A Servant Ministry to Hartford's Homeless

Today at Trinity we expand the definition of our "radical hospitality" as Trinity hosts the third annual memorial service for those who have died homeless on the streets of Hartford during the past year. This years observance is unprecedented in scope, thanks in large part to the efforts of our own Fr. Ron Kolanowski and the magnificent coordinating team he has put together from representatives of more than 30 organizations throughout our community. The service takes place today by design: Today is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, and therefore the longest night. The snow on the ground and the near-freezing temperatures will be a fitting backdrop for the day's activities, which will include an interfaith memorial service and a meal provided by area agencies that have donated everything from food to tables and chairs to the nearly one hundred volunteers who are preparing the space, leading the worship, preparing and serving the food and, of course, clean-up from such a massive undertaking. Each person attending will also receive a bag containing hats, gloves, a scarf, warm socks and a toothbrush and toothpaste.

Thanks again and kudos to Ron Kolanowski and his planning team, along with our prayers for those in our midst who, like the child whose birth we celebrate at the end of this week, live without permanent shelter and a reliable source of provisions. I hope you can join us for this event, which begins with worship at 10 a.m. and concludes with a luncheon immediately following in the Nave.

Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+

St. Nicholas Day at Trinity

Today is not only the Second Sunday of Advent, but is the traditional celebration of St. Nicholas Day. As is increasingly becoming the case, we will have a lot going on this morning.

First, we will welcome Mr. Roy McAlpine, Trinity parishioner, graduate of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, and a chaplain at St. Francis Hospital, to be our preacher. Roy always has a wonderful message, and we are so grateful for his ministry among us.

Second, we will give thanks for Elizabeth Moore's being made a US citizen on Friday.

Third, we will have what has affectionately become known at Trinity as the annual "Mall of Jesus." This is where many of our groups at Trinity offer handmade or other unique items that are perfect for holiday gift giving. This year features the following:
*150th Anniversary banners by Hector Phelps, acrylic painted designs on Trinity roof slate (the former roof!) by Liz Johnson, and felt Christmas ornaments -- all from our Banner Guild
* Trinity Christmas cards and gift cards for many national retailers from our Choir School of Hartford program. The gift cards are great for personal use -- buy one, for example, for the grocery store at which you do your shopping. The Choir School will earn from 5 - 8% for every dollar you spend -- and it won't cost you a penny more!
*The Outreach Committee will be offering Trinity aprons -- in natural with navy print, and royal blue with white print. Proceeds from this sale go to support the scholarship fund for our high school scholars at our partner parish in Tabora, Tanzania.
*Not to be outdone, members of our Journey to Adulthood program are offering Trinity 150th Anniversary logo T-shirts for sale. They are a steal for $10 apiece ($12 for extra extra large sizes). The teens are also trying to raise enough money for 2 scholarships for our Trinity scholars at Mbugani Parish in Tanzania. Special kudos to Ned Miller who has led the way in organizing this, presenting it to our 150th Anniversary Committee, and leading other members of Journey to Adulthood in getting this project together.

BUT WAIT -- THERE'S MORE! All that is just the morning stuff. At 5 p.m. in the afternoon, we will celebrate a St. Nicholas Evensong, featuring the Trinity choirs and officiated by Fr. Ron. This service will kick off the beginning of our drive for socks, hats, scarves and gloves for Hartford's homeless citizens. This drive will continue until our city-wide service for the homeless on December 21. At this service we will also take up a special offering for the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which is being sponsored by Episcopal Relief and Development. Please be generous in support of this ministry which reaches out to our Palestinian brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Jerusalem. Child care will be available in the nursery, and for older children, an activity room upstairs. Then at 6 p.m. we will have one of those famous Trinity Pot Luck suppers with food from cultures around the world. Then at 7 p.m. we will be led in an old fashioned Carol Sing led by Director of Music Ministry Bert Landman.

I hope you will be able to join us for any or all of our worship and fellowship events today. It's another great day to be at Trinity! Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+

Friday and Saturday pix

Here are some pix of the Choir School of Hartford as they sang yesterday morning at the Governor's Mansion in Hartford. If this were not the first time I was importing pictures into my blog, the Saturday pictures would be appearing after the event on Friday, which appears below.

As reported on Thursday, Friday afternoon I attended the ceremony at US District Court in which Elizabeth Moore was sworn in as a United States Citizen. She is pictured at left receiving her Citizenship Certificate from the Honorable John F. Droney, United States District Judge. If you look carefully between Elizabeth and Judge Droney, you will also see Trinity parishioner Emily LaCroix, who has been a close friend and supporter during Elizabeth's transition to life in the United States. Emily is getting the picture from the other side! With her were also Allison and Andrew Mafko, who call Elizabeth "Aunt Elizabeth." Today at church we will give thanks for Elizabeth's being made a citizen and also celebrate with a special cake in her honor following the service.

Saturday at Trinity: Choir School Sings for Governor

This morning the Choir School of Greater Hartford, resident at Trinity Episcopal Church, will perform for guests at the Open House at the Governor's Mansion on Prospect Avenue in Hartford between 10 and 11 a.m. Under the leadership of Director of Music Ministry Bert Landman, the Choir School consists of 25 young people from third grade through high school. The Choir School will also perform at the Wadsworth Atheneum's "Festival of Trees" at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 12 in the Atheneum's Avery Court. If you want to hear our young choristers in a different venue, try to come out and see them at one of these two events.

Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+

A New US Citizen - Elizabeth Moore

This afternoon I will have one of those privileged moments that pastors are blessed to enjoy! At 2:45 this afternoon at the Federal Building in Hartford, Elizabeth Moore will become a United States citizen and I will be in attendance to witness the event.

Elizabeth came to this country as a refugee from Liberia, where her family was caught up in the midst of the civil war in that country. She was subjected to both observe and experience brutal atrocities during that time. She arrived at Trinity in late 2004, having been relocated to Hartford by Catholic Charities under the auspices of the UN High Commission on Refugees. By God's grace, her own hard work and perseverance, and with the support of her family here at Trinity, Elizabeth has a job, is a successful full-time student in nursing, an active member of our congregation serving on the Altar Guild, and is blossoming in her new life in the United States.

On Sunday morning we will celebrate Elizabeth's becoming a citizen -- please join us and congratulate her in person!

Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+