Beloved Friends,
Whew! This week at staff meeting we spent nearly two hours reviewing all our upcoming worship services, events and activities. It is both a little overwhelming and a lot amazing to step back into this vibrant ministry after some time away, and see all the beautiful things we have in store for us in the next couple of months.
This Sunday when we gather to sing and pray and eat at God’s Table of Love set for us each week, we will hear some challenging words from the Gospel of Luke asking us to consider the cost of Discipleship. I hope what we can find in the text and in our lived experience is a compelling case for considering the consequences of what it means to follow Christ. Finding deep peace and value in those consequences is an unimaginable gift once discerned. Carrying one’s cross may in fact mean something different to each of us and I will be curious to hear what it means to you as I continue to pray and wait on God’s word for Sunday. In the meantime, check out what’s on our collective “Holy Dance Card” for the coming months and mark your calendars. I can’t wait to see you all again.
So, come home this Sunday and every Sunday after that to become a part of this growing and vital community. Thank you for traveling this faith journey together- for holding hands, for sharing meals, for worshipping and praying, singing and learning how to be God’s light and love out in the world. You matter, we matter and together we are indeed being transformed into the Beloved Community as we love God, love our neighbor and change the world.
May you never forget that you are loved.
Lisa
September-November 2019 Trinity Highlights
Sunday (9/8): Jobst Choral Scholars–
This Sunday our Jobst Choral Scholars “come home” to begin another season of singing, leading and supporting us during worship. We are so blessed to have each of them, and we anticipate another exciting year of expansive and deeply meaningful music.
Sunday (9/15): Trinity Choir–
Next Sunday our choir will be back in full force and we can’t wait! This will be the second year of combining Choral Scholars, a dozen local High School musicians and members of the Trinity community to create a unique choral experience and ministry. Trinity is richly blessed to have designated resources and the courage to explore a wide range of musical expressions supporting the liturgy each and every week. We are living boldly into the claim that “church music” is whatever music that can connect us deeply and authentically to God’s love.
Saturdays (9/14 & 21): 2030 Vision Discernment–
We are now a few months into our work as a community working on a draft 2030 Vision for Trinity. A small group of leaders have been invited to spend some time these Saturdays reviewing our current draft and offering input for our next steps.
Sunday (9/15): 11:15 Worship Leader Introduction & Orientation–
If you have ever wondered why we do what we do in worship and/or are interested in becoming a part of our diverse worship leader team, please plan on joining us for a short conversation following worship this Sunday. Currently serving ushers, readers, & chalice bearers are all encouraged to attend. New members are encouraged to come!
Sunday (9/22): Homecoming–
Plan on “coming early and staying late” for our inaugural Homecoming Sunday. This is a day to invite guests and those who may have wandered away from Trinity as well as celebrate the beginning of another fantastic year of ministry ahead. We will begin with a Continental breakfast in the back of the sanctuary, followed by worship, then a catered lunch upstairs, live music and a community art project downstairs, and then wrapping up the day with words of hope, healing and inspiration from well-known Toledo resident and head of the Willow Center, Erin Wiley, LPCC.
Sunday (9/29): 5pm Holden Evening Prayer-
We have learned over the years that Race for the Cure trumps all on Sunday mornings in downtown Toledo! So, a few of us will still come down to church in the morning to hand out “Breakfast Boxes” to any hungry guests who come by, but then we won’t come together for worship until Sunday evening. We will be offering a wonderful evening service using Marty Haugen’s musical setting of Evening Prayer followed by a full Eucharist- all are welcome.
Sunday (10/6): Next to New Coffee Hour–
We have begun a wonderful tradition of moving after worship coffee downstairs to Next to New a few times a year. This is a great way to see all the ways this ministry is thriving and growing as well as introduce our newer members to this way of serving our community.
Sundays (10/13 & 10/20): New Member Inquiry Coffee with Lisa–
We continue to welcome visitors who are increasingly coming back again and again and are asking about membership. If you, or someone you know is interested in learning more about Trinity and the steps to membership, please plan on coming to one of these conversations following the 10:00 service.
Sunday (10/27): Feast of All Saints Day and New Member Sunday–
This year we will be celebrating All Saints Day (Nov. 1) on the Sunday before. This will also be a wonderful day to welcome another handful of faithful individuals who are willing and ready to say yes to making Trinity their spiritual home.
Sundays (11/3, 11/10, 11/17): Annual Giving Campaign–
Part of our journey of discipleship involves learning to reflect on and expand our awareness of who and how we are called to live as stewards of the gifts we have and hold. This year’s theme, “Shining Our Light” will draw us into a time of noticing the light we give and receive in the world and then respond to that light from a place of deep gratitude and generosity.
Friday-Saturday (11/8-9): Episcopal Diocese of Ohio Annual Convention-
Four Trinity members and I will once again be attending our annual Diocesan Convention. This gathering is often described as a “family reunion” of sorts bringing together members of all our Episcopal churches in this diocese for a time of worship, fellowship and doing the business required to keep our larger household functioning.