Trinity Education Sunday School Calendar May 25 - Teachers Recognition, last day of Godly Play class June 15-August 17 - Weird Animals Summer Program 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. August 23 - Godly Play training at Trinity 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. September 7 - Sunday School Registration begins September 14 - Godly Play resumes 10:10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. December 13- Christmas Pageant Rehearsal December 14- Christmas Pageant December 28 - January 4, 2015 - Winter Recess January 11, 2015 - Godly Play classes resume Caption describing picture or graphic. Inside this issue: Welcome to Trinity Children s Sunday School The Godly Play Curriculum The Upper Room 2 Sunday School Summer Program Sunday School Testimonies Trinity New Haven Youth Group Young Adults (20-30) Women s and Men s Bible Studies Sunday Forums 5 Upcoming Events 6 2 2 3 4 5 5 5 Quest and Search Are Part of Our Faith Today, access to information has become easier than ever with Google, Wikipedia, or Facebook. Yet, more and more people, especially youth, are engaging in a different type of search for knowledge, a search for the meaning of life. Google or Wikipedia, however, can offer only so much on that level of personal quest. With these questions of life and search for direction, there is a need for more than virtual interaction. Questions about me, my friends, and my future require a more personal interaction and a relational environment where we can feel how important our questions are. At Trinity we seek to honor that learning is an adventure that is connected with the exploration of who we are and how we fit in into the world of today. Education, therefore, is an important part of our church s life. As a community of faith we are always searching and learn- ing more. As church community we are ready to join this learning path to address the pressing questions many of us, children, youth, and adults, bring to our church. This Still Small Voice issue presents the many educational opportunities we organize in our church. We hope we can help each other to find more insight and access to Christ and each other.
Page 2 Trinity Education Welcome to Trinity Children s Sunday School Linda Sheehan, Sunday School Director Our children s Sunday School welcomes all children with a Preschool to grade 6 program called Godly Play and a Upper Room Program for children in grades 7 and 8. Trinity also offers a summer Vacation Bible School with a very creative curriculum tailored to the summer season. Linda Sheehan is our Sunday School Director. She is a very experienced teacher and has successfully introduced and developed the Godly Play curriculum in our children s Sunday school. Volunteer teachers are helping Linda every Sunday to ensure a positive learning environment for our children. People interested in joining our teachers team please contact our Sunday School Director. Summer Bible Vacation School June 15, - August 17, 2014 2014-2015 Sunday School Registration: The new Sunday School year will begin on September 14, from 10:10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Registration is available online on Trinity s website www.trinitynewhaven.org. For more information, send an email to sundayschool@trinitynewhaven.org or see Linda Sheehan. The Godly Play Curriculum Godly Play brings the children in touch with the stories of the Bible: they can see and feel and work with the stories of Jesus and the Bible Trinity Episcopal Church successfully uses Godly Play, a curriculum developed by the reverend Jerome Berryman, an Episcopal priest, to nurture and guide children as they experience God in their lives. Godly Play is an interpretation of Montessori religious education that provides a special environment for children. They are guided through parables; sacred stories and sacred liturgy by two teachers who help them get ready, enter into and respond to the presentation. After hearing the lesson the children are encouraged to choose which materials they want to work with. The small manipulatives used in Godly Play offer hands on method that enhances a child s interpretation and response to the lesson. Using a hands-on approach to manipulate the lesson materials helps a child to get in touch with and process what they have experienced. A Godly Play lesson is designed to mirror what the adult congregation experiences during a typical church service. Children hear the word, respond to the word through their work, share a feast together and say goodbye to each other as they leave the space. The Godly Play classroom environment functions as a place where children can be themselves as they learn how Christians live in community. It is a place that encourages each child to process its own experiences with God. Trinity is proud to offer children this unique approach to Christian formation and is dedicated to fostering the spiritual growth of each child we serve. The Upper Room Our Upper Room curriculum is a fun teenage oriented program that offers weekly themes related to the questions of faith and life teenagers seek to discuss. The youth prayer book Call on Me is a popular and shared resource from which participants select their favorite prayer of that Sunday. Our Upper Room teacher is David Phelps. Father of 3 children himself, David has also taught this age group for many year. His experience with Middle School Age children makes the participants feel comfortable to voice their questions and to engage is discussions that their faith life needs. For more information please contact David Phelps: phelps2829@sbcglobal.net. The program starts on September 14 in the Upper Room.
Still Small Voice Summer 2014 Page 3 2014 Sunday School Summer Program - Weird Animals This summer our children s Sunday School team is organizing again an amazing Vacation Bible School. Imagine... a child hearing about God's love for the first time. kids worshiping in powerful ways. children praying for each other. adults and teens modeling Jesus' love to children. the kids in our church showing God's love to children in India. children serving each other. This summer, kids will discover that Jesus' love is oneof-a-kind at Weird Animals VBS. Be a part of vacation Bible school at Trinity Episcopal Church during June 15, 2014 - August 17, 2014. It's our goal to reach 50 kids with this program. That's 50 kids who will grow in their relationship with God! The children will be joining children around the country in the Kid to Kid mission project and donating a quarter a week to help children in India. Their donations will help supply clean drinking water. The congregation is welcome to match the children's donation of just $2.50. That supplies one child in India with clean drinking water for a year. We're praying this awesome vbs program will touch children's hearts and lives with Jesus' love. Help kids in our community discover that: Even when you're left out... Jesus loves you! Even though you're different Jesus loves you! Even when you don't understand... Jesus loves you! Even though you do wrong... Jesus loves you! Even when you're afraid... Jesus loves you! As we plan and prepare for Weird Animals, our team would cherish your prayers. Pray that God would give us wisdom in planning. Pray for the right staff members to join our team. And pray that God would begin working in the hearts of the children who will come to Weird Animals! To register your children, ages 4-12, for this lifechanging adventure or if you can help, please contact Linda Sheehan at sundayschool @trinitynewhaven.org. 2013 Trinity Children s Summer School, Kingdom Rock.
Page 4 Trinity Education Our Children s Sunday School Lucy, Martha, and Samuel Lawless The Lawless Family Attending the Godly Play and Children's Chapel has transformed our children's relationship with church by providing them an opportunity to explore their faith using both their own experiences and the Episcopal liturgy. Linda and her teachers have been a consistent and loving presence for our kids and for our family for years now, supporting our children as they grow, answering their questions, and providing them with an opportunity to have fun and build relationships with other children. As a result, our children have gained a deeper understanding of God's power in their lives, their role in the Trinity community, and the responsibility and joy of being part of the larger world community through service. John, Jehanara, Nikhil, and Laila Samuel From one of our Teachers: Jehanara Samuel I enjoy teaching Sunday School with the Godly Play program because: 1. It helps me to prepare the lesson in a structured way 2. Teaches children the connection between Old and New Testament stories 3. Stimulates their imagination by the questions at the end of each lesson. I consider it a privilege to influence young minds as they begin their faith journey. I can only hope and pray that the seeds I plant will grow with them as they mature. Caroline and Christian Chen Caroline and Christian Chen One reason I like Sunday school is because in some lessons you can get very involved. For example, in the Lent lesson, you can bring down figurines and meaningful objects from other lessons and bring them to the current lesson. Another reason I like Sunday school is because the lessons are so absorbing. They feel as if they happen right at the minute. One final reason is because I get to see my other friends. I only see them once a week. It is fun being with kids that are from a different town than you. Jaidyn Gambrell Zoë Eichler I like Sunday School because I get a great education about God, Jesus, Mary, etc. For example, today I learned about Jesus and his life growing up. Sunday school makes me feel our Father is watching down on us saying, I am glad that they still worship me though they have electronics, fire, water, etc. I like Sunday school because I like how I have to answer questions and when it is Lent we put down little figures and then we explain why we put certain figures down. Another reason why I like Sunday school is because I like learning about Jesus childhood. Another reason I like Sunday school is because all the teachers are nice and they never rush me. Sunday school also gives me a really good education. Another reason is that I loooovvve reading a lot and I love to learn about Jerusalem.
Still Small Voice Summer 2014 Page 5 Trinity New Haven Youth Group All youth at Trinity is invited to join our new youth group. Our first meeting will take place on Sunday, September 7 at 2:00 p.m. This meeting will inform our youth and their parents about the program, which is currently being built. Many churches in town do not have enough youth the run a successful youth program. Our rector, the Rev. Luk De Volder, has been gathered with many New Haven churches with the plan to set up a common youth group of New Haven churches, crossing the lines of our denominational differences. This youth group program will be run in collaboration with the Yale Divinity School Youth Ministry Program. The Rev. Dr. Skip Masback, director of the YDS Center for Faith and Culture and youth group director of 25+ years, is working with us to set up a stellar program for the youth of our churches. All youth, parents, and church volunteers who would like to support our youth group pro- ject, are invited to join us for this meeting on Sunday, September 7. This common youth group project will leave room for parish based activities with regular frequency (once a month). Pat Rossiter, choir member and director of the Incarnation Camp for many years, will help organize those youth activities. For more information please contact the Rev. Luk De Volder. City of New Haven (Photo from http://coolspotters.com/ on-the-map/new-haven-ct) Young Adults (20-30) Women s and Men s Bible Studies Our Young Adults group will resume its meetings this fall with a kick-off dinner on Saturday, September 20, 6-8pm at Bar Restaurant. Come as you are. This is our treat. Our group meets monthly on Saturday night and usually selects one particular activity of service or outreach in our community. For more information please contact the Rev. Luk De Volder. Trinity runs a very engaged series of Women s and Men s Bible Studies. Women s Bible Study takes place on Thursdays 12:00-1:00 p.m. in our church s parish hall / undercroft, starting on September 25 through November 20 / January 22 through April 16. For more information please contact our parish secretary, Elida Fuentes-Coty (office@trinitynewhaven.org). Men s Bible Study takes place every Friday, 7:00-8:00 a.m. in the Upper Room of our church. Clergy guided Bible Study will start on September 25 through December 12 / January 22 through May 22. For more information please contact the Rev. Luk De Volder. The Bible clicked for me, not when I went through the Bible, but when the Bible went through me. Sunday Forums Every Christian in this day and age needs deepening of faith and strengthening conversation. Our church community organizes an enriching curriculum at our Sunday forums geared towards all, age 16+. Sundays, 10:10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m., in our church s parish hall (undercroft). September 21 + 28: Stories from the Holy Land. Trinity Pilgrims will share their stories and experiences of our 2014 May Pilgrimage October 5: ECW Forum with guest speaker Valzie Peterkin, President, Episcopal Church Women, Diocese of CT. October 12 + 26: How Can I Help My Children to Go to Church? (Being Christian in a Secular Age). Many people often wonder why our children don t go to church any more. This forum will explore some answers. November 9 + 16: Reinhold Niebuhr s Message for Today. The Rev. Dr. Charles Lemert, parishioner of Trinity, is a Niebuhr expert and author of the book, Why Niebuhr Matters. Niebuhr s insights are surprisingly relevant for us today. November 30 + December 7: Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace, Advent Reflections on making peace concrete in our city. Trinity Gathering (Photo by Tony Bacewicz)
Page 6 Trinity Education Clinard Art Exhibit - Where Spirit & Reality Meet (June 11 - July 31) This Summer Trinity is hosting an exhibit of the New Haven artist, Susan Clinard. Susan Clinard is a prolific sculptor whose deeply human work explores the ugly and beautiful without interruption. Over the last two decades she has worked in wood, clay, bronze, mixed media, and paper. Susan has been awarded substantial public commissions and her sculptures can be found in private collections worldwide. Opening June 11, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. New Haven Chorale s Presentation: The Dialogue Continues - Things That Really Matters A panel discussion with choral music, on Thursday, June 12, at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity, free to the public. Community religious leaders will explore the lack of tolerance, understanding and empathy in the face of pressing social issues like homelessness, hunger, joblessness, and violence confronting our communities today. Pikaart Art Exhibit - Open Doors (June 15 - July 31) This Summer Trinity is also welcoming Philadelphia artist and member of Trinity Mackenzie Pikaart. She will decorate our Trinity doors for the summer. Mackenzie is a very creative and urban engaged artist who works every day life materials. Walden Moore s Anniversary Dinner at Mory s, New Haven We will celebrate 30 Years of Walden Moore's Musical Ministry at Mory's on Tuesday, June 17 at 6:00 p.m. (With reservation only.) A special Moore-friendly menu and a Mint Julep to toast our very special guest. Dinner attire required. Proceeds from this event go to benefit the R. Walden Moore Music at Trinity Fund. Save the Date: Parish Picnic On Sunday, September 7, the 10:00 a.m. service will be followed by our annual Parish Picnic. Save the Date: Coffeehouse at Trinity on September 53, 7 :44 p.m. On Saturday, September 13, at 7:00 p.m. acoustic duo Adler & Hearne (self-described organic song farmers from Winnsboro, TX) visit us while on a three-month, nationwide CD release tour. Advance (online) tickets $15; $20 at the door. Regular Service Schedule On Sunday, September 14, we return to our regular schedule of four services: 7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite 1; 9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite 2; 11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite 1 or Morning Prayer and 2:00 p.m. Chapel on the Green.
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Trinity Episcopal Church Parish Office: 950 Chapel Street, 2 nd Floor New Haven, CT 06510-2515 Office Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Phone: (203) 624-3101 Fax: (203) 624-2412 Email: office@trinitynewhaven.org Music Office: Phone: (203) 776-2616 E-mail: music@trinitynewhaven.org The Still Small Voice: A Newsletter of Trinity Church on the Green THE MISSION OF TRINITY CHURCH God s love calls us to proclaim with joy the good news of Jesus Christ, to welcome all people into the community of faith, and to serve Christ through serving others. THE MINISTERS OF TRINITY All the people of Trinity Church THE CLERGY: The Rev. Dr. Luk De Volder, Rector The Rev. Vicki M. Davis, Associate Rector The Rev. Ellen Tillotson, Priest Associate The Rev. Kyle Pedersen, Deacon for Urban Ministry at Trinity Episcopal Church Parish Administrator: Sherrill Farkas Phone: (203) 776-2606 E-mail: sfarkas@trinitynewhaven.org www.trinitynewhaven.org Parish Office: 950 Chapel Street, 2 nd Floor New Haven, CT 06510-2515