Feast of Absalom - February 9th, 2019

Trinity Episcopal Church PROGRESSIVE INCLUSIVE CREATIVE DOWNTOWN

Feast of Absalom Jones (Anticipated)

Holy Eucharist Rite II 

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February 10, 2019 10:00am

Welcome to Trinity Episcopal Church We are a faith community welcoming all and affirming the many diverse and wonderful ways God has made us. Wherever you find yourself on your journey, know that this is your sacred home today, shared by others who are caring and committed to being a welcoming, expansive, generous, risk-taking community for the sake of finding, experiencing and spreading God’s love. May you find both sanctuary and Sabbath this day, and may you never forget that you are loved.

Invitation & Instructions for Receiving Holy Communion Here at Trinity we welcome all to the Table set for us at the time of Communion.

As a sign and symbol of solidarity with all who are living with addiction we have decided to serve only non-alcoholic wine. We hope this communicates our collective desire to welcome all.

To receive the bread (or gluten-free wafer), please put your hands together palms up. To receive the non- alcoholic wine, you may either drink directly from the cup or dip the bread in the cup before eating.

During the time of Communion, we also offer individual prayer at the back of the church and all are welcome to make use of this special time for prayer requests.

The Holy Eucharist Feast Day of Absalom Jones (February 13, 2019) February 10, 2019

RITE TWO 10:00 A.M.

Absalom Jones was an African-American abolitionist and clergyman who became prominent in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Disappointed at racial discrimination in a local Methodist church, with Richard Allen, he founded the Free African Society, a mutual aid society for African Americans in the city. In 1786 the membership of St. George's Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia included both blacks and whites. However, the white members met that year and decided that thereafter black members should sit only in the balcony. Two black Sunday worshippers, Absalom Jones (1746-1818) and Richard Allen (1760-1831), whose enthusiasm for the Methodist Church had brought many blacks into the congregation, learned of the decision only when, on the following Sunday, ushers tapped them on the shoulder during the opening prayers, and demanded that they move to the balcony without waiting for the end of the prayer. They walked out, followed by the other black members.

Absalom Jones conferred with William White, Episcopal Bishop of Philadelphia, who agreed to accept the group as an Episcopal parish. Jones would serve as lay reader, and, after a period of study, would be ordained and serve as rector. Allen wanted the group to remain Methodist, and in 1793 he left to form a Methodist congregation. In 1816 he left the Methodists to form a new denomination, the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME). Jones (ordained deacon and priest in 1795 and 1802) and Allen (ordained deacon and elder in 1799 and 1816) were the first two black Americans to receive formal ordination in any denomination .

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 liturgy of the word

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Prelude

Harmonious Blacksmith

G.F. Handel

Gathering Song

Glory, Glory Hallelujah

LEVAS #130

Words: Traditional Music: Negro Spiritual; arr. Carl Haywood (b. 1949), from The Haywood Collection of Negro Spirituals

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WELCOME Collect of the Day Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Celebrant: Let us pray.

Set us free, loving God, from every bond of prejudice and fear; that, honoring the steadfast courage of your servant Absalom Jones, we may show forth in our lives the reconciling love and true freedom of the children of God, which you have given us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

(Please be seated for the Lessons.)

The First Lesson Reader:

Isaiah 11:1-5

A reading from Isaiah.

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.

The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.

Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins.

Reader: People:

Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s People.

Thanks be to God.

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Psalm

Psalm 137:1-6

The Psalm will be chanted antiphonally by half-verse. A single voice will sing the first half of each verse, and the congregation is invited to join in singing the second half in bold.

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By the waters of Babylon we sat down / and wept, * when we remembered you, / O Zion.

2

As for our harps, we hung / them up * on the trees in the midst / of that land.

3

For those who led us away captive asked us for a song, and our oppressors called / for mirth: * "Sing us one of the / songs of Zion."

4

How shall we sing the/ LORD'S song * upon an / alien soil.

5

If I forget you, / O Jerusalem, * let my right hand / forget its skill.

6

Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth if I do not / remember you, * if I do not set Jerusalem above my / highest joy.

The second Lesson Reader:

Galatians 5:1-5

A reading from Galatians.

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Once again I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the entire law. You who want to be justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.

Reader: People:

Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s People.

Thanks be to God.

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Gradual

Blessed Be Your Name

(Please stand as you are able.)

Words and Music by Matt and Beth Redman

(The verses will be offered by a solo voice. Please join on the refrain.)

Refrain

Verse 1

Blessed Be Your Name In the land that is plentiful Where Your streams of abundance flow Blessed be Your name

Verse 2 Blessed be Your name When the sun's shining down on me When the world's 'all as it should be' Blessed be Your name Blessed be Your name On the road marked with suffering Though there's pain in the offering Blessed be Your name Every blessing You pour out I'll Turn back to praise When the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say

Blessed Be Your name When I'm found in the desert place Though I walk through the wilderness Blessed Be Your name Every blessing You pour out, I'll Turn back to praise When the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say

Refrain

Refrain

Copyright Š 2002 Thankyou Music.

Administered worldwide by worshiptogether.com songs except For the UK and Europe which is administered by Kingsway All rights reserved. Used by permission

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The Gospel Celebrant: People:

John 15:12-15 The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father."

Celebrant: People:

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to You, Lord Christ.

Sermon

The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray

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Affirmation of Faith

(Please stand as you are able.)

(From Liturgy for the Whole Church: Multigenerational Resources, by Susan Bock, Church Publishing, 2008)

We believe in God who said, “Let there be light,” and there was!

With that light, God made the world and all people in whom, and through whom, the Light burns on, strong and true.

We believe!

We believe in Jesus, the true Light, who went down to darkness to overcome death, and rose again, to unveil our own brightness, in the victory of whose love a path shines home to God’s heart where all will live forever.

We believe!

We believe in the Spirit, blazing with hope, speaking the truth into every darkness, warming our lives with God’s gifts and call.

We believe!

We believe in the church, where God’s Light is praised, and from where we are sent to love and serve the world.

We believe!

We ask today that a gentle breath blow from above on the light that is in us, the light that is among us, and enflame us anew with the courage of love.

Enflame us, O God! Amen.

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PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

(Please stand as you are able.)

(By the Reverend Jemonde Taylor and based on “A Thanksgiving Sermon” by the Reverend Absalom Jones January 1, 1808.)

A Litany of Thanksgiving for Absalom Jones Intercessor:

People: Intercessor: People: Intercessor: People: Intercessor:

People: Intercessor:

People: Intercessor:

People: Celebrant:

People:

O God of freedom and justice: we celebrate this day your servant, Absalom Jones, the first person of African ancestry ordained in The Episcopal Church.

Empower us to build a world where righteousness and justice are the foundations of all we say and do.

Let all the nations of the earth praise you.

Let your Church continue the ministries of reconciliation and peace. Help us grow Absalom Jones’ ministry of racial justice.

Let all the nations of the earth praise you.

God who hears and sees, help the nations of the world hear their citizens’ concerns by responding to injustice, war, and slavery with actions that lead to peace.

Let all the nations of the earth praise you.

God of our Ancestors, Blessed Absalom reminded us we too must acknowledge that an enslaved African, ready to perish, was our ancestor: Gift our elders and leaders with wisdom and vision to reach back with the purpose of moving us forward.

Let all the nations of the earth praise you.

God of compassion, you hear your people’s cries and prayers in heaven: accept our intercessions and petitions. Help us remember we stand on the prayers of our ancestors. As they prayed for current and future generations, so must we pray for our sisters and brothers today and for those to come.

Let all the nations of the earth praise you.

God who creates, Blessed Absalom reminded us that sacrifices must be accompanied with action: guide our feet to run the race without getting weary. Keep us focused on the fight for equality. Glory to God for your precious record of power and goodness.

Let all the nations of the earth praise you.

O Lord, move us, who are assembled in your presence, to be always thankful for your mercies, and to act as a people who owe so much to your goodness.

We ask all these blessings and mercies in the Name of your beloved Son, our friend and redeemer, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

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THE CONFESSION OF SIN & ABSOLUTION (From the Blog Wonderings Through Life and Other Such Nonsense by Pastor Nancy Gowler Johnson)

Celebrant:

The prophet speaks of the coming light of God which calls all the people of the Earth to come together in God’s realm of shalom.

Let us confess the ways in which we have rejected God’s vision of wholeness.

Celebrant and People: God of light and darkness, we have seen the glimmer of your star-light beckoning to us, but we have turned away and followed other paths.

We confess that we have not loved you with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength.

We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

Forgive us, Holy One. Strengthen our faltering steps and guide us in your holy way of peace.

Celebrant: People:

Lift up your eyes and see the grace of God poured out into our lives.

The light of God shines through the darkness.

Our hearts rejoice for Christ is in our midst. Amen.

THE PEACE Celebrant: People:

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Vestry commissioning

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Liturgy of the Table

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Offertory Sentence Regarding today’s Offering: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has requested that today’s offerings be given to the Absalom Jones Fund for Episcopal Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC and Voorhees College in Denmark, SC. Please give generously as a sign of our solidarity and support for these fine institutions and our commitment to racial reconciliation and justice.

Offertory

In Bright Mansions (Jobst Choral Scholars)

arr. Roland M. Carter

The Great Thanksgiving Celebrant: People: Celebrant: People: Celebrant: People:

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Celebrant: Truly it is right and good to glorify you at all times and in all places, by offering you our thanksgiving, O Lord. You spoke and the light shattered darkness, order arose from confusion. You breathed into the dust of the earth and we were formed in your image.

Through your Son, our Lord Jesus, you came to us while we wandered.

He met us as a refugee, a threatened child.

He called us by name to leave what is comfortable to be his disciples, friends and partners.

With his outstretched arms on the cross, and through his death he bore our sins and through his resurrection we are saved.

And through your Holy Spirit you brood over the chaos we create, mothering us and shaping a new creation.

You enlighten everyone coming into the world.

You inspired the prophets and the apostles to find the right word at the right time.

You liberate, equip and commission your people for the continuance of your mission to make everything new.

Therefore, with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we proclaim and sing your glory: 11

Sanctus

Holy, Holy, Holy

Celebrant continues: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night in which he was betrayed, took the bread and when he had given thanks to you, broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat: this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.

The same way after supper, he took the cup and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them saying: Drink this, all of you: this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.

Celebrant and People:

Lord, we commemorate your death on the cross, we celebrate your resurrection, and we await your coming in glory.

Eternal God, let your Holy Spirit move in power over us and over these earthly gifts of bread and wine, that they may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ, and that we may become one in him. May his coming in glory find us ever watchful in prayer, strong in truth and love, and faithful in the breaking of the bread. Then, at last, all peoples will be free, all divisions healed, and with your whole creation, we will sing your praise, through your Son, Jesus Christ.

Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

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Celebrant:

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say:

Fraction & Invitation Celebrant: People: Celebrant:

We break this bread to share in the Body of Christ.

We who are many are one body, for we all share in the one bread.

The Gifts of God for the People of God. Holy food for holy people.

(Please be seated until you are invited to come forward to receive communion.)

We welcome ALL to come forward to receive Communion as a sign of God’s love in and for our lives.

To receive the bread (or gluten-free wafer), please put your hands together, palms up. To receive the non-alcoholic wine, you may either drink directly from the cup or dip the bread in the cup before eating. If you are unable to come forward and wish to have Communion brought to you, please inform a greeter.

Need prayer for yourself or someone else? During Communion come to the prayer station in the back. Prayers may be requested for healing, medical procedures, safe travels, strength, patience and more. Blessings for birthdays, anniversaries and other events may also be requested.

All are welcome to take advantage of this opportunity, but no one is required; know that you are welcome and wanted just as you are.

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Communion Music

Teach Me the Way of the Lord

Warren Gooch

(Canterbury Choir)

Communion Music

I Love the Lord

LEVAS #67

Words: Traditional Music: Traditional; arr. Richard Smallwoo

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The Post Communion Prayer

(Please stand as you are able.)

Eternal God, you have graciously accepted us as living members of our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Savior. Amen.

Blessing Sending Song

From All the Dwell Below the Skies

LEVAS #67

Words: Isaac Watts (1674-1748), para. of Psalm 117. St. 3, Thomas Ken (1637-1711) Music: Old 100th, melody from Pseaumes octante trois de David, 1551, alt.; harm. after Louis Bourgeois (1510?-1561?) Meter: LM

Dismissal Celebrant: People:

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!

Thanks be to God! 15

Trinity Episcopal Church PROGRESSIVE

INCLUSIVE CREATIVE DOWNTOWN

Vestry Leadership Alice Todd, Senior Warden Darrell Cousino, Junior Warden Greg Shumaker, Treasurer Jamie Paul, Asst. Treasurer Jeffrey Albright Becky Roth Roberta Durham Jill Hunt Dennis Degnan Donna Steppe Bob Meeker

Parish Staff The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray, Rector Nate Leonard, Director of Music & the Arts Heather Meyer, Director of Operations & Community Coordinator Lynzi Miller, Next to New Manager & Communications Coordinator Jane Bueche, Parish Accountant Amy Saylor, Seminarian Elizabeth Cousino, Special Projects Coordinator Nick Zurawski, Sexton Copyright Info: All printed music from The Hymnal 1982, Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing, My Heart Sings Out, Wonder, Love, and Praise was used by permission through purchase of riteseries.org.

All other printed music is used by permission through purchase of CCLI #11294600 All printed music from Gather was used by permission through purchase of onelicense.net License # A-700000 Bulletin Image: The painting is 14″ by 11″, acrylic on watercolor paper, by Becky Nielsen.

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH PROGRESSIVE INCLUSIVE

(419) 243-1231

Trinity Episcopal Church

Feast of Absalom Jones February 10, 2019

Progressive  Inclusive  Creative  Downtown 316 Adams Street, Toledo, OH trinitytoledo.org 419-243-1231

Trinity Pages #LOVE IS THE WAY!

TODAY (2/10)

10:00 Reader Guild: Dave Beckwith Bettye Jo Hansbarger Bob Meeker

Good morning and “welcome home” to Trinity!

Whether you are new to our community or have found yourself coming back again and again, we want you to know you are both welcome and wanted here among us.

For some, church is as comfortable and familiar as a good pair of jeans, or like coming back to your childhood home (if it is one filled with good memories). For others, church might be like visiting a foreign country where you experience unfamiliar language or customs. And then, sadly, for some church has become equated with feelings of hurt, rejection, or shame. We get all of that and believe that church can be different.

Liturgical Assistants: Scott Dibling Bettye Jo Hansbarger Altar Guild: Scott Dibling Greeter Guild: Sherre Smith

We hold in real tension the beauty of our tradition with Jesus’ mandate to welcome all, no exceptions.

And we get that if people are brave enough to walk through the doors of a big, Gothic-looking church in downtown Toledo, we’d better be serious about being progressive, inclusive and creative.

We love our Episcopal tradition, but we love people from all walks of life even more. It is our hope and prayer that together we will navigate our way through each gathering, worship service, outreach activity, class, meal and social time with humility, grace and laughter.

So thank you for being here today; for trusting the yearning that brought you through those ancient doors.

May we all find our way into the heart of God’s love as we make room for each and all of us at the Table of love we set together week after week.

And may you never forget you are loved,

Lisa

Next Week (2/17)

Hospitality: 9a Jolene, Donna & Cousino Family 11:15 a Mary Beroske

February Birthdays 2/3 Hydie Ralston 2/4 Jason Rahe 2/7 Jenny Rahe 2/8 William Ramsay Jr. 2/12 Eric Lehman 2/12 Heather Castillo 2/19 Chris Wilson 2/20 Karen Kale 2/20 Marjorie Blackwell 2/21 Matt Cousino 2/21 Rosaline Smith 2/24 Cindy Laboe

Altar Flowers Given in Celebration of the Feast of Absalom Jones If you are interested in an altar flower dedication, email the office.

News from the Ohio Diocese

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, On Sunday afternoon, February 17 at 4 o'clock, the Wilma Ruth Combs Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians and the Diocese of Ohio will host this year's Absalom Jones service at Christ Church, Shaker Heights. Bishop Williams will be the celebrant and the Rev. Sharon Williams, Priestin-Charge at Historic St. Andrew’s, Cleveland, will preach. I write to encourage you to attend this service and to remember Absalom Jones in your prayers on his feast day, February 13, and in your parishes on February 17.

The annual Absalom Jones service is an important event in our common journey toward Becoming Beloved Community. It is an opportunity both to remember the Rev. Absalom Jones, ordained by Bishop William White to the diaconate in 1795 and the priesthood in 1802, and to affirm our commitment to racial reconciliation and the disassembling of racism. Born enslaved in Delaware in 1746, Absalom Jones founded the first African American congregation in Philadelphia, The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, which exists to this day, and was the first African American ordained a priest in our church. His courage, dedication, and deep faith can inspire in us the same spirit necessary to heal the racial divisions and injustice of our own day.

Presiding Bishop Curry has asked that the offering from observances of Absalom Jones, whether in special diocesan services or regular Sunday parish worship on February 17, be given to the Absalom Jones Fund for Episcopal Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC and Voorhees College in Denmark, SC. To that end, you may send any contributions to Sue Leishman at 2230 Euclid Ave, Cleveland OH 44115, who will combine them with the offering from the service at Christ Church, Shaker Heights, and forward them on to Bishop Curry’s office.

Bishop Curry writes, “Saint Augustine’s and Voorhees provide an excellent liberal arts education to thousands of students, the vast majority of whom come from low-income households, and over 40% of whom are the first in their families to attend a four-year college. Further, these schools provide robust campus ministries which both evangelize and form young adults as followers of Jesus and his way of love.”

I encourage you to remember “Blessed Absalom” on February 17, in your congregations that morning and at Christ Church that afternoon, and to contribute through the Diocesan office or directly to the Absalom Jones Fund (www.episcopalchurch.org/development/HBCU).

Gratefully, The Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr. Bishop of Ohio

Announcements Today 11:15am – Ministry Fair TODAY Sunday 2/ 10, 11:15 – Coffee & Conversation - Please join us for coffee or tea in the back of the Sanctuary following service and maybe even meet a new, friendly face! All are welcome and encouraged to join!!!

Saturday 2/ 16, 9:00 – Women’s Bible Study Women’s group will meet on Saturday at 9:00am at Scramblers (3344 Secor Rd).

Trinity Game Night – HOST NEEDED! We are looking for a host for our monthly game night held at the Black Cloister Brewing Company (619 Monroe St), from 7:00-8:00. Please contact Priest Lisa at lisa@trinitytoledo.org if you’re interested!

Did You Know?

From the Civil War through World War I, Trinity

assisted in the founding of nine Episcopal mission congregations in and around Toledo. While some of these remain open, others have closed. One of them, St. Mark’s, closed in 2012 and many of its members have found a home at Trinity.

Next to New Mondays & Thursdays, week 9:30 – 3:00 Next to New Donation Request winter coats boots hats gloves men’s pants Next to New has been truly blessed with donations from our congregation and surrounding community over the past 3 months, which has led to a surplus of many items in our store rooms. For the months of February and March, NTN will only be accepting donations of winter coats, boots, hats, gloves and men’s pants. All other donations left in our bins will be forwarded on to Easterseals of Northern Ohio. We are so grateful to all of you who have shared your generosity with NTN and Trinity!

♥ Love Is in the Air ♥ Sale of the Week – 75% off all Valentine’s Day décor!!!!

This Week Sunday, February week 10 9:00-9:45 Free Community Breakfast 10:00-11:15 Worship 11:15 Coffee & Conversation 1:00-3:00 Leadership Toledo - YiPEE 3:30-5:30 Universal Orthodox Worship Monday, February 11 9:30-3:00 Next to New Shop Open 12:00-1:00 AA Meeting Tuesday, February 12 12:00-1:00 AA Meeting 4:00-5:30 Open Table Toledo Wednesday, February 13 10:00-11:30 Staff Meeting 11:30-12:30 Building Partner Luncheon 12:10 Healing Eucharist in Chapel 12:00-1:00 AA Meeting Thursday, February 14 9:30-3:00 Next to New Shop Open 12:00-1:00 AA Meeting 5:00-6:30 Finance Meeting 7:00-8:30 Choir Rehearsal Friday, February 15 12:00-1:00 AA Meeting 6:00-7:00 Food for Thought (PBJ Making) Saturday, February 16 Church Office Closed 9:00-10:30 Women’s Bible Study

(Scramblers, 3344 Secor Rd)

Sunday, February 17 9:00-9:45 Free Community Breakfast 10:00-11:15 Worship 11:15 Coffee & Conversation 3:30-5:30 Universal Orthodox Worship 4:00 Christ Episcopal Church – Absalom Jones Service (3445 Warrensville Center Rd, Shaker Heights, OH)

Called to Serve?

Reader’s Guild

Outreach Ministry Spotlight Open Table Toledo

week

week

Every Sunday we need individuals to help read scripture and the prayers offered during the 10:00 worship service. The bulletin is posted to our website in prior to service so readers can prepare for their weekly reading. Schedules are posted 2 months in advance and newcomers are always welcomed. If you’re interested, please contact Pat Squire at patsquire@juno.com.

Chalice Guild Volunteers assist with offering the wine at communion every Sunday. Each member is trained on what to do and say as well as why communion is such an important part of our understanding of who we are as Christians and Episcopalians. If you’re interested, please contact Priest Lisa at lisa@trinitytoledo.org.

Trinity Office Support The Trinity office is looking for volunteers to help in the office on an as-needed basis. Tasks to include answering phones, accepting mail, and stuffing bulletins. Please email Heather Meyer at heather@trinitytoledo.org if you are interested in volunteering and what days and times work best for you.

Our new ministry, Open Table Toledo -- offering long term “micro-communities” to youth aging out of the foster-care system – gets underway Feb. 16 with our very first volunteer training session.

Trinity is heartened to lead this initiative (the first of its kind in Lucas County). We understand that young people who are alone and without families face especially tough roads into adulthood.

Entering into intentional relationship with these youth is one concrete way we as a faith community can be called into Christ-like action.

To date, Open Table Toledo has 29 registered volunteers. Four volunteers are from Trinity (including our rector!). We welcome more; if two to four other parishioners were to sign up, we could very likely form a Trinity group.

Curious how small groups who meet for dinner once a week offer a crucial lifeline to young people venturing into adulthood? Please contact Roberta Durham (roberta.deboer@gmail.com) to learn if volunteering for Open Table Toledo might be right for you. There’s still time to register for the first volunteer training session and help change young lives, one week at a time.

High School Choral Scholar Of the week

Altar Flower Sign Up

Cameron Lawyer

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Are you interested in dedicating the altar flowers to the honor or memory of a loved one?

Sign up on the flower board in the back of the Sanctuary or fill out an order form, located in the back of the Sanctuary, and place in the offering plate!

Please contact the office at admin@trinitytoledo.org. with any questions.

Cameron is a junior at Waite High school where he is an asset to both the concert and show choirs and has been singing in church choir since he was 3 years old.

Cameron serves in the national guard and is expecting a promotion to the rank of private, first class. He is also a certified guardian through Lucas County and prides himself on guiding his wards. In his spare time, he enjoys the videogames, such as “Bloodbourne”.

Trinity Prayer List Please remember those who have asked for our prayers:

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To have your name or the name of someone you love on the Prayer List, contact the office.