Death of Queen Elizabeth II

Elizabeth II, Dei Gratia Britanniarum Regnorumque Suorum Ceterorum Regina, Consortionis Populorum Princeps, Fidei Defensor

Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith

We join with Anglicans throughout the world, with the people of the United Kingdom and all nations of the Commonwealth, and above all with her family, in mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II. As the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, she was the most well-known Anglican layperson in the world. Her quiet faith and her devotion to duty, from World War II until the appointment of Prime Minister Liz Truss only yesterday, stand as an example to us all.

We offer two prayers from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, the authorized Prayer Book of the Church of England.

Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits of them that depart hence in the Lord, and with whom the souls of the faithful, after they are delivered from the burden of the flesh, are in joy and felicity: We give thee hearty thanks, for that it hath pleased thee to deliver this our sister out of the miseries of this sinful world; beseeching thee, that it may please thee, of thy gracious goodness, shortly to accomplish the number of thine elect, and to hasten thy kingdom; that we, with all those that are departed in the true faith of thy holy Name, may have our perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and soul, in thy eternal and everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord our heavenly Father, high and mighty, King of kings, Lord of lords, the only Ruler of princes, who dost from they throne behold all the dwellers upon earth; Most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour to behold King Charles; and so replenish him with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that he may alway incline to thy will, and walk in thy way: Endue him plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant him in health and wealth long to live; strengthen him that he may vanquish and overcome all his enemies; and finally, after this life, he may attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

50 Backpacks Full Thanks to Your Generosity!

Bonnie Bivins: Connections to General Convention and Lambeth Conference

Over the past few weeks we have had a rare blessing.  While uninvited we have, perhaps because of Covid-19 or simply the expansion of modern technology, been able to watch the proceedings of both the Episcopal General Convention and the Anglican Communion Lambeth Conference.  Both are circles of our world as Episcopalians, Anglicans, and Christians that we rarely have the opportunity to observe must less participate in.  However, what happens in those meetings has bearing on our parish life. On the lighter side it gives un an opportunity to have a sense of the people guiding us.  

Off and on I watched the General Convention to observe where the Holy Spirit was guiding the Episcopal Church. Then I had the distinct blessing to observe in living color the whole (almost) Anglican Communion who came together with their differences and led by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby discussed their context and theology with each other in love if not agreement.  One felt the embrace of God’s love for all gathered and the strong encircling bond of the children of God from their own context greeting each other as fellow disciples.  

Unfortunately, the General Convention was mostly the business of running the Episcopal Church. The Lambeth Conference was something different with three keynote addresses, a Bible Exposition of 1 Peter led by Justin Welby, and a number of Plenary sessions that brought together the contextual experience of the breadth of the Anglican Communion.  

I saved for myself and now share with you the YouTube links, so you can watch some of these extraordinary events. Only the General Convention opening sermon from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry is included in the links. You may possibly find other sessions from the General Convention on YouTube.

The links of the Lambeth Conference are in order (i.e. top down), from the start to finish of the conference. Other news and comments from the Episcopal perspective you will find on the Episcopal News Service news@episcopalchurch.org. 

• PB Michael Curry’s Opening Sermon to the 80th General Convention
  

• Opening Keynote Address 

• Bible Exposition: 1 Peter: 1 Called into Hope and Holiness

• Plenary: Mission & Evangelism

• Opening Service Canterbury Cathedral

• Plenary: Safe Church

• Bible Exposition: 1 Peter: 2 A Holy People following Christ

• Plenary: Life of the Communion

• Bible Exposition: Resistance and Resilience 1 Peter 2:13-3:22

• Plenary: Reconciliation

• Bible Exposition: Suffering in Christ - 1 Peter 4.1-19

• Plenary: Christian Unity

• Plenary: Inter Faith (Hospitality and Generosity?)

• Bible Exposition: 1 Peter: 5:1-14 Authority in Christ

• Plenary: Discipleship

• Keynote Address 2

• Plenary: The Decade Ahead

• Keynote Address 3

• Closing Service

• The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Closing Sermon at the Fifteenth Lambeth Conference

Peace,
Bonnie Bivins

Backpacks for Homefront Kids

Needed by August 15!

We a seeking school supply donations to pack 30 full backpacks to donate to Homefront. We have purchased the backpacks and now are calling on any who can help purchase school supplies for us to fill them. This is a quick campaign as they need the backpacks by August 15.

Please see the list below. We would like to fill each backpack from the list of supplies listed as "All Ages." If you wish to donate supplies, please leave them in the slype near the coat racks. We are also going to set up an Amazon order list as an eblast on Monday so stay tuned.

Please contact Ann Zultner or Phil Unetic if you have any questions.

An Update from Our Partner Arm In Arm

Please take a look at the video update above from David Fox, the executive director of Arm In Arm. Trinity Church helps them in their mission through grant funds from our Turkey Trot each year. David outlines their successes and struggles as they increase support for the Princeton and Trenton communities through these difficult times.

Many members of our church volunteer at Arm In Arm. If you would like to join them, please let me know and I can help you get in touch with them to sign up.

Phil Unetic,
Junior Warden