Trinity Topics September 27, 2024

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RECTOR'S BLOG

Dear Friends,

I don’t like being inconvenienced. As you know, I live across the river from downtown. I specifically chose the Marina Lofts apartments because my commute to Trinity would be all of four minutes long. In the last parish, my commute was 35 miles long and a soul-crushing 45 minutes long in heavy traffic. A four-minute commute? Piece of cake. Only, they (whoever “they” are) have chosen this time to work on the Cherry Street bridge AND tear up N. Summit Street to boot. I have been inconvenienced. My commute time has now doubled – to 8 whole minutes. Okay, so it’s a little hard to complain about an 8-minute commute. However, I still don’t like being inconvenienced.

This week, parishioners and guests wanting to worship at Trinity on Sunday morning can expect to be inconvenienced for two reasons:

The first is that the Susan G. Komen Northwest Ohio Race for the Cure will be held this Sunday, September 29. Several streets will be closed as the race route completely surrounds Trinity that morning. Our primary goals are to hold our normal Sunday service at 10:00 am and to support the race and the safety of those involved. The second is that the owners of Four Seagate garage will be doing maintenance work that necessitates shutting down power to the garage. You will still be able to enter and exit the garage without any problem. However you may want to bring flashlight – or have the flashlight on your cell phone ready – to be able to find your way to and from your car.

As for the Komen Race for the Cure, here are the instructions to make it easier for you to come to church: No matter what direction you are coming from, find your way to a point on Adams St. west of N. Michigan St. Once there, proceed east on Adams toward the church.
Plan to be at Trinity no later than 9:30 am! (The race begins at 9:30, and we cannot promise that people driving to Trinity will be allowed access once the race has started.)
You will encounter a police barricade at Adams and Erie. As long as you arrive at the barricade by 9:30 am, you will be allowed through.
You will encounter another checkpoint at Adams and N. Huron (part of the racecourse). Again, as long as you are through the intersection by 9:30 am, you will be allowed through.
Once you have crossed both Erie and Huron, you will be able to continue to drive east on Adams, make a left turn on N. St. Clair, and access either parking on N. St. Clair or the entrance to the Four Seagate Garage between Adams and Jackson.
To help identify Trinity parishioners, we have created a pass that can be presented to police or race staff. If you want a copy of the pass to download, please email trinity@trinitytoledo.org
Since morning activities at Trinity typically end by 11:30 am, we don’t think parishioners will have a problem leaving downtown after church.We’re grateful to Komen Northwest Ohio for graciously offering Trinity parishioners a way to serve the Community Breakfast for our neighbors and to attend the celebration of Holy Eucharist in our sanctuary.

More than being grateful to Komen Northwest Ohio for providing access to Trinity this Sunday, I am personally grateful to the Susan B. Komen organization for the work they’ve done supporting breast cancer research, patient support services, and advocacy.

You see, my wife, Terry, is a breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2001 at the age of 41. Having breast cancer is categorically not an inconvenience. For Terry and our family, it was a life-changing event. Terry underwent surgery, had chemotherapy treatments, and then radiation. The aggressive treatment approach worked; she’s remained cancer free ever since. She benefitted from the efforts of the Susan B. Komen organization and other similar organizations who all help the 1 out of every 8 women who will develop breast cancer sometime in their lives.

So, as I cross the Cherry Street bridge this Sunday and drive far enough west to reach a point on Adams Street where I can turn around and head east toward the church, I won’t complain about either the construction or the race. I hope you won’t complain either and that the information above will help you be less inconvenienced when you come to Trinity this Sunday. (Notice I said “when” not if!)

Blessings,
Stephen Applegate

FAITH & CIVIC LIFE CONTINUES THIS SUNDAY

Topic: Civil Religion in America

This Sunday, September 29, after the 10:00 am service, we continue our series on Faith & Civic Life when we look at civil religion in America. Understanding the concept of civil religion is key to comprehending the relationship of our civic and spiritual lives and how these two aspects of our lives intersect with the rise of Christian Nationalism and the push to identity the United States as a “Christian Nation.” We’ll start with Robert Bellah’s groundbreaking article from almost 60 years ago. Read on for some background.

In 1967, the sociologist Robert Bellah published his landmark article, “Civil Religion in America,” in Dædalus, Journal of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The article was one of several that appeared in the issue whose theme and title was, "Religion in America."

In the article, Bellah argued that Americans share a common civil religion, which is distinct from the religions practiced in churches, mosques, and synagogues. His essay compared and contrasted the differences between public and private religion and explores how American civil religion is influenced by Christianity and other religions.

"Civil Religion in America" received a highly significant and widespread reaction within the academic community, particularly among sociologists and religious scholars, with many praising his concept as a way to understand the shared values and beliefs that unite Americans. However, some criticized what they saw as the potential for sacralizing politics by doing so. The article sparked further research on the topic of civil religion, becoming a major focus in the field of religious sociology.

Trinity's First Annual Family Friendly Trick-or-Treating Musical Extravaganza! There will be trick-or-treating, a costume parade, food, fun, crafts, and best of all, a musical sing-along! Families and Kids of all ages are welcome and wanted! October 15th 2024 7:00 pm.
Interested in volunteering for this event? Want to help pass out candy, find food, and decorate? Email chelsie@trinitytoledo.org to sign up!

ARE YOU CALLED TO SERVE ON TRINITY'S VESTRY?

Nominating Committee formed & receiving names

Trinity’s Nominating Committee has now been formed with the responsibility for presenting a list of three persons who are willing to stand for election to the Vestry at the Annual Meeting of the parish in late January.

The members of the Nominating Committee are Donna Steppe (Senior Warden,) Karen Johnson-Webb, and Kelly Termin. They are eager to speak to any communicant member in good standing of Trinity who might be interested in serving on Trinity’s vestry.

In the Episcopal Church, a vestry is a group of people who, with the rector, govern the parish. Vestry responsibilities include:

Leadership: Overseeing the parish's mission and ministry, and sharing leadership with the rector
Management: Managing the parish's finances, property, and human resources
Advisory: Serving as an advisory council to the rector
Representation: Serving as the legal representative of the parish for matters related to its property and relations with the clergy

Trinity’s Vestry is comprised of nine (9) persons. Each person serves a three-year term and may be elected to a second three-year term after which they must take a year’s hiatus before serving again.

The current members of the Vestry and their terms are:

Class 2022-2025

1. Donna Steppe (second term)

2. Dennis Degnan (second term)

3. Karen Keune (first term)

Class 2023-2026

1. Jeffrey Albright (second term)

2. Jamie Paul (second term)

3. Kyle Grefe (fulfilling Leah Reed’s second term)

Class 2024-2027

1. Gary Franklin (second term)

2. Kimberly Kefalas-Siu (first term)

3. Becky Koskinen (second term)

All three members of the Nominating Committee may be contacted in-person on Sunday mornings or you may email trinity@trinitytoledo.org to express your interest in being considered.

Get your tickets here! Jeff Stewart at Trinity Tickets

BAPTISMS SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 3

The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church lists four days during the church year when having baptisms is especially appropriate. The next one of those days is coming soon – All Saints' Sunday: November 3.

Trinity’s tradition – and the norm throughout the church – is to hold baptisms during regularly-scheduled Sunday services.

In the Episcopal Church, we baptize persons only once, since baptism is the rite of initiation – the starting point for Christian discipleship.

If you have a child you would like to present for baptism, or if you yourself would like to be baptized, please contact the Parish Office right away – trinity@trinitytoledo.org or (419) 243-1231. Our interim rector, Stephen Applegate, will be in touch to schedule a time to prepare for this sacrament.- one of two instituted by Jesus himself.

PET BLESSINGS ABOUND

Calling all creatures of our God and King! Bring your furry, feathered and fabulous friends to Trinity's plaza for our annual Pet Blessing Saturday, September 28th at 10:00 am.

POP-UP DINNERS RETURN TO TRINITY!

Head on over to the website or sign up here for one Autumn pop-up dinner of your choosing! Remember, just one- make sure we keep room for everyone at the tables!! :)

https://www.signupgenius.com/tabs/63273D807A5C3EEC60-autumn#/

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Volunteer for 10/22

TSN VENDOR LUNCHES

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.

Volunteer for 10/17

TRINITY PRAYER LIST

Did you know that Trinity has 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) or our interim rector, Stephen Applegate (in person or via email at stephen@trinitytoledo.org).

At the moment, all prayer requests are shared only with a small intercessory prayer group who, along with parish clergy, offer recurring prayers for each request. This is not a closed group. If you want to join Trinity parishioners who’ve committed to the practice of regularly praying for others, ask Stephen about joining the prayer team.

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. However, having an “expiration date” will prevent 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

General Seminary leases New York City campus to Vanderbilt University, agreement ensures lasting presence

[Episcopal News Service] General Theological Seminary on Sept. 26 announced that it had signed an agreement to lease its property in New York City to Vanderbilt University, which has its […]

Historically Black North Carolina church fights environmental racism through advocacy, education, creation care

[Episcopal News Service] For decades, the historically Black St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in southeastern Raleigh, North Carolina, has focused much of its ministry on improving its community through environmental stewardship. […]

Loss of cultural wealth feared as cash-strapped Canadian churches struggle to preserve buildings

[Anglican Church of Canada] The destruction by fire of St. Anne’s Anglican Church in Toronto last June underscores risks faced by aging churches across Canada, an architectural historian says — and […]

Anglican Communion secretary general Bishop Anthony Poggo visits Burundi

[Anglican Communion News Service] Anglican Communion Secretary General the Rt. Rev. Anthony Poggo recently completed a visit to the Anglican Church of Burundi. His visit involved an address to the […]