Above all, clothe yourselves with love,
which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3:14
My dear siblings in Christ,
With our annual meeting, Valentines Day and Ash Wednesday all in early February, It seems a good time to reflect on love as the glue of our communal life in Christ. The letter to the Colossians reminds us love includes compassion, humility, patience and forgiveness. I hope that as we gather for our annual meeting on February 4th, all of these are present in abundance.
Since Ash Wednesday falls on Valentines Day this year, I invite us all to to take the opportunity to reflect on how we love, how we fail to love, and how we want to do change our hearts and do better. February 13th and 14th, we will have two chances to renew our heart’s desire to love well. On Tuesday, Feb. 13th we will be burning the palm branches from last years’ service. Like Jesus’ first disciples, we do not always live up our promises to follow Jesus’ Way of Love. We acknowledge our failure by burning the palms. Then on Ash Wednesday, we will mark our foreheads with a cross made of those ashes, to show our desire to turn our hearts around and love more fully.
Beginning Thursday February 15th, we will offer two types of Lenten gatherings. We’ll resume the Thursday 4 pm service as a time of reflection and sharing on the ways our hearts wander away from Jesus’ Way of Love, using art and poetry based on the story of Peter. At 6 pm you’re invited to gather in the library for a group discussion of the Practicing Forgiveness Lenten devotional from Living Compass. I’d love to see you at whatever tugs at your heart. If you want to come to the evening program and need a ride, please email the church and we will try to connect you with someone who can provide one. If you’re interested in participating in a 5:30 pm soup supper, please sign up on the list in the parish hall or email the church and let us know.
Finally, I want to address a few schedule issues.
- Thursday 4 pm service: We’re going to try out having this from 2/15-4/11. Then we’ll decide if we want to keep it or try something at another time.
- My office hours are Tuesdays 11am-1pm and Thursdays 5-6 pm. Thursdays may get shortened by the soup supper during Lent.
- I will be with you most Sundays and will be away one Sunday a month. On those weeks, I will be spending more time at church during the week, working on projects that require more time and building relationships in the community. I’ll share more about this at the annual meeting.
May this coming season help us all to tune our hearts more closely to Jesus’ Way of Love.
Karen+
Please let the church office at 716-683-1111 know if anyone needs pastoral care.
Sunday School
ll children are welcome Sunday mornings at 9:30 am in the main hall. We are a multi-age group under the direction of Julia Tomaka and Carrie Kornacki. Please plan to join us. Rev Karen will do an acolyte training March 3 following the service.
Prayer List
Paul, Linda, Rosie D, James, Mike, Andrew, Dan, Carol, Ruth Ellen, Christopher, Rose P, Lynell, Ashley, Allen, Valerie, Jack K, Ron, Cheryl, Diane S, Mary B, Don M, Zoe, Brad M, Douglas B, Melanie H, Tom & Jill B, Bonnie, Bill P, Richard C, Cooper C, Todd, Tracey, Beverly M, Dave S, Gabrielle, Linda F, Shari, Kathy H, Barbara, Rita C, Patty B, Judy, Jen G and family, Denel, Trina A, Robert Z, Dave K and Trinity Church.
Please join us
Sundays 9:30 am - Holy Communion Service and Sunday School
Tuesdays 10 am-12- Stitch-n-chat
11:30 am-Last Tuesday of the month Healing Eucharist
Thursdays Beginning Feb 14:
4pm Figuring out Faith service and discussion (in church)
6pm Practicing Forgiveness Lenten study group (in meeting room)
Coming Events Save the Date
Annual Parish Meeting February 4 after 9:30 service
WOT luncheon February 7 noon at the Olive Tree Restaurant
Vestry meeting February 11 after 9:30 service
Burning Palms February 13 12 noon outside church front or parking lot
Ashes to Go February 14 7-10:30am and 5-6:30pm
Ash Wednesday Service February 14 7:00pm
Altar Guild meeting February 18 after 9:30 service
Vestry Summary
The vestry met January 21,2024. Vestry approved the budget to be presented at the annual meeting. The initial work to the narthex has been completed but the contractor needs dry conditions to finish. Vestry discussed bylaws submitted by the by-laws committee some changes were made. Also discussed were Rev Karen’s housing allowance, work schedule and office hours.
The Annual Parish Meeting has been rescheduled to February 4 after the 9:30 service, breakfast will be served, please try to join us as we plan for 2024 at Trinity.
Vestry Members
Cathi Crapa 716- 684-7416 Mary Rose Kotlowski 716-380-3641
Len Gacek 716-432-5883 Theresia Mather 716-684-3770
Karen Walczak 716-901-6454 Chris Gregoire 716-684-9347
Altar Guild
Our altar guild meeting has been rescheduled to February 18 at 10:30 compliments of old man winter and his storms. We will be making plans for this Lent, Palm Sunday and Easter. We will once again be offering spring plants as Easter memorials. Forms with prices will be in the bulletins when they become available from the vendor. Altar Guild has purchased Living Compass devotionals to enhance your Lent. This is a very rewarding ministry and we are always looking to grow, let us know if you’d like to learn more.
Women of Trinity
The Women of Trinity will host a luncheon at noon on February 7 at the Olive Tree Restaurant. Please join us for food, fun and fellowship! All are welcome to join us. We are planning our Lenten soup sale. Watch for donation sign up sheets and order forms coming soon. We plan to make the soup on March 8 so save the date if you want in on the fun. Spread the news, we will be offering our Famous Clam Chowder and a Vegetable soup. Quarts will once again be $10.00, pre-paid orders due by March 2, 2024.
Prayer List Updates
In an attempt to update our prayer list, names will stay on for one month unless we are notified they need to remain on list longer. We are happy to add or keep anyone who needs our prayers, just let us know. Believe in the power of prayer!
Outreach
Trinity’s food pantry numbers are up. Food donations are always welcomed, especially this time of year. Please place in basket in the front of church or on table downstairs. Thank you
In January $191.49 was deposited in our account from St. Pauly, great job! Please pass the word, about the St. Pauly’s Shed in the parking lot. It’s a win- win situation, people in need get clothing, blankets etc. and church gets paid by the pound for donations. Thank you!!!
Dash’s Receipts
Please continue to save your Dash market receipts and ask your friends for theirs. We are collecting them as part of a fundraising project. There is box located downstairs in the parish hall or put them on table in the front of the church. Thank you.
February Birthdays
3 Denis Noonan 11Drew Walczak 14 Benjamin Giza
26 Pat Harder 27 Beverly Tomaka
February Anniversaries
14 Douglas and Judy Borschel 28 Glen and Sarah Stoltman