JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2003 THE TRINITARIAN 1 Volume 7, Issue 1 THE TRINITARIAN Find us also on the Trinity web site at www.trinitywashingtondc.org Fr. Harmon's Message Vestry News Rectors Reflection Janice Booker Elected Senior Warden The Feast of Epiphany, 2003 by Raymond Blanks Beloved: A born Episcopalian, Janice Booker is a person of deep ights have fascinated me as far back as I can faith and an experienced leader. Beyond a string of other L remember. I think of the warm rays of sunlight accomplishments and contributions, she was recently beaming through clouds and trees, colorful stained glass elected to succeed Dr. Tracy Walton as Trinity’s new and crystal-like prisms. I can feel the coolness of moon- Senior Warden. light against the dark of night admit the penetrating light Nearly 15 years ago, Ms. Booker transferred her of stars. I can see in my mind’s eyes the fire of a flicker- membership to Trinity from her family’s church, Good ing candlelight and the frosted glow of a kerosene lamp’s Shepherd Episcopal Church in Tryon, North Carolina, in light. Light has become very much a part of my life and the Blue Mountain region of the western part of the Tar embodies warmth and purity, insight and vision. Light Heel state. Her parents, Boyce and Jewel, were among symbolizes life and vitality and strength. But wherever Continued on page 4 light is appreciated, darkness must be understood as an approaching or retreating reality or presence. In this Contents sense, we are always moving towards the light or away Janice Booker Elected Senior Warden 1 from it, gaining it or losing it. Fr. Harmon's Message 1 While I am not afraid of physical darkness, I am Current Vestry Membership 2 The Trinitarian Calendar for 2003 2 careful about the shadowy nature of it. Darkness can be a Vestry Actions 2 place of creation, gestation and birth. It can also be a The Unfriendly Beasts 3 place of fear, temptation and evil intent. The presence of Black History in Epiphany 4 light is not the absence of darkness. Discerning and being A Journey to Freedom 5 careful about the shadows of darkness makes us acutely Dream vs. Reality: MLK Dream Update 6 aware of God’s activity in the world and of God’s New Book by Juan presenceWilliams in our hearts.Published7 In the case of the magi and of February Calendar 8 Joseph, the birth of Jesus Christ represented the activity February Highlights 9 of God in the world and their dreams represented their January Highlights 10 awareness of God’s presence in their hearts. Joseph and Horace Boyer Addresses Trinity 11 the magi were not afraid of the darkness or Herod, but Parish Directory: Final Notice 11 were sufficiently cautious to be aware of the presence of The History of Watch Night 12 both. Senior Ministry News 12 To the purest heart, living in the holiness of God King Honored in Peoples Protest 13 New Birth Announcements 13 makes darkness as sacred as light. The joy of Epiphany Valentine's Day Messages from Our Kids 14 is living into that holiness of light where God is always 108th Diocesan Convention 15 discovered as the disclosing Star of our lives. I have 2 THE TRINITARIAN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2003 come to love the fire of light because of its character. It Vestry Notes scatters the shadow of darkness and illumines the human spirit. Vestry Actions May the Holy Wisdom who speaks to us in every way illumine your heart. v The new vestry members were sworn in and Janice Booker was elected as the Senior Warden for a two- Until next time, I am, year term. v Father Harmon paid special recognition to the Faithfully in Christ, outgoing Vestry members: Tracy Walton, Joyce Ladner, Kay Pierson, Rosemarie Brooks and Doris Browne. Each member was presented with a gift. John HarmonV v Cora Dixon and Elizabeth Cocke have been ap- pointed to the board of the Trinity Development Corporation. v One hundred fifty (150) cushioned chairs were purchased for the Parish hall. Current Vestry Membership The names of the current board members are as follows: New Members Vincent Adams Darryl Harrison Barbara Jarvis Ulonda Shamwell The Trinitarian Calendar for 2003 Chiemeka Opaigbeogu Article Distribution Old Members Meeting Submission Date Cheryl Freeman Dates Issue Deadline (Estimate) Janice Booker (senior warden) January 12 Jan/Feb January 19 February 9 James Brown February 2 March February 10 March 2 Mildred Dickerson March 2 Easter March 10 April 6 Isaac Marks April 6 Spring April 10 May 4 Charles Woodbury May 4 Summer May 10 June 8 Sydney Hall (junior warden) September 7 October September 10 October 5 Delegates October 5 November October 10 November 2 Ray Hall November 2 Christmas November 10 December 7 Lillian Wilkerson Carver King Submit articles to: [email protected] and Barbara Harvey (alternate) [email protected] JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2003 THE TRINITARIAN 3 Children & Youth Ministry to clean up every nook and cranny to welcome the Holy Family, not only warmed our hearts but filled us all with The Unfriendly Beasts bursts of laughter! Forgotten lines as some of the kids Submitted by Rita Nampijja,Children & Youth Ministry Teacher got lost in the excitement of the moment on stage only added to the joy of the occasion. An incident of stage Our children and youth at Trinity are absolutely first- fright was treated with all the TLC that it deserved and rate! They take great pride in what they do and in being served to make the child involved sit back and enjoy the part of a Christian fellowship that cares and shares with play. one another. It is this kind of wholesome interaction that The play, with all its humor and frenzy, certainly left helps them grow in the right direction by putting their an indelible lesson in our hearts. Will you open your faith into action. heart to Jesus? In the hustle and bustle of the Christmas After weeks of rehearsals, on Saturday, December season when folks get so caught up in the frenzy of 14, 2002, Trinity’s children and youth entertained parents shopping, travel, guests etc, it's important to remember and guests with a charming, humorous musical play the real reason for the season: JESUS CHRIST. We based on a story called The Unfriendly Beasts. The must open our hearts to Jesus, to welcome Him not only children and youth, adorned in animal attire, acted out at Christmas time but all year long and all life long. Even the role of animals in the manger that must share their when the excitement settles, we must always hold our crowded stable with Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. Lord Jesus Christ in our hearts where He belongs. The animals hear the news about humans joining them The event was followed by the Festival of Lights and they are far from pleased at first. They protest the where a select group of children and youth lit a candle arrival of humans in their stable and Mayor Mouse leads and read various heart-warming passages from the Bible. them in preparing a “No Vacancy” sign. In their heated A delicious dinner and eggnog “with” and “without” protest, the animals humor the audience with their added to the warmth of a wonderfully memorable event. varying interpretations of what the sign reads. Interpreta- We hope parents, friends and guests who missed the tions range from “No Vacations” to “No Vaccinations” 2002 Christmas Dinner and Theater will be able to attend to “No Vacuum Cleaners” before finally being con- in 2003. firmed by animal four that it is “NO VACANCY.” A special word of thanks to the cast of characters In the midst of all the protesting, the Light of Salva- namely (but not limited to): tion shines its beautiful glow upon the stable darkness, Narrators: Ashley Drummond, Chinemezi Ukaegbu, and the darkness in their hearts turns from coldness to and David Okonkwo compassion. The cast in their various animal costumes Mary: Cameron Bausermann shows us the kindness that lies within the human soul. Joseph: Ucheche Ukaegbu Charity Chicken is the first to make room in her heart, Mayor Mouse: Alex Pumphrey followed by Carolee Cow, Sheary Sheep, Tiffany Lamb, Inn-Keeper: Nikki Hendericks and Grum-Paw Goat, and soon the entire stable joins in Grum-Paw Goat: Joshua Harmon welcoming the Holy Family. The formerly “unfriendly” Animal 1: Obinna Ukaegbu beasts become “friendly” beasts, and each in turn pre- Animal 2: Chinyere Ukaegbu sents a gift to the Christ Child. What an uplifting act! Animal 3: Aaron Freeman The colorful array of animals amused the audience Animal 5: Tori Chandler with their actions of initial adamant refusal to welcome Chicken: Justin Trabue the baby Jesus and His family and the turn-around with Donkey: Akudo Ukaegbu an energy filled frenzy to show their welcoming spirit. Donkey: Justin Harmon The energy on stage as they hurried and scurried around Sheep: Jarena Harmon Continued on page 4 4 THE TRINITARIAN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2003 Beasts...continued from page 3 Senior Warden...continued from page 1 May our Lord continue to empower these young the first African American members of that parish more actors as they use their talents to honor Him. than 50 years ago. The event would not have been complete without the The president and CEO of New Economy Capital, hard work of Musical Director, Barbara Maxwell; Stage L.L.C., Ms. Booker is a nationally recognized public Director, Toni Ward; Stage Prop, Adrienne Vyfhuis; and policy expert in alternative equity and debt investments, Costume Designer, Cheryl Freeman.