Trinity Tidings – April 2025
“Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
Romans 6:4
April is a time of seeking resurrection. We glimpse new life as tulips and daffodils peek up from the not-so frozen ground, and we long to see their bright blossoms. We seek resurrection in time outside and renewed connections with neighbors. We look ahead to Spring cleanups and planting.
Easter this year comes at a time which fits the cycle of our seasons. The First Sunday of Lent, I sent our young people home with wheatgrass seeds to plant, to help them remember that Lent prepares us for the new life of Easter. I would love to see how that grass has flourished. So if you have some, consider bringing it in by the morning of Holy Saturday as we adorn the church for Easter.
Our common worship is full of symbols like this. We see it especially in the services of Holy Week. We move from the Palms of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, to service represented by washing one another’s feet, to the Cross and thorns of his Passion and finally to the new fire of the Easter Vigil which continues in the brilliance of our Paschal candle throughout the season.
We call the days from Maundy Thursday through the Easter Vigil the Triduum, Latin for three days. They are one great service, celebrating the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter begins at the Vigil service. Often, smaller Episcopal churches do not gather for the Vigil. But if you’ve never participated in this service, I encourage you to watch the livestream from St. Paul’s cathedral.
As you move through these final days of Lent, and towards the great celebration of Easter how are you seeking resurrection? Where are you finding signs of new life, of hope springing up in barren places? You might find them in the natural world, in your relationships, in our civic life, at work or at school. And how are you living into your call to be a sign of resurrection?
As one of my favorite Easter hymns says, Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green. This April may we all be signs of love come again.
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, 4/29 Healing Eucharist @11:30am.
Coming Events Save the Date
April 1 WOT lunch Hillview Restaurant, 12noon
April 6 Coffee hour Parish hall following service
April 13 Palm Sunday Meet in main parish hall, 9:30am, Vestry meeting 10:45am
April 17 Maundy Thursday 6pm soup dinner, Eucharist with hand washing, strip altar.
April 18 Good Friday Liturgy and Stations of the cross, 7pm
April 19 Holy Saturday Prayer service, cleaning and decorating church, 10am
Folk Service May 4th
Sunday May 4th we will welcome some guest musicians to our Sunday morning service. That afternoon we’ll be hosting the Youth in Ministry group. This would be a great day to bring a friend to church.
Prayer List
Paul, Rosie D, Andrew, Valerie, Jack K, Brad M, Douglas B, Melanie H, Richard C, Beverly M, Dave K, , 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, Candie W, Theresa S, Cera, Dan L, Kayla, and Trinity Church.
April Birthdays
13 Tommy Giza 14 Karen Geblein 22 Greyson Cascio 22 Tom Fehringer
24 Jon Heyd
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. Trinity plans to host this event May 4.
Vestry Summary
The vestry met March 9,2025. The annual mutual ministry review was completed under the direction Canon Craig Dressler. It was a very positive and productive meeting to explore where Trinity is at, and where it is going.
Altar Guild
Altar Guild met March 2, 2025. We have received our new travel communion set. Holy Week schedule was reviewed. Our Easter flower vendor will be Lockwood’s and memorial forms are available in the bulletin or online. Orders are due by April 6 and you are welcome to take your flowers home after the Easter Service. Holy Saturday April 19 at 10am we will be cleaning and decorating the church after a short prayer service. All are welcome to attend.
Women of Trinity
WOT Lenten soup sale fundraiser was held in March. Thank you to everyone who donated ingredients, donated their time and talent to prepare the soup, and of course everyone who purchased the soup, for without you it wouldn’t be possible. Our next luncheon is April 1, noon at Hillview restaurant, all are welcome.
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. This is a great program; we receive cash for your receipts! 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. For April 6 please bring Toiletries or cleaning products.Your response has been wonderful this Lent and we are truly grateful.
We will bless our offerings during service each week, then move them downstairs so they are available for Pantry clients the following Wednesday.
March 4, $251.36 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
Our UTO ingathering will be Trinity Sunday June 15, 2025.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. UTO boxes are still available for those who would like one.
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. 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!