Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church, Los Alamos, New Mexico
Issue #294-- August 24, 2016    
 
 

15th Sunday
after Pentecost
August 28th   

Sunday Services:  
8am Rite I Eucharist and
10:30 Rite II Eucharist. Coffee Hour after each service. Childcare provided all morning. 8:00pm Compline.

Sunday School: Our classes start at 9:30am in the Education Wing. Miss Le'ila leads a class for age 3 through age 8 meets in the first room on your left. The kids in grades 4 to 6 meet with Mr. Jeff in the Library.

 
HUMOR COLUMN
More Jokes from Bob:
 
Q: How many independent Baptists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Only one - any more than that and it might seem like an ecumenical activity.
Q: How many Presbyterians does it take to change a light bulb?
A: It doesn't matter, as long as it's done decently and in order.
Q: How many Unitarians does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Two. One to write a solemn statement which will affirm that: This light bulb is natural, a part of the universe, and evolved over many years by small steps. And we seek for each light bulb the fullest opportunity to develop itself to its full electrical potential. The second Unitarian's job is to read this statement and then write the obligatory criticism and dissent.
Q: How many missions magazine editors does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Just one - they're trained to bring light to a dark world.
Q: How many atheists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None - there's no point, since atheists refuse to see the light.
Q: How many Quakers does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Ten to sit around in a circle until one feels an inner light.
Q: How many Lutherans does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Thirteen - one to change the bulb and 12 to sit around talking about how much they miss the old bulb.
Q: How many creationists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None - they just wait for God to say "Let there be light."
Q: How many Calvinists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: If God has predestined the light bulb to shine, it will change itself.
Q: How many Brethren does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Change? What is this change you speak of?
Q: How many campfire worship leaders does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Just one, but soon all those around can warm up in its glowing.

*****
During a Lutheran worship service a man began to be moved by the Spirit.
Out loud he said "Amen!" People around him were a little disturbed.
Then louder he said, "Hallelujah!" A few more people were becoming disturbed.
Louder still he shouted "Praise Jesus!"
An usher moved quickly down the aisle. He bent over and whispered to the man, "Sir! Control yourself!"
The man exclaimed, "I can't help it. I got religion!!!"
To which the usher responded, "Well you didn't get it here!"
*****
Definitions:
Bulletin: 1)Something to read during the sermon; 2)a fan used in churches without air conditioning; 3)your receipt for attending church.
Choir: A group of people who sing loudly enough to enable the rest of us to lip-sync all hymns.
Recessional hymn: The final hymn, and usually the quietest of all hymns because so many parishioners have already left before it is sung.
Ushers: The only guys in the church who still do not know the actual seating capacity of a pew.
Relics: Older members who still remember when to sit, stand, and kneel during worship.
 
Trinity Tidbits--Week of Pentecost 15
 
TOTH logo     The air is changing, becoming crisper by the day. I love the crisp air. It makes me feel a bit more alive.
    Speaking of life, new signs of life are bubbling up all around Trinity on the Hill. We are planning a Newcomer Fellowship on Sunday, September 11th, at 5:30 pm in Kelly Hall.  All members are invited to help welcome these Newcomers into our midst.  Please RSVP to Cynthia by September 7th.
     On Sunday, August 28th and Sunday, September 4th at 9:30am in Sherril Hall, I will be giving some guidelines on the role of Usher here at TOTH, a vital ministry for welcoming visitors and members alike on Sundays.  If you are interested in this ministry, make plans to attend one of these Orientation Meetings.
   Peace,
   Chris
High School Lunch Starts Friday 9/2!
Our outreach to high school students continues with the Friday Lunch Program, starting September 2nd in Kelly Hall. If you can help cook for, serve, or greet these wonderful young people, please come and help anytime Friday morning through Noon. We serve at 11:15am. Thank you. 
Wouldn't you Like to Ush? 
Ushers serve more purposes than handing out bulletins. They welcome worship visitors and help them feel comfortable. They assist those with mobility needs during worship. They pass the offering plates and bring the elements up for the Eucharist. There is much these essential people do to make your worship experience pleasant. If you would like to help with ushering or if you are already an usher, you are asked to attend an orientation meeting in Sherrill Hall one of the next two Sundays at 9:30am. Come to one of these update sessions to learn more of the vision Fr. Chris has for our ushering services. See you there!
Get Ready for the new Adult Education Series
Beginning Sunday, September 11th, Fr. Chris will begin a discussion/seminar series entitled "Holy Book: Exploring what the Bible says to us." This class will explore various themes and ideas from the Bible, ranging from "Who is God?" to "What does the Bible say about the Afterlife?". There will also be several guest presenters from the wider Los Alamos community.  Make plans to attend!
Welcome Our Newcomers on Sept. 11
Want to meet some new folks who really like your church? Here's your chance! Bring something to the potluck supper to welcome them on Sunday Sept. 11 at 5:30pm in Kelly Hall. 
From the Senior Warden
A new chair rack is on the way to the hall closet closest to Kelly Hall. In order to use it, most of the "valued" goodies filling the once-open floor need to be put AWAY or tossed. I'm back the first part of September, which is when the chair rack arrives. Prizes are going to anyone who knows what's happening to the old chair rack.
Join the Chancel Choir
The Trinity on the Hill Chancel Choir rehearses on Wednesday nights, beginning tonight August 17th, from 7:15-8:30.  Joe Cox invites any interested singers, particular if you are a baritone or tenor, to join the Choir and help to make the Chancel Choir the best it has ever been.  Email Joe at coxhowardj@msn.com for details.
Shop to Raise Funds for Disaster Relief next Wednesday, August 31
     Shop on the Corner, will donate the proceeds from the Wednesday, August 31, sale to disaster relief for the Louisiana floods and the wildfires in California. 
     "We want to offer some financial help for the thousands who have been evacuated and especially those who have lost their homes through flood or fire," said volunteer Mari Mahler. "Los Alamos residents understand all too well what it means to live through a crisis. Our volunteers voted to donate the proceeds from one week to aid in this disaster relief. We hope members of the community, along with our regular patrons, will help us raise a substantial donation."
      Shop on the Corner is open on Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. until noon on the lower level of the church. 
      Donations may be brought to the Downstairs Parish Hall during volunteer sorting on Monday, during Shop hours on Wednesday mornings, or placed in the bin that is next to Kelly Hall in the upper parking lot.
      Shop on the Corner is staffed by volunteers. Proceeds from the Shop are given primarily to charitable organizations in Northern New Mexico. Almost everything donated to the thrift store is used or recycled. In addition to the clothing, books and household goods available for purchase at low prices, excess goods are donated to Big Brother/Big Sisters, the community center in Bernal, local Scout groups, the Los Alamos Animal Shelter, and Casa Familia shelter. The thrift store also has a "free" corner where patrons may help themselves to items at no charge.
Read Ahead... The Lessons for August 28   
15th Sunday after Pentecost -- Year C Proper 17 
YOUR SHOPPING HELPS TOTH In the past quarter, TOTH earned $11.95 through Amazon Smiles. And this week's Smith's Bucks order made $73 for TOTH!

The next Smith's Bucks order is due  Tuesday September 6 by Noon
 
TOTH's regular order to recharge Smith's Bucks cards is placed
every other week. This is to try and increase our order and get a larger percentage donation for the church from Smith's. If you don't have a card yet, just put a check in the plate and write "Smith's Bucks new card" on the memo line. The next deadlines for Smith's orders are the Tuesdays during the week after LANL paydays: September 6 and 20, October 4 and 18. Mark your calendars! Thank you for your participation!   
CHILDREN'S BAZAAR DONATIONS
are being accepted (as they are actually all year long!)    Please put your donations in the box by the south entry, near the Church School/Library wing.  A list of suggestions is attached to the box.  This year's Bazaar will be on December 3.  Also be thinking of other ways you can help the committee!  About 60 volunteers are needed!  
TOTH Playground Project Update
Yay! The fence and the gate are up now! The hard work is finished.  We are indebted to all involved in building the playground and the fence, particularly our two Scouts Malcolm Carr and Jerome Colletti. The Playground was funded through a memorial fund in honor of Don and Lois Peterson, and through other generous donations. Thank you all! 
CHECK OUT TOTH COMMUNITY GARDEN 
Our ToTH Community Garden is growing! Help with the harvest or plant something. The zucchinis are getting big. There is still space to plant. Want to help pull 'bind weed?' Call Paul Lisowski.
 
Thanks to Paul and Richard for the hard work they did to prepare the ground and watering system, and plant!
MORE Efficiency in Parish Life Event Planning with "Sign up Genius"!
Parish Life Ministry would like to streamline events and make the distribution of the work load less onerous. We are doing a few things - ensuring events go under the proper ministry so it doesn't all fall back on Parish Life; ensuring there is a coordinator for each event or it won't happen (someone needs to spear head events); online signups for volunteers or food.   
    If you're not receiving emails from www.SignUpGenius.com (for sign ups at the church), please email me at mwcarr2000@yahoo.com.  And if you want to be removed, please also contact me. I have removed a couple of names and added a couple of names already. This is a way to easily sign up to volunteer for set ups, clean ups and potlucks. You can also go to the SignUpGenius web site and click at the top right to look for sign ups. At the next page, enter my email and the security letters. You'll be directed to our TOTH sign ups. 
DIOCESE OF THE RIO GRANDE
from In The Loop   
 


Recommended Reading from the Diocese 
 
In keeping with the theme of Convention,  
Keeping the World Right Side Up:  
The Jesus Movement in the Diocese of the Rio Grande,  
Bishop Vono commends for your reading:

Jesus Today: A Spirituality of Radical Freedom  
by Albert Noland
 
The Author in his introduction writes: 
"My focus is spirituality, not theology. We may deplore the present divorce between spirituality and theology, but since it is spirituality that deals with experience and practice, and theology that deals with doctrines and dogmas, my concern in this book is decidedly spiritual. This is not a book about Christology, the theological significance of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. It is a book about Jesus' own spirituality, that is today, about the experience and attitudes behind what he said and did, what fired and inspired him." 
 
Safeguarding Our Children--the online training 
Due to upgrades in the Online Training, the enrollment process for Safeguarding Our Children has changed. 
will take you there, or... to enroll, click here 
Once an individual has registered, they can access the new system by going to http://www.safeguardingonline.org 
and clicking the link at the bottom of the page.
Please also check to see which modules the Diocese recommends for which role with children. The chart is available in the office and on the diocesan website. One must renew their training every three years
 
Looking for all of the worship services and devotional content of the BCP along with the full lectionary texts in one app?
Look no further than the eCP app! By Church Publishing, Inc.
Open iTunes to buy and download apps. $9.99
Did you know you can get your own TOTH Directory online?
How to log into MyTOTH:
  • Go to the church website (www.latoth.org) and
  • Click on the button labeled "MyTOTH."
  • At the bottom of the log in window, Click where it says "Need a Login? Click here."
  • Enter your first and last names, and the email address the church uses for you.
    • MyTOTH should recognize you if you are an active member of TOTH.
    • If this doesn't work, let Cynthia know so we can check that we have the right email address for you in the database!
  • When the system recognizes you, you can set up your own user name and password. Please note that, in order to keep the highest level of security for our database, you are asked to create a password using UPPER case and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. (IDEA: your favorite Bible verse citation.)
  • Once you are in MyTOTH, check your profile and make sure everything is correct; if we have something incorrect in your record, please submit the correction as a change request.
    •  You can also attempt to upload a better photo of yourself or your family while you are there.
    •  Your request for a change automatically goes to Cynthia who will make the correction in the system (as appropriate).
  • Smart phone users... Now that you have established your own login on your computer, you can download the free app to your smart phone; it is called "ACS Church Life" and you can find it in your app store. Once it's downloaded into your phone, use the same login you created on your computer for MyTOTH to start getting into Church Life. Finding other TOTH folks with this app is very convenient!
  • If you have forgotten your login, call or visit the office so we can help you. Both Cynthia and Jane know how to do this.
Contact Information
Please email Cynthia Biddlecomb to have an event or notice sent to the Parish. Deadline is Wednesday at noon.

CynthiaB@latoth.org, 662-5107