Trinity Tidings – December 2021
Welcome Back
We are trying to update our mailing list and improve communications. If you would like to be removed or added to our mailing list, please phone church office at 716-683-1111 and leave your name, and your wish to be added or deleted. Also, if you would prefer to receive this newsletter digitally, please email us @ trinitylancaster1@roadrunner.com. Thank you for your assistance.
Pastor Ann’s Fall/Winter Office hours are Tuesday’s & Thursday’s 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm.
Sunday School will be meeting during the 9 AM service Sunday mornings. During Advent watch Mary and Joseph travel from back of church to manager. Look for them each Sunday as the children help them on their journey.
From Pastor Ann
December 2021
Dear People of God:
It’s Advent. A time of waiting and preparation. A time of hope. A time of listening to dreams and those whispers inside of us that might simply be our own wants and desires, but might also be that “still small voice” of the Holy Spirit, leading us to the ways in which we might fulfill God’s dreams for the world. Because just as God had plans and dreams for Mary and the child she carried inside her (and don’t you think Mary herself wondered what kind of child, what kind of dream she might be bearing?), God has plans and dreams for the rest of God’s people, too. And God’s dreams aren’t just for our personal benefit, for our personal health and healing and abundance, but for the well-being of the whole world. And as God’s people, it’s our commission to bring these dreams of God’s into being, to give birth to God’s dreams for the world. And just as we individually bear those dreams and that work, we come together as a church not just to worship the One in whom we live and move and have our being, but also to share the task of doing God’s work together.
I know this is a busy season of planning and preparation for all of us. But as we plan and prepare for our own celebrations, our giving’s and receiving’s, I hope you’ll be able to take some quiet time to just be in Advent: to dream a little of what our work here at Trinity might be, of how we can work together to make a little piece of the Kingdom right here. Our circle of love and dreaming can widen from ourselves, our families, to our church family and their well-being, to our community, bigger and circles, to our country, to our world? Where will Trinity’s place be, what will be our work here together? We will be able to share some of these dreams at our annual meeting, which will go beyond the usual “business meeting,” to a “dreaming session” of how we would like to do God’s work in the year to come. So give yourself a chance to dream a little about the Kingdom, and how we can work together to share just a bit of that hope and promise with one another and the world. It will make the holiday season richer and deeper; I promise.
Ann+
Coming up
Live streaming on Trinity’s Facebook page for the Sunday 9 AM service is available.
Healing Eucharist every Thursday at 11 am in the parish hall.
Bible study to start Thursday Dec 2nd following healing service. Topic will be Advent Scriptures. All are welcome to attend.
Annual meeting will be January 23, after the 9 am service.
Vestry
Pastor Ann’s letter of agreement has been signed by Pastor Ann and Vestry and returned to the Diocese for Bishop Sean’s final approval. The LOA is for 3 years and retroactive to November 1, 2021.
Trinity’s by-laws to be discussed at a future meeting.
The Alms fund as required by the Diocese will be implemented on November 28 and continue the 4th Sunday of each month. Designated envelopes will be placed in pews.
Security improvements to St Pauly’s shed (clothing shed) have been made.
The fire alarm system has recently been checked by our service provider.
Alyssa Kornacki is checking with her school’s music department to see if there is a pianist in need of service hours who would be willing to play for Advent and Christmas.
The next Vestry Meeting is December 12.
Altar Guild
Altar Guild met November 7. We are following up on pre-pandemic plans to replace the sacristy sink with a generous memorial donation from Zamrok family. December schedule includes Maryrose Kotlowski and Karen Walczak. All altar guild members to decorate church December 19 after 9am service. Next altar guild meeting February 27,2022.
Christmas memorial forms are in the bulletin and online. If you wish to make a memorial please submit by December 12, so we may publish them in the Christmas bulletin. Thank you.
Outreach
We have adopted a local family for Christmas with the help of Melisse Machnica. Please take an ornament off the tree, purchase the item and return wrapped gift with the ornament attached (so we know who it’s for) by December 19, for distribution. We hope to make a Merry Christmas for this family. Thanks for supporting this worthwhile cause, as we spread the joy of the season in our community!
Food Pantry is always looking for donations, this month especially toiletries, paper products and cleaning supplies. There is a basket in front of church for donations, and a drop box outside. All donations are greatly appreciated.
Also remember the St. Pauly’s shed in the parking lot for your used clothing donations. Thank you!!