The monthly newsletter of Trinity Episcopal Church 120 Allegheny Avenue, Towson, MD 21204-4019 Phone 410-823-3588; Fax 410-583-9047 [email protected]www.TrinityChurchTowson.org Rector: The Rev. Kenneth H. Saunders III [email protected]Vocational Deacon The Rev. Diane Fadely Director of Evangelism & Formation: Kathleen Capcara [email protected]Organist & Choir Director: James Wincelowicz Music Team Leader: Doris Yousfi Director of Trinity Episcopal Children’s Center: Corby Pine [email protected]Parish Administrator: Jan Schroeder [email protected]Bookkeeper: Donna Blake Surprise Shop Director of Volunteers: Erin Woodward Sexton: Luis Tejeda November, 2013 The Trinity Times Inside this issue: Birthdays & Anniversaries Surprise Shop New Handbell Choir 2 Christian education for all 3 Christian education for all Music: Trinity Concert Series ACTC Thanksgiving Bags 4 November Calendar 5 What is a Jesse Tree? Jesse was the father of the great King David of the Old Testa- ment. He is often looked upon as the first person in the geneal- ogy of Jesus. In church art of the Middle Ages, the design of a family tree developed showing the relationship of Jesus with Jesse and other biblical characters. The various tree branches had pictures of Old and New Testament figures who were an- cestors of Jesus. At the top of the tree were figures of Mary and Jesus. This design was used in manuscripts, tapestries, tiles, and stained glass windows in some of the great medieval cathedrals of Europe. The Cathedral of Chartres, dedi- cated in 1260, has a particularly beautiful Jesse Tree window. Trinity’s Jesse Tree will be designed by Amy Thierer, one of our congregation’s talented artists, and will feature ornaments symbolizing many of the following ancestors of Jesus: Adam & Eve, Noah, Moses, Jacob, Joseph, Ruth, David, Rebecca, Elizabeth, and Mary. Advent Lessons and Carols Service With Jesse Tree Theme The First Sunday of Advent this year is December 1. Trinity will begin our celebration of the season in an extraordinary way with an afternoon Service of Lessons and Carols focused on the Bible stories of the Jesse Tree. During this one hour service for all ages, we will listen to dramatic readings, hear beautiful music, and decorate a Jesse Tree to- gether. The Trinity Choir and Music Team will lead us in some of our favorite hymns and also perform beautiful choral works. Trinity’s resurrected Handbell Choir will also present music! Mark your calendar now and make plans to participate in this interac- tive Advent experience. A reception will follow the 5:00 p.m. service. November Preparations for the Jesse Tree During November, every Sunday education group at Trinity—from Adult Forum and Parenting Class through the youngest Sunday school class—will study a Bible story of an ancestor of Jesus, and make ornaments to hang on the Trinity Jesse Tree. This is an opportunity to learn more about Old Testament characters and use our creative skills. Storytelling Takes New Forms as We Approach Advent at Trinity In the midst of society’s message of “fear and scarcity,” how do we as Christians focus on flourishing in faith? How has our faith made a difference during this time of uncertainty? How have we experienced the God of abundance and deliverance? These are a few of the many questions we have been reflecting on this fall season as part of our Flourish in Faith campaign. Each Sunday from October 6 th through November 10 th , we will discuss “Flourishing in Faith” as described in our lectionary readings and in reflections written by Episcopalians. November 10 is Commit- ment Sunday when our pledge cards will be offered and blessed as part of worship. Watch for your pledge cards to be mailed the first week of November. The Rev. Kenneth H. Saunders III
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The monthly newsletter of Trinity Episcopal Church
Christian Education is a lifelong learning process at Trinity. In addition to weekday Bible study classes for adults, Sunday morning classes for people of all ages are offered at 10:00 a.m. in the parish hall and environs.
November schedule of Christian Education for all ages
Sunday, November 3 8:00, 9:00 &11:00 Regular schedule of worship (see p. 6)
10:00 Education for all: Sunday School: Weaving God’s Promises—David and Goliath
Rite 13 and J2A
Adult Forum: Storytelling in Church Music and Hymns
Parenting Discussion Group: Topics of group interest
Tuesday mornings 10:30 Adult Bible/book study, led by Jack Gillett (library)
Christianity: From Resurrection to Reformation
Wednesday evenings 7:00 Adult study, led by the rector (library)
Growing Toward God: Sacred Stories from the Jesse Tree
Sunday, November 10 8:00, 9:00 & 11:00 Regular schedule of worship (see p. 6)
10:00 2nd Sunday Breakfast in honor of Veterans
5:00-7:30 Youth supper with activities for grades 5-12
Sunday, November 17 8:00, 9:00 & 11:00 Regular schedule of worship (see p. 6)
10:00 Education for all: Sunday School: Weaving God’s Promises—Daniel
Rite 13 and J2A
Adult Forum: Deacons: Telling the Story of the World*
Parenting Discussion Group: Topics of group interest
Sunday, November 24 8:00, 9:00 & 11:00 Regular schedule of worship (see p. 6)
10:00 Education for all: Sunday School: Weaving God’s Promises—Jonah
Rite 13 and J2A
Adult Forum: Deacons: Telling the Story of the Church*
Parenting Discussion Group: Topics of group interest
Sunday Adult Forum Topics in November: * We gather at one table on Sundays to tell the story of God’s grace and of Jesus’ life,
death and coming again. In the context of Jesus’ story, our own stories become more meaningful. Fr. Ken will finish his series on Story-
telling as the Heart of Worship with a discussion of music and hymnody. Deacon Diane Fadely will follow with two sessions on Deacons
as storytellers. She hopes to have a panel of deacons from our Diocese tell their stories.
Youth News
Trinity’s youth groups—the eleven students in grades 5-7 in Rite 13 and the fifteen older students in J2A—are
enthusiastically entering into their Sunday morning studies. Under the leadership of Dennis King and Kaytlynn
Saunders, the Rite 13 group is learning about Self, Society, and Spirituality. By the end of their two years to-
gether, these “younger youth” will complete reading the entire Gospel of Mark.
The J2A group is led by Cindy Adler and Mark Nicholson. This group is preparing for Pilgrimage and Confirma-
tion as they learn the six main skills of adulthood: Active Listening, Negotiation, Assertion, Research and Infor-
mation Management, Partnership, and Leadership.
Participation in our new 2nd Sunday youth dinners is strong. All gather for a meal in Memorial Hall, then separate
for age-appropriate games, projects, and outreach activities. On November 10, the J2A group will prepare dinner
for Towson University students in an Episcopal/Lutheran Campus Ministry group called “The Table.”
The tradition of a combined Thanksgiving worship service with the
people of Ascension Lutheran Church will continue this year, and we
will also continue the recent tradition of having the service at 7:00 on
Wednesday evening, the night before Thanksgiving. This year it is
our turn to host the service— please come and give thanks, and wel-
come Ascension members to Trinity!
Thanksgiving at Trinity Wednesday evening, November 27
7:00 p.m.
in combination with the congregation of
Ascension Lutheran Church
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For the past four years, on the second Sunday of every month, Trinity parishioners and friends have enjoyed a
sit-down breakfast—complete with flowers, tablecloths, real dishes, and cloth napkins. Our full-service hospital-
ity can be a gracious introduction to our diverse and growing congregation. Have you invited a friend or
neighbor to share a meal with us?
November 10, the day before Veteran’s Day, could be the perfect opportunity to invite a veteran of any age, or
someone who knows a veteran, to eat breakfast with us. We plan to decorate the tables with photographs you
bring of veterans who have been important in your life. Those who like to tell stories can continue our theme of
storytelling for this year by informally sharing stories around the table about veterans they know.
Plan to bring your family, friends, and neighbors for a hot, tasty meal at 10:00 a.m. in Memorial Hall.
November 10—2nd Sunday Breakfast for Veterans: Bring a photo and story of your favorite Veteran
Trinity Music Series
The first Candlelight Concert of the 2013-2014 Season was a success! We raised nearly $300 for The Club at
Collington Square, an after-school program for children in Kindergarten through 4th grade, overseen by Episco-
pal Community Services of Maryland. Doris and Jim appreciate the assistance from all staff and volunteers who
supported this program!
Future events scheduled for the 2013-2014 Season:
Sunday, December 1 5:00 p.m. Advent Jesse Tree Lessons & Carols Sunday, February 23 5:00 p.m. Candlelight Concert
Sunday, March 9 time TBA Lenten Evensong
For more information, contact Jim, Organist/Choir Director, at [email protected] or 410-823-3588.
Assistance Center of Towson Churches (ACTC) Annual Thanksgiving Food Bags
“ACTC” assists the Department of Social Services in November by
providing food to families in need. Last year ACTC and supporting
churches benefited 2,200 families. This year, a major donor has de-
cided to direct their outreach efforts elsewhere, so the Assistance
Center faces the challenge of compensating for the number of bags
they would have provided. We hope everyone who sees this newslet-
ter will consider helping this year by offering one of the following:
Fill a grocery bag with the following items (double brown paper bag inserted in a double plastic bag):
1 can sweet potatoes/yams (23-29 oz. can) 1 box instant mashed potatoes
Trinity Episcopal Church is an inclusive and caring Christ-centered commu-nity nurtured by our wor-ship and tradition. We ask God to strengthen and guide us as we live out our mission to wel-come and celebrate the diversity of all people through spiritual educa-tion, growth in faith, and service in Christ’s Name.
CURRENTLY ENROLLING! Trinity Episcopal Preschool offers full time childcare