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THE WINDOW A monthly publication of Trinity Episcopal Church

FEB/MARCH 2018

Ash Wednesday, February 14 7:00 am, noon, 7:00 pm in the Chapel

ANNUAL MEETING

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2018 One service only at 9 am, followed by annual meeting

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INSIDE THIS MONTH’S WINDOW…

What is Lent?...................................... 3

From Your Rector .......................... 4, 5

New eWindow!

Bishop Gayle Coming

All About Lent ............................... 6, 7

Sacred Conversations

Wednesday Evenings

Wednesday Study

Sunday Forums

From Your Associate ......................... 8

Youth Group ...................................... 9

Undercroft Blessings ................. 10, 11

Children’s Sunday programing

Lent with Legos

Turning Towards God

Burying the Alleluia

Music Notes ..................................... 12

Musical Changes in Lent

Recital/Evensong

Join the Choir

Winter Offerings .............................. 13

Women’s Book Group

Cancer Survival Group

Shrove Tuesday ............................... 14

Pancake Supper

Burning Palms

Window of Opportunity ................ 15

Church Office is closed

on Monday, February 19

For President’s Day

TRINITY EPISCOPAL

CHURCH 81 Elm Street

Concord, MA 01742

Phone: 978-369-3715

www.trinityconcord.org

trinity@trinityconcord.org

TRINITY STAFF

The Rev. Nancy J. Hagner,

Rector

The Rev. Becky Gettel,

Associate Rector

Carol Brady, Director of

Christian Formation

Robert Barney,

Director of Music

Anne Lynch,

Parish Administrator &

Pastoral Care Coordinator

Susan MacDonald, Publications

Nancy Marshall, Bookkeeper

Ted Hull, Sexton

Paul Lamoreaux, Sunday Sexton

WORSHIP TIMES

Holy Eucharist

Sundays 8:00 am in the Chapel

Sundays 10:00 am in the Church

Church Office Hours

Monday through Friday

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Window articles due the

20th of every month to:

macdonald at

trinityconcord dot org

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The Season of Lent is the 40 days and 5 Sundays leading up to Easter. Lent offers us an opportunity for reflection, growth and renewal. It is not meant to be a time of burdensome religiosity and the dreaded denial of things that we enjoy, but rather a time to detoxify our mind, body and soul. A time to rid ourselves of the grit and dirt that so often prevents the Spirit from flowing freely and fully in and through us. We can think of Lent as a time to “cleanse our palate” so we can taste life more fully. Lent is an opportunity to meet Jesus again, to open our hearts and minds to the Word of God in a fresh new way. It is a time to re-examine our lives with honesty and truth, not to tell us how far off the mark we are, but rather to open ourselves to the possi-bilities God has in store for us. We invite you to take up a Lenten practice this year, to try some-thing new. Trinity offers a variety of experiences for all ages to help you make the journey from Ash Wednesday to the Cross, and then to the miracle of the empty tomb on Easter. Questions for Lent

What might God be calling me to give up to help me clear out things that weigh me down on my journey of faith?

What new activity, study, or prayer practice might I try this Lent to enliven my experience of God?

What can I do with my spouse, partner, children, grand-children, and friends to encourage their observance of a holy Lent?

What is lent? by Nancy J. Hagner

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a

holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-

denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word.

Book of Common Prayer

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FROM YOUR rector by Nancy J. Hagner

Light through a NEW eWindow!! (coming soon!)

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

In these last days of January, as we near the end of the season of

Epiphany, I am grateful every day for those few more minutes of

light each day. Light signals new growth and hope for spring in

the dark days of winter. We also look toward our 2018 Lenten

journey, which begins on February 14 with Ash Wednesday,

when we will worship at 7 am, noon, and 7 pm. The evening

service is a half hour earlier this year to encourage you to come

with your children and grandchildren. It is never too early to

begin a lifelong practice of observing Lent in all its beauty and

richness.

This February/March issue of the Window contains many

invitations to you and your family to observe a Holy Lent. I

encourage you to explore the options for worship, fellowship,

prayer, and study and to reach out to me or Becky to have a

sacred conversation during Lent.

This issue is also the final issue of the Window in its paper

format. Beginning in February, we will publish a WEEKLY

eWindow!!! The plan is for this eWindow newsletter to arrive in

your inbox no later than Friday each week. Information will be

current and clear. You will know that Trinity Church is here and

active, and eager to see you.

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One of my goals as your rector in this “Year of Community,

Communion, and Communication” is for us to connect more

effectively and more frequently with one another and the wider

world. Those of you who lead Trinity Church ministries will

have the opportunity to publicize events and programs in a

timely and succinct way; reaching a wider audience than those

who are in the pews on a given Sunday. Becky and I will

alternate weeks writing a clergy reflection—a chance for you to

hear from your priests beyond our sermons, and to click right to

the sermon from Sunday if you want to listen to that too.

As with any new creation, there will no doubt be bumps in the

road and course corrections! I look forward to your input and

help as we shine our light through a new eWindow in 2018.

Peace and blessings to all,

Nancy+

Our Bishop is Coming!

March 4, 2018

Bishop Gayle Harris will make an

official visitation to Trinity on Sunday,

March 4. She will lead the Forum Hour

at 9 am and hopes to see all 8:00 am

and 10:00 am parishioners gathered

together. She will answer questions

and discuss current diocesan and

church-wide issues, so please join us.

Bishop Gayle will be our preacher and celebrant at the 10:00 am

service and will meet with the clergy, vestry, and youth leaders

following that service.

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Wednesday Evenings in Lent Join us on Wednesday evenings in Lent for a time of worship, fellowship, and reflection. We will begin with a simple soup supper at 6:00 pm (we are in need of volunteers to bring soup and bread). Beginning at 6:30 pm, our program will focus on God as the Chief Gardener of our souls. We will use a tool from monastic spirituality called a ‘Rule of Life’ to explore and cultivate our relationships with God, Self, Others, and Creation. Just as stakes and lattices nurture the growth of young plants, so too can spiritual disciplines support the flourishing of our whole being. Join us to dig deep and dream big about ways to live into a more abundant life with Christ. Program is for adults and youth. The evening concludes with Compline at 7.30 pm. Please call the church office or sign up online here, so we can plan food and materials. If you have questions, please contact The Rev. Nancy J. Hagner at hagner at trinityconcord dot org.

Sacred Conversations in Lent Our Episcopal tradition includes a rite for “Reconciliation of a Penitent.” Lent is a time when we may be particularly aware of our sins and a desire to repent and be forgiven and restored in God's grace. Becky and I are available to talk and pray with anyone who desires this confidential and sacred rite.

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Sunday Forums in Lent February 18 & 25

March 11 & 18 9:30 am

On March 4, we will visit with Bishop Gayle Harris

during the Forum time slot.

Preparing for Worship—What is today’s story? We will read the Scripture appointed for the day and then “go to our corners” with each other to dive deeper into one of the four readings. A lively time for youth and adults to explore, What is the story? What does it say to us today? A great way to prepare to listen to the sermon, to prompt discussion at home, and to get to know some other Trinity folks. Questions? Contact The Rev. Becky Gettel at gettel at trinityconcord dot org.

Wednesday Study in Lent

February 21 & 28 March 7, 14, 21 Noon to 1 pm

Knowing God’s Story

“In the beginning…” God created everything, and then our story as God’s people got complicated! We will spend an hour each week reading and reflecting upon the early Biblical narratives we read at the Easter Vigil. This is a chance to deepen and enrich your experience of Lent and the Good News of Easter. We meet in the Library. Questions? Contact The Rev. Becky Gettel at gettel at trinityconcord dot org.

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FROM YOUR associate by Becky Gettel

Dear Friends,

In Lent we go to a deeper place. We just do. If we are paying

attention to the readings, the worship, and the divine energy of

the Sacraments; if we are practicing a Lenten discipline; if we are

waiting in anticipation for longer days and warmer air and

budding trees; if we focus any thought on what happens at Holy

Week and what follows at Easter, we go deeper.

And in the deeper place, things happen. Maybe there is pain that

we tap into it. If so, please feel free to reach out to your clergy.

Maybe regret surfaces. If so, know that the Sacrament of Confess-

ion is open to you. Maybe inspiration comes and you need to start

writing, or painting, or walking. Maybe healing happens. Bask in

that. Maybe there is new joy, or new motivation, or new curiosity.

Follow it.

Maybe there is a stirring, a calling, an urge to serve the world or

the church in new ways. If so, a group experience may help you to

find what the stirring is trying to say to you. I will be leading a lay

discernment group on Sunday nights in the Easter Season. It will

run from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm for 5 weeks (April 29—May27). You

may learn more or sign up for it here.

Wherever your Lenten journey takes you, whether or not you

decide to call upon your clergy during these coming weeks, please

know that you are in my prayers.

Yours in Christ, ~becky

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January 28—Field Trip

Empty Bowl Event at Living Waters Lowell!

Bring a $20 donation to Living Waters and get a bowl made

by members of the community there. We’ll sample some

soups, hang out with some good people, and then return to

Concord. This event runs from after the 10am service until

about 2pm. Parents who want to drive should call Becky.

Youth who want to come should sign up here!

February 4—Regular Meeting from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm

February 11—Annual Meeting at 10:00 am

Possible Youth Gathering TBA (check your email!)

February 18 & 25— No youth group—February vacation!

Coming later this Spring

Youth Lock-in

Planning for a summer youth trip

More great youth room conversations

Some potential service projects

As always, make sure we have your email address by emailing it

to Carol Brady or Becky Gettel at church. Thanks!

Yours in Christ, ~becky

YOUTH GROUP by Becky Gettel

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Undercroft blessingS by Carol Brady

Sunday Children’s Programing We will welcome back, Jenna McNicholas, as our professional childcare provider for our Nursery!

February 4 – Last day to sign up your children for the special Yoga Class on February 11. Godly Play class and Nursery at 10:00 am. Older classes worship with families and take on special roles to enrich our worship.

February 11 – Church School classes at 9:00 am. Children’s program (yoga and craft activities) at 10:00 am during the annual meeting. Nursery for the young.

February 18 & 25 – Families worship at 10:00 am and child-ren leave the service for 20 minutes on a Kid’s Word Walk.

Lent with Legos A Special Children’s Lenten Series on Sundays at 9:00 am from February 18 through March 18. While parents attend the Adult Forum each week, children will hear a lesson from the Easter Vigil service, and then build it with Legos! Nursery will be available, too! Their creations will be on display during coffee hour for all to enjoy. Hope you can join us!

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Turning Towards God Repent is a word we often hear during Lent. A simple definition is “to turn.” We seek to quiet our hearts, mind and soul, and turn toward God. God calls and draws us, but we do the turning. How can we model this “turning towards God” for our children, so that they can practice to do likewise at any time and any place throughout their lives? Prayer keeps us turned towards God. This Lent, we will offer simple prayer practices for your family to use at home. You will find several choices on a “Mobile Child-ren’s Cart” located in or near the parish hall. Feel free to sign out and borrow a book from the cart. Items on the cart include:

Laminated Prayer Cards - perhaps, add one of these prayers to their bedtime routine.

Thank you Cubes will be mailed to every child who registered for church school. They can enjoy assembling the cube, rolling it at mealtimes, and saying grace before eating.

Lenten Mite Boxes are available for pick up on the “Mobile Children’s Cart” starting February 11. Placing a few coins in the box each day is one way we can give back to God in thanksgiving for all God has graciously given us. This year’s donations support the Maranyundo School for Girls in Rwanda. The ingathering will be on Easter Sunday, April 1.

Saying Goodbye to Alleluia reminds us to avoid using the word, Alleluia, during Lent. Invite your child to write the word on a piece of paper and decorate it. Then, together, hide it in your home until Easter Sunday. We will do this practice in church school on February 11 and at the Pancake Supper on February 13.

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Musical Changes in Lent On Ash Wednesday, February 14, we begin our Lenten journey together with Liturgies in the Chapel, spoken at 7:00 am and 12 noon, and with music at 7:00 pm (note new time). Sunday, February 18 is the first Sunday in Lent and our 10:00 am worship begins with silence instead of a prelude, and opens with the chanting of the Great Litany in procession. The following four Lenten Sundays include musical changes to our worship such as singing a Kyrie instead of the Glory to God, using Plainsong instead of Anglican Chant for the Psalms, and singing the Lamb of God right before Communion. During Communion, the choir offers a Bach Chorale each of the five weeks in Lent.

March 4 Prelude Recital/Choral Evensong As a prelude to the traditional Anglican Service of Choral Even-song, we welcome Concordia Consort, our Ensemble in Residence. Our Parish Choir will then offer the evening liturgy of sung prayer with music by English composers from the late 16th and 17th centuries. Mark your calendar and invite friends and neighbors to this uniquely Anglican experience as our choir joins with choirs throughout the globe, and throughout the ages, to sing prayers in this ancient musical form of worship. Think about offering your voice by joining our choir during our Lent and Easter worship services. Speak with Robert Barney now!

Music notes by Robert Barney

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Trinity's Women’s Book Group If you enjoy reading and discussing books, think about joining Trinity’s Women’s Book Group! The group meets on the first Friday of each month to discuss that month's book. We read contemporary fiction, nonfiction and an occasional classic. All women are welcome and no commitment is necessary. For more information or to join the email list, contact Anne Umphrey at arumphrey at earthlink dot net or Celia Moore at : cedemoore at earthlink dot net.

February 2 at 7:00 pm Our book is:

The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of

Murder, Insanity and the Making of the Oxford

English Dictionary by Simon Winchester

March 2 at 7:00 pm

Our book is: Lemon Tree

by Sandy Tolan

Cancer Survival Group Coming soon . . . our new Cancer Survival Group ministry will begin meeting on Wednesday, April 4 at 7:30 pm in the upstairs meeting room, and will continue the first Wednesday of each month. If your cancer diagnosis was yesterday, 20+ years ago, or any time in between, join us for discussion of both sacred and mundane aspects of having had this disease. Share your spiritual journey. Participants will determine general topic selection. For further information contact Emily Moss at moss dot emily at comcast dot net.

Winter offerings

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SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER

Mardi Gras Style!

Tuesday, February 13 6:00 pm in the Parish Hall

The Scarffs are ready to cook and serve pancakes! We have Mardi Gras decorations and games! Come help us decorate and set up games! Please let the office administrator know, and then show up at 4 pm to help transform our parish hall into a Mardi Gras party!

Please sign up to attend on the Window of Opportunity by the nametag board.

We will be burning

palms for ashes to use

at our Ash Wednesday

service the next day.

Please bring your

palms from home!

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WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY

Shrove Tuesday February 13 Celebration (see facing page for details)

Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14 7 am, noon, 7 pm

in the Chapel

SAVE THE DATE!

Prelude Recital

and

Choral Evensong

Sunday, March 4

5:00 pm

(details on page 12)

LABYRINTH IS COMING! WATCH FOR DETAILS!

LEGO PEOPLE NEEDED!

Please save Christmas

cards and other birthday/

general cards for the

handcrafts group who will

turn them into gift tags to

sell at the Fall Fayre.

Leave them in the box in

the church office.

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