The Corner
Trinity's e-newsletter for the week of April 7th 2019
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Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Here are the latest opportunities to strengthen
your faith and connect with the community.
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WORSHIP ASSISTANTS
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Sunday, April 7th, 2019
8:00 a.m. - Rite I, Holy Eucharist
Chalice Bearers: Donna Griffin, Mary Donovan
Lector: Matt Eichman
Intercessor: Ray Wilbur
Usher: Andrew Hoyt
10:30 a.m. - Rite II, Holy Eucharist
Chalice Bearers: Gail Griffin, Donna Olson
Lectors: Barbara Cook, Kim Mandle
Intercessor: Carol Hatton
Verger: Glenna Kleinkauf
Acolytes: Dylan and Max Eldridge, Geme Ajekwu, Brend Eichman
Ushers: Bob & Jennifer
Sanner, Harlanne & Bruce
Roberts
Altar Guild:
Melinda McKnight (Captain), Gail Van Loenen, Barbara Haverty, Karen Keim, Jennifer Sanner, Debbie Pitts
Hymns
Opening: 149 Eternal Lord of love, behold your Church(Old 124th)
Sequence :474 When I survey the wondrous cross(Rockingham)
PresentationHymn: 380(v. 3) Praise God, from whom all blessings flow(Old 100th)
Communion: 315 Thou, who at thy first Eucharist didst pray(Song 1)
Closing: 382 King of glory, King of peace(General Seminary)
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READINGS
Sunday, April 7, 2019
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Upcoming Event: Canterbury Open House
Date:
Saturday, April 6th
Time:
2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Location:
Canterbury House
1116 Louisiana St, Lawrence, Kansas 66044
Description:
Please come join us in celebrating Canterbury and its ministry and mission! We will be having food, drinks, tours, and sharing stories of our time in this building and communities. All are welcome to attend!
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Upcoming Event:
Stations of the Cross
Date:
Tuesday April 9th
Time:
6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Location:
Canterbury House
Description:
This upcoming Tuesday we will be making new stations for St.Anselm’s chapel. We will be discussing what each station means to us and how we choose to display that with our art!
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Upcoming Event:
Family Play Time
Date:
Wednesdays
Time:
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Trinity Nursery
Description:
All families are welcome, ages 0-3 years old. Older siblings also welcome. Stop by anytime to play and visit! Light refreshments provided. Hope to see you there!
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Upcoming Event: Men's Holy-Stir It
Date:
Thursday, April 11th
Time:
5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Location:
Black Stag Brewery, 623 Massachusetts St.
Description: Explore Lawrence's newest brewery and enjoy their craft beers. Hors d'oeuvres will be served. Deacon Steve will have the sign up sheet at the 10:30 am service on the 7th and collecting the $5 fee.
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Upcoming Event:
Tea and Compline
Date:
Thursdays
Time:
9:00 p.m.
Location: Canterbury House
Description:
Join us for tea and quite Prayers at the end of the day.
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Upcoming Event: Parish Spring Cleaning
Date:
Saturday, April 13th
Time:
9:00 a.m.
Location:
Trinity
Description:
Parish spring cleaning day getting all spiffy for Holy Week.
Meeting in the parish hall and David will assign our tasks. Bring yard tools for the outside work while inside cleaning supplies will be furnished.
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From the Rector’s Desk
I have two things I want to share with the congregation, one regarding a recent break-in and another regarding my new policy regarding announcements.
First, our Junior Warden made an announcement at the 10:30 AM service two Sundays ago that Trinity had experienced another break-in on March 11. The intruders entered the church proper, rummaged through the tabernacle, and entered the rest of the church building where they engaged in vandalism, most notably flooding a portion of the lower level and damaging a lock on a cabinet in the flower room. We filed a police report, contacted our insurance agent, and repaired most of the damage. Currently we are unsure how they got in (e.g. an unlocked door, etc.) but the Vestry is discussing options for increasing the security measures in the church, including mounting cameras throughout the building. Your safety and the security of the church property is very important to us, and the Vestry will be sharing their plans shortly.
Second, I am temporarily suspending announcements following the passing of the peace during the Sunday services. This is not in reaction to a specific event, but rather in recognition that the announcements have grown to almost twenty minutes a Sunday, and are becoming a significant break in the flow of the worship experience. I will be making a brief greeting to visitors each Sunday, encouraging those that do not already receive an electronic version to pick up a copy of the newsletter , and doing the blessings for birthdays and anniversaries. If you have an event or program you would like shared with the congregation, please send those to the office email: office@trinitylawrence.org so we can share it in our newsletter, Facebook page, Instagram, and Twitter.
Since this is the first week and this may catch some people off guard, I would ask that this week you let me know prior to the service that you would like me to make an announcement for you, and we will go to the newsletter-only format following.
Thank you for your understanding, and please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Rob+
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Vestry Meetings
Vestry meeting are held the fourth Mondays of each month except for the months of January and February. The next scheduled meetings are:
April 22nd
May 27th* may be moved to the 28th
All meetings are open to the congregation and start at 6:30 p.m.
and the minutes of each meeting are posted to the Church bulletin board and Trinity website.
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FILM OPPORTUNITY
The film, “Paris to Pittsburgh ”, a National Geographic documentary, will be presented at the Lawrence Public Library, April 7, 2019 from 1-3:30 PM. This film, sponsored by Lawrence Ecology Teams United in Sustainability or LET-US, celebrates real-life solutions to some of the problems of climate change through the efforts of local areas, cities and regions working together.
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Vacation Bible School
We are beginning to plan the best dates for our Vacation Summer school this year. If your child will be attending, could you send a note to Rachel at rschwallr@gmail.com with their name and any dates you are planning to be out of town.
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The Bottom Line
The Vestry reviewed the February 2019 financial reports for Trinity at their monthly meeting on March 25th. Below are the financial highlights. A full set of monthly financial reports (summary level; summary level with some detail; and full detailed financial report) can be found on Trinity's website under "Resources/Finances".
Total YTD Income:
Budgeted: $73,533.32
Actual: $129,423.08*
Difference: +$55,889.76
*Actual Income includes $17,765.00 from the "Above & Beyond" Fundraising; recognition of $19,908.45 of 2019 Prepaid Pledge Income; and an unexpected stock gift of approximately $20,000.
Total YTD Expenses:
Budgeted: $71.790.18
Actual: $63,261.92**
Difference: +$8,528.26
**YTD expenses are below budget primarily due to Total Salaries & Benefits running below budget, due to open staff positions (Music Staff and Office Staff) during January and February. As these positions are filled, the actual salary expenses are expected to rise to the budgeted level for the remainder of 2019.
Trinity's financial situation is improved over 2018 at this point in the calendar year (which is early) from a cash flow perspective. This is due to both reductions in operating expenses relative to 2018, and also to increases in giving. (Please see the notes above regarding the one-time, temporary nature of both.)
Thank you for your financial support of Trinity!
Liz Miller
Treasurer
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Easter Flowers
Cards for flower donations are among the pews in the sanctuary this Sunday and next. We would like the donations to be in by April 7th. If you wish to have flowers given in memory or thanksgiving, return the form with your check and let us know. Also if you would like to assist the Flower Committee this year, please contact Mary Stauffer at
mdstauffer@sunflower.com
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Forward Day by Day
for February through April has arrived. Try using it as your companion through the Lent and Easter seasons. Read and reflect on each day's scripture and the meditation, then try the Moving Forward suggestion to go from reflection to action.
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Prayer Chain
To add a person's name to the prayer list or to become a prayer chain member, please contact the parish office (prayers@trinitylawrence.org; 785-843-6166) or Carol Hatton, Prayer Chain coordinator (caroldonhatton@gmail.com).
The Prayer Chain prays daily for those who are ill, suffering, troubled, have died, or wish to offer praise and thanksgivings. Prayer Chain members find that their own private prayer life with God also deepens during this daily practice.
Pray for those who are ill:
Todd, John, Dane, Jill, Dick, Julie, Talitha, Val, Alex, Glenn, Brian, Glenna, Oliva, Julie, Desiree, Tom, Larrie, Amy, Bob, Diana, Darell,
Prayer for those with special intentions:
DJ, Jody, Brian, Mike, Catherine, Christian,R.J., Jerome
Prayer for those in the hospital:
Josh, Chuck, Jill, Joanne, Linde, Diana, Joanne, Paul, Nikki, Amya, Patrick
Pray for the departed:
Sallie Bohlen, Calvin Clark, George Howell, Pete Anderson, Steve Markley, Stan Bartel, Patrick Northway
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Friendship Circle
The Friendship Circle will meet at Susan Ralston's home (3005 West 26th) on Sunday, April 7, after the 10:30 a.m. service. Brunch will be offered. Please bring a breakfast item. Following brunch, the movie "Green Book" will be viewed.
Please RSVP to
sralston@sunflower.com
or 843-3920. The Friendship Circle welcomes those who are widowed, divorced, single, and those who would like friendship from Trinity parishioners."
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Spring in-gathering for UTO
The United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of The Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church.
Through UTO, individuals are invited to embrace and deepen a personal daily spiritual discipline of gratitude. UTO encourages people to notice the good things that happen each day, give thanks to God for those blessings and make an offering for each blessing using a UTO Blue Box.
UTO is entrusted to receive the offerings, and to distribute the 100% of what is collected to support innovative mission and ministry throughout The Episcopal Church and Provinces of the Anglican Communion.
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From the Senior Warden
Greetings. Easter is coming soon! And some great news, I'm sure you’ve noticed the parish floors got polished last week (please wipe your feet so we can keep it clean for Easter). It's amazing what a rainy day can do for you. We had a proposal to do the floors for $2,000, a bunch of us came in last Friday and knocked it out. We also found and repaired the roof leak over the Choir Room so we’re able to save about $3,000 off our expected Building Maintenance Budget! That plus we are running $8,528.56 under budget for the first 2 months of 2019 puts us on a much stronger financial foundation than we had in 2018. Father Rob is close to making a great announcement about filling some staff positions and I won’t steal his thunder.
And I did want to speak about some of the staffing challenges we have experienced, particularly in regard to Mother Susan. As much speculation and much misinformation has been floating about I thought to take a moment to clear things up a bit.
In 2018 the Vestry was facing a serious financial challenge. The Vestry Board in its best judgement sought to make some significant cuts to our staffing and programs.
The Vestry voted to cut Mother Susan’s salary by 50%. Which I’m sure all would agree that was an untenable position for her to accept as it would be for anyone of us. While she had intended to retire in 2 years this forced her to consider early retirement and she decided she couldn’t maintain her position at Trinity at that reduced income level and advised she would be leaving us to move to Georgia to be by family and looked to list her home with a local realtor. Needless to say this was an emotional decision. She so wished to finish her days at Trinity.
I became aware of several attempts to retain her, none at back to her previous level and at best she was offered about 75% of her previous level but again, that was just not tenable. After receiving literally a hundred emails, calls and face to face conversations with members of our congregation expressing their sadness in losing Mother Susan I called and spoke with her late last Saturday evening and asked if I could restore full funding for her would she/could she consider staying with us. She advised that was a wonderful gesture, her hopes had been dashed several times but that would be a consideration if it came to fruition. Time was of the essence. She had just selected a realtor and was within a few weeks of listing.
I spoke with Father Rob Sunday early morning that I was going to talk to the congregation about the situation. He encouraged me and wished me well, and I stood up at last Sunday’s service and implored those that wanted to engage in this last effort to meet me after service in the Parish Hall. I was stunned and gleeful at the number of people that committed to the cause. I was surprised at how many didn’t have the full picture so I hope this clears things up. By Monday night I had financial commitments. The second step was to speak with her again and if she could stay I would then have Father Rob call a special session of the Vestry to consider passing a motion. Unfortunately, she advised that while our efforts warmed her heart she was resolved to follow through with her plans. So, a most unfortunate resolution to our hopes. And my deep appreciation to all of you.
And so we move forward, the Vestry and Father Rob are working hard to restore our staffing and programs and look to engage deeply with you to identify our vision moving forward.
Peace be with you,
Steven King
Senior Warden – Trinity Episcopal Church
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TEST Tidbits
WHAT IS BIOCHAR AND CAN IT FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE?
Biochar is the end product of burning organic material in a reduced oxygen manner until the charcoal stage is reached. This charcoal has essentially stabilized its carbon that, if completely burned, adds to the greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change. However, when stopped at the charcoal stage, the biochar holds carbon in a stable state for a very, very long time. This biocahr can be used to help the soil grow in fertility, hold more water and reduce erosion and yes, prevent the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere for a very, very long time. -Perhaps thousands of years. The process of making biochar may also be used as an emery source. By itself, biochar is not a fertilizer. Instead it is full of tiny cracks and holes that are perfect habitat for microorganism that will enhance organic matter to increase fertility and hold water. Evidence of the use of biochar was discovered when soil scientists were studying the Terra Preta, or black soils of Brazil. These fertile soils were enhanced by biochar long before the common practice of “slash and burn” was instituted. “Slash and burn” cuts down old growth rainforest trees to make farm land and is abandoned when the soil is “worn out” More trees are then cut down—reducing the carbon sink abilities of the rainforest.
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Wednesday Evening Prayers and Choristers
Susan Hires is very pleased to be restarting Choristers following the Wednesday Evening Meal in the Parish Hall. Families, please join us for our fellowship meal after which Susan and children will head upstairs to the St. Lawrence room to sing and ring. Evening Prayers will follow the meal at 7:00 p.m.
Choristers is for all kids elementary thru middle school. Even if your child has not been before, they are much welcome to join in. Susan is very grateful for the support of this congregation in her mission of music and eagerly looks forward to coming back home.
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Reminder that articles for our newsletter should be sent to office@trinitylawrence.org by Wednesday noon each week. The newsletters are also available on our website and Facebook page.
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THIS WEEK AT TRINITY
Sunday, April 7th
8:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist, Rite I
9:30 a.m., Adult Forum
10:30 a.m., Holy Eucharist, Rite II
10:30 a.m., Sunday School
11:30 a.m., Coffee Hour
12:00 p.m., Friendship Circle
6:00 p.m., Youth Group
6:00 p.m., Canterbury Service
Monday, April 8th
6:00 a.m., Pump 'n' Pray
Tuesday, April 9th
10:30 a.m, Staff Meeting
2:00 p.m., Food Pantry
Wednesday, April 10th
6:00 a.m., Pump 'n' Pray
3:00 p.m., Family Play Time
6:00 p.m., Dinner, Evening Service and Choristers
Thursday, April 11th
9:30 a.m., Brandon Woods Service
10:00 a.m., Trinity Treasures
1:30 p.m., Group One Women's Quest-ioning
5:30 p.m., Holy Stir-It
9:00 p.m.,
Tea and Compline at Canterbury House
Friday, April 12th
6:00 a.m., Pump 'n' Pray
Saturday, April 13th
9:00 a.m., Parish Spring Cleaning
10:00 a.m., Organ Practice
10:00 a.m., Food Pantry
Sunday, April 14th - Palm Sunday
8:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist, Rite I
9:30 a.m., Adult Forum
10:30 a.m., Holy Eucharist, Rite II
10:30 a.m., Sunday School
11:30 a.m., Coffee Hour
6:00 p.m., Canterbury Service
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785-843-6166
1011 Vermont St. Lawrence, Kansas 66044
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