Christ the Light

Dear Beloved of Trinity Church,

I’m sitting in my office late in the afternoon. The sun has already set, and if someone were to ask me the time by glancing out the window, I’d guess it was much later in the night. Yet, it’s only late afternoon. Moments like these remind me how vital light is, at least for me. The early darkness during these months can feel heavy and oppressive, casting shadows not only over the world around us but sometimes within our hearts as well.

This experience resonates with life itself. Not every day is filled with light and sunshine. There are seasons when the darkness feels overwhelming, pressing upon our hearts and souls. Yet, in those moments, I’m reminded of the incredible gift of Light—both physical and spiritual.

This Sunday, Christ the King Sunday, we will reflect on this profound and transformative gift—the true Light. From the dawn of creation, when God declared, “Let there be light,” to the radiant Light revealed to us in Jesus Christ—the Light that shines in the darkness and cannot be overcome. It is this Light that sustains us, guides us, and holds us through every season of life.

I warmly invite you to join us this Sunday as we celebrate this divine Light—a beacon of hope, love, and promise that illuminates our lives, now and forevermore.

Let there be light!

Grace and peace,

Paul

Cookie Walk

There will be a Cookie Walk on Sunday, December 8th, from 9am-12:30pm!

Here is how it works:

You buy a bag for a small fee, and then you fill it with cookies of your choice from the trays of delicious home-made cookies baked by fellow parishioners.  So please stop by after the 8am or 10:30 service, and enjoy this Christmas tradition!

Bakers needed!! 

Can you find some time to bake some of your favorite Christmas cookie recipes?  We would love any amount you can make!  (Please, no store bought!) 
If so, then get in touch with Terri Brown at 609-915-3800 or terribrown4@gmail.com  or sign up here:   https://evite.me/pzTtwQsEtf

Advent Poinsettia Delivery

The Flower Ministry team is getting ready for the Annual Poinsettia Delivery, and we could use your help!  

On Friday, December 13 through Sunday December 15, volunteers will deliver Christmas Poinsettia plants to parishioners.  The time involvement is just 1-2 hours, and the exact time you deliver is completely at your discretion.  

We will provide a list of recipients with addresses and contact information. We would like to get enough volunteers to create pairs of people to deliver, so there could be a driver and a caller.  The caller lets the parishioner know that we are on the way to drop off a plant.  This gives the parishioner a “heads up” to potentially to see a stranger at the door.

If you can help with this enjoyable and worthwhile event, please contact Terri Hassett Brown by either email at terribrown4@gmail.com, or by phone, 609-915-3800.  

Christmas Pageant

It is time to sign up for the Christmas Pageant! This year's pageant will take place during the 10:30 am service on Sunday, December 22. We will be using a brand new script, complete with original songs! Rehearsals will be Sundays after church during the month of December, although not everyone will need to be at every rehearsal. There are opportunities for children of all ages to perform.  Please access this form to register and find all of the information:  https://forms.gle/f26RrA3GVtAfQuuJ7

Questions? Email Annie Bryson at brysona@trinityprinceton.org

Angel Tree Update

It's time for Trinity's annual Angel Tree gift drive! This year, we are using an Amazon wish list for the gifts that kids in our community have requested. A tree with gift card tags will be in the Narthex for gift cards that cannot be purchased on Amazon. The wish list can be found here: 

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/RXVN4P7CVC4M?ref_=wl_share

Gifts should be shipped to Kara Slade at 33 Mercer St, Princeton NJ 08540.  Contact Martha Lashbrook or Kara with any questions. 

Sunday's Forum

Advent is traditionally a time to focus on what's called the Four Last Things, including the reality of death. But in our culture, we are often hesitant to talk about it. For four weeks starting this Sunday, November 17, we'll consider both the theology and the practicalities of the end of life. Join us for this very special series at Trinity Church. This Sunday, Kara will lead a discussion of what Christians believe about death and eternal life. Don't miss it! 

Anglican Communion Update

You may have read in the news that Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has announced his resignation. He stepped down in response to a report on horrific abuses perpetrated over decades by a prominent layperson at a camp for elite boarding school students. The political situation surrounding his resignation is extremely complicated, and some believe he was made a scapegoat by people who disagreed with him over other issues in the Church of England. In any event, it has highlighted once again that the protection of vulnerable members of our community is of paramount importance.   

What happens now? In the Episcopal Church, the Presiding Bishop is elected by the House of Bishops and the election is ratified by the House of Deputies. But the Church of England appoints rather than elects bishops. The Crown Nominations Commission, a group selected as shown in the bafflingly complicated diagram below, will select Archbishop Justin’s successor. Along with officials from the Church of England, the Commission will also include five members of the broader Anglican Communion representing Asia, the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Oceania. It is theoretically possible, but very unlikely, that the Commission will choose a bishop from another part of the Communion. 

The CNC will interview candidates and provide one name to the Prime Minister. A second name will be kept “in reserve” in case there is an issue with the first candidate or if they decline the offer. The Prime Minister then conveys the final result to the King. You can read more about the details of the process here: How is a new Archbishop of Canterbury chosen?

As this process unfolds, I invite your prayers for Archbishop Justin and his family, for Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, and for the Crown Nominations Commission who will select the next Archbishop. If you have any questions about how the Anglican Communion works, send me an email! 

Kara

Rummage Thank you!

Dear all,

Many thanks to all for an amazing rummage sale this fall. We all appreciate the fantastic donations, moving the donations from POD's to Church, supporting us with lawn signs, setting up our sale rooms, supplying us with a contrast stream of support and volunteering directly with the sale!

Our sales were just fantastic this year which were just below last year’ sales. Over 650 shoppers came through our doors to shop our treasures!!

We could not have done it without you.  We especially want to thank the Clergy and the Sextons for their steady support, too.

Our next sale in 2025 will be our 50th!!!! What an exciting year ahead!!!

With warm thanks,

The Rummage Committee