TIDINGS Trinity’s Mission: Acting in God’s love, Trinity Episcopal Church welcomes everyone to enthusiastically live the Christian faith. We call our members to worship and prayer, lifelong education, spiritual growth, cheerful giving, and active ministry with our community. All members serve as witnesses to Jesus Christ.
Vol. XXV No. 6 June 2016
Inside this Issue Stewardship page 2
Christian Formation page 3
Children and Family Ministries page 4
Young Adults page 5
Trinity Connections pages 5, 6, 7
The last two issues of Tidings began with letters from Edie and Henry. Both shared a common theme of change that we are experiencing as a Trinity community; Edie’s letter in April bringing the news that we have called Corky Carlisle to serve with us as interim rector, and Henry’s in May reflecting on his time as shepherd of the Trinity flock. We have all known since last fall of Henry and Mary Beth’s decision to retire, but when the announcement came (perhaps accelerated by Albinas’ own decision to enjoy life in retirement) the actual day of Henry’s departure seemed far down the road. It wasn’t. The day is upon us. A time of change causes us as a community to reflect on our past and traditions, and to plan for our future growth in our faith and service to God. As members of the Trinity community we all share in the responsibility of ensuring that as we progress through this period of transition, we not lose sight of the mission that God has for our church in caring for each other and our greater community. We frequently hear that change is good, but as often as we hear it, we still struggle with it. Most of us dislike change and seek to avoid it. It disrupts our comfort levels, leaving us anxious and uncertain, and for some maybe even fearful. It challenges our expectations, our routines, our sense of community and how we live in it. It can test our traditions. In this time of change it is comforting to know that God is with us to ease the adjustment of Henry and Mary Beth’s retiring, to share the joy of their next adventure together, and to provide the wisdom, patience and strength we will need to call a new rector to Trinity Church. Moses’s words to Joshua and the Israelites on the bank of the Jordan River recount for us God’s unwavering support in this time of transition. Moses had led God’s people for many years. But before reaching the Promised Land Moses announced that he was stepping down and would not lead them any further on their journey. Imagine being one of those Israelites. For many of them Moses was the only leader they ever knew. How frightening it must have been for them to hear Moses speak these words. In that time of uncertainty Moses counseled Joshua and the people of Israel, “The Lord himself will lead you and be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you, so do not lose courage or be afraid.” Deuteronomy 31:8. So too the Lord will be with us and lead us in this transition. God has designed change to be a process, not an event. Calling our new rector will not happen quickly. Our successful transition will take time and require our patience. We are blessed with a talented and dedicated Search Committee that is already hard at work preparing for this important task. Each of us will be invited to provide input for the search process, and it is our shared responsibility to respond to that call. It is through our reflection on who we are as Trinity Church, and who we want Trinity Church to be in the future that we have the opportunity God is giving us to grow in His grace. Let us share this opportunity together. John Fay Sr. Warden