Pentecost October 2013 TRINITY NEWS Trinity Episcopal Church 1200 Main Street, P.O. Box 484 Fishkill, NY 12524 www.trinityfishkill.org trinityfishkill@verizon.net 845-896-9884 The Blessings of Giving that Keeps on Giving When we talk about stewardship, we are usually talking about the annual pledge drive, that once-a-year event when we ask people to make a commitment to the current operating budget of Trinity Church. Yet, there are other ways to give towards the life and ministry of Trinity Church through what is known as Planned Giving. We have been very blessed in recent months by two bequests. Samuel Matthews and Michael Bergmann left Trinity Church $5,000 each in their wills. These gifts have been added to the Capital Fund of our endowment to help ensure the future of our buildings. We give thanks to God for their generosity and their foresight in remembering Trinity in their wills. The Book of Common Prayer reminds us all to make provision for the disposal of our temporal goods, not neglecting, if they are able, to leave bequests for religious and charitable uses. (BCP pg. 445). The easiest and most common way to make a planned gift is to include it in a will. The Episcopal Church Foundation states that: If you die without a will, the state will divide your assets among your spouse and children (regardless of their age); appoint an administrator that may cost the estate large fees; and appoint guardians, who may or may not have been your choice, for your dependents. The state makes no charitable contributions, and it will ensure that your estate pays as much tax as possible. By making a will, you appoint your own administrator; you name the guardian of your dependents; you control applicable taxes; you can create a family or charitable trust; and you can share your resources with your family, church, or other institutions as you choose. A bequest in a will can take the form of a set amount of money, a percentage of an estate, a specific asset, a trust, or the naming of a church-related organization as a contingent beneficiary. Sample language for including the church in your will might be: I give, devise, and bequeath (state amount, asset, or percentage of the estate) to (name and address of your church) to be used (describe use) or as the church s vestry deems appropriate. There are also numerous ways in which gifts can be made to the Church. The three most common types of life income gifts are a pooled income fund, a charitable gift annuity and a charitable remainder trust. Another way is to assign the Church as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, a retirement account or an annuity. Real and tangible property can also be left to a Church. We are all called to be stewards of what we have received. I, the Wardens, and Vestry are deeply grateful to all who have included Trinity in your financial planning. If you have already done so, would you let us know? We would like to create and publish a list of members who have made such plans. We would also ask those who have not to seriously consider including Trinity in your estate planning. The Rev. Jean Campbell, Rector
T r i n i t y N e w s O c t o b e r 2013 P a g e 2 Our Ministry of Music Music Notes I recently found an article written by a David Murrow on the subject of congregational singing which I found fascinating. He is concerned, as I am, about the lack of congregational singing. So I want to quote part of that article. He begins with a very quick history of congregational singing. Before the Reformation, laypersons were not allowed to sing in church. They were expected to stand mute as sacred music was performed by professionals (priests and cantors), played on complex instruments (pipe organs), and sung in an obscure language (Latin). Reformers gave worship back to the people in the form of congregational singing. They composed simple tunes that were easy to sing, and mated them with theologically rich lyrics. Since most people were illiterate in the 16 th century, singing became an effective form of catechism. Congregants learned about God as they sang about God. A technological advance the printing press led to an explosion of congregational singing. The first hymnal was printed in 1532, and soon a few dozen hymns became standards across Christendom. Hymnals slowly grew over the next four centuries. By the mid 20 th century every Protestant church had a hymnal of about 1000 songs, 250 of which were regularly sung. In the church of my youth, everyone picked up a hymnal and sang every verse of every song. About 20 years ago a new technological advance the computer controlled projection screen entered American s sanctuaries. Suddenly churches could project song lyrics for all to see. Hymnals became obsolete. No longer were Christians limited to 1,000 songs handed down by our elders. At first, churches simply projected the songs everyone knew hymns and a few simple praise songs that had come out of the Jesus Movement. People sang robustly. But that began to change about ten years ago. Worship leaders realized they could project anything on that screen. So they brought in new songs each week. They drew from the radio, the Internet, and Worship conferences. In short order we went from 250 songs everyone knows to 250,000+ songs nobody knows. And so the church has returned to the 14 th century. Worshippers stand mute as professional caliber musicians play complex instruments, and sing in an obscure language. Martin Luther is turning over in his grave. Mr. Murrow s concern is specifically why men have stopped singing in church. So he goes on to say: On the positive side, men no longer feel pressure to sing in church. Men who are poor readers or poor singers no longer have to fumble through hymnals, sing archaic lyrics or read a musical staff. But the negatives are huge. Men are doers, and singing was one of the things we used to do together in church. It was a chance to participate. Now there is only one avenue left for men to participate in the service the offering. Is this really the message we want to send to men? Sit there, be quiet, and enjoy the show. And don t forget to give us money. Here at Trinity we have not gone to projecting words on a screen, thank goodness! And the repertoire of hymns we use is about the 250 mentioned in this article. Do you know all 250? Probably not. But if you come regularly you will hear them often enough to begin to sing even the ones that may be new to you. And our repertoire of Taizé pieces is only about 25 which we sing over and over again, several times in a row for each one. So men - and women - let s start singing before we forget how! God is waiting and listening for your voice. Beverly Simmons Minister of Music
T r i n i t y N e w s O c t o b e r 2013 P a g e 3 Trinity s Food Pantry (Please cut this list out and save it!) The Food Pantry s requested food items for October: Oct. 6 tuna fish Oct. 13 SpaghettiO s Oct. 20 canned fruit Oct. 27 baked beans First Friday Gathering All are invited to join a group who gather for scripture study, conversation and fellowship on the first Friday of the month. Our next gathering will be held on Friday, October 4 th at 7 PM in the Library. If you have any questions, please contact Steven Blanks at 896-3713. Worship Schedule Change Beginning October 5 th, we will celebrate the Holy Eucharist on each First Saturday of the Month at 5 p.m. Blessing of the Animals On Saturday, October 5th at 5 PM we celebrate the Blessing of the Animals in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. All socialized pets are welcome! Church School Schedule Church School: October 6 th, 13 th from 9:50 10:30 AM. and 20 th Rite-13: Oct. 6 th and 20 th from 9:50 10:30 AM at 20 Main St. Family Service: October 27 th at 10 AM October Coffee Hour Hosts Oct. 6 th Tara Casaregola; Mary Kate Dusavage Oct. 13 th Lila Meade; Tom Quackenbush Oct. 20 th Beverly Simmons; Host Needed Oct. 27 th Mary Beth Shirzadi; Chris Huston There is an opening for a second co-host on October 20 th. If you would be willing to help on that day, please contact the office at trinityfishkill@verizon.net or 896-9884. Thank you!
T r i n i t y N e w s O c t o b e r 2013 P a g e 4 Convention Delegates Needed Parishioners interested in attending either of the following upcoming Diocesan Conventions as a Trinity delegate should contact Rev. Jean: Mid-Hudson Regional Council, October 26 th at St. Luke s in Beacon Convention to Elect a Bishop Suffragan, December 9 at the Cathedral. Vestry Update The vestry is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob Beattie ( 15) and David Teed ( 16) to fill two vacancies on the vestry. Operating income through September 27 th totaled $18,807; operating expenses were $15,576. Year-to-date income is $170,691, and expenses total $163,361. Church Building Improvements Work will begin in the coming weeks to repaint the window shutters and replace the side doors. Hudson Valley Preservation is contracted to do the repairs. They have done excellent work on our church building in the past. The company restored the stained glass window in 2007 and repaired the church window sills in 2011. Winter Rummage & Bake Sale Friday, Oct. 18 th - 9 AM to 5 PM Saturday, Oct. 19 th - 9 AM to 2 PM We are collecting winter clothing, household items, appliances that work, pots, dishes, glassware, linens, blankets, towels, tools, DVDs, CDs, videos, toys, books, puzzles, games, jewelry, and anything else from attic to garage. Please make sure items are clean. We do not want microwave ovens, TVs, large furniture or tires. Items for the sale may be brought in starting on Sunday, October 13 th until Wednesday, October 16 th from until 12 Noon. Please don t bring in items before the 13 th. We need your help! Please plan to give us some of your time. Help is needed for setup on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 AM to 2 PM, during the hours of the sale, and for cleanup on Saturday from 2 4 PM. For the Bake Sale, we would very much appreciate finger food, cookies, small pound cakes, etc. Please identify items with nuts. Please talk to Mary Kalan (896-9596) to let us know when you can help. Questions? Call Rosemarie Waian (297-5572).
T r i n i t y N e w s O c t o b e r 2013 P a g e 5 Rector s Forum Prayer is our humble answer to the inconceivable surprise of living. As part of Trinity s Unbinding the Gospel and Unbinding Your Heart, you are cordially invited to experience and explore Abraham Joshua Heschel s spiritual audacity on Sunday, October 20 th, immediately following coffee hour. A light meal will be served. Cursillo Weekend N.Y. Number 99: The fall Cursillo weekend will be held on November 14th thru 17th at the Mariandale Retreat and Conference Center located in Ossining, NY. Mariandale has a chapel, labyrinth, Peace Garden, tranquil nature trails, and a truly breath-taking view of the Hudson River. There is no charge for attending this weekend. Cursillo is a Spanish word meaning short course. The Cursillo weekend brings together a diverse group of Episcopalians to share the richness of many modes of worship and to broaden each one's appreciation for our Church. Lay people conduct the weekend with two or three members of the clergy functioning as spiritual advisors. Cursillo presumes that those who attend are already well grounded in the faith. It is not intended to be a conversion experience, but an enriching and deepening of what is already there. It often provides new insights into our faith as well as fostering ministry among people. As a movement within the church, its purpose is to help individuals understand their personal callings to be Christian leaders, and to exercise their positive influence at work, in their family and social life, in leisure activities and within the church environment. Cursillo begins with a 3-day weekend (Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon), which is not a traditional retreat but rather a gathering of clergy and laity from the diocese who are seeking to strengthen their faith through shared prayer, worship, music, study, discussions, fellowship, laughter and love. The three day weekend begins at 7 o clock on a Thursday evening with introductions and an explanation of what is to come. There follows a short period of silent retreat, a time during which participants focus on where they are in their Christian walk. Over the next three days participants will hear a variety of talks on many aspects of the Christian life, presented by both laity and clergy. Each talk is followed by a discussion amongst participants, or an activity that relates to the message of the talk. For more information, please contact either Fran or Bob Beattie at 227-7826 or TheThreeBs@AOL.Com.
T r i n i t y N e w s O c t o b e r 2013 P a g e 6 Chris Huston October 1 Nancy Lecker October 1 Jerry Picard October 3 Mary Kate Dusavage October 4 Jan Humbert October 7 James Lippert October 7 Stacey Pendzuk October 15 Samuel Bates October 18 Bob Beattie October 18 Vincent Dotter October 22 Mary Beth Shirzadi October 25 Rick Lecker October 27 Neil Soedler October 27 Jacob Hamilton October 28 Lillian Mierzwa October 29 Newsletter Deadline The November Newsletter will be published on Sunday, October 27 th. If you would like to submit an article for the newsletter, please send it to trinityfishkill@verizon.net by October 20 th. Please be mindful that articles must be consistent with Trinity's mission. The monthly newsletter can be viewed on the News page of our website at www.trinityfishkill.org. If you would prefer to have the newsletter mailed to you, please let us know.