Rector's Reflection

The Annual Interfaith Memorial Service to Celebrate the Lives of Homeless and Formerly Homeless People who died in 2007 will be held on Thursday December 20th, 2007 5:30pm at Trinity Church.

Representing various faith traditions at the service will be Tarunjit S. Butalia (Sikh), Rabbi Sharon Mars (Jewish), Asma Mobin-Uddin (Islam), Bishop C. Joseph Sprague, (Christian).

Our Rector will serve as host for the service, the liturgist will be Alvin R. Hadley, Executive Director Columbus Metropolitan Area Church Council and Trinity's Music Director Kevin Wines will supply the service music.

Special music will be provided by members of KOLEINU, the Jewish Community Adult Choir.

This annual service is sponsored by the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless and is part of the nationwide memorial service which is held on the shortest day of the year (or near it) to remember those who are most vulnerable on our nation's streets.

We invite all to join us at Trinity Church (on Capitol Square ) at 5:30pm on December 20th, for the ringing of the tower bells and the reading of the names of our deceased sisters and brothers.

Childcare will be provided at the church. Pre-reservation is necessary for free childcare and can be made by calling 614-252-3257 or by emailing columbushomeless@yahoo.com.

Friends at Trinity -

It is with some mixed feelings that I have made the decision to take an early retirement from my deaconate responsibilities at Third and Broad. The last 20 plus years has been a very personally rewarding period of growth and spiritual development in my life. In addition, I have you, the members of Trinity to thank for that growth opportunity. One never knows, nor plans that the fruits of a thoughtful discernment committee would lead to ordination, an obligation to a Benedictine Order and the opportunity to journey, with hope, among those who suffer with the reality of loss. I leave, having been truly blessed, with the friendship, mentoring and private conversations from so many within this parish.

It is, however, time to take stock of what the next "act" may look like. Sherm, our oldest son used to say I was a "play- in progress - which act is this?" I feel the need to take a deeper look at my own spiritual life, maybe to write, reflect on some of those experiences of the incarnate word in action, those "unusual resurrections" that occur from time to time, and the mystery of life which surrounds us all.

-Sherm

On the first Monday of the month a group of organizations and individuals meet at the Salvation Army to share information and ideas about the growing number of homeless in Columbus. Trinity has been an organizational member of the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless for some years now and at their annual meeting in 2006 we were honored with a plaque that reads "For its steadfast commitment to doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with God." For several years the coalition has held a memorial service for those who have died throughout the year while homeless. This year's Interfaith Memorial Service for homeless and recently homeless individuals who have died in 2007 will be held here at Trinity Church on December 20 at 5:30 p.m. Our Sexton, Tom Belcher, will toll the bells for each person and our Music Director, Kevin Wines, has volunteered to play for the service. If you are able, please join us for this very moving and loving tribute.

At the most recent meeting of the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless, Kent Beittel of The Open Shelter, Inc. made a statement thanking Trinity Church for taking them in more than three years ago when they were moved out of their facility near COSI by the city. He stated that by allowing The Open Shelter sanctuary to move into our Parish House they were able to stay alive and redevelop their advocacy program. The Open Shelter, Inc. has moved to St. John's Evangelical Church on Mound Street where they have a larger facility and many fewer stairs for their clients to reach them. We miss our friends and colleagues and wish them well in their new home. - Diane Donato

Last Deacon's School weekend again began with personal sharing. These sessions are as much about sharing personal blessings as they are about personal concerns. This month, I was able to share the joy of the birth of our third grandchild. I can remember a time when I said I wasn't sure I was ready to be a grandfather, now, I wouldn't change it for anything. I am one proud Papa.

In our evening bible study, we examined the covenants in the Old Testament which will also be the subject of our papers due next month. Saturday mornings' lecture continued discussion about the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible). The Reverend Bill Gartig, Priest in Charge, St. Michael & All Angels, Cincinnati, was again our presenter. Rev. Gartig commented that studying the Bible is like an archeological dig, the further you dig the clearer it becomes, and he is right. I now study the Old Testament with at least three different study bibles and as many as three commentaries. I also have the one on CD.

As we all know, a Deacon has specific duties in Sunday worship. A Deacon also serves at Baptisms, Confirmations, Weddings, Funerals, and many other special services. Saturday afternoon we studied the deacon's role in these special services. At this session, we also noted that each parish church can perform these services with certain differences. The rubrics often state either, or and the choice is the presider's. That is why we see differences in the Eucharist and special services from parish to parish.

Saturday evening, I experienced something very special. Our dean, Rev. Karl Ruttan had set up a labyrinth, a circle of chairs, and several stations with an icon and candles. First, as a group in the circle of chairs, our spiritual director Susan Kennedy led us in half an hour of Centering Prayer, something I had not ever done before. Centering Prayer can be done individually or in a group. We then were free to walk the labyrinth or sit quietly in prayer by an icon and candle. The entire evening was spent in silence and prayer.

After Centering Prayer, and half way through walking the labyrinth, I could feel my shoulders loosen and my mind clear. It was wonderful. I must say, if you have never walked a labyrinth, you should find the opportunity. If you need help finding one locally let me know. I have also begun learning to practice Centering Prayer at home and will be looking into finding a group.

Saturday evening it was my turn to lead Compline which is a wonderful service to end the evening. I had recently heard a beautiful night prayer in A New Zealand Prayer Book (1989) and asked permission to use it at the close of Compline. I asked one of my fellow students to read, and he read it beautifully. For anyone who might like to read the prayer, or use it at the close of their evening, here it is, but please pray it slowly.

Lord, it is night.

The night is for stillness. Let us be still in the presence of God.

It is night after a long day. What has been done has been done;
What has not been done has not been done; let it be.

The night is dark.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives rest in you.

The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
all dear to us, and all who have no peace.

The night heralds the dawn. Let us look expectantly to a new day,
new joys, new possibilities.

In your name we pray
Amen.

This Christmas season, please consider gifts to St. John's Lifeboat project. They will fill a lifeboat with socks, blankets, coats, hats, sleeping bags, boots and tents and distribute them as needed throughout the winter months. Last year St. John's was able to give forty pairs of good, warm boots to people living outside! They also help children at their neighborhood school and at His Place with socks, sweatpants, sweatshirts, hats and gloves.

Contributions can be made via checks to "St. John's Episcopal Church" designated "Lifeboat Project." Send contributions to St. John's Columbus, 1003 West Town Street, Columbus, Ohio 43222.

This outreach to our neighbors at St. John's in Franklinton is one of two opportunities identified by Trinity's Community Ministries committee for Advent and Christmas. The other is Trinity's ongoing "travel fund," helping persons with emergency needs and ex-offenders who are in transit and need help getting home. Checks or opther offering can be directed to Trinity Church and earmarked "Travel Fund." Your gifts in Advent and Christmas will help bring the light of Christ's hope and love to many. Thank you!

Advent awaits! The Christmas Pageant is coming! This year we have chosen to go with a traditional pageant complete with Christmas carols.

Pageant rehearsals will be held during Sunday School until December 16, when the first dress rehearsal will be held after the 10:30 service. On December 23, the second dress rehearsal will happen, again after the 10:30 service. The Pageant itself will occur on December 24 at 5:30 p.m.

Hello my name is Dan Karl and I am the new Youth Minister for our Trinity-St. Marks youth! I am very excited to be in this position. I see it as an opportunity to build some wonderful relationships as go together on our faith journey. As for me, I grew up in St. Mark's Episcopal Church, serving as an acolyte, running the nursery, and helping out with vacation bible school in the summers. I was also myself in the youth group at St. Mark's. I graduated from Upper Arlington High School in 2001, and then again in 2006 from The Ohio State University with B.A. in Mathematics. In addition to being the youth minister I am an aide at Upper Arlington High School while I am also getting certified to teach high school mathematics. I spent two summers working at a summer camp called Camp Akita, which is run by First Community Church. I also have spent the last two years working with the middle school youth at First Community Church. While I enjoyed great experiences at First Community it is exciting to come back home to St. Mark's and the Episcopalian community!

For questions, concerns or suggestions I can be reached at osudank@hotmail.com.

Yours in Faith,
-Daniel R. Karl

I'm happy to inform you that Mary Wanamaker has accepted our invitation to join the vestry for the next two monthly meeting filling out this year for Jim Freeman.

Jim and Betty Freeman will move to St. Louis in early December. Sunday, November 25th, was their last Sunday with us and we gave thanks for them and bid them Godspeed in the prayers that day.

Mary understands that she will be eligible to stand for a full three-year term at the Annual Meeting in January. She represented Trinity at Diocesan Convention a few weeks ago, and she continues as Webmanager and chair of Trinity's Parish Life and Hospitality Committee. We welcome Mary with great joy!

-Dick

As a "Generation X-er," I must admit that as much as I complain about stereotypes attached to my generation, one of the "Baby-Boomer" grumbles does have a grain of wisdom attached. Specifically, until becoming actively involved in Trinity leadership, I never fully appreciated the pledging process. Pledging was something my folks did, simply because they needed the church reminder to donate - right?

Pledging is a very necessary aspect to church membership. Without pledges, the Vestry of Trinity can only guess at cash flows for budgeting purposes. Guesswork has negative consequences -- it can lead to incorrect staffing levels, over-extension of funds or an unnecessary limitation on church ministries. The bottom line is that the Vestry needs to know each individual's pledge intentions prior to drafting an accurate budget.

Generation X - please consider this your call to action from a peer... a reformed, now pledging, peer! Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions about how YOU fit into the Trinity equation.

Now, back to proving those Baby-Boomers wrong...

Fondly,
Courtney Clark, CPA
Parish Treasurer

As of the writing of this article we are awaiting the arrival of five additional Crèche figures that match our French set. Earlier this fall I received a call from a woman in Upper Arlington who said she had five crèche figures that matched our set. I made arrangements to view the figures and make sure. Yes, they were ones that match ours. What a thrill to find more of the figures right here in Columbus . She is a doll collector so she knew what she had and the value of the pieces. Through some negotiations we arrived at a mutually agreed upon price. Then with the knowledge of our leadership I made several phone calls to persons who had, over the years, expressed a keen interest in the French crèche figures. In just a few days I was able to procure pledges/gifts from several Trinity parishioners to make the deal a go. This will bring out total number of figures from the original set of 46 to 27! This makes a wonderful addition to Trinity's collection and a much larger witness to the city. The five new figures include three females and two males. See if you can pick out the newest ones this year!

-Jim Bliek

At the time of General Convention in June of 2006 we were privileged to meet Nancy Luckoski of needlepoint fame. She is the person who has designed and executed many of the needlework pieces for the Washington National Cathedral. (She had already designed three new kneeler covers for the prayer desks in Trinity's sanctuary and south transept.)

While she was in Columbus she looked at our communion kneelers and recommended a course of action to preserve and reinforce them as they were becoming loose and ill-fitting. At that time she took one of the kneelers with her (the center one) refurbished it and returned it to us. The re-done kneelers are much firmer, heavier and blocked or stretched correctly. This way their longevity is assured for possibly the next 30 years before more work would need to be done. As funds have allowed we have sent additional kneelers off to be reworked. To date we have finished three of the five large kneelers. We still have two large kneelers and two smaller kneelers to complete. The large kneelers cost about $1000.00 each to refurbish. The smaller ones will cost about $500.00 each to refurbish. We are hoping to finish this project within the next year so that all of the kneelers will wear/age at the same rate. If you have an interest in helping with funding this project please send your gifts to Trinity in care of The Memorials and Gifts Committee and note on your check that this is for kneeler restoration. Thank you in advance for assisting with this worthwhile and necessary project.

-Jim Bliek

As days turn cold, please pray for all churches working to help neighbors in need to stay warm and safe. Here's a story of how an ECSF grant helped St. Paul's Chillicothe to do so for many families over the last year. A mother and young child came to the church looking for help paying for fuel oil and a deposit to get electricity for their new home. The family had recently moved to the area, the father was beginning a new job, and the mother had sustained a fairly serious injury. With two children, the family was approaching a cold winter with no heat or electricity. They were turned away by other local outreach ministries which had run out of funds. With one contribution from the ECSF-aided Good Faith Fund the family was able to pay the deposit and avoid the consequences of a winter without heat or electricity.

Clergy joyfully challenge laypeople! A group of 33 priests and deacons have joined the Bishops in a collective pledge to match up to $20,000 of donations to ECSF made by laypeople between now and Dec. 31. All the proceeds will go into grants requested by local Episcopal churches for community ministry in Southern Ohio in 2008. Laypeople, give early to double the good done by your donation! Checks can be sent to ECSF at 412 Sycamore, or you can contribute online at www.ECSFSouthernOhio.org.