Trinity Tidings – December 2023
Glory to God in the highest and on earth
peace, good will toward men.”
Luke 2:14
Fellow Parishioners:
Advent is the beginning of the church year. It is a time of waiting and preparation.
There are many practices associate with Advent including lighting an Advent wreath, Advent calendars or praying a daily devotional.
Advent begins December 3 this year. We will have the Living Compass Advent devotional booklets available, one per family please. We hope these devotionals will help make the Advent season more meaningful for you and your family. We will be handing them out the first Sunday in Advent. We will also be asking for families to light the Advent wreath each Sunday in Advent.
The interview committee is excited to announce they are ready to take the next steps in the hiring process for our new Priest in Charge. The committee felt the candidate they interviewed had great energy and vision to move Trinity forward. They will keep us updated on their progress.
This year the 4th Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve is the same day. Trinity will offer a Simple Eucharist at 9:30am for the 4th Sunday of Advent. Our only Christmas service will be at 4:30 December 24. Come celebrate the birth of Christ.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of our church family!!
Prayer List
Nancy D, Paul, Linda, Rosie D, James, Mike, Andrew, Drew, 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 and Trinity Church.
Please join us
Sundays 9:30 am – Holy Communion Service and Sunday School
Christmas Eve 9:30 am -4th Sunday in Advent
Christmas Eve 4:30pm- Christmas Holy Communion
Coming Events Save the Date
Women of Trinity Christmas luncheon: December 6 12 noon @ Hillview Resturant
Vestry Meeting : December 10 after the 9:30 service
Sunday School
Students will again help this Advent season, each week they will move Mary and Joseph on their journey to the stable. Can you spot them?
All children are welcome Sunday mornings at 9:30 am in the main hall. Please plan join us!
Vestry Summary
The vestry met November 12,2023. A $25 gift card from the alms fund was disbursed November 11. Many pledge cards have been received. A gentle reminder to those who haven’t returned theirs yet, it’s never too late. It makes preparing the budget for next year much easier. As always thank you for your support of time, talent and treasure.
The overhead fan for the stove and the stove itself will be checked out as they are both mal-functioning.
Vestry’s interview team met after the vestry meeting to prepare for interview to be held 11/19. Exciting news may be coming our way. Vestry will keep us updated.
Christmas music – if anyone is interested in participating, please see Len Gacek
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
Christmas memorials will be in bulletins 11/26 and the last day to order will be 12/10.
Altar Guild will be cleaning the church Dec 9 at 10 am and all our welcome to join us. We will be decorating the church Dec 17 after the service.
This is a rewarding ministry and new members are always welcome.
December altar schedule includes Karen and Maryrose.
Women of Trinity
Our SNOWFLAKE BAZAAR was held November 11. It was a HUGE SUCCESS!! We made over $4000 thanks to everyone pitching in. We made 96 quarts of clam chowder and sold out. We had 54 lucky winners of beautiful baskets and gift cards donated by parishioners and local businesses. Even the Buffalo Bills donated an autographed cleat. We had delicious baked goods, many donated by parishioners and the Girl Scouts. Finally, we had many happy bargain hunters in Granny’s attic and at our craft table. We appreciate all the support we received from parishioners, the community and all our local donors. It truly was a labor of love. It was wonderful to see so many faces we’ve missed. Thank you everyone.
Our Christmas Luncheon will be at 12 noon at Hillview Restaurant, all are welcome. We will come back to the parish hall for dessert and a $10 gift card exchange game. Please plan to join the Christmas fun!
Stitch and Chat
Please join us Tuesdays from 10 am -12 pm. There will be no Stitch and Chat 12/5 due to luncheon on 12/6. There will also be no Stitch and chat 12/27 and 1/2/2024, see you 1/9/2024! Happy New Year!
Outreach
Our Giving Tree will be up December 3. We have adopted a family from the Lancaster School district with three children ages 6, 10 and 15. Paper ornaments on the tree will have a child’s wish. Purchase the item and return wrapped item under tree with paper tag attached. Gifts need to be returned to tree by December 17 so they may be distributed to the family. This is a wonderful way to spread the spirit of the season.
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 for your generosity.
In November $407.64 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.
December Birthdays
1 Theresia Mather 5 Rosie Dombrowski 11 Lydia Heyd
13 Valarie Wesolek 13 Seamus Furlong 28 Karen Walczak
29 Karen Stoltman