The Church of the Holy Trinity

Parish Notices, March 7, 2010

Parish Calendar

Nightly
Shelter for the Homeless

Monday Through Friday
3:00 P.M. — Yorkville Arts Academy

Second Sunday in Lent, March 7, 2010
8:00 A.M. — Holy Eucharist (Traditional)
9:30 A.M. — Adult Forum: Lent & Easter Traditions
9:30 A.M. — Sunday School
9:30 A.M. — UP! Urban Parenting
10:30 A.M. — Holy Eucharist
12:30 P.M. — Drum Circle
6:00 P.M. — Holy Eucharist for an Emerging Church

Monday, March 8, 2010
7:00 P.M. — Peace & Restorative Justice Community Planning Session
The mission of Holy Trinity’s Peace & Restorative Justice Community is to walk with the Christ in addressing issues of public policy. Community members encourage, plan and implement parish advocacy and actions, such as education events, petitions, protests, and more. If you care about peace and about restorative justice, please feel welcome.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010
9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. — Child's Play
11:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. — Child's Play
12:30 P.M. — Senior Luncheon
6:30 P.M. — Paint Your Story Class
7:00 P.M. — Yoga Class

Wednesday, March 10, 2010
11:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.— Child's Play
6:30 P.M. — Holy Eucharist
7:00 P.M. — Parish Supper ($5)
7:30 P.M. — Adult Forum: Lent & Easter Traditions

Thursday, March 11, 2010
9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. — Child's Play

Friday, March 12, 2010
6:30 P.M. — Stations of the Cross

Saturday, March 13, 2010
10:00 A.M. — Triangle Theatre Acting Class
12:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. — Thrift Shop
3:30 P.M. — Trinity Choristers Rehearsal
5:15 P.M. — Neighborhood Supper

The Observance of a Holy Lent

Palm Sunday Drummers—You Can Drum!
You are invited to join a group of drummers who will lead Holy Trinity’s Palm Sunday outdoor procession. David Sharma, noted New York City drummer whose talents include playing Indian drums, will rehearse with any interested drummer on Sundays, March 7 and 14, beginning at 12:30 P.M. Everyone is welcome. Each rehearsal will not last more than an hour.

Adult Education
Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome & challenged to grow!
Lent and Easter Practices
Until mid-March, Holy Trinity will continue to explore Lent, Holy Week and Easter practices, customs and liturgies on both Sunday morning at 9:30 A.M. and Wednesday evenings at 7:30 P.M. Come with your questions! So far, participants have learned why Lent lasts 40 days and why Western and Eastern Christianity often celebrate Easter on different days. (In 2010, though, both Easters fall on the same day. Can you say why?)
Baptism in an Interfaith Setting
Then, for the conclusion of Lent, the learning will shift to a reading and discussion of a paper written by the Rev. Michael A. Phillips about baptisms in a multireligious context. He wrote the essay at the request of Bp. Mark Sisk to share with the Liturgical Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. The paper, a reflection piece on a baptism at Holy Trinity last December, raises important issues for the Christian community seeking to live faithfully in a world that has changed, is changing, and will continue to change. The class will run two Sunday mornings, March 14 and 21, then again on Wednesdays evenings, March 17 and 24. If time allows, the group will also look at the Easter Vigil, when the earliest Christians welcomed new members to the faith community through baptism and which is still a traditional time for baptisms.

Returning Prodigals: A Lenten Quiet Day
Saturday, March 20, 9:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
Do you have trouble forgiving? Being forgiven?
A Quiet Day is time set aside for you to deepen your relationship with God. Led by the Rev. K. Jeanne Person, this Quiet Day will focus on themes of repentance and God's forgiveness. The Quiet Day will be divided into morning and afternoon sessions and will include bible study on the story of Prodigal Son in Luke 15, meditations and personal prayer. During the free time, you may pray, read, journal, create art, or simply rest in God’s presence. You are welcome to come for either session, or both. At the noon hour, all shall enjoy a simple vegetarian lunch. To help with planning, please register for the Quiet Day by emailing Jeanne.

Music & Flower Donations
Easter Day, which both honors the reality of human death and celebrates the joys of new life, is traditionally a time when Christians remember loved ones who have died and give thanks for blessings. You can do so in a meaningful way by making a financial gift towards Holy Trinity’s special music and garden flowers. Simply make a check payable to “The Church of the Holy Trinity” and write either “Easter Music” or “Easter Flowers” in the subject line. Then place your gift in a regular Sunday offering envelope, noting the name of your loved one or your thanksgiving. Your prayers will be printed in the Easter Day service leaflets.

Rector's Diary

Northern Exposures
I have always found that getting young people out of their routine setting not only educates and opens them to new experiences, but also helps them mature and take steps toward independence. During the weekend of May 8 and 9, the Trinity Choristers will travel to my former parish, Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, to sing at the principal Sunday service. I have worked this week to put together the details for a successful trip: transportation, housing, meals, music, and sightseeing.
    On Saturday afternoon, the Choristers and I will take the “Walk across the Hudson” on the converted 1888 Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge. At the time it was completed, it was also the longest bridge in the world. It was also the first bridge to cross the Hudson River and was intended to bring attention, traffic and commerce to the Hudson Valley and the City of Poughkeepsie. Instead, trains rushed to the bridge, crossed it, and rushed on, never pausing to benefit the City. In 1973, a fire on the bridge rendered it unsafe for rail traffic. So it stood idle until last year, when a group of visionaries raised funds and gained the rights to install a pedestrian surface. More than 10, 000 people have since walked across the Hudson River, marveling at the views of the Catskills to the north and the Hudson Highlands to the south. In May, the Choristers and I will add to those numbers.
    Meanwhile, for all of the youth of Holy Trinity, a mission trip to Sullivan County is in the planning stages. We will work a service project at one of the three Episcopal churches in the county, visit the D&H Canal and museum, swim, and enjoy another corner of the Diocese.
Michael, March 1 –7, 2010

Outreach

Carpenter's Kids Say Thank You
By your generosity, The Church of the Holy Trinity is in a five-year commitment to support the education of 50 AIDS orphans in Chitelela Parish, Tanzania. Recently, the people of Chitelela Parish sent a thank-you letter to Holy Trinity:
   We greet you in the name of Jesus Christ.
    We are very happy for your wonderful letter that you sent to us. Thank you very much. We thank God that you were happy for our message and we continue to be closely known each other concerning health and other things about the kids. Again thank you very much.
    Kids, committee member, parents and guardians received the letter with a great Joy and they were very happy to hear from you that you are fine. Again we say thank you for receiving the ERD project, it is very important to us and the whole village. It is helping people especially in health for giving them education about health.
    Let us share with you that we have kids who finished standard seven this year. So after the results came few weeks ago, some kids are passing but we didn't get exactly number of the kids that passed exams but we let you know on the next post. We thank you for praying for them.
    God bless you all! Chitelela Parish
    Holy Trinity’s support is given through a program called The Carpenter’s Kids, a diocesan project. For only $56.50 per year—or $4.70 a month—you can provide an AIDS orphan in Tanzania with a school uniform, school supplies for the year, and breakfast every day. Public school in Tanzania is free, but students cannot attend unless they have these basics. For some children, the breakfast provided by Carpenter’s Kids may be their only guaranteed meal each day.
    Holy Trinity encourages you to consider making a gift to Carpenter’s Kids as a Lenten practice. Perhaps you might contribute the financial value of any fasting you are doing—such as giving up sweets—to support Carpenter’s Kids. You may either complete a pledge card available on the information tables or simply write a check payable to “The Church of the Holy Trinity” with “Carpenter’s Kids” written in the subject line. Please also hold the Carpenter’s Kids in your Lenten prayers — the children, teachers, families, and all who work in the program.

Thrift Shop Benefits Neighborhood Center
Shop Holy Trinity first! The Holy Trinity Thrift Shop is open every Saturday from 12:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M., selling casual clothes, coats, shoes, accessories, kitchenware, small furniture items, and more. Volunteers run the shop, and all proceeds support the outreach programs of the Holy Trinity Neighborhood Center. Come bargain hunt, and bring your friends! The Thrift Store accepts donations of clean, gently used clothing, books, and small appliances (please, no computers) during Thrift Shop hours, or during parish office hours.

Community Life

Famous Jules’ Ouefs de Pouffes!
A highlight of Holy Trinity’s Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper & Talent Show was the egg dish prepared by seminarian Jules Jodko. So many of you requested the recipe that we decided to publish it for all. Good eating!
Chili Egg Puff Casserole
Ingredients:
10 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 pint small curd cottage cheese
1/2 cup (1 stick) melted margarine or butter
Two 8-ounce cans green chilies, rinsed, seeded and diced
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound Monterey Jack cheese (or Mexican cheese blend)
Butter a 9 x 13-inch baking dish well. Beat eggs in large bowl with electric mixer until lemon colored. Stir in remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into prepared baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes until firm and golden. Salsa and sour cream on the side is optional. Serves: 10 to 12.

Formation Programs for Adults

Tuesday Senior Luncheon Offers Good Food & Conversation
The Holy Trinity Neighborhood Center offers a Senior Luncheon every Tuesday. All senior citizens, whether parishioners, neighbors, friends, or new friends to be, are invited for a nice hot meal and good conversation. Lunch is served at 12:30 P.M. The cost is just $2.

Tuesday Night Yoga
You are invited to a lively, non-competitive yoga class from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Tuesdays, on the second floor of St. Christopher’s House. Yoga can help you build strength, gain flexibility and cultivate peace of mind. A formally-trained teacher will guide you through Sun Salutations, standing poses, forward bends, twists, relaxation and more. If you’re new to yoga, here’s your chance to give it a try. If you already have a yoga practice, come share and expand it. Classes are appropriate for all levels. So grab your mat and come over! $15 per class. Questions? Please email Liz Poole, or call her, 212-517-5425. If you’ve been laid off, class is free, so you, too, can experience the benefits of yoga.

Tuesday Night Paint Your Story Class
Parishioner Judith Gwyn Brown's paintings and drawings are in the permanent collections of The Metropolitan Museum, The Boston Public Library, and The Morgan Library and in the private collections of Julie Andrews and Mary Higgins Clark. You are welcome to attend Judith's class at Holy Trinity on Tuesday evenings, 6:30 P.M., whether you are a beginning or experienced artist. With questions, please call Judith, 212-288-1599. Bring a pencil and a piece of paper!

Parish Retreat
September 24-26, 2010
Plans are already being made for the 2010 parish retreat to be held at Little Portion Friary, an Anglican Franciscan community in Mount Sinai, New York, on the north shore of Long Island. Led by the Rev. Michael A. Phillips, the retreat will offer you an opportunity to spend some time in the country, get to know others from Holy Trinity, and nurture your spiritual life. Space is limited, so if you wish to reserve your place, or would like to learn more, please email Carol Stevenson.

Formation Programs for Children & Youth

Nets for Life Hope Chests
Nearly one million people die from malaria each year, mostly children younger than five years old. The Nets for Life program of Episcopal Relief & Development combats malaria through the distribution of insecticide-treated sleeping nets in more than 17 African countries. This Lent, the Sunday School mite collection will go towards Nets for Life: Each day, children and families can put a small coin in a Nets for Life Hope Chest. Then, at Easter, bring your Hope Chest offering to church. Hope Chests are available in church and Sunday School classes.

Summer Camp
The Episcopal Diocese of New York has a 700-acre camp, Incarnation Camp, with a pristine mile-long lake, an animal farm, a beautiful chapel, and wonderful grounds. The activities and the leadership at the Camp are on a par with private camps costing three times what Incarnation charges, because the camp is sponsored by generous churches in the Diocese. Incarnation is a values-oriented camp that make chapel services and grace at mealtimes an integral part of the fun. Of course, the 100-foot-water slide and the 60 animals on the farm continue to be wildly popular. The separate camp for teenagers, Pioneer Village, has been celebrated in The New York Times by long-time camp alumni David Brooks. Incarnation is the oldest co-ed camp in the country, and it is only two hours from Manhattan. To learn more about Incarnation Camp, visit visit the camp’s website or call 860-767-0848. You are also welcome to visit the camp and meet Camp Director Karen Fairbairn.

Child's Play
Child's Play at Holy Trinity, the playgroup program for toddlers/babies and their parents and grandparents, is accepting registrations for the Spring Term, January 25, 2010, through June 10, 2010. Playgroups are led by a facilitator and include Circle Time with songs, art, stories, imaginative play with hoops, puppets, parachutes, tunnels, and more! Playgroups are available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., and again on Wednesday, 11:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. The fee for the term is $300 per family, or drop in for $20 a session. With interest and questions, please contact Holly Nedelka, Director, 212-879-2019. You can also visit the Child's Play website.

Choirs

Would You Like to Sing?
Holy Trinity offers choirs for children and adults who enjoy perfecting the parish's praises through music.
The Trinity Choristers, directed by Stephen R. Fraser, comprises singers ages 8-14 and teenage instrumentalists. The young musicians perform a wide repetoire, including Anglican and Gregorian chant, traditional hymnody and contemporary praise music. Through performances, regular rehearsals, special field trips, and regular social activies, the choristers learn the arts of musical performance and reading music, recieve education in music theory, form new and lasting friendships, experience personal enrichment and gain confidence, and develop a commitment and passion for music.  Rehearsals are on Saturday afternoons from 4:30 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. To express interest, please email Stephen, or call him, 212-289-4100, ext. 216.
The Holy Trinity Choir, directed by Dr. Stephen Jon Hamilton, is Holy Trinity's adult choir. The choir sings most Sundays from Homecoming in September to Trinity Sunday and also presents the annual Lessons and Carols service in December, special Holy Week liturgies and the Fauré Requiem on Good Friday. The Holy Trinity Choir rehearses on Sunday mornings begining at 8:45 A.M. in the choir room. Any member of the parish is welcome to audition. To express interest, email Dr. Hamilton, or call him, 212-289-4100, ext. 210.