A Note From Dean Tim

An angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” (Acts 8:26-31)

The story of the Ethiopian Eunuch, about which we will read this Sunday, was a profound turning point for the early Church during the heady days following the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. It was the moment that the Church really turns outward to the rest of the world from Jerusalem. Philip was a busy man. It seems as if the Holy Spirit was teleporting him from one encounter to another… and this time he was called to extend the Kingdom of God soundly into gentile territory.

The Ethiopian Eunuch was doubly forbidden from entering the Temple because he was, firstly, a gentile. Secondly, he was a eunuch, which would have prohibited him from entry under Levitical law even if he were not a gentile. In other words, he was about as unacceptable an outsider as is possible. The fact he was a eunuch would not have been his choice, but horrifically imposed upon him as a child. Despite this, he still sought God in coming to worship in Jerusalem. But he would have only found doors that were shut to him. That is a shame. 

Nobody had yet explained to him about the meaning of the fabulously costly scroll of Isaiah that he was able to purchase. Being the treasurer of a queen had the benefit of making him rich at least, though it had cost him dearly in his freedom and bodily integrity. Still, all that wealth could not buy him entry into access to the worship he desperately wanted. It was all closed off to him because of incidental facts about his race, nationality, and body.

So, the Holy Spirit sent Philip to him to draw him into the Church. After learning about Jesus, the Eunuch was immediately baptized by Philip. He presumably returned to Ethiopia, so changed by his experience with Philip, that one of the oldest continuous observances of Christianity, the Ethiopian Coptic Church, blossomed into existence from his witness. That is powerful stuff. And it happened because Philip listened, obeyed, and went.

This is a reminder to us. Everyone is welcome in God’s Kingdom, no matter their race, origin, social class, or the wounds and scars they carry. We must not deny them entry, lest we find that God is sending others who are actually willing to do what we would not. In God’s Church, there are no “Those People.” The world is desperate for Good News, and we must never prohibit them. How can we make sure our doors are open to everyone?

These are important things to consider as restart conversations about building new ministry space. The final form our new hall will take must be informed by what the Holy Spirit is calling us to do. Just as with Phillip, we must be able to hear the call and go where we are being prompted. The space will promote those ministries that give life to this parish: children, youth, and family ministries, the sack lunch program, and our music outreach have all impressed me in my first few months. There is holy movement in them to support their consideration in our discernment. Perhaps the Holy Spirit is also calling you to “go” and create another way of giving life and growth to those people within and outside our doors. It is time for a season of prayer as we discern and plan. Let us be prepared to welcome anyone who comes seeking God through our community. God is certainly calling others here. Will we be ready to receive them, or will we deny them entry, even inadvertently?

After all, how can they know Christ’s Truth unless someone guides them? It’s time for us to grow into those guides… especially for those who are not yet a part of us. I am ready. I believe you are too. Let’s prepare to accept new members and go to those who need us to help them understand God’s call for them. The Holy Spirit is calling… them and us.

Pax,

Tim+

Dean Tim’s Office Hours

Please contact the Parish office at 775-329-4279 or info@trinityreno.org if you would like to meet personally in the office with Dean Tim. He is available between 1 and 3 p.m. on Thursday next week. Appointments will be scheduled for 30-minute increments.

Dean's Induction: Save The Date!

Musical Notes

Bryan Chuan

Join our choir and handchimes!

I wanted to thank everyone's support for a Holy Week full of solemn, sacred, and joyful music. I hope that this will be the baseline for what the Trinity music ministry is able to achieve going forward. Our handchimes choir and St. Cecilia choir meets at 6 and 7 p.m. on Thursdays, respectively. Please send a message to music@trinityreno.org if you are interested in joining either ensemble. We have a few more big services before our season concludes at the end of May.

I would like to acknowledge everyone's support of our Pipes on the River Concert Series during my time here at Trinity. Over the past year, we have seen a growth in attendance and interest from the community. Here are some ways you can support us:

1. We have flyers in the office and in the sanctuary. Help us spread the word by posting it in any gathering spaces you frequent in the community!
2. Let us know of any events calendars or e-mail lists that we can send publicity blurbs to. We have heard that NextDoor community messages have attracted some support.

Pipes on the River Preps for its 25^th Anniversary Season

2024 marks the 25^th anniversary of the installation of Trinity’s wonderful Casavant organ, and the instrument has been the foundation of our POTR concert series since then. To celebrate the 25^th anniversary of POTR, we have an exciting series of concerts planned, featuring organists from around the country and special collaborations with local musicians and ensembles. Some concerts will be programmed at a "prime-time" hour rather than the usual 12 p.m.

We would like to recognize your generous support of POTR throughout the years. From now to July 2025, we would like to offer the following donor tiers:

Friend of Pipes on the River: $50+

Listing on 2024-2025 POTR season programs

Benefactor: $250+

Lunch with guest artist of choice + above

Sponsor: $500+

Listed as the official sponsor of a POTR concert or event + above

To be recognized as a donor, please provide your donation via check to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral with Pipes on the River in the memo. If your donation is in the benefactor or sponsor tier, please contact music@trinityreno.org to organize a lunch with a guest artist in the future or to sponsor a specific concert.

Upcoming Pipes on the River Concerts:

All concerts at 12 p.m. and free admission

Friday, May 3: Howard Bennett

Friday, May 17: Dave Hatt (Bay Area)

Friday, June 7: Angela Kraft-Cross (Bay Area)

Friday, June 21: Chase Olson (Oberlin College)

Schedule for the Upcoming Weeks:

Saturday, April 27, 11:30 a.m. — ALOGM Lunch, Famous Dave's BBQ, 4925 Kietzke Lane

Tuesday, April 30, 6:30 p.m. — Zoom Grief Group

Wednesday, May 1, 9 a.m. — Peeps in the Park Walking Group

Thursday, May 2, 10:30 a.m. — In-person Grief Group

Saturday, May 11, 5:00 p.m. — Induction Ceremony for Dean Tim

Sunday, May 12, 4:00 p.m. — Bella Voce Women's Ensemble Concert, "It Is Happiness"

To contact Rev. Ruth, call/text/email: 775-721-2669, ruthhanusa@gmail.com, revruth@trinityreno.org.

Storymakers Alert: Our journey through Easter continues! Come join us on Sunday mornings. We invite everyone to use their imagination to become storymakers along the way while exploring God’s big, redemptive story. Our Guides help us to delve into God’s narrative alongside storymakers, encouraging their discovery of God as Creator and Redeemer.

I would like to express my appreciation to all the Guides who have helped make our first year of Storymakers a spirit-filled adventure for all of us. Our Guides this year have helped with 9:00 service as well as Sunday School classes. The 2023-2024 Guides are: Gretchen Wolfe, Cindy Humphries, Ginny Nelson, Rebecca Dixon, Dennise Howard, Elinor Walquist, Lisa Kaye-Bryan and Betsy Bethke. If you see them, please thank them for their service to the kiddos of Trinity!

Sunday School Calendar

4/29: The First Church.

5/05: Road Trip.

5/11: Dean Tim’s Induction Ceremony at 5 p.m. If you can help with set-up, clean-up,

resupplying food during the event, please let Judy know. There will be a sign-up sheet in the undercroft.

5/12: Group Sunday School Project for Mother’s Day.

5/19: End of Year Pizza Party. Sunday School won honorable mention for their Peeps display to

the Nevada Diocese. Our prize was a pizza party donated by Bishop Elizabeth. Thank you to Bishop Elizabeth for the pizza! Come enjoy pizza, games, and crafts, following the 9:00 a.m. Family Service.

A Word from the Endowment Committee

It’s a Good Plan

Effective planning for your estate often means more than giving directions on how to distribute your possessions and property. There are a variety of options available that may result in additional benefits for you and your loved ones. Here are some of them:

You can enhance future economic security by planning for an income source that may help increase your independence and continued comfort, especially during retirement years. You can also create income for loved ones who survive you. There are many available options that produce an income supplement while saving on taxes.

With a valid estate plan in place, you can protect the value of your property. Without an estate plan in place, Nevada’s intestacy statutes take over, and a judge could order your property to be sold and the cash proceeds divided among your heirs. In such a case, prized collections could be broken up or land that has been in your family for generations could be sold to strangers. And there is no way to donate to charity in that case.

Professional advisors with estate planning experience know the best ways to diminish settlement costs and delays, thus reducing expenses associated with your estate.

And best of all, a wise estate plan allows you to make a special gift to charities of your choice, like Trinity’s Endowment Fund. You may wish to use your estate plan to designate a gift that will help to provide for our congregation’s earthly future. Careful planning may allow you to make a gift while receiving financial benefits for you and/or your loved ones.

Be sure to check with your estate planning professional to find out which options are best suited for your situation. The members of our Endowment Committee are ready to assist you, too.

The 2023 Stewardship program has concluded. With gratitude for the parish’s response, the Stewardship committee reports that the program resulted in 185 pledges for a total of $628,482. The Stewardship committee identified the focus on story-telling and wonder through our own baptismal promises and through the faithful promises of our church community as one of the reasons for the success of the program. In addition, the full participation of our leadership team was called out as an essential element of this vibrant and engaging annual giving ministry. 

Thank you to our ministry moment speakers: Lisa-Kaye Bryan, Jessie Clark, Sloan McDonald, Brandon Harjer, and Margaret Zuccarini. Hearing testaments of faith from those we might not otherwise know served as an inspiration across all services.

If you feel called to participate in this ministry next year, please let Dean Tim know. Of course, if you have not pledged for this year, pledge forms can be found on the table by the side entrance.

Faithfully yours,

2023 Stewardship Committee

Ann Morgan, Gary Fuller, Cleta Dillard, and Margaret Zuccarini

Prayer Concerns 

Trinity Family and Friends

Gene, Shin, Marilyn and Richard, Carol and Mac, Mary, Larry, Gary and Julie, Michelle, Karen, Carolyn and family, Barbara, Stuart and Family, Jodene, Harper, Howard, Phillip, David, Tycho, Sally, Kevin, Kevin, Mary Pat, Janis, Marc

Departed

Jenny, Lash, Debbie

Bereaved

Ron, Punohu Family, Gigi and the Turville family, Ed and Grace

God of mercy and healing, you who hear the cries of those in need, receive these petitions of your people that all who are troubled may know peace, comfort, and courage. Amen.

On the first Wednesday of each month, Trinity has a Healing Eucharist at noon. During the service, the names of those on the prayer list are read aloud, and those wishing to be anointed with oil for healing may come forward or may be anointed on behalf of someone else. All are welcome to attend.

The prayer list is updated regularly. Unless otherwise requested, names remain on the list for one month. Email the office to let us know of your prayer request at info@trinityreno.org.

New name tags are here

We ordered new name tags earlier this year for those who requested them. If you ordered one, your new name tag should be on the magnetic board at the River entrance. Please contact the office if you still need a name tag. We started a new list on March 8.

Needed: Setup and Cleanup Volunteers



We’re looking for folks willing to lend a hand occasionally setting up tables and chairs before Cathedral events and putting them away afterward. Willing to pitch in? Please email senior warden Barb Marquand, bmarquand@att.net. She’ll add your name to a list of people who are willing to be contacted when help is needed. 

4 Steps for Submitting Items to the Carillon

Wondering how to get Trinity news and happenings into the Carillon? Here’s what to do:

1. Write the information the way you’d like it to appear in the Carillon. Although we will edit submissions as needed, it’s very helpful to get items that are fully written out.

2. If you’d like a graphic or photo to go with your submission, please send the graphic or photo as an attachment to the email. This makes it much easier to include than if you embed the image in the email itself. 

3. Email your submission to the Trinity office: info@trinityreno.org.

4. Mind the weekly deadline: 2 p.m. Wednesday for the Friday Carillon. 

Around the Diocese

In Our Community

Introductory Centering Prayer Workshop:



We would like to invite you to a free Introductory Centering Prayer Workshop on Saturday April 27th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Carmel of Reno monastery, 1950 La Fond Drive, Reno, NV 89509 

The centering prayer workshop will teach a method of silent prayer that is rooted in our Christian contemplative heritage. It is a gentle silent method of consenting to Godʼs presence and healing action within us. By taking time to “rest in God” each day, we open our awareness to the gift of Godʼs presence. Come learn more about this prayer method. There will be six follow-up sessions on Zoom each Thursday evening thereafter, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., starting May 2nd. The book “Open Mind Open Heart” by Fr. Thomas Keating O.C.S.O., will be available for purchase, cash only. Coffee and tea will be provided. Participants are invited to bring a food item to share. 



To assist in planning, pre-register by calling or texting Ana at (775) 315-2553

The Vestry

2025 - Barbara Marquand (senior warden), David Bennum, Nancy Petersen and Marné McKimmey

2026 - Ann Morgan (clerk), Bruce Bethke, Mikkel Bassett, and Kathryn Landreth

2027 - Margaret Brown (junior warden), Aaron Koning, and Eric Nummela

Heavenly Father, give our wardens and vestry a daily renewal of your presence, uphold them with your peace, a peace that passes all understanding, enlighten them with your word, and strengthen them with your grace. Amen.

Worship With Us Online

Sunday worship at 11:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGYbPbauG4TbNTpgnZpGFfw 



Morning Prayer at 7:30 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86377152553pwd=V2p5dFBVQ0hMVFJKNm5WOFpyaVVxQT09 

Meeting Id: 863 7715 2553, password: Prayer 

Weekend Ministers

Altar Guild: Ann Crase, Dave Bennum, Julie Demlar, Darla Garey-Sage, Sharla Scott.

Saturday at 5 p.m.: Dean Timothy Watt preaching and presiding. Mimi Butler, Kathryn Landreth, Lectors; Scottie Wallace, Prayers; Josie Flocchini, EM.

Sunday at 7:30 a.m.: Dean Timothy Watt preaching and presiding. Gary Warren, Server/Crucifier; Jessie Clark, Lector; Joe Nishikida, Nancy McDonald, Ushers.

Sunday at 9 a.m.: Dean Timothy Watt preaching, Canon Ruth Hanusa presiding. Elijah Walquist, Server/Crucifier; Olivia Flocchini, Lector; Margaret Brown, Prayers; Margaret Brown, Christina Pezonella, EMs. 

Sunday at 11 a.m.: Dean Timothy Watt preaching, Canon Ruth Hanusa presiding. Lisa Otterson, Server/Crucifier; Nancy Peterson, Lisa Otterson, Lectors; Frank Baird, Prayers; Dave Bennum, Linda Richards, EMs; Kurt Mische, Ron Wolff, Ushers. 

Statistics From Last Week

Attendance for 5 p.m. Saturday service: 24

Attendance for 7:30 a.m. service: 28

Attendance for 9 a.m. service: 54

Attendance for 11 a.m. service: 89

YouTube views of service as of 2 p.m. Wednesday: 52

This Week's Offering: $8925.00

Weekly Prayer

This week in the Diocese of Nevada we pray for:

St. George, Austin

In our Anglican Communion we pray for:

The Church of Bangladesh

The Lessons Appointed for Use on 

Fifth Sunday of Easter

The Collect

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lesson: Acts 8:26-40

An angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,

and like a lamb silent before its shearer,

so he does not open his mouth.

In his humiliation justice was denied him.

Who can describe his generation?

For his life is taken away from the earth.”

The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

The Response: Psalm 22:24-30

Deus, Deus meus

24 My praise is of him in the great assembly; *

I will perform my vows in the presence of those who worship him.

25 The poor shall eat and be satisfied,

and those who seek the Lord shall praise him: *

"May your heart live for ever!"

26 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, *

and all the families of the nations shall bow before him.

27 For kingship belongs to the Lord; *

he rules over the nations.

28 To him alone all who sleep in the earth bow down in worship; *

all who go down to the dust fall before him.

29 My soul shall live for him;

my descendants shall serve him; *

they shall be known as the Lord's for ever.

30 They shall come and make known to a people yet unborn *

the saving deeds that he has done.

The Epistle: 1 John 4:7-21

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.

God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

The Gospel: John 15:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples, ”I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

Optional parts of the readings are set off in square brackets. The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.

From The Lectionary Page: http://lectionarypage.net