TIDINGS Trinity’s Mission: Acting in God’s love, Trinity Episcopal Church welcomes everyone to enthusiastically live the Christian faith. We call our members to worship and prayer, lifelong education, spiritual growth, cheerful giving, and active ministry with our community. All members serve as witnesses to Jesus Christ.
Vol. XXV No. 10 October 2016
Inside this Issue Stewardship page 2, 3 Search Committee page 3 Children, Youth and Family Ministries page 4 Young Adults page 5 Trinity Connections pages 5, 7 Pastoral Care and Spiritual Growth page 6
Join us for a Dinner Celebrating God’s Abundance! Come Celebrate Your Life and God’s Life in You Featuring
The Right Reverend Gregory Rickel, Bishop of Olympia, Washington Bishop Rickel has been called “one of the most engaging speakers in the Episcopal Church.” Trinity Episcopal Church Thursday, November 3, 2016 Hors d’ oeuvres 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Dinner 6:30 p.m.
Nursery & Children’s Activities Available Please Reply roneil@trinitynola.com or 670-2537
Stewardship
Raina O’Neil, Director of Development and Communications
Did you know… Trinity Church has 1,800 Members (ages 18+) and 1,257 Member Households
Age Group # of Members Percent of Total Members Age 18 to 24 83 4.61% Age 25 to 34 234 13% Age 35 to 49 374 20.78% Age 50 to 69 590 32.78% Age 70 to 87 337 18.72% Age 88+ 41 2.28% <Unknown> 141 7.83% Each year we conduct an annual Stewardship Ministry to raise the funds to support the life and mission of Trinity Church. Year # of Pledging Households 2012 476 2013 441 2014 414 2015 448 2016 439 MEDIAN PLEDGE (where ½ are larger and ½ are less) is $1,200. 2/3 of our church income comes from pledges.
42.4% of our total pledge income is coming from members above the age of 70. While “numbers” may seem dry, they can tell us important stories about our community. It’s hard to know where you are going if you don’t know where you are. As we conduct our search for a new Rector, any viable candidate will look at our finances – It is critical that we are on our strongest financial footing.
Don’t Miss Our Special Guest Preacher on Sunday, October 23, The Reverend Ed Bacon For seventeen years, The Reverend Ed Bacon served as the Rector of All Saints Church in Pasadena, a 4,000 member multi-ethnic urban Episcopal parish, with a reputation for energetic worship, a radically inclusive spirit, and generous giving. Ed’s energies focus on leadership in anxious times, peacemaking, interfaith relations, integrating family, faith and work systems; and articulating the Christian faith. He has been a guest on Oprah Winfrey’s Soul Series as well as The Oprah Show’s “Living Your Best Life” series. The Reverend Ed Bacon will be our special guest Preacher on Sunday, October 23 and will be signing copies of his book 8 Habits of Love, a guide to living life through love and connection, not fear and isolation. 2
Stewardship
How Much Do You Know About Tithing? by Linda Stone, Stewardship Co-Chair
A Short True-False Quiz 1. Tithing is first mentioned in the Old Testament in the book of Genesis.
True
False
2. Jesus specifically instructs his followers to give one-tenth of their income to God.
True
False
3. We are expected to tithe today to avoid feeling guilt, fear or resentment.
True
False
4. Tithing can be based on the calculation of one-tenth of either a person’s net or gross income.
True
False
5. A decision to tithe can help a person grow in his or her spiritual relationship with God.
True
False
Answers 1. True. Tithing IS mentioned in Genesis. First, after rescuing Lot, Abraham gives one-tenth of what he obtained in battle to honor God. Genesis 14:18-20 Also, Jacob agrees to return to God one-tenth of all that God gives to him. Genesis 28:18-20 2. False. Jesus never mentions tithing. Based on his Jewish heritage, it is believed that Jesus assumed that tithing was something EVERYONE did. However, Christ instructs us to give our whole lives to God! Tithing to God is a way to give back a small portion of the blessings God bestows on us. 3. False. The main principle is that whatever we give should be given freely, lovingly and from a place of gratitude. 4. False. The general opinion seems to be that optimal tithing is based on a person’s gross income. However, the point is to return a percentage of the abundance with which God has blessed us. A person can start at a comfortable percentage of his/her income and raise it each year. 5. True. Tithing helps to strengthen our relationship with God in a number of ways, particularly because we give out of gratitude, love and courage based on faith in God and our trust that God will provide for us.
The Search Committee is meeting regularly and would like your input on topics relative to calling Trinity’s next Rector. All parishioners are encouraged to take part in one of the following small group “Listening Sessions” designed to share ideas that will help create our Parish Profile. This is the first important tool needed for the search process. 9:00 am Sundays October 9 and October 30 6:30 pm Wednesdays October 12 and October 19 ALSO in September you were emailed a link to a new Trinity Parish Survey. This survey will remain active until about mid-October. The link will be on the Trinity website for people to access as well. Paper copies of this survey are available for those preferring not to use the computer, and if you are unable to pick one up, you may call the Trinity office and have one mailed to you. We cannot stress enough how important it is for you to take part in all of these opportunities to give your input, and hope you will participate.
The Search Committee and Vestry are pleased to announce that Amory Walker Levert has been added as a new member of the Search Committee. Amory, a lifelong Trinity member, will bring a needed perspective from the young adult age group. 3
Children & Family Ministries
by Ashley Bond, (abond@trinitynola.com) Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries
Children’s Ministry
Youth Ministry This year in Youth Ministry our focus is on building community. Our Acolyte Ministry of 50+ youth grades 4-12 will plan a monthly Acolyte Breakfast so that these faithful servants can come together, break bread and find belonging. To continue the spiritual formation of our Middle School friends in grades 6-8, we will launch a tried and true Episcopal curriculum called Journey to Adulthood (J2A), a complete youth ministry program of spiritual formation for 6-12 grades. J2A encourages relational ministry and uses Bible study, prayer, rites of passage, outreach ministries and both serious and playful activities to underscore the two guiding principles of the program: 1) Manhood and womanhood are free gifts from God; and 2) Adulthood must be earned. And finally, we have developed an amazing Youth & Acolyte Ministries calendar for the year that anyone can access here: bit.ly/YouthMinCal2016
One of the most transformational experiences I’ve had along my faith journey was sitting in a circle on the floor with fifteen other adults listening to and watching the beautiful Godly Play story of The Great Family unfold before my eyes. In this story, we follow Abraham and Sarah through the desert as they travel along the great Euphrates from the ancient city of Ur, where people believed in many gods, to Haran, Shechem, Bethel and then finally Hebron, where they made their home near the oaks of Mamre. Having faith in God’s promises, Abraham and Sarah become the parents of The Great Family of which we are all now a part. I shared this story with the Vestry a few weeks ago to give them insight into what we are doing in children’s ministry and why. Not only did they enjoy the story but I believe they, too, left spiritually fed. Don’t let the “play” in “Godly Play” fool you! The work we do in the Godly Play circle, regardless of age, is BIG. As adults, we tend to bury our childlike instincts but if given the chance, we can rediscover the child in each of us. After all, we are all children of God. Please join me for one of our upcoming Adult Godly Play classes: Sunday, September 25, Sunday, October 9 or Sunday, November 6 from 10-11am. After class, we will join the congregation for communion. 4
The P.A.C.T. October 26 from 6:30-8:30 pm in the School Library. Trinity Church and School will co-host an engaging and interactive parent/youth workshop based on The P.A.C.T., a new familycentered pledge-test-and-reward program that helps kids resist the pressure to do drugs and brings parents and children together. Both parents and youth are encouraged to attend together so that we can begin to have open conversations about the realities and dangers facing our youth and work together as a community to protect our youth and our families from avoidable suffering and tragedy. For information about The PACT, visit www.thepact.com. Here’s to a great year in Youth Ministry! Please email me if you’d like to get involved, host a youth gathering, chaperone a trip, present on a topic, etc.
BAPTISMS on November 6!
If you would like to be baptized or have someone baptized, please contact one of the clergy. The next scheduled baptism will be held at the 10:30 am service on All Saints Sunday, November 6. If you would like to have a baptism at the 8 am or 6 pm services that can be arranged.
Young Adults
by Ashley Eastham, Young Adults Minister (aeastham@trinitynola.com)
October Potluck & Bible Study at Michelle Wydra’s
Please join us on Thursday, October 13 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at the home of Michelle Wydra (3328 St. Philip Street, NOLA 70119). Please bring a dish to pass, dessert and/or beverage to share! Please RSVP to Michelle at michellemwydra@gmail.com.
Young Adults Pumpkin Carving & Pizza at The Easthams’
On Thursday, October 27 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm bring your own pumpkin to the home of Ashley & Evan Eastham (4628 Mandeville Street, NOLA 70122) for some pre-Halloween fun. We’ll have a pizza dinner, stencils and pumpkin carving tools. BYOB. Please RSVP to aeastham@trinitynola.com by Wednesday, October 26.
Please join us for the annual Trinity Young Adults Retreat to enjoy a weekend of spiritual growth, community building, thoughtful discussion and FUN! We will explore the meaning of “Alleluia,” and our call to declare it throughout all of life’s twists and turns. Our weekend together begins with a 6:30 pm dinner on Friday, January 6 and ends just before lunch on Sunday, January 8. Participants look forward to small group dialogue, peer-led worship and discussion, group games, bonfires and fellowship. It is a special time to step away and reflect on our lives, in community with friends old and new. Double Occupancy $180.00, Single Occupancy $230.00, includes two nights lodging, five meals and the retreat! Register by October 30 for a $20 discount! Visit: www.trinitynola.com/YARetreat
to register!
Trinity Connections Blessing of the Animals Please bring your pets to the circle driveway on Sunday, October 2 at 4:00 pm for the blessing of the animals in honor of St. Francis. Bring an offering of animal food to donate to a local animal shelter.
Episcopal School Sunday, October 16.
Episcopal School Sunday is a special church service celebrated nationwide that proclaims to the community and our church the Good News that is our school! It begins with the 10:30 church service and ends with a reception in Bishop Polk Hall. Trinity School students will serve in various capacities during the service and both our Honor Choir and Bell Choir will perform during the service and reception. The book fair will be open in the library, and there will be face painting and other fun kids activities in the courtyard. Come celebrate with us! All are welcome.
A Prayer for Good Stewardship for Our Lives
My church is composed of all kinds of people. I help make it what it is. It will be friendly, if I am. Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them. It will do great work, if I work. It will make generous gifts to many causes, if I am a generous giver. It will bring other people into its worship and fellowship, if I invite and bring them. It will be a church of loyalty and love, of fearlessness and faith, and a church with a noble spirit, if I, who help make it what it is, am filled with these same things. Therefore, with the help of God, I shall dedicate myself to the task of being all the things that I want my church to be. Amen. 5
Pastoral Care and Spiritual Growth
by Maria Elliott, Director of Spiritual Life
Out and About Come with a group of Trinity Friends to an outing on Friday, October 21 to visit the Newcomb Art Gallery.
Marking the Infinite
Featuring work by Nine Women Artists, this exhibition offers a glimpse into the diverse contemporary art practice of Aboriginal Australia. Hailing from remote areas across the island continent, the nine artists in this exhibition are revered matriarchs, commanding leadership roles and using art to empower their respective communities. Their works are steeped in ancient cultural traditions, specific to each artist, and yet speak to universal contemporary themes. Each work grapples with the most fundamental questions of existence. Carpools will leave Trinity at 10:00 a.m. Call or email Maria to reserve your space at melliott@trinitynola.com or 670-2535.
Good Samaritans “Do small things with great love.” - Mother Theresa Two of the requests I often get in the Pastoral Care office involve helping with medical visits and/or technology questions. If you have the time and could drive a Trinity friend to a doctor’s appointment and be a second pair of ears during a medical visit, please send me information on the best and quickest way to contact you. When we get a request, you will receive it and when you can respond, your ministry to another in our church would be invaluable. Are you a digital native? In other words, do you find using technology such as computers and cell phones comes easily to you? Many of our parishioners are “digital immigrants” and need help navigating their cell phones, laptops, or ipads. If you have an interest in helping someone one-onone, please contact Maria. melliott@trinitynola.com 504-670-2535 but don’t Tweet because I, too, am an immigrant. 6
Enneagram and Spirituality Retreat
with Sandra Smith, M.Div
You, too, can be carved anew by the details of your devotion. Mary Oliver Now that I know my type, what do I do? Enneagram Teacher, Sandra Smith will be here on October 29 to explore that question and help us deepen our spiritual practice and explore these: • What serves as barrier between myself and my “spiritual devotion?” • What is my resistance about to making changes that would allow me to love more fully? • How can knowing my Enneagram type help me along my spiritual path? Deepening self-awareness is key for honest, authentic relationship with self, other and the Holy. During this retreat, participants will consider the strategies that each of the nine types apply to “hide” their gifts and diminish their indwelling Image of the Divine. Bringing awareness to this is the first step in initiating a shift toward allowing our Essence to move into the foreground. This advanced workshop requires participants to have a working knowledge of their Enneagram type. If you are interested in finding your type or want more information, please call or email Maria Elliott at melliott@trinitynola.com or 504-670-2535. You can register online (create link) Cost for the workshop including lunch is $100. Saturday, October 29 8:30 am Registration 9am -3 pm Workshop lunch included
Daily Meditations Trinity offers daily meditations on scripture directly to your email address. If you would like to receive them, please contact Maria (melliott@trinitynola. com) or Kriste (kbuck@trinitynola.com).
Trinity Connections Wit & Wisdom from the WOTC by Karyn Kearney, Women of Trinity Church President
Countdown to Trinity Rummage THE Ritziest RUMMAGE SALE in New Orleans is right around the corner! The WOTC Fall Rummage Sale is Friday, September 30 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm and Saturday, October 1 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. On Saturday, everything will be half-price! You won’t believe the bargains to be found on clothes, household goods, fine china, linens, books, toys & so much more! All proceeds from this all-volunteer sale support Trinity and community ministries. Please consider volunteering during the sale week. Contact Elaine Haney at elaineshaney@aol.com. Trinity Treasures Volunteers Needed Trinity Treasures provides vital support for WOTC ministries and is a source of pride for our parishioners. Treasures needs volunteers to work in the Shop. Hours of operation: M-F, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, two shifts a day. On Sundays the store is open from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and closed for the 10:30 am service. Please consider sharing your time and talents with Trinity Treasures. Contact Tina Grant for more information at tgrant@trinitynola.com or 504670-2520. Altar Guild Volunteers are needed to lay the altar in both the church and the chapel, all services. Commitment is 15-20 minutes per month. Training and mentoring will be provided. Please contact Mary Sutton at msutton23@cox.net or 504-615-7192 to support this ministry. Seeking Coffee Sponsor Families Sponsoring Coffee Hour after the 10:30 am service is a wonderful way to contribute to our church community. Seeking sponsor families and church ministry groups to provide or prepare sweet and salty snacks for coffee hour. Items may be dropped off at the church beforehand and no set-up is required. Contact Mary Lane Carleton at 251281-3463 or marylane.carleton@gmail.com if your family or group would like to sponsor this fun gathering. Take advantage of this fun service opportunity.
Trinity Artist Series Sundays at 5 pm October 2 Hazel and the Delta Ramblers play
Old Time String Band Music, traditional Bluegrass, and original music. Hazel Schlueter, mandolin; Scott Kropog, guitar; Russ VanDyke, banjo; and Larry Schlueter, bass
October 9
30 x 90 Blues Women, a 5-piece band with an eclectic style and unique sound, performing Louisiana Good-Time Music, Blues, New Orleans R&B, and more.
October 16 The New Orleans Banjos + Two playing Traditional New Orleans Jazz. October 23 The Trinity Artist Series will welcome a popular Jazz Band from Frankfurt, Germany. October 30 Tom McDermott, one of New Orleans’ premiere piano players and composers, in an exciting program of Rags, Waltzes, Tangos, Musettes, and Brazilian Music. www.mcdermottmusic.com Every Tuesday at 6 pm Organ and Labyrinth.
Organ Recital by Paul Weber
Our new organist and choirmaster, Paul Weber, will be giving an organ recital on the magnificent Trinity pipe organ on Friday, September 30 at 7:00 pm. An active concert organist, Paul has recently been a featured performer at the cathedrals of St. Paul, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Phoenix, at the Piccolo-Spoleto festival, and at the national conventions of the Organ Historical Society and Church Music Association of America. The concert will be free and donations will be taken to benefit the work of the Trinity Choir. A reception to follow in the Boardroom.
Trinity Tidings Going Digital
Beginning in January 2017 the newsletter will be delivered directly to your email inbox only. We will continue to distribute our paper newsletter to those who do not have email. This digital format will not only save paper, but it will save money as well on our printing and mailing costs. 7
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Clergy
Worship Schedule
The Right Reverend Morris K. Thompson, Bishop The Reverend Michael E. Carlisle, Interim Rector The Reverend Mitchell T. Smith, Associate Rector The Reverend Katherine S. McLean, Associate Rector The Reverend Alyce Jefferson, Deacon The Reverend Jay Albert, Deacon The Reverend E. Gary Taylor, Head of Trinity School The Reverend Dr. Hill C. Riddle, Rector Emeritus
SUNDAY 7:30 AM: Morning Prayer in the chapel 8:00 AM: Eucharist in the chapel 10:30 AM: Eucharist in the church 5:00 PM: Trinity Artist Series in the church 6:00 PM: Eucharist in the chapel
Vestry John Fay, Jr., Senior Warden Barbara Waller, Junior Warden Kelly Duncan, Clerk of Vestry Keith Crawford, Treasurer Dawn Buckley, Elaine Haney, John Hevron, Ellinor Howard, Susu Kearney, Gordon Kolb, King Logan, Chris Martin, Margaret Murphy, Marguerite Redwine, Jonathan Shaver, Jim Theis John Wogan, Chancellor Karyn Kearney, WOTC President Sandy Villere, Trinity School Board Chair
TUESDAY 7:30 AM: Eucharist in the chapel 8:30 AM: Morning Prayer in the chapel WEDNESDAY 5:30 PM: Eucharist in the chapel THURSDAY 10:30 AM: Holy Eucharist and Healing Service in the chapel
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