The Quarterly Newsletter of Trinity Episcopal Church and Trinity Parish Nursery School
651 Pequot Avenue, PO Box 400 Southport CT 06890 203.255.0454 (Office) 203.255.6096 (Fax) www.trinitysouthport.org SUMMER 2017 2017 SUMMER From the Deacon’s Desk We Are Part of Something Greater Than Ourselves message for me in my hotel room. It read, “NOTICE TO by Deacon Diane Peterson GUESTS: If there is anything you need and don’t see, we will show you how to do without it.” That was the begin- There’s a song by the late Sam Cooke, “ A Change is ning of my witnessing history. The world was watching Gonna Come, ” and there are words in the song that reso- on February 11, 1989, when Barbara C. Harris was conse- nated with me as I began to write this article. The words crated before a congregation of nearly 8,000 at Hynes are, “It's been a long time coming, a long time coming, Auditorium in Boston, thus becoming the worldwide An- but I know a change is gonna come. Oh, yes it will.” glican Communion’s first female bishop. The historic and, at the time, controversial nature of that event sig- Counting the Firsts naled for many a hoped-for sea change toward church Sometimes change can be uncomfortable. Sometimes it is leadership that looks more like the church’s actual mem- easier when we stay farther apart, when we keep our dis- bership, a majority of which is women. Twenty-eight tances. We tend to keep familiarity by keeping with those years later, however, the reality is more ripple effect than who look like us or act like us or with whom we agree. tidal wave as women are still only gradually making their But those outstretched arms of Jesus on the cross aren’t way into the episcopacy; communion wide, the church is reaching out just to our friends. Not at all. Those out- still counting its firsts. stretched arms of Jesus are reaching out to all, to every- one. They’re reaching out to the whole of creation. I’ve First #2 - 2016 been blessed to be present at or participate in part of that The Right Reverend Michael B. Curry – Installed as change. It may have come in ways and at times unex- 27th Presiding Bishop & Episcopal Church Primate pected. I’ve been taken back to memories which to many “Evangelism, racial reconciliation rooted in love will people might seem ordinary occurrences, but my being a anchor work ahead ” Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry witness to history and a par- ticipant in that change, alt- Who Knew? A Vigil Celebration hosted by the Union of hough I usually have a lot to Black Episcopalians was planned on the eve of November say, I find it somewhat diffi- 1st—the day the Diocese of North Carolina Bishop Mi- cult to share my story with chael Curry would be formally humility. I just feel blessed to installed as presiding bishop and have been a witness. primate. Bishop Curry and the Episcopal Church held a tradi- First #1 - 1989 tional African-American service The Right Reverend and prayer watch, and I was in- vited to participate. I had the Barbara C. Harris – First honor of serving at the altar with Woman Ordained Bishop in Presiding Bishop Katharine the Anglican Communion - Jefferts Schori (first female Pre- I was there. An experience I siding Bishop of the will not forget. I arrived in Episcopal Church – ANOTHER FIRST) and Presiding Boston the evening before, Bishop elect Michael B. Curry as deacon of the Mass. and found friends had left a Continued on page 2
Bishops breaking barriers Front cover-2 Parish Doings 3-5 Children’s Ministries 7 Park for Food Back cover SSUE
I Deacon’s Desk Front cover-2 Planned Giving 3 ECCT—Episcopal Church in CT 10 Pray, Fast, Act 9
THIS From the Choir Loft 6 Search Committee 4
N Outreach 8-9 Trinity Parish Nursery School 11 I PAGE 2 THE SPIRE From the Deacon’s Desk First #3 - 2017 Indianapolis Diocese Installs First-Ever Black Female Bishop in Episcopal Church History
It was a last-minute cancellation of a scheduled event that provided me the opportunity to travel to Indianapo- lis, Indiana, to witness the installation of the first ever Black Female Bishop to lead a diocese in Episcopal Church His- tory. Now there are three black Suffragan Bishops and one Dioc- Above, Michael B. Curry elevates the bread and wine during that esan bishop. To me, October 31st Vigil Celebration at the Washington D.C. Armory. this once again Sunday at the Washington National Cathedral was a brought forth changes once-in-a-lifetime experience for me — participating in the Church and the in Presiding Bishop Curry’s installation at the Wash- Episcopate. Women as ington National Cathedral. The installation drew bishops in the church guests from many nations and faith traditions, and have been limited. was undeniably a global and interreligious celebra- Although they do ex- The Right Reverend Jennifer Basker- tion, with the Anglican Communion and the world’s ist, most of those that ville-Burrows, Eleventh Diocesan Abrahamic faiths well represented. Six primates and do serve are not Dioc- Bishop of the Diocese of Indianapolis. several other Anglican leaders traveled to Washing- esan Bishops but rather Suffragan Bishops. Reverend ton National Cathedral for the service. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows became the first black woman to lead a diocese in the Episcopal Church. As I sat with the many filling the cathedral, emotions were high. The Holy Spirit surrounded all of us in ways I cannot begin to explain. Here again, the blessing to witness this day along with my brothers and sisters from all the United States was more than overwhelm- ing. I/we can now tell HERstory. I am happy and proud. Rt. Rev. Barbara Harris (the first of these “Firsts”) was present as one of the co-consecrators at the service. Before the consecration, Jennifer Basker- ville-Burrows told the Indianapolis Star , “The first thing that comes to mind is how grateful I am to the women that have come before. Barbara Harris will be at my consecration, and when I think about what she’s Quite humbling serving with done for me and how I’ve even encountered little girls The Most Rev. Michael B. saying, ‘Oh my gosh. One day, may I discern such a Curry. call?’ That is just everything.”
David vs. Goliath Last month, we witnessed the shattering of another glass ceiling—someone doing what had been thought Bishop Michael Bruce Curry impossible. On Saturday, April 29, 2017, the church after the ceremony of his witnessed a miraculous outcome that, in the minds of installation , stands with his predecessor, Bishop many, is like David beating Goliath. Katharine Jefferts Schori. Thanks be to God! Deacon Diane THE SPIRE PAGE 3 Trinity Parish Your Legacy at Trinity Rector's Forum - Sundays in June
Greetings, Between the 8 and 10am Sunday services This year Easter Sunday was spectacular! 9am in the Library—all are welcome! From the flowers to the music to the filled Please join us to discuss The Four Loves, a book pews, I think we all left church with an add- by C. S. Lewis which explores the nature of love ed spiritual bounce in our step as we walked from a Christian and philosophical perspective. into the light of Spring and the promise of These are the four kinds of love, he says: rebirth and the life everlasting; the gift of 1. Storge—empathy bond our savior Jesus Christ. And I am quite sure 2. Philia—friend bond many of us hope and pray for many more 3. Eros—erotic bond Easter mornings like this to be experienced 4. Agape—unconditional 'God' love by many, many generations to come. The book was based on a set of 1958 radio talks.
So it is to this vision of Trinity’s future A free PDF of the book is available at this web- that Peggy and I would like to speak. One of site: https://www.calvin.edu/~pribeiro/DCM- the most meaningful things we can do as Lewis-2009/Lewis/the-four-loves.pdf Christians is to participate in Planned Giv- ing. By that I mean that now, we as either an individual or a couple, can include a fi- nancial gift to Trinity’s endowment in our will. This commitment of faith will have no impact on our current cash flow but rather goes into effect upon our death, when in fact we will no longer need the revenue. As you know, it is the strength of our endow- ment, particularly the unrestricted portion that allows Trinity to continue doing Christ’s work on earth. And your commitment to this work through Planned Giving will solidify our future for generations to come. We would ask that you seriously consider your commitment through Planned Giving and joining others who have made the com- mitment and in doing so become a member Morning Prayer is offered Daily of the Trinity Legacy Society. in the Chapel at Trinity For further information, please call either Peggy: 203-255-0454, ext. 301, or myself: Every weekday morning at 7:30am 203- Monday through Friday (Enter through the kitchen door!) Sincerely, Traveling this summer? Nelson North You can do Morning Prayer on-line! Chair of Planned Giving http://www.missionstclare.com/ Scripture study resources may be found at: www.lectionarypage.net/#dailylectio PAGE 4 THE SPIRE Trinity Parish PARK FOR FOOD 2nd Annual Trinity time is here again! Be part of the Tailgate Tag Sale Saturday, June 10 FUN! Fabulous Preview We need Cocktail Party YOUR HELP! Friday, June 9 Fri., July 21 6:30-9:30pm Sat., July 22 Sun., July 23 Bonus points for 2 or more of the following: a) buy a parking spot ($100, or $150 for premium Some of last year’s volunteers Volunteer Today! location) b) donate treasures to the Boutique with some of the HAUL! Email or Call : c) volunteer d) underwrite ♦ Questions re: donations? Contact Janet [email protected] 508-517-5887 [email protected]