Trinity Topics January 16, 2025

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DEAR FRIENDS

Dear Friends,

There is often a manic energy that accompanies both beginnings and endings—a real or perceived urgency to do everything or finish everything. When we pause to consider how many “endings” we experience in a single year, it’s easy to see why. Many of these are dictated by calendars, deadlines, or goals, and it comes as no surprise that they bring with them a mix of emotions: stress and excitement, confusion and clarity, anticipation and reflection.

Vern McLellan’s words, “What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year,” offer an important perspective during times of transition. Too often, we become caught in the “what was” and lose sight of the “what will become.” As children, we rarely feared possibility. Curiosity guided our learning, our discovery, and our understanding of the world around us.

In Isaiah 43:18–19, we are reminded: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” We are reassured that new paths are being created—even when we are unsure where those paths may lead. God offers opportunities for discovery, even when the destination is unclear.

T.S. Eliot reminds us that “the beginning is often the end,” and that “to make an end is to make a beginning.” So we are invited to ask ourselves: where will this new year’s beginning lead us? Discovery can be unsettling. The world, quite frankly, feels frightening at times. Yet we are reminded that God promises to answer when we call and to reveal “great and unsearchable things” we do not yet know.

As we enter a new year at Trinity, we also welcome a new group of individuals stepping into committee and Vestry roles. Many may have wondered whether they were capable of meeting the expectations before them. They were hesitant, yet curious—and they chose to inquire and to serve. As we approach our Annual Meeting, a time to reflect on all that has unfolded within our community over the past year, let us remember to offer prayers for those who are concluding their service. May they know that their curiosity and willingness helped shape and strengthen all the good that Trinity has offered during their time.

One individual we especially recognize is Margaret Baehren, who has faithfully served as Trinity’s elected Treasurer for the past three years. We thank her for stepping into a role that may have felt both daunting and unfamiliar, and for all she has given to our community through her service.

With her departure comes a new beginning. I have recently been voted in by the Vestry to serve as the next Treasurer. I, too, feel both nervous and curious as I step into this role. I humbly ask for your prayers as I take on this responsibility in service to you and to Trinity.

As we move through the various seasons and transitions of our lives, may we remember that the entrance and exit ramps we travel are not unguided. We need only ask for direction—and trust that an answer will come.

Karen Keune

VESTRY SLATE 2026

In addition to the clergy who are called to lead them, Episcopal parishes are governed by
the Wardens and Vestry who work with the clergy to identify the missional priorities of
the parish and to establish and oversee policies and procedures that support the
church’s mission.

Trinity has nine Vestry members who are elected at the Annual Parish Meeting for three-
year terms. To provide continuity of leadership, three members of the Vestry are elected
each year. Vestry members are allowed to serve two three-year terms in a row before
they have to take a year off. This provides an opportunity for fresh leadership to emerge
and with that fresh leadership, new energy and ideas to arise.

Continuing members of the Vestry are: Angie Carriker, Jack Diedrick, Gary Franklin, Brian
Ingman, Kimberly Kefalas-Siu, and Becky Koskinen.

At their December meeting, the following slate of nominees was affirmed by the Vestry.
Members of Trinity who are qualified to vote will elect three persons at the Annual
meeting on Sunday, January 25, 2026 following the 10:00 am service. Parish by-laws do
not allow absentee ballots or proxy votes.

View Vestry Slate for 2026

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY

Join us for women's Bible study on the third Saturday of the month, 9:00-10:30 am. It doesn’t matter how much experience you have (or don’t have) with scripture. We'll learn together. The week of Bible study, Jolene will email you directions to the house and a copy of the passage under discussion, so you can read and pray with it in advance. If you have any questions, please email jolene278@gmail.com. Sign up at the link below. If you are already on her email list, no need to sign up again.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B084AADAC23A0FD0-54105807-womens#/

PACK UP DAY

Saturday, January 31 at 9:30am: Advent and Christmas at Trinity were amazing, right? We will enjoy it for a bit longer until it’s time to pack up the sparkle! Join us on Saturday, Jan 31 at 9:30am to lend a hand, share a laugh, and help send the tinsel into hibernation. Many hands make light (and fun) work!

TRINITY RESPONSE TEAM MEETING

MLK DAY

Reminder: Office will be closed on Monday, Jan 19 to honor MLK Day (federal holiday).

BUILDING AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS

ACT January Performances Actors Collaborative Toledo (ACT) production of Durang/Durang, a collection of comedic and satirical short plays and monologues by Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Christopher Durang will hold performances will take place January 23–25, 2026, in Trinity's Chapel. Directed by ACT co-founder John DuVall, Durang/Durang showcases Durang’s unmistakable voice—acerbic, outrageous, and deeply human. The production brings together some of his most celebrated short works and monologues, offering audiences a fast-paced evening of laughter, absurdity, and sharp social commentary. Tickets for Durang/Durang are available at www.act419.org. Seating is limited.

WARMING UP THE NEW YEAR

"Warming up the New Year” with Glass City Pride Band! JANUARY 17th 7:00 PM: The Glass City Pride Band is holding their first concert at Trinity! Entitled “Warming up the New Year” the Pride band will give a short concert playing some of your favorite Pride tunes. To give back to the community, this concert is also a Drive to help assist Food For Thought’s Mobile Food Pantry hosted at Trinity. They’ll be collecting can openers, laundry detergent pods and bars of soap, and for each item you bring, you'll take $1 off the ticket price! (Up to $5.) Tickets $10 at the door.

TRINITY'S PRAYER LIST

Trinity continues to have an active prayer list. If you’d like prayers for yourself or for someone you know, you can request them by contacting the Trinity office (trinity@trinitytoledo.org or 419-243-1231). All prayer requests are shared only with a small intercessory prayer group who, along with parish clergy, offer recurring prayers for each request. When a request is received, it remains on the prayer list for four weeks before it’s taken off. Requests can always be renewed or submitted again; having an “expiration date” simply prevents the list from overflowing with prayer requests that are out of date.

TRINITY@HOME LIVE-STREAM

Trinity@Home is now a live-stream of Trinity’s 10:00 am in-person service with an interactive chat.

www.trinitytoledo.org/live

EPISCOPAL NEWS SERVICE

Episcopalians to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day with services, events

[Episcopal News Service] Jan. 19 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Episcopal churches and schools nationwide will celebrate with worship services...

As humanitarian crises mount, Sudan and South Sudan church leaders urge sustained global attention

[World Council of Churches] At the 1,000-day critical mark, Sudan’s war has pushed the country to a breaking point, according to agencies, and...

Lilly Endowment awards millions to Episcopal storytelling initiatives in latest round of grants

[Episcopal News Service] Virginia Theological Seminary, the dioceses of Colorado and West Virginia and an Episcopal church in the Diocese of Michigan...

Thousands join Episcopal Church vigil to lament violent immigration enforcement actions, unite in pursuing justice

[Episcopal News Service] Episcopalians and faith partners gathered virtually Jan. 13 for an evening prayer vigil to mourn, lament and remember people...