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RECTOR'S BLOG

Mother’s Day is complicated

Dear Friends,

For the last week, my friends from the Village Flower Basket have been posting photos of all the different flower arrangements and gifts they have available for Mother’s Day. Wednesday, they went above and beyond with the announcement that the shoppe will be open on Sunday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm and sharing a postcard they’re going to have popping up all over town with vases. The postcard has a QR code that can be scanned so customers can view and shop VFB’s Mother’s Day section. To top it off, the store will be hosting Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace’s food truck. Evidently nothing says Mother’s Day like the combination of floral arrangements and franks.

I know the owners and employees of the Village Flower Basket well. They’re former parishioners, and I have been their customer for many years. Holiday centerpieces, prom corsages and boutonnieres, “no special occasion” bouquets for Terry – VFB has done a terrific job with all of it! Most recently, I asked them to do the flowers for the rehearsal dinner on the night before the Bishop of Southern Ohio was going to be ordained. So I’m a fan – not only of their work, but also of their entrepreneurial spirit. One can hardly blame them for advertising so aggressively. Mother’s Day ranks as the second largest “single-day” holiday for florists, falling just behind Valentine's Day, and it generates a significant portion of many florists' annual revenue.

But let’s be honest, Mother’s Day is complicated for many. It isn’t a mimosas-and-brunch-kind-of-day for everyone. Here are some reasons:
- Some people don’t have moms.
- Some people don’t have moms – anymore.

And, not even everyone who does have a mom is celebrating.
- Some are estranged.
- Some may be incarcerated & are suffering shame.
- Some may be abandoned.

And then regarding be-ing a mom, some struggle.
- Some struggle hard & long & get success but haven’t gotten there yet.
- Some struggle hard & long & never get their dream.
- Some moms are single moms bringing a new list of complications.

Whether it is due to being widowed, being unwed, being abandoned, they may have no one to head up the celebration of them. They may have mourning attached to their celebration.

That’s a lot of emotion that could potentially be wrapped up in the biggest phone call day of the year.

If you’re excited for Mother’s Day and the day is flowers and cards for you, that’s wonderful. I’m happy for you. And if Mother’s Day is complicated for you, and if you need to take a moment to cry, or hurt, or struggle to forgive, or establish boundaries, those feelings matter too. Sometimes Mother’s Day is complicated. And although I am not a mother, I’ve known enough of them to know that motherhood can be complicated, too.

Now about floral arrangements and franks . . . .

Blessings,

Stephen Applegate


A memorial service will be held for longtime Trinity parishioner, Sherre Smith, on Saturday, May 11 at 2:00pm in our sanctuary. Visitation will be held at Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home (222 E. South Boundary St.) on Friday, May 10 from 4-7:00pm. The full obituary can be read here: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/sherre-owens-smith-obituary?id=55051481


ADULT FORMATION EPISCOPAL 101


May 12 & 19


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 1st floor of the Parish House following the 10:00 am service.

Sign Up Link: https://sugeni.us/4BRE


HELP WANTED FOR SPRING CLEANING AT TRINITY


Workdays scheduled for two Saturdays: May 11 & 18


“Spring is Sprung,” and with the arrival of warmer days, it’s time for spring cleaning. We’ve scheduled two consecutive Saturdays, May 11 & 18, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon to get a couple of important tasks accomplished.


On May 11, crews will help weed the beds in the Plaza, spruce up the N. St. Clair side of the church, and clear out the former Next to New Space as we prepare to welcome Trinity Streets Newspaper, our new building partner.


Then, on May 18, we’ll observe the first “dirt day.” We’ll fill many of the beds on the Plaza with dirt to prepare for planting several Sacred Grounds gardens.


Wear your gardening clothes, bring a pair of gloves and your favorite garden tool (we’ll have some available, too!) and join in the fun. “Many hands make light work” – so goes the old saying. And many helpers make for a community-building project.


We promise refreshments and fun on both days!


THE COLLEGE FOR CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT


Launches in August – An Opportunity to Learn & Grow


The Diocese of Ohio is launching its College for Congregational Development (CCD) program in August. The first session – known as Year A – of the two-year training begins at 5:00 pm on Sunday, August 11 and concludes with lunch on Friday, August 16. The College for Congregational Development will take place at Bellwether Farm in Wakeman, Ohio. The cost is $850.00 for a single-occupancy room, all meals and snacks, trainers, curriculum, etc. The Diocese of Ohio has partial scholarships available, as does Trinity through its special funds.


Ideally, Trinity would have a congregational team go to the program together, but it is not required. If a team attends, each member of a team is responsible for their own full participation in all the elements of the College.


If you are interested, please contact Trinity’s Interim Rector, Stephen Applegate, who heartily endorses this program. George Benson, our Director of Community Engagement, is also the co-director of CCD and can provide additional information. Because space is extremely limited, please act quickly if you believe God is calling you to attend.


Actors Collaborative Toledo (ACT) is proud to present the area premiere of Tiny Beautiful Things by Nia Vardalos (adapted from the book by Cheryl Strayed). Tickets can be purchased at www.act419.org. Nancy Wright directs the play and features Marissa Rex in the central role of Sugar. Ryan Albrecht, Leah Creek, and Gloria Wang round out the cast, with all three making their ACT debut.


Tiny Beautiful Things is a play about reaching when you’re stuck, healing when you’re broken, and finding the courage to take on the questions that have no answers.

The play will be performed in our St. Mark's Chapel at 8:00 p.m. on May 17 & 18, 2024, and 3:00 p.m. on May 19, 2024.


When You Wish Upon A Star
May 14 at 7pm


 Join Trinity musicians for an evening to remember. The event is free. Bring your friends and share the Trinity love.


BOOK CLUB


Sunday, June 9 at 6:30pm via Zoom

Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon


A gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife who defied the legal system and wrote herself into American history.


Sign Up Here

BASEBALL WITH THE BISHOP - JUNE 16 (FATHER'S DAY)


It's a Funday on Father's Day with the West Mission Area of the Diocese of Ohio, Bishop Jolly, and the Toledo Mudhens. Tickets include ballpark entry, seat, food, and drinks (excluding alcohol). The party is in The Nest. With Fifth Third Field as the backdrop, this prime outdoor party deck is located on the ballpark's second level above the right field line. The Nest provides a great view of the Mud Hens game.


The game on June 16 is against the Omaha Storm Chasers. Bishop Jolly, diocesan staff members, and their families will join us for a great day. Episcopalians across the diocese are invited to come cheer for the Mudhens. Here are the details:


Date:   Sunday, June 16, 2024

Time:  2:05pm - 6:00pm

Location:  Fifth Third Field, 406 Washington St., Toledo, OH 43604


To sign up and purchase tickets, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080449AFA723A2F49-47838878-mudhens


Tickets are $28 each. The deadline for purchase is Sunday, May 19. Tickets will be distributed by email after the May 19 deadline. After the deadline, fans may certainly purchase game tickets directly from the Mudhens. You may join us in The Nest, but your seat will be elsewhere, and you won't receive a wristband for the buffet. 


In case of a rain out, the Mudhens will move our party indoors. The food is prepared and served.   Participants on site will receive a voucher for another game on their own. 


The buffet will run for 90 minutes from 1:45 to 3:15. The menu is: Grilled Hot Dogs, Grilled Hamburgers, Mac & Cheese, Tossed Salad, Lay's Potato Chips, assorted cookies, assorted can Pepsi products, & bottled water. 


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


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