This Week's SermonThe Rev. David Perkins - Sunday, May 19, 2013

An Interim Period UpdateRecapping Holy Conversations and What Comes Next!

Since Father David Perkins' arrival at Trinity last September, our parish has engaged in a number of prayer-filled programs and initiatives toward a grace-filled interim transition period. The most prominent parish-wide program undertaken to date was Holy Conversations, which incorporated a series of guided sessions led by clergy and volunteers over the course of 5 Sundays, attended by an average of 70 parishioners each week. Holy Conversations, a program also known as "Strategic Planning as a Spiritual Practice for Congregations," kick off our envisioning of a plan for the future which encompasses our history, our present, our joys, beliefs, hurts, concerns and most importantly our hopes. The data gathered from the Holy Conversations is currently being analyzed, and the vestry expects to receive findings at its May and June meetings. Vestry will then begin discerning based on Holy Conversations what programs, events, and strategies should be undertaken for the congregation's future.

We will soon move into a broader process of self-study, which will include a parish-wide survey and focus groups. The types of information gathered in the survey and focus groups will include parishioner views on Trinity's current mission, goals for the future, worship style, programming desires, and parish demographics, among other topics. The process is led by a Self-Study and Discernment Committee (formerly known as a Profile Committee) formed by the vestry from parishioners. The Self-Study and Discernment Committee is guided in its work by a Transition Consultant selected from a diocesan-approved list. All Trinity members are encouraged to participate as fully as possible in the coming phases of discernment and self-study -- they are crucial to our parish future.

Friendly Drivers Wanted for A New MinistryIt's the Trinity Health Taxi!

We are creating a list of Trinity parishioners who have the time to give a Trinity friend a ride to and from their medical appointments. This commitment may require only one or two days a month of your time. If you are interested in being a driver, please sign up today in the rear of the church or via email at jkny1@yahoo.com. Once signed up, Jim Kelly will contact you about an initial planning meeting.

Saturday Beach Mass Is Back!Beginning Saturday, May 25M

It's that time of year again! Our much beloved "Service on the Sand" 5 PM Eucharist/Mass will be starting up again on Saturday, May 25. We gather on the sand at the northernmost end of Asbury's boardwalk in front of Asbury Tower. Bring your beach chair or towel. There are some benches on the boardwalk as well. If inclement weather, our Service on the Sand is moved to the church. A notice will be placed on the parish answering machine and website by 4 PM.

Deacon Gail Out on Medical Leave

Deacon Gail will be having surgery on her back this week. This is a significant surgery that will take some time to heal. She will be out on medical leave for several weeks. If you have a pastoral emergency, you can continue to call Fr. David who will be working with Pastor Lucille to make sure everyone is taken care of! You may reach out to Deacon Gail with cards of support and well-wishes at: 803 Prospect Ave., Spring Lake Heights, NJ 07762

Welcome Weekend!May 25 and Trinity Sunday, May 26

What a great way to celebrate Trinity Sunday! If you have come to see Trinity as your parish home, we hope you will give us the opportunity to welcome you as a member of our parish family! We will be welcoming new members at all three weekend Masses/Eucharists on May 25 and 26. Which also happens to be Trinity Sunday! This is an opportunity for you to come forward and formally be recognized as a member of Trinity Church. What is required to be a member of Trinity or any Episcopal Church? 1) Baptism and 2) A desire to be a part of this congregation in regular worship and support. Just sit anywhere you like and come forward at the appointed time. For more information, speak to any of our clergy. We're glad you're here!

Join Our Weekly Bible Study!Wednesdays at 7PM

Our Trinity Bible Study is meeting weekly on Wednesdays at 7pm after the 6:30 mass. We are a "user friendly" group of people who are looking to grow! Come join us and together we will enjoy looking into the Gospel and other scriptures. In Jesus and the Holy Spirit we find wonderful relevance for our lives today. Please feel welcome to come join us on any Wednesday for a fun time of fellowship and sharing. Refreshments always provided!

Vestry Meeting NoticeSaturday, May 18 at 10:00 AM

The next scheduled Trinity vestry meeting will be Saturday, May 18 at 10:00 AM. All are welcome to hear and view the work of your elected leaders. There will be time allotted in the New Business section for parishioner participation and questions from the floor.

Our Choristers Went to Hartford!

Diane Caruso, Louise Huber, and Russ Boulet brought our choristers to sing Evensong at Trinity Episcopal Church in Hartford, CT earlier this month- here's a fun video of how well they did! Thank you Mr. Russ, Ms. Louise, and Ms. Diane for all your hard work with our kiddos! If you'd like to volunteer with our Choristers, we could use you! Let us know!

Book StudySunday Mornings at 9 AM

Fr. David and Pastor Katherine will lead a book study every Sunday, at 9 AM. The book is entitled Listening Hearts: Discerning Call in Community (Morehouse Publishers). How can you know whether God might be calling you to volunteer in the food pantry or to take a different job? This little book was written to address those kinds of tough discernment decisions. Join us in the conference room beneath the gym/parish hall and we'll explore that question together. See you there!

Donate to Trinity Choristers Piano Scholarship Fund The Easy Way!

It can't get any easier to donate to our chorister's piano scholarship fund than through these two websites: 1. GoodSearch.com - We are a registered charity: Trinity Choristers Piano Scholarship Fund. You can use their search engine, GoodSearch, their shop, GoodShop.com, or their restaurant program, GoodDining.com, and we get a percentage each time you use them! There are no additional fees to use any of these programs. 2. Igive.com - another donation website, where any online shopping you do (you register, choose us, and then go through their site first to the shopping site you want) means the participating merchant gives us a percentage. Donate to our piano scholarship fund by doing what you usually do: search, eat and shop! It's that easy! We've already earned enough to cover 3 1/2 lessons for a piano student - will you help us get more? Look us up on GoodSearch.com and Igive.com!

Youth Group Meets Every Wednesday Night

See you this Wednesday at 6 PM!

Giving Flowers and Candles

If you would like to give the altar candles or flowers used during the weekend Masses in thanksgiving or in memory of a loved one, please contact the church office. It's a wonderful way to celebrate a special event or person in your life! Donation is $50 for flowers and $10 for candles.

Food Pantry Needs Bring to the church

The success of our Last Resort Food Pantry depends on your support! Click here to find out what is needed.

E-newsletter Saving paper and keeping informed

If you are not receiving the email newsletter, sign up by clicking here. It is becoming the main way we are keeping the parish informed of special announcements, reminders and upcoming events/programs.