Trinity Topics June 7, 2024

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DEACON'S BLOG

Dear friends,

Today is the observance of the 10th annual National Gun Violence Awareness Day, and the kick-off of Wear Orange Weekend. Last year during Trinity’s Wear Orange Sunday service, we had a community conversation about our hopes and fears about gun violence, and our ideas for addressing it (here is the harvest from that conversation). One of the ideas was to join with other local faith communities to address the epidemic of gun violence. The previous day, I had marched in the Old West End Festival parade with Moms Demand Action and met Mike Linehan, a parishioner from Olivet Lutheran Church. Mike and I had a brief conversation about how our two faith communities were wrestling with the issue of gun violence, and exchanged contact information. Later in June, we began to work together on what is now unofficially called the Multifaith Coalition to Reduce Gun Violence. I say unofficially because that name is often confused with the long-established Multifaith Council of Northwest Ohio (a group that promotes interfaith cooperation), so we are exploring how to “brand” our infant group. In the last year, we have held four public forums which have each been attended by between 60-80 people. Trinity graciously hosted the October 8 forum. Topics have included survivor testimonies, legislative advocacy training, safe gun storage, and updates on the City of Toledo’s new Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE), which has been working with the community since last summer to develop a five-year plan to reduce gun violence. Prayer has been included in each forum. Over 200 people from 41 northwest Ohio congregations representing many faith traditions have participated in at least one forum, including an impressive 39 Trinity parishioners. Thank you for your commitment to help reduce gun violence!

I have learned a lot about gun violence in the past year. I have participated in countless meetings, training sessions, educational programs and advocacy efforts. I have met many people who are working to prevent gun violence in northwest Ohio, some of whom are now friends. The biggest thing that I have learned this year is that survivors are the leaders of the movement to reduce gun violence. They need and deserve our support. They welcome us to walk with them as allies. I have participated in the Victims and Survivors working group of the MONSE Community Action Table, one of eight groups that are making recommendations to be included in the City’s five-year plan. The MONSE process has been victim and survivor-centered. The voices that have been amplified are those closest to the issue. One of the recommendations of our working group is to create a Compassion and Healing Fund for Gun Violence Victims and Survivors, to provide immediate financial support after the unfathomable loss of a loved one from gun violence. I provided testimony to urge approval of the Fund by Toledo City Council, which was scheduled to vote on it at their June 5 City Council meeting. I’ll let you know on Sunday if it was approved!

This Sunday, we will raise up the voices of the bruised and broken, strong and resilient survivors that are leading the movement to prevent gun violence. Parishioner and survivor Gwen La Croix will share her personal story, and I will preach. We will focus on secure gun storage, which saves kids’ lives. Free gun locks and a free gun lock box will be available for anyone who wants them. Here are many resources to explore for more information on how to reduce gun violence–organizations, safe gun storage, gun sense legislation, books and more. Please email me if you’d like to receive email updates from the Multifaith Coalition to Reduce Gun Violence. See you Sunday with your orange on!

Peace,
Deacon Meribah

PLAZA WORK DAY (SATURDAY, JUNE 8)

Your help is needed this Saturday, June 8 to get the plaza looking beautiful for the Big Love concert on June 11!

We will plant part of another bed with more donated native plants, and our children are invited to plant pumpkins and sunflowers! There are tasks for everyone: unloading bags of soil and mulch from the delivery truck and getting them up to the plaza, dumping the soil in the beds, planting, weeding, mulching, and spraying horticultural vinegar on weeds in two other beds and covering them with tarps. We need many hands to accomplish this work. Come for an hour or the morning--your help is welcome and wanted! Thank you!

WEAR ORANGE FOR GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS

June 7-9 is Wear Orange Weekend! Wear Orange to raise awareness of gun violence. Everyone is invited to a commemoration of the 10th annual Gun Violence Awareness Day at 12:00 noon on Friday, June 7 at Peace and Healing Commons (1840 Collingwood Ave.). This family-friendly, community event will begin and end with prayers from Multifaith Coalition to Reduce Gun Violence members. Speakers will help raise awareness about gun violence in our city and share things we can do as individuals to help decrease gun violence.

Wear orange to Trinity's 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday, June 9, when the service will focus on Gun Violence Prevention. Deacon Meribah Mansfield will preach, and Trinity parishioner and gun violence survivor Gwen La Croix will share her story. Click here for more information on Wear Orange Weekend.

BIG LOVE: AN EVENING OF MUSIC AND ACTIVISM

Tuesday June 11th from 6:30 - 9pm we will be hosting an incredible event on our plaza to kick off our Pride celebrations. We are partnering with Equality Toledo Community Action for a time to celebrate LGBTQIA+ musicians and music, as well as educating and calling our government representatives about the anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation going through the Ohio State House. There will be a free love offering, and the proceeds will go to Equality Toledo’s Community Action fund.

MAC & CHEESE BAKE OFF

June 23 at 11:15am

I'd appreciate it if you could get to fine-tuning those recipes. Spots are available for everyone! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/macandcheesebakeoff2024

PRIDE DONATIONS

Starting this Sunday going through August 18 we are asking for donations of 8oz water bottles and hard candy for Pride! You can drop them off at our “drop off station” by the columbarium. PLEASE, no chocolate as it tends to melt in the August sun. Any chocolate donated will be considered a tithe for our Director of Operations. If you have any questions please contact our Director of Community Engagement through email at, george@trinitytoledo.org

Trinity’s mobile pantry is one of 8 monthly food pantries in Toledo/SE Michigan area.

We will host the next Food Pantry in partnership with Food For Thought on
Tuesday, June 25th.

Volunteer Now!

On the third Thursday of each month, Trinity supplies the vendors of Toledo Streets Newspaper (TSN) with a buffet lunch! And we need YOUR help! Trinity will purchase the food but we will need 4-6 volunteers to help prepare the meal deliver it to the TSN Office.

Join us on June 20th! Sign up here.

DIOCESAN PEACE & JUSTICE JUNE RESOURCES

https://www.dohio.org/offices/office-for-mission/peace-and-justice/june-resources

LOCAL EFM SEMINAR GROUP: REGISTRATION IS OPEN

EfM (Education for Ministry) is a life-changing, intensive program designed for lay people to deepen their faith. The West Mission Area (of which Trinity is a part) is blessed to have an experienced EfM mentor who is starting an in-person seminar group this fall.

What’s EfM?

EfM is a four-year program (though you only register for a year at a time) founded and administered through the School of Theology of the University of the South at Sewanee. The core of the program is small seminar groups of 6-12 participants and 1-2 mentors. Through study, prayer, worship, and reflection, groups journey together through scripture, church history, and theology.

But I don’t want to be a minister!

We’re all ministers. EfM explores a wider concept of ministry, based on an understanding that baptism marks our call to minister to others in the context of our daily lives. It is designed to support us in our unique ministries to which God calls us. From the EfM website: “As the Church, we are called to continue the ministry of Jesus. We are called to be the hands, heart, and incarnate body of Christ in our own place through worship, reflection, in service to others, and by the proclamation of God’s Word to all people.”

What’s required?

EfM requires a significant investment of time and effort. The seminar group will meet twice a month over nine months, with assigned readings between meetings. Theological reflection is one of the core practices of EfM: examining our experiences through a theological lens. This is a new practice for many people that requires practice and patience. The program registration fee is $325, plus the cost of books. Trinity can help defray part of the cost if needed.

How do I register?

Registration is a two-part process. (1) contact the Rev. Gayle Catinella, Rector at St. Michael’s in the Hills: revgayle@lovelearnserve.org or (419) 531-1616 to express your interest. She will let you know if there are any available openings in the group. If there is, she’ll let you know and submit your name to School of Theology of the University of the South at Sewanee. (2) You will be invited by the School of Theology to register and pay the registration fee.

What other EfM options are there?

EfM seminar groups are also available in other parts of the diocese and online. For more information about these online groups, contact Diane Hexter at efm@dohio.org. Diane is the EfM Coordinator for the Diocese of Ohio.

I want to learn more about EfM!

Members of Trinity’s Spiritual Formation Committee will be holding a brief information session after church on Sunday, June 9 in the Walbridge Room. Grab your coffee and join us on June 9.

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

Committees recommend resolutions on Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including ‘apartheid’ language

[Episcopal News Service] General Convention’s committees on Social Justice & International Policy recommended a series of resolutions on June 6 responding to various aspects of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including […]

World Mission committees hear range of resolutions concerning colonialism, migration and support for Iraqi Christians

[Episcopal News Service] General Convention’s World Mission committees on June 5 discussed and voted on seven proposed resolutions addressing issues ranging from tackling “the colonial mindset” to supporting Christians and […]

Episcopal Church Women to celebrate (belatedly) organization’s 150th anniversary during Triennial meeting

[Episcopal News Service] When more than 200 delegates from the Episcopal Church Women gather for their Triennial meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, June 23-28, they can finally celebrate the organization’s 150th […]

Canada’s acting primate-to-be plans to stay on sidelines until official role begins

[Anglican Journal (Anglican Church of Canada)] Archbishop Anne Germond, metropolitan of the ecclesiastical province of Ontario and soon-to-be acting primate of the Anglican Church of Canada told the Council of […]