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The Trinitarian

News, Notes and Inspiration from Trinity Church Oxford March 2011In This IssueFrom the Rector

300th AnniversaryAnnual Meeting

Candidates for VestryConfirmation Class

Deacon UpdateFamily Sunday

GFS WeekLenten Outreach

Membership NewsMemorials

Prayers & SquaresRector's Thank You

The Simple WaySouper Bowl Sunday

Vestry HighlightsWednesdays in Lent

Women of TrinityYouth Group

Our StaffThe Rev. Richard Robyn,

Rector Mary Sampson, M.A.,Organist/Choirmaster

Chris Claypoole, SecretaryMichael Pacillio, Sexton

Our VestryDorothy Orr, Rector's

Warden

Judith Maile, AccountingWarden

John AnnandNellie Duddy

Lorraine HenryLynne Geliebter

Pamela McCrackenRobert Miller

Melinda Weaver

Website ResourcesHistoryMission

Newsletter Archive Photos

Sermons

Calling All KnittersThe Girls' Friendly Societyneeds to knit for a JuniorDay project and could usethe one-on-one experienceof parish knitters. If you

From the RectorThis year, Easter will fall on the next-to-lastpossible day that it can, April 24. That meansthat Lent begins on its next-to-last possibleday, Ash Wednesday, March 9. We haveenjoyed a very long Epiphany season, using upall of the appointed readings in the lectionaryfor this season of variable length. The benefitis that we had a good long time (nine weeks) toget over Christmas. Sometimes a short

Epiphany can lead to a rushed feeling, but this year we have the gift ofeasing into Lent and giving it all the attention it deserves. In theExhortation, the Prayer Book tells us, in part: Having in mind God's greatlove for us, and in obedience to his command, his Church renders toAlmighty God our heavenly Father never-ending thanks for the creation ofthe world, for his continual providence over us, for his love for all mankind,and for the redemption of the world by our Savior Christ, who took uponhimself our flesh, and humbled himself even to death on the cross, that hemight make us the children of God by the power of the Holy Spirit, andexalt us to everlasting life. In order to fully enjoy these benefits, the Church asks her members tomake due preparation. During Lent, we will have many opportunities to doso. In addition to our regular round of Sunday worship, we will have twomasses on Ash Wednesday (10 am & 7 pm), and on subsequentWednesdays, we will offer Mass at 10 am. On Wednesday nights, aninter-generational supper and study program will be offered. I will beavailable, as I am always, to hear confessions--please call the office foran appointment. There will also be opportunities for service, both here atthe church and at St. Mark's feeding ministry. Lent is marked by worship,fasting, service, and almsgiving. As you can see, there will be manyopportunities to do all of these things here at Trinity. In the Anglican tradition, we think of Lent as not just a time to givesomething up, but also as a time to take something on. By dying to self,we make ourselves ready to receive our Lord at Easter. So I urge you tomake a Lenten resolve, and try to keep it. If you don't get it exactly right,that's ok. But do give it a try, you might be surprised at what you learnabout God and yourself. Blessings, Fr. Robÿn

300 Year Anniversary Our church building is 300 years old this yearand we are planning to celebrate the weekbefore Trinity Sunday, our feast of title on June19, with our parish and neighbors joining

of parish knitters. If youhave this skill and arewilling to share yourexpertise, please contactDottie Orr..

Make a Joyful NoiseMany thanks to Tom Duddyfor providing us with asubscription to "The JoyfulNoiseletter" a resourcewhose aim is to recapturethe spirit of joy, humor,unity and healing power ofthe early Christians. Pleasestay tuned for future funtimes. "Gentlemen, why don't youlaugh? With the fearfulstrain that is upon me nightand day, if I did not laugh, Ishould die." -- Abraham Lincoln

Trinity Tidbit

Queen Anne (6 February1665 - 1 August 1714)ascended the thrones ofEngland, Scotland, andIreland on 8 March 1702,succeeding her brother-in-law and cousin, William IIIof England and II ofScotland. Her Catholicfather, James II and VII,was deemed by the EnglishParliament to haveabdicated when he wasforced to retreat to Franceduring the GloriousRevolution of 1688/9; herbrother-in-law and her sisterthen became jointmonarchs as William III & IIand Mary II. After Mary'sdeath in 1694, Williamcontinued as sole monarchuntil his own death in 1702. On 1 May 1707, under theActs of Union 1707,England and Scotland wereunited as a single sovereignstate, the Kingdom of GreatBritain. Anne became itsfirst sovereign, whilecontinuing to hold theseparate crown of Queen ofIreland and the title ofQueen of France. Thereforeshe was, technically, thelast Queen of England andthe last Queen of Scots.Anne reigned for twelveyears until her death inAugust 1714. Queen Anne's life wasmarked by many crises,both personal and relatingto succession of the Crownand religious polarization.Because she died withoutsurviving children, Annewas the last monarch of theHouse of Stuart. She wassucceeded by her secondcousin, George I, of theHouse of Hanover, who was

diocesan and city leaders. Please join us for aplanning meeting on Tuesday, March 1, at 7pmin the Buchanan Building. We need everyone's

support and involvement for this important milestone in the life of ourparish.

Annual Meeting Trinity Church Oxford will convene its annual meetingon April 10 following the principal service. We will meetfor the purposes of reviewing the reports of theprevious year and for the election of three delegates tothe Diocesan Convention in November 2011; threedelegates to the Pennypack Deanery; as well as newmembers of the parish vestry. Our ideal number ofvestry members is twelve, though we can functionwithin our bylaws with as few as nine. In order to meetour minimum, we need to elect five members at the

meeting. Please contact a member of the Nominating Committee if you oranyone you know is interested in serving in one of these important roles(see related article below).

Candidates for Vestry The Vestry meets one Monday night a month (usuallythe third Monday) for about 2 hours to conduct thebusiness of the parish. Each member's term of office isthree years. A second term may be sought, but no onecan serve for more than six consecutive years, afterwhich one must rotate off for a minimum of one year. Vestry members are expected to participate in the life of

the Parish by attending services regularly, pledging financially to theparish, and by attending some of the social and special events of theparish. Members serve on two committees of their choice, perhapschairing one. Members will be scheduled with another vestry member tocount and post the Sunday offering about once every five weeks. Members can expect to serve about three to five hours a month in additionto regular worship. The ministry of vestry service is an important onewithout which our parish could not function. Please consider prayerfullywhether you are called to this essentially ministry and feel free to speakwith a member of the Nominating Committee - Mindy Weaver, NellieDuddy, John Annand and Lorie Henry.

Confirmation Class Ten young people have begun preparing for theirconfirmation by Bishop Lee on June 19 here at Trinity. Preparations will take place during Church School, andin the spring, Father Robÿn will instruct theCatechumens after the 10am service and there will bea camping retreat. The focus will be on learning thebasics of the faith and it is important that participants

attend each session.

Deacon Update We have begun our seminary studies witheight hours of formation and instruction eachmonth at Trinity Church, Ambler. Father Daveis the rector and is an engaging, humorous,and dynamic priest. We start each sessionwith Morning Prayer and end with a "come asyou are" guitar-style mass with theirparishioners. I am actively working at the FreeChurch of St John, attempting to coordinateseveral of their ministries with additional places

in need within the Kensington neighborhood. I have also participated intheir Wednesday Bible study & youth group. Emily has been in contactwith their youth group leader in an attempt to get some new ideas andthere is a plan to do a few joint programs. They have a sizeable youth

House of Hanover, who wasa descendant of the Stuartsthrough his maternalgrandmother, Elizabeth,daughter of James I and VI. Queen Anne is known forher fondness of the colonialchurches, which wastangibly demonstratedthrough generous gifts ofaltar linens, bibles, prayerbooks and silver. Ourparish holds stewardship ofthe last silver communionset she sent to the colonies,which we received in 1713,just a year before herdeath. It is still used forspecial occasions.

group from the neighborhood. Peace, Phil

Family Sunday March 6 is the last Sunday in Epiphany and allchildren are encouraged to attend the 10amfamily service with their parents to provide aproper send-off to the season. In keeping withTrinity tradition, the children will prepare thesoup for our Ash Wednesday meal and burythe "Alleluias" in the Church yard (as we don'tsing or say Alleluia during lent). Also on thisday, please welcome the Reverend MeganSanders of the Seamen's Church Institute, who

will preach and celebrate at the 8am and 10am service. Father Robÿn willbe visiting his old hometown of New Orleans from March 3 to 8 - in caseof a pastoral emergency, please contact the Reverend John Wallace ofHoly Nativity, Rockledge at his church: (215) 663-9903, or after hours:(850) 525-6220

Girls' Friendly Society The GFS bake sale in February raised nearly$400. Thanks to everyone who brought in theirdelicious baked goods and to our own FatherRobÿn for his homemade "Pastor's Pickles &Preserves." The funds will be used to helprepair a GFS hall in Sri Lanka as well as tosupport our own Emily Geliebter in attendingthe GFS World Council meeting in Ireland thissummer. GFS is also selling gift certificates forKrispy Kreme Doughnuts - they are $8 and can

be redeemed at the customer's convenience for one dozen original glazeddoughnuts at any Krispy Kreme location. See Emily Geliebter or Dottie Orrto purchase yours.

Lenten Outreach The confirmation class invites all members of Trinity tojoin them on April 2 at St. Mark's Frankford SoupKitchen. We will prepare the luncheon, serve and cleanup. The group from Trinity that participated with thedeanery in this event last year found it to be arewarding experience. Please let Father Richard orDottie Orr know if you can attend.

Membership News After fulfilling his vestry obligations in New York at theChurch of the Transfiguration, Pete Datos officiallytransferred into our parish in January. Lyn and StefanyDavis transferred to St. Anne's Abington in February tobe closer to home.

MemorialsMrs. Ruth M. Bless entered into rest onJanuary 19 at the age of 90 and will beinterred in the parish churchyard on March 12. A descendent of our long-ago rector, theReverend George Sheets, found our websiteonline and made a generous donation in hismemory to our 300th anniversary restorationfund. May their souls and the souls of all thefaithful departed, through the mercy of God,rest in peace.

Prayers & Squares

We will not be meeting until the fall, but if youhave any questions about our group, pleasecontact Nellie Duddy at (215) 745-3739. ThePrayers & Squares group makes quilts whichare distributed to the seriously ill - these quiltsserve as visible reminders that we are prayingfor them. We also do sewing as needed by thechoir and our celebrants. All ages arewelcome - the only requirement is the ability tothread a needle and sew a straight seam.

Rector's Thank You I would like to thank the Reverend Mary Ann Mertz forcelebrating & preaching on Sunday, February 20, whilePete and I were visiting family in Pittsburgh. The Rev.Mertz is a fellow graduate of General TheologicalSeminary and is a good friend of Trinity Church Oxford. Father Richard

The Simple WayWe will be putting our Lenten funds towardsthe ecumenical Christian group The SimpleWay which is based in Kensington. We will beraising funds for neighborhood kids to go to aChristian camp in the Stroudsburg area for aweek this summer. They have received grantmonies so a full week will only cost $120 per

child. Many of these children have never left the city borders! This group(TSW) also hands out hundreds of care packages to neighborhood kidswith school supplies to start the new school year, have established parksand green areas in their section of Kensington as well as numerous otherprojects (including fresh and packaged food give-aways each month).

Souper Bowl Sunday On Sunday, February 6, we participated in theinternational effort to refocus the world'sbiggest football weekend into a weekend of"loving God, loving our neighbor" known as theSouper Bowl of Caring. Thanks to all whocontributed we raised $250, along with some

canned goods for our local pantry. We have participated in this programfor eight years and raised over $2,000 to date (plus food). Nationally, thegoal for 2011 was to raise $11 million and about $9 million has beenreported thus far. Dottie Orr, Rector's Warden

Vestry HighlightsThe February meeting was rescheduled to February 28due to the Presidents' Day holiday. At that meeting, theVestry will discuss renewal of the contract with thePolice Athletic League (PAL) to use the gymnasium andball fields (PAL has been at Trinity since 1969). Theywill also hear a presentation from the InterfaithHospitality Network, which is working with the

Lawncrest Ministerium to address homeless issues in our neighborhood.

Wednesdays in LentMany believe that America thrives on a simplemessage-that what we currently have is notenough. Not big enough, not nice enough, notfast or hip enough. The American Dream isbased on wanting more. But does God'sdream for the world look like the AmericanDream? In this Lenten program, called the"Economy of Love," unpack what the patternsof God's kingdom look like compared to the

patterns of our world. What is the value ofenough, and how do we become more like the God who is close to thepoor, the hungry, the meek, and the merciful? The Economy of Love willchallenge us to join in community, journeying together as we begin toconsider a new standard of living-a personal economic threshold orientednot around the size of a monthly paycheck, but around the value ofenough. Please join us each Wednesday in Lent from 6:30pm to 8pm inthe Buchanan Building for a pot-luck supper and this important program. We will also have a midweek mass each Wednesday in Lent at 10am inthe Church.

Women of TrinityThe Women of Trinity will meet at noon onTuesday, March 8, providing there is notanother snowstorm. We have had enoughtemperature swings and snowstorms to last alifetime. The program will include lunch (self-provided); a brief business meeting; and anold-time radio presentation by Tom Duddy. And let me mention that it's appropriate wemeet on March 8 as this is InternationalWomen's Day! Nellie (215) 745-3739

Youth GroupThe "Economy of Love" series (see Wednesdayin Lent) will set the stage for a Trinity YouthGroup mission trip, scheduled for August 12,13 and 14. We will be staying and working atthe St Francis Inn in Kensington. We will beputting our "faith into action" working alongsidethe Franciscan friars, sisters, staff and

volunteers as we serve the people of Kensington. Please visit our newYouth Group webpage for a video about the St. Francis Inn and feel freeto speak to Emily or Phil Geliebter for more details (they stayed for a weeklast year and had an amazing experience).

March Calendar Every SundayHoly Eucharist (spoken) at 8am in the ChurchHoly Eucharist (sung) at 10am in the Church followed by coffee hour in the Buchanan BuildingChurch School during the 10am serviceSenior Choir rehearsals at 8:45am in the Buchanan BuildingJunior Choir rehearsals immediately after Church in the Choir Room Planning Meeting for 300th AnniversaryTuesday, March 1, at 7pm in the Buchanan Building Bell Choir RehearsalThursday, March 3, at 7:30pm in the Church Women of Trinity - Lunch & Old Time Radio PresentationTuesday, March 8, at Noon in the Buchanan Building Girls' Friendly Society MeetingTuesday, March 8, at 7pm in the Children's House Ash WednesdayWednesday, March 9, services at 10am (spoken) and 7pm (with music) in the Church; light supperat 6pm in the Buchanan Building Property Cleanup DaySaturday, March 12, at 9am in the Churchyard Midweek Lenten MassWednesday, March 16, at 10am in the Church

Pot-Luck Supper and "Economy of Love" Lenten ProgramWednesday, March 16, at 6:30pm in the Buchanan Building Property Committee MeetingThursday, March 17, at 7pm in the Buchanan Building Bell Choir RehearsalThursday, March 17, at 7:30pm in the Church Diocesan Council MeetingSaturday, March 19, from 9am to noon in the Buchanan Building Vestry MeetingMonday, March 21, at 7pm in the Buchanan Building Girls' Friendly Society MeetingTuesday, March 22, at 7pm in the Children's House Midweek Lenten MassWednesday, March 23, at 10am in the Church Pot-Luck Supper and "Economy of Love" Lenten ProgramWednesday, March 23, at 6:30pm in the Buchanan Building Bell Choir RehearsalThursday, March 24, at 7:30pm in the Church Requiem by David HuffSunday, March 27, presented by the senior choir during the 10am service in the Church Midweek Lenten MassWednesday, March 30, at 10am in the Church Pot-Luck Supper and "Economy of Love" Lenten ProgramWednesday, March 30, at 6:30pm in the Buchanan Building Bell Choir RehearsalThursday, March 31, at 7:30pm in the Church April and Beyond Lenten Outreach - St. Mark's FrankfordSaturday, April 2 Annual MeetingSunday, April 10 Palm SundaySunday, April 17 Easter SundaySunday, April 24 Trinity SundaySunday, June 19

Your Feedback is ImportantPlease email Chris Claypoole or call her at (215) 745-6114 in the church office with any questionsor input for next month's Trinitarian. We are especially interested in your feedback about the formatfor the Trinitarian and whether you know of anyone in our community who is not receiving their copy(if so, please let us know their most current email address or else a home mailing address).

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