Faith Formation

Nearly every aspect of our common life influences and shapes our faith formation. Simply put, “faith formation” is the term we use to capture how we spend our time, grow our faith, challenge our assumptions, learn about implicit bias, and stretch ourselves with new thoughts and perspectives. For many of us, it also helps us reclaim and reimagine the patterns, rituals and elements of our rich Episcopal tradition that may have historically kept us separated, or feeling unwanted or unseen. 2022 invited us back to in-person worship, as well as times to eat, serve, play and pray together walking with love together day by day.

Trinity Book Club

Throughout the year we read a number of wonderful books and then gathered on-line and in-person for a monthly discussion. This year’s books included: The Red Tent, The Lincoln Highway, Firekeeper’s Daughter, Still Life, Honor, The Sea of Tranquility and The Sweetness of Water

Episcopal 101

Sundays in March we gathered via Zoom to learn about the history, polity, worship and theology of the Episcopal Church.

Welcome To Trinity Conversations

Beginning in February this year we offered a monthly opportunity for those new to our community to meet with Priest Lisa, via Zoom, for a time of informal conversation. Many of our new members found this to be a wonderful way to learn about Trinity, as well as to start building relationships with other new members.

A New Family Film Series

In July and early August, Jolene Miller offered and curated a five week video series featuring the late Christian author and blogger Rachel Held Evans, using video resource, The Work of the People. Through her writing and speaking, Evans’ work opened a space for people to become involved with the evolution of their faith by example. Each week the group gathered and watched an interview followed by a time of generative conversation.

MONTHLY MEN’S BIBLE STUDY

Each month, led by Trinity member, Jason Rahe, our men gather, either on-line or in-person at Rick’s City Diner to share and discuss lectionary-based scripture passages as well as foster deep friendships.

Sacred Ground

Trinity members Becky Koskinen and Ruth Foote facilitated Trinity’s third offering of this powerful 10-session Episcopal curriculum focusing on race and racism in America. The dialogue series developer and author is Katrina Browne, a lifelong Episcopalian dedicated to racial justice and healing. As a white woman, she is particularly concerned with the important work white people need to do in conversation with each other, as part of the larger project of Becoming Beloved Community. Trinity has been committed to offering this curriculum for the past three years and hopes to do so again in the coming year.

NEW MEMBERS WELCOMED “HOME” TO TRINITY

Twice this year we offered “New Member Sunday,” welcoming a total of 42 adults and 16 youth “home” as members. First on Easter Sunday, April 17th and then again on All Saints Day, November 6, both services reminding us that we are a vibrant, growing community eager and ready to draw the circle of love wider and wider still.

ADVENT FILM & FAITH SERIES: LEARNING TO BE

For seven weeks, beginning in November, we gathered, via Zoom, to read and learn about United Methodist Pastor Juanita Rasmus’ journey navigating her way through a significant experience of depression, what she called her “crash.” Our time together offered space for sacred conversations about our own lives. This time was a rich opportunity for self-discovery and deep connection.

SEEING IS BELIEVING: EXPLORING PERCEPTION AND PRAYER WITH PHOTOGRAPHY

During the Saturdays in March, Emily Olson and Sheila Otto invited us to incorporate photography into our daily prayer practice. Each week they introduced tools for mindful photography, cultivating awareness and compassion through the lens of a camera, and how to incorporate the art of prayer into your photography.

Being back in-person this year allowed us to gather for many fun ways of building community including:

• Toledo Mudhens Game Day - held on June 26

• Pop-Up Dinners - in July & August, seven dinners were hosted by various members of the community.

• Blessing of the Animals - October 2 at Middlegrounds Toledo MetroPark blessing 15 of our furry companions.