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Beloved Friends-
This Sunday, immediately following our 10:00 Trinity@Home on-line service we we will gather virtually (again) to celebrate the year we have just ended as well as look forward with hope and gratitude to what lies ahead. Here are the words I used to describe some of the ways I will remember 2021 from my Rector’s Message in the 2021 Annual Report:
We are becoming a new and re-formed church,
The Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement—
Individuals, small gathered communities and congregations
whose way of life is the way of Jesus and his way of love,
no longer centered on empire and establishment,
no longer fixated on preserving institutions,
no longer shoring up white supremacy or anything else that hurts of harms any child of God.
By God’s grace…we are becoming a church that looks and acts like Jesus.
(From the Episcopal Church website)
This September marked the beginning of our 5th year together. There is no way I could have known in 2017 this journey would lead us into such a unique, challenging, grace-filled extended season of ministry. We continue to live in and through all that has transpired through this pandemic and the result has been nothing short of astounding.
We have also navigated transitions of many sorts during this past year. In addition to saying goodbye and celebrating the gifts of those who have either died or moved away, we have also had some staff transitions. Our sexton, Nick Zurawski and our curate, Megan Allen, each made the decision to leave Trinity and we who are left behind acknowledge the empty place created by their departures. This year has reminded me we are always only together for a season, and regardless of length, we do well to cherish the time we have together day by day not taking any of it for granted.
The Trinity staff and Vestry have had another year of what I would describe as heavy and holy lifting keeping us all connected and engaged following the way of Jesus. Please join me in thanking them for their resilience, courage, compassion and commitment. Below is a snapshot of highlights I will carry with me from 2021. They are reminders that with God all things are indeed possible, and we have come so far as we continue on together.
Highlights from 2021 include:
- A second year of developing our new Trinity@Home online worship platform
- Completing a Feasibility Study led by the Randles Co. helping us vision our future
- Completing our 2030 Vision- Come and See: Building Christian Community Committed to Radical Transformation
- Developing new staffing positions for the Music Ministry
- Welcoming new musicians: Grace Mauk, Michael Barlos, Melissa Toth & Bradley Baker
- Offering a second round of the video-based curriculum, Sacred Ground
- Offering support and engagement to our community partner Toledo Streets Newspaper
- Celebrating baptisms and welcoming new members
- Offering numerous formation opportunities, learning and growing together
- Continued improvements to our technology & infrastructure
It continues to be an honor, joy and privilege to walk with you day by day becoming a church that looks and acts like Jesus.
Hope to see you Sunday!!
May you never forget that you are loved,
Lisa