Trinity Episcopal Church
The Corner
Trinity's newsletter for the week of December 13, 2020
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- Pledge drive update from the rector
- 'You rock' encouragement for the Food Pantry
- Fr. Rob: Super Connecting with each other
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Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, 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 TIMES
Sunday, December 13, 2020
Third Sunday of Advent
10:30 a.m. – Morning Prayer
READINGS
The Liturgy of the Word
MUSIC PROGRAM
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Prelude: "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” (arr. Sam Billen) Sam Billen, soloist
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"My Soul Waits for the Lord" (refrain) (Michael Bauer) Bev Benso, Margie Lawrence, Emma Silvestri, Cheryl Wagner, singers
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"Nova, Nova” Trinity Choir, directed by Doug Lawrence; Mark Stotler, organist; Tony Silvestri, Clint Laing, Cheryl Wagner, instrumentalists
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Post-service: Congregational Hymn 76 On Jordan’s bank (Charles Coffin, Winchester New); A carol from home: "God Rest Ye Merry" (Wilbur Held); "Winchester New" (“On Jordan’s Bank”) (Christopher Tambling)
Webstream link:
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
7 p.m. – Evening Prayer
Livestream Link:
Bulletin link:
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Upcoming Event: Children's Sunday School
Date: Sunday, Dec. 13
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Description: Susan Hires leads lessons and activities. Join us on our Facebook page.
Upcoming Event: Morning Prayer
Date: Sunday, Dec. 13
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Description: Join your fellow Trinitarians online for worship and music.
Upcoming Event: Carol Sing-A-Long
Date: Sunday, Dec. 13
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Description: View the details in the full article. Hope to see you and hear your wonderful voices.
Upcoming Event: Anchor Women
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 15
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Description: A community of women of various ages and backgrounds share thoughts, stories, highlights, fun and laughter. For more information reach out to
Upcoming Event: Library Book Pickup
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 16
Time: 2-3 p.m.
Location: Parish Hall
Description: During Advent, books from our library can be ordered online through our website and be available for pickup Wednesday afternoon. Please see the full article for more details.
Upcoming Event: Friendship Circle
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 16
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Description: The Friendship Circle welcomes those who are widowed, divorced or single, or who are seeking friendship from parishioners. If you would like to join us, please contact Susan Ralston at sralston@sunflower.com for an invitation. All are welcome.
Upcoming Event: Evening Prayer
Date: Wednesday, Dec 16.
Time: 7 p.m.
Description: Join Vashti and David for Evening Prayer each week.
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Reminder, if you do not see the "This Week at Trinity" at the bottom of the newsletter, there should be an expand button to click to view our complete newsletter. |
From the Rector's Desk...
As we get a clearer sense of the timeline of the pandemic and how long things like social distancing and the lack of in-person worship will continue, it has become apparent that we need to be increasingly intentional about staying connected with our members. In particular we need to be seeking out those members whose participation in our online community is limited.
With that in mind, I am creating an off-shoot of our Pastoral Care Team called “Super Connectors.” Normally the Pastoral Care Team ministers to those who are sick, hospitalized, or unable to travel outside of their home. The Super Connectors will reach out to all members of the parish to check in, pass along pastoral care needs to the clergy, and provide some spiritual and personal contact.
This will not replace the efforts of the clergy here to regularly connect with parishioners, but will enhance them, and as such I am looking for friendly, outgoing members who are good listeners and communicators and can commit to just a few minutes each week making phone calls. Each Super Connector will have a small number of people they are responsible for calling, so hopefully over time relationships can grow and develop.
If this sounds like a ministry that is calling to you, please contact me at rb@trinitylawrence.org and become part of the glue that helps hold this community together.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Rob+
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Share Your Holiday Season with Us!
Throughout Advent and Christmas, we are hoping to share among ourselves the many ways in which we are observing this most unusual of holiday seasons. As such, we are hoping you will share with us what you are doing personally that we can then put onto our Trinity Facebook page.
What kinds of things are we looking for?
- stories
- holiday greetings
- recipes
- music
- arts and crafts ideas
- pictures of your holiday decorations
- or anything else you might think would be fun and interesting!
Send your videos, pictures, et al. to corner@trinitylawrence.org and thank you for your generosity, kindness and community spirit!
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Decorating the Windows
We are decorating the glass colonnade on the east side of our church with homemade holiday decorations to show that our parish is still active and not closed during this pandemic.
Ornaments of any size are fine, but larger ornaments are easier to view from the street. Multiples from families are OK.
If you see Fr. Rob's orange Jeep outside the office, you can knock on the office door and leave your decorations there. Or if the orange Jeep is not there, you can drop the ornaments off on Anne Patterson's front porch – address in the Church Directory – and remember she is from England when looking for her porch.
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Plum Pudding Sale
The Trinity Environmental Stewardship Team (TEST) is selling plum pudding again this Advent season. The puddings are $18 (large, serves eight to 12) and $9 (small, serves four to six); and hard sauce is $1.50 per container.
Please place orders with Vashti Winterburg (785-633-7396).
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Alternative Christmas Market
Please participate in the Trinity Alternative Christmas Market. This year we are gathering donations to Heifer International. Please write a check to Heifer International with the animal, product or “where most needed” on the subject line. Send your checks by Dec. 22 to the TEST Chair:
Nancy Hanson
3017 W. 7th
Lawrence, KS 66049
A report of funds gathered will be given in January.
A gift donation can be used to honor a loved one, help a family help themselves through a gift of an animal and help their neighbors by passing on the “first born” animal. Thanks for helping.
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Carol Sing-A-Long
This is Ms. Susan inviting you to join in a Zoom Sing-A-Long Sunday starting at 5 p.m. Here's your chance to sing a variety of music of the season. It'll be a fun hour to share – I hope you'll join in!
Join Zoom at:
Meeting ID: 827 5652 8331
Passcode: 665059
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LIRIM's Ministry to Immigrants
Thanks so much for everyone's support of Lawrence Interfaith Refugee and Immigrant Ministry and our effort to provide a decent Christmas for the many immigrant families in Lawrence supported by Centro Hispano.
LIRIM committed to supporting 15 of the 60 families on Centro's list. So far, we have raised almost twice our goal, but there are still families in need. Any continued gifts of gift cards for Walmart or Target, or checks will be forwarded to complete this task this week.
Again you may send those contributions to:
Chuck Olcese
1600 St. Andrews Drive
Lawrence, KS 66047.
Also, Episcopal Migration Ministries, in partnership with the EMM Asylum Ministry Network and EMM Immigration Detention Ministry Network, will host a virtual Advent vigil on Sunday, December 13, 6-7 p.m. The Advent vigil, available via Zoom webinar and Facebook Live, will offer a time of prayer and reflection in a world being transformed by forced migration. Registration is required and is available at https://dfms.formstack.com/forms/emmadventvigil. I hope you can join us.
—Chuck Olcese
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Trinity Interfaith Food Pantry
Trinity Interfaith Food Pantry (TIFP) was open eight days in November and served 217 households. So far this year, the food pantry has been open 92 days and has served 2,394 households.
The total expense in November for food purchased locally and through Harvesters was $740.65, and the total retail equivalent value of all food provided this month was $4,557.00. Harvesters has received special pandemic funding and is offering significant cost reduction for some foods, and other foods at no charge. Each grocery bag of food has a retail value of $21.
Our patrons receive one bag of pre-bagged food along with a bag of cold food. TIFP provides food to any person requesting food with no requirements. About 50% of our patrons walk or ride their bikes to the food pantry, and the remainder drive cars.
TIFP will continue indefinitely to give all food to our patrons outside the Matthews Center by Trinity Church. Food pantry volunteers use face masks and equipment sanitizing practices. Our patrons wear face masks, socially distance when waiting in line, and receive their food with words of gratitude: “You rock!”, “You are a godsend.” And “I don’t know what we would do without you.”
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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... or call 785-843-6166; or Carol Hatton, Prayer Chain coordinator at ( caroldonhatton@gmail.com).
The Prayer Chain prays daily for those who are ill, suffering or troubled; who have died; or who 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 need healing: D.J., Sigrid, Eleanor, Max, Clair, Doug, Dennis, Robyn, Becky, Will, Brenda, Al, Sam, Nellie, Holly, James, Kim, Arianna, Steve, Kimberly, Charles, David, Alyce, Nick, Mary
Pray for those with special circumstance: Mary, Bill, Elva, Darren, Nathan, Lisa, Hernandez Family, Mendoza Family
Pray for those in the hospital: Sam, Alyce, James
Pray for the departed: Steve Roberts, Bill Theisen, Frank Kramer Jr., Ralph Walker, Pat Freideman, Justice Tyler Lockett, Donna Osness, Zane Zahner, Kent Beisner, Al Biggs
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We would like to know about hospitalizations, illnesses or special needs you are experiencing. Please call Father Rob, Deacon Deborah Burns, the Church office or a Vestry member so that we can help. |
TEST Tidbits: Coal Ash Could Be Future Lawrence Problem
The Trinity Environmental Stewardship Team wants you to be aware that Evergy, the latest iteration of our local electric power company, has applied for a permit to close its old coal ash pit located near the Kansas River here in Douglas County. It is anticipated that in the not too distant future, Evergy will close the Lawrence coal-fired electric generating plant, leaving the coal ash pit. Coal ash is both “hazardous” and “waste,” although the EPA does not label it as “hazardous waste” at this time.
—Vashti Winterburg
TEST member
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BackSnack Getting More Food to Students in Hybrid Learning
BackSnack is adjusting the way it distributes food to Lawrence students as the school district changes its remote-learning policies.
As you may remember, the BackSnack program has traditionally supplemented the weekly snacks with fresh fruit – an apple or orange was an added treat. These extras were made possible by our generous donors. Because of COVID-related issues with distribution, the fresh fruit was omitted this year. As the funds were already in the budget, Back Snack coordinators Tod Sutton and Greg Hazen decided to use this money to purchase 300 sets of hats and gloves to hand out in December.
BackSnack handled its weekly distribution differently this year as a result of the remote learning phases instituted by the school system. The recently adopted hybrid schedule lets our volunteers get more food to the kids. BackSnack is currently serving approximately 150 students per week to six schools. It is expected an additional school will be added soon.
Kids in school or those learning virtually have needs that are the same as every year – to know they live in a caring and generous community. BackSnack helps do just that for Lawrence students.
A special thank you to our volunteers during this time. To this point, the program has been less manpower-intensive than in prior years to minimize contact points and protect the volunteers, students and school coordinators we serve. We share your hope that we will be able to reach all our schools in the near future.
While we currently have sufficient funds to continue the Back Snack program, your continued prayers for our service to Lawrence students and families are very much appreciated.
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2021 Pledge Drive Update
In this most extraordinary of years, we kicked off this season’s pledge drive with our online talent show featuring the amazing musical gifts of many of our parishioners in an evening of fun and fellowship. This week, I want to share with you where the drive currently stands, and contrast that with last year.
Rolling into 2020 in what seems decades ago, Trinity received 126 pledge cards totaling $378,566 in planned giving. So far, we have received an impressive 89% of that income, and for that we are incredibly grateful.
Going into 2021 we have received 100 pledge cards, five of which are from brand-new households that have never pledged before, for a total of $233,000. There are roughly 30 households that pledged last year that have not turned in pledge cards this year.
Some of that loss is a result of people moving away out of Lawrence, dying, or otherwise no longer being part of the congregation. I suspect strongly that a lot of this is because we are not having that interpersonal contact where we sit in the pews, realize we have forgotten this small detail, and fill out a pledge card on the spot. We are not having Vestry members approach parishioners in coffee hour to inquire about their plans or running into each other out in the community.
In addition, our minds are much, much more preoccupied with everything that is going on around us. Speaking as a person who is forgetful in the best of times, I have taken Herculean measures these days to make sure that I keep on top of the responsibilities of my life.
I am also aware that so many of us have experienced changes, some for the worse, during the time which affect our ability to give, and that struggle may affect our willingness to commit to a pledge.
If you are experiencing hardship this year, please reach out to me, not so I can talk to you about your pledge, but so that I can listen and learn about your life right now, and provide that spiritual counseling that is a part of my ministry.
Trinity is almost entirely funded by your donations every year and having even a rough estimate allows us to plan for what is still an uncertain and constantly changing future. Thank you for everything you do to support us during this time.
—Yours in Christ,
The Very Rev. Rob Baldwin
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Christmas Flowers
Because we're having no in-person worship through the Advent season, we will not be taking contributions toward the poinsettias traditionally decorating the Church.
We will still be decorating the Church for Advent and Christmas, but instead ask you to consider making a contribution using the Donation button to the Deacons' Discretionary Fund to assist those in need during this difficult season. |
Pump 'n' Pray Moves Indoors
Pump 'n' Pray will now be meeting at the Lawrence Surgery Center, 6th and Maine at 6 a.m. every M-W-F
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Advent Library Activities
My daughter-in-law had a tradition of reading one of her Christmas books to her children each night during Advent. If you would like to start such a tradition, Trinity's library has a good selection of books for the season. Take a few and start a new tradition with your family. In addition, we have a number of other books to check out to help you observe the season of Advent.
The books are still there and the catalog is online at the Trinity web-page under Resources, or you can use this link to access.
Bill Perkins has offered to respond to requests by checking out books and having them ready in the Parish Hall to be picked (with appropriate social distancing) Wednesday afternoons from 2-3 p.m. E-mail your requests to Bill at corner@trinitylawrence.org.
If you have questions or need help with the catalog, call Margaret at 842-1091
— Margaret Bearse
Trinity librarian
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News from Nepal
Hi everyone! It has been both relaxing and eventful these past seven weeks in the village. It was nice to be able to be outside in the fresh air and still be isolated. That part I enjoyed very much.
We have a new baby in the "family." My Nepali family's oldest son and his wife just had a baby boy 15 days ago. He hasn't been named yet (they don't give names immediately at birth), so for now I am calling him "Babu" which is a term of endearment for little boys. They keep saying "He's big and white, just like you!" Hahah. Thanksgiving that mom and baby are both doing well.
We also have a new puppy that is both adorable and a jerk at the same time. Prayers for patience! I attended a village wedding this week, too. On top of that, I have taught weekly children's fellowship at village church, have given the message twice at the weekly adult house fellowship meeting, and now somehow find myself on a team that will be hosting monthly Christian youth fellowship meetings for ages 15-20, which will rotate between six participating district churches. All of this teaching, preaching and guiding is in Nepali and not English, so please keep praying that the Holy Spirit gives me the perfect words to speak and that the meaning He wants to reach their ears, will. My Nepali is good, but teaching in a second language is always a challenge.
I just returned to Kathmandu this evening and will be here for two weeks, and then head back to the village for Christmas. I am looking forward to my first real "bath/shower" in two months. YAY! Blessings to you.
—Karin Feltman
(Photo caption: Our newest family member)
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Save the Dates
Mary Donovan Ordination
Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, 10:30 a.m.,
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Vestry Meetings
The scheduled Vestry meetings are:
Dec. 21, Jan. 4
Minutes through November have been added to our website. Financials through October are also added.
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Our newsletters are available on our website and Facebook page.
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THIS WEEK AT TRINITY
Thursday, Dec. 10
9 p.m., Tea and Compline at Canterbury House – Livestream
Friday, Dec. 11
6 a.m., Pump 'n' Pray
Saturday, Dec. 12
9 a.m., Organ Practice
10 a.m., Food Pantry
Sunday, Dec. 13
9:30 a.m., Trinity Children's Sunday School – Livestream
5 p.m., Carol Sing-A-Long – Zoom
Monday, Dec. 14
6 a.m., Pump 'n' Pray
7 p.m., Vestry Meeting
Tuesday, Dec. 15
1 p.m., Food Pantry
6:30 p.m., Trinity Anchor Women
Wednesday, Dec. 16
6 a.m., Pump 'n' Pray
2-3 p.m., Library Book Pickup
4 p.m., Friendship Circle – Zoom
Thursday, Dec. 17
9 p.m., Tea and Compline at Canterbury House – Livestream
Friday, Dec. 18
6 a.m., Pump 'n' Pray
Saturday, Dec. 19
9 a.m., Organ Practice
10 a.m., Food Pantry
Sunday, Dec. 20
9:30 a.m., Trinity Children's Sunday School – Livestream
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Trinity Vestry 2020
Rob Baldwin, Rector 785-424-4312
Steve King ‘21, Senior Warden 913-645-3135
Richard Lungstrum, Junior Warden ‘21 jrwarden@trinitylawrence.org
Jennifer Attocknie ‘20 785-760-2938
Elizabeth Miller ‘20 785-766-8175
Dave Severance ‘20, 785-691-7261
Betsi Anderson ‘21 785-843-9083
Leslie Foust ‘20 785-979-1829
Camille Olcese ‘21 620-704-4180
John Broholm ‘22 785-766-7002
Donna Griffin, Clerk, ‘22 785-865-6039
Linda McCoy ‘22 785-550-6743
Bill Perkins ‘22 785-331-4401
Cristian Sauciuc, Treasurer
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785-843-6166
1011 Vermont St. Lawrence, Kansas 66044
Office closed due to stay at home
Facebook @TrinityLawrenceKS
Twitter @trinity_kansas
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