Trinity Topics November 1, 2024

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DEAR FRIENDS

Dear Friends,

I’ve been thinking about my sermon. This is something I do every week I’m preaching, of course, but so much is going on this Sunday that I’m having trouble narrowing the focus. And since the professor of my advance preaching class in seminary told us students not to start writing a sermon until we could complete the statement, “what I want this congregation to do is . . .” I find that I’m paralyzed. Here are the strands I’m supposed to weave into a coherent sermon:

The Day of Change – two things to remember – the first is to set your clocks back one hour – “fall back.” If you don’t you’ll be an hour early for church! Related to the time change is our request for you to bring in your loose change (Day of Change – get it?) Every quarter, dime, nickel, and penny will go to support our Community Breakfast program – a program that welcomes more and more of our neighbors every week.
Ingathering Sunday – Thanks to everyone who has already turned in their pledge card for the 2025 Annual Pledge Drive. The tally of pledges is encouraging: Trinity hopes to receive $215,000 in pledge commitments from 80 households. As of this writing, we have $142,704 from 38 households. Thirty-two additional households pledged $63,708 for this fiscal year. If those households renewed their pledges, we’d only be $8,588 shy of our goal. Let’s do this!!
All Saints’ Sunday – one of my favorite church holy days. We’ll remember the giants of the faith – apostles, prophets, and martyrs – and we’ll also remember loved ones whom we hold dear in our hearts. Those you want to have remembered in the parish’s prayers will be chanted by the choir as we begin the service. Please email their names to heather@trinitytoledo.org no later than today at 5:00 pm
Baptisms – two adults will be baptized during this Sunday’s service, and we’ll all have the opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant. Congratulations to Taylor Marshall and Alyssa Thomas as they take this step in faith!
Garage Black Out – as if Halloween weren’t scary enough, the lights will be out in the Four Seagate garage this Sunday as the building undergoes necessary maintenance. You may want to bring a flashlight or have your cell phone handy to find your way to one of the two entrances from the garage to Trinity.
Election Day on Tuesday – a consequential day under normal conditions, this Election Day on November 5 feels particularly significant. Remember that there will be a prayer vigil at St. Andrew’s, 2770 West Central Ave, across from FoodTown, on Monday, November 4, at 7:00 pm. Trinity will have its usual noon celebration of the Holy Eucharist on Wednesday, November 6 – the day after the election – in St. Mark’s Chapel.

You can see where my problem lies. What do I want this congregation to do? All the things I’ve listed above! And if you have trouble remembering them, most – if not all – of these will be repeated below.

See you this Sunday. And if you want to volunteer to preach, let me know. I’d be grateful for the help :)

Blessings,
Stephen Applegate

Pledge Now

SEARCH COMMITTEE

The Search Committee continues to meet and discern with candidates for the next rector of Trinity. We would be especially grateful for your prayers as we move through this process. And, although you don’t know who they are, please pray for the candidates with whom we are discerning.

PLAZA WORK DAY

Saturday, November 16 9:30 a.m.-12:00 noon Let's put the plaza beds to bed for the winter! We'll pull up the tomato plants and compost them, do some weeding, and secure the tarps on the beds for weed suppression. It won't take long if we have many hands. Bring your work gloves and tools for weeding. Please sign up here so we know you're coming. All are welcome and wanted! https://sugeni.us/ViJy

VIGIL ON THE EVE OF AN ELECTION

St. Michael's in the Hills and St. Andrew's are hosting a prayer vigil on Monday, November 4 , All are invited to attend, to be together in prayer for this election. This service of scripture, prayer, and reflection begins at 7:00 pm, and will be held at St. Andrew's (2770 W. Central Avenue, across from FoodTown). For more information, see the event posting on Facebook.

INVESTITURE WATCH PARTY IS TOMORROW!

Tomorrow morning, 10 am, Episcopalians in northwest Ohio will be gathering at Trinity to watch the investiture of Presiding Bishop-Elect Sean Rowe. Trinity is one of four sites in the diocese hosting watch parties for the livestream of the service. We are blessed to be joined by Bishop Anne Jolly. Our party starts at 10 am (music starts at 10 am; service starts at 11 am). Appetizers and beverages will be served. Did you forget to RSVP? No problem! We want you here with us, so come downtown!

Why attend the watch party? This is an important transition for the Episcopal Church and us in the diocese and at Trinity -- and not just for church nerds! Over his 9-year term, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry introduced us to Jesus' Way of Love and reminded us repeatedly, "If it's not about love, it's not about God." Participating in Presiding Bishop-Elect Sean's investiture -- through the miracle of live streaming -- lets us prayerfully support and welcome him and his leadership. Just as important, it's a time that lets us gather and connect with other Episcopalians in our area. As a bonus, we'll be playing investiture bingo.

EPISCOPAL 101

November 3, 10, & 17

Perhaps you are new here at Trinity. Or maybe you have been coming for a while but still have lots of questions about what this “Episcopal” church is all about. If you’d like a deeper understanding of who we are and why we do what we do, then Episcopal 101 is for you!

Our Interim Rector, Stephen Applegate, will hold Episcopal 101 sessions on three consecutive Sundays in the Walbridge Room on the 1^st floor of the Parish House following the 10:00 am service.

Bishop Anne is holding a regional confirmation service on Saturday, November 23 in St. Timothy’s, Perrysburg. Participation in Episcopal 101 is required if people want to be confirmed. However, being confirmed is not required if you take the class!

The class begins this Sunday, November 3.

Organ Recital: Ken Stoops November 12, 2024 @ 7:00 pm Treasured Trinity organist, Ken Stoops, is giving a concert Nov. 12, 2024. With over 40 years of parish organ music ministry, Ken is a wealth of knowledge and undeniable talent sure to dazzle and delight organ enthusiasts of all levels. FREE EVENT.

DIOCESAN CONVENTION

It’s Time for Diocesan Convention –

And You’re Invited!!

The 206^th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Ohio is coming to the Toledo area. On Friday and Saturday, November 8 & 9, the convention will be meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn in Perrysburg. Clergy and lay delegates from parishes across the northern half of the state will be in town to celebrate the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement and conduct the business of the church – and Convention is for everyone!

In addition to the meaningful and essential work of the delegates regarding diocesan business and elections, the entire diocese is participating in creating a joyful space for engaging in collective worship, fostering congregational development, and creating and strengthening relationships and camaraderie in our diocese.

Here are the details:

Friday Evening, November 8: Convention Eucharist (free) and Banquet after the Eucharist (Cost: $30). Both will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, Perrysburg.

Saturday, November 9: The Bishop’s Address and all convention business will be at the Hilton Garden Inn, Perrysburg; (Cost: $40)

Trinity parishioners are welcome to attend the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and can also purchase a spot at the Banquet that follows. These two events are typically more celebratory and joy-filled than the business meeting held the next day. But “church nerds” (yes, we said that!) might enjoy hearing Bishop Anne Jolly’s address about the state of the Diocese and plans for helping every congregation be more effective witnesses of God’s love through Jesus.

Have we sparked your interest? Then contact the Parish Office – trinity@trinitytoledo.org – for more information!

Our next bake-off competition is slated for December 1, 2024.

Start planning and signup now!

Our community partners and newer building partners, Toledo Streets, invite us all to their Toledo Streets Scenes annual calendar fundraiser on Thursday, November 7 from 6-8pm. The celebration will be held at Toledo School for the Arts Community Portal. Link for tickets https://www.eventbrite.com/e/toledo-streets-scenes-tickets-1004763483627

WEDNESDAY SERVICE RETURNS

BOOK CLUB

November 10 - Sign Up!

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

Founded by a ‘witch,’ Salem’s oldest Anglican church tells its unique history

[Episcopal News Service] Every October, more than a million people visit Salem, Massachusetts, known as the “Witch City,” for its monthlong Haunted Happenings festival. They celebrate “spooky season” with haunted […]

Lambeth Calls webinar series to focus on human dignity

[Anglican Communion Office] The Lambeth Call on Human Dignity will be the focus of a webinar on Nov. 6 and 7, facilitated by the Episcopal Ministry team of the Anglican […]

Episcopal young adults of Asian descent connect, bond at Hawai‘i retreat

[Episcopal News Service] Episcopalians of Asian descent in their 20s gathered at Camp Sloggett in Kōke‘e, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i, to connect and build new relationships through worship, meditation, hiking and bonding […]

Collaborative project focuses on listening, empowering Episcopal Church’s Gen Z leaders

[Episcopal News Service] In 2023, Robert Garris, managing director for leadership development at Trinity Church Wall Street, reached out to The Episcopal Church’s Department of Faith Formation to ask about […]