Trinity Episcopal Church 128 West Hardin Street Findlay, Ohio The Episcopal Church serving Hancock County, Ohio and beyond

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1 Trinity Episcopal Church 128 West Hardin Street Findlay, Ohio The Episcopal Church serving Hancock County, Ohio and beyond 2016

2 2 OUTREACH GREETINGS ALL THANK YOU FOR YOUR VERY GENEROUS DONATI9ONS. OUTREACH HAS RECEIVED MONIES, CLOTHES, SHOES, CEREALS, CANNED FOODS, AND TOILETRIES. CEREAL IS ALWAYS SO WELCOME AND SO ARE NOODLES, PASTA, AND RICE. I AM OLD FASHIONED AND PASTA, RICE, AND NOODLES CAN GO ALONG WAY AND FEED MANY. AS WE HAVE MENTIONED BEFORE, MEN'S SHOES ARE ESPECIALLY NEEDED, AND WITH WINTER FAST APPROACHING BOOTS ARE IN GREAT NEED. ALSO LOOK DEEP INTO YOUR CLOSETS. COATS THAT ARE NO LONGER BEING WORN WOULD REALLY BE WELCOMED. CLOTHES AND SHOES CAN GO IN THE ROUND CONTAINER MARKED CHOPIN HALL IN THE WEST SIDE ENTRANCE/HALLWAY. YOU MAY ALSO PUT THEM IN THE PARISH HALL BASKET NEAR THE ORGAN. AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL. REMEMBER, YOU ARE OUTREACH. GOD BLESS. NANCY AND PAUL O'SULLIVAN, OUTREACH CHAIRS. You never know when you might meet Christ in a Stranger's Guise is busy with plans for October. After a much enjoyed Welcome Back to the Pews, CSG got to work on two events planned for this month. Additionally, Fr. John and Annie welcomed University of Findlay students at the University's annual Church Fair. A special treat for students who stopped by was a cup of tea, brewed on site! Starting the month is the Blessing of the Animals, to be held Saturday, October 1 st at 4:00 p.m. This gathering is not only for Trinity and our many pets, but also for the community and theirs. Committee members took flyers to veterinary clinics, pet shops, libraries, the Family Center, and other common gathering places while Fr. John took some to the Ministerial Association and Deborah placed spots in the Courier. After a short service, Fr. John will bless each animal who will then receive a St. Francis medallion. Treats for humans and animals will end our celebration in honor of St. Francis. Mark your calendars! Get your costumes ready!! CSG is hosting a parish-wide ShoktoberFest! DATE: Saturday, October 29 TIME: 6:00 p.m. PLACE: Trinity Parish Hall All are invited to this fun-filled evening which will begin with a potluck. There will be a sign-up sheet in the Parish Hall for entrees, sides, salads, desserts, and, of course clean up! Other than cider (provided by CSG), this will be a BYOB (wine and beer) event. Costumes are strongly encouraged and activities will be planned for kids of all ages! Ginny Lee Pilstl, CSG Chair Christ in a stranger s guise.

3 THE RECTOR WRITES 3 I will give you rest. Amazing! Then those words Come here to me presumably must be understood in this way: Remain with me, I am that rest, or to remain with me is that rest. It is not as it usually is that the helper who says Come here thereupon must say Now leave as he explains to each individual where the particular help he needs is found, where the analgesic herb grows that can heal him, or where there is that quiet place where he can relax from his labor, or where there is that happier part of the world where people are not burdened. No, he who opens his arms invites all ah, if all, all you who labor and are burdened, were to come to him, he would embrace them all and say: Now remain with me, for to remain with me is rest. The helper is the help. Amazing! -Soren Kierkegaard, Practice in Christianity, XII, 10. It has become a cliché to talk about how busy we all are. As the brief respite some of us might have experienced during the summer comes to an end, things are starting to ramp up all around us this autumn. The kids are back in school; our schedules are getting increasingly full; vacation seems more-and-more like a vague concept relegated to some mythic time to which we have less-and-less connection. We re all busy! Certainly things will be getting busier in our common life at Trinity over the next couple of months. Christian education offerings are being introduced. The choir has returned. Stewardship time, when we ll be asked to consider our commitment to the work of the parish in concrete terms, is coming again. (More on that soon.) Taizé services will resume this month. We're having at least two big events in addition to the ordinary monthly and weekly programs: Blessing of the Animals at 4 p.m. on October 1 st and an Oktoberfest/Halloween party on the evening of the 29 th. We re all busy here at Trinity! In the midst of such busyness we can sometimes feel overwhelmed. We sometimes wish for more hours in the day, or at least we wish we had the ability to set aside a few of the twentyfour hours we already have every day in which we can be a little less harried. Perhaps some of us would benefit from having fewer commitments, but I wonder if approaching those commitments we already have in a different way might be the best strategy for some of us. Saint Matthew recorded the comfortable words Jesus constantly speaks to us in the midst of our busyness: Come unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. The truth is that we can schedule all sorts of down time and still not experience the rest we need if we fail to find the source of our rest. Conversely, we may find refreshment in the midst of our travails (such a wonderful, old word!) if we make every effort to abide in Christ. The great thing about our abiding is that it is not simply a fleeting instant in the midst of the storm. Rather, the rest we have in Christ is a constant. We do not merely fly to Jesus for a moment s respite; we remain in the peace of his presence perpetually. The trick is setting our minds and hearts to embrace this truth unwaveringly rather than occasionally. This is easier said than done. It takes a lifetime of prayer, sometimes, to get it, but when we do we ll find peace in situations that would once have overwhelmed us. The more we truly accept that, as Kierkegaard put it, the helper is the help, the less energy we ll spend trying to affect our own refreshment, for we ll experience it as a constant stream from the Source outside ourselves. Yours in service to the Gospel, John

4 4 SHOKTOBERFEST On Saturday, October 29 th Trinity will host a new event ShoktoberFest! We will have a carry-in meal, cider, games, and activities for all ages. Costumes are encouraged and you may BYOB (beer or wine). Dinner begins at 6 p.m. in the parish hall. A sign-up sheet will be posted for entrees, sides, salads, desserts, and clean-up. Get out your lederhosen or pirate s hat and plan to join the fun! Music Notes The choir is back and we are always looking for more voices! We have some exciting music coming up. Join us we would love to have you. Our goal remains to help enrich our services and bring us closer to God. Thanks for your interest and support of music at Trinity. Trinity Episcopal Church is... a welcoming community that is accepting of others who are different. a place to experience genuine relationships that help us grow. people who volunteer to reach out into the community. people who value tradition, music, and prayer in their worship. WEEKLY PRAYER LIST We all need a little prayer and Trinity provides a prayer list each week in the bulletin for those who could use some extra. Would you please take a moment to review that prayer list and help us keep it up-to-date? If there are names which should be removed, let Deborah know. If there is someone on your heart, we can add that person. Thank you!

5 The monthly parish breakfast is scheduled for Saturday, October 8 th at 8:30 a.m. Join your Trinity family for great food and conversation. There are openings for helpers and hosts for Trinity s parish breakfasts at 8:30 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month. If you are able to cook or to help clean up at any of these, THE SIGN-UP SHEET is on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall. Thank you. WHERE DO YOU FIT?? Everyone has special gifts share yours with your church! Please consider lending your skills and talents to a committee in an area of interest or skill. Just contact a committee or vestry member to join. COFFEE CORNER OCTOBER coffee hour hosts 2 nd Annie Stricklin 9 th Yan Trudeau 16 th 23 rd 30 th HOSTS ARE NEEDED! Please consider adding your name to the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board. You don t have to do it alone several families or a group may host together. THANK YOU for the donations of coffee and decaf! 5 The Lunch Bunch will gather at the Bistro on Main on Friday, October 14 th at 11:30 a.m. Gluten-free entrees are included in their mouth-watering menu. Please make your reservation with Joanne McPherson or Ginny Lee Pilstl by Wednesday, October 12. KROGER REWARDS!! Kroger shoppers of Trinity earned $ from the 13 households participating during the past quarter through the Community Rewards Program! PLEASE BE SURE TO KEEP YOUR MEMBERSHIP UP-TO-DATE! OR if you have not yet signed-up, consider doing so. This program in no way affects your personal Kroger Rewards sales, fuel points, etc. If you would like assistance, to sign up or renew, please contact Deborah.

6 Trinity Thank Offering (TTO) The TRINITY THANK OFFERING is a way in which our parish recognizes the importance of thanking God for its many blessings. Those in need locally benefit as Thank offerings are directed to the Rector's Discretionary Fund. Please continue to give thanks with offerings in the green TTO box. Youth Sunday School News Do you need help with yard clean up or outside work? The youth Sunday School class is available to serve those in our church. We hope to do yard projects, etc. This work will be supervised (and assisted) by the parents of the children. We are not seeking payment for our work, but are hoping to show God's love through acts of service. This is our version of the Backyard Mission Trip on a smaller scale. The children are eager to help. Please consider allowing them to serve you. You may sign up in the Parish Hall or contact Ben Dolan at Thanks! TRINITY 2016 VESTRY Ginny Lee Pilstl, Senior Warden Karen Eubanks, Junior Warden Mark Creighton, Clerk Jim Miller Paul O Sullivan Rita Roberts Lisa Robeson Sue Sandusky Bill Trudeau Peg Daily Treasurer 6 ITEMS FOR NOVEMBER TIdings should be submitted By Thursday, October 20 th. thank YOU! The sign-up sheet for altar flowers is on the bulletin board in the parish hall. Trinity on Facebook. Find our page by searching for Trinity Episcopal Church, Findlay, Ohio. Be sure to like the page to get posts delivered to your News Feed. If you're not on Facebook and you want to know more about it, please call Ben Dolan or Emily Boerger at Your talents are God s gift to you what you do with them is your gift to God. WEB SITE HAVE YOU VISITED OUR NEW AND IMPROVED WEB-SITE? The goal was to up-grade Trinity s on-line presence and provide timely information in a userfriendly format. Please check it out and let us know what you think! Ben Dolan is our web master.

7 7 KEEPING IN TOUCH OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS 3 Joe Boucher 11 Keli Trudeau 18 Michael Romary 22 Stephanie Miller 24 Peg Gabel 25 Betty Berlekamp, Sara Bryant 26 Kent Asher 27 Claudia Benjamin 28 Anna Miller, Cindy Whitson OCTOBER ANNIVERSARY 1 Gayle Baltzell & Darin Boyles PERSONAL NOTES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR AND ABOUT THE TRINITY FAMILY. IF YOU HAVE ITEMS OF INTEREST TO SHARE, (BIRTHS, ENGAGEMENTS, GRADUATIONS, HONORS, AWARDS, WEDDINGS, PERFORMANCES, ACHIEVEMENTS, ACTIVITIES, ETC.) PLEASE SUBMIT THEM BY THE 3 RD WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH FOR THE NEXT PUBLICATION. Thanks If ever there is a name omitted from one of these lists, or a date is incorrect, please contact the church office with the information. Thanks! IT IS TIME TO UPDATE THE TRINITY `````1`````` PRAYER CHAIN. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF THIS MISSION, (OR BE REMOVED FROM THE LIST) PLEASE CONTACT RK BALTZELL BY OCTOBER 30 th. Thank you!! DIOCESAN CONVENTION VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Volunteers are vital to the success of the Annual Diocesan Convention. Please consider helping in one of these areas: Registration: on-site registration of delegates, clergy, and those with seat and voice. Directional Greeter: direct attendees along the walking path between the Student Union and Olscamp Hall. General Greeter: welcome and direct attendees entering the Student Union or Olscamp Hall. Information Table: assist attendees with general inquiries Childcare: provide childcare services during the Saturday business session of convention (children age 5 and under). SIGN-UP TO VOLUNTEER AT DOHIO.ORG. TRULY KEEPING IN TOUCH Some parishioners not able to attend services, or attend regularly, would enjoy calls or cards from the rest of us, and visits especially from people who know them. Others have moved so this is an update on their contact information: Betty Berlekamp Birchaven Road, Room 310, Findlay, Marilyn Russell - P.O. Box , Palm Bay, FL Sarah Worthington 172 Legacy Lane, Heritage House, 2820 Greenacre Drive, Findlay, Romelle Aldrich - 83 Harwood Road, Monroe, NJ John and Paula Wolper Dominion Drive, Fort Mitchell, KY Caroline Dunham Sunrise, 401 Lake Cascades Parkway, Findlay, Dave & Peg Bell 779 Tupper Street, Brockville, Ontario, Canada K6V6A1 Jean Bolmer 401 Hancock Street, Findlay, Eleanor Speck, Birchaven, Birchaven Road, Findlay Chris s information is posted on the bulletin board in the parish hall.

8 8 TRINITY KNITTING CIRCLE The Trinity Knitting Circle continues to meet at 1 p.m. on the second Monday of each month, at 129 Second St. OUR NEXT MEETING IS OCTOBER 10 th. Now is a great time to learn as we prepare for cool weather! We will add to the Seaman s Institute as well as our other projects. Please let Pat Fox know if you need a prayer shawl or baby blanket. Items do not have to go to someone within the church. If you are interested in joining this ministry, please call Purls, Pat Fox ALTAR FLOWERS Please let Deborah know by noon on Wednesday of that week what you would like printed in the bulletin for your gift of flowers. to trinfin@att.net or call REMEMBER - When providing altar flowers from a florist they should be delivered to the church between 9 a.m. and noon on Friday. Altar guild members may no longer be at the church on Saturdays. Thanks! A PRAYER FOR OCTOBER This day, Father, may my eyes be opened to see the beauty in all that is ordinary - yet special all around me. May the glory of all that you have made remind me of your presence and lead me closer to you. CHURCH CALENDAR As a central area of communication, there is a monthly Trinity scheduling calendar on the bulletin board in the parish hall. It includes all events, activities, and facility usage. THIS IS YOUR CALENDAR IF SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE ADDED, DO SO. IF THERE IS AN ERROR, PLEASE CORRECT IT! You may submit items to Deborah anytime for the upcoming calendar, but please feel free to make this an interactive tool for the parish! THE COMMUNICATIONS CENTER IS FOR YOUR BENEFIT! You may exchange information, paperwork, mail, etc. It is located in the yellow room under the bulletin board. There are cubbies for the Rector, Treasurer, Secretary, Vestry, Stewardship committee, Property committee, CSG/social committee, Outreach committee, and Worship committee so far. The Choir/Choir director has a basket as does the Altar Guild. The bulletin board may also have information posted please feel free to use it and to check it.

9 9 TAIZÉ PRAYER RETURNS by Kim Grove Sunday, October 16th marks the beginning of our 16 th season of Taizé Prayer here at Trinity. Please join us at 5:00 p.m. for a service of prayer, song, and contemplation. This service has developed into an important outreach ministry for our parish to the community at large. Taizé Prayer is based on an ancient Christian principle expressed by Brother Roger, a founding member of the Taizé community in France: Nothing is more conducive to a communion with the living God than a meditative common prayer with, at its high point, singing that never ends and that continues in the silence of one s heart when one is alone again. The focal point of this communion is the cross the symbol of God s saving presence in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our season of Taizé Prayer runs from October through March, held the 3 rd Sunday of each month at 5:00pm. We can always use more help in setting up, decorating and clean up; musicians; and hosting or helping to host the reception which follows each service. If you would like to help in decorating, just join us after church as we setup on the 3 rd Sunday of the month. If you are a musician and want to join our ensemble, we meet at 3:45pm before the service to rehearse you are most welcome. If you wish to host a reception or help with same, there is a signup sheet on the bulletin board in the parish hall. If you have been with us in the past, we encourage you to come again; if you have never attended Taizé Prayer, please join us on October 16th and give it a try we hope you will find the experience most worthwhile. STEWARDSHIP A couple of Sundays ago the Gospel reading was the story of Jesus telling the parable of the lost sheep. The shepherd leaves his flock of 99 to find the missing one. He also tells of a woman who loses one of her ten coins and turns the house upside-down and throws a party after finding it. I've heard that story many times and yet upon listening to Father John's homily on that Gospel, I heard the message differently. That message was always there, I just needed to hear another explanation. Our understanding of Stewardship is another example of hearing the same story over and over again. Every year about this time we start hearing and talking about Stewardship. A committee is formed, chair selected, theme chosen, and then a strategy developed to get the message to the flock. Afterward, we add up the pledge cards and write a budget-based on our "generosity." The problem with this approach to Stewardship is - this ain t Stewardship. It's FUND-RAISING. Our giving should not be based on our generosity but on God's. We are stewards of the blessings that He has provided. Stewardship is about developing a closer relationship with God by giving our time, our talents, and our (His) treasures. Last year our Stewardship campaign focused on the future of our parish. We also wanted to send a message to any interested priests that Trinity Episcopal Church in Findlay was alive and ready to move forward doing God's work. Well, John responded - we now have a priest who is inspiring and exciting us. What's next? To seek, serve, and honor God in all we do. May God continue to bless us. Deke

10 10 EVENT CALENDAR OCTOBER 2016 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY OCT 1 4 p.m. Blessing of the Animals OCT 2 OCT 3 OCT 4 OCT 5 OCT 6 OCT 7 OCT 8 8:30 Holy Eucharist 9:30 Holy Eucharist Coffee hour Youth Mentoring 5:15 Rector s Bible study NO Morning Prayer 12:05 Wednesday Worship 8:30 a.m. Parish Breakfast Stewardship Workshop/Elyria OCT 9 OCT 10 OCT 11 OCT 12 OCT 13 OCT 14 OCT 15 8:30 Holy Eucharist 9:30 Holy Eucharist Coffee hour Youth Mentoring Offices closed 1 p.m. Knitting Circle 5:15 Bible study Convention delegate certification due Reservations for Lunch Bunch due 12:05 Wednesday Worship 11:30 Lunch The Bistro OCT 16 OCT 17 OCT 18 OCT 19 OCT 20 OCT 21 OCT 22 8:30 Holy Eucharist 9:30 Holy Eucharist Coffee hour Youth Mentoring 5 p.m. Taizé Prayer 5:15 Rector s Bible study 12:05 Wednesday Worship Tidings items due OCT 23 OCT 24 OCT 25 OCT 26 OCT 27 OCT 28 OCT 29 8:30 Holy Eucharist 9:30 Holy Eucharist Coffee hour Youth Mentoring 1 p.m. Vestry 5:15 Rector s Bible study OCT 30 OCT 31 8:30 Holy Eucharist 9:30 Holy Eucharist Coffee hour Youth Mentoring 5:15 Rector s Bible study 12:05 Wednesday Worship 6 p.m. SHOKTOBER FEST Flower of the month Marigold Birthstone Opal