Financial Offering Pledge Campaign - Online Pledge Card Now Available; Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training; In Memoriam: Spencer Pugh; Final Slate of Nominees for Presiding Bishop; More...

Trinity Church News

April 17, 2024

In this issue:

Click "view entire message" at bottom of email

to view the full newsletter.

Financial Offering Pledge Campaign - Return Pledge Cards by 4/21; Online Pledge Card Now Available
Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training
Sign Up to Donate Altar Flowers
Clothes Closet Update: Hangers Needed
In Memoriam: Spencer Pugh
Diocese of Southern Ohio - Discernment Sessions
Final Nominees for 28th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church - Additional Petition Nominee
Reminder: Trinity Parish Directory Update
Volunteer/Attend - General Convention in Louisville
Full Worship Schedule - In-Person and Online
Sunday Scripture Readings
This Week at Trinity
April Birthdays & Anniversaries
Prayer Requests
Online Giving Link

Reminder: ALL TRINITY MAIL MUST BE SENT TO

Trinity Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 851, Hamilton, OH 45012

Trinity's Online Giving Link

Financial Offering Pledge Campaign

Return Pledge Cards by Sunday, April 21st

Letters for the 2024 Financial Offering Pledge Campaign, along with pledge cards, were mailed Tuesday and Wednesday of this week to all parishioners.

If somehow we missed you, you can find copies of the letter and pledge cards on the table in the Memorial Room.

You can also see a copy of the Letter here

and see/download a pledge card here.

New: Click here to complete an online pledge card (information goes directly to the church office).

Please read the letter and return your pledge cards

for the Ingathering Celebration

on the 4th Sunday of Easter, April 21st.

O Lord our God, all this abundance

that we have provided for building you a house

for your holy name

comes from your hand and is all your own.

1 Chronicles 29:17

Thank you for building God's house at Trinity

with your financial offerings, prayers, ministries,

hospitality, and fellowship.

Lay Eucharistic Visitor (LEV) Training

What is a Lay Eucharistic Visitor?

A Lay Eucharistic Visitor is a trained lay person who takes Communion to those who are ill or can't come to regular church services for various reasons. Visits often take place after the Sunday Worship Service as a strong symbol of inclusion in the worshiping body of Christ, but visits can take place at other times.

What's involved in the training?

Mother Suzanne will meet with those interested for several sessions of training and practice. Online Safe Church Training is also required.

How often do LEV's make visits?

Each LEV can decide how often they would like to make visits. Some may want to make visits once a month, others more frequently. Our beginning hope is that we can offer communion to each of our homebound parishioners via an LEV at a minimum of every two months; of course if everyone could be visited monthly would be great! While Mother Suzanne makes Eucharistic visits, having trained and active LEV's means that our parishioners can receive Communion more often. Plus there is an added sense of community, care, and belonging when laity make visits in addition to the clergy.

Interested?

Please contact Mother Suzanne no later than Friday, April 19th, at 513-869-8694 or slevesconte@gts.edu, if interested. If you have mentioned your interest previously to Mother Suzanne, please send her a tickler text or email as a reminder. We don't want to leave anyone out who is interested.

If you would like to provide the altar flowers for a Sunday service, please contact Sue Samoviski at 513-478-8918 or suesamo63@gmail.com to reserve a date(s).

You may choose to call a florist to order the flowers,

or you can purchase the flowers at the grocery store

and make two arrangements for the altar.

Or, you could provide flowers from your garden or potted plants.

Clear plastic vases are available at church if you need them or you can arrange them directly into the altar vases.

Another option is to send a monetary donation to Trinity in lieu of flowers and in memory of or in honor of your loved ones.

If you do that, please be sure to let Sue know the

dedication of your donation.

Donations to Trinity's Clothes Closet

We are in need of hangers, especially pant hangers.

Other special current needs include:

Deodorant, disposable shavers, lotion, soap and shampoo
Shoes
Sheets / Pillow Cases / Blankets

Reminder: Please contact Mother Suzanne or the parish office prior to dropping off clothing items! (Donations of personal hygiene products can be brought to the office without prior notice).

Thank you for all who have brought in

"Kroger" plastic bags.

Thank You for your Support of this Ministry!

In Memoriam: Spencer Pugh

*We wanted to share this sad news from the diocese with everyone at Trinity as many of you may remember Spencer. He had preached several times at Trinity as a licensed lay preacher, and also helped to lead some of our stewardship planning and campaigns. He will be greatly missed. Please keep his family in your prayers.

From the Diocese of Southern Ohio

April 17, 2024

In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life, we write to share the sad news that Spencer Pugh, a faithful leader in both our diocese and the wider Episcopal Church, died suddenly on Wednesday while on pilgrimage in Spain.

"Spencer was devoted to the Diocese of Southern Ohio and the Episcopal Church, and his loss will be felt deeply across the entire church. He served faithfully in many ways for many years, particularly as the chair of our Commission on Ministry, as a licensed lay preacher, and as a Stephen Ministry Leader," Bishop White said. "Please pray for his wife, Bev, and their children and grandchildren; for the entire Pugh family; and for all who were touched by Spencer's ministry."

Funeral arrangements will be announced by Spencer's parish, St. Anne, West Chester, at a later date.

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Spencer. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, pg. 465)

Diocese Discernment Gatherings:

Open to Everyone in the Diocese

In a letter to the diocese on April 6, Bishop White announced that consultants from Ministry Architects will facilitate six days of discernment gatherings from April 29 to May 1 and May 6 to May 8.

"I feel the Holy Spirit moving powerfully in our midst, and I am eager to continue learning from you so that, together, we can shape a vision for our ministry," she wrote.

Each one-hour gathering will be led by two Ministry Architects consultants, and sessions will be capped at 15 participants to ensure everyone has a chance to be heard. Everyone in the diocese is invited to attend one of the meetings so that your voice and experience can inform the future.

Read more and sign up to participate.

Week One

Monday, April 29: Church of the Good Shepherd, Athens

Tuesday, April 30: All Saints, New Albany and St. Mark’s Upper Arlington

Wednesday, May 1: Procter Center

Learn more and sign up at this link.

Week Two

Monday, May 6: Redeemer, Cincinnati and Ascension & Holy Trinity, Wyoming

Tuesday, May 7: Calvary, Clifton and St. Patrick’s, Lebanon

Wednesday, May 8: St. Margaret’s, Trotwood and St. Patrick’s, Dublin

Learn more and sign up at this link.

Zoom

Monday, April 29 at 6:30 PM

Learn more and sign up at this link.

If none of the scheduled discernment gatherings is convenient, please email Martha Whitesides to receive a survey that you may submit anonymously.

Final Nominees for the 28th Presiding Bishop

of The Episcopal Church

Central NY Bishop DeDe Duncan-Probe Named Petition Nominee for 28th Presiding Bishop

[Episcopal News Service]

Central New York Bishop DeDe Duncan-Probe on April 16 was added as a nominee by petition to stand for election as The Episcopal Church’s 28th presiding bishop, joining four other bishops who were announced two weeks ago on the initial slate of nominees to succeed Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.

The two-week petition period closed at the end of the day April 15, and Duncan-Probe was the sole petition nominee. She joins Nebraska Bishop J. Scott Barker, Pennsylvania Bishop Daniel G.P. Gutiérrez, Atlanta Bishop Robert Wright and Northwestern Pennsylvania Bishop Sean Rowe, who also serves as bishop provisional of the Diocese of Western New York.

“We are grateful that the Holy Spirit continues to guide the church’s discernment process towards electing our next presiding bishop,” Steve Nishibayashi of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles said in the April 16 news release announcing Duncan-Probe as a nominee. Nishibayashi and Alaska Bishop Mark Lattime are co-chairs of The Episcopal Church Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop, which produced the initial four-bishop slate.

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The Episcopal Church’s next presiding bishop will be chosen in June from a slate of five nominees: Nebraska Bishop J. Scott Barker, Pennsylvania Bishop Daniel G.P. Gutiérrez, Atlanta Bishop Robert Wright, Northwestern Pennsylvania Bishop Sean Rowe, who also serves as bishop provisional of the Diocese of Western New York, and Central New York Bishop DeDe Duncan-Probe.

Click the link below to read more about each candidate and to view short videos each candidate was asked to create discussing a biblical image or metaphor that resonates with this moment in the life of the church and the role of the presiding bishop.

View each nominee’s videos on the General Convention Office website.

The Rt. Rev J. Scott Barker, 60, has led the Omaha-based Diocese of Nebraska since 2011. The diocese’s 53 worshipping communities span the full state, where Barker was born and raised. A graduate of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, Barker was ordained to the priesthood in 1992 and served for 10 years in Omaha and 10 more years in the Diocese of New York before returning to Nebraska as bishop.

The Rt. Rev. Daniel G.P Gutiérrez, 59, has led the Philadelphia-based Diocese of Pennsylvania since 2016. It is one of five dioceses in the state. A native of New Mexico, Gutiérrez earned a diocesan certificate in Anglican Studies through the Trinity School for Ministry and has a master’s degree in theological studies from St. Norbert College. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2008 in the Albuquerque-based Diocese of the Rio Grande and served there as canon to the ordinary, chief operating officer and chief of staff before he was elected bishop of Pennsylvania.

The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, 49, has led the Erie-based Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania since 2007, and he also serves as bishop provisional of the Diocese of Western New York through a partnership the dioceses established in 2019. He previously served as bishop provisional of the Diocese of Bethlehem from 2014 to 2018. Originally from western Pennsylvania, Rowe is a Virginia Theological Seminary graduate and was ordained to the priesthood in 2000 in Northwestern Pennsylvania, where he served in congregational ministry until his election as bishop. He currently serves as parliamentarian of the House of Bishops and Executive Council.

The Rt. Rev. Robert Wright, 60, has led the Diocese of Atlanta since 2012. The diocese, based in Georgia’s capital city, has 120 worshipping communities across the northern half of the state. A Navy veteran and graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary, Wright was ordained to the priesthood in 1999 in the Diocese of New York. At the time of his election as bishop, he had served the previous 10 years as rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta. Since 2020, he also has hosted the popular podcast “For People” on faith and life.

The Rt. Rev. Dr. DeDe Duncan-Probe, 61, has led the Syracuse-based Diocese of Central New York since 2016. The nearly 80 congregations in the diocese span from the Canadian border to the Pennsylvania state line. After a career in education and business, Duncan-Probe earned a Master of Divinity degree from The General Theological Seminary in New York and was ordained to the priesthood in 2004 in the Diocese of El Camino Real in central California. She also holds a doctorate in theology from the Graduate Theological Foundation, completed at Oxford University, and served as an adjunct faculty member at Virginia Theological Seminary before her consecration as bishop.

These candidates will be presented for election at the 81st General Convention, which convenes June 23-28 in Louisville, Kentucky. The nominees’ names will be formally submitted June 25 during a joint session of the House of Bishops and House of Deputies. On June 26, the bishops will elect, and deputies will be asked to confirm, the church’s 28th presiding bishop, who will succeed Presiding Bishop Michael Curry beginning Nov. 1.

General Convention, the triennial churchwide gathering, splits its authority between the House of Bishops and House of Deputies, and each house has a distinct role in the selection of a new presiding bishop. In Louisville, the House of Bishops will gather in a closed session June 26 at Christ Church Cathedral for the election and then ask the House of Deputies to vote to confirm the result.

The 28th presiding bishop is scheduled to take office on Nov. 1, and an installation is scheduled for Nov. 2 at Washington National Cathedral, the traditional seat of the presiding bishop. When the nominating committee released its presiding bishop profile in March 2023, it identified via survey several qualities needed in “a presiding bishop for our time.” Among the most important characteristics are strong leadership, a love of communicating and faithfulness.

The committee also cited faithfulness as a quality frequently identified by survey respondents and interviewees as essential in a presiding bishop. “The next presiding bishop should be one who is deeply grounded in their faith and hope in Christ and steadfastly committed to the living tradition of The Episcopal Church. They should be fully authentic and a person of palpable integrity, always ready to offer ‘an accounting for the hope that is in [them]’” the committee said, quoting 1 Peter.

A history and timeline of Episcopal Church presiding bishops

Curry was elected in 2015 as the church’s first Black presiding bishop. Before him, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, elected in 2006, was the church’s first female presiding bishop. Her predecessor, Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, was the first to serve a nine-year term, after the church shortened the presiding bishop’s term from 12 years.

The presiding bishop has a range of responsibilities, as outlined by The Episcopal Church Constitution and Canons. Those include presiding over the House of Bishops, chairing Executive Council, visiting every Episcopal diocese, participating in the ordination and consecration of bishops, receiving and responding to disciplinary complaints against bishops, making appointments to the church’s interim bodies, and “developing policies and strategies for the church and speaking for the church on the policies, strategies and programs of General Convention.”

There are few canonical requirements for presiding bishop candidates. They must be members of the House of Bishops and cannot yet have reached the church’s mandatory retirement age of 72. Nothing prohibits the election of a presiding bishop who would turn 72 during the nine-year term, though historically nominees have been able to complete the full nine years.

“We felt the Holy Spirit’s presence during this process and are prayerfully thankful for the guidance we received,” the Rev. Maureen-Elizabeth Hagan, a deacon on the committee who chairs its nominations subcommittee, said in the April 2 news release.

Reminder: Trinity Parish

Directory Update

It's time to update the parish directory! This helps to ensure we have your correct email, phone, and mailing information.

Please CLICK HERE to complete the form online or fill out the paper form available at the church. Complete one form per person, for each member of your family. Please complete the form even if you think we have your correct information.

Or you can contact the Parish Office

at trinitychurchhamilton@gmail.com or 513-896-6755

and provide your current contact information.

Thank you to everyone who has submitted their forms!

Volunteer for or Attend

the General Convention

of the Episcopal Church

in Louisville, Kentucky

June 23-28

What is General Convention?

General Convention is a tri-annual meeting of all the Bishops of the Episcopal Church and representative laity and clergy from every diocese of the Episcopal Church. They meet to do the business of the National Church (although we do have diocese in Europe, South and Central America, and the Pacific, and they of course attend too.) It's not often that the General Convention meets so geographically close to us. So, hopefully some of you will take advantage of attending, at least for a day, to see how the governance of the Episcopal Church works at this high level. What is interesting is how the two Houses of Convention, the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies (laity and clergy) function much like the House of Representatives and Senate of the US Government. For any resolutions to pass they must be passed by both Houses.

This year's General Convention will be especially exciting because the Convention will be electing a new Presiding Bishop, who will replace the current Presiding Bishop, The Right Reverend Michael Curry, and serve for nine years.

The Episcopal Church is looking for volunteers to help with the 81st General Convention from June 23 to 28 in Louisville, Kentucky. There are opportunities available for individuals of all abilities. Volunteer positions generally fall into one of three categories: Clerical, Logistics, or Hospitality.

Click here to learn more about the opportunities available. If you would like to volunteer, please click here to fill out the online form.

Worship In-Person at

Trinity Episcopal Church

115 North 6th Street

Hamilton, OH

Sunday, April 21st

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Holy Eucharist, Rite II - Music

in the Sanctuary

9:30 AM

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Worship Online

Click Below to Join

on Facebook

Click here for Facebook Live

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Sunday, April 21st

Morning Prayer – 9:30 AM

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Mondays Thru Saturdays

A Word and A Prayer – 9:30 AM

Every Evening

Compline – 8:30 PM

Fourth Sunday of Easter

April 21, 2024

Year B | RCL

Scripture Readings

Click on the links above to access the readings.

Collect: O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

This Week at Trinity

Wednesday, April 17

Parish Office Open -- 9:00 AM - Noon

Clothes Closet Open -- 10:00 AM - Noon – Basement

NA Meeting Wednesday -- 7:00 PM – Fellowship Hall

Thursday, April 18

NA Women’s Group -- 7:00 PM – Fellowship Hall

Friday, April 19

AA Meeting Friday -- 8:30 PM – Fellowship Hall

Sunday, April 21 - Fourth Sunday of Easter

Holy Eucharist Rite II - Music -- 9:30 AM – Sanctuary

Monday, April 22

Parish Office Open -- 9:00 AM - Noon

Clothes Closet Open -- 10:00 AM - Noon – Basement

Greater Power Discussion Meeting -- 7:00 PM – Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, April 23

Round Table Meeting -- 6:00 PM – Memorial Room

Wednesday, April 24

Parish Office Open -- 9:00 AM - Noon

Clothes Closet Open -- 10:00 AM - Noon – Basement

NA Meeting Wednesday -- 7:00 PM – Fellowship Hall

Thursday, April 25

NA Women’s Group -- 7:00 PM – Fellowship Hall

Friday, April 26

AA Meeting Friday -- 8:30 PM – Fellowship Hall

Sunday, April 28 - Fifth Sunday of Easter

Holy Eucharist Rite II - No Music -- 9:30 AM – Sanctuary

APRIL CELEBRATIONS

We encourage you to remember these people

on their special days!

If we don't have your birth or marriage dates,

please contact the office.

APRIL BIRTHDAYS

Herm Lorance - 4/4

Anita Dohn - 4/11

Beth Blaylock - 4/13

Michael Clifton - 4/13

Warren Grossklaus - 4/14

Joan Fields-Cox - 4/15

Marti Conaway - 4/19

Mark Durbin - 4/21

Chris Russo - 4/25

Mike Bahlmann - 4/29

APRIL MARRIAGE ANNIVERSARIES

None

Prayer List

If there is someone you would like

to include on or remove from the list,

please email the Parish Office at

trinitychurchhamilton@gmail.com

Prayer requests for:

Andrew and Maria Cole
For Spencer Pugh, who has died, and for his wife, Beverly, and his family and friends in their grief.
For Chris Russo and her recovery from back surgery
For Beth Blaylock's recovery from surgery on March 18
For Todd, the brother of Beth Blaylock, who has died, and for Beth and all of Todd's family.
For the mother of Chuck Blaylock on her death, and for Chuck and all of his family.
For Dave Szafraniec, who has died and for his family - especially his brother, Larry Szafraniec, and sister-in-law, Jackie Szafraniec (the daughter of Rick Renners)
For John Chesher, who has died, and for his family in their grief, especially his wife Linda and daughter Molly.
For Nancy Renners, who has died, and for her family in their grief, especially her husband Rick.
Michelle Berning, friend of Anne Cole
For Mark Hensley, brother of Terri Comer, who has died, and for his family in their grief.
Candy, sister of Teresa Durbin
Amanda, Mike and Penelope - friends of Linda Griffin
Dave Belew
For Alan
For peace in the Middle East
For Ginny Woods' continued recovery from recent successful surgery
For Wade Hensley, whose mother has died
Richard Elberfeld, brother of Anne Cole
Chrissy Rose
Donnie Eschenbrenner, recovering from a broken hip
Tina Chandler
Joyce, friend of Tony
Herm Lorance
For Tina Wilder, niece of Mary Jo (a customer in the Clothes Closet), who was diagnosed with stage-4 cancer.
Leslie and Warren Grossklaus
Sarah Ruston and her son, Tom
The Vanoss Family
Dave Bahlmann, brother of Mike Bahlmann
Bill Thaman
Caitlin Bomar - wife of the Priest-in-Charge at Diane Line's church
Dennis Jerdey - cousin of Ginny Woods
Mary Kay Kroner, friend of Jennifer Elliott
Nancy Compton, friend of Kathy Smith
Candra
Peggy Ziegler
For Jeff, Brother of Kim Jewett
Ryan Moore, Terri Comer's son
Ken Huelsman
Susan Tarbuck
Nella Hurst, friend of Mike and Sue Samoviski
Carol and family, Stephanie Nowak's best friend and her family
Casey Graff
Goldie, mother of Pat Combs
Steven Palmer
Barbara and Michael Clifton
Rita Stanton
Carl and Mary Bishop
Beth and Chuck Blaylock
Joan King
Tom King
Tom Snow, brother of Linda Griffin
Carol Jones
Haley, Anne Elberfeld’s daughter
Our Nation
Wesley and Mary Kay
Bruce, nephew of Pam Bates
Doug Ottke, friend of Ginny and Tom Woods
Carol Paschal and her family
Lee and Debbie Schutte, friends of Ginny and Tom Woods
Bill, Amy, William and Jordan
The sister of Heather Komnenovich
Anne Cole
Russ Thompson
Tom Wilson
Georgia Adams
Richard Issacs
Heather Komnenovich
Stephanie Woods
James Noble
For Ukraine
For Peace
Sue and Ken Lawrence
Jackie Huelsman
Mac
For Jan and Bridgid Cornell
Bob Ross

Give your offering with Trinity's secure credit card/check draft link

You may use the button below or access the giving link via the trinityhamilton.org website.

Click Online Giving in the menu and fill out the form.

You can donate one time or set up recurring credit card or checking account gifts. The site will generate a receipt after every gift. You have the option to cover the credit card processing fees (usually 2.5% of the transaction amount) or leave that check box blank. We also can take automatic withdrawals from your checking account.

Trinity's Online Giving Link

Post Office returns mail sent to 115 N. Sixth St.

We use the post office box because it is a reliable and safe way to receive our mail since the parish office is not open every day. The forwarding time has ended so please use the P.O. box address.

MAILING ADDRESS INCLUDING ZIP CODE

Trinity Episcopal Church

P.O. Box 851

Hamilton, OH 45012