IN GRATITUDE: REMEMBER, REFLECT, AND RENEW

Journeying Through the Seasons of Life with Christ and One Another

Sustain us, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit.
Give us inquiring and discerning hearts,

 the courage to will and to persevere,

 a spirit to know and to love you,

and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works.

Amen.

Dear Good People of Trinity,

The final chapter of our sabbatical journey has now come to a close. On New Year’s Eve, the Jeanes family departed from JFK and flew to Córdoba, Argentina, beginning a pilgrimage across sacred terrain of both land and heart, time and space.

In Córdoba, we walked in the footsteps of Christina’s childhood. We visited the home where she, her siblings, and her mother once lived, and the school she attended. Together, we walked the streets they walked and experienced places that shaped their lives 45 years ago.

From there, we traveled to La Paz, where Christina’s brother has a small “ranchito.” For four wonderful days, we embraced the beauty of the countryside—taking walks, riding horses, swimming in the river, sharing stories with friends, and yes … even played a round or two of golf. A highlight was the Argentine Asado, a feast of food, laughter, and love shared with dear family and friends.

Our pilgrimage continued with a seven-hour bus ride to San Nicolás, the town where Christina’s mother, María Luisa, was born. We visited the house where she grew up, the school where she was valedictorian, and the park near the river where she played with her sisters. A truly special moment was reconnecting with Abuela’s only remaining childhood friend, Graciela, now 91. Graciela’s joy at our visit was palpable as she shared stories of their adventures—school days, dances at the social club, and even tales of youthful romance. “We met when we were four,” she said, “and we were friends for life—inseparable!”

On our last night in San Nicolás, we gathered on the banks of the Río Paraná. There we read poetry, shed tears, looked to the sky, said prayers, and then “earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust” - we returned a portion of Abuela’s and Tia’s, ashes to the river in which they swam and played, had picnic’s on the bank and walked to the water’s edge with young suiters to perhaps steal a kiss under the moonlight.

Our final destination was Buenos Aires. What an amazing city! Over three days, we walked nearly 10 miles a day, taking in the Teatro Colón, Plaza de Mayo, Recoleta Cemetery, Casa Rosada, Puerto Madero, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and so much more. Though our feet were a bit sore, our spirits were filled!

Yet, as with all journeys, this one came to an end. It was time to return home.

One of the most poignant moments was watching my children show Graciela pictures of her and Abuela as children. Her joy and tears captured the essence of life’s fleeting beauty: the laughter, love, and dreams of youth intimately intertwined with the wisdom and memories of age.

I wonder if when she looked at those pictures if it seemed as if it were yesterday. Only yesterday, when she and Abuela were 12 years old and going to their first dance at the San Nicolas Social Club. Wearing their best dresses and their hair done, young and full of life and dreams - looking across the room at handsome young boys and wondering if one of them would ask them to dance. And then the time came, a boy caught their eye and walked across the room, and asked for a dance. Their first dance and their hearts racing, now in the blink of an eye, 80 years have passed.  Yet, I felt that within her heart and soul, I could see a young girl still full of life and dreams and wanting to dance.

Life moves so quickly, dear friends. Each day, the music of life plays, and God invites us to dance. To live and love, to hope and dream, as long as we have breath. Even when life is hard and our hearts grow weary, God is with us—through every moment, from our first breath to our last.

Let us not miss the wonder of this sacred dance.

Thank you for the gift of this time away. Thank you for loving me and my family. Thank you for giving us this holy opportunity to dance!

Peace and Blessings,

Paul

Christmas Day

Dear Friends,

On Christmas morning, after a glorious day of worship at Trinity Church, I woke up around 6 AM. I went downstairs, got a cup of coffee, and sat by the tree for a while. I cherish these early hours, when the house is quiet, and everyone else is still asleep. These moments are sacred.

As I sat there, I found myself drifting back to Christmases of my childhood. I would jump out of bed at the crack of dawn and run into my parents’ room with my heart about to bust – “Get up! Get up! Santa came! Santa came!” Then we would make our way to the family room to see that indeed Santa had made a visit! What joy! So many beautiful memories.

Then, I reflected on the Christmases here in Princeton, I see our kids faces and feel their boundless energy as they ran around the house, bursting with excitement. The cookies were gone, the milk was drunk, and the presents were under the tree. Christina and I would watch with tired smiles, the result of late-night wrapping sessions. Our weariness was a small price to pay for the happiness and joy of the children.

But time moves on, and our children are now 26, 24, and 21. They no longer wake us at 6 AM, racing downstairs and shouting, "Did Santa come?" Christmas morning has taken on a different rhythm. Now, the day begins at a more leisurely hour—around 9 or 9:30. We gather quietly, chatting until everyone is awake. With the fire lit, Christmas music playing softly, we open our gifts in an “orderly” manner.

Yet, even now, the magic of Christmas morning remains. There is still laughter, jokes, and playful tossing of wrapping paper. Ribbons end up in hair, new clothes are modeled with flair, and the occasional gift sends the room into fits of laughter.

There is something profoundly beautiful about this experience—unwrapping gifts chosen with love and care. The “fanciness” of the gift doesn’t matter. (I often forget that in my desire to get the “perfect” gift – which only causes frustration.) What truly matters is the love and intention behind it.

As I sat by the tree, I thought: What if we approached each day with the same excitement and joy we feel on Christmas morning? Each morning, God grants us the gift of a new day. Like a wrapped present, the day holds possibilities waiting to be discovered.

I confess, most mornings I don’t leap out of bed with joy, eager to greet the sunrise. I don’t wake up proclaiming, “This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.” But what if I did? What if I chose to embrace each day as a precious and intentional gift from God?

Every morning, we are given the gift of life—a new day to unwrap, experience, and savor. Each breath we take is a reminder of the potential for joy, love, and new experiences. Each day is a little like Christmas—not because of the date on the calendar, but because God has given us the gift of this moment, this life, this breath.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Merry Christmas,

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Dear Beloved of Trinity,

The day is fast approaching, and soon we will celebrate the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Tomorrow, we will be blessed to hear the story of our Lord’s birth as shared through the voices of the children and youth of our parish.

“Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you… Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:28–33)

Come and experience once more the profound story of the birth of our Savior. Let us open our hearts to hear the story as if for the very first time. Let us hear the words of Gabriel and know that God is indeed with us. Let us set our fears aside and open our souls and lives to give birth to the Son of God.

May the presence of God be ever near and may you feel irresistibly drawn to the Holy One through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Together, let us bring forth Light and Life into the world.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow for the Christmas Pageant and our festive Advent Brunch!

Blessings to all!

Paul

Rejoice in the LORD Always

Dear Beloved of Trinity Church,

This Sunday, we celebrate the third Sunday of Advent.  “The term is derived from the Latin opening words of the introit antiphon, ‘Rejoice (Gaudete) in the Lord always.’” * On this day, it is customary to wear rose-colored vestments and light a pink or rose colored candle, hence the alternative name for the day, “Rose Sunday.”

 From Philippians 4:4-6:

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice:

let your moderation be known unto all men:

the Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing:

but in everything, by prayer and supplication,

with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.”

This is followed by the first verse from Psalm 85:

“Lord, thou art become gracious unto thy land:

thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.”

The Latin text:

Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete.

Modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus:

Dominus enim prope est. Nihil solliciti sitis:

sed in omni oratione et obsecratione

cum gratiarum actione petitiones vestræ innotescant apud Deum. 

Benedixisti Domine terram tuam: avertisti captivitatem Jacob.

As we come ever closer to the celebration of the Nativity and our Lord’s return, may we rejoice in heart and soul, in word and deed, for Christ was and is and ever shall be our hope, our peace, our joy, our love, our light.

Advent Blessings,

Paul

* “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,”

     Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.

For a New Beginning

This Sunday marks the beginning of a new church year, and with this comes infinite possibilities. In the season of Advent, we remind ourselves of God’s constant and faithful presence as we prepare to celebrate the annual remembrance of our Lord’s nativity and remind ourselves that we live each day in hopeful expectation of our Lord’s glorious return. 

Each and every day offers us the opportunity for something new to emerge. If we have the courage to step onto new ground—even though the destination is still unclear—we trust in God’s love to hold us and sustain us on the way so that we may find our souls enlivened and spirits renewed. Advent is a time to “awaken [our] spirit to adventure” and to “hold nothing back”—God’s hope and love, joy and peace await.

Advent Blessings,

Paul+

For a New Beginning
In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.
For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.
It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.
Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.
Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life’s desire.
Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.
~ John O’Donohue

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

Rector’s Annual Report 2024

Dear Good People of Trinity,

What an extraordinary year it has been at Trinity Church! Personally, the sabbatical surpassed all expectations, and on behalf of my family, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for the time away. It was a truly life-changing experience—a gift that would have been impossible without your support and the Clergy Renewal Grant.

I also want to express my deepest gratitude to Kara Slade for her outstanding leadership during this time. We are blessed to have Kara as our Associate Rector. Her integrity, spirituality, intellect, and faithfulness inspire and uplift us all. I am also sincerely thankful to our dedicated staff, who sustain Trinity not only during this sabbatical season but every day, every week, throughout the year. Thank you to Annie, Lily, Meg, Joseph, Char, Donte, Enrique, and Roberto for your unwavering commitment and service. What an amazing team we have!

My sincere thanks as well to David Schneider, our Senior Warden; Victor Gibbs, our Junior Warden; Stephen Evans, our Finance Chair; and our incredible vestry. I am profoundly grateful for each lay leader, volunteer, team, and committee member. Thank you for your faithful service and dedication—I feel blessed to be part of such a remarkable community, and I am deeply appreciative of each one of you.

During the sabbatical, we spent time in sacred remembrance, reflecting on past seasons and recognizing how God has been with us through life’s journey. We engaged in soulful reflection, exploring God’s work in our hearts and souls in this present season. And we opened ourselves to God’s love, seeking renewal of heart, mind, body, and spirit in preparation for the journey ahead. This renewal is alive within us now.

 This fall, the energy and vitality at Trinity are palpable! Attendance and participation are up, members are engaging and re-engaging in a fresh and vibrant way, and newcomers continue to join us and are finding a home at Trinity Church. We are truly blessed. In a time when, unfortunately, many churches face decline, we are on the rise! This is our moment to rise to the occasion, to meet the challenges and opportunities before us. It is time for us to rise above our fears and anxieties and to dream the dream that God has for us. It is time for us to rise and boldly proclaim the love of God—a love beyond compare. It is time for us to rise with confidence and grace, courage and humility, to be the people of Trinity Church, through whom God can and will do infinitely more than we could ever ask or imagine.

Now is the time—our time—to proclaim, to serve, and to rise to the high and sacred calling of God.

What a blessing it is to journey through the seasons of life with Christ and with one another!

Forward in faith!

Peace and Blessings to all!

Election Week

Dear Trinity Church,

On election day, the church will be open all day for prayer. If anyone needs a ride to a polling station to vote, please contact the church office and will be do our best to provide transportation. May the peace of Christ be with you in what can be a stressful time.

Prayer of guidance during this election

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States (or of this community) in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.