4/19/18
When I became an Episcopalian, it took me awhile to understand the jargon. Every institution has its own internal language that only insiders know, and the church is no different. For example, if you are reading this you probably know that BCP stands for our Book of Common Prayer. If you are in the choir, you likely you know that WLP is our abbreviation for the hymnal supplement, Wonder, Love and Praise. Lay Eucharistic Visitors who take communion to our home-bound members know they are LEVs. So, how many of us know the meaning of PIC? (Hint: it is what I am.)
A PIC is a Priest in Charge. An excerpt from the ECCT (Episcopal Church in Connecticut) website explains the purpose of my being here at Trinity. “Occasionally something happens in the life of a parish which causes the parish and the diocesan leadership to enter into a time of deeper conversation, focusing on pastoral care and healing for all of those involved. This is a time for all of us to work on exploring new possibilities for relationships and ministries with the goal of moving to a reinvigorated place, ready to explore collaborative ministries and claiming our place in God’s Mission.” Furthermore, “the ministry of the Priest in Charge is to help the parish explore who they are, where they are going and what type of leadership is needed for the congregation to move into a new future.”
We’re making good progress with all of this and the vestry now has an exciting update to share with you! This Sunday after worship, while we are enjoying one of our fabulous Breakfast Sundays, a vestry member will be leading a conversation at each table. You will learn about our new vestry structure and be introduced to the four congregational goals which are the result of a year-long process with our PIC Consultant, The Rev. Jack Gilpin. Hope to see you Sunday!
PAX, Jenny+
When I became an Episcopalian, it took me awhile to understand the jargon. Every institution has its own internal language that only insiders know, and the church is no different. For example, if you are reading this you probably know that BCP stands for our Book of Common Prayer. If you are in the choir, you likely you know that WLP is our abbreviation for the hymnal supplement, Wonder, Love and Praise. Lay Eucharistic Visitors who take communion to our home-bound members know they are LEVs. So, how many of us know the meaning of PIC? (Hint: it is what I am.)
A PIC is a Priest in Charge. An excerpt from the ECCT (Episcopal Church in Connecticut) website explains the purpose of my being here at Trinity. “Occasionally something happens in the life of a parish which causes the parish and the diocesan leadership to enter into a time of deeper conversation, focusing on pastoral care and healing for all of those involved. This is a time for all of us to work on exploring new possibilities for relationships and ministries with the goal of moving to a reinvigorated place, ready to explore collaborative ministries and claiming our place in God’s Mission.” Furthermore, “the ministry of the Priest in Charge is to help the parish explore who they are, where they are going and what type of leadership is needed for the congregation to move into a new future.”
We’re making good progress with all of this and the vestry now has an exciting update to share with you! This Sunday after worship, while we are enjoying one of our fabulous Breakfast Sundays, a vestry member will be leading a conversation at each table. You will learn about our new vestry structure and be introduced to the four congregational goals which are the result of a year-long process with our PIC Consultant, The Rev. Jack Gilpin. Hope to see you Sunday!
PAX, Jenny+
4/12/18
There’s a civility I’ve come to appreciate in Connecticut that I didn’t expect to find. It happens at the numerous four-way stop signs on the back roads. I drive these less-traveled, back roads a lot on my way to various meetings that somehow always seem to be forty-five minutes from Newtown. Countless times I have experienced cars, driven by human beings, coming to a full stop and then courteously waiting their turn. Only once or twice have I seen a car rush to make it through the intersection out of turn. Occasionally there’s even graciousness with a motion from someone to go ahead of them. This is a sharp contrast to driving on Main Street where everyone is always in a hurry. Getting out of the rectory driveway can be dangerous, not to mention turning by the flagpole. Drivers on Main Street are impatient at best. I could go on, but this writing isn’t about driving, it’s about civility and how we treat one another.
For guidance, the scripture passage that comes to mind this morning is Colossians 3:12-15 which says, “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.”
Maybe it’s because we are in Easter-tide or that I am starting to see signs of Spring with the crocus popping up, birds singing, tree branches softening with new buds, or maybe it was the baby that waved at me on my walk to church today, whatever the reason, I want to believe we can be kinder, gentler people and that we can be more loving, more forgiving, more thankful. Not just at Trinity—in the way we live our life, greet our neighbors, smile at strangers, help those in need, treat our family and yes, even how we drive our cars! It may be counter-cultural and taking the road less traveled, nonetheless, oh how we need more civility.
Let it begin in me, Jenny+
There’s a civility I’ve come to appreciate in Connecticut that I didn’t expect to find. It happens at the numerous four-way stop signs on the back roads. I drive these less-traveled, back roads a lot on my way to various meetings that somehow always seem to be forty-five minutes from Newtown. Countless times I have experienced cars, driven by human beings, coming to a full stop and then courteously waiting their turn. Only once or twice have I seen a car rush to make it through the intersection out of turn. Occasionally there’s even graciousness with a motion from someone to go ahead of them. This is a sharp contrast to driving on Main Street where everyone is always in a hurry. Getting out of the rectory driveway can be dangerous, not to mention turning by the flagpole. Drivers on Main Street are impatient at best. I could go on, but this writing isn’t about driving, it’s about civility and how we treat one another.
For guidance, the scripture passage that comes to mind this morning is Colossians 3:12-15 which says, “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.”
Maybe it’s because we are in Easter-tide or that I am starting to see signs of Spring with the crocus popping up, birds singing, tree branches softening with new buds, or maybe it was the baby that waved at me on my walk to church today, whatever the reason, I want to believe we can be kinder, gentler people and that we can be more loving, more forgiving, more thankful. Not just at Trinity—in the way we live our life, greet our neighbors, smile at strangers, help those in need, treat our family and yes, even how we drive our cars! It may be counter-cultural and taking the road less traveled, nonetheless, oh how we need more civility.
Let it begin in me, Jenny+
