1

Inside this issue:

Message from

Father Pat 1-2

Summer Enrichment

Weekend 2

Christian Education &

Formation 3

Other Ministries 4-5

Busy Fall at Trinity 6

Important Dates in

Sept. & Oct. 7

Parish Information 8

Trinity Episcopal

Church

A message from Father Pat Sept. / Oct. 2016

NEWSLETTER

Father Pat Connell

& Tigo

Including ~ Affirming ~ Transforming

The Celebration of Discipline

The Rio Olympics was a spectacular triumph for Team USA who

brought home 121 medals. Michael Phelps dominated men’s swimming.

His 13th individual gold medal surpassed the ancient record of 12 gold

medals won by Leonidas at the Olympic game in 152 BC. At that game

Leonidas won 3 gold medals – a record that wasn’t broken for 2,168 years!

Michael Phelps is a swimming machine. He was born with “good

genes,” but he has been in training since he was 12 years old. In prepara-

tion for Rio, Phelps exercised six hours a day, six days a week. He stayed

focused, not just in competition, but in training as well. He may well be

the greatest Olympian of all time.

St. Paul is partial to sports metaphors. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, 25a

Paul says, “Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only

one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it.” Athletes

exercise discipline in all things. Disciplined exercise is the regimen for all

world class athletes – and it is the spiritual regimen for all Christians.

On many occasions I have said God’s love is unconditional. There is

nothing you can do to make God love you any more, and conversely, there

is nothing you can do that will make God love you any less. Living a spirit-

ually disciplined life isn’t going to make God love you more, but it will give

you a regimen and the necessary tools for spiritual growth. If the desire of

your heart is a deeper love for Jesus, then the spiritual disciplines become

a means of grace. They become life giving. Without a longing for Jesus, the

spiritual disciplines will become burdensome and kill the spirit.

Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline continues to be a

touchstone in my own spiritual journey. The book is divided into three

parts: Inward Disciplines, Outward Disciplines, and Corporate Disciplines.

In each part there are four disciplines. I will highlight one discipline from

each part. They offer a starting point for living a disciplined life.

The inward discipline of prayer

Prayer is our longing and desire for God. Sometimes it is articulat-

ed in formal prayers. Other times it is being still in God’s presence. The

Didache, a first century manual of spiritual disciplines, encourages begin-

ners to pray the Lord’s Prayer three times a day. Prayer is the foundation

of all the spiritual disciplines.

Action: Take an inventory of your prayer life. If prayer is not part of your

daily life, begin by saying the Lord’s Prayer three times a day. If you have

a discipline of daily prayer, is your prayer life drawing you into a deeper

relationship with God? If not, there are many aids for enriching your life of

prayer.

Aids for prayer:

The Book of Common Prayer

www.northumbriacommunity.org

www.missionstclaire.com

Father Pat’s message continues on Page 2

2

We had a wonderful weekend of enrich-

ment in July. We ate together, we worshiped to-

gether and we learned together. Thank you to all

of our teachers, leaders and workers. A special

thank you to Sister Cheryl Clemons from Brescia

for being our guest presenter for the adult class

and on Sunday morning.

After a full schedule on Friday evening

and Saturday morning, we were blessed on Sun-

day morning with monologue portrayals of the

Marys we studied. Jane Wedding as Mary, the

mother of Jesus, Faith Young as Mary, the sister

of Martha and Amy Beck as Mary of Magdalene

all so beautifully told their character's relation-

ship with the Christ.

Summer at Trinity (go to www.trinityec.org for more photos)

Summer Enrichment Weekend

The outward discipline of service

Service is our commitment to Christ beyond the pew. Service can be divided between the minis-

try to the church and ministry to the world. Ministry to the church are those services that take place in

house. They are many and they are varied. Service to the world is the work of Outreach. It is putting

Jesus’ teachings on justice into action.

Action: What is your service beyond the pew? Whether it is ministry inside the church or ministry to

the world, there is always a place to serve. If you are serving, thank you. If you do not have a ministry

beyond the pew, consider one of the many service opportunities within the life of Trinity Church.

Aids to service:

See ministry opportunities posted in the parish hall and in the narthex.

Parish website: www.Trinityec.org

The corporate discipline of worship

Worship is communal. We can pray in solitude, but by definition Christian worship is communi-

ty. The Didache exhorts Christians to gather every Lord’s Day [Sunday] for the breaking of the bread.

Sunday attendance at the Eucharist is not about keeping the “rules,” it is about meeting Jesus in order

that we might live transformed lives.

Action: Attendance at the Sunday Eucharist begins by cultivating good habits. We commit to good hab-

its and the Holy Spirit “baptizes” our good habits with a commitment to Jesus Christ. What is your com-

mitment to the Sunday Eucharist? Christmas and Easter? Once a month? Whenever it is convenient?

Acknowledge where you are in commitment to the Sunday Eucharist and take the next step in cultivat-

ing good habits.

Opportunities for Worship

Sundays: 8:00am & 10:00am

Wednesdays: 12:10pm

Living a disciplined life is not the goal of the Christian life – transformation is the goal. Spe-

cifically, the goal of the Christian life is to be transformed by God’s grace so that when others see you;

they see Jesus, and when you see them, you see Jesus, too!

Faithfully,

Father Pat

A message from Father Pat, continued

3

Christian Education & Formation: life-long learning

Thank you, Juanita

We have a rich menu of enrichment offerings this fall. Take a look and

join others in continuing the faith journey. Post on your Refrigerator!

On Sunday, August 14th, Father Pat presented Juanita

Sprague with flowers to thank her for 6 years of leadership

with our youth.

During her tenure, the youth not only grew spiritually,

but helped with Blessing of the Animals, launched the Trunk or

Treat community event, enhanced the Shrove Tuesday with a

talent show (Fat Tuesday Follies) and "dunked" Father Pat for

a good cause (to buy a well in Africa).

Thank you, Juanita, for your imaginative leadership.

4

Outreach Ministries

Parish Potluck Picnic—Hot August Night!

Christmas in July for Matthew 25

Service of Outreach – what might it mean for you?

The Outreach Committee thanks you for your generosity to our

annual Christmas in July for Matthew 25. Your willingness to re-

spond to community needs is so very appreciated and speaks to the

compassion of our Trinity community. You provided 17 bins and 4 gift

bags with enough money left to enhance their food bags the following

week.

Matthew 25’s mission is to support, educate, and treat those in-

fected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

It was truly a HOT AUGUST NIGHT

when Trinity celebrated the end of summer

with a picnic at Legion Park on the 28th.

Even though it was steamy, the food, fun

and fellowship were grand. Thank you to all

who brought food, and especially our Fellow-

ship Guild for taking care of set up and

clearing.

What a lovely way to celebrate the

community of Trinity!

Father Pat talks about the discipline of

service in his newsletter message. Your Out-

reach Committee prays that you will consider

how you can provide service to Trinity’s outreach

efforts.

Our Outreach Committee is our parish’s

official avenue for reaching beyond our parish

walls with the love of Christ in tangible ways.

“Beyond our parish” means our local community,

our country and even our world.

Most of our work involves partnering with

established agencies, helping with the good work

of their specific ministries, such as Habitat for

Humanity, St. Benedict and Oasis Shelters and

the Help Office. Our relationship with other

agencies is more hands on, such as delivery of

food and hosting a support group for Matthew 25

clients.

We also have a few “home grown” out-

reach initiatives, such as utility relief and the

Loads of Love project. We go around the globe by

working with World Vision, “adopting” two chil-

dren in Africa, improving their lives and their

communities.

Trinity is blessed with dedicated volun-

teers that work with our partner agencies and

initiatives. We are also blessed with a generous

congregation and our ability to fund efforts is

strong. However, a dynamic outreach program

must continue to evolve by being sensitive and

responsive to the concerns of our parish.

We want to remain vital and current in

our church and community and need your input

and help. What are your mission passions?

What touches your heart with a wish to help?

Your Outreach Committee meets the first

Tuesday of each month at 5:30 PM. LeDonna

Rae is the committee chair. Talk to LeDonna or

any other member or just show up to the meet-

ing.

Please prayerfully consider being a part of

this important Trinity ministry.

“Thank you” to all who responded to

Father Pat’s August 21st “Loose offering” ap-

peal for the Louisiana flood victims. Due to

your generosity, more than $2,100 will be sent

to Louisiana Bishop Morris Thompson (a per-

sonal friend of Father Pat’s) to go directly for

flood relief.

Bishop Morris writes…

Dear Pat+,

Please express to the good people of

Trinity Church our gratitude for remembering

us in prayer and financial support. Your gen-

erosity will go a long way in this recovery ef-

fort. The destruction is enormous and will

take some time just to get to the point of re-

building. Thank you for your help.

Blessings,

+Morris

5

Did you know that our Holtkamp Pipe Or-

gan is 40 years old this year? In honor and cele-

bration of this lovely instrument, I will offer a

Compline & Concert this October. Music will

include works by Samuel Wesley (son of hymn-

writer Charles Wesley) whose 250th birth anni-

versary is this year. He was considered a child

prodigy (often compared to Mozart) and one of

the greatest organists of his generation. Listen

also for a lovely anthem and a setting of the Glo-

ria Patri during worship this season. Please

check your upcoming Sunday bulletins and post-

ers around church for a date and time.

Looking ahead…speaking of Compline &

Concert, we will once again be offering our Ad-

vent Compline & Concert Series this season.

Each Sunday, from November 27 through De-

cember 18 at 6 PM ,these concerts, combined

with prayer at the end of the day (compline), will

be a way to experience God’s presence and the joy

of this expectant season. Lasting no more than

forty five minutes, it’s a marvelous way to calm

your mind, body and soul during the hectic days

leading to the joyous birth of Our Savior at

Christmas. By the way, Christmas Eve is on Sat-

urday this year with Christmas Day falling on a

Sunday. To echo the theme of Advent – Prepare

Ye The Way!

I hope to see and hear each of you this

week in worship.

SOLI DEO GLORIA ~ Martin

I hope everyone has had a wonderful sum-

mer and feels rested, refreshed and rejuvenated!

For those of you that contributed to the

Favorite Hymn of the Week this past month and

enjoyed the Hymn-Sing in August, I offer a

hearty THANKS. As a church musician, nothing

is more satisfying than a congregation and com-

munity that loves to sing! We at Trinity come

from many different spiritual and faith back-

grounds and the breadth of your knowledge and

love of song is always a joy for me. Although we

only (at present) utilize one of the musical re-

sources of the Episcopal Church, the Hymnal

1982, there are two others that encompass many

of the traditions we bring ‘to the table’ of Our

Lord. They are Lift Every Voice and Sing

(LEVAS) and Wonder, Love and Praise (WLP). I

heartily encourage you to pop online and check

out these two hymnals! You will find many gems

from your musical past and new treasures as

well. Please see me if you wish us to possibly in-

clude one in our worship from time to time.

Our faithful and dedicated choir folks re-

turn in September to lead and inspire our liturgy.

If you have been a part of this talented group in

the past, or are thinking of how you might be a

leader in worship or how to contribute to our par-

ish, please give us a thought! We gather on

Wednesdays from 7:15 until 8:30 PM and on Sun-

day mornings at 9 AM. We have great conversa-

tion, convivial comradery and we hit the music

hard – not just note learning, but history, tech-

nique and ensemble singing. Of course you don’t

have to be a music reader (it sure helps though!)

but being able to hold a note and a tune is quite

important. If anyone ever needs assistance, I am

always glad to help you improve your talents.

Business of the Parish

Music Ministry (by Martin Fendley, Organist & Choirmaster)

Other Ministries

As the fall approaches, we will begin selec-

tion and recruitment of four Vestry members for

the 2017-2019 term. At Trinity, Vestry members

are not simply board members that come to meet-

ings and vote on issues. Each Vestry member

assumes a key role in the life of our parish, lead-

ing other volunteers in that area.

The first step in Vestry selection is to de-

termine the key areas that need leadership. Fa-

ther Pat provides his vision for the future as well

as where he feels our church needs greater lead-

ership involvement. We then look at who has the

gifts and willingness to take on the identified

roles and we ask these persons to consider having

their name placed into nomination. This process

is call “recruiting to task,” and is helpful in mak-

ing the Vestry member’s tenure successful and

gratifying.

If you have a ministry that you feel should

be specifically addressed in 2017, or have a sug-

gestion as to leadership, please talk to Father Pat

or Wendy Wells.

Your Vestry Members Wendy Wells—Sr. Warden

2014-2016 term:

Doug Webster, II— Junior Warden

Lori Schneider—Newcomers Ministry

Wendy Wells—Hospital Visitation

Vacancy

2015-2017 term:

Sarah Hulsey—Secretary & Stewardship

LeDonna Rae—Outreach Ministry

Vicki Meacham—Great Commission

Judy Willen—Missed You Ministry

2016-2018 term:

Cheryl Parker— Education & Formation

Ralph Barany—Parish Treasurer

Kevin Brown—Fellowship Ministry

Vacancy

Trinity Choir—All are welcome!

Trinity Choir practices every Wednesday at 7:15—

8:30 and on Sunday mornings at 9:00. No need to

be able to read music, just a willingness to serve

the Lord in music.

6

Blessing of the Animals—October 2nd (rain date Oct. 9th)

Busy Fall at Trinity

World Commun-

ion Sunday is celebrated

the first Sunday in October

every year in many

Protestant churches. It

originated in the Presby-

terian Church USA in

1936. The day has taken

“Blessings” Stewardship Campaign—October 9th-October 30th

Parish Hall of Treats—October 31st

All Saints Sunday—Altar of Remembrance

World Communion Sunday—October 2nd

Parishioners, guests and their pets will

meet on the church lawn on Sunday, October 2nd

at 4:00 PM to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis

and the Blessing of the Animals. This is a favor-

ite event in the life of Trinity, a time to reflect on

the teachings of St. Francis as well as ask for

blessings for our pet companions.

Along with dogs and cats (in carriers,

please), we have had a donkey, sugar glider, fer-

rets and turtles. Please mark your calendar and

invite your pet-loving friends.

Event chair, Bev. Johnson will begin plan-

ning meetings soon. If you would like to help,

contact her at walkthedog45@gmail.com or call

270-929-0935.

on new relevancy and depth of meaning in a

world where globalization often has undermined

peace and justice – and in a time when fear di-

vides the peoples of God’s earth.

On this day we celebrate our oneness in

Christ, the Prince of Peace, in the midst of the

world we are called to serve – a world ever more

in need of peacemaking.

Our Parish Hall of Treats (formerly Trunk

or Treat) is the event where we host the most

non-parishioners into Trinity. Last year, more

than 350 guests came into our Parish Hall, where

they were treated to candy and a light snack. It

was a bit “spooky” and lots of fun.

This year, Cora Sprague is leading this

event. She has scheduled a planning session for

Sunday, September 11th at 11:30 AM. If you are

interested in helping, talk to Cora (270-315-8101)

or just show up for

the meeting.

A sign-up

sheet for treat tables

will be posted closer

to the event.

All Saints

Sunday is Novem-

ber 6th and, as

one of the major

feast days of the

church, we will

celebrate it at our

Eucharist Service.

This year, our Stewardship Campaign

theme is “Blessings,” bringing attention to the

blessings of Trinity - in programs, in ministries,

in worship and, perhaps, most importantly, in

people.

Please take a few minutes to think about

how you and your family have been blessed by

being a part of the Trinity community. Led by

Sarah Hulsey, your Stewardship Committee may

ask you to share your thoughts as we celebrate

our blessings through stewardship.

The campaign will officially launch on Oc-

tober 9th and continue until our ingathering on

October 30th. Until then, please concentrate on

your blessings; we believe prayerful stewardship

will follow.

In preparation of All Saints, in Mid-

October, Jeff Hawks will set up an Altar of Re-

membrance in the Narthex for you to bring pho-

tos of those that have gone on into Christ’s near

presence.

Watch for dates to bring your photos and

thank you, Jeff.

7

Mark Your Calendar...

Fridays ~ DOK Prayer Breakfast (Cracker Barrel) ~ 6:00 AM

Fridays ~ DOK Prayer Coffee (Health Park) ~ 11:00 AM

Sundays ~ Eucharist Services ~ 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM

Sundays, September 4th & October 2nd ~ Potluck Parish Breakfast ~ 8:45 AM

Sundays, September 4th & October 2nd ~ Liturgy Committee Meeting ~ 11:30 AM

Sundays, September 4th & October 2nd ~ New Member Welcoming ~ 10:00 AM

Sundays, Sept. 4th & Oct. 2nd ~ Liturgy Committee Meeting ~ 11:30 AM

Tuesdays, Sept. 6th & 20th and Oct. 4th & 18th ~ Matthew 25 ~ 10:00 AM

Tuesdays ~ Staff Meeting ~ 10:30 AM

Tuesdays, September 6th & October 4th ~ Needlewomen’s Guild ~ 11:00 AM

Tuesdays, September 6th & October 4th ~ Outreach Committee ~ 5:30 PM

Wednesdays ~ Dunkin Donuts Discussion Group ~ 9:00 AM

Wednesdays ~ Noonday Eucharist ~ 12:10 PM

Wednesdays, September 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th ~ DOK Study Group ~ 6:00 PM

Weds., Sept. 14th, 21st, 28th, Oct. 5th, 19th & 26th ~ Trinity Café ~ 6:00 PM (meal at 5:15)

Wednesdays ~ Choir Practice ~ 7:15 PM

Thursdays, September 8th & October 13th ~ Matthew 25 Support Group ~ 12:30 PM

Sundays, Sept. 11th, 25th, Oct. 9th & 23rd ~ Youth & Children Enrichment ~ 11:30 AM

Thursdays, Sept. 15th and Oct. 20th ~ Vestry Meeting ~ 6:00 PM (meal at 5:30)

Sundays, beginning September 18th ~ Adult Sunday School ~ 9:00 AM

Sundays, Sept. 25th & Oct. 30th ~ Trinity Café Online Sunday Forum ~ 9:00 AM

Wednesdays, September 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th ~ DOK Study Group ~ 6:00 PM

Tuesday, September 27th ~ DOK Quarterly Meeting ~ 6:00 PM

Sunday, Oct. 2nd ~ World Communion Sunday

Sunday, October 2nd ~ Feast of St. Francis and Blessing of the Animals ~ 4:00 PM

Sundays, beginning Oct. 9th through 30th ~ Stewardship Campaign

Monday, October 31st ~ Parish Hall of Treats ~ 5:30 PM

9/2

9/4

9/6

9/6

9/10

9/10

9/10

9/14

Ethan Denton

James Alexander

Sheilah Gray

Stan Lightner

Greg Henry

Selma Lucas

Aaron Royal

Betsy Roszel

9/15

9/16

9/17

9/18

9/19

9/19

9/20

9/21

Vicki Meacham

Carolyn McKelvey

Juanita Sprague

James Hawks

Julie Jones

Bob Wahl

Aaron Johnson

Spencer Farley

9/22

9/25

9/26

9/26

9/26

9/29

9/29

Jennifer Richardson

Amy Beck

Shannon Lloyd

Kelly Skeens

Judy Willen

Shaun Brumley

Keith Sanders

October Birthdays

September Birthdays

Important Dates in September & October

Anniversaries

Most current calendar is on our website

WWW.TRINITYEC.ORG News & Calendar Calendar of Services, Events & Meetings

10/1

10/2

10/2

10/3

10/7

10/8

10/10

10/10

10/12

Brooke Obermann

Debra Barany

Kelly Fallon

Beverly Rhodes

William Knight

Matt Wedding

Jennifer Bowlds

Cher Eans

W. L. Magnjuson

10/12

10/14

10/18

10/19

10/20

10/20

10/21

10/21

10/25

Sophia Obermann

James McDaniel

Randal King

Jan Melander

Cevilla Krahwinkel

Glenn Skeens

Caroline Reddy

Mike Stuerzenberger

Dickie Byers

10/25

10/26

10/28

10/28

10/29

10/29

10/30

10/31

Zachary Johnson

Carol Reese

Darryl Richardson

Kenny Westerman

Katie Harmon

Colton Jones

Tiffany Knight

Charles Wible

9/5

9/9

Ed & Judy Willen

Kenny & Sherry Westerman

9/22

10/10

Lenora & Dennis Howard

Lori & Ben Byers

10/12 Glenn & Kelly Skeens

8

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT # 626 OWENSBORO, KY 42301-4632

The Reverend Patterson Connell

Parish Rector

(270) 925-2273

georgeconnell@bellsouth.net

For current parish information, visit

WWW.TRINITYEC.ORG

Our Facebook Group is

Trinity Episcopal Church Parishioners

Please join this “electronic coffee hour”

and get to know each other!

Trinity Episcopal Church

720 Ford Avenue

Owensboro, KY 42301

Address Service Requested

Including ~ Affirming ~ Transforming

Weekly Services:

Sunday Eucharist Services at

8:00 AM & 10:00 AM

Wednesday Noonday Eucharist at

12:10 PM

Vision Statement for the Parish

Trinity Episcopal Church is a Eucharis-

tic and liturgical community in the Anglican

tradition that values and encourages ongoing

Christian education and spiritual formation,

diversity of people and ideas, fellowship and

radical hospitality, and works of justice and

mercy as gospel imperatives.

Church office hours are

8:00 AM—Noon

Monday through Friday

Church phone # (270) 684-5326

This newsletter is developed by Janet Estes, communications

volunteer. Contact her at jestes429@gmail.com with com-

ments and/or article ideas. Thank you to our newsletter

proofers—Lori Schneider, Wendy Wells and Barbara Hinton,

and our folders—Betsy Roszel and Jan Melander.

Parish Information

Mark your calendar and invite your friends and family!

For Adults…beginning Sept. 14th

Trinity Café Wednesdays

Enrichment Opportunities Coming in September!

Class topics…

9/14 “Health & Spirituality”

by Michael Vollman

9/21 through 10/5 “Understanding Poverty”

by Kaye Castlen

5:15 PM Meal serving begins

5:50 PM Evening Prayer

6:00 PM Class

7:00 PM Compline (3-4 minutes)

Meals coordinated by Debra Barany (sign up

sheet in Parish Hall). Childcare will be provided.

Twice monthly, our Youth and Children (K-

5th grades) will meet for…

Youth will study Journey to Adulthood

Children will have enrichment with Bi-

ble Stories and Music.

For Youth and Children…beginning

Sunday, Sept. 11th at 11:30 AM

For Adults… beginning

Sunday, Sept. 18th at 9:00 AM

Ralph Barany will lead a Sunday School

Class that will study the Lectionary Scrip-

tures used in the service that Sunday.