36 Main Street, Newtown, CT | |
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Invitation to Confirmation in the Episcopal Church
Dear Beloved of Trinity Church,
Is God calling you deeper into your Christian faith? Is the Spirit nudging you to explore the possibility of Confirmation - or Reception - into the Episcopal Church?
We have just learned that Bishop Laura Ahrens will visit Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown on Sunday, September 15th for our 9:30 AM service. Our Bishop Suffragan in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, Bishop Ahrens has a long history with Trinity Church. It will be delightful to welcome her again!
Also … we will have Confirmations when she visits on September 15th.
We invite teens (14+) and adults to commit to and prepare for Confirmation by our Bishop.
Our spiritual journeys are unique and are often full of surprising turns. So, depending on your church background, there are three ways to make a formal affiliation with the Episcopal Church: Confirmation, Reception or Re-Affirmation of Faith. (We have many parishioners who come to us from the Catholic Church, and they are ‘received’ into the Episcopal Church.)
Baptism is not just for babies! If you have not yet been Baptized - this, too, is a joy open to people of all ages. Baptism and Confirmation can happen in the same service.
As the Book of Common Prayer says: “In the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop.”
Being ready comes at different times – and in widely varying ways - for each of us. Please reply to Rev. Andrea if you would like learn more about Confirmation. We invite you
to a process of inquiry and discernment. God is searching for you.
Once we gather names, we will announce a schedule of conversations and gatherings as we prepare for this joyous day.
Eastertide Blessings,
Rev. Andrea
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World Labyrinth Day
Saturday, May 4, marks the 15th annual World Labyrinth Day, a time when thousands of people globally will “Walk as One at 1” for peace. In other words, people are invited to walk a labyrinth at 1:00 PM in their local time zone. The idea behind this international observance is to create a rolling wave of unified healing energy around the world. We are fortunate to have an outdoor labyrinth at Trinity. All are invited to meet at the labyrinth at 1:00 PM on May 4 to be part of this global wave. Tell your friends!
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The Property Commission will be leading our Spring Clean Up this Saturday the 27th, beginning at 9:00am. Please come by if you are available to help clean out the flower beds, clear debris, etc. in preparation for the summer season. Please feel free to bring any tools that may be helpful to supplement the tools we already have at the church. | |
On Saturday, April 27 at 12:30 pm is the next meeting of the Paint with us Group. Consider joining us - even if you bring a different type of creative project. We just chat and enjoy talking about our work and what we are doing. At the end, we have a show and tell of what we all worked on. Snacks provided. Meet in the Glover room. | The Grace Saves All discussion will continue this Sunday at 3 pm in the library. | |
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Our friends at Newtown Congregational Church invite us to their next "Thoughtful Film" on Friday, May 3. Kiss the Ground presents a new way to farm plants and animals to provide a better-tasting, healthy product while significantly reducing airborne carbon. Regenerative Agriculture had its start decades ago, but the film suggests its moment has more than arrived. And at the end, you'll have a list of actions you can take to push this concept along and make a difference at home and beyond. This film is great for kids and adults.
Optional light supper is at 6 pm, film at 6:30, and discussion until 9 pm. Sandwiches available on pre-order for $6.50 through Thursday, May 2 (pay at event). Participants may also bring their suppers or arrive by 6:30 to join the viewing and discussion. Reservations are very helpful and necessary if you want a sandwich. Click HERE to sign up or call Katherine Simpson at 734-645-6909.
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“And he will raise you up on eagles’ wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun and hold you in the palm of his hand.”
How do you comfort someone who has lost a loved one, when you really just don’t know what to say? Sometimes we think we’re saying something helpful when, in fact, it just isn’t. But how do we come face-to-face with loss and not say something that could be unhelpful and even hurtful? Fr Jan Joncas, in 1979 and just in his 20’s, was in such a situation when he was returning from a meal with his friend only to find that his friend’s father had just died of a heart attack. Unsure of what to say to his friend, he later that night wrote the song “On Eagle’s Wings”, which was performed at the funeral at at countless funerals since. Why is this song so comforting, though?
The words, inspired by Psalm 91, begin with “You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, who abide in his shadow for life; say to the Lord, “My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!” The only thing Joncas could come up with was to encourage his friend to be held by his heavenly father. Sometimes just being held is the only answer, and this song is comforting because we are reminded that God holds us and will raise us up out of our sorrow. When there is only the darkness of sadness, we are held and safe. This song, no matter how many times I have sung it, played it on the piano, or heard it, remains simply comforting in its words and musical setting. And we will sing it during communion this Sunday.
May you allow yourself to be held in the palm of his hand,
Jennifer
Music News:
May 12th, Mother’s Day, is the day when our Trinity Women and Children’s Choir will sing a special song during worship. This is not a weekly commitment, but just a one-time fun musical activity (that hopefully will be a repeat for next year!). The song is simple and will be a fun experience for all. And the more voices we have, the better! No singing experience necessary, and this is open to all women and children (not just women with children). We’ll meet this Sunday and next Sunday in the sanctuary during coffee hour for a short 20-minute rehearsal.
Did you see it? Our music video was shared on the ECCT Facebook page!
Haven’t seen our video? It’s on our church’s website!
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Our rotation learning about the Old Testament story of Jonah and the Big Fish starts this Sunday! Kids will enjoy cooking, art, and video workshops in the coming weeks. We are also close to earning our second attendance prize: an ice cream party! Stay tuned for more information on this fun event your kids won't want to miss!
*Many thanks to Jess Gibson who volunteered to be a church school helper during our rotation about Daniel and the lions' den!
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Sunday 4/28: meet in library
Sunday 5/5: meet in library
Sunday 6/2: Sandwich making in kitchen, and Chapel on the Green
Sunday 6/9: end of the year celebration- youth participate in service (ushers, acolyte, readers, oblations), photo slide show, honor seniors, cake after the service
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Calling all college graduates class of 2024: please send us your school and degree info along with a picture (if you wish) and any post- college plans if known. we will share in e-news in May. Please submit to church office or Julie (jmcgdunn@charter.net) by May 6. | |
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May Concert
Our Choir Soprano Section Leader and Soloist Cristina Trnik is presenting a recital here of her vocal students. All are welcome. Always a fun time!"
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Christian Yoga
Join Christian Yoga class on alternating Tuesdays at 7 pm for an hour of movement incorporating prayer and scripture. This is a great way to connect to yourself, with others and with God. The next sessions will be held on 5/14 and 5/28. All are welcome!
Free will offering is completely voluntary.
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Weekly Happenings
Trinity's nursery is open every Sunday from 9:15 - 11:15, and is professionally staffed by Wee Care Nanny Agency.
Trinity's Grief Support Group runs every first and third Thursday of the month, and is open to all.
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Praise and Thanksgiving
For those requesting our prayers
Arlene, Maureen, Janet, Rick, Marie, Jennifer, Joyce, Jacky, Gail, Alveta, Bode, Gracie, Martha, Daniel, Judy, Cheryl, Shirley, Dan, Brian, Barbara, Lucille, Caroline, Marie, Erin, Jean, Thomas, Matt, Eric, Beth, Megan, Jim, Beatrice, Rose Marie, Larry, Jenny, Patty
For those who have died
Jean-Maurice Calmels
For those celebrating a birthday this week
Richard Bellesheim, Trenton Ready, Ena Higgins, Peg Taylor, Jane Bojnowski
For those celebrating an anniversary this week
Phil & Ann Sandercox
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