Park at 10:30 a.m. for a service of Holy Eucharist with a lunch provided by Koffee Katering to follow. A donation of $10 per person is requested to defray the cost of the meal. Please be prepared to pay in exact bills or via credit card at lunch. You can RSVP and place your order(s) by clicking HERE.

Parking at Lighthouse Point Park is free to New Haven registered vehicles and $25 for non-resident vehicles. Trinity has reserved a block of 35 passes to park at Lighthouse Point Park for non-resident vehicles, which can be claimed at the entrance to the park on Sunday morning. Please only claim these passes if you are not already eligible to park for free. Please also consider carpooling with other parishioners.

The summer season is drawing to a close ... which means our annual Christmas Market is less than 100 days away! This year's Market takes place from November 22-24, with a Champagne Preview Party on November 21. We invite you to help prepare items to be sold by participating in the Knitting Ministry and Cookie Bake—read more about these opportunities below.

Knitting Ministry

Join us on September 22 and October 27 after the 10:30 a.m. service for fun, food and fellowship as we knit and crochet. Patterns, yarn, and needles are provided, and we are happy to teach and coach new knitters! We ask that all completed items be brought to church by Sunday, November 10 so we have time to catalogue and price your items. Please consider making men's and women's hats, interesting scarves (with interesting touches such as a cable or lacey effect), fingerless gloves, and children's hats and scarves. For more information, please contact Gloria Hoda or Candy Carl-Stannard.

gloria.hoda@gmail.com

pcstannard@at.net

Cookie Bake

Join us on Saturday, September 14 from 9 a.m. to noon to bake a variety of cookies to freeze for the Christmas Market. Contact Gloria for more details (see email above).