TrinityTidings December2020 - Advent: Joyous Expectation Many people this past year have taken refuge in - Trinity Episcopal Church
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Trinity Tidings December 2020
Advent: Joyous Expectation Many people this past year have taken refuge in
hope to seek a restored outcome from their current
situation. Unfortunately, this may include their own
Yet, O Lord, you are our personal health and safety. Many people this past
Father; and we are the year have been unable to find hope.
clay, and you are our
potter; we are all the Regardless of the age in which we live, persons
work of your hand. desire with a belief that better times lie ahead. Again,
Isaiah 64:8 this season of preparation reminds us that our lives
and our hope are linked together with a wonderful
gift, and one that is freely given to us. By our action
As we start the month of December, we also begin of placing Hope of life in God, we also cast-off its
a new year of the Church calendar. The season of opposite of meaning, which is despair.
Advent allows us time to prepare ourselves for when
we have our celebration for that event which Circumstances in life may certainly bring us down
changed the course of human history, the at times, but despair is something that ultimately
Incarnation of Jesus: Divine presence became carries no meaning for us. With Christ, we take the
embodied with flesh and dwelt among us. breath of life with a promise of Hope as we live out
our lives as a community of the People of God.
The past year is certainly a time that we will all
remember. Each one of us has been challenged in I invite you this Advent season to cherish and
some manner because of issues related with desire the arrival of a new year and this time to
pandemic. And yet, many of us have become more reintroduce ourselves to the Spirit. May we take hold
aware of a strength we have gained through such and cherish a desire, with joyous expectation, one
times; a discovery bolstered by a foundation we have that we all share: that each of us will, one day, be
constructed in relationship with God. fully in the presence of God.
As we light a candle on the Advent wreath on the O come, O come, Emmanuel.
First Sunday of Advent it has become tradition to
--- Blessings and Peace, Fr. Jim
contemplate the significance of the term, Hope.
Defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary, Hope is to
cherish a desire with anticipation. In hope, I and Vestry are preparing for the time
when this pandemic has come to an end. Every
Our Advent preparation offers to our minds the aspect of parish life is being examined as we
concept that, as followers of Jesus, we live out our make a plan for our future. More information
lives as an expression of our hope. While individuals will be found in upcoming newsletters.
may not cherish the same desire, to live a life is to
Also, I am honored to have been elected at
hope for a better future. I am reminded of the motto
Annual Convention to continue serving on
for my native state of South Carolina,
Diocesan Council for a new term. (JMC+)
Dum Spiro Spero: While I Breath I Hope.
Trinity Tidings – Page 1
Important dates in December
READ: Presiding officers’ letter to bishops
Sundays in December: Morning Prayer service and deputies on 80th General Convention
with the Rector, at 9:30 a.m., via Zoom online
platform (for approx. 25 minutes). A reminder General Convention is The Episcopal Church’s
email, with service bulletin, is sent each Friday. largest gathering of each triennium, a hub for nearly
two weeks of legislative activity, networking and
Vestry Meeting: Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 6:00 p.m. fellowship. As the church’s primary, bicameral
governing body, General Convention splits its
Eve of the Nativity – Christmas Eve: authority between the House of Bishops and House
Diocesan Partnership service, Thursday, Dec. of Deputies. Among its responsibilities is approval of
24, at 5:00 p.m. via online platform. More a three-year churchwide budget plan, as well as
information about this service will be forthcoming. hundreds of additional resolutions covering
everything from liturgical revisions to the church’s
stances on a long list of public policy issues, such as
+++ food insecurity and comprehensive immigration
reform.
Episcopal News Service
Every three years, General Convention is a big boon
80th General Convention postponed to the host city’s economy, generating an estimated
impact of $23-25 million through hotel stays, meals,
to July 2022 as pandemic disrupts entertainment and ancillary tourism spending. That
planning of triennial meeting was a top consideration, the presiding officers said
https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/ earlier this year, as they were deliberating whether
to postpone the 80th General Convention or try
Amid the continued uncertainty of an unrelenting moving it online.
coronavirus pandemic, the church’s presiding
officers announced Nov. 20 that they had decided, “The Diocese of Maryland is as enthusiastic about
with Executive Council’s unanimous backing, hosting the 80th General Convention in 2022 as we
to postpone the 80th General Convention from July had been for 2021,” the Rev. Scott Slater, Maryland’s
2021 to July 2022, a move intended to ensure the canon to the ordinary, said in a written statement for
large churchwide legislative gathering can be held in this story. The diocese, Slater added, is “grateful for
person in Baltimore, Maryland, as originally an additional year to plan and prepare to welcome
planned. bishops, deputies and guests to Baltimore.”
“Like you, we have spent the last several months Curry and Jennings said in their announcement that
riding waves of pandemic news,” Presiding Bishop postponing the in-person convention was possible
Michael Curry and the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, “without significant contractual penalties.” Planning
president of the House of Deputies, said in a letter to for General Convention starts at least seven years in
bishops and deputies. Even with vaccines expected advance, with review and selection of the host city
to be approved as soon as next month, “it is unlikely finalists, making last-minute changes unrealistic.
that even highly effective vaccines and robust federal The churchwide budget includes $750,000 for
intervention would permit us to gather as many as holding each General Convention.
10,000 people safely by next summer, as we had
originally planned.” Episcopal News Service was not allowed access
to Executive Council’s discussion of the
Instead, the 80th General Convention has been postponement. Its Nov. 20 online meeting was held
rescheduled for July 7-14, 2022, with additional in executive session, or closed to the public. Church
preparatory meetings to be held in Baltimore in the officials cited contractual and financial discussions
days before the convention. That timing means as the reason for the executive session.
General Convention will conclude just two weeks
before the start of the Lambeth Conference of As outlined in a June 5 letter to the church, the
Anglican bishops, which was rescheduled for July presiding officers had formed a task force to review
27-Aug. 8, 2022, in Canterbury, England. options for the 80th General Convention. That task
Trinity Tidings – Page 2
force was to present its report to the Joint Standing And “an online convocation of worship and prayer”
Committee on Planning and Arrangements. That will be scheduled for summer 2021 “to help us hear
committee met online Nov. 18, but it, too, was in what the Spirit is saying to the church as we prepare
executive session and not accessible to reporters. to gather at General Convention,” Curry and
Postponing or moving a General Convention is rare Jennings said.
but not unprecedented. A yellow fever outbreak in
1798 forced the postponement of the Sixth General “Since March, Episcopalians across the church have
Convention to June 1799 in Philadelphia, responded to our pandemic-stricken communities
Pennsylvania. with compassionate service and committed
advocacy, bearing witness to our promise to seek and
In 1918, that year’s devastating influenza serve Christ in all persons,” they concluded. “In the
pandemic peaked in the fall and eventually would coming months, our commitment to the Gospel will
kill an estimated 675,000 Americans and millions be even more essential to our communities and
more worldwide. The flu, though becoming less congregations.
virulent, was still circulating in 1919 but did not
derail the 46th General Convention, which gathered “Especially in these difficult days, may we hold fast
that October in Detroit, Michigan. to loving one another as Jesus commanded and take
heart in the promise of a joyful reunion in 2022.”
In 1955, church leaders canceled plans to meet in
Houston, Texas, because local authorities wouldn’t By David Paulsen, an editor and reporter for
ensure desegregated facilities. The convention Episcopal News Service.
convened in Hawai’i instead.
The decision to delay the 80th General Convention
by a year will require some interim measures,
particularly regarding the church’s budget and
leadership.
Executive Council, which serves as the church’s
+++
governing body between meetings of General Trinity Episcopal Church
Convention, normally would prepare a new triennial
budget for review early next year. Instead, it will Vestry Minutes
draft a one-year budget for 2022 that will be October 20, 2020
approved in October 2021. Then in January 2022, it As approved at the November Meeting
will present a two-year budget proposal, for 2023-24,
which will be considered by General Convention Present: William Roberts, Senior Warden; Sue
when it meets in person in Baltimore. Torrance, Junior Warden; Doreen Gould; Jack
Torrance; Karin Wheelock; Janeil Rey; Virginia
Curry and Jennings said in their Nov. 20 Becker, Treasurer; and, The Reverend James
announcement that an online election will be held in Clement, Rector.
2021 to form membership of the Joint Nominating
Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop. Excused: Lucille Bryant.
Curry’s tenure as the church’s 27th presiding bishop
will end in 2024. Jennings is in her final term as Call to Order: Fr. Clement called the meeting to
House of Deputies president; however, that term order at 6:01 p.m., followed with opening prayer.
doesn’t end until her successor is elected at the next
meeting of General Convention. The Meeting Agenda was approved as given.
Arrangements also are in the works to allow those Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by
serving in other elected and appointed positions to William Roberts to approve the minutes of the
continue in those roles through 2021. The presiding September 15, 2020 meeting, with a second by
officers’ letter didn’t elaborate on that process. Karin Wheelock. The motion carried.
Trinity Tidings – Page 3
Committee Reports Flower Guild: No report.
Finance: Virginia Becker reported. Rector’s Report: Fr. Clement reported.
A motion was made by William Roberts, seconded • Fr. Clement gave a presentation to vestry
by Janeil Rey, to receive the treasurer’s report. The with regard to making a plan for the future
treasurer’s written report was received as submitted of this parish church. As the parish building
and reported. See attached. is closed at this time due to pandemic, he
• Pledges are being received in a timely also noted that now is the time to conduct
manner. needed updates within the building. Fr.
• The No-Interest Single Payment Loan Clement presented to Vestry an article from
balance has been reduced to $5,000. The Living Church periodical called, Six
• Merrill-Lynch: to date, $28,036. has been Tools to Grow Your Church.
transferred to the General Fund to cover
expenditures. Old Business: None.
Memorial Fund Report: Virginia Becker New Business:
reported. • Virginia Becker, Treasurer, made a report of
• The current balance is $4,271. No change the current Operating Budget and the
since September meeting. Proposed Operating Budget for 2021.
• A motion was made by Doreen Gould,
Buildings and Grounds: Fr. Clement reported. seconded by Jack Torrance, to approve the
• Ace Inspection and Belco Elevator recently members and the work of the Stewardship
made the annual inspection of the lift Committee. Persons on this committee are:
system in Garland Hall, as required by state William Roberts, Karin Wheelock, and
law. Virginia Becker. The Motion carried.
• Fr. Clement recently met with Southpaw • A motion was made by William Roberts,
Signs to discuss options for signage to be seconded by Doreen Gould, to approve the
placed in the church parking lot and formation of a Parish Building Committee.
driveway. This committee will conduct the first phase
of examining needed building upgrades and
Caregivers: Sue Torrance reported. projects in the education classrooms.
• All continues to be well with the sending of Persons on this committee are Janeil Rey,
note cards. Diane Sercu, Karin Wheelock, and Sue
Torrance. The Motion carried.
Outreach: Fr. Clement reported. • Undercroft dehumidifier: after conversation
• Trinity is joining with area churches to among vestry, Janeil Rey made a motion,
collect items for the Santa for Seniors seconded by Sue Torrance, for approval to
program with the Office of the Aging in replace the dehumidifier in the undercroft,
Chautauqua County. Our congregation has with this unit not to exceed $4,000. in cost.
committed to collecting 150 tubes of The Motion carried.
toothpaste. Collection deadline date is
Wednesday, Nov. 18. The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m. with a
motion made by Doreen Gould.
Trinity Episcopal Church Women: Doreen
Gould reported. Father Clement offered a closing prayer. The next
• A meeting will be held in the church meeting will be held Tuesday, November 17, 2020,
building on Saturday, October 24, at 9:30 at 6:00 p.m.
a.m. This meeting will follow state
coronavirus guidelines. Respectfully Submitted by: Sue Torrance, Acting
• The collecting of pairs of socks for the Clerk.
Socktober program continues.
Trinity Tidings – Page 4Parish Notes With no fund-raising activities this year the TECW is
going to find it a challenge to continue to support a
Parish Outreach monthly meal at the Friendly Kitchen. In order to
support this effort as long as we can all funds
received as part of the year-long Christmas Stocking
Savings project will be dedicated towards that
funding. Remember- this is a project open to all
parishioners of any age or gender.
This year because of the unknown possibility of our
being able to return the savings containers in person
this Christmas season we ask that any parishioner
who wishes to be part of this savings project convert
THANK YOU, Trinity Episcopal Parishioners! their quarter savings into a check format made out
Together we collected 221 tubes of toothpaste for the to TECW (please put Christmas Stocking on the
Chautauqua County Office for the Aging "Santa for memo line) and mail it to the church. If you have
Seniors” initiative. One of the requested items for been putting your quarters in each month you will
this project was 150 tubes of toothpaste. As you can now have $19.50 which can be easily rounded up to
see, we surpassed this goal! The toothpaste, along $20.00.
with items collected from other churches and
organizations, will be put in goodie bags and benefit We are most grateful to those that have already sent
the seniors of Chautauqua County. in their savings.
– Doreen Gould
Also, the Child Life Department at Oishei
Children's Hospital has received the wish list items From the Parish Treasurer
from Trinity Episcopal Sunday School and parish.
The patients have enjoyed and benefited from Window Campaign
Trinity's outreach! THANK YOU! The window campaign is nearing an end. We have
--- Diane Sercu only a few more pledges to come in by April 2021 and
our loan can be paid off.
Episcopal Church Women 2020 Giving Statements
THANK YOU to all of you who donated socks for the Again, thank you for your faithful giving, especially
Socktober collection. In just three weeks we were during these challenging times! Year-end giving
able to collect 189 pairs of socks for the Northern statements will go out in early January. If you are
Chautauqua Community Fund drive. behind in your pledge and able to, now is a good time
to catch up to help with the cash flow needed to meet
THANK YOU again to everyone who donated items financial obligations. Feel free to contact the
or money towards the TECW Thanksgiving food treasurer with any questions.
collection. With your help we delivered the items
they most needed and others as well. 2021 Stewardship Campaign
Thank you to all who have responded to Trinity’s
108 cans of fruit 2021 stewardship campaign. We are three-quarters
23 tins cranberry of the way to the pledge goal. If you have not
6 tins vegetables returned your 2021 pledge card, please consider
2-5 lb potatoes doing so soon. In the next few weeks, vestry will be
1 5lb sweet potatoes finalizing the proposed budget and your intent will
12 gravy assist in that process. A confirmation of your 2021
8 Complete pies (fillings and crusts) pledge will accompany your year-end giving
3 graham cracker crusts and boxes jello statement.
3 juice bottles
41 boxed desserts Until we can be together again, please stay safe and
3 boxes pie crusts well, dear parish friends.
5 bags stuffing Faithfully,
WOW Virginia T. Becker, Treasurer
Trinity Tidings – Page 5+++
Lectionary Readings for Birthdays in December
December: www.lectionarypage.net 7 Lucille Delcamp
8 Frank B. Pullano
Sunday, Dec. 6
10 Ariella Pierce
Second Sunday of Advent
15 Laurie Weatherlow
Isaiah 40:1-11
15 Tyler Roberts
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
20 Jeff Kennedy
2 Peter 3:8-15a 21 Tom Boyda
Matthew 24:36-44 24 Carol Johnson
Sunday, Dec. 13 27 Bill Roberts
Third Sunday of Advent 29 Nathan McCloskey
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 30 Robert Gray
30 Marilyn Maytum
Psalm 126
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-23 Wedding Anniversaries in December
20 Marlene and Bill Raines
Sunday, Dec. 20
Fourth Sunday of Advent In Memoriam
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 1 Mary Jane Forster
Canticle 15 6 Clara Wallace
Romans 16:25-27 8 Eugene Berhardt
Luke 1:26-38 17 Gene Burmaster
19 Clint Kennedy
Thursday, Dec. 24 24 Alfred, Nellie, and Audrey Turner
Eve of the Nativity 31 The Revd. M. A. Garland
Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-20
Friday, Dec. 25
Christmas Day
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98
Hebrews 1:1-4
John 1:1-14
Sunday, Dec. 27
First Sunday after Christmas
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Psalm 147:13-21
Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7
John 1:1-18
Trinity Tidings – Page 6Trinity Tidings The Vestry of the Parish
Trinity Episcopal Church William Roberts, Sr. Warden
11 Day Street; P.O. Box 467 Sue Torrance, Jr. Warden
Fredonia, NY 14063 Janeil Rey
Office: 716-679-7901 Lucille Bryant
Email: office@trinitychurchwny.org Doreen Gould
Website: www.trinitychurchwny.org Karin Wheelock
Jack Torrance
Parish Office Hours: no regular schedule at this Virginia Becker, Treasurer
time due to pandemic.
Sunday School: Janeil Rey and Audrey Parker
Outreach: Diane Sercu
Parish Clergy and Staff
The Revd. James Clement, Rector Trinity Episcopal Church Women: Doreen Gould
rector@trinitychurchwny.org Sunshine Group: Maureen Blackburn and Cathy
office@trinitychurchwny.org Berner
Dr. Ji Hyun Woo, Organist and Director of Music
Sara Jagoda, Sexton Prayer Chain: Mary Lou Sherman
Prayer Shawl Ministry: Ann Sullivan
Altar Guild: Jeanette Adamczak
Flower Guild: Melisa Eichmann
Christmas Eve 2019
Wishing Everyone a Blessed, Merry, and Safe Holiday Season!
Trinity Tidings – Page 7Trinity Episcopal Church
11 Day Street; P.O. Box 467
Fredonia, New York 14063
Volume 3, Issue 12 — December 2020
Trinity Tidings
The newsletter of Trinity Episcopal Church
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”
Ephesians 1:2
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