Trinity Episcopal Church PROGRESSIVE INCLUSIVE CREATIVE DOWNTOWN
Holy Eucharist: Rite II Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost - Proper XXVI
November 3, 2019
Breakfast 9:00am Eucharist 10:00am
Welcome to Trinity Episcopal Church Good morning and “welcome home” to Trinity! Whether you are new to our community or have found yourself coming back again and again, we want you to know you are both welcome and wanted here among us. For some, church is as comfortable and familiar as a good pair of jeans, or like coming back to your childhood home (if it is one filled with good memories). For others, church might be like visiting a foreign country where you experience unfamiliar language or customs. And then, sadly, for some, church has become equated with feelings of hurt, shame or rejection. We get all of that and believe church can be different. We are a diverse community of seekers, believers, and doubters held together by the hope that together we are better, kinder, and more courageous when we stand side by side and face into the challenges of our lives and in the world together. We challenge the practices of our tradition that have at times kept others out and instead embrace Jesus’ mandate to welcome all, no exceptions, as a core value. And, we get that if people are brave enough to walk through the doors of a big gothic-looking church in downtown Toledo we better be serious about being explicitly progressive, inclusive and creative in all we say and do. We love our Episcopal tradition, AND we love people from all walks of life even more! It is our hope and prayer that together we will navigate our way through each gathering, worship service, opportunity to serve, class, meal and social time together with humility, grace and laughter all infused with radical hospitality. So thank you for being here today; for trusting the yearning that brought you through those ancient doors. May we all find our way into the heart of God’s love as we make room for each other at the Table of love set for us week after week. Welcome Home! May you never forget you are loved, Lisa Tucker-Gray
Some notes about Sundays at Trinity Claiming our Episcopal identity as a progressive, creative, inclusive, downtown community of faith has led us towards reimagining how our Sunday mornings might reflect our core values more emphatically. To do so we start with a Free Community Breakfast at 9:00 upstairs breaking bread and barriers together. We encourage everyone in our neighborhood and in our faith community to join us to eat and serve each other upstairs before we move down to the sanctuary to continue worship together at 10:00. Additionally, we have framed and grounded our liturgy in our Episcopal heritage offered to us through our Book of Common Prayer using the Rite II form for the Holy Eucharist. We have made the decision, as many churches have, to create what is called an “all-inclusive bulletin.” This is a gesture of welcome and hospitality encouraging all to participate fully as we sing and pray together. For those familiar with our tradition, you will recognize the structure of the service while perhaps noticing new resources and translations of texts as we move ever closer towards the goal of greater inclusion and relevancy as we practice and deepen our faith as followers of Christ. Finally, we take seriously Jesus’ invitation to come as you are- we are and will be, with God’s help, evermore diverse in our backgrounds and experiences in a worshipping community. Please know all are welcome and wanted- and we gather together bringing all of who we are each week, so that we may then go out into the world ready to share God’s love in all we say and do. 2
liturgy of the word 9:00-9:45 Community Breakfast 10:00 Prelude Gathering Song
(Upstairs, all are welcome!)
Sonata in E Major (Mvt. 1, Gabe Hagedorn, pianist) We’ll Understand It Better, By and By
Domenico Scarlatti
LEVAS #207
(Please stand as you are able.)
Welcome Collect of the day Celebrant:
People:
Celebrant:
(attributed to Sir Francis Drake,1577)
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray.
Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves. When our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little. When we arrived safely because we sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess we have lost our thirst for the waters of life. (Collect continues…
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Having fallen in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity and in our efforts to build a new earth, we have allowed our vision of the new Heaven to dim. Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, to venture on wider seas where storms will show your mastery; where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars. We ask You to push back the horizons of our hopes; and to push into the future in strength, courage, hope, and love. Amen. (Please be seated for the Lessons.)
The First Lesson Reader:
Isaiah 1:10-18
A reading from Isaiah.
Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah! What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. When you come to appear before me, who asked this from your hand? Trample my courts no more; bringing offerings is futile; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and calling of convocation-- I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity. Your new moons and your appointed festivals my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them. When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Reader:
People:
The psalm
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s People. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 119:137-144
(From Psalms for Praying)
This season we will chant the psalm (refrain and verses) together. The refrain will be repeated as noted throughout and the tone for the verses is listed below. (REFRAIN)
(TONE)
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REFRAIN
O, that my soul would live from its innermost Being, And give witness to truth in thought, word, and deed! For, only then will I see the glorious vision and hear the Voice of the Be-loved. Teach me the way of di-scernment that I make choices with in-tegrity In your steadfast Love, may I know the joy of responsi-bility. For all my deeds, give me courage for all the trials, testings, and training as I choose the spiritual life. REFRAIN
The second Lesson Reader:
2 Thessalonians 1:1-4,11-12
A reading from Second Thessalonians.
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of everyone of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring. To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and will fulfill by his power every good resolve and work of faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Reader:
People:
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gradual
Stand in the Light
Jordan Smith
(Please stand as you are able.)
This is who I am inside This is who I am, I'm not going to hide. 'Cause the greatest risk we'll ever face is by far: To stand in the light and be seen as we areStand in the light and be seen as we are! 5
The Gospel Officiant:
People:
Luke 19:1-10 The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today." So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, "He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner." Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much." Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost." Officiant:
People:
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon
The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray
Reflection Affirmation of Faith
Kyle and Hugh Grefe, Trinity Members (Please stand as you are able.)
We believe in God, the creator of all life and beauty, who blesses our journey. We believe in Jesus Christ, who lived as a friend and savior to all he met as he traveled, and who ate and laughed, wept and celebrated with them in love. We believe in the Holy Spirit, who rides on the gentle breeze, who strengthens our bindings, and who offers hope eternal. We believe in the church, which stands open to all travelers, and bears witness to the everlasting love of God. Amen.
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from Shore to Shore
The Prayers of the People REFRAIN
REFRAIN Leader:
In peace, let us pray. For the Church of God, that we may be filled with love, generosity and truth so to transform our communities and our world; For the leaders of our nation, and the leaders of all nations; for all who hold authority in your Church, that they may shine your light brightly; For blessings on all of our human endeavors, and for the just and proper use of the beauty and abundance of creation;
REFRAIN Leader:
May each of us love and serve you in ways that shine your light in our communities and beyond to free your world from poverty, famine and oppression. For the sick in body, mind or spirit, especially those on our Trinity prayer list‌ and for those we now name in our hearts‌ May your light bring hope and healing to all who suffer.
REFRAIN Leader:
For all who have died, for those who grieve, and for those we now name in our heart, may your perpetual light shine on all the saints who have gone before us.
Celebrant: Oh God, in your infinite generosity you have created a world with resources to sustain all of your children with abundance of food, work, safety and peace. Help us to let our light shine so brightly the whole world can witness your glory. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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The Confession of Sin & Absolution Celebrant:
Let us confess our sins to God.
(Silence may be kept.) Celebrant and People: Creator God, long-suffering, full of grace and truth, you create us from nothing and give us life abundant. You give us new life in the water of baptism. You never turn your face from us, nor cast us aside. We confess we have turned against you and against our neighbor, in thought, word and deed. We have wounded your love and marred your image in us. Restore us for the sake of your Son, and bring us to heavenly joy, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Celebrant:
May the God of love bring you back to all that is good in you. May you be forgiven of all wrongdoing and welcome God’s grace anew in your life this day. May God’s assurance strengthen your resolve to begin again in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Peace Celebrant:
People:
The peace of the Risen Christ be always with you. And also with you.
Announcements
Liturgy of the Table
Offertory sentence Offertory
In Bright Mansions (Canterbury Choir)
Eucharistic Prayer Celebrant:
People:
Celebrant:
People:
Celebrant:
People:
Arr. Roland Carter
Enriching Our Worship Prayer 3
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. 8
Celebrant: All thanks and praise are yours at all times and in all places, our true and loving God; through Jesus Christ, your eternal Word, the Wisdom from on high by whom you created all things. You laid foundations of the world and enclosed the sea when it burst out from the womb; You brought forth all creatures of the earth and gave breath to humankind. Wondrous are you, Holy One of Blessing, all you create is a sign of hope for our journey; and so as the morning stars sing your praises we join the heavenly beings and all creation as we shout with joy:
Sanctus
Holy, Holy, Holy
Grayson Warren Brown
Then the Celebrant continues: Glory and honor are yours, Creator of all, your Word has never been silent; you called a people to yourself, as a light to the nations, you delivered them from bondage and led them to a land of promise. Of your grace, you gave Jesus to be human, to share our life, to proclaim the coming of your holy reign and give himself for us, a fragrant offering. Through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, you have freed us from sin, brought us into your life, reconciled us to you, and restored us to the glory you intend for us. We thank you that on the night before he died for us Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, gave it to his friends and said: “Take, eat, this is my Body, broken for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper Jesus took the cup of wine, said the blessing, gave it to his friends and said: “Drink this, all of you: this cup is the new Covenant in my Blood, poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.” And so, remembering all that was done for us: the cross, the tomb, the resurrection and ascension, longing for Christ’s coming in glory, and presenting to you these gifts your earth has formed and human hands have made, we acclaim you, O Christ: Celebrant and People: Dying, you destroyed our death. Rising, you restored our life. Christ Jesus, come in glory! 9
Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts of bread and wine that they may be to us the Body and Blood of your Christ. Grant that we, burning with your Spirit’s power, may be a people of hope, justice and love. Giver of Life, draw us together in the Body of Christ, and in the fullness of time gather us with all your people into the joy of our true eternal home. Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, we worship you our God and Creator in voices of unending praise. Blessed are you now and for ever. AMEN
The Lord’s Prayer Celebrant:
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say:
The Fraction: Breaking of the Bread
Enriching Our Worship
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Invitation to Communion (Please be seated until you are invited to come forward to receive communion.)
We welcome ALL to come forward to receive Communion as a sign of God’s love in and for our lives. To receive the bread (or gluten-free wafer), please put your hands together, palms up. To receive the non-alcoholic wine, you may either drink directly from the cup or dip the bread in the cup before eating. If you are unable to come forward and wish to have Communion brought to you, please inform a greeter.
Communion Song
Break Thou the Bread of Life
Communion Song
Sonata in E Major (Mvt. 2, Gabe Hagedorn, pianist)
The Post Communion Prayer
See Insert Domenico Scarlatti
(Please stand as you are able.)
Gracious God, lover of all, may we who have been your guests at this communion reveal your love to all the world. May we be no longer your servants, but know your will and be your friends. You give us your life, may we be worthy of it; you give us yourself, may we embody you. Amen.
Blessing Sending song
Be Glorified
Dismissal Celebrant:
People:
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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LEVAS #216
Trinity Episcopal Church PROGRESSIVE
INCLUSIVE
CREATIVE
DOWNTOWN
Vestry Leadership Alice Todd, Senior Warden, Darrell Cousino, Junior Warden Greg Shumaker, Trust Fund Liaison, Jane Bueche, Treasurer Roberta Durham, Clerk, Becky Roth, Administration Commission Chair Dennis Degnan, Property Commission Chair, Robert Meeker, Finance Commission Chair Jeffrey Albright, Donna Steppe, & Jamie Paul, Asst. Treasurer
Parish Staff The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray, Rector Nate Leonard, Director of Music & the Arts Heather Meyer, Director of Operations and Community Development Lynzi Miller, Next to New Manager & Communications Coordinator Nick Zurawski, Sexton Copyright Info: All printed music from The Hymnal 1982, Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing, My Heart Sings Out, Wonder, Love, and Praise was used by permission through purchase of riteseries.org. All other printed music is used by permission through purchase of CCLI #11294600 All printed music from Gather was used by permission through purchase of onelicense.net License # A-700000 A version of the Lord’s Prayer offered The New Zealand Prayer Book, from the Anglican Church in Aotearoa Fraction, Confession, & Absolution from Enriching Our Worship Affirmation from Shore to Shore Great Thanksgiving from: Iona Abbey Worship Prayers of the People a version from Women’s Uncommon Prayer pg.334 by Devon Anderson, 2000 Psalm from Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness by Nan C. Merrill, 2007 Opening Collect from: https://www.lords-prayer-words.com/famous_prayers/disturb_us_lord.html; Attr. to Sir Francis Drake, 1577 Readings from: The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, permission. Bulletin Image from: The Episcopal Network for Stewardship; tens.org
TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH PROGRESSIVE
INCLUSIVE
(419) 243-1231
Please join us in the back of the sanctuary immediately following the service for coffee and conversation. 12
As we strive to practice radical hospitality, stand with those in need, and invite all to experience and celebrate God’s living presence, may we live and give generously as a progressive, inclusive, and creative community. The 2019 Annual Giving Campaign will pledge our financial commitment to Trinity’s operating budget for the year ahead, making it possible to sustain and cultivate the ministries we share in this place and in the world.
Shining Your Light Supports: Free Sunday Community Breakfast Better Together Toledo (formerly Open Table Toledo) Next To New Thrift Shop Ministry Partner, Toledo Streets Newspaper High School Choral Program Technology Upgrades Toledo Pride Participation Homeless Jesus Installation Community Art Loop Initiative Building Maintenance and Upkeep Staff Retention and Development and much, much more!!
Trinity Invites you to Shine Your Light on us! The Annual Giving Process is exactly why I believe in the Episcopal tradition of time, talent and treasure. The conversational approach, the philosophical underpinnings, the stories of important social justice need, the ability to stand in this place that others built is to be standing on the shoulders of the saints that came before us. We are larger when we give; we receive more back when we give. We give because we must exclaim out loud for the joy of this place, these people, the causes, the history and the future we envision. -Bob Meeker, Vestry Member
GOAL! Our Goal:
60pledges
58 households will make a pledge of financial support to Trinity for 2020.
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Communion Song
Break Thou the Bread of Life
LEVAS #146
Words: Mary A. Lathbury (1841-1913) Music: William F. Sherwin (1826-1888)
Proper XXVI November 3, 2019
Trinity Episcopal Church Progressive Inclusive Creative Downtown 316 Adams Street, Toledo, OH www.trinitytoledo.org
Trinity Pages Serving this week & Next: Sunday, November 3 Annual Giving Campaign I 9:00-9:45 Community Breakfast My Brother’s Place 10:00-11:15 Eucharist Trinity Sanctuary 11:15 Coffee and Conversation Back of Sanctuary Monday, November 4 9:30-3:00 Next To New Shop Open Lower-level 12:00-1:00 AA Meeting Lower-level 6:00 AGC Shining Our Light Gathering (with the Hanys) Tuesday, November 5 11:30–1:00 Leadership Toledo Board 12:00-1:00 AA Meeting 6:15-7:15 Admin Commission Mtg. 6:30-8:00 Food For Thought Board
My Brother’s Place Lower-level Staff Conf. Rm. My Brother’s Place
Wednesday, November 6 9:00-9:20 Staff Huddle 12:00-1:00 AA Meeting 12:10 Midweek Eucharist
Walbridge Rm Lower-level Chapel
Thursday, November 7 9:30-3:00 Next To New Shop Open 12:00-1:00 AA Meeting 7:00 Choir Rehearsal
Lower-level Lower-level Choir Room
Friday, November 8 12:00-1:00 AA Meeting 6:00-7:30 FFT PB&J Making
Lower-level My Brother’s Place
Saturday, November 9 9:00 Men’s Bible Study
Trinity Offices Closed Rick's City Diner (5333 Monroe Street)
Sunday, November 10 Annual Giving Campaign II 9:00-9:45 Community Breakfast My Brother’s Place 10:00-11:15 Eucharist Trinity Sanctuary 11:15 Coffee and Conversation Back of Sanctuary 11:15 Hats, Mittens & Scarves Drive Back of Sanctuary
Every Sunday we come together to connect, grow and serve as we walk the way of love. It takes many hands and hearts, and all are invited to get involved as soon as possible in ways that help grow your faith.
TODAY (11/3)
Next Week (11/10)
Annual Giving Campaign I
Annual Giving Campaign II
9:00 Community Breakfast Donna, Jolene & Elizabeth
9:00 Community Breakfast Fritz & Sue and Becky & Kelly
10:00 Greeter Guild Becky Koskinen & Kelly Termin
10:00 Greeter Guild Sande & Stan Johnson
Reader Guild: Jeffrey Albright Bettye Jo Hansbarger Pat Squire
Reader Guild: Hugh Grefe Marcia O’Connor Darrell Cousino
Chalice Guild: Mary Wabeke & Mary Beroske
Chalice Guild: Scott Dibling & Marcia O’Connor
Altar Guild: Kyle Grefe
Altar Guild: Scott Dibling
Bread Guild: Taylor Tennant
Bread Guild: Kim Tucker Gray & Lu Pilgrim
11:15 Hospitality: Hugh Grefe & Sue Szenderski
11:15 Hospitality: Kyle Grefe
A weekly spotlight of one of Trinity’s 5 ministry partners in 2019.
Next To New Next To New invites you to join us for our annual Hats, Mittens, & Scarves drive, Sundays, November 10, 17 and 24, 2019. Next To New will have a table in the back of the Sanctuary immediately following service on those 3 dates collecting new hats, mittens/gloves and scarves, that will be donated to 3 local elementary schools. We will also have a selection of hats, mittens and scarves that have been recently donated to the thrift shop which you can “purchase” to add to the donation pile. The collection will be split evenly and shared with our partner schools.
Recently, the Toledo Blade published an article, “Postcard collection captures Toledo’s storied past”, featuring a postcard collection donated by Toledo resident Ken Levin. Mr. Levin's collection was published by the Toledo Blade in a book entitled "You Will Do Better in Toledo: From Frogtown to Glass City,". This collection includes a small assortment of postcards showcasing Trinity Episcopal Church from the early 1900s. You can check out this digital collection of postcards on the Toledo Public Library under their Toledo Lucas County Public Library Digital Collections or find the link on our website, www.trinitytoledo.org, under Neighborhood News!
We welcome and appreciate your generosity during this drive.
Visit our website, trinitytoledo.org to learn about serving on the Trinity Vestry, the body members elected by the congregation tasked with managing the business of our church. You can find our “Called to Serve” informational booklet on the Welcome Station in the back of the sanctuary, detailing a description of the Vestry and Trinity’s nomination process.
We invite you to begin your Sunday worship with us at 9:00 upstairs in My Brother’s Place each week, as we gather to serve and share a meal with each other and members of the community. Eucharist will begin at 10:00 downstairs in the Sanctuary.
TODAY Sunday 11/ 3, Coffee & Conversation - Join us immediately after service for coffee and conversation in the back of the Sanctuary. All are welcome and wanted! Saturday 11/9, 9:00am, Men’s Bible Study – Join Men’s Bible Study on Saturday at 9:00 for their monthly gathering to discuss the gospel. They meet on the second Saturday of each month at Rick’s City Diner, 5333 Monroe St. in west Toledo. This Bible study is open to all men of the Trinity community and their guests. Sundays 11/10, 11/17, 11/24, Hats, Mittens & Scarves Drive - Volunteers from Next To New will have a table in the back of the Sanctuary immediately following service collecting new hats, mittens/gloves and scarves on Sunday, November 10th, November 17th and November 24th, that will be donated to 3 local elementary schools. We will also have a selection of hats, mittens and scarves that have been recently donated to the thrift shop which you can “purchase” to add to the donation pile. Thursday 11/14, 6:00, Toledo Streets Scenes - You are invited to explore the artwork captured by the vendors at Toledo Streets, at their annual Toledo Streets Scenes event, on November 14th from 6:00-8:00 at Grumpy’s (34 S. Huron St.)! You may even get the chance to experience some of the photos taken by our friends who share breakfast with us on Sunday mornings up in My Brother’s Place! Tickets can be purchased through the link found on our website, trinitytoledo.org. Sunday 11/17, 11:15, Annual Giving Campaign Reception - Mark your calendar and plan on joining us for our Shining Our Light Annual Giving Campaign Celebration reception on Sunday, November 17 immediately following the 10:00 service. Together we will give thanks for a successful campaign and God’s radical generosity in each of our lives. Thursday 11/21, 5:30-9:00, November Art Loop: Jazz Loop – Trinity will throw its Sanctuary doors open on Thursday, November 21st for November’s Art Loop: Jazz Loop! We have 3 exciting performances scheduled for the evening! Art Loop is a community initiative organized by the Toledo Arts Commission that takes place the 3rd Thursday of each month!
Birthdays 11/12 Taylor Tennant
11/13 James Petlow
11/19 Erin Miller
Anniversaries 11/16 Rene & Steven Salander To have your birthday/anniversary listed, please email the office at admin@trinitytoledo.org.
There are many times when it would be appropriate to reach out to Lisa including: -You or your loved one has been Hospitalized -You or your loved one would like time to talk confidentially -You have a question about baptism, marriage, confirmation or membership -You would like to explore different ways of getting involved in our community -You would like to schedule coffee or a meal Lisa is available by phone or email and will respond as able: at lisa@trinitytoledo.org or by cell at (734)834-0132.
Continuing in the month of November, members of Trinity are invited to attend one of our remaining “Shining Our Light” Gatherings. The gatherings will be hosted by the members of the Annual Giving Team and will be designed for fellowship and conversation as we get to know each better, share our stories, and hear from one another how being a part of Trinity helps all of us shine the light of God’s love out into the world. Our actual Giving Campaign will not start until November, but these conversations, like everything we do, will be grounded in the belief that building up the Kinship of God is always the place from which we begin. And what better way than to spend some time sharing and hearing about how God is showing up in our lives. Remaining “Shining Our Light” Gatherings in November.
Please remember those who have asked for our prayers:
Sheilah Wilson Jane Timbrook Mary Aaron Tucker Gladys Johnson François Prieur Frank Zarnoch Keaton
Estelle Hallem Deb Zingg Delores John Johnson Jr. John Jonson III Tina Bowen Terry Kahler Kate
Please remember those who have recently died:
Don Albright Sr. Barbara Murphy
Ruth Frasier
To have your name or the name of someone you love on the Prayer List, sign the prayer book at the Prayer Station.
November 4 with the Hanys at 6:00pm November 13 with the Aboods at 6:00pm November 14 with the Grefes at 6:30pm
Visit www.trinitytoledo.org to sign up!
Today’s Welcome Flowers given by Sande & Stan Johnson in thanks to God and in honor of our parent’s anniversaries and their legacy of love! Welcome Flowers provided by: Schramm’s Flowers 3205 W. Central Ave.
419-535-0065
Trinity Episcopal Church 2019 Annual Giving Campaign
Beloved Friends – Welcome to the 2019Annual Giving Campaign – a time of intentional reflection and response to what it means to be a community of faith supporting the ministry we share. Each fall we boldly talk about money and its power and promise as we plan for another exciting year ahead. You are an invaluable part of this process- so welcome. This year’s theme, Shining Our Light, reminds us of the beautiful and clarion call of Matthew 5:14-15. I am particularly fond of the transliteration of this passage from The Message: Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Shine! That’s it, isn’t it? That is both the promise and the power of who we are called to be in this season of faith. Trinity is bursting at the seams these days with beautiful connections being made by old and new members, the continued deepening of meaning and engagement with our new friends and partners at Toledo Streets, the expanding of our free Sunday Community breakfast welcoming over 60 guests each week, the installation of Homeless Jesus, and vibrant weekly worship just to name a few highlights. Underscoring it all- the ordinary and extraordinary aspects of our ministry is a community of members becoming ever more clear and engaged. It does indeed take a village to lift each other up- supporting, nurturing, challenging and sharing all we have to give. It means cultivating the courage, compassion and connection to wake up every day and commit to living life from a place of truth and authenticity. If you are new to the Episcopal Church you may not be familiar with the Annual Giving Campaign. It is our tradition, borne of generations of experience, to set aside time each fall to deliberately and prayerfully consider the financial commitment we are called to make to our church. Then from a place of gratitude and faithfulness, each individual or family reflects that commitment in a “pledge” of financial support to be fulfilled in the year ahead. In this booklet you’ll find more detailed information about how we give and some of our goals this year. What I want you to know is how grateful I am for each of you. In the end, we are created mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically for connection. In the days to come may we seek out deeper connections to each other, recognizing we first need to be connected to ourselves. Shining our light together is the best way I know to begin this journey. May you never forget that you are loved,
Lisa
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why do I need to pledge? Can’t I just put money in the collection plate when I’m in church? This question actually has 2 separate but related answers; 1.) Part of our spiritual path calls us to live out our lives with increasing generosity, recognizing the abundance of gifts we have in our lives and offering a portion of those gifts back to do the work we are called to do in the world. 2.) Just like a family or a business, Trinity manages its resources wisely establishing a budget with anticipated revenue and projected expenses for the year ahead. The pledges of our members make it possible to forecast our annual income (along with additional resources), rather than guessing. Committing in advance to the dollars we will give to Trinity over the course of the year, also helps members with their own household budgeting.
Who decides what to do with the money pledged? Approving the annual budget is the responsibility of our Vestry; the 9-member elected leadership team made up of parish members. One of their responsibilities is to act as agents and legal representatives of the Parish in all matters concerning its corporate property including finances. For the past two years Trinity has developed a clear budget process that begins in July and ends with the ratification of the budget by the Vestry in December. Then the Sunday prior to the Annual Meeting in January, the Rector, Treasurer, Vestry and Finance Commission host an all-parish gathering to discuss the approved budget for the year ahead- all are welcome to attend.
How many people/families make an annual pledge to Trinity? Currently, 52 households have made a pledge over this past year supporting the 2019 budget. The total amount pledged for 2019 was $154,554 making up approximately 28% of our overall operating budget of $690,797. Trinity, unlike many other Episcopal churches, is richly blessed with outside resources supporting our ministry through funds entrusted to us by those who have come before in the form of generous legacy gifts. We are also challenged at times in our ability to communicate the importance of cultivating a more generous and engaged commitment of stewardship from the overall membership in order to decrease our disproportionately weighted reliance on these funds to balance our budget. We will continue this conversation and education this year as together we give thanks for all the resources we share.
How much do people pledge? This is the decision of each individual/family. We can share that the average pledge in 2019 was $2,972 with pledges ranging from $200 to $20,000. Our goal this year is to increase overall participation asking everyone who calls Trinity their spiritual home to make a pledge supporting all the things God is calling us to do in the world.
How Do I Pledge? To participate, simply fill out a 2020 Shining Our Light Pledge Card. Complete the card indicating your level of financial commitment for the year ahead, along with how you will make those payments. Please return your pledge card in the mail or bring with you to church over the next 3 Sundays (11/3, 11/10, 11/17). Please contact Heather Meyer, Director of Operations and Community Development, with any questions by email: heather@trinitytoledo.org or phone 419-243-1231.
SAVE THE DATE: Please mark your calendar and plan on joining us for our Shining Our Light Annual Giving Campaign Celebration reception on Sunday, November 17 immediately following the 10:00 service. Together we will give thanks for a successful campaign and God’s radical generosity in each of our lives.
TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH