Inside this issue: Mission: To follow Christ through the ministries of worship, education, and service. Vision: To be a major Christian presence in the Highland Lakes Area, proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. December 2013 As we enter the Advent season, we recall God’s gift of Christ’s Incarnation, and we also await his Second Coming with hope and anticipation. In this in-between time, Christ’s Light within us shines forth like a candle to illuminate His presence in the world today. As bearers of His Light, we at Trinity can give hope for a brighter, warmer future to some of our neighbors who are in the midst of personal crises. These include parents and children who have suffered abuse and trauma, children who need but cannot af- ford mental health services, individuals and families who do not have enough to eat, older adults who cannot prepare their own food adequately, and children who have unmet medical needs. Fortunately, many organizations in our community minister to our neighbors who are in vulnerable situations. By supporting these ministries, our Lights can make the world brighter, safer and more secure for those in need. During Advent, we have several opportuni- ties to support these ministries. The Fourth Annual Giving Fair, Sunday, December 1, offers a chance to learn about seven different groups that serve our neighbors experiencing a wide range of needs. The Giving Fair offers an alterna- tive giving opportunity - a chance to give a donation in the name of a family member in lieu of a physical gift, or give the gift of your time and talent when you offer to volun- teer. Informa- tion about the organizations coming to the Giving Fair is in the Narthex. From now until December 15, you may donate a gift or a Wal-Mart gift card to provide a present for a child served by CASA, the Court Appointed Special Ad- vocates. Just pick out an angel on the board in the Narthex and bring your gift or gift card to Herb Lewis at church. From now until December 15, you may donate a Wal-Mart gift card for the High- land Lakes Family Crisis Center. These gift cards will be used by the parents resid- ing in the Crisis Center’s shelter to pur- chase Christmas gifts for their children. Our goal is to donate $25 for each of the 37 beds in the shelter. The donation box is in the Narthex on a poster. On December 15, we will have our Food Pantry Sunday, with emphasis on foods that are part of traditional Christmas cele- brations. Food donations, or checks pay- (Continued on page 15) Advent Opportunities Advent Lessons and Music Giving Fair Outreach Grants Have You Met Preachers Identical Twin Trinity Trumpet Advent Opportunities By Madeleine Manigold
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Inside this issue:
Mission: To follow Christ through the ministries of worship, education, and service.
Vision: To be a major Christian presence in the Highland Lakes Area, proclaiming the Gospel
of Jesus Christ.
Dec
emb
er
20
13
As we enter the Advent season, we recall
God’s gift of Christ’s Incarnation, and we
also await his Second Coming with hope
and anticipation. In this in-between time,
Christ’s Light within us shines forth like a
candle to illuminate His presence in the
world today.
As bearers of His Light, we at Trinity can
give hope for a brighter, warmer future to
some of our neighbors who are in the midst
of personal crises. These include parents
and children who have suffered abuse and
trauma, children who need but cannot af-
ford mental health services, individuals
and families who do not have enough to
eat, older adults who cannot prepare their
own food adequately, and children who
have unmet medical needs.
Fortunately, many organizations in our
community minister to our neighbors who
are in vulnerable situations. By supporting
these ministries, our Lights can make the
world brighter, safer and more secure for
those in need.
During Advent, we have several opportuni-
ties to support these ministries.
The Fourth Annual Giving Fair, Sunday,
December 1, offers a chance to learn about
seven different groups that serve our
neighbors experiencing a wide range of
needs. The Giving Fair offers an alterna-
tive giving opportunity - a chance to give a
donation in the name of a family member
in lieu of a
physical gift, or
give the gift of
your time and
talent when you
offer to volun-
teer. Informa-
tion about the
organizat ions
coming to the
Giving Fair is in
the Narthex.
From now until December 15, you may
donate a gift or a Wal-Mart gift card to
provide a present for a child served by
CASA, the Court Appointed Special Ad-
vocates. Just pick out an angel on the board
in the Narthex and bring your gift or gift
card to Herb Lewis at church.
From now until December 15, you may
donate a Wal-Mart gift card for the High-
land Lakes Family Crisis Center. These
gift cards will be used by the parents resid-
ing in the Crisis Center’s shelter to pur-
chase Christmas gifts for their children.
Our goal is to donate $25 for each of the
37 beds in the shelter. The donation box is
in the Narthex on a poster.
On December 15, we will have our Food
Pantry Sunday, with emphasis on foods
that are part of traditional Christmas cele-
brations. Food donations, or checks pay-
(Continued on page 15)
Advent Opportunities
Advent Lessons and
Music
Giving Fair
Outreach Grants
Have You Met
Preachers
Identical Twin T
rinit
y T
rum
pet
Advent Opportunities
By Madeleine Manigold
December 2013 Trinity Trumpet Page 2
As I write this, Thanksgiving is just a few days off, so
I have a heightened sense of the many things in my life
for which I am thankful. Truly, my blessings are too
many to number, but as I remember my family, my
health, and our home, I also give thanks for having
been called to this amazing parish. I give thanks to
God for you all daily, not only for how you have
blessed me, but how you have blessed so many in the
community surrounding us. You are, truly, a sign to
the world of God’s blessing. Thank you.
Though the culture around us has been in full holiday
swing for the better part of a month now, as Christians
we recognize that we cannot arrive at Christmas until
we have first passed through the season of Advent. It is
increasingly difficult to maintain an Advent focus dur-
ing the month of December.
One of the ways in which we keep our attention prop-
erly focused during Advent is through our worship.
Our Sunday morning worship is very much focused on
themes of waiting, anticipation, and preparation, as we
rehearse some of the events leading up to the birth of
Jesus so many years ago, and make sure that we are
prepared for his return. Unlike many Christian de-
nominations, Episcopalians do not sing Christmas car-
ols during Advent, but have a whole section of our
hymnal devoted to Advent themed hymns. Our music
is a powerful resource in maintaining an Advent focus.
Another great way of keeping a proper Advent focus is
by attending our annual service of Advent Lessons and
Music at 6:00 on Wednesday, December 18th. This
traditional Anglican
service is a series of
scriptures (we typically
use six readings here at
Trinity), each followed
by a musical response.
Some of the music is congregational, some are an-
thems sung by the choir. These songs are not
“Christmas Carols,” but rather songs with strong Ad-
vent themes, each of which relates to the reading
which precedes it.
As in past years, the Parish Life Commission will be
hosting an “Advent Soiree” immediately following this
service, with a simple but elegant reception including
wine and hors d’oeuvres. This is a wonderful way to
“celebrate the season” without jumping ahead too far!
A final recommendation for keeping an Advent focus
is to make it a spiritual discipline during the month of
December to attend Adult Christian Education. We
will spend this time discussing Advent themes, and
hearing from different church groups about how to
stay properly focused during Advent. These sessions
will be both informative and inspiring.
It is not easy to maintain an Advent focus during the
month of December. But for us who have known the
joy of the Incarnation, Advent only enhances the joy of
that annual celebration. Some things are worth the
wait!
Faithfully,
Dave
From the Rector
By The Rev. David Sugeno
Blue Christmas
Our First Wednesday Worship offering in December will be a “Blue Christmas” service. This time of year,
though filled with joy and promise, is for many very painful. Those who have experienced loss, whether in the
recent or distant past, may feel those losses more keenly during the holiday season. Those who are having diffi-
culty in life, illness, joblessness, etc., may have conflicted feelings about the celebrations they see around them.
For those who are having any such difficulty this year, we are offering a “Blue Christmas” service. This service
of scripture readings, songs, and prayers is designed to offer comfort, healing, and hope to those who may be in
need of Christ’s healing presence this Advent season. If you have any questions about this service, please con-
tact Dave or Cathy at the church office.
December 2013 Trinity Trumpet Page 3
From the Associate Rector
By The Rev. Cathy Boyd
“Keep awake! You do not know on what day your Lord is coming!” These words
from the gospel reading for Advent I (Matthew 24:36-44) set the tone for the new sea-
son. The sense of urgency and watchfulness that characterizes Advent is meant to set
our teeth on edge a little, to make us sit up a little straighter and brace ourselves for
the coming of God.
It would be easy, and natural, during the first weeks of December simply to focus on
getting the Baby’s room ready. Sure, we have decorating and other things to do, but
we must not settle too soon into the relaxing and cozy side of Christmas.
The season of Advent invigorates us with images of “laying aside the works of dark-
ness” and “putting on the armor of light.” (See Romans 13:11-14.) If you make time
to practice the discipline of the Advent season—read the lessons assigned for the day, say a special Advent
prayer every day…whatever works for you—this will make your Christmas observance that much sweeter.
Advent and Christmas Activities
December 1 Giving Fair (Following both services)
December 4 5:30 pm Blue Christmas - A Service of Darkness and Light (First
Wednesday Service)
December 18 5:30 pm Service of Advent Lessons and Music
6:30 pm Advent Soiree
December 22 Greening of the Church (Following 10:30 Service)
Christmas Eve 4:45 pm Celebration of Carols
5:00 pm Christmas Eve Festival Eucharist Rite II
8:00 pm Christmas Eve Festival Eucharist Rite II
Christmas Day 10:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II (One Service Only)
December 29 8:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I and Carol Sing
10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II and Carol Sing
Advent Retreat for Women Led by Cathy Boyd and Molly Bennett
When: One night: 5:30 p.m. December 6 through lunch, Saturday, December 7.
Where: The Antlers Hotel, Kingsland (overnight accommodations optional).
How might attention to the Advent themes of hope and waiting deepen our experience of the very busy holiday
season? A retreat setting affords a unique opportunity for Trinity’s women to relax, enjoy fellowship and build