Trinity Tidings – January 2022
HAPPY NEW YEAR
A New Year is God’s Gift
In joyful moments-thank God
In the busy moments-bless God
In trying moments-trust God
In the quiet moments-praise God
From Pastor Ann
January 2022
My Family in Christ:
So we’re nearly on the other side of a winter holiday season (if you don’t count Holy Innocents on December 28, Holy Name on January 1st, Epiphany on January 6, Candlemas on February 2, and St. Valentine’s Day on February 14 – we Christians pack a lot of feasts into wintertime!). The busy-ness of Christmas shopping, cooking, wrapping, visiting, hosting, general partying, and various other preparations come to a sudden, screeching end. These remaining days of Winter can feel strangely quiet, even empty for some, blessedly normal for others. But as I write this, the New Year is rapidly approaching: a typical time to make resolutions and plans for the year to come, and often involving impossible goals that we can’t possibly live up to. Might I make a suggestion? Perhaps it would be good to think about “New Year’s resolutions” in light of stewardship: no, not the way we usually talk of stewardship in the church, as the giving of money, but rather the true meaning of stewardship, the care and management of the gifts we’ve been given. I tend to think of these gifts as physical, emotional, intellectual, vocational, and financial, and ask myself what small thing I might do or stop doing, that would help me be a better steward of some or all of these gifts. Doing this, I believe, honors the Divine Giver of these gifts. Just as God made Adam and Eve the stewards or caretakers of the Garden of Eden, God has given me the garden of myself to tend and care for. And just as we have been given these personal, individual gifts, so we have collectively been given Trinity Church to tend and care for – not just the “bricks and mortar,” but our life together as a parish family. January 23 is Trinity’s annual meeting, following our regular service. This year, besides a review of the past year, it will be a time for us to dream about what kind of church we want to be, going forward into 2022. We’ll have food, and I hope some fun, too, just brainstorming about the life of the parish, as well as the roles of both priest and congregation in nurturing this hoped-for parish life. I know I speak for the vestry, as well as for myself, when I encourage you to join us for this special meeting.
I wish you all a very happy, holy, and promising New Year!
Ann+
Coming Up
Live streaming on Trinity’s Facebook page for the Sunday 9 AM service is available. It can be viewed at any time during the week if you miss it live. A Facebook account is not required, simply log onto Trinity’s webpage and click the link at top of page.
Bible study every Thursday following healing service in the parish hall. Topic will be Birth Narratives. All are welcome to attend.
Annual meeting will be January 23, after the 9 am service. We plan to have breakfast pizza, fruit, baked goods and coffee and tea. Please plan to join us.
Please Join Us for Worship
Sundays – Holy Communion 9 am service
Thursdays – Healing Eucharist 11am service
Vestry Summary
The vestry met December 12, 2021. Topics covered at the meeting included financial review, building and grounds, organizational, Christmas, parishioner outreach and fundraising. Also discussed was the annual parish meeting to be held January 23, 2022 in the main parish hall. The 2022 budget as well as parish group activity reports will be presented. Pastor Ann also want to discuss expectations of both the parish and priest at this time. The next vestry meeting is scheduled for January 9th following 9 am service.
Altar Guild
Altar Guild next meeting will be February 27, 2022 following 9am service. We would welcome anyone interested in this ministry to attend. January schedule includes Beverly Tomaka and Pat Harder.
You may request a floral memorial or the sanctuary candle for any occasion you wish. Memorial forms are located in the back of church or on the information table in the main hall. If you wish to make a memorial, please submit it one week prior, so we may publish them in the bulletin. Thank you.
Outreach
Many thanks to all who participated in our giving tree. The family was very appreciative of all the many wonderful gifts you provided to make their Christmas very special. It was wonderful to partner with Lancaster High School on this project. To quote a parishioner “We might be a small group but we have big hearts.”
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.
If you’re cleaning out your closets don’t forget the St. Pauly’s shed in the parking lot for your used clothing donations. Thank you!!