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 In the daily office reading cycle, we are in the first part of the first book of Samuel. (Ironic, as we've just been remembering our own Samuel!) Samuel, whom the people respect, has appointed his sons as judges over Israel, and they are not doing well. They are accepting bribes and ruling with corruption. The people complain. They begin to clamor for a king. Partially it is because they miss Samuel, and they don't like his sons. But it is also because they wish to escape the burden of a direct relationship with God. God says to Samuel, "they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me (God) from being their king." We want a king, the people cry, so that "the king may govern us, and go and fight our battles for us." Aha. There it is. The desire for a king so that we do not have to govern ourselves, and we can have our battles fought for us.
Reading this, I couldn't help but think of two things. First, our nation. It seems that one of the primary factors in the election year was the desire for the "king" to fight our battles for us. We have gone astray like the people of Israel if we believe it is the job of the president to govern us, to fight our battles for us. When we hand over that work to the king, what have we lost? God says to Samuel, fine, give the people a king, but tell them what it will be like: the king will take your children, take your wealth for his courtiers, define you. It will not go well for you. God says, on account of the king you have asked for, when you cry out, I won't hear you. (Apparently the Lord is not above an "I told you so!") And now here we are. We have chosen a king, and it is not pretty.
It also makes me think of Trinity. We are now in a time with no king, so to speak. What is the invitation for us? I believe it is to discover what we can do, each of us, to govern our community, and to "fight our own battles." As I am in the middle of the planning process for the coming year, I am seeing in every ministry -- youth and children, liturgy, pastoral care and outreach, membership, welcome and stewardship -- so many opportunities for you! The beauty of this time is precisely that we can discover our direct relationship with the One who made all things. We can discover that the work of building the community, the work of building the kingdom, does not belong to the Rector, but to each of us. We can do it!
See you in church!
The Rev. Rita T. Powell
Associate Rector
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Holy Eucharist
7:45 a.m., 10 a.m., 6 p.m.
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Special Services |
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Funeral for Deborah Robbins
Fri., July 7
2 p.m.
Church
All are invited to gather to remember the life of long-time parishioner, Deborah Robbins, who passed on June 27.
An active leader of our Trinity community,
Deborah served as co-chair of Stewardship and on the Vestry. She served for a time on the Vestry as treasurer -- the first woman to serve as a Vestry officer. Her family and friends invite all to a reception in the Commons immediately following the service.
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This Summer at Trinity
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Restoration Work Begins on Murals
Thanks to a generous gift to the How Firm a Foundation: Trinity for the 21st Century campaign, work began on the restoration of the John La Farge murals depicting Christ and the Samaritan woman at the well (north wall), and Nicodemus (south wall). The painstaking work atop the scaffolding in the nave is expected to go on thru August. #GodAtWork
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Shop Open Sundays After the 10 a.m. Service
On Sundays, the Shop in the Welcome Center is open after the 10 am service. A delightful new collection of Trinity-inspired gifts -- scarves and coasters featuring our windows, stained glass brooches, Trinity patterned bookmarks, and more -- are available. Every purchase supports our hospitality efforts and other ministries.
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Missed last Sunday? Or want to experience the sermon again?
We invite you to watch or listen:
Last Sunday's Sermon:
by The Rev. Bill Rich, Interim Rector
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Guest Preacher & Lecture: John Philip Newell
Sun., July 9
10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
Church & Forum
John Philip Newell, considered one of the most significant and influential voices in Christianity in the 21st century, visits Trinity again this summer with "A Celtic Well of Wisdom: Seeking the Sacred Within." Known for his teaching, writing, and preaching about Celtic spirituality, both its ancient roots and its fresh expressions, Newell also will be our preacher for that day's 10 a.m. service.
More...
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Habitat for Humanity Work Day
Sat., July 1
8:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Meet on the Clarendon Street Porch
Join 8-10 of your fellow Trinity parishioners (aged 16 and older) as we work with Habitat for Humanity and a partner family to help build a home. No prior construction experience is necessary except knowing the difference between a hammer and a screwdriver! More...
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Join the College Behind Bars Mentoring Team
Want to be a part of changing lives? Help individuals in prison obtain their B.A. from BU as a mentor for Trinity's College Behind Bars program. Volunteers make one visit with a partner every two to three months until the student graduates, and also write letters and do online research between visits, as needed, to support the inmate's studies. Training is provided, and team members support one another as well as the inmate. More...
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Sing With the Summer Choirs!
Through Sunday, Sep. 3
The Summer Choir is the ideal venue to give singing in the Trinity Choir a try. We ask only that you have some music-reading ability, some choral experience, and a commitment to punctuality. Contact Marissa Hall, Music Administrator, for more details.
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