Trinity Tidings – January 2023
The heart of a man plans his way,
But the LORD establishes his steps.
Proverbs 16:9
My Dear Family in Christ,
This has certainly been the holiday season to remember, hasn’t it? I won’t forget this one, nor the previous two, for the rest of my life! It was a pretty lonely Christmas Eve and Day, as I’m sure it was for many of us, and I can’t tell you how much I missed you all at our Christmas services. But one word kept occurring to me: Emmanuel. You’ll remember from the first chapter of Isaiah and the seventh chapter of Isaiah, that the Christ child would be called “Emmanuel, which means, God is with us.” Many of us may not have been with people on the Holy Night or Day, but the Holy Spirit wouldn’t let me forget that “God is with us.”
Not only did we endure this once in a lifetime blizzard, but most of you know that I was also enduring a broken collarbone. Everything I did was one-handed, I couldn’t drive, and even walking the dog was an ordeal! But I lived in hope: the hope for less pain, for rapid healing, for the time I could drive, and be with you all again. And I remembered how the people awaited the birth of the Babe with hope, and how he restored the hope and faith that God truly is with us. I was so very lucky to have prayers, good wishes, and, before the blizzard, the presence and help of friends, who truly brought me the loving presence of Christ. I was fortunate to be present with you for the Confirmation of three young people who gave me hope for the future of the Church.
As we continue with our Christmas festival until Epiphany on January 6th, and then into Epiphanytide (whatever happened to Epiphanytide? It seems to have disappeared from the Church calendar!), right up until Lent (which begins on February 22nd this year). Let us celebrate the birth of Hope, the birth of God with us, and as Scrooge said, “keep Christmas in our hearts every day of the year!”
Ann+
Please join us
Sundays 9:30 am – Holy Communion Service and Sunday School
Tuesday 10 am – Stitch and Chat
Thursdays 4 pm Healing Eucharist followed by bible study.
Bible study we will begin by comparing the Gospel Christmas stories, then we will return to our study of Matthew’s Gospel. We’re learning a lot, and having lively discussions.
Please remember that our service of Holy Eucharist and Healing begins at 4:00 pm each Thursday, and you may wish to join us just for the service, just for the bible study, or both. Everyone is welcome; we meet in the church library/conference room.
Coming Events Save the Date
January 8 Vestry meeting following the 9:30 service
January 15 Family Sunday
January 15 Annual meeting following the 9:30 service.
Sunday School
Meets Sunday mornings at 9:30 am. under the direction of Julia Tomaka and Carrie Kornacki.
Much to everyone’s delight the children sang at The December 11th service. Thank you to the Sunday School, you all did a great job!
Prayer List
Al P, Dennis & Zoe, Nancy D, Paul, Linda, Rosie D, James, Mike, Andrew, Martha, Drew, Dan, Carol, Ruth Ellen, Christopher, Seamus, Rose P, Lynell, Ashley, Art, Jill & Tom, Allen, Valerie, Jack K, Bob M, Joe K, Mike, Ron, Cheryl, Linda and Scott, Diane S, Mary B, Alana T, Kathy, Gretchen B, Johnny, Dallas, Nancy, Jackie M, Mitch F, Don M, Lynn M, Danielle M, Francis T, Pastor Ann and Trinity Church.
Vestry Summary
The vestry met December 11th. Ongoing business vestry is working on includes LEARN updates, active membership list, music and the by-laws. New business includes communications options. The anti -racism pledge will be formally approved. Vestry is also working on amending pastor’s 2023 contract. The annual parish meeting will be held Jan. 15th. The next vestry meeting will be January 8th.
Vestry Members
Cathi Crapa 716- 684-7416 Craig Kornacki 716-604-5814
Len Gacek 716-432-5883 Theresia Mather 716-684-3770
Dennis Noonan 716-984-4024 Chris Gregoire 716-684-934
Karen Walczak 716-901-6454
Altar Guild
A big thank you to everyone who helped clean the church, it looked beautiful for confirmation and Christmas. We truly couldn’t do it without you!
Another big thank you to everyone for their Christmas memorials, we were able to purchase beautiful poinsettias from Mitchell greenhouse to decorate church and we will use the reserve monies for altar supplies.
Finally, we are thrilled to announce we have a new countertop and sink in the sacristy due to a generous donation from the Zamrok family.
January schedule includes Bev and Pat.
Next altar guild meeting is February 19,2022. New members always welcome.
Women of Trinity
Our annual Christmas gathering was held December 7th. We had a wonderful lunch and returned to the parish hall for desserts and a gift exchange. A good time was had by all who attended. T
he women of Trinity provided a lovely reception for the bishop and confirmands on December 18th. Thank you to all who helped.
Our next lunch is scheduled for February 1 at the Olive Tree, at noon
Stitch and Chat
Please join us Tuesdays from 10 am -12 pm. The last Tuesday of each month Pastor Ann will join us for Holy Communion at 11:30. This is a wonderful opportunity for those who find the 9:30 service difficult to attend, all are welcome at our table.
Outreach
Many thanks to everyone who participated in our giving tree outreach this year! Melisse reports the family was very appreciative of all gifts they received.
Trinity’s food pantry will resume delivery to shut-ins. If you know of someone in need of this service, please have them call church at 716-683-1111 and a food pantry volunteer will call them back and set it up. Trinity Food Pantry ‘s mailing address is PO Box 467, Lancaster, NY 14086. As always donations are always welcome, especially cereal and personal hygiene.
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!!!
January Birthdays
5 Vicky Alfiero 16 Megan Ginnup 23 Alyssa Kornacki
5 Thomas Nablo 21 Bonnie Edwards 28 Robert Machina
9 Katelyn Nablo 21 Derek Higgins 28 Michael Martin
11 Elaine Zamrok 22 Katherine Savage 31 Erin Peszko