Citizenship Day 2008

You who have been born in America, I wish I could make you understand what it is like [to] not be an American - [to] not have been an American all your life- and then, suddenly, with the words of a man in flowing robes to be one, for that moment and forever after. One moment you belong with fathers to a million dead yesterdays-the next you belong with America to a million unborn tomorrows.-- Naturalized American Citizen George Magar Mardikian, a native of Armenia who was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Harry S. Truman for his contributions to his adopted country.
Today is Citizenship Day and it is our chance to highlight the many benefits that citizenship brings to individuals, families, and communities. Citizenship Day commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787 at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. President Truman established Citizenship Day in 1952 to honor and celebrate native born citizens and foreign-born Americans who have become naturalized citizens during the past year.
We at Trinity are blessed to worship and serve our Lord with any number of folk who were not born in America but have made it their home. Let us this day keep in mind that just as all of us who live in America are equal, irrespective of whether America is our home by birth or adoption, so we are all equal before the eyes of God our Creator, to whom we are all children by adoption. Don+
(Portions of this message courtesy of The Episcopal Public Policy Network.)

August 6 - Feast of the Transfiguration

Today we havve celebrated the feast day commemorating the Transfiguration -- when Jesus was revealed to the apostles Peter, James and John in radiant glory and speaking to the Old Testament figures Moses and Elijah.
This is an epiphany to the apostles -- a manifestation of who Jesus is in a context that helps them to make the connections between Jesus' and his mission to fulfill the promises of the Hebrew Scriptures. He is connected to The Law, symbolized by the presence of Moses, and to the prophets, symbolized by the presence of Elijah. As though the visual aspect was not enough, it is accompanied by a voice from heaven saying, "This is my beloved son. Listen to him!"
One can only imagine what this experience was like for Peter, James and John. But there is another aspect of this experience that should not be lost on us in the present day. It takes place at a time set aside for prayer on a secluded mountain top. The Old Testament passage appointed for today similarly tells the story of Moses' encounter with Yahweh while drawn away from the crowds and high upon Mount Horeb. Moses' followers have an experience similar to that of Jesus' disciples -- they see their leader's face transfigured, dazzling in glorious light.
When is the last time that you drew away to a secluded spot for a time of prayer? When is the last time you have stepped back from the day-to-day stuff of life to behold the wonder of God -- God's creation, God's goodness, God's bounty -- God's glory? If you haven't tried it lately, why not go ahead? Afterwards, your friends and colleagues, like those of Moses, may see a glow about you as well! Faithfully in Christ, Don+

July 31, 2008: Today at Trinity

Our slate roof project takes a step forward today when we meet with the apparent low bidder to make sure the contractor has adequately addressed all of the requirements to get the job done properly. If all goes well, work should being sometime in August and be completed by early fall. Please pray for discernment by our bid committee and successful, timely and safe completion of this next chapter in the stewardship of our buildings.

* * * *

Today, please also keep Steve Foldvary in your prayers. He suffered an injury to his shoulder helping a neighbor on Tuesday evening and awaits the results of an MRI. Also I ask that you keep Emily Webber in your prayers as she recovers from back surgery at Connecticut Children's Medical Center. Please also offer up prayers for those who participate in our two Alcoholics Anonymous groups that meet at Trinity today. Have a blessed day! Don+

Tuesday, July 29: The Rock That Is Higher Than I

I call upon you from the ends of the earth with heaviness in my heart; set me upon the rock that is higher than I. -- Psalm 61:2

Isn't that a wonderful image? From the Psalm appointed for this morning's Daily Office, this verse is a reminder that God is always there to hear our prayer even from the remotest ends of the earth -- even when we are experiencing "heaviness of heart" -- even when we are "down." In those moments when we need a boost, we can turn to God and ask God's help in bringing us to that "rock that is higher than I." Only God can bring us to that place where we cannot go ourselves -- only God can boost us beyond our own limitations and bring us to that rock "that is higher than I." Have a blessed day! Don+

Frederick Bohlen -- United Way Courage Award

For those of you who missed it, Trinity's own Fred Bohlen was on WTIC - AM this morning on their "Community Connections" segment. He was invited as the recipient of the United Way's 2008 Courage Award, having been nominated by his employer, Catholic Charities. Fred was foprmally honored at a luncheon a couple of weeks ago. This morning, he shared the story of his family's ordeal as refugees for 14 years in Liberia and Ivory Coast before being chosen by the United Nations High Commission on Refugees to be relocated to Hartford.

Fred and Emily's story is a remarkable story, and they are remarkable people. Next time you see Fred, please be sure to congratulate him on his award -- and if you haven't done so, spend some time getting to know this brother in Christ.

Have a blessed day! Don+

God's Partners in Creation

Our appointed Scripture passages for Trinity Sunday make it clear to us that the meaning of the Trinity is one of relationship between God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. It is a creative relationship into which God invites us. The first chapter of the first book of the Bible – Genesis – is about just that: God’s inviting the human race into a creative partnership – a partnership in which “the creation” is never really completed, but instead, as a part of God’s plan, is continually becoming, continually evolving, continually inching its way toward blossoming into the beauty and fullness and wholeness that God intends for it to be. As Christians, we know that we are invited into this creative process through Jesus Christ, and there is no clearer call to the Christian Community than Jesus’ “Great Commission” that is given in the Gospel passage for Trinity Sunday: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Mt. 18:18-20. It is a command – not a suggestion . . . not an invitation to talk it over at tea or over a beer – it is both a command and at the same time an assurance – an assurance that Jesus does not leave us alone, but is forever with us in the mission that He sets before us.

After the Tomb . . .

Contrary to popular belief, Jesus' resurrection from the tomb did not end the speculation about who He was. In fact, the Gospels themselves make clear that the disciples were not at all certain what to make of the story of Jesus' resurrection. Many doubted. Some just were not sure and awaited further proof of His resurrection. It was with this attitude of uncertainty that the disciples received Jesus' instructions to journey ahead to Galilee to meet Him.

With the benefit of over 2000 years of tradition and hindsight, most of us THINK we have a pretty good idea of who Jesus is. But for the next few weeks, I am going to ask you to try to put yourselves in the places of the disciples -- confused, surprised, even frightened. Let us rejoice in the news of Jesus' resurrection, but not be afraid to approach the risen Savior with fresh eyes: What does he say to His disciples over these next few weeks? Where does he appear to them, and what is their response?What is there that we can discover new about Jesus in these next few weeks?

Alleluia, Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen Indeed, Alleluia!

Faithfully, Don+