Last Sunday we officially welcomed Simon Lee as our Interim Director of Music for the 2024-25 program year. Simon will capably lead our music program in the intervening time between Walden Moore's retirement and the selection of Trinity's next Director of Music. We're so grateful to Simon for his willingness to join us, and we look forward to the coming year. We're also extremely grateful to Associate Director of Music Sarah Johnson, who until now has taken the reins of the program during the processing of Simon's visa. Welcome Simon, and thank you Sarah!
Starting October 1, Mary Ellen Savage will become our new Trinity Warden, serving alongside Marsha Ackerman. Mary Ellen has been a longtime Trinity member. In years past, she has served as Warden and several times as Vestry member. We are tremendously grateful that she has accepted the call to join us.
Earlier this year, Bob Scott, our then new Junior Warden, needed to step down due to health reasons. Thankfully, David Soper took on the role of interim Warden, for which we are extremely grateful. David is Trinity’s Treasurer and is leading many other Trinity committees and initiatives. We are very blessed to have David’s leadership at Trinity.
Let us keep our Wardens and their leadership in our prayers. May the Holy Spirit bless and guide Marsha and Mary Ellen in their ministry to our parish.
Biography
I am a forty-year resident of the city of New Haven. I raised my family in Westville while I attended medical school, completed psychiatric training and worked in the YNHH system and then as a medical director at the APT Foundation in New Haven. I have attended Trinity Church since 1994 and have served as a warden and on the Vestry, at least twice, and also on the stewardship committee for several years and I was a reader. My children both attended Trinity with me and served as acolytes, each for several years and my grandson was baptized at Trinity. Currently I am semi-retired, working part time, and also serve on the New Haven Free Public Library foundation board. I am glad to serve as the Junior Warden during another exciting and interesting time in the life of Trinity.
The Women's Bible Study is meeting again on Thursdays at 4 p.m. via Zoom. We are reading and discussingThis Hebrew Lord by John Shelby Spong. In this book the author guides us to a new way of seeing Jesus, how he became the Messiah, how Jesus was influenced by the writings of the Hebrew Bible, and much more. Join us if you wish to deepen your knowledge of Jesus.
How do I sign up?
Speak to David Assis or email him (david.n.assis@gmail.com). You can also speak to any usher.
Can I pick my own schedule?
You will be asked to identify days that you are available to usher. A schedule will then be sent to all ushers.
What do ushers do?
Arrive at 10 a.m. (or close to) for the 10:30 service
Greet people as they enter.
Give them a bulletin
Offer to show them to a seat.
Anything else?
Ushers pass the collection plates and bring them to the altar. They may be asked to count the congregation and regulate Communion.
What is the commitment?
One service every 6 to 8 weeks. It depends on the number of ushers available.
What if I can’t make my scheduled day?
It is best to email all the ushers and ask someone to substitute for you. People are very willing to exchange dates or to just volunteer to take your place. You can also email David (see email above).
This Saturday's Clean the Green features a special twist! After our regular cleaning activities, we will head to Center Church on the Green to learn about the life of John Dixwell, then journey up West Rock to visit the Judges Cave—hiding place of William Goffe and Edward Whalley. Meet up at 10 a.m. on the north side of Trinity Church.
Join Children, Youth, & Family Ministry in the undercroft at 9:30 a.m. this Sunday for their monthly Storybook Sunday. Stories from the Bible and popular children’s books are presented and discussed in relation to our everyday faith lives. This month: Sometimes We Fall, a simple story of a young bear encouraged to keep trying, even when fear and doubt are involved. Bring a teddy bear!
Thank you, Sarah Johnson, for creating and leading Choristarters, Trinity's new singing group for 4-8 year-olds. Sarah is planting the seeds of a love of singing and teaching music in a supportive environment appropriate for beginners. New singers welcome anytime—Wednesdays from 4:30-5:15 in the choir room! No connection to Trinity is necessary. Contact Sarah at sjohnson@trinitynewhaven.org.
Are you a healing prayer minister? Are you curious about becoming one? Come to an information session and training on Sunday, October 13, after the 10:30 service in the upper room! Contact Lisa Levy, Community Care Minister, at llevy@trinitynewhaven.org for questions.
A Trinity parishioner who lives in the Westville area is in need of a regular ride to the 10:30 service. Can you help? Please contact Lisa Levy, Community Care Minister, at llevy@trinitynewhaven.org with questions or to sign up.
This Sunday we offer our annual Pride Evensong sung by the Choir of Adults & Girls and the Boys Choir, which will feature music and hymns by LGBTQ+ composers. All are welcome!
Did you know that our full schedule of Sunday evening services for the fall term is posted online? CLICK HERE
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