Dear Friends,

Today is the first issue of Topics since we learned of our new Rector’s name. It’s the first Friday we get to celebrate an answer to our search for Trinity’s next rector together. We have a direction; a name; a date. We can see it now- the light at the end of the tunnel.

We have great ideas of what we’ll do when Jon and Michael arrive. What shows they need to see, what color his office will be painted, and which of the fabulous Toledo restaurants are absolutely necessary for a good Toledo introduction (Sidon, Tandoor, Tony Packo’s…) just to name a few.

And yet, there is a vast amount of space and time between now and the next. We know that our work is not done. From a mountaintop, we stand looking at our next valley.

So what do we do now?

Now we have the chance to walk together in the shoes we’ve worked so hard to repair. To keep our breakfast food and community warm through these difficult winter months. To prepare a new home and landing space for our incoming rector, and to keep our beautiful, vibrant, progressive, inclusive, creative community full of love and light. To continue to be a beacon for those wishing to find a home… just like we were, when we first walked through Trinity’s doors. Let’s keep being the home we want to be. Who we are called to be in the place we love so dearly.

And how awesome that we get to do this together. And this staff? We’ve got your back.

With a humble heart, I share with you a prayer I wrote for the next leg of our transition.

Dearest God, who knows our hearts better than we could ever imagine, who holds us in the palm of your hand; thank you for your never-ending love and the promises you’ve made to us through our baptismal covenant. Remind us of the peace only your love can instill. And even though we walk again through a valley of transition, let us rest in the knowledge that change is your love language; for you are always redeeming, as our God of the resurrection. Guide our work through the next two months; that your kin-dom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. May we work to usher in the change you wish to see. In our brother Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

With a whole bucket of love,
Chelsie Cree, Director of Music and the Arts