House - Prayer - People

Dear Friends,

Every Sunday, following the readings from Scripture and the response to those readings called the sermon (or homily - really the same thing, but coming from a different language of origin), we stand together as a congregation and say, "We believe..." This credo (from which the word creed is rendered) summarizes our trust in the one God who in Christ and by the power of the Spirit makes us the Church. And as the Church we live the prophet's vision that this house will be "a house of prayer for all people" (Isaiah 56:7).

Over the next three months Trinity Church will live the question of how we can more fully be that "house of prayer for all people." In our worship, Christian formation classes, stewardship campaign, community ministries efforts, fellowship and spiritual exploration we will broaden, stretch, recast and even EXPLODE the meanings of those three great nouns: House, Prayer and People.

On Sunday, September 9, we will welcome a lay leader from another downtown metropolitan Episcopal church (and the new president of the Episcopal Church Foundation's board), Dr. Mac McFarling of St. Luke's in Atlanta, who will join in a conversation on the stewarding of the house, our prayers and life in the Spirit for all people. You will want to be at Trinity's Welcome Sunday and the brunch at 9:15 a.m. that day!

And on we go into the fall season - learning, serving and living together as pilgrims who trust that God is doing new and amazing things in us as we become more and more God's house, God's prayerful congregation, welcoming all people as we walk ahead in faith.

Blessings to all,
The Rev. Richard A. Burnett, Rector

Please plan to join us for food, fun and fellowship. We will be celebrating a new year at Trinity with a Festive Brunch as we welcome back the Trinity Choir and Church School. We hope to see you there!

Date: Sunday, September 9
Time: 9:15 a.m.

And be sure to join us on Sunday, September 23 for Time & Talent Sunday. At this annual event, you will have an opportunity to explore the various committee and ministry opportunities available at Trinity. These will be presented during special Coffee Hours after both the 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services.

Dear fellow Parishioners,

I hope you and your families have had a wonderful summer. It's amazing how fast time flies. September is upon us and our thoughts turn to school, fall, and of course Ohio State football. As we focus on our fall schedules, I ask you to please keep Trinity in your thoughts. Our lives get consumed with children and work and sometimes we lose focus on setting aside time for one of the most important things in our lives which is the family called Trinity Episcopal Church.

I am honored to announce that I will be the Chairman of the 2007-2008 Stewardship Committee. Over the next ten weeks the vestry and I will be in touch with all of you to discuss growth, development and faith at Trinity. Stewardship is more than economics. Stewardship is about family, faith and involvement. The vestry will be introducing a program called House, Prayer, People. We are very excited about this program as we anticipate and hope that it will enhance and help the family called Trinity Episcopal Church. In addition it is my personal goal to help all parishioners understand the importance of stewardship not only in terms of economics but in terms of involvement and commitment. It all begins on Welcome to Trinity Sunday, September 9th at the 10:30 a.m. service. Please plan on joining us as we begin our Sunday school program as well as our introduction of House, Prayer, People.

I can always be reached via email at ttreasure@equity.net. You may also phone the Parish Office should you have any questions.

I look forward to talking to all of you over the next ten weeks.

Sincerely,
Tim Treasure
Chairman
2007-2008 Stewardship Committee

Ah, school is back in session for most, if not all, of our youth, and parents everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief. Perhaps there is even a whiff of nostalgia? Brand new note books, newly sharpened pencils, a text book that hasn't ever been used? Well here at Trinity, we are also preparing for the fall. Starting September 9th, we will Welcome Back our Sunday School students with a new curriculum called Seasons of the Spirit. This curriculum follows the lectionary, so students will be exploring the same lessons and Gospel that the congregation reads each Sunday. Seasons of the Spirit offers some really creative ways to make traditional bible study pertinent to our youth, with sections on current events, books and movies and other interactive tools. You can get a real overview on their website at www.spiritseasons.com

However, the best lessons plans in the world still need teachers to lead them and students to follow them. One philosophy is that Sunday school is a penance children pay because they are too noisy in church. That is not the mindset here at Trinity. If we want our children to think about the lessons the Bible holds for us, then we need to give them a safe and nurturing environment where they can explore those lessons.

How can you be involved? We are currently looking for Sunday School teachers for the fall season to Advent. There will be several class groupings appropriate for the ages of Trinity's children and you will join another adult "exploration guide" in leading them on an exploration in faith. Please feel free to contact me at education@trinitycolumbus.org, or contact the Parish Office for more information or to sign up for a specific week or weeks.

Louise Jones
Church School Coordinator

NOW is the time for chefs to put their pyrotechnics, or at least their chili making skills, to the test.

St. John's Episcopal Church in Franklinton is holding their annual Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, October 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The event raises funds for the many outreach ministries of St. John's Town Street.

The event is lots of fun, with as much as you can eat, a great silent auction, and entertainment by the Rev. Stephen Smith's band, Revd Up.

Trinity can offer up to THREE entries. Please speak to the Rector if you would like to put your ladle on the line!