trinity episcopal church 128 west hardin...

Trinity Episcopal Church

128 West Hardin Street

Findlay, Ohio 45840

The Episcopal Church serving

Hancock County, Ohio…and beyond

2016

OUTREACH MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL...

OUTREACH IS COLLECTING MONIES FOR TWO ADOPTED CANCER PATIENT

SERVICES FAMILIES. FOOD IS THE PRIMARY CONCERN FOR THESE TWO FAMILIES

THIS YEAR AS BOTH THE HUSBANDS ARE IN TREATMENT AND UNABLE TO

WORK. GIFTS MAY BE GIVEN TO SUE ANN SANDUSKY, RITA ROBERTS, AND

NANCY OR PAUL O'SULLIVAN.

AND...THE MITTEN TREE IS UP IN THE PARISH HALL TO COLLECT MITTENS,

GLOVES, HATS, SCARVES – ANY COLD-WEATHER ITEMS FOR ALL AGES – WHO

MAY NEED A LITTLE WARMTH.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITIES. NANCY AND PAUL O’SULLIVAN, CHAIRS

You never know when you might meet…

CSG has been busy with plans for Fr. John's installation, which took place Saturday, December 3 at 4:00. Silver polished, china washed, linens laid out and great food prepared! After meetings to plan and "divvy" up assignments, members spent time on the first as well as came early on Saturday to get all in order. Vestry contributed altar flowers while CSG decorated the Parish Hall.

It's that time again: university finals. CSG members are sending "Good-luck-on-exams" goodie boxes to our students. We are sure that all those non-nutritious snacks will give them all that extra energy boost so needed when studying!

You all will next hear from us with plans for Trinity's Annual Meeting. In the meantime, Merry Christmas to all!

Ginny Lee Pilstl, CSG Chair

…Christ in a stranger’s guise.

2

A PRAYER FOR DECEMBER Dearest God, please never let me crowd my life to the brim, so like the keeper of Bethlehem's inn, I find I have no room for Him. Rather let my heart's door be ever open, ready to welcome the

newborn King; Let me offer the best I have, to Him who gives me everything. Amen.

2017 Offering envelopes are on the table

in the parish hall. If you would like numbered envelopes and didn’t order them, there are several sets. There are also some sets of un-numbered envelopes available. Please let Deborah know!

The Episcopal Kalendar for 2017 is now available in the parish hall. Once again, they are $5.00 each. An envelope is provided or you may give the payment directly to an Altar Guild member.

3

I am not often charged with being an overly sentimental person. That said, even my rather stoic self is affected by some of the maudlin fare that comes on television this time of year. On a cognitive level I agree with the critic Wendell Jamieson who, in 2008, wrote the following about the holiday favorite, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’:

[The film] is a terrifying, asphyxiating story about growing up and relinquishing your dreams, of seeing your father driven to the grave before his time, of living among bitter, small-minded people. It is a story of being trapped, of compromising, of watching others move ahead and away, of becoming so filled with rage that you verbally abuse your children, their teacher, and your oppressively perfect wife.

My brain agrees with that reading of Capra’s mawkish movie, but my heart (or my bowel, which the ancients, including those who wrote the bible, more appropriately considered the seat of emotion) does not. And don’t get me started on ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’. I get manfully misty-eyed every time I see it!

All that said, and as harmless as a bit of sentimentality can be, the real Christmas story is not the least bit sappy. Affecting, yes, but not saccharine sweet. It’s a very real story about very real people, and it’s fraught with insecurity and fear and all the messiness of real life. We have a filthy cowshed, a frightened teenage girl who’s got no idea what the future holds, and spectral figures which were probably an awful lot spookier than the sweet-winged things we put on trees and greeting cards. It’s in the midst of this something-less-than-cheerful scene that the hope of people and nations was found.

And it is there where the faithful may still find hope and salvation. It is where fear and loneliness and sadness are most present and life and meaning seem most absent where Christ is born anew, where the Risen Lord takes up residence among us. If we want to see Jesus, we probably ought to peel ourselves away from the cheery hearth for a little while and go to some hospital room or homeless shelter. That’s not because Jesus is absent from the former (he’s there, too!) but because he told us we’d find him in the latter: “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me”.

Shall we, then, go look for Jesus where he said we’d find him?

Yours in service to the Gospel, John †††

THE RECTOR WRITES…

Music Notes

The choir will share some special music this month and we are always

` looking for more voices! Join us – we would love to have you.

Our goal remains to help enrich our services and bring us closer to God.

Thanks for your interest and support of music at Trinity!

Parker

4

WEEKLY PRAYER LIST We all need a little prayer and Trinity provides a prayer list each week in the bulletin for those

who could use some extra. Would you please take a moment to review that prayer list and help us

keep it up-to-date? If there are names which should be removed, let Deborah know. If there is

someone on your heart, we can add that person. Thank you!

Trinity Episcopal Church is . . . a welcoming community that is accepting of others who are different.

…a place to experience genuine relationships that help us grow. …people who volunteer to reach out into the community. …people who value tradition, music, and prayer in their worship.

PROPERTY COMMITTEE

This property committee is being re-established this winter with a few new members. If any of

you are at all interested, like the choir, we welcome warm bodies! If you

like to mow, trim, shovel snow, swing a hammer, wield a paint brush, etc...

contact me. Thanks to all!

Mark Creighton, Property Chair

TRINITY KNITTING CIRCLE

The Trinity Knitting Circle will not meet in December. We will resume our meetings

on Monday, January 9th at 1 p.m. at 129 Second St.

Please let Pat Fox know if you need a prayer shawl or baby blanket. Items do not have to go to someone within the church.

If you are interested in joining this ministry, please call 419-424-9786.

Purls,

Pat Fox

COFFEE CORNER DECEMBER coffee hour hosts…

4nd – Nancy Woodruff &

Annie Stricklin

11th – Roberts

18th – Yan Trudeau

25th – Merry Christmas!

NO COFFEE HOUR

HOSTS ARE NEEDED!

THE NEW 2017 SIGN-UP SHEET IS NOW POSTED. Please consider adding your name to the sign-up sheet

on the bulletin board. You don’t have to do it alone –

several families or a group may host together.

THANK YOU for the donations of coffee and decaf!

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH FESTIVE HIGH TEA at the Swan House. On Friday, December 9th, the Lunch Bunch

will meet at 11 a.m. in the Blue Room. Space is limited so firm

reservations are a must. (Swan House charges for last minute

cancellations and no-shows). Please make your reservations with Joanne McPherson or Ginny Lee Pilstl by

noon on Wednesday, December 7th.

There are openings for helpers and hosts for Trinity’s parish breakfasts at 8:30 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month. If you are able to cook or to help clean up at any of these, THE NEW SIGN-UP SHEET FOR 2017 is on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall. Thank you.

WHERE DO YOU FIT?? Everyone has special gifts – share yours with your church! Please consider lending your skills and talents to a committee in an area of interest or skill. Just contact a committee or vestry member to join.

The monthly parish breakfast is scheduled for Saturday, December 10th

at 8:30 a.m. Fr. John is going to share the results of his cooking skills!

5

KROGER REWARDS!! Kroger shoppers of Trinity earned $163.68 from the 19 households participating during the past quarter (ending 10/30/16) from the Community Rewards Program!

PLEASE BE SURE TO KEEP YOUR MEMBERSHIP UP-TO-DATE! OR…if you have not yet signed-up, consider doing so.

This program in no way affects your personal Kroger Rewards – sales, fuel points, etc. If you would like assistance, to sign up or renew, please contact Deborah.

6

Trinity on Facebook. Find our page by

searching for Trinity Episcopal Church, Findlay, Ohio. Be sure to ‘like’ the page to get posts delivered to your News Feed. If you're not on Facebook and you want to know more about it, please call Ben Dolan or Emily Boerger at 419-425-5105.

WEB SITE HAVE YOU VISITED OUR NEW AND IMPROVED WEB-SITE? The goal was to up-grade Trinity’s on-line presence and provide timely information in a user-friendly format. Please check it out and let us know what you think! Ben Dolan is our web master.

Trinity Thank Offering

(TTO) The TRINITY THANK OFFERING is a

way in which our parish recognizes the

importance of thanking God for its many

blessings. Those in need locally benefit as

Thank offerings are directed to the Rector's

Discretionary Fund. Please continue to give

thanks with offerings in the green TTO box.

ALTAR FLOWERS

Please let Deborah know by noon on Wednesday of that

week what you would like printed in the bulletin for

your gift of flowers. E-mail to [email protected] or call

419-422-3214. REMEMBER -When providing altar

flowers from a florist they should be delivered to the

church between 9 a.m.

and noon on Friday.

Altar guild members

may no longer be at

the church on Saturdays.

Thanks!

TRINITY 2016 VESTRY Ginny Lee Pilstl, Senior Warden Karen Eubanks, Junior Warden Mark Creighton, Clerk Jim Miller Paul O’Sullivan Rita Roberts Lisa Robeson Sue Sandusky Bill Trudeau Peg Daily Treasurer

Your talents are God’s gift to you…what

you do with them is your gift to God.

ITEMS FOR JANUARY TIdings

should be submitted By

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22nd.

tHANK YOU!

The NEW 2017sign-up sheet for altar flowers is on the bulletin board in the parish hall.

There is a chilly little tree in the parish hall hoping

to be warmed up with mittens, hats, gloves, scarves

– any winter item for any age.

Please bring your gifts to dress our

tree and share some warmth with

those who need it this season. Thanks!

Outreach Committee

Santa’s little helpers are

subordinate clauses.

7

KEEPING IN TOUCH

TRULY KEEPING IN TOUCH… Some parishioners not able to attend services, or attend regularly, would enjoy calls or cards from

the rest of us, and visits especially from people who know them. Others have moved – so this is

an update on their contact information:

Betty Berlekamp – 15100 Birchaven Road, Room 310, Findlay, 45840.

Marilyn Russell - P.O. Box 061600, Palm Bay, FL 32906-1600

Sarah Worthington – 172 Legacy Lane, Heritage House, 2820 Greenacre Drive, Findlay, 45840

Romelle Aldrich - 83 Harwood Road, Monroe, NJ 08831

John and Paula Wolper - 2248 Dominion Drive, Fort Mitchell, KY 41017

Caroline Dunham – Legacy at Heritage, 2820 Greenacre Drive, Findlay, 45840

Dave & Peg Bell – 779 Tupper Street, Brockville, Ontario, Canada K6V6A1

Jean Bolmer – 401 Hancock Street, Findlay, 45840

Eleanor Speck, Birchaven, 15100 Birchaven Road, Findlay 45840

Chris’s information is posted on the bulletin board in the parish hall.

If ever there is a name omitted from one of these lists, or a date is incorrect, please contact the church office with the information. Thanks!

PERSONAL NOTES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR AND

ABOUT THE TRINITY FAMILY. IF YOU HAVE ITEMS OF

INTEREST TO SHARE, (BIRTHS, ENGAGEMENTS,

GRADUATIONS, HONORS, AWARDS, WEDDINGS,

PERFORMANCES, ACHIEVEMENTS, ACTIVITIES, ETC.)

PLEASE SUBMIT THEM BY THE 3RD WEDNESDAY OF

EACH MONTH FOR THE NEXT PUBLICATION. Thanks

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 4 - Peg Dailey 5 – Alexandrea Risner 6 – Neil Bartlett, Sam Boucher 13 – Mark Creighton, Brad Johnson 14 – Rita Roberts 23 – Marilyn Russell 27 – Ruth Bryant, Lauren Wolper 30 – Dorothy Sandusky

CHURCH CALENDAR As a central area of communication, there is a monthly Trinity scheduling calendar on the bulletin board in the parish hall. It includes all events, activities, and facility usage. THIS IS YOUR CALENDAR…IF SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE ADDED, DO SO. IF THERE IS AN ERROR, PLEASE CORRECT IT! You may submit items to Deborah anytime for the upcoming calendar, but please feel free to make this an interactive tool for the parish!

DEDEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

6 – Amy & Michael Romey 27 – Paula Sue & Todd Russell 30 – Julie & Joe Boucher 31 – Karen & Dave Eubanks

Holy Baptism Please join in celebrating the Baptism

of Grady Scott Goodwin

December 26, 2016 at 12 noon

Trinity Episcopal Church

Reception to follow – Please RSVP to

Katie, 330-719-5116, by December 20th.

8

Fr. John Drymon installed as 25th Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church.

On Saturday, December 3, 2016, Trinity

celebrated the installation of Fr. John with worship and a reception. Bishop William Persell was celebrant and

Rev. Percy Grant, Canon for Ministry of the Diocese of Ohio, was a Eucharistic Minister and presenter. Area clergy, including some

who celebrated during the interim, and Trinitarians participated in the service.

Rev. Gary Woodruff gave the sermon, Rev. Jeff Bunke was Eucharistic Minister (and unofficial photographer), Litanist was Rev.

George Baum and Rev. Elizabeth Kelly was Gospeller.

Ann Sandusky; Ushers were Mary Brater, lph; Catherine Albrecht and Warren Kahn and Mat Slater were the Servers.

son, Anna Miller, and Jim Miller - the Bible; Unkefer; RK Baltzell, Peg Dailey, and Mat

avidson, Christophe Konkobo, and Sue Ann

Acting as Greeters were Debbie Grove and Sue Karen Eubanks, Ginny Lee Pilstl, and Gloria Wo

were Lectors; and Asher Boyles, Deke Roberts, Those who presented gifts were Joanne McPher the Stole - Will Slater, Annie Stricklin, and Dave

Slater – the Prayerbook; Oil was given by Jude D Sandusky; Keys to the church were given by Sr.

Warden Ginny Lee Pilstl and Jr. Warden Karen Eubanks. The Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church were presented by Rev. George

Baum, Rev. Percy Grant, and Rev. Elizabeth Kelly, while Deke and Rita Roberts gave the Bread and Wine.

As always, members of CSG/Social Committee provided a lavish and luscious reception

following the service.

TAIZÉ PRAYER

by Kim Grove

The next Taizé Prayer at Trinity is Sunday, December 18th. Please join us at 5:00 p.m.

for a service of prayer, song, and contemplation. This service has developed into an

important outreach ministry for our parish to the community at large.

Taizé Prayer is based on an ancient Christian principle expressed by Brother Roger, a

founding member of the Taizé community in France: “Nothing is more conducive to a

communion with the living God than a meditative common prayer with, at its high point, singing that never

ends and that continues in the silence of one’s heart when one is alone again.” The focal point of this

communion is the cross – the symbol of God’s saving presence in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy

Spirit.

Our season of Taizé Prayer runs from October through March, held the 3rd Sunday of each month at 5:00pm.

We can always use more help in setting up, decorating and clean up; musicians; and hosting or helping to host

the reception which follows each service. If you would like to help in decorating, just join us after church as we

setup on the 3rd Sunday of the month. If you are a musician and want to join our ensemble, we meet at

3:45pm before the service to rehearse – you are most welcome. If you wish to host a reception or help with

same, there is a signup sheet on the bulletin board in the parish hall.

If you have been with us in the past, we encourage you to come again; if you have never attended Taizé

Prayer, please join us on October 16th and give it a try – we hope you will find the experience most

worthwhile.

THE COMMUNICATIONS CENTER IS FOR YOUR BENEFIT! You may exchange information,

paperwork, mail, etc. It is located in the yellow room under the bulletin board. There are cubbies for

the Rector, Treasurer, Secretary, Vestry, Stewardship committee, Property committee, CSG/social

committee, Outreach committee, and Worship committee so far. The Choir

Director has a basket as does the Altar Guild. The bulletin board may also have

information posted – please feel free to use it and to check it.

9

STEWARDSHIP After a first look at the initial responses to this year’s stewardship campaign, Trinitarians seem to be saying, "Let's thrive, not just survive." Although we are only a little more than a week or two since the mailing of the pledge cards and there are still more pledges to be received, early results are encouraging. Almost half of us are increasing our financial commitment and that is on top of last year's successful campaign. If this trend continues, it will allow our vestry to focus on mission rather than money. (A common complaint of former vestry persons is that too much time at vestry meetings was spent talking about money and lack thereof). Thank-you to everyone for responding to God's grace and being good stewards. Your Stewardship committee, Kent Asher, Mark Creighton, Deke Roberts, Father John

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

DEC 1 DEC 2 DEC 3

4 p.m. Fr. John’s

Installation &

Reception

DEC 4 DEC 5 DEC 6 DEC 7 DEC 8 DEC 9 DEC 10 ADVENT 2

8:30 Holy Eucharist

9:30 Holy Eucharist

Coffee hour

8 a.m. Morning Prayer



12:05 Wednesday

Worship


11 a.m. Lunch

Bunch @ Swan

House

8:30 a.m. Parish

Breakfast


8:30 Holy Eucharist

9:30 Holy Eucharist

Coffee hour

1 p.m. Vestry


NO Knitting Circle

5:15 Bible study



12:05 Wednesday

Worship



8:30 Holy Eucharist

9:30 Holy Eucharist

Coffee hour

5 p.m. Taizé Prayer


5:15 Rector’s Bible

study



12:05 Wednesday

Worship

9 a.m.Holy Eucharist

CHRISTMAS EVE

3:30 p.m. Carols

4 p.m. Candlelight

Service w/Eucharist

11 p.m. Candlelight

Service w/Eucharist

DEC 25 DEC 26 DEC 27 DEC 28 DEC 29 DEC 30 DEC 31 CHRISTMAS

9:30 Holy Eucharist

Merry Christmas!

Holy

Baptism

12 p.m. Grady Goodwin

Baptism & Reception

5:15 Rector’s Bible

study



12:05 Wednesday

Worship

8 a.m. Morning Prayer NEW YEAR’S EVE

10

EVENT CALENDAR

Flower of the month – Narcissus

Birthstone – Blue Zircon

DECEMBER 2016

trinity episcopal church 128 west hardin...

Documents