frdonsblog

Change in Time - Kenneth Okeke Memorial Service

2010-04-23T00:15:00.002-04:00

The time of the Memorial Service for Kenneth Okeke has been moved to 6 p.m. -- earlier notice had said 5 p.m. The service, followed by a time of fellowship, will be held at the East Hartford Parks and Recreation Community Center and Gymnasium, 50 Chapman Street, East Hartford, Connecticut.

2010-04-15T23:07:00.001-04:00

Saturday, April 17: 11 a.m. Consecration of the Rev. Dr. Ian T. Douglas as the 15th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut at the Koeppel Center at Trinity College. For Trinity parishioners, we will be running a complimentary shuttle service with the church vans from the Trinity parking lot (Goodwin Hall Doors on Farmington Avenue) beginning at 8:30 a.m. and running on the half hour until 11:00 a.m. Morning riders will be given a return pass following the service. Return shuttles will run on the half hour beginning at 2 p.m. with the last shuttle at 4:30 p.m.

Boy Scout and Cub Scout registration continues each Saturday throughout the month of April in Goodwin Hall from 9:30 to 11 a.m. The program is free to all boys in grades K-8.

At 3 p.m. Lee Hagon’s piano students will perform a recital at the church, followed by a reception.

Sunday, April 18: Guest preacher at the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services of Holy Eucharist will be the Rt. Rev. James Tengatenga, Bishop of Southern Malawi and President of the worldwide Anglican Consultative Council. Bishop Tengatenga is in town for Bishop Douglas’ consecration.

Following the 10 a.m. service will be Christian Formation for All Ages, with the YAC group joining the adult forum for a video and presentation on the work of Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan woman who made it a personal mission to plant trees in areas that had been stripped bare of their natural resources. This is part of our month-long focus on stewardship of God’s creation. A discussion will follow the presentation.

At 3 p.m. the Connecticut Valley Chamber Orchestra will present a special program designed for children of all ages, including Bizet’s Jeux d’enfants (Children’s Games), and selections from Ravel’s Mother Goose Ballet. “Variations on a Nursery Rhyme” by Dohnanyi, with piano soloist Minyoung Lee, will complete the program. Children under 12 will be admitted free; tickets for those 12 and older will be available at the door for $15.00 ($12.00 for students and seniors).

Make your reservations now for the (K)Naves production of the Thornton Wilder Classic The Skin of Our Teeth. Dinner performances will be on Friday, April 23 and Saturday, April 24, both at 6:00 p.m., with a matinee luncheon performance on Sunday, April 25, at 1:00 p.m. The cost is $20 for adults and children 12 and up, or $15 for seniors for each performance. Children under 12 can enjoy a delicious “kids’ meal” for free. All proceeds from the show go to the Trinity “Raise the Roof” Fund. Make your reservation today by calling Gloria Cheyney at 860-502-7967 or GRARAG@yahoo.com.

This Weekend at Trinity

2010-04-09T16:24:00.000-04:00

Friday Evening: Iain Quinn To Perform Benefit Concert
For Choir School
Organist Iain Quinn, who was our Director of Music at Trinity from 1998-2005 and the founder of the original Trinity Choristers, will return on Friday, April 9, to perform a 7:30 p.m. concert to benefit The Choir School of Hartford. Mr. Quinn is now a doctoral fellow in musicology at the University of Durham, England, where he is also Director of Music at the College of St. Hild and St. Bede and director of the Durham University Chamber Choir. He continues to compose, perform and record. The April 9 concert at Trinity will include music from the Baroque period to the 21st century, with works by Bach, Frescobaldi, Reger, Rachmaninoff and others. There is a suggested donation of $20.00 for adults for this concert; all proceeds will go to benefit The Choir School. Don’t miss the chance to welcome Iain back to Trinity and enjoy an evening of music for “the king of instruments!” A reception hosted by the Choir School of Hartford will follow the concert.

Saturday Morning: Boy Scout and Cub Scout Registration
Open registration for boys in grades K-8 are being held on Saturday, April 17 & 24 from 9:30 am to 11:00 a.m. in Goodwin Hall for the Boy Scouts or Cub Scouts in Trinity’s Troop #263. Come be a part of the fun. Plans are being made for outings and summer camp. Bring a friend.

Sunday Morning Symposium: The Adult Christian Formation Committee and the 150th AnniversaryCommittee kick off a month focusing on stewardship of God’s Creation. This Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Alfred Eggin, mechanical engineer, contractor and former UHar professor, speaks about the challenges and benefits of being good stewards of God’s creation in the way we live our everyday lives.

2010-03-28T15:09:00.000-04:00

Palm Sunday our Guest preacher for the day is The Very Rev. Dr. Ian Markham, former Trinity parishioner and now Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary. Our 8 a.m. service will begin with the blessing of the palms in the rear of the church, followed by the Holy Eucharist with sermon and hymns. The 10 a.m. service will begin in Goodwin Hall with the Liturgy for the Blessing of the Palms, choral anthem and a procession (weather permitting) from Goodwin Hall to the front doors of the church, followed by Holy Eucharist with choirs, sermon and hymns.

Following the 10 a.m. service, there will be several events of interest to all. Church School for grades pre-k - 6 will meet for Godly Play stories and activities. All Junior and Senior High School students, parents and mentors will meet in Huntington Hall with student and adult representatives from Heads Up Hartford, an ecumenical summer experience for youth in the Greater Hartford area which combines fellowship, community service and leadership training.

Healthy at 150! -- Trinity's continuing series on heath issues that affect us all -- will complete signups for parish teams of adults that will endeavor to lost -- collectively! -- 150 pounds between Palm Sunday and Trinity Sunday. Weigh in and weight loss ARE ON THE HONOR SYSTEM -- all you share is how much you want to lose and how much you actually lost. Youth are encouraged to sign onto teams of 2-4 persons committing to engage -- collectively -- 150 hours of exercise during the same time period. Winning Teams will be presented their honors by the presiding bishop, The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, when she is with us on June 4.

Holy Week Reminders: Don't forget to sign up for our Maundy Thursday agape meal and (optional) ceremonial foot washing on April 1. For reservations, or if you are able to help with set up, clean up, or preparation of the meal please call the church office at 860-527-8133 or respond to phaddad@trinityhartford.org.

GET YOUR BELLS ON! Bring any bells you may have to the Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 3 and Easter Sunday April 4 to ring whenever we sing Alleluias and during the entire Gloria. Join us in the celebration!

We hope to see everyone on Palm Sunday as we begin the holiest week in the Christian year. For a complete listing of Holy Week services and events, please go to our website, www.trinityhartford.org.

This Sunday at Trinity

2010-03-20T22:39:00.000-04:00

Worship according to the Book of Common Prayer – 1789. Come experience worship as our founding families experienced it in 1860, according to the service for Holy Communion in use at that time. Immediately following the service, members of the congregation are invited to remain in the church to discuss their impressions of the service – what was different? What did you notice? How did God speak to you through the service? The Rev. Frank Kirkpatrick, professor of religion at Trinity College and Priest Associate here at Trinity will be our preacher, and the Rev. Canon Jervis S. Zimmerman will be guest celebrant at the 10 a.m. service.

Trinity Health Fair will be held in Goodwin Hall this Sunday after the 10 a.m. service. Information on a wide variety of health issues will be available, along with screenings conducted by nurses from the Visiting Nurse Association and some of Trinity’s own latter-day Florence Nightingales. You can also sign up to join one of Trinity’s “Healthy at 150” teams – committing to be part of a team that will commit to losing at least 150 pounds (per team!) by Trinity Sunday at the end of May. Youth will be able to join teams of 2-4 young people committing to 150 hours of vigorous physical activity before Trinity Sunday.

2010-03-10T21:21:00.000-05:00

THANK YOU!
We thank everyone who helped with the retirement celebration for Bishop Andrew Smith and the send off for Fr. Ron Kolanowski. Trinity offered it's extravagant hospitality to everyone who attended these events and we appreciated everyone who attended and helped in the background to these two blessed celebrations.

FREE concert this Friday, March 12th at 7:30 p.m.
The Gettysburg College Choir, the premier choral ensemble at the college will perform works from all periods,Renaissance motets to music written yesterday.

Teen Night at Trinity
Saturday Night is Teen Night here at Trinity Church for members of our Journey to Adulthood program and their friends. Come join us for board games, pizza and refreshments, karaoke and just hanging out in a welcoming place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. If you are in Junior High or High School, we hope you'll be there! Email us with questions millabins@aol.com.

Rev. Dr. Ian T. Douglas
As part of the consecration and installation of the Rev. Dr. Ian T. Douglasas the 15th Bishop of Connecticut, each parish has been invited to make a parish offering toward the purchase of his vestments, crozier, ring and other symbols of his office. If you are interested in contributing toward Trinity's gift for this purpose, please send your offering to the church office, made payable to "Trinity Episcopal Church" and write "Bishop's Gift" in the memo section. Offerings are tax deductible.

SET YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD ON SATURDAY NIGHT!
Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00 a.m. this Sunday, March 14. Set your clocks AHEAD one hour before you go to bed or you'll be a whole hour late for church on Sunday.

Happening This Weekend at Trinity

2010-02-27T22:14:00.000-05:00

1. Come worship with us this Sunday under a Bedouin Tent! In preparation for the celebration for retiring Bishop Drew Smith Sunday afternoon, the Nave of Trinity Church has been transformed into an intimate Bedouin tent. To accommodate this, our altar has been moved into the Nave, and the choir will be seated behind the altar. It will be different, but God will surely be there, and I know we'll be inspired by Mother Barbara's sermon. Come join us at 8 am. or 10 a.m. for worship.

2. Immediately following worship join us for fellowship and the second part of our series on Maternal and Child Health issues and what we as Christians should know about. Join Nancy Berger and staff from the Connecticut Multi-Cultural Health Partnership for this video presentation and discussion.

3. Sunday evening from 4 p.m. - 7 p..m. Trinity will host the retirement celebration for Bishop Andrew Smith, who started his ministry at trinity -- and met his lovely wife, Kate, who is a life-long Trinity parishioner. The celebration will be held -- as noted above -- under a Bedouin tent. Parking will be at a premium, with the entire Trinity lot reserved for handicapped parking. Our neighbors Cathedral of St. Joseph, Asylum Hill Congregational and the Culinary Institute have graciously offered their parking facilities to accomodate our guests.

Trinity Response to Earthquake in Haiti

2010-01-14T15:05:00.002-05:00

January 14, 2010

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Just this past Sunday, we welcomed into the Body of Christ, through the sacrament of Holy Baptism, young Maxwell Bilou Desert, a 9 year old whose family only recently moved here from Haiti. As of the present time, Guy, a family friend, has learned that his grandmother was killed as were both of Maryse’s (Maxwell's mother) grandparents. Maryse’s mother has multiple injuries but apparently doing okay, while Guy’s son has multiple broken bones. There is no further information about their conditions. Guy's wife and five children in Haiti are believed to be okay. Both of their family’s homes, in Port-au-Prince, were destroyed by the earthquake. Guy is presently working on strategies to get their family members over to this country. We will keep you informed in due course about how we may be of assistance to them.

Yesterday, Bishop Smith announced that the Diocese is sending $5,000 from its emergency funds to Episcopal Relief and Development for assistance in Haiti. I am making a special appeal to you, the members of Trinity Episcopal Church, to assist our brothers and sisters in Haiti who are desperate for food, water, shelter, clothing and medical care.

 I am asking the Vestry to approve the open plate (non-pledge) offering for the remainder of the month to go to Episcopal Relief and Development for assistance in Haiti.

 I am asking those who attend worship services on Sunday to make a generous offering in addition to your weekly support of parish activities to go for additional relief. Make checks payable to Trinity Episcopal Church and put in the memo line, “Haitian Relief.” We will forward the money to Episcopal Relief and Development on your behalf. (You may go online to donate directly if you prefer at http://www.er-d.org. )

 Please keep Guy, Maryse, Maxwell and Medjine in your prayers, along with their loved ones and all who are experiencing mourning, suffering and loss at this time. We will keep you posted with updates as we learn them.

Thank you for your anticipated generosity of spirit.

Your brother in Christ,
Don+

A Servant Ministry to Hartford's Homeless

2009-12-21T00:09:00.002-05:00

Today at Trinity we expand the definition of our "radical hospitality" as Trinity hosts the third annual memorial service for those who have died homeless on the streets of Hartford during the past year. This years observance is unprecedented in scope, thanks in large part to the efforts of our own Fr. Ron Kolanowski and the magnificent coordinating team he has put together from representatives of more than 30 organizations throughout our community. The service takes place today by design: Today is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, and therefore the longest night. The snow on the ground and the near-freezing temperatures will be a fitting backdrop for the day's activities, which will include an interfaith memorial service and a meal provided by area agencies that have donated everything from food to tables and chairs to the nearly one hundred volunteers who are preparing the space, leading the worship, preparing and serving the food and, of course, clean-up from such a massive undertaking. Each person attending will also receive a bag containing hats, gloves, a scarf, warm socks and a toothbrush and toothpaste.

Thanks again and kudos to Ron Kolanowski and his planning team, along with our prayers for those in our midst who, like the child whose birth we celebrate at the end of this week, live without permanent shelter and a reliable source of provisions. I hope you can join us for this event, which begins with worship at 10 a.m. and concludes with a luncheon immediately following in the Nave.

Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+

St. Nicholas Day at Trinity

2009-12-05T23:52:00.002-05:00

Today is not only the Second Sunday of Advent, but is the traditional celebration of St. Nicholas Day. As is increasingly becoming the case, we will have a lot going on this morning.

First, we will welcome Mr. Roy McAlpine, Trinity parishioner, graduate of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, and a chaplain at St. Francis Hospital, to be our preacher. Roy always has a wonderful message, and we are so grateful for his ministry among us.

Second, we will give thanks for Elizabeth Moore's being made a US citizen on Friday.

Third, we will have what has affectionately become known at Trinity as the annual "Mall of Jesus." This is where many of our groups at Trinity offer handmade or other unique items that are perfect for holiday gift giving. This year features the following:
*150th Anniversary banners by Hector Phelps, acrylic painted designs on Trinity roof slate (the former roof!) by Liz Johnson, and felt Christmas ornaments -- all from our Banner Guild
* Trinity Christmas cards and gift cards for many national retailers from our Choir School of Hartford program. The gift cards are great for personal use -- buy one, for example, for the grocery store at which you do your shopping. The Choir School will earn from 5 - 8% for every dollar you spend -- and it won't cost you a penny more!
*The Outreach Committee will be offering Trinity aprons -- in natural with navy print, and royal blue with white print. Proceeds from this sale go to support the scholarship fund for our high school scholars at our partner parish in Tabora, Tanzania.
*Not to be outdone, members of our Journey to Adulthood program are offering Trinity 150th Anniversary logo T-shirts for sale. They are a steal for $10 apiece ($12 for extra extra large sizes). The teens are also trying to raise enough money for 2 scholarships for our Trinity scholars at Mbugani Parish in Tanzania. Special kudos to Ned Miller who has led the way in organizing this, presenting it to our 150th Anniversary Committee, and leading other members of Journey to Adulthood in getting this project together.

BUT WAIT -- THERE'S MORE! All that is just the morning stuff. At 5 p.m. in the afternoon, we will celebrate a St. Nicholas Evensong, featuring the Trinity choirs and officiated by Fr. Ron. This service will kick off the beginning of our drive for socks, hats, scarves and gloves for Hartford's homeless citizens. This drive will continue until our city-wide service for the homeless on December 21. At this service we will also take up a special offering for the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which is being sponsored by Episcopal Relief and Development. Please be generous in support of this ministry which reaches out to our Palestinian brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Jerusalem. Child care will be available in the nursery, and for older children, an activity room upstairs. Then at 6 p.m. we will have one of those famous Trinity Pot Luck suppers with food from cultures around the world. Then at 7 p.m. we will be led in an old fashioned Carol Sing led by Director of Music Ministry Bert Landman.

I hope you will be able to join us for any or all of our worship and fellowship events today. It's another great day to be at Trinity! Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+

Friday and Saturday pix

2009-12-05T23:35:00.002-05:00

Here are some pix of the Choir School of Hartford as they sang yesterday morning at the Governor's Mansion in Hartford. If this were not the first time I was importing pictures into my blog, the Saturday pictures would be appearing after the event on Friday, which appears below.

As reported on Thursday, Friday afternoon I attended the ceremony at US District Court in which Elizabeth Moore was sworn in as a United States Citizen. She is pictured at left receiving her Citizenship Certificate from the Honorable John F. Droney, United States District Judge. If you look carefully between Elizabeth and Judge Droney, you will also see Trinity parishioner Emily LaCroix, who has been a close friend and supporter during Elizabeth's transition to life in the United States. Emily is getting the picture from the other side! With her were also Allison and Andrew Mafko, who call Elizabeth "Aunt Elizabeth." Today at church we will give thanks for Elizabeth's being made a citizen and also celebrate with a special cake in her honor following the service.

Saturday at Trinity: Choir School Sings for Governor

2009-12-04T23:21:00.002-05:00

This morning the Choir School of Greater Hartford, resident at Trinity Episcopal Church, will perform for guests at the Open House at the Governor's Mansion on Prospect Avenue in Hartford between 10 and 11 a.m. Under the leadership of Director of Music Ministry Bert Landman, the Choir School consists of 25 young people from third grade through high school. The Choir School will also perform at the Wadsworth Atheneum's "Festival of Trees" at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 12 in the Atheneum's Avery Court. If you want to hear our young choristers in a different venue, try to come out and see them at one of these two events.

Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+

A New US Citizen - Elizabeth Moore

2009-12-04T10:38:00.002-05:00

This afternoon I will have one of those privileged moments that pastors are blessed to enjoy! At 2:45 this afternoon at the Federal Building in Hartford, Elizabeth Moore will become a United States citizen and I will be in attendance to witness the event.

Elizabeth came to this country as a refugee from Liberia, where her family was caught up in the midst of the civil war in that country. She was subjected to both observe and experience brutal atrocities during that time. She arrived at Trinity in late 2004, having been relocated to Hartford by Catholic Charities under the auspices of the UN High Commission on Refugees. By God's grace, her own hard work and perseverance, and with the support of her family here at Trinity, Elizabeth has a job, is a successful full-time student in nursing, an active member of our congregation serving on the Altar Guild, and is blossoming in her new life in the United States.

On Sunday morning we will celebrate Elizabeth's becoming a citizen -- please join us and congratulate her in person!

Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+

Thanksgiving Reflections -- And This Sunday at Trinity

2009-11-27T22:24:00.004-05:00

I pray that you had a blessed Thanksgiving Day holiday.

Fr. Ron had a wonderful message on Thursday. While I won't summarize his sermon -- you can catch it under "Sermons" on the website -- one of the quick, practical things I took away from it was to share with others that "I am blessed." How many times when someone casually asks "How are you?" or "How are you doing?" do you nonchalantly say, "Fine" -- whether or not that has any basis in reality? Fr. Ron shared a story with us on Thanksgiving morning that reminded us of a better -- and more realistic -- answer: "I am blessed." No matter how we feel, that answer is always true, and serves not only to share with the inquirer your own status -- it reminds them of their status as well -- and it reminds them that in all things, we are in God's care. So as we move forward into the season of Advent, why not change your answer to that frequent question, "How are you?" Make your response, "I am blessed!"

This Sunday is the beginning of a new church year -- Year C in the three-year liturgical cycle, and the first Sunday in Advent. All Christian formation classes are cancelled in order that we may all join in an inter-generational event -- the creating of Advent wreaths for our own homes and for those who cannot be with us on Sunday. The wreath making will be available after both services. While we are making wreaths, there will be on display in Goodwin Hall a slide show -- on the big screen -- including Fr. Don and Debbie's pictures from their trip to Tanzania in 2006 and slides from Kate Smith's travels in the Holy Land. The slide show will represent the conclusion of our November focus on the work of the Outreach Committee as part of our 150th Anniversary celebration.

I hope that you will be able to join us for worship and wreath making on Sunday morning. Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+

America's Day to Give Thanks

2009-11-25T22:13:00.002-05:00

Matthew 6:25-33
Jesus said, "I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you-- you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, `What will we eat?' or `What will we drink?' or `What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

I think it is interesting that the Gospel appointed for Thanksgiving Day begins by telling us not to worry. Our Vestry studied this passage at its November meeting, even as it was considering pretty drastic cuts to Trinity's 2010 budget. Giving thanks does not mean that we will always everything and anything we could ever want -- it means that God will provide that which we need -- and worrying about it doesn't make one bit of difference, except to make us anxious.

Today is a day that our nation and our church both set aside to give thanks, corporately, for all that we have. God knows that we need to be giving thanks every day, at all times and in all places, but this is a day when we are called together as a nation to do so. Our scripture passages remind us that ultimately God is the source of all we are, all we have, and all we hope for. I hope you will join us for Holy Eucharist with hymns at 10 a.m. in the church, with Fr. Ron preaching. Following a short break, during which we will set up for lunch and enjoy fellowship and snacks, we will enjoy a full traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner with all the fixing's, thanks to our director of music ministries, Bert Landman, who organizes this event each year. A free will offering will be taken to help defray the costs of the dinner. We have also invited our friends at Engine Co. No. 5 and the police officers on duty out of the Asylum Hill Substation to join us as they are able.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day. Your brother in Christ, Don+

A Busy Week, and Another Special Weekend at Trinity

2009-11-19T21:50:00.002-05:00

This has been an exceptionally busy week around Trinity. It started on Sunday where we welcomed 36 new official members of our congregation, each of whom demonstrated their commitment to our ministry by signing their names in the official parish register. We also honored some 26 veterans who have served their country of origin (not all of them American) in military service. Monday featured our Light and Peace Program, as is customary on Monday evenings.

Tuesday evening saw our Vestry begin their meeting with a study of Jesus' admonition to "seek first the Kingdom of God, and God's righteousness, and all these things shall be gathered unto you." The Vestry then heard about progress on any number of initiatives -- you can check out the specifics on this web site as of Friday evening by going to "newsletters".

Wednesday evening marked the conclusion of our 5-part "soup supper" series with Huston Smith and Bill Moyers on major faith traditions. Simultaneously, the Day School Exploratory Committee and the Choir School Board were holding back-to-back meetings to move forward on the vision for these two ministries. Thursday morning many of us were at the Greater Hartford Prayer Breakfast at the Artist's Collective on Albany Avenue, where Rabbi Donna Berman of the Charter Oak Cultural Center gave a moving homily on "United Prayer: Everyone!". Our own Al Shuckra and Kim DeMichele were on the steering committee for this event. And then Thursday evening our Adult Christian Formation Committee met to plan the next Christian Education series, followed by the 150th Anniversary Committee conducting a debriefing on the activities since September and to flesh out plans for the coming months.

Whew! The Spirit is a-movin'!

This Saturday evening will feature a wonderful "four hands" piano recital by former Trinity members George Vona and Lark Popov. Sunday at Trinity, we will continue our look at Trinity Outreach Ministries as part of our 150th Anniversary celebration. At both services on Sunday morning, part of the Liturgy of the Word will be the showing of an 18-minute video highlighting the work of the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. Our Sunday Symposium following the 10 am service will feature Kate Smith, a member of the board of AFEDJ, who will speak about the many outreach ministries of the organization in the Holy Land and Trinity's role in supporting them.

I hope you will be able to join us for worship, fellowship and study this weekend Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+

This Weekend at Trinity

2009-11-13T16:04:00.002-05:00

Saturday evening you can sample a wonderful concert performed by Trinity choir soprano Judith Milardo, Alta and CVCO performer Gwen Winkel (clarinet) and Trinity Music Director Bert Landman (piano and harpsichord). The three will team up to present the music of Schubert, Vaughan Williams and contemporary composer Zeke Hecker. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and a donation of $15 is the suggested offering. Come for a wonderful evening of musical entertainment with these three fine musicians who in a variety of ways calls Trinity "home."

Also on Saturday evening is a "game night" sponsored by our Young Adults in the Church (YAC) teens for all of the young people in our Journey to Adulthood program. The game night will begin with home-made pizzas which the teens will cook on-site in the parish kitchen, followed by a time to hang out in the library and enjoy each others friendship over some board games. Call Nancy Berger or Lily Miller if you wish to participate or have any questions.

Sunday morning we will honor all of our Veterans with a time of prayer and the gift of a carnation boutonniere on this Sunday after Veterans' Day. We will also formally welcome some 25 new parishioners who have made the decision to join us in our mission and ministry at Trinity during the past year. After being introduced to the congregation, each will sign his or her name in our parish register, formally signifying their commitment to God's mission as a partner in our community of faith. Please be sure to be at our 10 a.m. service to celebrate their membership with us!

Have a blessed weekend! Hope to see you on Saturday AND Sunday!
Your brother in Christ, Don+

A few days for spiritual retreat

2009-11-10T23:47:00.002-05:00

Trinity clergy are on spiritual retreat with the other clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut at Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center from Tuesday through Thursday. Please hold us in prayer as we will be holding you in prayer during this time. You might also want to follow some of the other spiritual links and scripture resources available on this site. Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+

Trinity at 150: Feeding the Hungry

2009-11-08T22:22:00.001-05:00

During the month of November, we are highlighting Trinity's outreach ministries throughout its 150 years. This week we focus on "feeding" ministries. We kicked off the week with Kitty Jo Reynolds of Foodshare, who showed a brief DVD about the Foodshare program in the Hartford area and then expanded upon that in her presentation. (Someone asked her a question about how cash that is donated to Foodshare is spent -- she is going to get me the answer and I will post it in this space.) Among its myriad activities in our region, the Foodshare truck comes to Trinity one day per week (on Wednesday or Thursday, depending upon the week) under the auspices of the Salvation Army Senior Center.

Trinity is the original home of the Loaves and Fishes Ministries, which outgrew our space and now resides at Immanuel Congregational Church on Woodland Street. A faithful crew led by Hyacinth Miller still prepares the luncheon served at Loaves and Fishes on the third Wednesday of each month. In addition Trinity supports them with a monthly cash contribution as well.

Our Light and Peace program, which serves children in the Asylum Hill neighborhood on Monday evenings during the school year, started as a combination feeding, spiritual enrichment and craft program when there were not other evening feeding programs in Asylum Hill. In the past couple of years, the Boys and Girls Club has begun to serve dinner to its young clients who are still there at dinner time. Rather than have two competing programs, we are presently in conversation with officials at the Boys and Girls Club about how we might combine forces to offer the richest and most effective programming to the neighborhood young people.

Trinity also collects food each week which is donated to the Space for Grace Food Pantry at Grace Episcopal Church on New Park Avenue -- during the month of November we are trying to collect 150 packages of pasta for the Pantry (pasta being in apparently short supply the Foodshare). The church also participates in the Episcopal Diocese's "Feeding in the Park" program, in which on the third Saturday every other month, a team of faithful servants shops for and builds 160 bagged lunches, each with two sandwiches, some fresh fruit, cookies, chips and a drink. This ministry is coordinated by our diocesan deacons, and led at Trinity by our own Deacon Pat Jackson. Every once in a while we are able to add in something extra -- last month it was tubes of toothpaste donated by our friends at Glastonbury Dental Associates.

In honor of our recently deceased parishioner Todd White, planning is currently underway for a dinner for homeless persons on Friday evenings, as there is not currently functioning program like this in the Asylum Hill neighborhood. We hope to start up this ministry under the leadership of Todd's widow, Trudi White, in the next month or so.

We are blessed to have so many committed parishioners who carry out these ministries in love and devotion. They indeed are Christ's hands and feet in the community -- may they be richly blessed. If you would like to participate in any of these ministries, please call Pam Haddad at the Trinity Church office and she will put you in touch with one of the leaders of that ministry.

Have a blessed day. Your brother in Christ, Don+

Rite-13: A Celebration of Manhood and Womanhood

2009-11-07T00:49:00.004-05:00

This weekend Trinity celebrates one of the central liturgical observances in the Journey to Adulthood Program with the Rite-13 ceremony at our 10 a.m. Eucharist on Sunday morning.

Journey to Adulthood is a junior and senior high program that guides young people in developing their Christian faith and integrating it into the maturation process that is the work of teenagers. The program starts from the proposition that manhood and womanhood are biological gifts from God, but that Adulthood is something that has to be earned and developed. Through the seven years of the program, students learn, in successively challenging ways, what it means to be a responsible, Christian adult. In study, discussions, ministry and social activities, the teens (and their adult mentors) explore areas of self, society, spirituality and sexuality in the context of their faith.

The weekend begins with an intergenerational dinner tonight in Goodwin Hall. The evening will feature an discussion between parents and young people who are NOT their children(always a favorite, and a surprise to the parents!), a fabulous meal prepared by Fr. Ron and Hyacinth Miller, and a presentation by the young people who will participate in the Rite-13 ceremony.

On Sunday morning, we will formally acknowledge and pray for our Honorees, all of whom either have already or will soon be reaching the age of 13. What I have sometimes dubbed sort of a "Christian Bar/Bat Mitzvah," the young people and their parents will come to the front of the church where they will affirm that they are committed to working hard in the Journey to Adulthood program, and their parents will acknowledge their emergence into young adulthood. Each will receive a blessing from the clergy and from their parents.

The six young people who will be honored on Saturday evening and Sunday are Advetus Bohlen, William Burns, Kayla Gonzales, Meg Foster, Hailey Townsend and Franklin Ude. Many thanks to Fr. Ron and Hyacinth for organizing the meal, to Grace Haronian, leader of the Rite-13 program, and to all of the families for their support. Prayers and all good wishes go to them and to the Rite-13 families.

Have a blessed weekend. Your brother in Christ, Don+

900 Years: What Have We Learned?

2009-11-05T23:18:00.002-05:00

Last evening a number of folks from Trinity, including yours truly, had the privilege of participating in an interfaith dialogue sponsored by Hartford Seminary, Public Agenda, 20,000 Dialogues, Trinity Church and several other local organizations. Following supper, the groups watched the movie, Cities of Light: The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain. The film tells the epic story of one of the world’s great civilizations: the European Islamic civilization of Muslim Spain. Its rise and fall was due in large part to the rise and fall of tolerance among its Christian, Muslim, and Jewish inhabitants, fostered to a large degree by parochial forces from outside of the region seeking to advance their cultural, religious and political agendas. The film seeks to warn of the dangers of cultural and religious struggles for supremacy in the world.

Following the movie, the large group was split into groups of 6 to 10 for discussion. An opening question to spark discussion was: What comes closer to your belief with respect to the role of religious and cultural diversity within a community:
A. A society functions optimally when a diversity of cultures and religious faiths can co-exist and appropriate among the groups those traditions of another group they find desirable or compatible with their own traditions.
B. A society should accept the free flow of ideas and cultures and faiths and let the marketplace of ideas determine which, if any, gain ascendancy.
C. A society should be tolerant of a variety of cultures and religious traditions each maintaining their own traditions, in a "live and let live" type of environment.

Which of these comes closest to your view of the model society?

Further discussion followed within the small groups, culminating in the sharing of ideas for encouraging interfaith understanding and dialogue. The proceedings from all of the groups will be made available in the coming weeks.

What struck me was how little we have learned in 900 years since the fall of the Spanish Islamic state, followed closely by the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition. I was reminded of how history is written by the victors, and how the losers are relegated to forgotten history. As a boy growing up in 1950s New England, what I remember of 1492 was the "discovery" of the New world by Christopher Columbus. What was not taught -- or at least emphasized -- was the persecution of non-Roman Catholics, and the expulsion from Spain of Jews and Muslims. How different our own cultural heritage in North America seems when considered through the lens of those other, contemporaneous events.

One of the main ideas that came out of the group for which I served as Recorder was that just society can best be achieved when people of differing religious and cultural backgrounds can feel safe, respected and valued in order that the free interchange of knowledge, values and cultural understandings can be nurtured. How we create that safe space in society at large is the challenge. I pray that in communities of faith like Trinity we may model such a place.

Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+

Trinity Co-Sponsors "Many Religions, One Community"

2009-11-05T11:36:00.003-05:00

This evening, six Trinity parishioners will be among those leading an interfaith conference this evening at Hartford Seminary. Organized by Trinity parishioner Kim DeMichele, the gathering of some 200 area religious leaders will consider lessons for interfaith relations in the 21st century through the lens of medieval Islamic Spain. The evening will feature a dinner, a viewing of the film Cities of Light: The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain, small group discussions on the film and reflections on how everyone can contribute to interfaith understanding and dialogue.

The Trinity parishioners who are helping to lead the discussions are Lily Miller, John Hinkston, Kim Litsey, Al Shuckra, Don Hamer, and Gary DeMichele. The program is offered as a joint project of Public Agenda and 20,000 Dialogues, and is co-sponsored in Hartford by Hartford Seminary, Trinity Episcopal Church and several other area organizations. Unfortunately, registration is closed for this event, but I will share follow-up on the event here and in future programs at Trinity. Thanks to Kim DeMichele for her special leadership in bringing this event to Hartford.l

Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+

Voting: Your Christian Duty

2009-11-02T22:00:00.001-05:00

Today is election day for local elections and, in some states such as New Jersey, state elections. With all of the drama and prominence that goes with national politics, we often forget that it is at the local level that government affects us on the most personal basis. Even though the funding and the policies may come in part from higher levels of government, the implementation of programs such as education, recreation, fire and police protection, and other municipal services is all determined at the local level. And yet, voter turnout in local elections tends to be a small fraction of that for state and national elections.

Most local elected officials serve basically as volunteers, putting in endless hours of meetings and planning sessions in order to serve us. My first entry into elective politics was as a successful candidate for Board of Education in Glastonbury in 1987. (Keith Hook, David Carson and I share the happy memories that go with that job -- Keith in Hartford and David in West Hartford.) Before each bi-weekly board meeting, a Board messenger would drop a one-inch thick packet of materials off at my house, and I was expected to be familiar with its contents by the following Tuesday evening. It is a lot of work serving in local government.

I hope that you will all make it a point to vote today in your local elections. In our country, we have the rare situation of having church and state separated. But in a democratic society, it is our duty as Christians, even as it was for the Jews of first century Rome, to "give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's," and that includes taking advantage of the privilege -- and accepting the responsibility -- of electing the officials that administer our civil laws.

Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+

Trinity Church: A Legacy of Leadership

2009-11-01T22:22:00.002-05:00

Last night at Trinity featured the latest celebration in honor of our 150th anniversary as a parish. The evening began with a beautiful service of Evensong featuring the choirs of Trinity Church and the preces and responses composed by our own Bert Landman. At a special moment during the service, 6 choristers (several others were out sick) received new ribbons, symbolizing level of accomplishment in musical learning and skill. The ribbons are work as part of the choristers' vestments and reflect accomplishment according to the standards of the Royal School of Church Music, Voice for Life curriculum which is utilized by the Choir School of Hartford. Congratulations to these choristers!

Immediately following Evensong, we shared fellowship and a bountiful pot-luck supper hosted by Penny Pearson and our 150th anniversary committee. Ham, a number of tasty and nutritious salads, fried chicken, Jamaican beef patties, and yummy desserts were among the selections -- everyone ate well and there was food to spare.

The program for the evening was provided by guest speaker Bill Faude, formerly of the Old State House, Mark Twain Memorial, and the Connecticut Historical Society. Bill brought history to life through the eyes of the founding members of Trinity, who were not only visionaries for the parish but for the City of Hartford as well. With established roots in Hartford society and commerce, these individuals were able to effect lasting change in the city. Their legacy to Trinity is our commitment to make a difference in our church and in our community.

Early 21st century Hartford is a very different place from the Hartford of 1859, but the opportunities and the challenges remain. Through it all are the transcendent values that fueled the founders' vision for this congregation and that remain alive today. Bill's challenge to us as a congregation is how to celebrate those values as we build upon that early vision for Trinity Episcopal Church and our city.

Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+

150 Years - A Living History

2009-10-30T00:04:00.002-04:00

This Sunday when you arrive at the church you will notice two new features, both of which are related to our 150th Anniversary Celebration.

The first is the parish demographic map, which was created by parishioner Jill Barrett with the assistance of parishioner and projects coordinator, Kathie Wilson. The "map" gives a graphic representation of where Trinity parishioners live -- through virtually every town in the Greater Hartford area and beyond. It is quite a awesome sight to realize that this community of faith draws its strength from such a wide region -- truly a testimony to our mission, our ministry, and to our congregation. Thank you to Jill and Kathie for organizing and creating this map.

The second feature is immediately noticeable when one enters the Nave. Around the perimeter walls of the Nave stretches a timeline representing aspects of our parish history from the first days in 1859 to 2018, reaching for the future. The Parish outreach committee is responsible for the Sunday Adult forums in November, and as part of its observation of the 150th anniversary they have created the timeline to mark the significant outreach activities of the parish throughout its history. Parishioners are encouraged to periodically study the timeline and, if you notice some aspect of our outreach mission is missing, simply write it on a sticky note, place it on the appropriate spot on the timeline, and the calligrapher will then write the information in the appropriate spot. This is one way to continue recording a relatively complete history while those living can still help to create it. Note: The time line is designed so that up to three other parish activities can develop their own history in this timeline format. Please speak to either me or Fr. Ron if you wish to engage in writing your history on one of the remaining lines.

Sunday night promises to be a great night at Trinity with Evensong at 5 p.m., at which time several of the members of the Choir School of Hartford will receive promotions and new ribbons as part of their involvement in the Royal School of Church Music Voice for Life program. At 6 p.m., immediately following Evensong, the Trinity bell will toll 25 times for the children in Connecticut's Foster Care system who are in danger of "aging out" of adoption eligibility if they are not welcomed into a loving home. We will then have a pot luck supper followed by a wonderful speaker, Bill Faude, who will speak about life in Hartford around the time Trinity was first established. It promises to be a wonderful evening. Many thanks to Sara Carson who helped to organize the event and arranged for Bill to speak.

Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+