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We Are Not Alone
Beloved friends- What do the following things have in common? · The Coronavirus· Nashville’s Tornado· Super Tuesday· The Supreme Court’s deliberation on the Louisiana abortion access caseAND· The Church’s season of Lent· Prophetic Spirituality conversations· Episcopal...
Leading Beyond the Walls at CEEP
CEEP (the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes) held their annual conference this past weekend in Louisville, KY, providing the opportunity to bring the member of the CEEP Network together. Connecting old and new friends and peers is a hallmark of the CEEP Network...
Entering a Season of Reflection
Beloved Friends- We have now turned the liturgical corner and entered the season of Lent. The 40 days we carve out for a journey that leads us each year to the cross and then to Easter morning and the promise of the Resurrection. It is a season full of rich metaphors,...
The Gift of Dignity (by Rita Lynch, Next To New Volunteer)
I was a long-time shopper at Next To New before I began volunteering there. I was a single mom, on a tight-budget, raising 2 boys. I had come across Next To New over 20 years ago, by chance, and it truthfully was a godsend.
I would take the bus all the way downtown just to do some shopping at NTN.
Opening Our Eyes
Beloved Friends- This Sunday offers two moments, of mystery and grace, as we mark the end of our journey through the season of Epiphany and celebrate the wonder of the story of the Transfiguration. As we turn listen to the words of Matthew (17:1-9), we will be...
A Rich Life (by Shirley Fischer, Next To New Volunteer and Trinity Member)
I began attending Trinity about 3 or 4 years ago and had taken an immediate interest in Next To New (NTN). At the time, Mary Wabeke was leading the group and everyone I spoke to told me that if I wanted to start volunteering down at the shop, Mary was the person to...
Toledo Streets Names Its ‘Vendor of the Year’!
Toledo Streets Newspaper (TSN) produces a monthly street paper, covering community news involving homelessness, poverty, and positive change. Vendors are self-contracted ‘business owners’ who set their own goals, selling locations and times, while abiding by a...
We Are Salt and Light
Beloved Friends, Taped to the inside page of my monthly planner is a tattered piece of paper with these words from Methodist pastor Ted Loder: Empower me to be a bold participant, rather than a timid saint in waiting, in the difficult ordinariness of now; to exercise...
Bringing a Smile to My Face (by Alice Zurawski, Next To New Volunteer)
[ These next weeks we will continue to highlight the wonderful volunteers down at Next To New thrift shop, one of Trinity’s Ministry Partners. Next To New, located in the lower-level of Trinity, has been serving the local community offering low-priced,...
Making Joyful Noise
Beloved Friends- the words below are from an article I wrote over 15 years ago when I was still a fairly new priest. As I read them today in the context of our worship life together at Trinity, they make me smile even more and strengthen my conviction. We have a...
Treasures on a Budget (by Carol Ramstadt, Next To New Volunteer)
I have been volunteering at Next To New for over 30 years and have seen and experienced so much! I worshipped at Trinity and volunteered at Next To New once a month…
Stand still, Pay attention
Beloved Friends, This Sunday we will gather once again to share a meal at 9:00am opening our doors wide to our extended community and then continue with our worship service at 10:00. This year we are trying something new- we got such positive feedback when we set up...
Pleasant, Affordable and Friendly (by Su Elliot, Next To New Volunteer)
[ The next few weeks will highlight the wonderful volunteers down at Next To New thrift shop, one of Trinity’s 2019 Ministry Partners. Next To New, located in the lower-level of Trinity, has been serving the local community offering low-priced, high-quality new...
Remembering Immeasurable Gifts
Beloved Friends- This coming Monday we will be observing “Martin Luther King Jr. Day.” Since 1986 our country has used this third Monday in January to celebrate and remember the immeasurable gifts of Martin Luther King Jr. and his tireless work as a nonviolent...
Everyone Has Something to Offer (by Mary Wabeke, Next To New Volunteer & Trinity Member)
[ The next few weeks will highlight the wonderful volunteers down at Next To New thrift shop, one of Trinity’s 2019 Ministry Partners. Next To New, located in the lower-level of Trinity, has been serving the local community offering low-priced, high-quality new...
Hands-on Community (by Sue Smitley, Trinity Member and Next To New Volunteer)
[ The next 5 weeks will highlight the wonderful volunteers down at Next To New thrift shop, one of Trinity’s 2019 Ministry Partners. Next To New, located in the lower-level of Trinity, has been serving the local community offering low-priced, high-quality new or...
Loving Our Neighbors as Ourselves
Beloved Friends- Happy New Year! I pray as we say goodbye to 2019 and welcome 2020, we do so able to let go of all that was with gentleness and look forward to all that is yet to be with hope-filled expectation. This year, rather than focus on New Year’s resolutions,...
