Sunday, April 14, 10am – Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week, has become the day when, following a procession into the worship space, the whole Passion story is read out loud, but that was not always the case. It used to be people gathered to lift their palm branches and shout Hosanna! as we symbolically entered the place where throughout the rest of the week we would travel with Jesus to and, eventually through, his crucifixion on the cross. But as people stopped coming to the many service between Palm Sunday and Easter morning, the tradition morphed into the practice we now have in which we do both- raise our palm branches and also hear the whole story we call the Passion. So come home this Sunday as we parade into the city and also hear the epic narrative of Jesus’ last days.
Monday, April 15, 12:00pm – Diocesan Renewal of Ordination Vows Service and Luncheon
Wednesday April 17, 7:00pm – Dramatic Reading
Speak Truth to Power: Voices from Beyond the Dark is part of Trinity’s Holy Week Observance this year and is presented with support from Actors Collaborative Toledo. Trinity Episcopal Church and Actors Collaborative Toledo will present a staged reading of the play by Ariel Dorfman, based on the book by Kerry Kennedy Cuomo.
The play celebrates human rights leaders from nearly forty countries and five continents and presents the inspiring stories of fifty-one women and men who have stood up to oppression at great personal risk in the non-violent pursuit of human rights. The play explores the quality of courage through the issues that these human rights defenders have committed their lives to, from demilitarization to children of war, from environmental activism to religious self-determination.
There will be a free-will offering to support Episcopal Relief and Development.
The play will be followed by a brief question and answer period with members of the cast, the director and The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray; Rector at Trinity Episcopal Church.
Directed by Jeffrey Albright and featuring Barbara Barkan, Darrell Cousino, Juliette Morgan Quinlan, Lisa Pengov, Isaiah Kanyion, Natalie Brown Bostelman, Mark Owen, Matt Goebel, Charles Crockett, and Jason Raynor.
Thursday, April 18, 6:00pm-8:00pm – Maundy Thursday
This evening we gather to share an outrageously delicious Mediterranean meal, as we remember how Jesus gathered with those closest to him for a final meal. During this meal he spoke of his love and knelt before each of them to wash their feet and say goodbye; we will do the same.
After the meal and foot washing, we remove almost everything in the church’s worship space to prepare for Good Friday. We will hear the ancient psalms chanted as we work together and then leave in silence.
Thursday, April 18, 9:00pm until Saturday, 5:00pm – Vigil Reading
Click Here to signup for one or more reading slots.
Following the Maundy Thursday Service, we will begin our Vigil Reading at the Tomb. This is a time to sink into the beauty and depth of our tradition as we prepare for Easter. Individuals sign up to read alone or with a friend or family member during the hour-long slots. You will read out loud even if you are alone. Each reader reads at their own pace and begins where the last person left off. Those who’ve participated in past years describe this as one of the most moving and meaningful parts of their Holy Week journey. It’s impossible to explain—you just have to experience it. Keep watch at the tomb by adding your voice in remembrance of the amazing story of God’s extravagant love for us all.
(We will read at church until 11:00pm both evenings and ask people to read aloud from home between 11:00pm-7:00am.)
For those reading at home we will ask for your preferred method of contact (phone call or text) to hear from the previous reader where they ended their reading. This is both a somber and sacred time as we remember and recall the love that could not be contained in this world. Combining ancient words and modern symbols this liturgy seeks to tap into our deepest knowing and our current context bridging the gap and inviting us into an experience that leaves us ready to stand at the foot of the cross until Easter morning.
Sunday April 21st, 2019 10am – Easter Sunday
Christians all over the world celebrate Easter as our primary festival each year. Whether you come to church this day out of habit or faithfulness, invitation or tradition, it is a day when the community gathered embraces the power and possibilities of the words we hear, the songs we sing and the prayers we say together. The metaphor of “new life” has been interpreted by many of the years and through the lenses of various Christian perspectives. Trinity is focused on becoming an ever more expansive, inclusive and creative community honoring our past and embracing new expressions of music and liturgies. Come visit or come home for Easter this year we are expecting you!