Inside this issue: Message from Father Pat 1 What’s going on... 2-3 Coming this winter… 3 Christian Education & Formation 4 Outreach Ministries 5 Other Ministries 6 Important Dates in Jan. & Feb. 7 Parish Information 8 Trinity Episcopal Church Jan. / Feb. 2017 NEWSLETTER Father Pat Connell & Tigo Including ~ Affirming ~ Transforming The Story of New Birth On December 25 th we celebrate the birth of Jesus. It is his birth that sets the stage for our new birth through the waters of Holy Baptism. Sunday, January 8, 2017, the first Sunday after the Epiphany (January 6th), is the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is an auspicious occasion for baptisms and an opportunity for you and me to renew our own Baptismal Covenant. If you have read this far into the article you probably are letting out a big yawn and thinking, “Fr. Pat is beating the bushes to increase the number of baptisms on the parochial report.” Not true. I don’t think anyone pays much attention to the parochial report, other than the financials. At least, no one in 35 years has ever had a conversation with me about the pa- rochial report, but they should, because baptisms reflect the life and vitali- ty of the church. Mainline Protestantism has been in free fall for the past two dec- ades. Liturgically, the Episcopal Church has put the sacrament of Holy Baptism at the center of our congregational life. Nevertheless, we need to be crystal clear as to what is central to baptism. It is our new life in Jesus Christ! Without Jesus, baptism is nothing more than ecclesiastical mem- bership. Without Jesus, church is no different from any other civil group. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry is fond of saying, “We are the Epis- copal branch of the Jesus Movement.” What Jesus was by nature, you and I can become by grace: men and women filled with the love of God. This is what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Discipleship is living the trans- formed life promised by Jesus. “I have come that you may have life abun- dantly.” John 10:10 Sunday, January 8 th we will renew our commitment to follow Jesus as faithful disciples. Wednesday, January 18 th begins Trinity Café. Our cafe offering each Wednesday will be an in-depth look at baptism and what it means to be a follower of Jesus in order to live the abundant life. The Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, January 8 th is an auspicious occasion for baptism. If you desire to be baptized and become a follower of Jesus or if you wish to have your child baptized on Sunday, Jan- uary 8 th , please call me at the parish office, 270-684-5326. I look forward to hearing from you. Faithfully, Fr. Pat Holy Baptism is the sacramental rite of full initiation, by water and the Holy Spirit, into membership in the Christian church. At the service all members of the congregation renew their own baptismal vows and welcome the newly baptized into the community of faith.
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Transcript
1
Inside this issue:
Message from
Father Pat 1
What’s going on... 2-3
Coming this winter… 3
Christian Education
& Formation 4
Outreach Ministries 5
Other Ministries 6
Important Dates in
Jan. & Feb. 7
Parish Information 8
Trinity Episcopal
Church
A message from Father Pat Jan. / Feb. 2017
NEWSLETTER
Father Pat Connell
& Tigo
Including ~ Affirming ~ Transforming
The Story of New Birth
On December 25th we celebrate the birth of Jesus. It is his birth that
sets the stage for our new birth through the waters of Holy Baptism.
Sunday, January 8, 2017, the first Sunday after the Epiphany
(January 6th), is the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is an auspicious
occasion for baptisms and an opportunity for you and me to renew our own
Baptismal Covenant.
If you have read this far into the article you probably are letting out
a big yawn and thinking, “Fr. Pat is beating the bushes to increase the
number of baptisms on the parochial report.” Not true. I don’t think anyone
pays much attention to the parochial report, other than the financials. At
least, no one in 35 years has ever had a conversation with me about the pa-
rochial report, but they should, because baptisms reflect the life and vitali-
ty of the church.
Mainline Protestantism has been in free fall for the past two dec-
ades. Liturgically, the Episcopal Church has put the sacrament of Holy
Baptism at the center of our congregational life. Nevertheless, we need to
be crystal clear as to what is central to baptism. It is our new life in Jesus
Christ! Without Jesus, baptism is nothing more than ecclesiastical mem-
bership. Without Jesus, church is no different from any other civil group.
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry is fond of saying, “We are the Epis-
copal branch of the Jesus Movement.” What Jesus was by nature, you and I
can become by grace: men and women filled with the love of God. This is
what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Discipleship is living the trans-
formed life promised by Jesus. “I have come that you may have life abun-
dantly.” John 10:10
Sunday, January 8th we will renew our commitment to follow Jesus
as faithful disciples. Wednesday, January 18th begins Trinity Café. Our
cafe offering each Wednesday will be an in-depth look at baptism and what
it means to be a follower of Jesus in order to live the abundant life.
The Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, January 8th is an
auspicious occasion for baptism. If you desire to be baptized and become a
follower of Jesus or if you wish to have your child baptized on Sunday, Jan-
uary 8th, please call me at the parish office, 270-684-5326. I look forward to
hearing from you.
Faithfully,
Fr. Pat
Holy Baptism is the sacramental rite of full initiation,
by water and the Holy Spirit, into membership in the
Christian church. At the service all members of the
congregation renew their own baptismal vows and
welcome the newly baptized into the community of faith.
2
What’s going on at Trinity (go to www.trinityec.org for more photos)
Love your neighbor as yourself - Trinity stands with others at Islamic Center
On Thanksgiving Eve, Trinity invited
Faith Lutheran Church to participate in a joint
service. Members from both congregations en-
joyed the sermon from Faith’s Pastor, Jane Roth-
man and joined together for Holy Communion.
Following Faith Lutheran’s tradition, Trinity
hosted a Pie Social after the service. It was a
lovely way to give thanks for our many blessings.
Thanksgiving Eve Service & Pie Social
A Busy Sunday on November 13th
The Daughters of the King met on December 6th to celebrate
Christmas. The Daughters are delighted to share that there will be
four new members joining the order. Juanita Sprague, Anice Cooper,
Amy Heidel and Dora Grandy will be installed at the 10:00 AM ser-
vice on January 15th.
November 13th was a wonderful Sunday
in the life of the Trinity community. We had the
joy of hearing our 1st Journey Kids sing to us
about giving "God the Glory, Glory."
We also welcomed new members, Jim
Horst and Wayne Bowen. And we were given the
opportunity to celebrate Veterans Day, showing
our appreciation and respect to the veterans in
our Parish. All that, plus a great sermon and
sharing in the Eucharist. A Great Sunday!
Our sanctuary is always beautiful during Christ-
mas. That is because volunteers are willing to fluff and
hang garland, test and replace lights and climb ladders.
Led by Ralph Barany, our Trinity elves do a wonderful
job. Thank you Ralph,& Debra Barany, Larry Mansfield,
Barbara Hanselman and Juanita, Cora & Mallory Spra-
gue!
After the Islamic Center of Owensboro
was vandalized in November, Father Pat en-
courage Trinity parishioners to join other peo-
ple of good will to gather and stand in solidari-
ty, giving a clear message that the City of Ow-
ensboro is a place where all people are respect-
ed, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, or reli-
gion. Several joined Father Pat as a true testimony to Christ’s command
to love your neighbor as yourself.
Daughters of the King Christmas Party
Wayne Bowen & Jim Horst
Christmas Elves at Work
Ralph & Larry,
risking life and limb
Girls just gotta have fun!
Fr. Pat and Pastor Jane
3
Coming this winter at Trinity (mark your calendar)
Preparing for Lent
Lent begins the 1st of March. In prepara-
tion, please consider leading and/or taking part
in one of the Lenten Book Studies. The book cho-
sen is Unearthing My Religion, recommended
by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.
In this book, Episcopal Bishop Mary Gray-
Reeves takes six words related to Christian faith
and translates them so they speak more broadly
to those who proclaim themselves
“spiritual but not religious.” Tying
together Jesus’ parables and life
today, this engaging title promises
to help non-Christians explore
faith and spiritual practice and
train Christians to speak clearly
about the things that matter most.
Valentine’s Luncheon
Sundays of Advent
What’s going on at Trinity, continued
Christmas Eve
Trinity Café will be one opportunity for
the Book Study. If you are willing to lead an ad-
ditional group, please talk to Father Pat.
Daughters of the King
invite all seniors and singles to
a Valentine’s luncheon on Sat-
urday, February 11th at Noon.
You will be treated to a “sweet” time of food,
music and games.
A sign up sheet will be post-
ed in late January so they
will know how much food to
prepare.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner
Mark you calendar for the annual Shrove
Tuesday Pancake Dinner on February 28th, host-
ed by our Journey to Adulthood youth group.
The name Shrove Tuesday comes from
shrive, meaning absolution for sins by doing pen-
ance. The day gets its name from the tradition of
Christians trying to be 'shriven' before Lent. Pan-
cake came much later as a way of using up rich
foods, like eggs, milk and sugar before the 40 days
of fasting - Lent.
Trinity prepared for the birth of
Jesus by special recognition during Ad-
vent. Each Sunday morning, individu-
al families lit the Advent Wreath, ac-
companied by music from the choir and
congregation.
Led by Martin Fendley, musi-
cians presented a beautiful Compline & Concert each Sunday night of
Advent.
Christmas Pageant—the story of our Savior’s birth, as told by our children...
Who’s that Valentine?
More photos on website
www.trinityec.org
4
Christian Education & Formation: a life-long journey
For Children, our 1st JourneyKids
For our Youth the Journey to Adulthood
For our Adults, the journey continues
For Everyone on their faith journey
Our Trinity Café Online has
provided an excellent opportunity
for parishioners, new and veteran,
to grow in faith and knowledge.
Harlan Melander says, “It was easy to find and
log on. The lessons were short and easy to under-
stand.” A recent visitor told Father Pat that it
was the online classes that allowed a greater
knowledge about beliefs of the Episcopal Church.
He is now planning to take part in the Welcoming
Service in January.
Trinity Cafe Wednesdays has been closed
for the Holidays, but will reopen on January
18th. Then, for the next 6 weeks in the new year,
the adult class will study and discuss the Book
of Common Prayer and the Baptismal Cove-
nant. What does it really mean to the community
and to each individual? The emphasis will be on
"prayer," "study," and "action." Father Pat and
Vicki Meacham will be preparing and presenting
these lessons.
Our elementary aged members
continue to meet every other Sunday
to learn more about God, Jesus and
our faith. The past two months, they
have been talking about the meaning
of Advent and learning new songs,
which they share have shared at the
10:00 service on November 13th. (see
page 2 for photos).
Thank you Wendy Wells, Amy Beck and Norma Beck for
teaching our young members. Your efforts are very appreciated.
Journey to Adulthood (J2A)
is the church youth program for chil-
dren in grades 6 - 12. It is led by
Barb Tipmore and Brian Thomas.
The class meets twice a month after church
until about 12:15.
The J2A curriculum emphasizes the
two guiding principles of the program:
1. Manhood and womanhood are free gifts from God.
2. Adulthood must be earned.
Recently, J2Aers practiced their interper-
sonal skills by playing a communication game. In
another session, they explored the distinctions be-
tween aggressive and assertive behaviors.
On Monday, December 12, the youth hosted
a spaghetti dinner and game night for their par-
ents. They prepared the entire dinner without su-
pervision, feeding a total of 18 people, in order to begin an examination