GIVING THANKS! November and December offer numerous opportunities to share your Trinity blessings with your neighbors

Transcription

1 November 2017 The Newsletter of Trinity Long Green GIVING THANKS! November and December offer numerous opportunities to share your Trinity blessings with your neighbors ALL SAINTS DAY NOVEMBER 5TH On this Sunday, we recognize all the lower case saints (as opposed to the upper case saints like St. Paul, St. Mary, St. Clare, St. Francis). The word saint comes from the Latin sanctus meaning holy, or set apart for God. That means we are all saints because we are sealed with the Holy Spirit in baptism and marked as Christ s own forever. So, on the first Sunday following All Saints Day (All Hallows Day, November 1, the origin of Halloween being All Hallows Eve), we offer the Eucharist in memory of all those members of Trinity who died in the past year. We also remember those who have been saints in our lives. Stewardship Ingathering On November 12, we will gather all the pledges received for 2018 and offer them to God, giving thanks for those who have made the pledges and for the ministry that those gifts make possible. Pledge cards are available in the narthex and the church office. They may be returned anytime but the official ingathering is November 12. FOOD FOR THOUGHT We had our first successful packing day. Thank you everyone for helping. We have placed a box in the parish house hallway for future food donations. We have to be specific in what we can pack. We can only accept items on the approved list below. Please also check expiration dates. Cash donations are always welcome and needed to help us fill in the gaps. We had a little cash surplus leftover from last year but that will soon be gone. Make checks out to Trinity with the memo line of Food for Thought so we can continue this important outreach. Granola bars/nutri Grain bars/sandwich crackers Pace Ready Meals Microwaveable Pouches Individual microwaveable dinners i.e. Hormel Compleats, Barilla Entrees Chef Boyardee 7.5 oz. bowls any variety Individual Mac and Cheese Horizon Organic Milk 8 oz. boxes or any unflavored individual organic milk (check expiration dates) Juice Boxes (100 % juice) Fruit Grab and Go Pouches/individual dried fruit pouches Bumble Bee Tuna Fish Lunch Kits w/ crackers Sue Berry and Liz Deford can answer any questions. Thanks for your support! DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME It s time to fall back. Before you go to bed on Saturday, November 4th, turn your clocks back one hour to mark the end of daylight savings

2 Dear friends, I recently took an educational trip to Washington DC to visit the African American Museum (officially The National Museum of African American History and Culture). I went with a group from St. Bartholomew in Baltimore and we stopped by the MLK Memorial on the way. I will be pondering the experience for a long time and suspect I will need to return to the museum as there was no way to see everything the first time. Darkness can not drive out darkness, Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, Only love can do that. Martin Luther King, Jr The museum is divided into two sections history and culture. We decided to start with the history portion and boarded the elevator (the attendant called it a time machine) and traveled down three levels. The story began with the history of African slavery, the Middle Passage and early slavery in the US. Although I knew some of the story, of course, the intensity of the presentation, the respectful quiet of the packed crowd, and the mixed racial composition of the crowd itself intensified the experience. I could not help but wonder how my reflections, as a white southerner differed from those of the black man standing next to me as we viewed diagrams of the crowding aboard slave ships or saw manacles used to chain slaves to benches. Finally, the relatively dark and crowded exhibits opened into a bright, multi-storied room with the figure of Thomas Jefferson looming larger than life. I could not help but reflect on the irony this man who gave voice to the deepest human aspiration to be free was also a slave holder. Although I was raised in the South and knew about King Cotton and the back-breaking labor of harvesting cotton, I had somehow managed to separate my knowledge from any comprehension as to the role cotton had played in maintaining both slavery and segregation economies. I knew much of the story; I now see it through a different lens, a different filter, and from a different perspective. I realized that, from the earliest days of the slave trade, through the era of segregation and continuing into the present, men and women, black and white, have spoken up for freedom and equality. I have not always heard those statements with empathy or compassion I felt angry when the black Olympic athletes raised clenched fists during the National Anthem. I was afraid during the race riots following Martin Luther King Jr. s assassination. I have not always recognized the privileges that I enjoy because I am white. I am troubled by how blind I have been to the subtle ways in which my perspective has been shaped by new media and advertising. I don t know what all this means as we, as a nation, continue to struggle with the fallout from the slavery and racism that were and are so much a part of our national history and culture. I do believe that we, as a nation, must face this issue with open eyes and hearts if we are ever to live into our national ideals of freedom and equality for all. I also believe that we, as Christians, have a role to play in teaching our children that God loves everyone, no exceptions, and in living that truth in our daily lives. I believe that Jesus demands that we give our deepest and fullest devotion to the task of loving our neighbor as ourselves. Yours in Christ, Fran+

3 2018 STEWARDSHIP On October 15, the Finance Committee (represented by Joe Lynagh) presented the following information at a Town Hall Coffee Hour: It costs about $188,000 per year to run Trinity The 2018 budget proposal is a bare bones budget and little changed over several years Over 70% of expenses go to staff and the Diocesan assessment, that is there is little left to cut This budget leaves nothing for a rainy day Stewardship Commitment is growing, pledges were up $4,000, or about 3%... But fall short of projected expenses by about $51,000 This leaves about 37% of the budget uncovered The number of pledging households is down over the past two years... and the median pledge amount has trended lower. Continued on next page

4 Can we increasing giving to fully fund Trinity? STEWARDSHIP A 35% increase fully funds the operating budget If you currently pledge $1,000, can you pledge $350 more which is about $7 per week If you currently pledge $ 2,000, can you pledge $700 more which is about $14 per week If you currently pledge $3,000, can you pledge $1,050 more which is about $20 per week If you currently pledge more than $4,000, can you pledge $2500 more which is about $50 per week As you prayerfully consider your pledge for 2018, please take this information into account. Pledge as you are able and as you believe God calls you to do. Trinity Long Green needs your financial gifts to sustain our ministry in the Long Green Valley. BISHOP CHILTON VISITS TRINITY On October 29, Bishop Chilton visited Trinity for the Regular Diocesan Visitation. Her visit included confirmation of Kevin Collin Fitzgerald (son of Kevin and Dawn Fitzgerald) and the blessing of the altar and new worship space that was Bobby Fitzgerald s Eagle Project. The day was rainy, but spirits were high. The Fitzgeralds had erected three pop-up tents over the worship space and a large portion of the congregation trekked to the site under umbrellas for the blessing. A significant portion of Bobby s Boy Scout troop attended the blessing. Afterwards we enjoyed a feast of baked ziti, French toast (provided by the Fitzgeralds) and other dishes brought by members of the parish. To top off the festivities, the Youth Group provided carved pumpkins for judging.

5 BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS October 1, 2017 Looking Ahead to Advent Advent begins December 3, 2017, don t let it catch you by surprise. Take a few minutes each week in the middle of this busy season to be still and listen for God. Consider how you can prepare for the coming of the Christ Child through prayer and charitable giving. Advent Wreaths are a way and guides will be available by the end of November for use at home. Mark your calendars now for the services Christmas Eve at 5 pm, 9 pm or Christmas Day at 10 am. BLUE CHRISTMAS HAITIAN CONCERT REPORT We received a final report form the Haitian musicians. They visited 23 cities/ communities, 9 states, traveled 3,025 miles, gave 23 concerts and 17 performances, attended 6 worship services, and touched over 6,000 lives. Trinity raised $1,204 towards their expenses. Thanks again to all our host families. THANKSGIVING DAY SERVICE Because of falling attendance there will be no Thanksgiving Day service this year. I remember the first few Christmases I spent as an adult in Houston TX, and later in Lexington KY. Although my family in Memphis was only a phone call away, I felt their absence. Missing all the familiar traditions of my childhood, I found myself crooning along with Elvis, I ll be so blue Christmas without you. This year I would like to offer a Blue Christmas service on December 17 at 4 pm to acknowledge those who, for reasons as minor as being away from home or as significant as the death of a loved one, find themselves full of sadness at a time when everyone else seems to be fully of joy and good cheer. This service acknowledges the pain, the loneliness, and the sorrow we feel; and draws on the promise of hope, the Holy Child of Bethlehem, to help us make it through the long nights ahead. Dr. Fran+ En-Vision 200 As we approach our 200 th anniversary, the vestry invites the members of the parish to consider what needs done to our property and how we might fund necessary repairs and improvements. We also invite suggestions as to how we might celebrate our 200 years in the Long Green Valley, and what new things God might be inviting us to begin as we enter the third century of ministry at Trinity. The vestry would like to dedicate a significant portion of our Annual Meeting in January to a discussion of these and other related matters. As you ponder these things over the weeks ahead, jot down any ideas you might have and bring them to the Annual Meeting in 2018

6 Trinity Episcopal Church 2017 Christmas Holiday Flowers & Evergreens All orders must be turned in to the church or school offices no later than Sunday, November 19 th. Prices for Preorders are lower than the day of the Bazaar. Please include payment for your order. Checks should be made out to Trinity Church with Christmas Greens on the Memo line. Orders should be picked up on Friday, December 1st from Noon 7PM. Poinsettias/Flowers: (Circle Color) Price Quantity Total Amt. 4.5 Triple bloom poinsettia Red White Pink Marble $ Bloom poinsettia Red White Pink Marble $ Bloom poinsettia Red White Pink Marble $ Cyclamen Assorted Colors $ ft. White Pine Roping $ Fraser Fir Wreath, undecorated $ Fraser Fir Wreath, decorated with pine cones $ Fraser Fir Wreath, undecorated $ Fraser Fir Wreath, decorated with pine cones $ Roping and Wreaths: TOTAL AMOUNT DUE: Name: Phone: Trinity supports local suppliers. Buying from our sale helps Trinity as well as our community businesses. We thank you for your support! Merry, Merry Christmas! The Candy Cane Christmas Bazaar to be held on December 2 from 9-2! The We can t do it without your help. Sign up sheets with ideas for how you can participate will be posted soon. Many thanks for your help in this annual chance to invite our community to Trinity. Trinity Long Green Manor Rd. Glen Arm, MD

7 Trinity Long Green Manor Rd. Glen Arm, MD

8 Trinity Long Green Manor Rd. Glen Arm, MD

9 Trinity Long Green Manor Rd. Glen Arm, MD

10 November 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Family Sunday 8:00 Holy Eucharist 10:00 Holy Eucharist 11:00 Coffee Hour :00 Holy Eucharist 9:45 Children s Worship 10:00 Holy Eucharist 11:00 Coffee Hour :00 Holy Eucharist 9:45 Children s Worship 10:00 Holy Eucharist 11:00 Coffee Hour 6:30 Vestry 11:00 TAT 11:00 TAT 11:00 TAT Paul s Place Lunch Paul s Place Lunch :00 Holy Eucharist 9:45 Children s Worship 10:00 Holy Eucharist 11:00 Coffee Hour 11:00 TAT 7:15 Steps & Traditions 7:15 Steps & Traditions 7:15 Steps & Traditions 7:15 Steps & Traditions 6:30 Movie Night 9-12 Garden Club

11 1 Lynn Jones 3 Maxon Tirocchi 5 Douglas Anderson III 7 Rob Eberman Larissa Maits Brian Miller, Sr. 8 Jonathan Deford 10 Liz Deford 11 Nancy Eitel Roy Lancraft 14 Kathleen Hogans 16 Bill Troy THANK YOU Happy November Birthday to: 18 Brian Miller, Jr. Damion Dengler Kathleen McDougal 19 Ross Jones 22 Ella Hogans Russ Tagg 23 Roger Eve 25 J.R. Owens Adele Frick 26 Betty Elder Roger Hayden Barb Newton 27 William Bausman 30 Susan Wiley Tip of the Hat CONGRATULATIONS Spencer Knight & Ellie Cosby October 14, 2107 I would like to say, THANK YOU to all of you for helping make October 29th so special for us. It was wonderful for all of my friends and family to be a part of such a great day. Thank you all. -Dawn Fitzgerald- TRUMPETER ARTICLE DEADLINE Please submit your December articles to marthab28@verizon.net by November 24, 2017 Everyone that helped out with the Chili Cookoff. Susan Wiley and the Garden Club for keeping the gardens and grounds clean. Especially in preparation for the Bishops visit. Asher Collins and the parking crew, Nancy Bainbridge and the Pastoral Care Team, Bill Kincaide and the ushers, Katie Curran and Bill Wiley for assisting at the altar, Marina Brockman and Carol House for setting the altar, Pat Pandolfini and Edie Wood and the rest of the kitchen crew, Ernie Brandt and his fellow bagpiper, and everyone else who did Charlie proud at his Celebration of Life. Roy Lancraft for checking out the problem with the small bell in the tower and Bob Knight for a structural evaluation of the tower including drawing a diagram (Good news: all issues identified can be easily fixed) Chrissy Cook, Dawn Fitzgerald, Sue Luba and Joanne Maits for shepherding our new Youth Group. Joe Lynagh and the Finance Committee for their work on the 2018 budget and the Oct. 15th presentation. IN MEMORIUM Fred Maxcy 10/6/23-10/11/17 Rest eternal grant to him. Doris Schmidt Charles B. Elder 7/27/27-10/17/17 Rest eternal grant to him 3/21/24-10/14/17 Rest eternal grant to her.

12 Hey! Let s go to the movies! Friday, Nov. 17, 6:30 pm Bring your parents and pillows. Wear your jammies if you d like! Includes popcorn and drinks....and it s free. Trinity Long Green Parish Hall Trinity Episcopal Church Manor Rd. P.O. Box 4001 Glen Arm, MD Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Timonium, MD Permit No. 215