The Art of Pilgrimage

Dear Beloved of Trinity Church, 

As the days to my sabbatical draw ever closer, I ready myself for this sacred season that awaits. Much preparation and planning has been done for sure, but I know that it’s the unexpected things along the way that will be the most nourishing, challenging, and life-giving.

Phil Cousineau, in his book, The Art of Pilgrimage writes, “For millennia, [the] cry in the heart for embarking upon a meaningful journey, has been answered by pilgrimage, a transformative journey to a sacred center.”  Our lives are most definitely “a transformative journey to a sacred center.” Holy travel across the seasons of our lives. And we take this sacred journey together.

Cousineau continues on to say, “With the roads to the exalted places we all want to visit more crowded than ever, we look more and more but see less and less. But we don’t need more gimmicks and gadgets; all we need to do is reimagine the way we travel. If we truly want to know the secret of soulful travel, we need to believe that there is something secret waiting to be discovered in virtually every journey.”

As we enter the months ahead, I invite us to reimagine the way we travel. I invite us to reimagine the way we live, the way we pray, the way we serve, and the way we love. I invite us to give ourselves the freedom to discover something secret, something sacred, something holy. And to remind ourselves to not simply look at the world around us, but to open our hearts and souls, so that we may truly see the wonderful gifts that God has in store for us. May we see with the eyes of the heart.

I invite you to join me this Sunday, and again on Tuesday evening for a more in-depth conversation (more information in the article below), as we prepare to embark on this pilgrimage that together we may indeed discover the sacred art of soulful living.

Peace and Blessings on the way,

Paul

Anna Lapwood Recital

Attention all music lovers!  Acclaimed English organist Anna Lapwood will play a recital at Princeton University Chapel this coming Monday, April 8 at 8:00 p.m.  A group from Trinity will attend the concert together.  We will meet outside the church office at 7:00 p.m.  Please join us!  For more information on the concert, check out: https://chapel.princeton.edu/events/organist-anna-lapwood-concert.

One Last Night with Dr. King

Join the United Black Agenda as we listen to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s prophetic last speech and discuss the role of his economic vision to today’s society.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Tc_0_e9lgxlhmLzXYhXL5nG7Qaj0bvPw4mxlMLiXknI/viewform?chromeless=1&edit_requested=true

Volunteers Needed for Agape Meal!

The Agape Meal will take place on March 30, 2024, directly following the Easter Vigil (around 9:30 pm).

Volunteers are needed at 7:30 to help with setup. Volunteers are also needed for cleanup duties. Please email Carol Thomas to sign up: carolbrooksthomas@gmail.com.

Newcomer's Tea at the Rectory

Sunday, April 14th at 4 pm

New to Trinity in the past year or two?  The Newcomers Committee invites you to join the clergy, vestry members and fellow newcomers for refreshments and fellowship at the Rectory where Fr. Paul Jeanes lives.  It's next to our parish hall at 25 Mercer St.  We'll start at 4 pm and end at 5 pm.  Then feel free to join us as we walk next door to the church for the evening prayers said during Compline.  Registration is not required but is appreciated; email tomascott1965@gmail.com. 

St. Matthew Passion

Matthäuspassion

Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672)

7:00-8:00 PM

March 23, 2024

Princeton University Chapel

A powerful and dramatic setting of Matthew’s passion narrative by German composer Heinrich Schütz. Written in 1666 for a cappella choir and solo recitative, this piece is a rarely-performed hidden gem of early Baroque church music. Sung by the Lux Choir of the Episcopal Church of Princeton under the direction of Connor Fluharty.

Please come hear this beautiful version of the St. Matthew Passion in an incredible space, and get a head start on Holy Week!

THANKS A MILLION!!

You did it!!!  Early last October we stood before you all and announced our goal of reaching $1,000,000 in pledges from all of you to support our beloved Trinity community.  We have been closing in on that number for a while now – and this week we – you – did it.  Thank you for recognizing the importance of this community in your lives and in the lives of your fellow parishioners.  It is only one step in the process of financial stability, but it is one giant step.  Thank you all.  We ARE Trinity Church.  

Trudy Sykes and Bill Hackett, Stewardship Co-Chairs

Oasis LGBTQ+ Group

It is a clear positive that civil and human rights for the LGBTQIA+ community have progressed greatly in the last few decades. It is also very clear that hatred and violence towards queer people is on the rise. In the first three months of 2024, over 300 anti-gay bills have been introduced in state legislatures across the country. Many of these bills invoke Christianity as the impetus behind them. There is still so much work to be done.

Oasis is the Trinity Church group for people who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. We plan to gather in the weeks after Easter (TBA) for the opportunity to fellowship together and explore how our queerness is a gift from God.

Please contact Wesley Rowell (rowellw@trinityprinceton.org) if you are interested in joining the Oasis group.