Trinity Tidings – March 2025

Train yourself in godliness, for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Timothy 4:7-8

 

We often speak of Lent as the Springtime of the church. As I write this, more snow is falling outside, and I suspect you are as eager as I am for some signs of Spring. The word Lent comes from an Old English word for Spring, the time of lengthening days. For the early Christians, Lent was a time catechumen (converts) were prepared for baptism, and those considered notorious sinners were prepared for restoration to the Christian community.

This year I wonder if perhaps we should consider Lent as a time to be trained in godliness. We turn away from actions and behaviors which do not align with the fruit of the Spirit: kindness, gentleness, patience, joy, self-control and love. We turn towards actions which demonstrate goodness, peace, and love of God and neighbor. We take on practices of welcome and grateful giving. We open ourselves up so God’s holy and life-giving Spirit can train us in godliness.

This year for Lent we are offering a buffet of resources and practices to support our growth in godliness. Available resources include:

· 40 Days of Welcome and Gratitude from United Thank Offering

· Living Compass Lenten booklet on Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit.

· Finding our way Forward: Partnership Lenten Discernment program

· ‘’We will also have Lent in a Bag resources for our families. We recognize that it’s not always easy to make it to church when many youth events are scheduled on Sunday. These resources are meant to help busy families build in time to talk about following Jesus and growing in thanksgiving.

We grow in godliness through our traditional practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Check out the flyers in the narthex and the parish hall for more information about giving and prayer opportunities in Lent. Whatever path you choose to help you grow this Lent, may it lead you deeper into the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection.

Peace and all good,

Karen+

For Pastoral Care call 716-683-1111       For Pastoral Emergencies call 716-445-5653

Please join us

Sundays          9:30 am – Holy Communion Service and Sunday School

Tuesday’s         10 am – Stitch and Chat, 3/25 Healing Eucharist @11:30am.

Coming Events Save the Date

March 5            Ash Wednesday 7pm Service

                        Ashes to Go 7:30 am – 12pm, 5 – 6:30 pm

March 9            Vestry 10:45am

March 23          YUM Youth United Ministry  4-8pm Advent Kenmore

March 28          Fish Fry field trip to St. Patrick’s

Prayer List

Paul, Rosie D, Andrew, Valerie, Jack K, Brad M, Douglas B, Melanie H, Richard C, Beverly M, Dave K, Aaron Z, Paula A, Danielle M, Luann L, Johnny, Robbie W, Klaw Reh, Marie R., Bill F, Caroline W, Andy T, Jane G, Donald M, Raymond, Kathy S, Sue G, Anthony P, Justin W, MJW, Gator, Dave S and Trinity Church. 

March Birthdays

 8 Paul Goerner          16 Jill Casio                 20 Brian Harder          20 Marlane Hodgekiss     20 Melanie Higgins     27 Robert Zamrok       28 Clayton Higgins

Sunday School

All children are welcome Sunday mornings at 9:30 am in the main hall.  This is an all-ages group and everyone is welcomed. The second Sunday of the month is Family Sunday.

YUM- Stands for Youth United in Ministry and is for students grade 5 and up. This group aims to connect students in this age group in the diocese. Each event will include fun and games, dinner, Eucharist and great fellowship. March 23 gathering is at Advent, Kenmore 4-8pm.

Vestry Summary

The vestry met February 9,2025. The fire alarm control panel was replaced for a cost of $2722. The Trinity Food Pantry, once again stepped up and donated $1000 to help cover the costs. We are extremely thankful. Vestry is working on completing the Parochial report and the phone/text tree.

Altar Guild

Our next Altar Guild meeting is March 2 at 10:45am. The Altar Guild has purchased Lenten devotional booklets and are available for those who would like one.  If you would like to make a memorial/ thanksgiving request, just fill out the form located in back of church or downstairs and put it in collection plate or office door.

Women of Trinity

WOT luncheon was held Feb 4 and we were happy to see some new faces. Our next luncheon will be April 2, at noon at Hillview, all are welcome. Our Lenten soup fundraiser is underway, please help us spread the word and get some orders! We are offering red clam chowder or vegetarian vegetable, $10 per quart. Orders due by March 1. We will be making soup on March 6 and soup pick up will be March 7. Ingredient sign-up sheets are located opposite the kitchen. Thank you.

Stitch and Chat

Please join us Tuesdays from 10 am -12 pm. The last Tuesday of the month is our Healing Eucharist at 11:30 am. This is a wonderful opportunity for those who find the 9:30 service difficult to attend, all are welcome at our table.

Dash’s Receipts

Please continue to save your Dash market receipts and ask your friends for theirs. There is box located downstairs in the parish hall or put them on table in the front of the church. Thank you!

Outreach

Growing in Generous Giving – Our Lenten Project

Our primary Lenten project this year will be collecting a different type of items for the food pantry each week. We’re going to focus on items that cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits but we all need and use. Over the next five weeks please bring:

March 9 – Paper products- such as paper towels, Kleenex, toilet paper, napkins etc.

March 16 – Toiletries- such as shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss, deodorant, soap, feminine hygiene, body lotion, razors, body wash, etc.

March 23 – Cleaning products- dish soap, bathroom cleaners, glass cleaner, Lysol, laundry soap, floor cleaner, sponges, etc.

March 30- Paper products- baggies, foil, saran wrap, trash bags, paper towels, Kleenex etc.

April 6 – Toiletries or cleaning products

We will bless our offerings during service each week, then move them downstairs so they are available for Pantry clients the following Wednesday.

 In January $351.89 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!

Bringing Back United Thank Offering

Each of us have things for which we’re grateful: family, friends, a song that touches our hearts, the first glimpse of crocus or grape hyacinth peeking up through the ground. The United Thank Offering (UTO), is a long-standing ministry of The Episcopal Church which offers us a way to share our gratitude through giving that empowers others. Each year UTO provides grants for ministry projects across the Anglican communion which offer hope to those in need. 100% of our offerings are paid out in grants. You’ll see UTO boxes available along with our “buffet” of Lenten resources. Want to learn more? Check out the February 21 e-news article.

Building our Trinity Phone Tree

We are setting up a system to send out text or phone notifications to parishioners when there is urgent news like a weather related cancellation or the sudden death of a parishioner. Thank you to everyone who provided their preferred contact information and method at the annual meeting. If you didn’t have the chance to do this, please fill out one of the cards in the basket marked Phone Tree Contacts and return it to the same basket. Please be sure to write down if you prefer a text or a phone call. Thanks!