trinity topics, august 2010

August, 2010N E W S F R O M T R I N I T Y E P I S C O PA L C H U R C H

Proper 11C: The Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37)

From the Rector

Several weeks ago, our Sunday

readings began to take us on a

journey. With the words, “He set his

face to Jerusalem,” (Luke 9:51) Jesus

started to move toward his ultimate

destination. Jesus began to teach his

disciples about the conviction that

would be needed to be a part of this

journey. Jesus sent his disciples ahead

of him, teaching them about the

importance of being open and recep-

tive. “Take nothing on your journey,”

(Luke 10:4) Jesus said. So far, so good.

The journey seems to be going rather

smoothly. In fact, Jesus rejoices that

things are going so smoothly. He

says to the disciples, “Blessed are the

eyes that see what you see.” (Luke

10:23) Jesus seems pleased with the

progress. But you know as well as I do

that, when it comes to church plans,

we shouldn’t rejoice too soon. “Just

then, a lawyer stood up to test Jesus.”

(Luke 10: 25)

Isn’t this a pain? Just when things start going well, somebody has to stand up and throw a wrench into the works. Inevitably in the life of the church, people will put us to the test. They’ll test our ideas, they’ll test our plans, they’ll test our motives, they’ll test our knowledge, our expertise, our faith. But we believe in a God who can bring truth, even out of those who seek to test and challenge. In this instance, the lawyer is testing Jesus and the enormity of God.

It’s one of the most familiar stories in the Bible. The lawyer asks what he must do to inherit eternal life. This lawyer is an expert in the Torah — the law. I have a feeling he already knows the answer. Jesus has that feeling, too. The lawyer answers correctly, “Love God and love your neighbor.” “Do these and you will live,” responds Jesus. But the lawyer wants to know more specifics. “Who is my neigh-bor?” he asks. And then, Jesus tells the familiar story of the Samaritan.

Samaritans were people from the north whose past put them at odds with the Jewish community. The Gospel of John instructs the Jews to have nothing to do with the Samaritans. But it’s the Samaritan who stops and helps the man on the side of the road. Two other people see the man and keep on walking. But we won’t be too hard on them.

After all, they’re priests. They were adhering to the laws that stated they would be unclean if they were to touch a dead person. The person isn’t dead, though, and so the Samaritan stops and helps. He does more than we might expect: Right there on the road, he bandages the man’s wounds. He pours a healing mixture of oil and wine on him! He puts him on his own animal and takes him to a place that is better equipped to care for him. He even gives of his own wealth to see that the wounded person can contin-ue to receive care. This is the picture that Jesus paints for the lawyer, who asks, “Who is my neighbor?”

Obviously, the lawyer knows that Jesus has chosen his characters well. He’s comparing the priests, the keep-ers of the rules, with the Samaritan, the person he has been taught to despise. The lawyer has put Jesus to a moral test, and once again, Jesus has risen to a different level. “Which one proved to be neighbor?” Jesus asks.

Notice here that Jesus does not an-swer the lawyer’s question. The origi-nal question was, “Who is my neigh-bor?” If he had to love his neighbor to inherit eternal life, he wanted to know, specifically, who he would have to love. The lawyer was probably expecting a list of socially acceptable, appropriately needy folks on whom he might focus his attention. This list would certainly not include a Samari-tan! The lawyer was looking for a way to isolate and limit his love. But Jesus doesn’t let the lawyer off the hook.

Sermon preached by the Rev. Charles T. Dupree at Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis

Nametags, p.3 TrinityTOPICS

Trinity Topics August, 2010

111 S. Grant St.Bloomington, IN 47408

(812) 336-4466 | FAX (812) 336-6016

[email protected]

Trinity StaffRECTOR

The Rev. Charlie DupreeCLERGY ASSISTANT

The Rev. Virginia B. HallDEACON

The Rev. Connie PepplerPARISH ADMINISTRATOR

Janet BrinkworthBOOKKEEPER

Mona BakerADULT EDUCATION/NEW MEMBERS

Ross Martinie-EilerDIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

Danica D’OnofrioYOUTH COORDINATOR

Michael KurthDIRECTOR OF MUSIC

Marilyn KeiserCHURCH MUSIC INTERN

Hillary SullivanSEXTONS

Mike Peppler, Jim Shackelford

Trinity VestryRECTOR’S WARDEN Randy Lloyd

PEOPLE’S WARDEN Kimberly HurleySpencer AnspachMary Jo Barker

Mary Ellen BrownKelly CarnahanNorm Crampton

Jim CripeMary Ann Hart

Chris JohnsMary Ann Keko

Todd LaDowEarl SingletonLarry Taylor

Susan WilliamsCLERK Janet Stavropoulos

“Which one proved to be neighbor?” Jesus’ response seems to be, it’s not so important that you know who your neighbors are. You don’t get a lim-ited list of who you should love. The importance rests in how we become neighbor to those we encounter on the road. Which one proved to be neighbor? The lawyer knows he’s in way over his head and responds, “The one who showed mercy.”

The word mercy is used a lot in the Bible. The Greek word for mercy used here is eleos. It’s a broad word that means more than forgiving a debt or an offense. It suggests blessing and unwarranted compassion. It’s about pardon, kindness, strength, rescue. The neighbor is the one who shows mercy. The Samaritan showed mercy to the man on the side of the road, becoming a living symbol of God’s Kingdom. His show of mercy isn’t a quick fix—it isn’t a Band-Aid—the Samaritan doesn’t put a dollar in the man’s cup and move on. The Samari-tan makes a true, honest attempt to see that the man has complete care, from beginning to end. He doesn’t take the plan halfway to completion and then stop. Mercy isn’t about go-ing halfway. Mercy is about complete restoration.

As the church of God, the mercy of the Samaritan is the type of mercy that we are called to embody. In a world where societal lines are as obvi-ous as ever—in a world of quick fixes, in a world of budget cuts, paperwork, and overwhelming rules—in a world where our mountaintops are scraped flat and our coastlines and wildlife are drenched with oil—the church is called to be merciful. We are about the only institution that uses the word mercy in our vocabulary. Some will see mercy as a sign of weakness, as a lack of boundaries, as being gull-ible. But mercy is a part of our DNA as Christians. We are called to be neigh-bor to those we encounter on the road —to show mercy. If the church is to be the living presence of God on earth,

if the church is to be the living body of Christ, and if we’re not showing mercy, then what in the world are we doing? The church’s central activ-ity is mercy, to be a holy place where people can experience safety, kind-ness, strength, even rescue.

Isn’t this why we gather here every Sunday—to know mercy? Isn’t this what we come to experience every time we face God’s altar? We come off our roads and our highways. We are tired, we are wounded, we have been hurt, we have been abandoned on the side of the road, we feel alone. But here, we know we will find mercy. We trust that, in community, we will experience God’s mercy. We trust that in God’s word, we will hear of God’s mercy. We trust that in the Sacra-ments, God’s mercy will be made real. God meets us at the altar, on this place in the road. There, our wounds are bandaged, and a healing mixture of bread and wine anoints our dark-est places. We are given time and opportunity to heal. This is the work of the church, and it is at the heart of everything that we do.

There will be people who try to stop that work. There will be people who challenge our motives, our work, our boundaries, our vision. There will always be people who aren’t yet ready to believe in the wideness of God’s mercy. But, if mercy is our ves-sel, we continue to sail those seas. We continue to journey together, going where God would have us go. The work is overwhelming, I guarantee it. The harvest is plentiful, our Lord confirms. There are far too many people and places who need to know the mercy that we can offer. As the old rabbi once said, “We can’t do ev-erything, but we must do something.” And do something, we will. We will show mercy. The kind of mercy that one man showed to another, offer-ing relief and a place of healing. Now, Church, holy people of God, the time has come for us to go and do likewise.

Trinity Episcopal Church BLOOMINGTON, IN

By the Newcomer Commission

At Trinity, we work tirelessly to welcome everyone who enters

our doors. Our Newcomer Commis-sion strives to serve as the bridge that welcomes, supports, and assists all people as they enter into the life of the parish, according to the New-comer mission statement.

One way the congregation can help make all people feel welcome and comfortable at Trinity is by wearing name tags. Wearing your name tag is a ministry of hospitality. When someone approaches you to say hello, it is much easier to respond if you know her or his name. And even though many members of Trin-ity have been a part of this family for years, we can still forget names. If we can forget each other’s names, just imagine the newcomer who has countless new names to learn and remember each week.

Wearing our nametags opens

avenues of conversation, of commu-nication, and offers the opportunity to get to know each other on a more personal level. Wearing them also says to our visitors, “We want you to know us.” If you do not have a name tag or have misplaced your old one, sign up on the clipboard in the

narthex to request a new name tag. The very next week, your new name tag will be in a box marked “new nametags” next to the clipboard.

We look forward to greeting each of you by your names, even if they sometimes slip our minds for a mo-ment.

Trinity Inc is an orientation program designed to welcome

newcomers and help them to fully live into the life of Trinity Church and the Episcopal Church as a whole.

This year-long program will meet three times in the fall and three times in the spring. Each meeting will focus on a differ-ent aspect of what it means to be an Episcopalian and a member of Trinity Church. We begin with a short service, then head to the

Great Hall for a meal and fellow-ship, followed by the program.

Last year saw over 20 newcomers attending Trinity Inc. The pro-gram is designed for those who are new to the community, for those who have a desire to deepen their relationship with the church, and/or for who would like to develop relationships within the church. Those who attended last year are encouraged to be a part of the pro-gram for a second year.

The program will conclude on

May 1st with the Rite of Welcome service at both the 9:00 and 11:15 services.

A calendar of the Trinity Inc program is available at our Greet-ing Stations as well as on our Web site under the tab “I’m New!” If you have any questions, please ask Fa-ther Charlie or Matthew Cole. Our relationship with God is a lifelong journey. We hope that Trinity and Trinity Inc. will be a part of your journey.

I ’ M N E W

The nature of name tags

Trinity Inc begins its second season!A PROGR AM OF INCLUSION AND INCORPOR ATION FOR OUR NEWCOMERS


B A C K - T O - S C H O O L

Sundaes for Sunday School

EpiscopuzzlerN A R H Y J I E L B A T G J G E S N E C N I K N A R F F P H M V Q T C E P R T D E S R N Y U A V E Q O N N I A S A O K P F M N L O K Z E L L R C T X K U S J N I L G T T M U R A P P E M S D I N C B T A B I C H W C H A L I C E Z N T P S I Z Y X Q B S D B K N F I X T F I S X B W O O B L K G C T Y I L M Y S A N C T U A R Y R S R A T C I B O R I U M A L Q M U V X P E C N E D E R C I K W P A E L H R I A F B Y L O H G Y B J H O S T Z L A M P V Y L X O C

Saturday, August 28, 6:30 p.m., Trinity Courtyard and Great Hall

We’re kicking off the Sunday School (and Nursery) program year with our second annual

Sundaes for Sunday School! Teachers, parents, children and friends (or all who love ice cream) are

welcome to attend this casual evening of ice cream churning and sundae making. Meet new teachers and friends. Greet old ones. Hear more about what’s in store for the upcoming Sunday School year. Contact

Danica at [email protected] for more info.

SACRISTYFAIRLINENCIBORIUMCHALICEBURSEPYX

HOLYOILCREDENCETABLESANCTUARYLAMPINCENSE

ALBFRANKINCENSEDALMATICPATENHOSTLAVABOPURIFICATOR

Ministry Fair to kick-off a new year of the Forum

August 29, we’re kicking off the 2010-11 year! Join us as

we celebrate all of Trinity’s min-istries with our annual Ministry Fair. Several of Trinity’s com-missions and groups will have tables at the fair featuring the work they do and ways to get involved.

Little Shoes for Little Feetby Jennifer Lloyd

With the start of school just around the corner, many

families will be going through the annual ritual of finding out what shoes, if any, still fit their kids’ feet. Your child’s outgrown shoes — used but still in good condition — would be a great fit for a kid in the Monroe County Head Start program. Please bring your used shoes (kids’ sizes 6–12) to the collection box in Trinity’s back hallway during the month of August. They will help another child to start the school year off on the right foot!

Deb Cowdell-Slikkers promotes the New-comers Commission at 2009 Mnistry Fair


S T E W A R D S H I P : G I V I N G T I M E , T A L E N T , T R E A S U R E

By Marie Shakespeare

In last month’s Topics, Marci Bryan wrote about Trinity’s new diaper

distribution program, to supply families in need with baby necessi-ties they can’t purchase with food stamps. This is just one example within the array of community pro-grams supported by Outreach and led by Trinity members.

Outreach is moving in a new direc-tion, organizationally speaking. Instead of using the commission-with-chairman structure, we are

instead moving to a smaller Steering Committee comprised of four people, serving overlapping 2-year terms. This change will be a natural con-tinuation of the direction Outreach has been moving – encouraging more parishioners to take ownership of Trinity’s various community and global service projects.

The role of the Steering Commit-tee is to identify potential Outreach projects; recruit, empower, and mentor leadership for these proj-ects from within the congregation, communicate with the congregation

about Outreach, and administer the Outreach budget.

Do you have an idea for an event or program that fills a need in our community? Contact the Outreach Steering Committee by sending an e-mail to Jennifer Lloyd ([email protected]). Other members of the committee this year are Marie Shakespeare and Randy Keko, with the fourth member to be announced soon. Our Vestry Liaison is Earl Singleton, and our clergy represen-tatives are Rev. Virginia Hall and Deacon Connie Peppler.

by Jennifer Lloyd

On the last Saturday of August (the 28th), Trinity is participat-

ing in a community-wide effort to collect donations at local grocery stores to replenish Monroe County United Ministries’ food pantry. You can read more about “Each One Feed One” in MCUM’s current newsletter at www.mcum.org.

Our parishioners will be stationed at the Jackson Creek Kroger’s three entry doors from 1–4 p.m. MCUM will supply everything the volunteers need to inform shoppers as they enter and to collect items as shoppers leave, and will also transport donated gro-ceries to the pantry.

To volunteer for a 90-minute shift (1–2:30 p.m. or 2:30–4 p.m.) e-mail Jen-nifer Lloyd ([email protected]) or sign up on the Outreach bulletin board.

Be sure to shop and donate on the 28th. What an easy way to contribute to a fantastic cause — and you don’t even have to drop your groceries off at church!

Trinity to help fill MCUM’s pantry

A new direction for Outreach

Volunteers from 2009 Each One Feed One included (top) Olivia Hurley, Eleanor Parham, Hank Stowers; (bottom left) Kim Hurley; (bottom right) Ginny McNellen and Weezie Smith. Photos courtesy of Jennifer Lloyd


Book ReviewsC O M M U N I T Y S P I R I T

Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years, by Diarmaid MacCulloch, (New York: Viking Pen-guin, 2010)

It is rare that a book exer-cises both the brain and

the biceps. But Diarmaid MacCulloch’s enormous and provocatively titled volume does just that. He traces, from its roots in Jewish and Classical Greek history to its most modern manifestations in televangelism, the gripping story of humanity’s most popular, most widespread, and argu-ably most inventive religion. More than 1,000 pages of text and 100 pages of endnotes catalogue each twist and turn in Christian history. MacCulloch, a professor of church history at Oxford University, is the son of an An-glican rector and, though no longer a practicing Chris-tian himself, he writes with profound sympathy and deep insight about Christianity’s triumphs and failures. He draws on his encyclopedic knowledge of Christian

thought, and not just from the most obvious Western sources, but from the far less well known writings of the Eastern Chalcedonian and non-Chalcedonian thinkers as well (and he does explain quite carefully what all of these terms mean). And if in the course of all this infor-mation you forget, for example, just who the “Armin-ians” were—a sixteenth-century group that would prove very important for the Catholic Revival in the Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church in the nineteenth century—you can consult the thorough appendix for its first mentioning and definition. Handsome color plates enliven the text, along with some less than perfect maps. A stunning fifteenth-century depiction of Christ Panto-crater adorns the dust jacket of this weighty work.

MacCulloch’s final paragraph is a fitting conclusion for his study and a telling example of his style and approach:

Original sin is one of the more plausible concepts within the Western Christian package, corresponding all too accurately to everyday human experience. One great encouragement to sin is an absence of wonder. Even those who see the Christian story as just that—a series of stories—may find sanity in the experience of wonder: the ability to listen and contemplate. It would be very surprising if this religion, so youthful, yet so varied in its historical experience, had now revealed all its secrets.

— review courtesy of Henry R. Cooper

Premeditated Mercy: A Spirituality Of Recon-ciliation by Joseph Nassal, (Levenworth, KS: Forest of Peace Publishing)

Reconciliation is a big part of the Gospel message and

is articulated to us over and over again, but especially in the Two Great Command-ments: Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. In practice, specifically, we are, among other things, to forgive and to reconcile with each other before bringing our gifts (ourselves) to the altar.

This book would be classified under the heading of “Spirituality,” meaning that it reflects upon our inward journey with God. But it is more than this. It is a medi-tation on our inward and outward journeys with God and with our companions. The phrase “premeditated

mercy” implies a “deliberate thoughtful and willful act to give life,” just the opposite of premeditated murder. How do we give life? Nassal’s answer to this question is the energy behind this book. In it, he covers many pos-sibilities: forgiveness, reconciliation, living at peace with others — even with those who have betrayed us, forsaken us, abandoned us, threatened us. He provides quotes from recognized, spiritually-alive people and uses stories of himself and real people to teach. Gently he moves us along an inclusive road of growth in the spiritual life, especially as our lives intersect with the lives of others.

Basically, Nassal explores how we can become more conscious in making the appropriate connections within ourselves and within our relationships to lead a life of reconciliation or at least to more closely approximate it. It is very well written and is both thought-provoking and inspiring. I heartily recommend this book to anyone in-terested in spirituality practiced in the outward journey as well as in the inward journey....which should include all of us!

— review courtesy of Barbara Bloom


C O M M U N I T Y S P I R I T

T R I N I T Y T O P I C S

TriniTy Topics is a publication of Trinity Episcopal Church, Bloomington, Ind. It is in-tended to stimulate greater awareness of and appreciation for the activities of Trinity Episcopal Church. All contents Copyright © 2010 Trinity Episcopal Church. Permission to reprint any part of TriniTy Topics must be obtained in writing from the managing edi-tor. TriniTy Topics is published monthly.

Comments: If you have a comment or suggestion concerning TriniTy Topics, write Kelly Carnahan at [email protected] or send a letter care of Trinity Episcopal Church, 111 S. Grant Street, Bloomington, IN 47408.

Submit an article: The heart of TriniTy Topics is writing by its members. Whether you choose to write about an area of expertise, a Trinity event (past or present), or a cur-rent news topic, your information may interest and assist members of the Trinity Parish community. Articles for consideration are due to the editor by the third Monday of the preceding month. While all articles are considered, preference is given to those with direct relevance to Trinity Episcopal Church, its activities, and its mission.

Trinity Topics now accepting book and movie reviews. Have you read a good book lately? Would you recommend it to a friend? TriniTy Topics is now accepting book reviews. Reviews should be 200 – 300 words in length. Relevance to Trinity and current issues will be given preference. Submit your review to [email protected] by the third Monday of the month for consideration in the next Topics.

Trinity Topics seeking a puzzle editor. To create crossword puzzles, word searches, and more! All ages encouraged to volunteer. Contact [email protected] to regis-ter your interest.

Address changes: Send updated contact information to Janet Brinkworth, Parish Ad-ministrator, by postal mail, or e-mail [email protected].

Topics TeamPUBLISHER

Trinity Episcopal ChurchMANAGING EDITOR

Kelly CarnahanCOPY EDITOR

Georgia ParhamPUBLICATION ADVISORS

Mikki Anderson Ruth Droppo

CONTRIBUTORS

Barbara Bloom Matthew Cole Henry Cooper

Jeanette Fishell Jennifer Lloyd

Marie Shakespeare Your name here

Trinity’s vestry adopts child safety policyby Danica D’Onofrio

On June 23, the vestry adopted a new parish safety policy, “Safeguarding Trinity’s Children.” Trinity

Episcopal Church is the first church in the Diocese of Indianapolis to have such a formalized policy. Included in this document are safety measures that Trinity has taken in the past and will continue to take in the fu-ture as we aim to protect and nurture our young people spiritually, emotionally and physically. You will find this policy posted on our Web site, www.trinitybloomington.org under About > Vestry > Policies. For questions or more information, please contact Danica at [email protected].

Second annual “Bach and Beyond” during Fourth Street FestivalSaturday, Sept. 4, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, 1:30 – 5 p.m. by Jeanette Fishell

Join us for a marathon organ recital performed by members and associates of Trinity Episcopal

Church and the IU Jacobs School of Music Organ Department. This organ recital takes place during Bloomington’s Fourth Street Festival, during which Trinity will be open to provide shade, refreshment, and entertainment.

Is your August birthday or anniversary missing from Topics? Please call or e-mail Janet Brinkworth, our parish administrator, at (812) 336-4466 or [email protected]

More good newsNon-Profit

U.S. Postage

PAIDBloomington, IN

Permit No. 11BIRTHDAYS3 Richard Burke3 Ms. Kate Emblom3 Ben McMullen4 Madi Gregory6 Gene Shreve 6 Andrew David Welsh 7 Mikey McMullen 7 Catie May8 Joe Boes9 Larry Taylor 9 Ruth Witten9 Michael Duff10 Betty Canada12 Thea Hosek12 Thomas Meaden12 Adam Hale12 Olivia Hurley14 Henry Fuchs15 Marci Bryan

15 Reva Percival Shiner15 Anneliese Clare

Van Arsdale16 Chuck Watson16 Anne Dopkins Stright. 16 Susie Reynolds16 Erin Elizabeth Baker20 Thea Wigglesworth21 John Briddell21 Karrah Kaitlyn Moore23 Jon Kitto25 Larry Davis26 Andy Houlik Ritchey28 Nancy Rayfield29 Beverly Jones30 Robert Conrad30 Bruce Douglas30 Doug Horn31 Steve Frampton31 Debbie Satterfield

ANNIVERSARIES2 Gates and Pat Agnew 6 Kelle and Richard

Schnabel8 Jeannie Denning and

Marcia Kazmierzak10 Archie and Jeanne

Smith10 Elizabeth Sharp (Libby)

and William Tilghman, 14 Jim and Ruth Witten14 Sara and Tom Wood16 Betsy Birch and Ken

Dau-Schmidt17 Sarah McNair Vosmeier

and Matt Vosmeier

19 Fred and Melissa Tarrant

20 Hugh and Victoria Resnick

21 Prince and Sheila Butler21 Amber Hotte and

Michael Moore22 Ann and Richard Burke 22 John and Mary Rucker22 Ruth and Verlon Stone 27 Mary Ann and Randy

Keko

111 South Grant StreetBloomington, IN 47408

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