Trinity Episcopal Church February, 2012 Lawrence, Kansas

THE TRINITARIAN

This issue of the Trinitarian highlights our Children’s Ministries at Trinity Episcopal Church, from our Nursery through our newly-established Youth Program. On the following pages, please join us in exploring the various educational and social programs offered by Trinity for the benefit of children, both in our parish and in our community. We wish to recognize those dedicated and committed individuals, who are “behind-the-scenes” and make these opportunities possible. We are always looking for ways to expand these ministries and encourage more children to participate. If you have a child, grandchild, neighbor, relative, or friend who you think might be interested, feel free to refer them to any of the Directors mentioned in this publication, or refer them to the Church Office, at 785-843-6166. We will gladly put them in touch with the appropriate person.

THE CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES OF

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH

For generations the church has struggled to reach young people amidst a world with louder and louder voices, many of whom don't have their best interests at heart. And with each passing generation, the need to proclaim the good news of Christ's love is more important than ever.

I remember as a young teenager the controversy that erupted when a classmate of mine, a very emotionally troubled young man, brought a knife to school in his backpack. Now, school leaders would probably be relieved it was a knife and not a gun or a bomb. The ministry to our children is described in detail within these pages, but I just want to paint for you a picture of a place that continues to expand the ways in which we help nurture children here.

We now have Sunday School classes that span from birth up through middle school. This past month we brought on board Kendra Thompson, an extremely talented young woman to be our Director of Youth Ministries. She'll be developing programs for middle school, junior high, and senior high youth. Trinity will be hosting the diocesan junior high youth event in April.

This summer Trinity will also be doing a Vacation Bible School. We had a great turnout of volunteers interested in participating in VBS, but were missing one in particular: the one willing to lead the entire program. For someone considering the job, you already have people interested in leading crafts and games and snacks. You even have a priest who has dressed up in all sorts of costumes at Vacation Bible Schools in the past (I've been a sheep, a chipmunk, and an archaeologist, to name a few). All we need is someone to take the reins and help pull it all together.

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From the Desk of Father Rob. . .

This quarter the Trinitarian is focusing on children and our ministry to them. As a parent of two young people, having a church that reaches out to the children of our parish is important to me on a personal level, but it also is vitally important as a part of our mutual ministry.

A final word of thanks. No program for children would be a success without the support of parents and guardians who take the time to bring their children, who often commit to volunteering for these programs, and who take the message the children hear and discuss it around their dining room tables.

I hope you think of Trinity as a partner in parenting, an institution you can trust to reinforce the lessons you want your children to learn in the world, and a safe place where you can come together to worship God and spend time together in the most meaningful way possible. We couldn't do it without you.

Yours in Christ, Fr. Rob+

What do you get for your $227,000?-Naming rights – first, middle, and last.-Glimpses of God every day.-Giggles under the covers every night.-More love than your heart can hold.-Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.-A hand to hold, usually covered with jelly or chocolate.-A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites.-Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

For $227,000, you never have to grow up.-You get to finger paint, carve pumpkins, play hide-in-seek, and never stop believing in

Santa Claus.-You have an excuse to keep reading The Adventures of Piglet and Pooh; watch Saturday

morning cartoons; go to Disney movies; and wish upon a star.

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THE PRICE OF CHILDREN

In 2010, the government calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 to be $227,000. You might still think the best financial advice is “if you want to be rich, don’t have children”. Actually, it is just the opposite.

For $227,000, there is no bigger bang for your buck.-You get to become a hero just for retrieving a Frisbee

off the roof; taking training wheels off a bike; removing a splinter; or coaching a baseball team that never seems to win, but always gets treated to ice cream.

-You rank right up there under God in the eyes of a child.

In addition, you receive

-An education in psychology, nursing, and criminal justice, which no college can match.-The power to heal a boo-boo, scare away monsters under beds,and patch a broken heart.

And best of all, you receive-The capacity to love them without limits, so that one day, they, like you, will love

without counting the cost.

TRINITY’S SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM

DAVID PADEN, FACILITATOR

Because we are trying to keep three teachers in every class, we need several additional people to meet this goal. We have lots of experienced teachers, and we would love to include some new people, so that this experience will live on past the current staff. New teachers would act as support until they are comfortable in leading a lesson with others supporting them. Please contact the church office, orDavid Paden (dpaden@sunflower.com), if you are interested becoming involved.

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Over the past year and half, we have worked to include older children into our Sunday School program. One year ago last fall, we added a 4th to 6th grade class. This fall we added an additional class for 3rd and 4th grade, as well as extending the upper class to include 7th and 8th graders. This year we are trying to have at least three teachers for each class. This allows for continuity for our students, while allowing for the fact that few teachers can be here every Sunday. It is important that we have at least two teachers with each class each Sunday for the protection of our children.

This fall we experimented with holding Sunday School from 9:30 to 10:15 (during the Adult Sunday School Class time). Although this appeared to help parents attend the adult classes, it reduced our averages for all of the children’s programs. Therefore, we changed the Class time back to the 10:30 time. During the coming year, we hope to increase our average attendance to at least 50%.

TRINITY’S NURSERY

NATALIE WILKINS AND JASMYN TURNER, TEACHERS

The Trinity Nursery is ably staffed by Natalie Wilkins and Jasmine Turner each Sunday morning. On an average Sunday, the Nursery provides care for 2-3 babies. The ages of the babies in the Nursery are birth to about 6 months old, at which time they begin to participate in Trinity’s ECA (Early Christian Awareness) Program. A typical Sunday morning begins with the ECA activity, and then it’s snack time! Following snack time, various activities are introduced and available for these tots. Organized activities with these very young parishioners can be challenging, however, puzzles and building blocks seem to be popular with them. Often, books are read to the children, and playtime in the miniature kitchen is a well-liked activity. At some point during the morning, necessary “housekeeping” events, such as diaper changes, bottle feedings, and cleaning dirty faces, occur. Natalie and Jasmine are experts in maneuvering between many events -- both planned and unplanned – as they coordinate their attention and time among all of the children in their care.

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TRINITY’S EARLY CHRISTIAN AWARENESS SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

LYNN SEGEBRECHT, MELANIE SEYBOLD, MICAH SEYBOLD, TEACHERS

Lynn Segebrecht: Lynn was a first grade teacher from 1978 until her oldest son, Brian, was born. Before that, she taught preschool. She LOVES being around kids, always has, and she expects she always will. She loves working with all ages of youth. Presently she is teaching prospective teachers at KU in both primary and intermediate literacy classes. “The most fun part of that for me is watching them at work with the children in their practicum settings.”

Lynn helped get ECA started at Trinity when her son, Ray, was two years old! She is still active with it after 22 years. She also taught her son’s classes, alternating back and forth between boys with Husband Steve, until the boys joined the youth group. She reports that the most wonderful thing for her about teaching Sunday School is seeing children's faith, so pure, unabashed, and honest, developing before her eyes. She loves their innocence and their willingness to talk about God. It has always inspired her. She believes that it's no coincidence that many of the kids in that initial ECA graduating class (now 23-25 years old) are still faithful, and many attend an Episcopal Church. Watching children grow up in Trinity is a gift. She knows they appreciate the friendship and support of adults in their parish, and they often express that eloquently when they are older. One real thrill for her was to attend the baptisms of her goddaughter's children. To see her lead her children to God was an indescribable joy. To see her own children mature in their commitment and love of Christ gives her joy for which she cannot begin to find words.

Trinity is looking for new teachers that would be willing to join Lynn. She says that ECA has little or no preparation. She is the one that trains new teachers (which is pretty much just having them watch class and then visiting about it). We are blessed to have adopted this wonderful curriculum. The ease of implementation allows us to concentrate on getting to know and connect with our wonderful Trinity toddlers.

The ECA Sunday School Class is taught weekly for children 6 months old through age 3. The Class is taught by Melanie Seybold, Lynn Segebrecht, and Micah Seybold. Natalie Wilkins and Jasmyn Turner also help with the program and serve as substitute teachers when needed. This program was piloted in1989 (some original "students" included Ray Segebrecht, Stuart Roberts, and Grant Tarr).

The program was created by a woman in Oklahoma who was a member of a Lutheran church and the publisher of the "cards" that guide our lessons. The ECA curriculum is based upon a wonderful collection of animals accumulated over the years and categorized on shelving to be utilized during the songs created by the program's founder. The songs teach babies and toddlers language and music about God's creatures and His Love for them

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and for all of us, as the children interact with the stuffed animals that the teachers bring to "life" through music, movement, conversation and an occasional story. The animals highlighted vary from week to week, so that over time the children are introduced to, and subsequently reencounter many "stuffed" friends! Their enjoyment is evident in their attention, smiles, laughter and utilization of growing language skills.

The ECA program consists of many simple songs, set to familiar tunes (or ones the teachers make up on occasion!) which describe the different (stuffed) animals who "talk" and "sing" to the kids from our shelves. The one theme running through each song, each description, is that every one of these animals was created by God and is loved by God, and so are all the children! A session concludes with a song saying "goodnight" to each of the animals that have been part of the day's lessons with a tune that students often carry home with them: "Night Night little [name of an animal], God loves you, He watches over you the whole night through." Thus, they learn that God watches over them as well, and loves each of them and every creature He has created. The 20 minutes or so of class time each Sunday flies by quickly! This Class begins at 10:30 a.m. each week. The ECA teachers welcome additional participation and observation, especially by parents of the babies and toddlers who attend the Nursery. Parents are encouraged to stop by at any time and observe our ECA class on Sunday to see if they would like to try teaching. Melanie and Micah Seybold, and Lynn Segebrecht have taught this program to their own children when they were in the Nursery, and we have found this to be a truly rewarding and memorable experience! Ray Segebrecht, one of the first members of Trinity’s ECA Class,

who started in the class about 22 years ago, still fondly remembers his experiences as a child, and continues to attend church regularly today.

We always welcome participation from parents of babies and toddlers, to afford them this awesome experience, and we would be more than happy to train anyone to teach! Anyone is welcome to come, join us anytime, and see firsthand how joyful this experience can be for YOUR child!

And finally, Lynn says, “I'm the one who is blessed to have had the rich experiences I have been given in working with Trinity's kids. I would bet all the teachers would agree with me when I say the experience has deepened and enriched my own faith, my knowledge of the Bible, and my belief in Jesus' words: ‘Let the little children come unto me, for of such is the Kingdom of God.’ ”

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TRINITY’S SUNDAY SCHOOL, PRESCHOOL

MARGARET BEARSE, TEACHER

I have been a member at Trinity since 2000. I have been working with children since 2008. Before joining Trinity, I was active in the Baptist church, where I often taught adult classes. I didn’t really think of myself as being involved in a ministry for children until sitting next to Peter Doddema one Sunday morning. I found myself asking if there was some way I could help with children’s Sunday School. At the time, he was trying to start a class for 3rd and 4th Graders, at 9:30 a.m., and asked if I would teach one Sunday per month. I agreed. That effort failed to attract participants, but now I was on his list!

Next, I substituted for parents unable to fulfill their turn in the rotation for the 3-4 year-old class. I enjoyed doing this, and felt the children needed a more consistent teacher. So, I volunteered. Teaching these children has been a blessing. I use a curriculum that repeats every two years. The first year we go from creation to Joseph and his brother in Egypt, then various stories of Jesus from the gospels. The second year starts with the exodus from Egypt and goes through the return of the Israelites from the Babylonian captivity.

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Just before Christmas, we study more about Jesus, some repeated stories from the first year, and also some different ones.

Sometimes we play rhythm instruments and march to the music. Sometimes we have a color and paste craft, but other times we play with PlayDoh, build with Legos, or just blow bubbles. I also send a note home with the children each Sunday about our lesson and activities, and I often include some questions to ask their child. I frequently use various activities and props, different from the ones in the curriculum book. I find others on the Internet, or from my own experience.

The first two years that I taught, I spent a lot of time during the week making models or posters and preparing crafts. Since I kept files of most of these activities, the second time through has been less labor-intensive. There are 13 pictures on the classroom wall of different children who have attended at one time or another. Attendance ranges from 2 to 10 on a typical Sunday. Melanie Seybold and/or Nora Clark are usually there to help on Sunday mornings. Susan Brown, Sue Shackelford, and Micah Seybold have substituted for me when I was away. I welcome any others who would like the privilege of teaching these children.

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I am never sure how much of all of this they actually take away with them, but each Sunday I review several of the lessons from before, and trust that some impression is made. I teach them that there are 66 books in the Bible, an Old and a New Testament, and four gospels, “the good news -- the stories of Jesus”, and always emphasize that the lessons are all from the Bible. We begin prayer time with the liturgical formula “The Lord be with you.” Some of them actually learn to give the response. We also learn about the liturgical seasons and colors, and the sacraments at appropriate times. We also sing each Sunday. The B-I-B-L-E, and The Wise Man and the Foolish Man are the favorites, but we also know Hallelu, Hallelu, and Jesus Loves Me.

KINDERGARTEN, FIRST GRADE, AND SECOND GRADE

ANNE PATTERSON, ANNA BUSBY, AND JAMES DENG, TEACHERS

Anne Patterson, Anna Busby, and James Deng teach and lead Sunday School for Trinity’s Kindergartners, First Graders, and Second Graders. They follow the Church calendar, through vibrant storytelling and creating captivating crafts. They averaged about 5 children in the class this past Fall, but in addition, students who were in the 3rd and 4th Grades last Spring were included in this class, so they averaged about 12 in the entire class. James’ schedule will not allow him to continue full-time this Spring, however, but he will be willing to substitute.

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THIRD AND FOURTH GRADES

DAVID PADEN AND SUE SHACKELFORD, TEACHERS

David Paden: Sue Shackelford and I are teaching the new 3rd and 4th Grade Class. Valerie McCord and Micah Seybold also help with this class. The 3rd and 4th graders are delving into the Old Testament Story, from creation through the Israelites following Joseph to Egypt. They will continue with the story of Moses this Spring. The children are using the Rock Solid Curriculum as a base for their class. David and Sue have taught as many as 11 children at a time, and average around 5 on a normal Sunday. Last Spring, Katie Becker and David Paden taught this class.

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Sue Shackelford: I have worked for the past thirty years with Trinity youth. I have worked with Trinity children in Sunday School since my own daughter joined the Preschool Class in the mid-eighties. Ellen is now 30, and I am shepherding her son, Jeremiah, on Sunday mornings. His brother, Micah, will join the Preschool Class next fall. I have helped in the Nursery, and have taught all ages in Sunday School. I have worked at many Vacation Bible Schools, and have coordinated a couple of them.

Recently, I have led Summer Sunday School, featuring DVD presentations, discussions, and beach ball volley ball. Because I love the study material, and the learning of it, I often spend several hours a week to prepare a lesson and the supporting materials. I do love seeing the children becoming involved, learning Bible stories, and growing in their relationship to each other and to God.

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FIFTH GRADE AND SIXTH GRADEKATIE BECKER, DONNA G

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My other commitments at Trinity include serving as Food Manager for the Trinity Interfaith Food Pantry; serving as Treasurer of the Trinity Environmental Stewardship Team; serving as a member of the Altar Guild; and serving as a member of a women's Cursillo prayer group.

FIFTH, SIXTH, AND SEVENTH GRADES

KATIE BECKER, DONNA GRIFFIN, AND HEATHER THORNTON, TEACHERS

Katie Becker, Heather Thornton, and Donna Griffin have been teaching this older group since this past Fall. They have combined the Church calendar with the Bible, as they try to deepen their students’ understanding of being an Episcopalian, and connecting their beliefs to their everyday lives. These teachers have taught as many as 15 students, with an average attendance of 3-5 on a typical Sunday.

Katie Becker: Katie Becker began working with youth at Trinity teaching Sunday School when her children were small – the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. She also worked with Vacation Bible School for a number of years, and for about a year helped with a junior/senior high program, which met Sunday evenings. More recently, she has worked teaching Sunday School in the 4th through 6th grades. Her creativity adds much interest to the classes. She is also active with this age group in the Lawrence Public Schools. This contact with students outside of Church helps her connect in valuable ways with her students. Katie says she enjoys the energy and curiosity that youth bring to any program. She is energized by them, and wants to kindle their interest in the Church -- its teachings and outreach, as well as their own spirituality. She finds that often she learns as much as the kids. Her major concern is the irregular attendance of the kids. It is difficult to establish a routine and continuity. She feels that Co-teacher, Heather Thornton’s mural idea has been one of this year's main highlights. Katie also has been involved with Trinity’s Altar Guild for about 15 years, and with Family Promise for two years.

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TRINITY’S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

ANN PATTERSON, DIRECTOR

The Making of a Christmas Pageant

Rob, we wrote in the part of Elizabeth, Mary's cousin, and the girls shared the solo. There was another first this year: Joseph sang! This willingness to adapt to changing needs keeps the pageant vital and the kids as players, not pawns.

No Trinity music is complete without the stamp of a Ralston, and we are lucky to have Susan as our Director of Pageant Music, working with the children after church every Sunday from Thanksgiving onwards. Choristers fill the solo parts so Susan can work with them on Thursdays during Choristers’ practice. Closer to the pageant there are two practices on Saturday mornings, when we jockey for position in the Chancel with the silver polishers, the flower arrangers, and the Altar Guild. Of course we use the promise of fabulous snacks as bait to encourage attendance, and give thanks to the parents who provide both (kids and snacks).

The set has been in use for several years. It is made out of giant sheets of corrugated cardboard from Jayhawk Box, Inc. on Lakeview Road. You can buy 4' x 8' sheets for about $2 each, if you can transport them! The sheets of cardboard were cut out and painted to fit the original design, which is easily deployable by volunteers. Yes, it took hours of work to make, but it is deployable in 15 minutes, and collapsible in 5. About five years ago, we were looking for the set about two weeks before Christmas and couldn't find

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The magic of Trinity's Christmas Pageant is that it's one of the times in the church year when the children are the storytellers. The apparently-effortless final performance is the result of much industry, patience, encouragement, and laughter behind the scenes. . .

The first Christmas Eve Pageant at Trinity required an enormous effort. There were costumes to be made, a set to design and paint, and songs to be learned. It was almost overwhelming. The first version of the pageant script, The Living Crèch, written and arranged by Anna Laura Page and Jean Anne Shafferman, has been adapted over the years to fit our needs. For example, this year, both Bekah Keys and Ari Myers Arenth wanted to be Mary, but neither would do it alone, so with the help of Father

it anywhere. It turned out that someone who thought it was 'just cardboard' had responsibly put it in the recycling! Aaaaaagh!! I rebuilt the whole thing, modifying some details and adding the Bethlehem tableaus that set the scene either side of the stable. Since then the set has been stored downstairs behind some partitions in the Sunday school room under the watchful eye of its maker.

Costumes were all made that first year, but we have added some as the program has expanded, and as needs arose, making sure that the sheep have 'curly horns' to match the song. We still haven't figured out how to make the donkey ears stand up, so Trinity is home to the Pageant with the lop-eared donkeys! Maybe we should bill it so. One year, a bride who couldn't afford her church wedding fee, offered her sewing skills as payment, and the rather sumptuous wise men costumes were added. In the off season, costumes are stored in hanging garment bags next to the acolyte robes. This year’s volunteers, Nora Clark and Eliza Nichols, sorted through the costumes a couple of weeks before the pageant, matching sets of wings to angel costumes, dishtowels to shepherd tunics, and locating the elusive baby Jesus.

Regarding casting: If we let the children be their first choice in parts, we'd probably have four Marys, fifteen angels, and seven wise men each year! But thanks to the negotiating skills of the organizers, we are able to muster a more believable cast, and sometimes even a live pony as a donkey (weather-permitting). The trick is to relax, to be adaptable, to

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remember that we all were once kids, to remember what we are celebrating, and to enjoy every minute, especially the 'mistakes'. Every child is welcome, anytime. We have a costume for the grandchild who shows up on Christmas Eve, wishing that they could be in the pageant. "So you want to be a sheep? Here you go!” Teenagers who have outgrown their desire to stand up in front of a crowd can be narrators, help assemble the set, or simply sit in the pew and reminisce.

The pageant programs are saved as word documents so can be easily updated with dates and the cast list and sometimes new songs (Mary sang 'Away in a Manger' this year for the first time). The final version is sent to Marilyn Bean, who takes care of printing. Parents are sent reminder emails midweek before each practice so they know what is going on because it's a busy time of year for everyone. There are time conflicts with basketball games and The Nutcracker, but there is only one Christmas at Trinity. As you can see, the Trinity’s Christmas pageant is not the work of one person; it is a joyous collaboration of mayhem and music and a delight to be a part of!

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TRINITY CHORISTERS

SUSAN RALSTON, DIRECTOR

My earliest recollection of Trinity Choristers goes back to the days of Theo Ericcson in the mid-1970's, when I first came to Trinity. Theo was a parishioner, a piano teacher, and retired elementary music teacher. As I recall, she had a wonderful group of kids, and they sang an anthem several times a year. I remember that she'd ask several of us ladies in the choir on occasion to join her group and use our "childlike" voices. My favorite anthem was "Little Grey Donkey" that they would perform often on Palm Sunday.

I cannot say how many years she directed the Trinity Choristers, but I do know that it was many years. She was succeeded by three choir directors, each serving a few years: Paul Flower, Tina L'Ecuyer, and Kirk Isenhour. Steve Burk took over the choir in the 90's, and remained the director until he took the choirmaster job at the Cathedral. Under his tutelage, the new blue robes were purchased, and a trip to Washington, D.C., to sing at the National Cathedral was organized. He also started the Canterbury Choir, which included high school students, college students, and adults. Before the days of the 6:00 p.m. service, Trinity Choristers and Canterbury Choir participated in frequent Evensong Services at Trinity. The next Trinity Choristers Director was Gwen Klingenberg.

In the Fall of 2003, Father Jensen asked me to be the Trinity Choristers Director, and I happily accepted. Since 2003, Trinity Choristers have sung the communion anthem once a month during the academic year. I have also been the music director for the past ten Christmas pageants, and have been the music director for Vacation Bible School.

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During the past ten years, it has been my privilege to work with scores of children and youth at Trinity. Their smiles, enthusiasm, and beautiful voices make my job a complete delight. As it stands now, I plan to continue directing Trinity Choristers for a few more years before I decide to retire.

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TRINITY’S ACOLYTES

BRIAN HAUPT, JOAN RING, AND DAVID SEVERANCE

Trinity’s Acolytes serve at the 10:30 morning service every Sunday of the year. Their mission is to be followers and assistants to the Clergy. They fill the roles of carrying the first cross, the clergy cross, and two torches in opening and closing processions. At the reading of the Gospel, the procession consists of two torch bearers, the first cross, and an acolyte, who holds the Gospel book for the Deacon. At the offering, an acolyte procession leads the ushers bringing the collection plates, and the donations in the red wagon for the Food Pantry. During the setting of the table and the consecration for the Eucharist, an Acolyte assists the Deacon and the Celebrant. An acolyte rings the Sanctus Bells during the consecration. During Eucharist two Acolytes serve as marshals to direct people in the pews to the altar rail to receive communion.

Serving as an Acolyte is open to any young person who is interested in participating in this role in our worship service. For practical reasons, an Acolyte should be in at least the third grade and be tall enough to carry a torch – somewhere around four feet in height. Training sessions, led by Father Rob, are offered twice each year in the fall, and in the spring, on a Saturday morning. The current roster of Acolytes includes Abby Baldwin, Alex Baldwin, Oliver Broce, Brandon Cole, Jesse Cox, Geoff Keys, Rebekah Keys, Josh Milota, Courtney Pitts, Zachary Pitts, Isaac Seybold, Katy Ward, Mateo Wills, and Mia Wills. They are organized into three teams of four Acolytes each, and are scheduled to serve approximately once each month. However, because many also sing in the Choristers, there is a fourth team made up of Brandon, Geoff, Zachary, and Isaac, who serve on the Sundays when the Choristers sing. Serving as an Acolyte does not exclude singing in the Choristers. It is wonderful that so many are involved in both of these opportunities to participate in worship.

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The three Vergers, Brian Haupt, David Severance, and Joan Ring, share the supervision and direction of the Acolytes. One of the Vergers leads all the processions. Father Rob initiated the role of Verger at Trinity. Historically, a Verger carrying a verge (a substantial club) cleared the streets of unruly people in advance of religious processions. Sometimes the verge is referred to as a mace, a term often used in connection with academic processions. Trinity’s verge was hand crafted by Brian Haupt, and he used two nails from Old St. Mary’s, in Kansas City, to make its cross.

To build community and to recruit new members, the Vergers sponsor a few social events for the Acolytes during the year: a winter game night, and a spring picnic. Invitations are extended to the Choristers, and everyone is encouraged to bring a friend. Acolytes have been a part of the worship service at Trinity as long as anyone can remember. Only boys were Acolytes, until the ordination of women to the Clergy, and women were allowed to serve as Chalice Bearers and be elected to the Vestry. Girls began serving as Acolytes at Trinity in the 1970’s. As Vergers, David and Joan had their first experiences with Acolytes when their children, Rachel and Isaac Severance, and Erik Ring were Acolytes. Rachel and Isaac have assisted the Acolyte program as their time has permitted.

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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL, 2010

MARGARET BEARSE, DIRECTOR

AND, NOW, OUR FUTURE . . .25

TRINITY’S YOUTH PROGRAM

KENDRA THOMPSON, DIRECTOR

Hi, I’m Kendra. I’ve been in Lawrence two and a half years now and it has been fun to get to know this funky college town. We moved to Lawrence, my husband John and me, so that he could complete his PhD at KU. In the time we’ve been here I have served in two ministry capacities prior to Trinity. When we first moved to Lawrence, I had a hard time finding anything local. I served a Methodist church in Kansas City for almost 8 months as their Youth and Children’s Ministry Coordinator. Most recently, I served right next door at First Christian Church. I helped revamp a program that needed new energy, and also got connected with a wonderful denomination. I am currently pursuing ordination in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Since leaving FCC, I have been working at Prairie Moon Waldorf School with preschool and Kindergarten age children. I had just started that job when Father Rob contacted me. We had lunch and discussed the possibility of starting a youth program at Trinity. It is now official! I am the Director of Youth Ministries. I anticipate meeting more of the youth for whom Trinity has been a church home. I also look forward to connecting youth and families with Trinity and perhaps helping them find it to be “home.” Isn’t it exciting to start something new? My hope for Trinity is to create an environment for young faith to flourish; with the particular context of youths’ needs and interests in mind. (Who are you? What do you like to do? How do you connect with your own faith and tradition? Those kinds of things.) I see this simple program incorporating: study, community, and service. From worshipping with your parish, I can already tell that these are things that Trinity values. If you are a young person, a faith mentor to a teenager, a parent, or a grandparent, I will keep you updated. I will have some upcoming events planned and posted very soon. Thanks for inviting me on board!

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TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN (ECW)

PATTY JOHNSON

The Trinity Episcopal Church Women (ECW) met on Saturday, February 18th. It was decided that going forward, they will meet on the third Saturday of every month, at 9:30 a.m., in the Parish Hall. Patty Johnson, Church Financial Secretary and Parishioner, has dedicated considerable time in preparation for, and in formulation of, group at Trinity. On the 18th, the following Officers of Trinity’s ECW were elected:

President Terry MandleVice-President Nancy HauseSecretary Connie PriceTreasurer Joan RingUnited Thank Offering Chairman Elaine PennyChurch Periodical Club Chair Jennifer AttocknieChaplain Deacon Rita Tracy

We appreciate their commitment in initiating a successful ECW at Trinity, and pledge our support to each of them, as they undertake this endeavor.

Remember, if you are a woman, and you go to Trinity Episcopal Church, you are a member of the ECW! Come and join us for fun, fellowship, and a chance to participate in a variety of group projects for Trinity and for our community. If you have any questions, or need more information, please call Patty Johnson, at the Church Office, 785-843-6166.

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ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

LEARNING FUN FOR YOUTH OF ALL AGES

NANCY HANSON

A recent “Pastoral Teaching” issued by the Episcopal House of Bishops unequivocally calls all Christians to commit now to become mindful earth-care stewards. It states, “This is the time for all God’s children to work for the common goal of renewing the earth as a hospitable abode for the flourishing of all life. We are called to speak and act on behalf of God’s good creation.” (You will be hearing more about this Teaching at Trinity.) Please note the words “all God’s children.” This includes every one of us, child or adult. Today’s youth will inherit the earth of tomorrow; the actions of today’s adults, and habits formed by today’s youth, have a direct effect on the condition of the earth inhabited by the next generations.

Caring for the earth must be the commitment of old, middle-aged, and young alike! On behalf of Trinity Environmental Stewardship Team (TEST), here are a few, selected, useful Web sites (from among the many available online—just Google!) to stimulate interest, knowledge, and commitment for a caring approach to living on this, our beloved, beleaguered planet.

For Kids (and Parents)Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Enviro Fun pages:

http://www.epa.state.il.us/kids/index.html

On this site, Captain Earthworm, Captain Redbird and Captain Bluegill will show you how you can protect earth's air, land and water. There are links to fun activities under the following headings:

Our Earthship: How nature recycles air, land and water. Earthship Logs: Follow these brave characters as they protect our Earthship. Fun Stuff: Activities for young people; games and quizzes to do online and learn

about nature.Projects: Creating a home for earthworms, sewing draft stoppers for leaky doors,

coloring and cutting out a water-cycle wheel, making new crayons from old, putting old greeting cards to use.

For Sunday School Teachers

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Children’s Bible Lesson: Kids’ Mission the Environmenthttp://ministry-to-children.com/kids-lesson-the-environment/

Lesson on climate change, based on Genesis 1:1–31, for kids 3 to 12 years. Free, printable lesson plans, coloring sheets; link to National Wildlife Federation’s “Climate Classroom: What’s Up With Global Warming?” site, with downloadable slideshow and presenter’s guide.

Sharing and Protecting God’s Creationhttp://www.congwestonucc.net/Environmental%20Curriculum.pdf

Free, downloadable, three-week environmental curriculum for Sunday schools, using the workshop rotation learning model; adaptations for K–2nd, 3rd–5th, 6th–8th grades.

For Anyone (5th grade and older) The Story of Stuffhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLBE5QAYXp8

With an animated cartoon-drawing background, environmental researcher/activist Annie Leonard delivers a lucid picture of our frenzied, unsustainable, production-consumption-disposal culture.

For Everybody! Lawrence Earth Day ParadeSaturday Morning, April 14

Plan to march with your fellow Trinitarians, carry posters, and wear your “Trinity Earth Steward” T-shirt. Watch for upcoming details in Sunday bulletins and Trinity E-News!

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Caring for the

Environment –

it’s a Christian thing to do!

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH1027 Vermont Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044

Phone: 785-843-6166 Fax: 785-843-6984 Email: office@trinitylawrence.orgWebsite: www.trinitylawrence.org

WORSHIP SCHEDULEHoly Eucharist, Rite I, Sundays, 8:00 a.m.

Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Sundays, 10:30 a.m.Solemn High Mass, Sundays, 6:00 p.m. (during school year)

Clergy:The Reverend Rob Baldwin, Rector

Dick Tracy, DeaconRita Tracy, Deacon

Stephen Segebrecht, Deacon

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Vestry:Patricia Henshall, Senior WardenSteven King, Junior WardenMaria Thompson, ClerkRev. Rob Baldwin, Ex OfficioProctor Crow Lindy EakinDave Griffin Brian HauptPat KehdeTerry MandleDonna McCainPatrick MusickDebbie PittsSandra Willey

Staff:Marilyn Bean, Parish AdministratorPatty Johnson, Financial SecretaryJames Ralston, Music Dir. EmeritusHenry Heller Smith, Music DirectorMark Stotler, OrganistSusan Ralston, Youth Music Director Chris Worley, Office AssistantFilippa Duke, Associate OrganistKendra Thompson, Youth DirectorJasmyn Turner, Nursery Natalie Wilkins, Nursery Diane Leming, SextonRuth Turney, Parish Librarian

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