Trinity Stories

Dear Friends,

It’s Labor Day weekend. You’re going to have people tell you that it’s the end of summer, but don’t believe them. The actual first day of fall isn’t until September 22, and even then, Ohio usually offers a number of pleasantly warm days in early October. But the fact is things are changing. School buses are rolling, road construction crews are finishing their projects, and the hours of daylight are growing shorter.

In last Sunday’s New York Times, Melissa Kirsch noted that, “Labor Day arrives and we shift gears, shift wardrobes and menus and mind-sets. Maybe our gaits get faster. Summer self is self-indulgent; fall self is all determination. Summer self puts things off and fall self gets things done.” I recognize myself in the mirror she’s holding up, and perhaps you do, too.

If Labor Day represents a quickening of tempo, it also represents an opportunity to reflect on work. In the late 1800’s, before President Grover Cleveland made Labor Day a national holiday in 1894, many Americans worked twelve hours a day, seven days a week. Children worked right alongside adults on farms, and in factories and mines. Most people in the United States don’t work like that anymore. Yes, the Labor Department uncovers abuses from time to time – sometimes of children, more often of immigrants. But the incidents are rare.

The late Studs Terkel, host of his own well-known radio program in Chicago between 1952-1997, wrote Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do, in 1974. He interviewed more than 100 people for the book – everyone from gravediggers to studio heads. How did people feel about their working lives? How did work fit into American life? Studs, in his inimitable fashion, explored these questions and others with a farmer, a strip miner, a hotel switchboard operator, a hooker, a garment maker, and a host of others. Although there were a fortunate few among those he interviewed who loved their work, most found plenty not to love, and Studs got an earful about those things simply because he was willing to listen.

In the introduction to Working, Terkel refers to the story of Adam and Eve: “To earn one’s bread by the sweat of one’s brow has always been the lot of mankind. At least, ever since Eden’s slothful couple was served with an eviction notice. The scriptural precept was never doubted, not out loud. No matter how demeaning the task, no matter how it dulls the senses and breaks the spirit, one must work. Or else.”

How do you think about the work you do? Or did? How many jobs have you held? What do you like about working? Not like? Wish was different? And, thinking about work more broadly, how can we make sure that workers of all different kinds of experience dignity and fair compensation?

The Book of Common Prayer, which provides prayers for nearly every occasion, offers this one “For commerce and industry.” May I suggest we pray it as we observe Labor Day 2024:

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life, shared our toil and hallowed our labor: Be present with your people where they work; make those who carry on the industries and commerce of this land responsive to your will; and give us all a pride in what we do, and a just return for our labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Happy Labor Day!

Blessings,

Stephen Applegate

Dear Friends,

Every Episcopal parish I’ve known has its “high holy days.” I’m not talking about Christmas and Easter. Those are the church’s high holy days. I’m talking about the days that, for a variety of local reasons, a parish observes in some special way.

Let me give you an example: the Sunday closest to the Fourth of July at St. Luke’s Granville.

It’s hard to capture in words the Village of Granville during the week of Independence Day. The central Ohio village of just under 6,000 residents delivers a quintessential Midwestern celebration of patriotism. Fireworks, a parade, a carnival midway that takes up two blocks of downtown (okay, so downtown is only two blocks long), pet costume judging, egg tosses, and a bandstand offering everything from rock and roll to kids’ dance troupes – it’s all there. Food vendors offer elephant’s ears, fresh squeezed lemonade, and every imaginable fried food. Oh, one more thing. . . the Pharaoh’s Fury ride is set up right outside the front door of St. Luke’s. You get the picture.

The church – adopting the attitude of “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” made the Sunday closest to the Fourth of July it’s local high holy day. Since The Book of Common Prayer offers readings and prayers for Independence Day and Hymnal 1982 has a section called “National Songs,” the parish went all in. Because the Fourth of July in Granville is a time when many return to the village to visit family and friends, St. Luke’s billed the day as a parish homecoming. Terry and I were in charge of coffee hour and gave it an appropriately corny name – “Apple Pie with the Applegates.” The liturgical colors for the week were red, white, and blue.

Pride is one of Trinity’s high holy days.

This weekend’s colors are the colors of the rainbow, plus the five colors that have been added for the Progress Pride Flag – black, brown, light blue, pink, and white. Trinity’s celebration begins tonight with a picnic on the Plaza from 5:30–7:30 pm. Tomorrow – Saturday – parishioners will offer hospitality from 10:00 am–3:00 pm. Folks will march in the Parade that begins at noon, and staff Trinity’s booth in Promenade Park throughout the day.

Most importantly, we’ll offer thanks and praise to God on Sunday morning at 10:00 am. Because Pride is a high holy day, Bishop Anne has approved liturgical changes for this week’s service that gives the Trinity faith community the opportunity to pray with intention for the LGBTQIA+ community – for every person who is created in God’s image – and that means for everyone.

Happy Pride, Toledo! Happy Pride, Trinity! Remember that you are loved!

Blessings,

Stephen Applegate

Dear Friends,

On Wednesday of this week, our son, Peter, sent photos of his sons on their first day of school. Edward and Sammy started sixth and third grades respectively in the Worthington City School District located just north of Columbus. Their cousins – also our grandchildren – live in New York where school begins after Labor Day (the time of year, in my opinion, when school should start. I suspect my having grown up in Upstate New York influences my opinion about this matter.)

Back-to-school pictures have been popping up in my Facebook feed ever since the beginning of August when schools in Indiana kicked off the 2024-2025 school year. Because I began to serve as interim at St. Christopher’s, Carmel in 2017, the little children I knew then aren’t little anymore. Elementary school kids are now in high school, and high school students have already graduated from college. As Kurt Vonnegut wrote, “So it goes.”

The start of this year’s school year feels different from others for me. You see, I’ve always had someone in our house heading back – my wife, Terry. Her retirement last May has changed the usual rhythm. The advent of August always used to bring a flurry of activity, and although Terry doesn’t seem to miss the tasks of ordering supplies, prepping her room, and making name tags for her first graders, I do.

So, it’s probably a good thing Trinity’s “program year” begins in early September. Its arrival mitigates the loss of my going back to school, even if my “going back” was vicarious. I’m grateful there’s a similar feeling of anticipation and excitement in the parish as various committees and your staff gear up for the start of the fall “term.”

With PRIDE only a week away, most of the time and energy recently has gone to ensuring Trinity’s celebration of our LGBTQIA+ siblings is beautiful and joyful. This issue of Topics contains information on all the ways to participate and, especially, to volunteer (see below)!

Then it’s Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer. How can that be already? Many enjoy the long weekend with trips to the beach or pool and cookouts. We’ll still have church on September 1 – and feel free to come in summer casual attire!

Then the pace quickens on Adams Street! Here’s a preview of what’s in store:

• Saturday, September 7 – Safe Church Training will be offered in person at Trinity from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm. Sadly, both child and adult sexual abuse happens in churches. Safe Church Training gives church members the tools to recognize and reduce the likelihood of such abuse occurring. The training is mandatory in the Episcopal Church for the clergy, for those who work with children, and for others in leadership positions. Sign up for the class below.
• Sunday, September 8 – “Welcome Back Sunday!” Trinity will welcome Mariachi Mexico 2020 – a terrific mariachi band from Detroit – who will play during the service and at the fiesta afterwards. Trinity’s Choir will be back after their summer hiatus. Plan to join us for a morning of great music and celebration. It’s a good way to kick off national Hispanic Heritage Month when, starting September 15, the history, heritage, and accomplishments of Hispanic and Latino Americans of past and present takes center stage. There’ll also be a photographer taking “School Pictures” as we populate the parish’s database with photos to help the new rector get to know us better.
• Sunday, September 15 – Sunday School classes begin for children where families meet the teachers at the beginning of worship in the sanctuary. After a game, a Bible story, a craft related to the story, and a snack, kids return to the sanctuary to join their families for Holy Communion. For more information contact George Benson, Director of Community Engagement.
• Also on Sunday, September 15 – we begin our fall adult formation offering: “Prepping for Election Day 2024.” What is the relationship between faith and citizenship? What is a Christian’s responsibility as a citizen? What do I need to know about voting? Is American Civil Religion the same as Christian Nationalism? How can we disagree without being disagreeable? What spiritual disciplines can we practice as we approach Election Day on November 5?

Mark your calendars now and be thinking of someone you might invite to join you in one or more of these activities. It’s not back-to-school; it’s Welcome Back! I hope you’re looking forward to it as much as I am.

Blessings,

Stephen Applegate

Dear Friends,

Over the past year, there has been an ongoing conversation about how we can care for our children here at Trinity when it comes to spiritual formation. This is something close to my heart, and it is not because I have a kid here. When I first started volunteering and working for churches, it was in children’s ministry. Providing a safe space for children to learn who they are in Jesus is an incredibly important part of caring for the church body. We started down the road earlier this year when we hired Ms. Wendi to staff our nursery. She’s been a great addition to our team.

We are now ready to take the next step by expanding what we offer for our 1st – 5th grade kids. Starting Sunday, September 16, we plan to launch Trinity Kid’s Sunday School. What would it take to do this?! Great question, and this is where you come in!:

• 12 volunteers who would serve in pairs (2) in a single classroom
• Volunteers serve once every 6 weeks
• Parents can be volunteers; other parishioners especially welcome!

Here’s the support and training Trinity will provide:

• Safe Church training (required) – either in-person here in My Brother’s Place at Trinity on Saturday, September 7, from 9:00 – 12:30 am. Childcare, coffee & refreshments provided. Or,
• Online Safe Church training (required). Register by contacting Heather at the Parish Office – heather@trinitytoledo.org
• Sunday lessons from Illustrated Ministry curriculum detailing the story, craft, prayer, and expectations for each week.
• Classroom materials and supplies
• Snacks

Here’s how a typical Sunday morning would go for that week’s volunteers:

• Volunteers of the week meet parents and kids in the sanctuary where kids are “dropped off” to them.
• At 10:05, one volunteer leads the kids upstairs to the Parish House classroom; the other brings up the rear to make sure no kids wander off.
• The volunteers lead the kids through a game, a Bible story, a craft related to the story, and a snack
• When the lesson is finished (10:40 am), the volunteers and kids return to the sanctuary where they meet their parents during the passing of the peace.
• Kids then stay with their parents for the rest of the service.

We are excited to have a number of children worshiping with us. I know we have at least 12 volunteers who will help us kick off Trinity Kids’ Sunday School on September 16 because whenever there is an ask here, Trinity shows up! Is God calling you to this ministry?

This has been a banner year for Trinity Episcopal Church as we have launched and sustained new ministries and have seen growth during a transition period. The way y’all continue to show up to support and be present is not something I have ever experienced before in a house of worship. I am so honored to be here serving with and for y’all. If there are any questions, or if I can clarify anything, please reach out and ask me.

Grace and peace,

George Benson (he, him)
Director of Community Engagement
george@trinitytoledo.org