On the evening before the inauguration of our new president, 400 lamps were lit along the reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC -- one lamp for each 1,000 Americans who have died of COVID-19 in the past year. The Book of Ecclesiastes reminds us that in our lives and in the life of our nation, there is a time a time to mourn and a time to heal. Our incoming president echoed this sentiment at the memorial event when he said, “To heal, we must remember.” We must first remember the 400,000 lives that have been lost: family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, even members of our own parish. We grieve for them but also for the many smaller losses in our lives caused by the pandemic: all the graduation ceremonies that never happened, the proms, the birthdays, the anniversaries, the holiday celebrations, the civic engagements, the baptisms and sporting events, as well as the countless informal get-togethers with family and friends. This is indeed a time to mourn — and there may well be much more grieving to do before the devastation is behind us — and then perhaps we may begin to heal. — Eric Rennie |
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Holy Trinity Reaches Out to the Community |
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The Rev. Mary Barnett, above center, and Elisa Schroth, above right, artistic director of Ekklesia Contempory Ballet, present a ceremonial check for $6,000 to St.Vincent de Paul Place Executive Director Maryellen M. Shuckerow. The check represents the combined amount that Holy Trinity and Ekklesia have donated to the soup kitchen in the past year. Holy Trinity donated $4,000, and proceeds from Ekklesia’s annual Christmas ballet, Ahavah, brought in $2,000. "This partnership is an example of solidarity and connection in a time when so much in our world threatens to pull us apart," Schroth said. "Both Holy Trinity and Ekklesia share a mission to bring love, hope, and goodness to all. As circumstances such as COVID threaten to spread isolation and fear, Holy Trinity and Ekklesia are working to connect together as the body of Christ."
The demands on social service agencies have escalated dramatically due to the COVID pandemic and resulting economic devastation. E-News will be highlighting donations to other organizations in coming weeks as part of our community outreach.
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Ms. Shuckerow writes: "When an individual comes to our soup kitchen for the first time, they are usually afraid. Eyes down, they eat a meal quickly and take the sandwich we offer for the evening and leave. The last thing they want is to talk about how they reached the point in their life in which they need our hospitality. Over time, though, something interesting happens. The more times someone comes, the more comfortable they become. With a full belly and a safe place, SOMETIMES they open up to one of our case workers and talk about their life. SOMETIMES they ask for help. SOMETIMES they are ready to accept it. Then the quiet brilliance of reversing the downward spiral facing so many of our neighbors begins." |
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Covid Vaccinations for Seniors 75 and Older |
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Middletown residents 75 and older can preregister with the city to receive updates regarding vaccine distribution in Middletown. Middletown seniors who are interested in receiving the vaccine can preregister with the senior center by phone (860-638-4549) or email with their full name, date of birth, address, phone number and email address (if they have one). Vaccine clinics for this age group are expected to continue through March.
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Sunday Service at 9:30 AM |
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Third Sunday After Epiphany
Spiritual Communion
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The Rev. Mary Barnett will preside over Spiritual Communion, with the Rev. Mo Lederman from St. John's North Guilford preaching. Musical contributions from Peter Van Siclen, Mary Beth Van Siclen and the joint choirs, as well as an original composition from St. Johns' organist Ernie Adams. The service will be broadcast on Facebook Live. (Note: You do not need a Facebook account to watch Facebook Live.) Connecticut's best coffee hour will follow on Zoom. Links to our Sunday services may also be found on our web site and Facebook page at any time, as well as in eNews.
To join Zoom by computer or smart phone, here's the link.
Meeting ID: 493 334 0227
Password: 034832
To join Zoom by phone (audio only):
+16465588656,,4933340227#,,1#,034832# US (New York)
Meeting ID: 493 334 0227
Password: 034832
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Readings
Sunday Bulletin
Sunday School
Sunday school meets before the service at 9:00 AM.
Meeting ID: 885 2462 7413
Passcode: rfSF28
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ON FACEBOOK (JAN. 24) -- The Rev. Mary presiding for Spiritual Communion.
The Rev Mo preaching. Coffee hour on Zoom.
ON ZOOM (JAN. 31) -- The Rev. Mary presiding for Spiritual Communion (CHT only), followed by parish annual meeting.
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ON ZOOM (FEB. 7) -- The Rev. Mary presides at Spiritual Communion. Coffee hour on Zoom, followed by book study of Chapter 5 of Richard Rohr's Universal Christ.
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Let's Make Music Together! |
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Stuck at home? Miss seeing your church family? Need an afternoon pick-me-up towards the end of the week? Music can bring us together! With Zoom muted, you can sing along without fear!
You can also perform if you have a song to sing or play -- or you can just listen. Join Minister of Music Peter Van Siclen for "Make Music Together," Thursdays at 3:00 PM on Zoom. (Meeting ID: 740 2564 6869; Passcode: 9hFYC3.
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Zoom Annual Meeting Jan. 31 |
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The annual meeting of the Church of the Holy Trinity will be held on Sunday, January 31, at 9:30 AM. The regular Sunday service will be held first, followed by the business meeting. All will be held on ZOOM. If you are the head of a group or committee, please submit your annual report to Valerie Hall in the church office no later than January 22 for inclusion in the church annual report. Thanks!
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Safe Church Training
All ECCT safe church training includes an online course followed by a three-hour live session on Zoom. This training is grounded in our call to seek and serve Christ in all persons and respect the dignity of every human being. It offers an opportunity to increase and enhance our ability to live out our baptismal covenant within our communities of faith and in the world beyond. Click here for upcoming sessions.
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On Racism and Faith
Beginning Sunday, January 24, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, Kelli Ray Gibson, ECCT's former Racial Justice Resource Coordinator, and the Rev. Rachel Thomas, Southeast Region Missionary, invite you to join them via Zoom for a discussion on racism, faith and the call to become beloved community, utilizing The Episcopal Church's "Sacred Ground" film and reading course. The class will meet on Sundays from 6:30-8:30 PM. For more information or to register, please contact the Rev. Rachel Thomas. Class size is limited!
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Birthdays
Memorials
- Fred & Mary E. Ratcliffe
- Charles W. Ratcliffe
- Lillian R. Schuerer
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The Rev. Mary Barnett:
Valerie Hall (Parish Administrator):
Steve Horst (Warden):
Andy Milliken (Warden):
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Note: The Rev. Mary wants to hear from you! Please reach out to Mary at 203-915-0561 at any time with your concerns, or if you just need a listening ear. |
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Online Giving to Holy Trinity |
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Now you can contribute online to Holy Trinity through Tithe.ly, a safe and secure giving platform that allows you to donate once or on a recurring basis! Click on the link below to give through the church website. You can donate funds using a credit card or your bank account. For your pledge or other recurring gift, you can donate weekly, monthly, or semi-monthly, specifying a day of the week or date(s) during the month. You can also designate a onetime gift to specific church activities and organizations. |
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Ed. Note: As a low-church Episcopalian, I find incense to be the ultimate test of allegiance. Is it permissible to bring a gas mask to a high-church mass? |
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