Trinity Episcopal Church
The Corner
Trinity's newsletter for the week of January 31, 2021
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- New faces on the Vestry
- Restore, renew and rejoice – goals for 2021
- Fr. Rob: Early look at Lent
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Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and 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, January 31, 2021
Fourth Sunday after
the Epiphany
10:30 a.m. – Morning Prayer
READINGS
The Liturgy of the Word
MUSIC PROGRAM
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Prelude: Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele (“Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness”) (J.S. Bach)
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Offertory: Congregational hymn: Rejoice in God, my heart (Tune: Leoni)
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Post-service: "My Life Flows On in Endless Song" (Benjamin M. Culli); Congregational Hymn 493 O for a thousand tongues to sing (Charles Wesley, Azmon)
Webstream link:
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
7 p.m. – Evening Prayer
Livestream Link:
Bulletin link:
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Upcoming Event: Children's Sunday School
Date: Sunday, Jan. 31
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Description: Susan Hires leads lessons and activities. Join us on our Facebook page:
Upcoming Event: Morning Prayer
Date: Sunday, Jan. 31
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Description: Join your fellow Trinitarians online for worship and music.
Upcoming Event: Anchor Women
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 2
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom
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: Friendship Circle
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 3
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, Feb. 3
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...
I am going to do a thing I have not really done before, and that is start talking about Lent three weeks before Lent even begins. Lent is a season of penitence, a season characterized by solemnity and self-reflection with motifs of sin and death thrown in for good measure. And you might be asking, “Why, given all that we have gone through, are you rushing headlong into the season a good three weeks ahead of time?”
Part of the reason has to do with Ash Wednesday. I have done a lot of pondering about how to safely administer ashes to people’s foreheads (the common, traditional manner of beginning the Lenten season) but barring my finding a large stash of 6-foot long Q-tips really can not see a way to do it except by providing ashes to you and letting you administer them to yourself and/or members of your family.
As such, I have been thinking a lot about how to give guidance on ways – meaningful, authentic, spiritually appropriate ways – to observe this Lenten season. After a lot of prayerful deliberation, I am going to make this suggestion:
Seek forgiveness for a wrong you have done to someone else.
This is, I know, a huge task. It is complicated and emotionally charged and difficult. Which is why I am not just throwing this out on Ash Wednesday as a casual bit of advice about Lenten disciplines, but instead want to intentionally have a conversation with you to help you prepare for this in advance.
So for the next few weeks, both my sermons and my newsletter articles will be on the topic of forgiveness, particularly asking for it: why it’s important, what does it really mean, and how do we do it. My hope is that by the beginning of Lent we all have more tools in our discipleship toolbox to engage in this process which is foundational for not only establishing real relationships with God and other people, but healing the world as well.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Rob+
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Three Themes for 2021
At Trinity’s Annual Meeting last Sunday, Father Rob outlined three themes to focus on this year in the parish.
Restore. Fr. Rob said we have many things to restore this year, including regular in-person worship. Doing so will mean getting the protocols ready for handling a limited, socially distanced congregation. The basic procedures have been worked out, and we need to be ready to resume live services when it’s feasible. As well, the children’s area in the basement was getting needed work, which had to be suspended but can be safely resumed with proper precautions.
Renew. We have an opportunity to think, evaluate and refresh our efforts in areas that have been struggling or suspended in the pandemic. Many of those activities, such as Sunday School, the Ploughman’s Lunch, the Harvest Festival Dinner and the annual pledge drive, could resume in the second half of the year, at about the same time they occur in normal years. He called for an honest assessment of children’s activities and education. This was underway, but the pandemic forced the effort to go in a different direction.
Rejoice. We in the community of faith have found ways to come together to worship, support each other and share love – to include every member in that joy and expand “that circle of intentionality.” This in spite of the depth of suffering, despair and emotional toll that the pandemic has brought on. Fr. Rob said the ground is different, though, and we need new ways to welcome people and connect. He recommended the ministry “Invite Welcome Connect” and its related book and materials.
It's the first video on the top left.
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Newly Elected Vestry
and Delegates
Five new members will join Trinity’s Vestry for 2021.
April Dwyer, Andrew Hoyt, Susan Ralston and Cheryl Wagner were elected to three-year terms. Phil McKnight will serve for one year.
The Vestry, including new members, will meet via Zoom on Feb. 1 to appoint a junior warden for the next year and approve the rector’s housing allowance. It will hold its annual retreat on a date to be determined.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced an unprecedented online method for voting, which apparently went without a major hitch. Normally, the vote would be taken at the Annual Meeting itself, but there was no physical gathering this year.
The five departing Vestry members deserve thanks and recognition for their service and ministry to Trinity: Jennifer Attocknie, Elizabeth Miller, Dave Severance, Leslie Foust and Richard Lungstrum.
The roster of Vestry members, with phone numbers, runs at the end of this newsletter. We encourage you to contact us with ideas and concerns.
Diocesan delegates and Endowment Board. Three delegates were elected to represent the parish at the 2021 Diocesan Convention. Debbie Pitts, Linda McCoy and Garth Burns will serve in that capacity for the convention, Oct. 22-23 at Grace Cathedral in Topeka.
Melissa Padgett will begin serving on the Endowment Board, which oversees Trinity’s investments. She will serve a three-year term in a position that was vacant for the last year.
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Our newsletters are available on our website and Facebook page.
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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, Nancy, Gretchen, Kim, Dave, Jose,
Ian, Anne, Keri, Jean, Nicole, Stan, Brad, Donna, Bob, Marcia, Phillip, Aidee, Lucie, Melinda, Gracia, Lisa, Cal
Pray for those needing strength and guidance: Nathan, Lisa, Melisa, Jack, the Hanson
family, the Schmidt family, Jack, Matthew, Celeste, Cathy, Phil, the Van Schmus family, Brian, Melinda, Jennifer, Elaine, Kent
Pray for the departed: Chris Linton, Nancy Hale-Martinko, Lafayette Norwood, Jan
Weller, Patti Wakolee, Ed Pitts, Glenn Price, Brian Van Schmus, John McCoyne, Paul Kincaid
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We would like to know about hospitalizations, illnesses or special needs you are experiencing. Please call Fr. Rob, Deacon Deborah Burns, the Church office or a Vestry member so that we can help.p. |
Extended Table Eucharist
Going forward during the lockdown on the first Sunday of each month, Trinity is offering Holy Communion packets at 1 p.m. in our parking lot. We also understand that some are not able to travel to Trinity so our Lay Eucharist Visitors will be offering home delivery of the consecrated packets that afternoon. We will leave a bag with the Communion packet on your front door and knock, verifying you retrieved the bag. If there isn’t anyone at home, we will retrieve the packet.
For those in retirement centers, we will leave the bag with the receptionist and then call later to make sure you have received the elements.
If you would like this service, please email Deacon Debbie Burns at deboreil@aol.com. |
TEST Tidbits: Update on
the Land Institute
Kansas is the home of an internationally known organization that is dedicated to bringing farmers, scientists, and communities together using what they refer to as “Natural Systems Agriculture.” Founder, author and visionary Wes Jackson was one of the first to use the term “sustainable agriculture” and to go on to develop a pathway to perennial grain production.
The production of perennial grain crops is a game changer in retaining and even replenishing the fertility of the soil. We know that soil can be a great carbon sink, if undisturbed, but releases carbon when plowed into year after year. The Land Institute, close to Salina, sent out a snapshot of its activities for the year just ended. Here are some of the highlights for the year 2020:
● In Yunnan Province China, farmers and scientists who collaborate with The Land Institute have at least 14,800 acres planted in perennial rice. More acres are planned for this year.
● In the United States, more than 100 visionary farmers, 20 or more organizations and dozens of food and beverage producers are working to bring the perennial wheat known as Kernza into the marketplace. (Personal note: Bread made from Kernza has a nutty whole wheat taste – sampled at a Prairie Festival at the Land Institute several years ago).
● University soil scientists and farmers in Argentina and Germany are experimenting with over 99 wild prairie plants babied in the greenhouse of the Land Institute. They are joining others at Kansas Universities and universities in Minnesota and Colorado. Their plants were gathered from remnant prairies and modified in the natural manner.
● More than 53 other global partnerships are studying and getting prepared to participate in some more practical manner in the future. The scientists and the lay people at the Institute authored or co-authored 12 articles in peer-reviewed journals in 2020. The Land Institute has 43 employees working at the present time.
All of us should be proud of the work that the Land Institute is doing in furthering the concept of sustainable agriculture. When the pandemic has subsided, plan to visit the Land Institute. Also, check its website to see when the next Prairie Festival is scheduled. It is a weekend filled with wonderful speakers, chances to see the work up close and have fun, too.
Earth steward action: Please check out the website for the Land Institute and, if able, donate. Also, begin or continue your compost pile. It is a personal way to increase soil fertility.
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Family Promise Rotation
Our normal rotation model of sheltering families has changed due to COVID-19. We are currently sheltering several families in-place, outside of the congregational setting, and we anticipate this will continue for the foreseeable future.
We ask that you provide hospitality in two ways:
First we ask that, as you are able, provide cash to F.P.L. to purchase grocery cards or groceries, as appropriate to specific needs, to be distributed to the families to supplement their grocery budgets and SNAP benefits. A range of $200-$300 in total per hosting rotation week (not per family) would be sufficient to help cover this expense of food each week.
Second, bless the families even more with a welcoming treat (for example, balloons, Eileen's cookies, ice cream, a special meal, or whatever is a special way for your congregation to bless each family in shelter) and provide each family a personal card letting them know you're thinking of them and praying for them during their stay. We will place the purchased grocery cards in the envelope with your card.
Family Roster: 2 families in shelter
James (dad), Haylie (mom) and Josie(1) Food Allergies: none
Jordan (mom), Jishaun (17), Aziah (2) and Ariyah (11 mo).
Food Allergies: none
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News from Nepal
Great news this week – they have begun construction on the foundation for the new women's group sewing center. In true Nepali fashion, they gave an estimate of three days to complete the foundation, and two days into the work told me that there are still a minimum of five days left before it will be finished. We call that "Nepali time!"
I am just happy to see forward progress. My hope is that the entire project will be completed within the next month, and that the women's group can resume sewing in the new building when we start working again on March 14. We recently resumed sewing (after more than nine months off due to covid restrictions) in a temporary location, which was less than ideal. The machines were located inside, but all of the fabric cutting had to be done on large tables outside. It is winter, and while it was cold that wasn't our biggest hurdle. Our biggest challenge was the wind. Trying to cut fabric in the wind is even harder than it sounds.
Anyway, we were able to complete the prior work we were doing when lockdown hit (350 sanitary pad kits) and will begin the last 350 kits in March. Our school training, survey, and distribution of kits to 700 school girls will begin at the end of April, so please pray we can get all of this done in time for that.
Thank you to all who have contributed toward the funding of this project. We are almost there- only $551 to go! If you want to make a donation, please give through the church and let them know that it needs to be directed toward the Nepal women's group project, and we will make sure it happens. If we raise more than is needed for the building, any excess will be used toward materials or other expenses related to the women's group work. Thanks! Next to the headline, there's a photo of the foundation in progress.
Love,
Karin
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Save the Dates
Extended Table Eucharist
Sunday, Feb. 7, 1 p.m.
Trinity Parking Lot
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Vestry Meetings
The scheduled Vestry meetings are:
Feb. 1, March 1
Minutes through November have been added to our website. Financials through December are also added.
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THIS WEEK AT TRINITY
Thursday, Jan. 28
9 p.m., Tea and Compline at Canterbury House – Livestream
Friday, Jan. 29
6 a.m., Pump 'n' Pray
Saturday, Jan. 30
9 a.m., Organ Practice
10 a.m., Food Pantry
Sunday, Jan. 31
9:30 a.m., Trinity Children's Sunday School – Livestream
Monday, Feb. 1
6 a.m., Pump 'n' Pray
7 p.m., Vestry Meeting - Zoom
Tuesday, Feb. 2
1 p.m., Food Pantry
6:30 p.m., Trinity Anchor Women – Zoom
Wednesday, Feb. 3
6 a.m., Pump 'n' Pray
4 p.m., Friendship Circle – Zoom
Thursday, Feb. 4
9 p.m., Tea and Compline at Canterbury House – Livestream
Friday, Feb. 5
6 a.m., Pump 'n' Pray
Saturday, Feb. 6
9 a.m., Organ Practice
10 a.m., Food Pantry
Sunday, Feb. 7
9:30 a.m., Trinity Children's Sunday School – Livestream
1 p.m., Extended Table Eucharist - Church Parking Lot
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Trinity Vestry 2021
Rob Baldwin, Rector 785-424-4312
Steve King '21, Senior Warden 913-645-3135
Betsi Anderson '21 785-843-9083
Phil McKnight '21
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
April Dwyer '23 620-326-1848
Andrew Hoyt '23
Susan Ralston '23 785 331-9703
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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