November 13, 2019

The mission of Trinity Church is to share Christ's love and grace in a vibrant community whose joyful spirit empowers people to do God's work.

SENIOR WARDEN'S NOTES
Opportunities abound for Trinitarians to offer service to the community, as well as to our own parish. Four ecumenical efforts involving several churches and organizations in Fredericksburg offer themselves at present.
 
One of them is the MICAH COLD WEATHER SHELTER , a ministry at Trinity chaired by Bill Farr. With the frigid temperatures and high wind this week, we can all be glad the shelter is opening soon. I was walking early the other morning, whining to my walking partner about the cold, and suddenly realized the shelter was not yet open. Instead of a chilly two miles for me, our Micah friends had had a very cold night. Trinity has been assigned the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Friday nights. We need a few more volunteers to help check in those who come to the shelter; the obligation is about 1-2 hours each night, maybe once every month or two, depending on the number of volunteers. We work in pairs and there is a staff member present. Unlike some years ago, volunteers are no longer asked to spend the night. Also, if you feel comfortable driving a van – no special license needed – Micah is asking that we drive their van from the community dinner to the shelter . However, if you’re not into driving vans, as I’m not, please still volunteer by contacting Bill at pfarr@verizon.net .
 
Another new volunteer opportunity is SAWSRamps , an organization that builds ramps for handicap access in homes where the person needing it is not able to afford one. You may have seen the article in last week’s Free-Lance Star about the veteran who had received one of these ramps. Fred Kerby has researched the organization and has helped build some ramps; please contact him at fred.kerby@gmail.com if you would like to participate in or receive more information about this project.
 
MEALS ON WHEELS needs a few more drivers in the Fredericksburg area. Mary Washington Hospital supplies the meals to people within a 4-mile radius of the hospital and Interfaith Community Council Trinity is a member), the drivers. The commitment would be 1.5 to 3 hours a few times a month. Parishioners who live within that radius should also know this is not an income-related program; anyone can pay the fee, around $100 a month, and receive a cold lunch and a dinner to be heated up five days a week – provided there are enough drivers, of course. Contact Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging at 540-371-3375 or Bob Harbick at fredmealsonwheels@gmail.com for more about this service.
 
Please be watching for information soon about ELF SUNDAY . Trinitarians have always been so generous in providing gifts for children in this community-wide effort who might otherwise have very bleak Christmas mornings.
 
I was so happy this week to see several Trinitarians, of their own accord, working on the church grounds. Barry Holliday has given the poison ivy a good dose of stuff. I saw Margaret Pullen picking up sticks and piling them up one day while she waited for a meeting to begin. Randall Clingenpeel was out with his own blower getting leaves and berries off places they shouldn’t be. I’m told Adrian Smith did considerable yard work one day last week. As I’ve written before, other parishioners have also assisted with care of our property.
And our Venerable Val was out sweeping up glass in the parking lot last Sunday. Thanks to everyone for all their assistance with these and other projects.

Claire Curcio , Senior Warden
TRINITY NEWS
Trinity Discernment Prayer
 
O Everlasting, Omniscient, and Loving God
We confess that our daily worries and concerns often blind us to your voice and guidance in our lives. We thank You for this time of change, may it be an opportunity to grow together more closely as followers of your son Jesus Christ as we work to discern your path forward for our congregation. We pray that You will watch over the Bishop, diocesan transitional ministry team, the parish clergy, members of our vestry, and the other leaders of our church as they lead us on a new path for our parish. We pray for the members of the discernment committee as they endeavor to do Your holy work in calling a new rector for Trinity. We pray for all the members of our parish family during this time of transition that we come closer to You and feel your presence in our hearts. AMEN.
 

ESTIMATE OF GIVING STATEMENTS

The Budget & Finance Committee will be meeting soon
to determine our budget for 2020! If you have not already turned in your
Estimate of Giving Statement, please do so as soon as possible.
Trinity is responsible for ONE more Campus Ministry meal this semester!!

Will you consider helping on Tuesday, November 19th?
Hungry students are counting on us!!

Sign up on the red door or contact Denise .
NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS
The last collection for Trinity's TURKEY FUND will be this Sunday, November 17 after all three services. This fund provides for turkeys and groceries for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for our Outreach families. Canned goods needed for our baskets include sweet potatoes, gravy packets and cranberry sauce. Thank you for helping those in need this holiday season.

This year’s THANKSGIVING OFFERING will go to El Hogar, a children’s home and school in Honduras that Trinity has been supporting for many years. El Hogar works with boys and girls who need a home, educates them so that they can find work, cares for them, and helps them to know that God loves them. El Hogar is a safe oasis in one of the most violent and dangerous countries in the world. Make your check to Trinity Church with either “El Hogar” or “Thanksgiving Offering” in the memo, use your special Thanksgiving Offering envelope, or go to Trinity’s website and click on Online Giving and include El Hogar in the memo. How much difference can Trinity make in the children’s lives?

BUDGET REQUESTS 2020 - Please send your 2020 budget request to Michele Brantley . Please include the following with your budget request - Committee/Commission/Team and requested budgeted amount for 2020. Thank you.

SANTA BREAKFAST SIGN UP DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 1st!    The Brotherhood of St. Andrew and the Daughters of the King are making plans for Santa’s visit to Trinity on Saturday, December 21st. Don’t miss out on the great food, fun, and fellowship!  Sign up on the church door or call the church office soon. Space is limited!

EMAILS FOR ASSISTANCE - Please become "computer-aware" and look at the return email address of any emails you might receive asking for assistance. You will NEVER be emailed from Trinity asking for money or gift cards. Do NOT respond to these emails. Thieves have gotten very good at setting up email accounts that might look like they come from Trinity (priests, vestry members, staff). Write down the email address the request is coming from and contact the office .

The ADVENT LECTIO DIVINA GROUP continues on Wednesday mornings in the Lounge from 10:30 to 11:45 AM through December 18th.  Come as your schedule permits.   

The CAREGIVERS’ SUPPORT GROUP will meet tomorrow, Thursday, November 14th, from 10:00-11:30 AM in the Health Ministries room. All adults who care for ill or disabled adults or children are invited to attend. If you have any questions, call Randall (540-207-0600), Claire (540-479-6988), or Brenda (540-226-2628).
 
There will be a DROP-IN GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP meeting on Monday, November 18, at 3PM in the Health Ministries room.

The monthly meeting of the HEALTH MINISTRY COMMITTEE will take place next Tuesday, November 19th at 1:30 PM in the Health Ministries room.

Come sing at our MIDNIGHT MASS on Christmas Eve. Rehearsals begin next Thursday, December 21, at 7PM in the choir room!
 

YOUTH NEWS AND EVENTS

CLUB 45 your next event is a service project! We will meet this Sunday, November 17th to pack bags for the Tuesday Night Outreach Thanksgiving food baskets. We will gather in Jamison Hall after Sunday school for lunch followed by packing the food baskets and, if time, some games. We should be finished by 1:30 PM. Parents, please let Sam Burton know if your child plans to participate so she can plan for lunch. If you have any questions or would like to help, please contact Sam Burton .
 
JUNIOR and SENIOR YOUTH GROUP MEMBERS – at our next meeting, on November 24, we will meet at Trinity for lunch and then travel to Wal Mart to shop for one of the Christmas Outreach Children. Please bring $5 - $10 to contribute to the gift. Parents, at least one other driver will be needed. If you are able to help please contact Sam Burton .
 
YOUTH GROUP MEMBERS – please plan to attend Caroling on the Trolley on December 6th. We will meet at Trinity at 6:30 PM to go caroling. Afterward we will gather in the Loft for hot chocolate, cider, goodies and games. St George’s youth are our guests. Please bring a holiday treat to share. If you have any questions, please contact Sam Burton .
 

IN THE DIOCESE

The Episcopal Church Responds to the Opioid Epidemic - Members invited to participate in survey.
The Task Force to Respond to the Opioid Epidemic, created by legislation at the 79th General Convention, is seeking input from lay and ordained leaders throughout the church about the local response to the opioid epidemic through the short survey linked in English here , in Spanish here , and in French here . Responses requested by: November 27, 2019.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Wednesday, November 13
6:30 pm Executive/Finance Meeting (R)
7:00 pm Vestry Meeting (BH)


Thursday, November 14


Friday, November 15


Saturday, November 16


Sunday, November 17


Monday, November 18
6:00 pm Yoga


Tuesday, November 19
10:30 am Tuesday AM Book Group (L)
12:00 pm Knaughty Knitters (L)
Links
(540) 373-2996