A Message f rom Our Rector , Fr . Kevin M. Cross

The Church of the Holy Trini ty An Episcopal Church

Augus t 2016

VOLUME 9 ISSUE 07

LONG DAYS OF SUMMER

I recently came across the following true story that I want

to share with you. It is called THE MAYONNAISE JAR...AND

COFFEE By Laura Bankston

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,

when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the

mayonnaise jar...and the coffee...

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had

some items in front of him. When the class began,

wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty

mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He

then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed

that it was.

So the professor then picked

up a box of pebbles and

poured them into the jar. He

shook the jar lightly. The

pebbles rolled into the open

areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students

again if the jar was full. They

agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a

box of sand and poured it into

the jar. Of course, the sand

filled up everything else. He

asked once more if the jar was full. The students

responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from

under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar,

effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The

students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, " I

want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The

golf balls are the important things — your God, your family,

your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite

passions — things that if everything else was lost and only

they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are

the other things that matter like your job, your house, and

your car. The sand is everything else — the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there

is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes

for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small

stuff, you will never have room for the things that are

important to you. Pay attention to the things that are

critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take

time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to

dinner. Play another 18 holes. There will always be time to

clean the house and fix the disposal." Take care of the golf

balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities.

The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand

and inquired what the coffee

represented.

The professor smiled. "I'm glad you

asked. It just goes to show you that no

matter how full your life may seem,

there's always room for a couple of cups

of coffee with a friend."

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning

Publications. All rights reserved.

During these long days of summer let us

remember that even our Savior Jesus

created the time to enjoy life with his friends. He took

Sabbath time to rest, pray, and refresh himself. Many of

Jesus’ teachings about what is important in life occurred

around the dinner table. Let us all take time this summer

to enjoy life, count our blessings and share friendship and

love with family, friends and those who are the friends we

have not yet met. God’s desire is that all of his children find

love and enjoy life.

- Father Kevin

Lifeline

Page 2 LIFELINE

CHEERS

and

APPRECIATION

The Talbot County Garden Club

for their generous grant to rebuild our bell tower and

for their dedication to caring for God’s good earth.

To Mike and Barbara Sheridan for their gift to fund

the restoration of the Parish Hall door windows. Not

only has their generosity greatly improved the

appearance of the hall entryway but this restoration

also will improve our energy efficiency.

To the Altar Guild for their dedication to caring for

our sanctuary and support of our special services.

Cora Bruner for putting together a marvelous concert

with Thomas Beard and Friends and for enhancing

our summer worship services with inspirational

music.

Rich Wagner, Bob Kelly and Simon Arnstein for

shepherding along the installation of our new A/V

system. This new capability will not only enhance

our educational capabilities but also expands our

pastoral reach.

Rich Wagner for overseeing the painting of the parish

hall and church door and the caulking and painting

of the parish hall windows. You have us looking

good!

The Daughters of the King for offering healing prayer

at our monthly healing services.

Joe Fischer, Ray Munsch & David Urbani for their

time and diligent efforts conducting our 2016 Audit.

With gratitude and appreciation ----

- Fr. Kevin

SENIOR WARDEN’S LETTER

Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. It’s hot,

humid and hazy; it must be Oxford. We love it: TAYC’s

sailing camp dinghies flitting around on the River; kids

splashing in pools everywhere; Jenny’s Kamp Kids biking,

boarding, strolling and chatting every place you look. It’s

a great time to live in our village.

And a great time to be part of the Holy Trinity community.

Many thanks to Kevin and Barbara, the Vestry and all the

committee members and volunteers, who make this

place and our church so very special.

Despite the lazy, hazy, crazy days, the life and activities at

Holy Trinity continue uninterrupted. Unlike other

communities that slow down in the summer, many of our

Parishioners arrive in the spring and depart in the fall.

So, while the year-round Parishioners may take a break,

the “snow birds” keep our faith community vibrant. Stay

faithful; stay involved.

Recently, our Vestry recognized that the three-year term

limits result in turnover of one-third of our Vestry every

year. In the process, “institutional memory” occasionally

is lost. Consequently, the Vestry has proposed an

amendment to the Bylaws, to be decided at the next

Annual Meeting, to create the non-voting position of

“Vestry emeritus,” which will allow for a former Vestry

member to serve annually to provide that “institutional

memory.”

And who better to choose at this time than “Big Al”

Smith? We are eternally grateful to Al for all he has done

for Holy Trinity in the past and now his willingness to

attend Vestry meetings and provide us with the benefit of

his historical perspective. Please thank Al for his

continued support and service to our Parish.

So…enjoy these lazy, hazy, crazy days, but continue your

attendance at services and remain involved in mission

and support of our community, without interruption. All

the best for summer 2016.

- Gordon Fronk

STEWARDSHIP QUOTE

The parable of the rich fool is clear: life's abundance does not consist in possessions. Those who "store up

treasures for themselves" (v. 21) become victims of anxiety, always wondering if they have enough.

Real security is found — and the true richness of life experienced — not in guarding what we have but in giving what

we can.

"Abundance" is not a private possession but a shared experience.

Page 3 LIFELINE

Mission & Outreach

IT’S TIME TO LISTEN

The last time Holy Trinity held Appreciative Listening

sessions was in 2012 and Father Kevin and the Vestry

have decided it’s time to do it again.

Our question this time around is “what are your three

wishes for this parish?”.

To participate, please sign up on the sheet in the parish

house and Brooke Myers will get in touch to schedule a

session at a mutually convenient time. Carole Abruzzese

will also be conducting sessions.

We’re eager to hear from you and hope for broad

participation from the parish so please sign up! Thanks.

- Brooke Myers & Carole Abruzzese

TREASURER’S REPORT

Below is a summary of the financial results for the first

six months of 2016. Operating Income exceeded budg-

eted income by $795--a favorable variance. Operating

Expense was under budget by $8,383-a favorable vari-

ance. About half of this variance was due to savings in

fuel costs. The remainder is due to the timing of ex-

penses and may be reversed in future months. The Op-

erating Surplus showed a favorable variance of $9,147.

We have not yet had any expenses for capital projects;

these will be occurring in the next several months. I

expect that the net surplus, after subtracting capital

projects not funded by other gifts, will result in a nega-

tive net surplus for the year.

- Marshall Blume

Operating Account Actual Budget Variance

YTD Financial

Summary

June 2016

Income 158,820 158,025 795 Favorable

Expense 139,012 147,394 -8,333 Unfavorable

Operating Surplus 19,808 10,631 9,178 Favorable

Unfunded Capital Projects 0

Net Surplus 19,808

NEW MEMBER RECEPTION

We are joyful for all the new parishioners who are

attending Holy Trinity. You may ask “What does it take

to become a member?” The answer is simple: “a desire

to join our community, attend

worship services and/or our

many service and educational

activities.” If you are amongst

this group, and have not filled

out a yellow member card,

please do so. These cards help

us identify your communication

interests and preference and

can be found at the back of the

church and also on the reception

desk in the parish hall. Or, you

may call the parish office at 410-

226-5134.

On September 18th at 3 pm we

will host a new member reception and want to be sure

we don’t miss inviting anyone. Even if you attended Holy

Trinity long ago and recently rejoined us, we would love

to have you attend our reception so we can properly

welcome you back.

BUDGET PLANNING

& STEWARDSHIP

Your Finance committee will prepare a preliminary 2017

budget in August. If your committee has any budget re-

quests, please submit that information to Marshall

Blume or Fr. Kevin by Friday, August 12. Our Steward-

ship campaign will begin shortly after the preliminary

budget is determined. It is our desire that you have the

budget projection information in hand to assist with

making your 2017 pledge decisions. With a grateful

heart we thank you for your commitment and generosity.

LIFELINE Page 4

THE LORDS’ PRAYER from the

NEW ZEALAND

BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER

In my recent sermon on the Lord’s Prayer from the Gospel

of Luke, I mentioned the inspiring alternate version of it

printed in the Anglican Church of New Zealand Book of

Common Prayer. The translator(s) of this version

attempted to capture the tradition and spirit of the native

peoples of that part of the world in these words. I have

found this prayer to help me hear our version of the

Lord’s Prayer with new ears. I hope you find that so as

well. It is a beautiful prayer.

Eternal Spirit,

Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,

Source of all that is and that shall be,

Father and Mother of us all,

Loving God,

in whom is heaven:

The hallowing of your name

echoes through the universe!

The way of your justice

be followed by the peoples of the world!

Your heavenly will

be done by created beings!

Your commonwealth of peace and freedom

sustain our hope and come on earth.

With the bread we need for today,

feed us.

In the hurts we absorb from one another,

us.

In times of temptation and test,

strengthen us.

From trials too great to endure,

spare us.

From the grip of all that is evil,

free us.

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,

now for ever. Amen ,

MUSIC IN AUGUST

August 7—9:30 am Service

Chamber Music with Lisa Fatica & Carey Miller

Holy Trinity Choir

August 14—8:00 am & 10:30 am

David Hasek, Guest Organist

August 21—8:00 am Service

Holy Trinity Choir

10:30 am Service

Melissa Slacum, Soprano

August 28—8:00 am & 10:30 am

David Hasek, Guest Organist

You are Invited!

To sing with the Holy Trinity Choir

Sunday, September 4th

8:45 am Rehearsal

9:30 am Service

Easy music!

Come as you are!! NO Robes!

FELLOWSHIP

The Fellowship Committee would like to thank Sally Fronk,

Martha Britt, Gary Marquardt, Sara Wangsness, Brooke

Myers, and Deirdre Lang for hosting coffee hours in

June. We are in need of hosts for August so please

consider hosting. The sign up sheet is in the Parish Hall.

Please contact Kathy Becker (410-476-3502) for

information about how you can help.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY

Women’s Bible Study will resume on Monday, September

19 at 9:30 am in the Parish House. We will resume our

study of “Evangelism” with Lesson 5 of the 12-part series.

If you would like to join the group, please contact Mary

Ann Hensinger, 410-463-0405 by August 20 so that a

study guide can be ordered for you.

Page 5 LIFELINE

SPIRITUAL GROWTH & FELLOWSHIP

HOLY TRINITY MILESTONES

Marriages

Katherine JoAnn Begor and Jonathan Philip Williams

Passed On

Elaine Mulholland

Maria Margaret Gannon Nimmo

Francesca Stencil

Cyrus Porter Smith

THE ONES

The Episcopal

Churches in

Talbot County

have begun to

work together

to share

resources and

events. A new social group has formed for single,

divorced, widowed or married Talbot Cluster parishioners

and their friends, who find themselves on their own for

social engagements. "TheOnes", meet the last

Wednesday of the month, for varied two-hour social

activities in Talbot County.

You may view photos of all ONES events, located on their

Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/

TheOnesTalbotCounty/. For more information,

transportation requests, or to be placed on TheOnes

email list, contact Lori Ramsey at Christ Church St.

Michaels via email at lsramsey@gmail.com or call 410-

745-9076.

HELP WANTED: ECW is looking for someone to be Publicity Chair for the Christmas Bazaar. This is

an opportunity to help from home with a phone or computer. Please consider helping to make our

Christmas Bazaar successful again this year. If interested contact Sara Wangsness 410-226-5017

or swangsness100@yahoo.com or Sally Fronk 410-226-1044 or sfronk@atlanticbb.net.

THOMAS BEARD & FRIENDS

Holy Trinity hosted a marvelous concert on July 23.

Music Director Cora Bruner put together an engaging and

fun program of classical, traditional spiritual, and show

tunes. We welcomed back our good friend, opera singer

Thomas Beard and added in the talents of pianist,

Martha Britt, clarinetist Lisa Fatica, powerhouse soprano

Gail Aveson and the wonderful keyboard talents of Cora.

A packed house delighted in the diverse musical

selections and absolutely top flight talent.

Our next schedule concert will be held at 7 pm on

October 28 with the talented organist, Tedde Gibson.

Tedde is one of today’s most innovative, improvisational

organists and recording artists. He will present an

eclectic concert of jazz, gospel, silent movie and

traditional Church music on our fantastic Visser Roland

tracker pipe organ. Put this one in your calendar now!

LIFELINE Page 6

Mission & Fellowship

HOUSE AND GARDEN TOUR AIDS

CHURCH RENOVATION

The Talbot County Garden Club held another successful

House and Garden Tour on May 14th 2016. The spring

rains parted until the end of the day making it a beautiful

day to stroll through the gardens; so this year’s event

broke all records for attendance, with the highest count at

a single home of 1,300 visitors. The Maryland House and

Garden Pilgrimage, sponsored in Talbot County by the

Talbot County Garden Club, has the mission to support

historic preservation in the area. Proceeds from this

year’s event were distributed in support of the renovation

of the

Church

of the

Holy

Trinity

bell

tower in

Oxford

MD. On

June 28,

2016,

the club was pleased to present a check for $12,000 to

Rev. Kevin M. Cross, the Rector of Holy Trinity for that

renovation. It was a proud day for all involved in the tour!

About the Talbot County Garden Club

The Talbot County Garden Club was established in 1917 to

enrich the natural beauty of the environment by sharing

knowledge of gardening, fostering the art of flower

arranging, maintaining civic projects, supporting projects

that benefit Talbot County and encouraging the

conservation of natural resources. Noteworthy projects

include maintaining the grounds of the Talbot Historical

Society, Talbot Courthouse, Talbot Library, the fountain

and childrens’ gardens at Idlewild Park and numerous

other gardens and activities. There are currently a total of

101 active, associate and honorary members. The Talbot Spy,

Photo: Rita Osgood (left) and Meg van den Berg (right),

Talbot County Garden Club Co-chairs of the 2016 House

and Garden Tour, along with Rev. Kevin Cross, Rector

Church of the Holy Trinity Oxford MD – Presenting the

proceeds from the tour. (photo by Marsie Hawkinson)

OCTOBER CONCERT

TEDDE GIBSON October 28, 2016

7:00 pm

This concert is a unique opportunity to see one of the

most innovative, improvisational organists and

recording artists, Tedde Gibson playing an eclectic

concert of jazz, gospel , silent movie and traditional

Church music on our fantastic Vissler Roland Tracker

pipe organ.

This is a free concert, however, a collection will be taken

for local charities of The Church of the Holy Trinity, plus

a prize for most promising musician 2016 at Easton

High School. Seating is limited so be there early!

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Resumes this fall

Details coming soon.

If you have any questions, please call

Barbara Cross.

LIFELINE Page 7

PO Box 387 Oxford, MD 21654-0387 410.226.5134

MISSION

The Church of The Holy Trinity, an Episcopal Parish in Oxford, Maryland: a caring Christian community dedicated to growing in God’s love through worship, study, service and fellowship.

Who We Are

We are a small parish with a big heart comprised of committed people willingly sharing their talents to help those in need. We are all seekers on a spiritual journey; encouraging of others also on the journey, and non-judgmental of where one might be on that journey.

The Church of the Holy Trinity Lifeline

ICE CREAM SUNDAY

COME FOR WORSHIP

STAY FOR ICE CREAM