june 2010 trinity topics newsletter, trinity toledo episcopal church

8/8/2019 June 2010 Trinity Topics Newsletter, Trinity Toledo Episcopal Church

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Trinity TopicsThe Newsletter of Trinity Episcopal Church in Toledo, Ohio

JUNE2

010

Caring for creation,

Gods sacred work of art

Michael Macor


2/16

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liturgy

&e

vents

22

Summertime,and the worship

is easy.Join us at 10am on the Plazaon the first Sunday of the month

JuneSeptember

Trinity Episcopal Churchtrinitytoledo.org 419.243.1231

PROGRESSIVE INCLUSIVE CREATIVE DOWNTOWN TOLEDO

SUNDAY, J UNE 6 PROPER 51 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24); Galatians 1:11-24; Luke 7:11-17

9:30a Childrens Formation10a Parish Eucharist

SUNDAY, J UNE 13 PROPER 61 Kings 2:1-10; Galatians 2:15-21; Luke 7:368:3

9:30a Childrens Formation

10a Parish Eucharist

SUNDAY, J UNE 20 PROPER 71 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8:15a; Galatians 3:23-39; Luke 8:26-39


SUNDAY, J UNE 27 PROPER 82 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14; Galatians 5:1, 13-25; Luke 9:51-62


SUNDAY, J ULY 4 PROPER 92 Kings 5:1-14; Galatians 6:1-6), 7-17); Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

9:30a Childrens Formation

10a Parish Eucharist

SUNDAY, J ULY 11 PROPER 10Amos 7:7-17; Colossians 1:1-14; Luke 10:25-37


We don't gatheraround the Communion table

to escape the world's problems,but to escape the world's solutions.


3/16


4/16

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cong

regation/world

June 4............. ...........Sally SorterJune 7............. ...........Jeff AlbrightJune 9............. ...........Steve SalanderJune 10........... ...........Phyllis RomickJune 11........... ...........Keithley SparrowJune 19........... ...........Richard SalanderJune 21........... .......Jonathan LowreyJune 22........... ...........Virginia ConnorsJune 27........... ...........Paula Brown........................ ...........Phyllis Klaus

June 28........... ...........Mike LowreyJune 29........... ...........Judith Irwin

If your June birthday isnt listed here, thatmeans Trinity doesnt have a record of it.Contact the office by phone (419.243.1231) oremail (trinity@ trinitytoledo.org) to add yourspecial day to the membership database, sowe can celebrate it with you!

Birthday Blessings

May Vestry Actions

At its May 25 meeting, the vestry dis-cussed the new diocesan organizationalstructure of mission areas that has replacedthe old deanery arrangement. Each missionarea is lead by a council made up of repre-

sentatives from each parish in the missionarea. Vestry members Jeff Albright, PeggyHeider and Jason Rahe have agreed to repre-sent Trinity on the West Mission Area Coun-cil.

The vestry also identified at least one ves-try member that will provide oversight andliaison to each of the parish committees andgroups, to support good communication be-tween the committees and vestry.

After agreeing that an inreach or pas-toral care committee is needed, the vestrywill initiate that work with a first meetingplanned for Sunday, June 13 after the liturgy.

All members of the Trinity communityare encouraged to share comments and con-cerns with vestry members. The members ofthe vestry are listed on the back of this news-letter, and their photos will soon appear onthe Trinity website (www.trinitytoledo.org).

MEMBER MATTERS

Mayumi and Brendan Elliott (son ofRobertandDiane Elliott) welcomed their daughter Mizuki into theworld on May 3. All are doing well.

Congratulations to our graduates of the past year:- Erin Battistoni,Master of Arts- Kenneth Elliott, Bachelor of Arts- Marie Harkey, Master of Divinity

Congratulations to the Canterbury Choir memberswhove reached the 5-year mark: Bridget Blanchard,

Jennifer Siebold, Katie Stygles, and Kim Weber.

Summer Vacation

As you plan your summer vacation, please remem-ber Trinity. Worship and outreach ministries continuethroughout the summer, and your pledge is importantto that continuity!

If your vacation plans involve visiting churches outof town, please bring back a copy of their parish news-letter, visitor packets, or anything else you find inter-esting. We love to see and learn from what other con-gregations are doing.

Coffee Hour Hospitality

Coffee hour is a time to re-lax and talk after church andget to know folks who are new.There will always be coffee, butthe rest is up to you!

It doesn't have to be fancy--cookies, chips and salsa, some cut up veggies or freshfruit. Grab a friend and pick a date the sign upsheet is on the curved wall as you enter church.

Newsletter Notes

If you have information for possible inclusion inthis newsletter, plan aheadall material must be sub-mitted by the 20th of the month. Dont send informa-tion for Topics to Liddy or a staff memberemail itdirectly to [email protected].

Submitted items may or may not be published atthe editors discretion, and are subject to editing forspace and clarity.


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Budget Update

In April, what we didn't have to take from our trustincome offset the amount we were behind in pledgesyear-to-date.

Our diocesan assessment is greater than wevebudgeted for; we're still adjusting to the new method

of calculating the assessment. It's now a percentage ofour expenses rather than a percentage of our income.

Our annual trust review with KeyBank is scheduledfor Tuesday, June 8 at 5pm in the Walbridge Room. Allparishioners are invited to attend.

Respectfully submitted,Jane Bueche, Parish Accountant

The financial health of our community is a sharedresponsibility, and we welcome your questions or com-ments. Contact Jane Bueche, Parish Accountant, at

[email protected].

2010 Budget

AprilYTD

Actual Difference

Revenue

Plate Offering 2,430 47

Pledge Payments 33,986 (14,776)

Combined Investment

Income 67,450 (14,217)

Other Operating Income 2 (332)

Total Revenues 103,868 (29,278)

Expenditures

Personnel 69,266 2,360

Buildings & Grounds 55,967 3,449

Total Expenditures 166,871 12,242

AprilYTD

Budget

2,383

48,762

81,667

333

133,146

66,906

52,517

154,629

Operations 7,784 8,012 228

Diocesan Assessment 13,423 22,600 9,177

Local Outreach 1,540 1,810 270

Programs 9,125 6,505 (2,621)

Loan Interest Payment 3,333 2,712 (622)

Net Surplus/(Deficit) (21,483) (63,003) (41,520)

5th Annual Bishops Bike Ride

This years Bishops Bike Ride, being called theLoop Along the Lake, runs from June 27 to July 2. Theride will start in Put-in-Bay on Sunday night/Mondaymorning and will end Friday about noon in Ashtabula.

The bike ride is relatively easy this year, with most-ly flat terrain and covering no more than 45 miles perday. The nightly stops are:

Sunday: St. Pauls, Put-in-BayMonday: St. Pauls, Norwalk

Tuesday: St. Andrews, ElyriaWednesday: St. Peters and Ascension, LakewoodThursday: St. James, PainesvilleFriday (midday finish): St. Peters, Ashtabula

If youre interested in being part of the bike ride,either as a rider or as the driver of a SAG (support andgear) vehicle, go to www.dohio.org/offices/mission/mission-news/ for more information and registration.SAG vehicle drivers are especially needed this year.

Was Jesus an Episcopalian?

The Rev. Chris Yaw, the author ofJesus Was anEpiscopalian (and you can be one too!) will speak at St.

Johns Episcopal Church in Bowling Green on Sun-day, June 6 at 6pm.

Yaw is the rector of St. Davids Epis-copal Church in Southfield, Michigan.His book was written as an accessiblenewcomers guide to the Church. OneAmazon reviewer wrote, Unlike theother guides out there, this one doesNOT start with the reign of King HenryVIII. Rather, it starts with what theEpiscopal Church is doing now, whatwe stand for, and where we are going.

Presiding Bishop Katharine JeffertsSchoris assessment: Open this book

and your mind at the same time. Learnmore about who the Episcopal Churchreally is, and what we stand for, likecaring for the poor (and the earth), andchanging the world. A motivating intro-duction for inquirers and anyone whowants a refresher.

St. Johns is located at 1505 E. Wooster St. in Bowl-ing Green.


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hings

6

To name (or rename) Trinity as your KrogerCommunity Rewards beneficiary, go to www.KrogerCommunityRewards.com. Follow the instructionsthere to link your Kroger Plus Card to Trinity. Ourorganization number is 84767.

If youve successfully linked your Plus Card tothe church, you should see this note at the bottom ofyour receipts: Yourequested Kroger todonate to TrinityEpiscopal ChurchToledo.

If you have ques-tions or need help withenrollment, contact Jason Rahe or Jane Bueche. Orbring your Kroger Plus Card to church with you on June 6 or

June 13; Jason Rahe and Karen Wabeke will go through theenrollment process with you online.

Kroger Community Rewards

I consider myself one of the new-kids-on-the-block.I began attending Trinity a year ago, in February 2009.When I decided to leave my home church after 71years, and many years of feeling disappointed in whatdoesn't happen there, I thought I would check out therest of the Episcopal churches in the area. Trinity wasthe first (and the last) church that I "tried on for size".Becky, Liddy and Barbara made me feel so welcomethat first Sunday.

The service was so entirely different from what Ihad been used to that I really wasn't sure I was in anEpiscopal church. Using the sanctuary for coffee hourwas so wonderful. Using a corner of the sanctuary fora nursery how homey. Being physically active dur-ing a service how unique. Not kneeling stillseems really strange to me. Making communion a

"family" affair and then praying personally for thosewho have special things happening intheir lives so kind. Music

like I have neverheard before. Atfirst this was verystrange to me, butalso filled a partof me with desire

to find out more.

BUT the thing that really pulled my heart to Trinity,and still does, is the dedication of the 500 blankets forthe homeless. I have worked with many, many out-reach programs and I have never had one touch myheart like this one. It humbles me. Every time I cut ablanket I wonder why have I been spared? Why am Iso blessed? And how lucky I am not to have to be arecipient of one of these wonderful blankets.

The people that receive the blankets I help makewill never know me, and I will never know them, but Iknow I am helping them stay warm in a world thathas turned cold in more ways than one. This blanketsomehow feels to me like I am putting my armsaround someone to warm them, to make them feel notquite so alone. This work of love that is given by thisparish and friends of parishioners and business people

must make all of you feel so good. It isn't work, it islove in a very, very down-to-earth fashion. I praise allof the people who help with this wonderful outpour-ing of love. I have met several of you and am lookingforward to meeting more of you when we get togetherto cut-up.

~Rita McDougle

Change a Life, Starting With Your Own

JointheOutreachCommitteeincelebrating

Todd&SaraAlcroftssoontoarrivebabyandbeablessingtoMomsHouse

PampersShowerJune6th

Immediatelyfollowingtheliturgy

Moms

Houseneedslargersizedisposablediapers

(sizes35)please!

MomsHouseisoneofourministrypartners

workingtosupportandenableteenmomsto

completetheireducationsbyprovidingchildcare

as

well

as

parenting

and

life

skills

classes.

Findoutmorebyvisitingthemonlineat

www.momshousetoledo.org


7/16

7

Summer is hovering on the horizon. It is the time toplant, for seeds to grow and flowers to bloom. Wehave just finished a staff meeting where we discussedthe results of the surveys from the NCD Sunday ser-vice. Several people suggested the return of Foyergroups at Trinity, and that got me thinking about a

couple of things that I thought might be worth sharing.

What is a Foyer group? Its a small group of peoplewho meet regularly. It doesnt sound like anythingspecial, but maybe there is somethingthere that is very hard for a lot of us thesedays. Were all busy people, very busyactually. Between work, outside commit-ments, rehearsals, children, and must-doevents, our lives are booked. Gone are thedays of Mayberry, lazily chatting withneighbors over the fence or as they pass

by on leisurely walks. Who has time for aleisurely walk? Most of us dont evenknow who our neighbors are. And whatabout family? I grew up in a clusterneighborhood: every house around me held an aunt oruncle, cousin or other relative. Were surrounded thesedays by strangers. Sewing circles are gone; weekly golfoutings or bridge parties are a rarity. So where do wegather as two or three together so Christ can say I amin the midst?

There is an easy solution. You, and I do mean youyourself, have to take responsibility for not beingalone. You simply walk up to someone, or pick up thephone, and ask a simple question: Any chance youreavailable to get together for dinner? Really, its assimple as that. If you ask, most people will say, Yes.In fact, they will be grateful that you asked.

Why dinner? Im going to give you a simple adage,a ridiculous truth. Food is love. I know that somesay thats wrong, but its true. Breaking bread togetheris fun. Enjoying a meal opens doors. It allows for con-versation. Somehow when our bodies are engaged insharing nourishment, our mouths open to the insides

of our souls, and we feed not only body, but mind andsoul as well, and all sorts of good things can happen.Its a mystery; its mystical; its God in action.

I am part of a small group of peoplewho started meeting at one of themetroparks on Friday nights duringthe summer for dinner. It began withmy walking up to a couple of cou-ples who I like talking to, and say-ing, You know, Ill bring a bucket ofKFC, if youll all just bring some-

thing to share around, and wellmeet by the river at 6:00. Are youinterested? Wonder of wonders,they said, Yes. I now have several

people I meet with regularly to share food and life sto-ries, and I love them, and they love me, and God is inthe middle. It all started with opening my mouth and abucket of KFC. It was that simple.

Summer is about to start, and so are my Fridays atthe river. Its my Foyer that never got called a Foyer,but its also now my family that isnt my family. It is,however, my community, my support, my time withChrist in the midst, but it all started with a simplequestion: Would you like to? Give it a try.

Hugs, and heres to summer,Wayne Anthony

Associate for Arts and Music

St. Paul's Challenge Grant

Every day, St. Paul's Community Center in down-

town Toledo provides food and services to hundredsof people who are unhoused or indigent.

An anonymous donor has recently challenged St.Paul's supporters by offering to match donations dol-lar for dollar up to $5,000. The Outreach Committee issending Trinitys budgeted $500 donation to St. Paul'sas our contribution to this challenge. If youd like toparticipate, please write a check to Trinity and show"St. Paul's Challenge Grant" on the memo line.

Interfaith Blood Drive

In cooperation with the AmericanRed Cross, the 23rd Annual Inter-faith Blood Drive will be held on Sat-urday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27between 9am and 3pm at Grace Lu-theran Church, 4441 Monroe St. Around 300 units ofblood are needed every day to meet the needs of areapatients. To schedule an appointment, call419.841.4652 or visit www.redcrossblood.org and en-ter the sponsor code INTERFAITH50.

Making Connections, Building Community


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Sunday Morning Huddle

If youre a worship helper, one of the people whoparticipates in the Sunday morning set-up (as thedays Altar Guild members or ushers or readers orbread baker or chalicers or verger or choir director oreven the presider), please meet at the font at 9:45 for a

brief huddle before the liturgy begins at 10:00.

This is intended as a space in which to pause,breathe, and focus together for a few moments on themeaning of the ministry were offering to the commu-nity. A short group prayer helps insure that our at-tention is turned to the God weve come to worship.Please be there to pray together!

Thoughts on PrayerTony Campolo tells the story of his grandson go-

ing off to say his evening prayers. The boy said, Heyeverybody, Im going to pray, does anyone want any-thing?

Many of us started off this life praying simple lit-tle prayers, trying to ask God to do the things wewant. Take care of Mommy. Help me not getcaught taking cookies. Help us find our lostpuppy. Help us win the game. No doubt, God hasa special ear for the prayers of children, even the sillyones asking for girlfriends and the opportunity to be acowboy. Its a good thing the Spirit intercedes on ourbehalf, stepping in to protect us from what we think

we want and helping us not to settle for what wethink we need. Its as if the Spirit says, Look, I knowhe said he wanted to be a cowboy, but.... The longerwe pray, the more we are sure of this: Prayer is not somuch about convincing God to do what we wantGod to do as it is about convincing ourselves to dowhat God wants us to do.

Mother Teresa was once asked in an interview,What do you say when you pray? She replied,

Nothing, I just listen. So then the reporter asked,Well then, what does God say to you? Her answer:Nothing much, He just listens.

The saints say prayer is less about what we sayand more about being with the one we love. Prayer isabout having a romance with the Divine. The moredeeply we are in love with someone, the less we haveto say. In fact, a sure sign that we know someonedeeply is the ability to enjoy one another withoutwordsto simply admire each other.

We once heard a wise elder say prayer is like alittle girl playing at the feet of her grandma. She does-

nt have to say anything or do anything to please hergrandma (who is quite content just watching herplay). And the most beautiful moment is when thechild starts to grow tired. She just crawls into grand-mas lap to be rocked, to hear a lullaby, to feel a kisson the forehead and the warm embrace of love.

from the Introduction to Becoming the Answer toOur Prayers by Shane Claiborne and

Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove

Making Prayer a Habit

Is there a routine in your life that you could pairwith prayer? If the routine is already in place, it mayhelp make your prayer time more consistent.

Do you walk the dog around the block every eve-ning? Do you swim every morning before work?

Make the same 20-minute commute twice a day, Mon-day through Friday? Stroll around your garden eachafternoon? You can use any of these times as opportu-nities to talk (or listen) to God. Then prayer isnt onemore thing to fit into an already full schedule.

Trinitys NCD Prayer

Merciful Creator, we invite you to be with us here

and now. As we embrace Natural Church Develop-

ment, keep us mindful of our purpose in this work to

empower your people, grow and strengthen your

church, and glorify your name. Fill us with your Spirit

of Wisdom and Truth as we humbly examine our-

selves and our community. Help us to embrace new

opportunities for growth and improvement. Renew

our energy, guide our work, and lead us to new life

in you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


9/16

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A Sneak Preview of the Word

The study of scripture is basic to the Christian life.Now the Episcopal Church is using the Internet toallow Episcopalians to participate in Bible study byposting comments and thoughts on each weeks up-coming Sunday readings. This online weekly Biblestudy is intended to grow an active, Web communityof laity and clergy to share insights and perspectivesfrom the Churchs Sunday readings from the RevisedCommon Lectionary. The weekly readings areposted, along with thought-provoking questions andreader comments, at www.episcopalchurch.org/107902_116094_ENG_HTM.htm

In order to encourage members of Trinity to thinkabout scripture, this month the church will beginemailing the upcoming Sundays Gospel reading toall members for whom we have an email address.This will allow us to reflect on the Gospel in advanceof hearing it read and preached about in community.Watch for the weekly Gospel email, and see how itaffects your Sunday morning experience of the Word.Read what the Spirit is saying to Gods people!

The Prayers of Desmond Tutu

As the years have passed, my prayer seems tohave come full circle. Most of the time, in prayer, Ifind that I am holding the world and my concernsbefore God. I do not offer God prescriptions Dothis. Fix that.though most of us would say thereis much for God to fix and do. In one week there is

flooding in one corner of our planet and drought-induced famine in another. Earthquakes and tidalwaves are quickly pushed off the headlines by othernatural disasters. Wars follow wars in a seeminglyendless cavalcade. Rape, murder, hijacking, andmayhem of every sort are part of my daily newsdiet. I have children and grandchildren, travels,meetings and presentations; all of these bring theirown delights, cares, and concerns. Often I knowwhat I want to have happen. Yet when I enter intomy private time of prayer, I sit and offer all thoseplans, hopes, joys, and cares to Godnot prescrib-

ing to God what should happen, but holding peopleand situations before God. I allow myself to becomequiet. I just try to be.

Just being, not doing, is a real challenge tomost of us. We have such busy, active lives. Wepride ourselves on the length of our to do lists. Wecram noise and activity into every waking minute.Even when our mouths are silent, our minds arebusy with their own incessant chatter. Inside ourheads we supply a running commentary on every-thing we see, feel, think and experience. Prayer putsus in a receptive mode. As we still ourselves and let

our yammering thoughts recede into the back-ground, we can begin to hear the voice of God thathas been speaking softly beneath the din of our de-mands.

~Archbishop Desmond Tutu, fromhis new bookMade for Goodness

Have you prayed foryour prayer partner today?

Being in Conversation with God

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, andwith all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great-est and first commandment. And a second is like it: Youshall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-39)

Our Sunday morning liturgy is a time for us to liveout that First Commandment. We focus all of our at-tention on God, talking with God in prayer and song,

listening to God in scripture and sharing in Gods lifethrough bread and wine.

There are times both before and after the liturgy totalk and share with others in the community, to liveout the Second Commandment. So please dont startconversations with those around you during thechoirs anthem or during communion, while others aretrying to connect with God (and God may be trying toconnect with you).


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Have A Little Faith, Mitch Alboms latest book, begins with an unusual request: an 82-year-old rabbi from Alboms hometown asks him to deliver his eulogy.

Feeling unworthy, Albom insists on understanding the rabbi better, which throws himback into a world of faith hed left years before. Meanwhile, closer to his current home, Albom becomesinvolved with a Detroit pastor a reformed drug dealer and convict who preaches to the poor and homelessin a decaying church with a hole in its roof. Moving between their worlds, Christian and Jewish, African-American and white, impoverished and well-to-do, Albom observes how these very different men employ faithsimilarly in their fight for survival.

As America struggles with hard times and people turn more to their beliefs, Mitch and the two men of God

explore issues that perplex us: how to endure when difficult things happen; what heaven is; forgiveness; doubtingGod; and the importance of faith in trying times. Although the texts, prayers and histories are different, Albombegins to realize a striking unity between the two worlds, and between beliefs everywhere.

In the end, as the rabbi nears death and a harsh winter threatens the pastors wobbly church, Albom sadlyfulfills the request and writes the eulogy. And he finally understands what both men had been teaching all along:the profound comfort of believing in something bigger than yourself. This is a book about a lifes purpose; aboutlosing belief and finding it again; about the divine spark inside us all. It is Alboms journey, but everyones story.

~adapted from www.mitchalbom.com

Three summer evenings, spent outside withfriends, sharing good food and good conversationwho could resist a Sunday School like that?

Its a new, laid-back approach to summer adultformation. Well gather on the second Wednesday ofeach month (June 9, July 14, and August 11) at6:30pm at the home ofCathy and Brian Johns inSylvania for a potluck mealand Bible study. No ad-vance reading is required.Youre encouraged to bringyour favorite summer dishto pass, but even if you cantcook, come anyway for the dinner and discussion.Well finish no later than 8:30pm.

The June 9th session will be on the Gospel of Luke(youll notice were hearing Luke a lot on Sundaysthis summer). Julys session will cover the Acts ofthe Apostles (also written by the author of Luke).And in August? As Jesus would say, come and see.

Adult Formation, Summer EditionOne Book, One Trinity

What if everyone in the Trinity community readthe same book this summer, and then all thosereaders got together to talk about it? That's the ideabehind One Book, One Trinity.

In its ongoing efforts to nurture

the passionate spirituality of theparish, the Church Health Teamthought that this could be aninteresting experiment for Trinityto try. Well read a book thatcontains some good spirituality,and then sit down together to

share reactions and thoughts about what weve read.

The book selection, chosen with input from Liddy,the staff and the Health Team, is Mitch Albomsnewest title, Have a Little Faith. Its a meaningful read

but not a difficult one; a fuller description of the bookis below. The public library has lots of copies, or youcan buy it from your favorite bookseller. Startreading now, and then add your ideas to the conver-sation on Sunday, July 18, right after church.

Book Review

HAVE A LITTLE FAITHby Mitch Albom


11/16

11

In 2003 I was diagnosed with lung cancer, and had surgery to remove the lobe that con-tained the cancer. That was to cure the cancer; it did not. One and a half years later Ihad a second surgery to remove another lobe of my lungs and take a piece of the thirdlobe, followed by chemotherapy. During this time I had many God moments.

Ultimately my oncologist said to me, You have a stage 4 cancer. This was 5 yearsafter my initial diagnosis; I thought I knew what it meant to have stage 4 cancer. Well,it turns out to mean that the doctors turn your treatment over to God. For the last 7years I have left it in Gods hands. While I still take a drug, my God moments areevery breath I take without pain, knowing that they are special.

Late last year, my doctor announced to me that my cancer has diminished and that it should not return. Ibelieve that God still has something for me to do or to be. Whatever it is (maybe just a glass of water offeredin his name to a stranger, or a world-altering event), God will be with me, as he has been all of my life.

This congregation has been a part of my God moments. One moment occurred on a Sunday morning when,during the blessings, I was presented with a blanket indicating the laying on of hands by the whole congregation

(the blanket is covered with handprints). When I am down, I cover up with my blanket showing all of yourhands, and all is well.

~Herb Landis

God Moment

Got a God moment?Has there been a time recently when you noticed the presence of God in your life? If youre willing to share a brief Godmoment with the Trinity community, youre invited to submit several paragraphs (no more than half a page, up to 300 words,subject to editing for clarity) to [email protected].

Foundations in Spirituality, a program sponsored bythe Dominican Center at Marywood in Grand Rapids,MI, is a reflective study of the saints and great spiritualteachers of the Christian tradition, the practice of con-templative prayer and the writing/living of a per-sonal Rule of Life. Presenters are local, regional andnational professional ministers chosen not only fortheir academic background but also because they livethe spirituality they teach. This program was offeredat Trinity until 2009.

Participants will meet on one Saturday each month(August 2010 May 2011), normally from 9:30am -4:30pm, at Washington Church, 3925 West CentralAve. in Toledo. The deadline for registration is Au-gust 20.

For more information on course expectations,reading materials and fees, go to www.dominicancenter.com, or contact Sister Diane Zerfas by email

(dzerfas@ dominicancenter.com) or phone (800.253.7343, ext. 356).

August 28, 2010 The Christian Journey Biblical SpiritualitySeptember 11, 2010 St. Anthony/Desert Spirituality Prayer & the Spiritual Journey

October 2, 2010 St. Augustine of Hippo Rule of St. Benedict & St.ScholasticaNovember 6, 2010 St. Francis of Assisi & St. Clare Meister Eckhart & Catherineof SienaDecember 4, 2010 The Beguines (Full Day)

January 8, 2011 The Cloud of Unknowing Ignatian SpiritualityFebruary 5, 2011 Prayer & Discernment John Calvin/Reformed Spiritu-

alityMarch 5, 2011 St. Teresa of Avila & Integrat-ing the Journey St. John of the CrossApril 2, 2011 John Wesley Evelyn UnderhillMay 7, 2011 Thomas Merton & Closing

Washington Church Hosts Spiritual Formation Program


12/16

12

Look around you, at Coffee Hour, in the grocerycheckout line, at work. At least six of any ten peopleyou see do not have a current will. And how do youcompareare your own plans in order?

When you write a will, you create an opportunity

to acknowledge the people and organizations thatmean the most to you. A gift to Trinity in your willproclaims your commitment to helping the parish con-tinue to pursue Gods work in downtown Toledo andmake a difference for future generations.

You don't have to be wealthy to leave a legacy.Meaningful donations come in all sizes and from peo-ple across the financial spectrum. Leaving a gift to thechurch through a bequest in your will is a wonderfulway to continue your generosity and perpetuate yourvalues after you are gone.

How it worksA bequest is one of the simplest forms of planned

giving, and is easy to arrange. It is not payable untildeath, so it does not affectyour lifetime assets or cashflow. It can be private; awill need not be filed ormade public until death.And it is revocableindividuals can change theprovisions in their wills at

any time until death.

A bequest can provide aspecific dollar amount, or apercentage of the balanceremaining in the estate aftertaxes, expenses and specificbequests have been paid whats known as theresidue of the estate. Gen-erally, giving a percent ofthe residue ensures that eachbeneficiary receives the in-tended proportion of assets.

A charitable bequest or trust distribution to Trinitywill reduce the taxable value of estates which are sub-

ject to federal or estate taxes.

Since a bequest will typically not be received bythe church until an unknown date that could be farinto the future, it is helpful if its terms are as general as

possible. A gift likethis, without condi-tions attached, isthe most useful, asit allows the churchto determine the

wisest and mostpressing need forthe funds at thetime of receipt. This also avoids a gift benefiting a pro-

ject or program that the church no longer pursues, orwith terms that are difficult to satisfy. Please contactthe church if you are considering a bequest for a spe-cific purpose.

Your next stepIf you plan to make a gift to Trinity in your will,

think it through carefully. Then, meet with your attor-

ney to discuss and update your will. Tell him or herexactly what you want to do; be as clear as possible indescribing your intentions. Here are some generallyaccepted ways to make a bequest. Your attorney mayrecommend alternative language to accomplish thesame purpose.

Suggested text for a bequestA specific bequest: I bequeath $30,000 to

Trinity Episcopal Church, a non-profit cor-poration located in Toledo, OH, to be usedfor its general purposes.

A residuary bequest: I bequeathTwenty Percent (20%) of the residue of myestate to Trinity Episcopal Church, a non-profit corporation located in Toledo, OH, tobe used for its general purposes.

Consider letting us knowWe hope you'll tell us when you have named Trin-

ity Church in your will. We would very much like theopportunity to thank you for your generosity. Notify-ing us of a planned bequest creates no legal obligationon your part.

If you want more informationIf youd like to discuss a bequest or revocable trust

benefiting Trinity Episcopal Church, contact thechurch office for more information.

Including Trinity in Your Will

We are grateful to Mildred Hatfield for leaving abequest to Trinity in her will. Mildred, a memberof the Trinity community, died in October, 2009.


13/16

13

More Books Worth Reading or Re-reading

Here are a few vacation reading suggestions from Trinity members. Some of these have been out for a while, but may still benew to you. There isnt a sacred text in the bunch, but there is some good spirituality in every one...

Watership Downby Richard Adams

You might not expect a story about agroup of rabbits on a quest to find a hometo be a great read, but these rabbits willinhabit your heart long after you turn thelast page. Along the way, you will meetheroes, villains, and an unlikely but wisesage named Fiver. Youll witnessadventure, bravery, and deep friendship.

This charming classic is well worth your time.

The Council of Dadsby Bruce Feiler

Bruce Feiler was a young father when hewas diagnosed with cancer, and heworried about what his daughters' liveswould be like without him. Soon hecame up with an idea of how he mightgive them his voicehe would reach outto 6 men from all the passages in his life,and ask them to be present in thepassages in his daughters' lives. He calledthis group "The Council of Dads."

She's Not There: A Life in TwoGendersby Jennifer Finney Boylan

Writer and professor Jenny Boylan livedfor 40 years as James Boylan, son, hus-band and father, before finally confront-ing the complicated true nature of beingtransgendered. This fearless book is bothdeeply moving and sometimes hilarious.

Rev. Clare Fergusson mysteries

by Julia Spencer-Fleming

Claire Fergusson, formerArmy helicopter pilot andcurrent Episcopal priest inrural upstate New York,solves mysteries with (andstruggles with herattraction to) Sheriff Russ Van Alstyne. Sixnovels in the series to date.

The Helpby Kathryn Stockett

This uplifting debut novel is set duringthe nascent civil rights movement in

Jackson, Miss., where black women weretrusted to raise white children but notto polish the household silver. Its apage-turner of social awakening as seenfrom both sides of the American racialdivide.

Charlottes Webby E. B. White

An affectionate and playful pig namedWilbur befriends a spider namedCharlotte who lives in the raftersabove his pen. Wilbur is shocked todiscover that hes destined to be hisowners Christmas dinner, and turnsto Charlotte for help. Determined tosave the life of her friend, Charlottespins messages in her web that convince Wilburs ownersand the surrounding community that Wilbur is special. Its astory of great love, loyalty, generosity and hope.

Good OmensBy Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

According to the Armageddon prophecies of witch AgnesNutter, the world will end next Saturday. So the armies of

Good and Evil are amassing, the FourBikers of the Apocalypse are revvingup their hogs, Atlantis is rising, frogsare falling and tempers are flaring, allaccording to Divine Plan. However,the somewhat fussy angel Aziraphaleand the fast-living demon Crowley are

not looking forward to Rapture. But toprevent it from happening, theyve gotto find and kill the 11-year oldAntichrist, and someones misplacedhim...


14/16

Watching a disaster unfold on thenews is always heartbreaking, butwhen it occurs in your hometown andyou are far away, it can be debilitat-

ing. I grew up minutes from the Gulfbeaches in Florida, and reading aboutand watching the Gulf of Mexico oilspill from my current home in Wash-ington, D.C., is like a living nightmarewith no option to kick myselfawake. With little hope of a happyending, my soul gasps out prayers forthe Lord to stop this horrible tragedybefore it goes further.

1.6 million gallons of oil haveleaked since April 20. Let me say thatagain. 1.6 million.

People in the surrounding states (Icant speak to Mexicos impact) arewatching their livelihoods changeforever and are virtually powerless tostop it. Eleven men already lost theirlives, and millions of Gods creatures,great and small, will be poisoned bythis spill. Ecosystems, intricate anddiverse, will be disrupted andchanged, possibly forever.

What can be said? What shall wedo? My God, how can we mourn?

I want to turn away, but my mindis too quick with the memories: track-ing sea turtle nesting sites along thebeach in the middle of the night withmy girl scout troop; watching the re-turn of the osprey population to ourneighborhoods as the ban on DDT

produced its fruit; the success as eachprevious attempt to open Floridascoasts to oil exploration were de-feated.

We were doing so well! The envi-ronmental movement was makingprogress. Now, in a bitter spirit, Iwonder why we even bothered.

Sea turtle nesting season is aboutto begin on the Gulf Coast and reportsof dead turtles washing upon the shore partly aresponse of the oil spill turn my stomach. Thebirds are nesting as well.Have you ever seen a birdwith oil on its water-prooffeathers?

To all of Gods creation we cryout: We failed you! We have failedall of Gods creatures we were sup-posed to protect. Lord, forgive us, giveus another chance! And Lord, comfortour children, as they, in their inno-cence, bear the brunt of sorrow for theplants and animals that will die.

Being angry is one option,but not one I find effective inthe long run. Should I throwstones at BP, Transocean, Hal-liburton, or the political lead-ers who leased the oceanspace? Or should I reserve theharshest judgment for myselfand my addiction to oil? MyAC, my car, my hot water, mylaptop, my disposable plastics,

the list is endless.

Because while we all can expectcompanies leasing rights to publicland to practice the strictest safetystandards, and it is easy and righteousto decry the power of the internationalcorporations to work around nationalenvironmental laws those busi-nesses would not exist without de-

mand for their product.

My outrage is checked before Ican even speak.

Am I the biggest hypocrite when Iprotest rigs in my backyard but dontmind when they end up in other partsof the world? When I change a stupidlight bulb, but wont stop consumingproducts day in and day out that fuelour unsustainable lifestyles?

Lord hear, Lord forgive.

Dont get me wrong, I plan tofight back! To organize, and donate,and help pass state legislation toprotect our beaches. But unless mylament leads to personal repentance,can I expect to find peace? Unless Iacknowledge my own sinfulness, can

I work to clean up the rest of world?

I must consider the log in my owneye.

A colleague reminded me of aworthy saying to help put our energyinterconnectedness and my resultingguilt and anger in perspective. RabbiAbraham Joshua Heschel said,Above all, the prophets remind us ofthe moral state of a people: Few are

guilty, but all are responsible.

May we take this wisdom and itsapplicable lesson to heart, and beginnow to create a new energy futuretogether: one that consumes less, caresmore, and expects the same from ourindustries and government.

From blog.sojo.net/

14

Gulf Oil Spill: Watching a Disaster Unfold with a Log in My Eyeby Elizabeth Denlinger Reaves

ShouldIthrowstonesatBP,or

should I reserve the harshest

judgment

for

myself

and

my

addictiontooil?


15/16

What could be more joyful thanrediscovering our God-given role ascaretakers, stewards, and lovers ofcreation? What could be more sad andtragic than missing that dimension oflife linking the human parts ofGods creation with the rest? Howmuch would we miss by neglecting orignoring the vast majority of Godscreation that came into being before wedid and that was pronouncedgood by God completely apart fromits utility to us?

Here are seven first steps that Irecommend to all of us who want to re-enter our primal (and deeply fulfilling)

role as caretakers of Gods beautifulworld.

1. Develop a theology of creation.Sadly, many of us have a gospel ofevacuation and abandonment, leavingbehind creation to be destroyed so oursouls can be beamed up to heaven assoon as possible. We need instead atheology of incarnation and engage-ment where we join the Creator inloving and caring for creation. Thank-

fully, this theology that includes ratherthan evacuates creation is deeplyrooted in the scriptures, and is beingrediscovered and freshly articulated bymany of us today.

2. Worship the God of creation.God is first revealed to us as Creator,and in the end, God is the gracious

source of new creation. From creationto new creation, God the Creator isworthy to be praised. How sad if weworship God within a construction ofhuman doctrines and within man-

made walls and never wor-ship God within a forest oftrees or under a canopy ofstars or with a choirof singing birds,crickets, and tree frogs!

3. Learn the threats to creation.They are many, and they are complex,and they are interwoven and mutuallyreinforcing. And we are complicit innearly all of them.

4. Adjust your lifestyle to creation.In the Genesis story, part of Adam andEve wanting to be like gods mustsurely involve wanting to transcend

our God-given role as creatures in anenvironment. We are as connected tohabitats of soil, water, air, grass, andtrees as are gazelles and lions, dragon-flies and mockingbirds. We have beenliving in a fantasy world for centuries,forgetting that we are woven in a fabricof creation and we need to re-enterand adjust our lifestyles to that beauti-ful fabric. Doing so will be a lifelongtask. It will involve personal action(changing light bulbs, recycling, com-

posting, driving less and driving wiser,applying new technologies, etc.), butalso social and political action.

5. Choose a part of creation inwhich to specialize. God loves birdsyou can join God. God loves flowersand deserts and wetlands and sea tur-tles you can join God. God knows

the potential of wind andhydrogen and solar energyto help us live more wisely you can join God. Wecant all know everything,but we can all specialize incertain areas and share ourknowledge and concernswith one another.

6. Start with your environmentaladdress. A zip code is just so mail canfind you. Your real address is a water-shed a place on the planet where you

consume, pol-lute, garden,

tend, and care. We all have tocare for the whole planet, butwe each must care especially

for our own ecologicalneighborhood.

7. Advocate for creationeverywhere. Birds dont get tovote. Neither do streams orsalamanders. Corporations aregiven legal status and protec-tion, but most forests arent(maybe they should be?). Ifbirds and soil and trees andwind are going to be given a

voice in life-and-death deci-sions made by humans, peoplelike you and me are going tohave to add-our-voice (advo-cate) on their behalf. That voicewill speak in voting, but also inchurch, and in the office andclassroom, and around the din-ner table. We cant just speakwith a kind of guilt-inducingduty; we must also speak withlove. Because we love people and other

creatures who live in desertifying ar-eas, we must speak up and deal withglobal climate change. Because we lovepeople and creatures who live in areasdevastated by mountaintop removal,we must speak up for protecting themountains. Because we love the springpeepers and spotted salamanders, wemust speak up when another shoppingmall is going to bury another vernalpool.

Theres so much more to be saidand done, but this is a start. And thesethings are not simply a duty, but a true

joy. The threats and urgency of the mo-ment can be truly overwhelming, butthe Spirit of creation that hovered overthe surface of the waters in Genesis 1 isstill alive, stirring hearts to rediscover atruly human way of living in Godsbeautiful green world.

15

arou

ndthek

ingdom

Seven Steps for Creation Caretakingby Brian McLaren

TheSpiritofcreationthathovered

overthesurfaceofthewatersin

Genesisis

still

alive,

stirring

hearts

torediscoverawayoflivingin

Godsbeautifulworld.


16/16

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Parish Staff Elizabeth M. Hoster, RectorWayne F. Anthony, Associate for Music and the ArtsSusan Lowrey,Associate for Community LifeVirginia Shafer, Executive Secretary

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Johns, Jennifer Siebold, Karen Wabeke, Jim Zechman.

Par ish Of f icesMon thru Fri, 8:30 am 4:30 pmPhone 419.243.1231 Fax 419.243.0920Email: [email protected]

Episcopal Diocese of Ohio2230 Euclid AvenueCleveland, Ohio 44115-2499800.551.4815 216.771.4815The Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr., Bishop Ordinary

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servicesSUNDAYS 10:00 am, Holy Eucharist

HOLY DAYS as announced

prayersRemember those for whom our prayers have been requested: Alexis Bueche-Hall, Margaret Child, James Hamilton, Susan Lowrey, Gordon McIntosh, MarjorieMcIntosh, Julie Napier, Nancy Paulas, Ruth Pontius, and Peg Sammons; the children andstaff of Emanuel Childrens Home, especially David and Estrella; the vestry; the ChurchHealth Team; those on death row, including Richard Nields, who is scheduled to beexecuted by the state of Ohio on June 10; all victims of war and violence; our ministrywith CaterMe; Sara & Todd Alcroft, awaiting the birth of their first child.

Prayers for those who have died: Fr. Lynn McCallum,

vision & missionTrinity is called to be a progressive, inclusive, creative urban faith community.

We will practice radical hospitality.

We will be engaged in the life of our city.

We will stand with those in need: the poor, the sick, the friendless, the marginalized.

We will actively invite all to experience and celebrate Gods living presence.

We will journey together toward a Christ-centered life, pursuing personal ministriesthat connect us to God, to one another, and to the world around us.

TIME SENSITIV E MATERIAL PLEASE HANDLE PROMPTLY

Trinity Episcopal ChurchOne Trinity Plaza Toledo, Ohio 43604-1585

Phone: 419.243.1231

Fax: 419.243.0920Email: [email protected]

Serving Downtown Toledo since 1842.

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june 2010 trinity topics newsletter, trinity toledo episcopal church

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