Newsletter

What a wonderful celebration we had on October 23^rd! Even though it was a Thursday evening (with homework to be done and work in the morning) many members of the Trinity family came together to acknowledge this new phase in our life as priest and people as I transition from Priest in Charge to Rector. Bishop Cederholm was with us to lead our worship; the new choir from the Esperanza School joined our choir to offer glorious music; the new children’s bell choir performed for the first time; and our teen and adult bell choir played beautifully. One of the highlights of the service for me was the presentation of symbols of our ministries and our commitment to continuing these efforts together:

Governance and Administration - including the Pre-School, the stewardship of our financial and property resources, and communications;

Worship - the Altar Guild, Acolytes, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Musicians, Ushers, Greeters, and the Newcomers Commission;

Pastoral Ministries – Prayer Shawls, Eucharistic Visitors, Befrienders, and the Intercessory Prayer Group;

Christian Education – Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Journey to Adulthood, and Adult Education;

Fellowship – Parish Life Commission;

Mission; and Outreach – Sew to Go/Zimbabwe, Haven from Hunger/Salem Mission, Refugee Immigration Ministry, Plowshares, and the CROP Walk.

What a wonderful ‘snapshot’ of our life and work as a Christian community! I hope you found your ministry celebrated among all of these – or that you began to sense a call to one or more of these opportunities to serve God in and through Trinity Parish.

I am excited about our continuing life together and am honored to serve among you. Thank you for the service of Renewal of Ministry and Welcoming a New Rector, and, most importantly, for your part in our life in community.

Faithfully,

Introduction to Communion for Children

Is your child baptized but not yet receiving communion? Is your child receiving communion but you would like them to know a little more about it? An Introduction to Communion will be offered by the Rev. Jo Barrett on November 16 at 3:30 p.m. This brief class (usually 45 minutes – 1 hour) offers the opportunity for children AND AT LEAST ONE ADULT to learn about the altar as it is set for communion, what we are doing when we celebrate the Holy Eucharist, and how we receive the bread and wine. Please contact the parish office (978-887-5570 or trinity.episcopalchurch@verizon.net) to reserve one or more spots. Children should be at least 4 years old. If you have questions, please speak with Jo. If you would like attend but cannot on the 16^th, speak to Jo about meeting privately with you and your child.

Christmas Pageant rehearsals

The Christmas Pageant is coming! The Christmas Pageant will be offered at the 10:30 service on December 21^st. There are plenty of speaking and non-speaking parts – parts in front of the ‘audience’ and parts behind the scenes. A new pageant was chosen by members of the parish during ‘Christmas in July’ so we will need to make sure that we have all the necessary costumes and scenery. Copies of the new script will be available on November 9^th, with sign-ups and the first rehearsal at noon on November 16. Please sign up to help with the pageant and on rehearsal Sundays (with lunch and supervision) on the sheets in the parish hall.

The Rev. Jo Barrett celebrates Holy Communion in the Brooksby Chapel on first Thursdays of the month at 11:30 a.m. and at Masconomet Health Center in the lounge on 3^rd Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Please come to worship and/or to assist with the service. Speak to Jo for further information or to volunteer.

The Pentecost season ends on November 23 and the new church year begins with the first Sunday in Advent on November 30^th. Come make an Advent wreath for your home at 9:30 a.m. or after the 10:30 service. Bring your own wreath form or purchase one when you come. Information for home celebrations during the Advent season will also be available.

Each year representatives of all the parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts meet in legislative session. We consider our annual budget, hear about programs and projects in the diocese, consider pieces of legislation, and meet some of our national or international partners. This year’s convention will be November 7-8 in Hyannis. Members of the Diocese of Jerusalem will be attending the convention. Our lay delegates are Aileen Waite and Deb Strainge; our clerical delegate is Jo Barrett. Reports from convention will be offered at both services on November 16^th.

The Bailout Plan failed to pass the House, but the Rescue Plan passed, and in Congress’ inimitable way, the Rescue plan included about 400 additional pages of text. Well, if Congress is giving away 400 extra pages of benefits, isn’t it nice that TRINITY can benefit. Read on:

One of the additions extended for 2008 and 2009 the provision allowing DIRECT CONTRIBUTIONS TO CHARITIES FROM IRA’S. If you are over 70 ½ you may safely direct your financial institution to send a check to Trinity in any amount up to $100,000. This amount will count toward your Minimum Required Distribution, but it will NOT be included in your gross income. This is GREAT NEWS, especially for some who would lose part of their itemized deductions and personal-exemption amounts if their adjusted gross income exceeds certain limits.

IN ADDITION, the BONUS, for the past two years, was that Massachusetts followed the lead of the Federal government in not including the contribution in income, thus saving on your Massachusetts income tax. (You know, of course, Massachusetts does not allow a deduction for a regular charitable deduction.) I will let you know as soon as I hear whether Massachusetts will again follow suit, but I think it is extremely likely, despite the current economic situation.

Please consider making a direct contribution to Trinity from your IRA. This method of giving can save you in taxes at both the Federal and probably state level – and you can give more because you save in taxes.

One of the wonderful things that make a liturgical service especially meaningful is when we all join together in communal singing. The act of letting our voices raise together in praise to God reminds us that we are community. Yet sometimes, we feel that singing is impossible, because we don't know or are unfamiliar with the hymns! If you've felt this way - help is here! For the next several weeks, if you would like to come into the sanctuary at 10:15, the choir will be singing through the hymns, and you are welcome to either sit in the pews and listen, or even come up and learn the hymns right along with the choir.

Our bell choirs are growing... but we still have a couple of openings. For those that are 12 years old or older, rehearsal is on Thursdays from 6-7. The younger folk practice from 5-5:45, also on Thursday. We are currently preparing music to offer in November, and will shortly begin our Christmas music. This is a perfect time to join us!

As our bell choir has grown, we have acquired new tables and foam, and now I would like to ask if anyone who sews would be willing to help redesign, and re-sew our formal table covering for our (relatively new) table configuration. The covering, lovingly made by Ruth Butler several years ago is in wonderful shape, but doesn't fit our current tables.

Speaking of bells, we are in desperate need of a new name for our newest choir. Sure, it is a beginning bell choir, but it is so much more than that. We learn about community, about music theory, about exercising our brains, and our bodies... Someone suggested the "Chimettes"- but that was vetoed by our 5th graders. If you can help out, it would be so wonderful...

Can you spare 14 hours? This is what it would take - over the course of the next 2 months (commuting time not included!)- to join the choir to rehearse and prepare for Christmas. Rehearsals for all choirs are on-going, but we start learning music for Christmas (both Christmas Eve and the pageant) the first week of November. We would love to have more people - particularly singers - join us for a seasonal commitment. Also, if you play an instrument (string, brass, woodwind...), we would love to have you share your talent and enrich the liturgy.

Any questions? Please contact our Music Minister: Katherine Carlson, email katherine.e.carlson@verizon.net, phone 978 887-5570.

Level I
These 3 – 6 year olds are off to a good start learning correct atrium behavior, including how to handle and take care of the material they work with. They have been learning the names of items on the altar and how an altar is set up. They are also working on geography of the land of Israel in preparation for the upcoming lessons of Advent.

Level II
These children, who are in grades 1-3, have been reviewing the items on the altar and beginning work on the Bible. This group enjoys their time around the prayer table where the children decide the format and content and they take turns leading and participating.

Level III
This older group meets from 9:30 – 10:15 so that they can attend, and if desired, participate in the entire 10:30 service. In class they have been working on their journals and reviewing material from last year.

We could use more volunteers in each atrium so that every adult gets the opportunity to participate in other Sunday morning activities. If you are willing to be part of a team, or would like more information, please contact Margie Coolidge at 978-352-6255.

The Journey to Adulthood is a six-year, three-segment Christian formation program for young people in grades 6 through 12.

Visitors and newcomers are always welcome. For more program information, contact Denise Aldridge at 978-352-7678.

Rite-13 Leaders: Melissa Peirce (978-887-7288) or Leslie Quigley (978-887-1356/ lesquigley@comcast.net)

Rent-A-Teem—Rent a team of teens—is underway. A $50 donation will get you a team of at least 2 teens for 3 hours. Rent-A-Teem brochures are available in the parish hall on the center bulletin board. Simply fill out the menu of services and your contact information and drop the completed form into the Denise Aldridge’s mailbox in the office. You will be contacted to arrange for your Teem. Proceeds from this fundraiser will support the 2009 Teen Pilgrimage to Seattle, WA.

Thank you for all of your support of this fundraiser. We are doing our best to get the jobs scheduled. Questions about this fundraiser, call Rachel at 352-7678.

The six sophomores and juniors who make up our J2A class are working very hard to get themselves ready for pilgrimage. They have completed two fundraisers so far and are currently offering Rent-A-Teem services.

On Sunday mornings, their lessons are geared toward teaching the six skills of active listening, negotiation, assertion, research and information management, partnership, and leadership, that they will need not only for the pilgrimage, but also for adulthood!

You’re invited to pray the following prayer for our pilgrims as they prepare for their journey:

Education is a part of every Christian’s life, no matter their age. All adults are welcome to participate in the weekly adult education program at 9:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall. If you have questions about a particular topic or have a suggestion for a future topic, please contact the Rev. Jo Barrett

November 2 Questions and Discussion after our special presentation on Islam; then

November 9 and 16 Book discussion with Malcolm and Debbie Coates of Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder (see below for more information)

December 7 Art and Scripture: the Christmas Story – Meg Black and Jo Barrett

December 14 Art and Scripture: the Christmas Story – Meg Black and Jo Barrett

Notice of our first Adult Ed book discussion Sunday, 9:30am on 11/9/08 & 11/16/08

Grab a cup of coffee and join Malcolm and Debbie Coates in a lively discussion of this inspiring story: At the center of Mountains Beyond Mountains stands Paul Farmer; Doctor, Harvard professor, renowned infectious-disease specialist, anthropologist, the recipient of a MacArthur "genius" grant, world-class Robin Hood. Farmer was brought up in a bus and on a boat, and in medical school found his life’s calling: to diagnose and cure infectious diseases and to bring the lifesaving tools of modern medicine to those who need them most. This magnificent book shows how radical change can be fostered in situations that seem insurmountable, and it also shows how a meaningful life can be created, as Farmer—brilliant, charismatic, charming, both a leader in international health and a doctor who finds time to make house calls in Boston and the mountains of Haiti—blasts through convention to get results.

Mountains Beyond Mountains takes us from Harvard to Haiti, Peru, Cuba, and

Russia

as Farmer changes minds and practices through his dedication to the philosophy that "the only real nation is humanity" - a philosophy that is embodied in the small public charity he founded, Partners In Health. He enlists the help of the Gates Foundation, George Soros, the U.N.’s World Health Organization, and others in his quest to cure the world. At the heart of this book is the example of a life based on hope, and on an understanding of the truth of the Haitian proverb "Beyond mountains there are mountains": as you solve one problem, another problem presents itself, and so you go on and try to solve that one too.

We are always in need of coffee hour hosts after our two services at Trinity. There is a sign-up sheet in the hall. If you need help, a Parish Life

member would love to assist you. Brad makes a few wonderful pots of coffee for us, therefore goodies and cream are really all that is needed. We want to thank everyone who helps with this important social part of our Sunday.

The Trinity Kitchen needs some serious updating! Our Parish Life Group really wants to do some fundraising. A new dishwasher is our first goal. We are having a bake sale on Sunday, November 23^rd after both services. We ask that you help us by bringing something to donate and buying something special to take home. We are a parish of great bakers and should be able to create quite a variety of yummy goods. Thank you in advance for your support.

Parish Life is looking for new members to join our group. There is lots of room in our group for new ideas, workers, and part-time commitment. The Parish Life group meets the first Tuesday of every month at Trinity at 7:00 p.m. Please feel free to join us. For anyone who does join our group this year (good till January 1, 2009) you will receive your choice of a new boat or a new car. A winning choice all the time. (Hee, hee, just joking!)

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 4 at 7:00 p.m. And, yes, we will be home in time for the election results.

Do you have a college student who would like a ‘care package’ before exams in December? If so, please give his or her full name and address (be sure it is the address for packages) to the parish office. We will prepare and ship the packages at the end of November so give us the information soon!

Our second annual CROP Walk to fight hunger and poverty was held on Sunday, October 26. A rainy morning turned into a glorious afternoon for the walk. The walk supports local programs (The Salem Mission and Refugee Immigration Ministry) as well as Church World Service’s national and international projects. Nearly 40 people walked, 25 of whom had sponsors and raised money. Preliminary results are in – we raised almost $4,000! Many thanks to H.T. Berry Company which sponsored the water & snack stations; Bob Mullaney, Pam McKay, and Michael McKay, who helped organize the walk; Aileen Waite, Jean Snyder, and Ruth Bersin who helped on the day of the walk; and Junior Girl Scout Troop #281 who worked at the water & snack stations. And many thanks for the fruit, water, and ice cream cones when the walkers returned to the church!

African Team Ministries connects African artisans and crafts people with churches in the

United States

to offer beautiful, hand-made items. The sale of these items supports ATM projects throughout Africa. You can shop on Sunday November 9^th or the 16^th between the services and after the 10:30. Are you available to coordinate the sale days? (This would involve laying items out on the tables and being present to sell them.) Please contact Jo Barrett.

Collecting Winter Coats During the Month of November at Trinity Preschool/Trinity Episcopal Church in Topsfield

Low-income families often have to choose between food on their tables and warm coats on their children. The coats always lose out. Contribute today and make a difference in the life of a family in need. Bring a coat to the Community Giving Tree box at Trinity in November. www.communitygivingtree.org

Concerned about the recent economic news? Imagine what that news means to those already living on the edge. The nation's food pantries are being stretched beyond capacity. Please help the food pantries by bringing a protein-rich item, such as tuna, hash, baked beans, beef stews, etc. to drop in the narthex kiosk. We will see that it gets to the pantries quickly!

We're told in the gospel that 'a little child will lead them' -- Jesus reminds us that it is often our children who show us ways to serve. Several weeks ago the annual dinner and auction was held to benefit Esperanza Academy. We all know that we're living in tough economic times--and like all places that depend on donations to survive, Esperanza will need to continue to look for additional help from us--small ways to fill the gap between operating costs and gifts.

That's where this story fits. A conversation with Tracy Berenson, our resident Topsfield librarian, who has made gifts of books to the school in the last two years, revealed an idea her daughter, Margaret, came up with. Margaret will soon have a birthday--and because she has been made aware of the needs at Esperanza, she has decided to make her birthday party a gift to the school. The guests to her party will bring her a check for the amount they would have spent on a gift to her-- made out to Esperanza Academy! And the circle of giving and awareness widens. Not only will her friends be made aware of 'our' school in Lawrence for deserving Latinas, but they will have a model of giving to ponder as they celebrate birthdays or special events. How many of us, as a special event like Christmas, Mother's Day, or a birthday approaches, say-'I really don't need one more thing, please consider making a gift in my name to the charity of your choice.' Now, more than ever, those words can help make a difference to places who serve those who have needs far greater than ours.

We thought you'd like to hear about Margaret's choice--maybe tell her the next time you see her what a great idea it is. And, even more important, follow her lead.

"Voting as Stewardship"

Courtesy Episcopal Life Online An Election Day message from Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori

As Election Day approaches, I want to remind you that our democracy gives us the opportunity to speak urgently about the many issues and challenges confronting our nation and the world. I would encourage every eligible voter to prayerfully consider the choices before us and commit to using the political process to seek solutions to our society’s most intractable problems. As part of our baptismal vows we commit “to strive for justice and peace among all people” and “respect the dignity of every human being.” As you prepare to vote, I urge you to consider how the Reign of God – a just society – particularly as explicated by the Hebrew prophets and by Jesus, can be made real in our own day.

Our baptismal ministry calls us to transform our communities into something that looks more like that Reign of God. That is our part in God’s mission. We are sent and commissioned to build a society where all have adequate access to health care, where the weakest are protected and God’s creation safeguarded, and where each person has access to the blessings of life. That work requires committed engagement in the civic life of our nation if we seek to make God’s dream more effectively real and complete in this world.

As caretakers and stewards of all of God’s creation, each one of us is responsible for the flourishing of the rest of the human family. As in all elections, on 4 November we have the opportunity to continue working to reconcile and heal the world. I urge every citizen to use this opportunity to motivate our government to respond to, and participate in, building the Reign of God. We prepare the ground for the possibility of more abundant life through our part in the ministry of governance.

Voting and political participation are acts of Christian stewardship, in which citizens can engage in a common conversation about the future of our nation and the world. I urge you to exercise your right to vote, and to encourage and help others to do so as well.

We have all settled into our school routine now and feel lucky to have such prepared and talented teachers and students alike. The children are happy to come to school and can be seen fully engaged into their ‘work’ throughout the day. The teaching staff will be attending workshops over the next couple of months on Curriculum Development that supports the State’s Early Childhood Program Standards as well as workshops on strengthening social skills and pre-writing skills in young children. We are also required to stay certified in CPR and First Aid.

October was a busy month with Apple Orchard fieldtrips for our 4-year-old classes. The Five-Year-Old Class has been busy working on their Early American/Harvest mural that will be displayed at the Wenham Museum during the month of November! All the classes started their Music Enrichment classes with Peter Stewart and Dara VanMoortel and the Threes’ started movement with Miss Peggy. The Fives’ are also taking a yoga class monthly for relaxation, core strength and focus. We have not tried yoga before so this is our first trial run but they do seem to love it.

We always look forward to Parents’ Night that took place on Oct. 22^nd. The evening gives the teachers a chance to ‘show off’ their classrooms and explain their curriculum and schedule to the parents without the students being there to take over the spotlight. We’re proud of our technological advancements this year using Power Point presentations….We had to let go of the good 'ol slide show'! We also anticipate a joyful day with parents and students on our Thanksgiving Feasts held the week of Thanksgiving.

Our Parent Group has already been busy at work and held the “1^st Annual Trinity 5K Fundraiser Walk” on Oct. 19^th. It was a beautiful day to walk ‘the loop’ with parents, students, teachers and all sorts of transportation vehicles (i.e. strollers, bikes, wagons, scooters, shoulders, etc.). They raised $500. for the Preschool Enrichment Programs. They have also set the date of April 4, 2009 for the Auction/Dance fundraiser.

I continue to celebrate the Installation of Jo – What a joyful ceremony and a feeling of being grounded knowing she is at the helm! Congratulations to Jo and everyone who made the ceremony so meaningful.

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Help the Earth – Help People in Need at the Same Time!

Bring your paper for recycling to Trinity Church!

Proceeds from the green and yellow ‘Paper Retriever’ box support

environmental and outreach programs!

Please bring your paper for recycling to the Green & Yellow Paper Retriever Bin at

124 River Road (near the corner of Washington Street) in Topsfield!

Accepted Items: Items NOT Accepted:

Newspaper No Cardboard

Magazines No Cereal or Soda Cartons

Shopping Catalogs No Food Wrap or Containers

Junk Mail No Tissue Products

Office & School Papers No Telephone Books

Envelopes – with or No Plastic

without Windows

Paperback Books No Glass

Hardcover Books if the Cover Is Removed

Shredded Paper -

pierce the clear plastic bag to let the air out!

For every ton we recycle with the Paper Retriever Program we not only earn money for important Environmental and Outreach Programs, we also: