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Trinity Newsletter
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A Year Gone By and a Heart of Gratitude

What a year. I can't believe it has come and gone. My first Sunday at Trinity was August 8th of 2004. Here we are a year later. As evident by size of this month's newsletter, there is a lot going on at our little parish by the sea. It is important for me to tell you how grateful I am to all of you. As adults, in the busyness of our lives we often forget to just stop and say, "thank you." It is nothing new. It was seen in Jesus' day too. Do you remember the story of Jesus healing the ten people with leapersy? When Jesus saw them, he touched them and they were healed. They were so happy that they ran up and down the streets singing and dancing. One of them stopped and went back to tell Jesus, "Thank You." Jesus said to him, "Weren't there ten who were healed? Where are the other nine?" It is interesting that God's love was not limited only to the one who said thank you. All received the same blessing. Yet, it is the one who came back who became a blessing to Jesus!

In the Episcopal Church we refer to our main worship service as "Eucharist," which means "Thanksgiving" in Greek. At the heart of all we do and are at Trinity is worship -- giving thanks. It allows us the opportunity to stop, take stock, and give thanks for our blessings. With grateful hearts, we are then sent out to become a blessing to another.

This past year so many of you who have been members of this parish family for years and so many of you who are new to this congregation, joined together in being such a great blessing. You have given of yourselves in so many ways. I wish you could all see what I get to see on a daily basis -- people volunteering to unload and stock shelves in our food pantry, fold the weekly bulletins, clean the church, work with the youth, paint rooms, clean carpets, visit those ill, plant flowers, clean & polish the brass for worship, practice for choir, arrange flowers, fix the gutters, serve guests at our Saturday Soup Kitchen, and on and on. So many people giving in so many ways. And, then there are those of you who have stepped-up to pledge financial support. The letter sent out a few weeks ago explaining our projected deficit is being responded to with increased giving in the Sunday collection and by people phoning or emailing the office indicating they want to increase their pledge for this year. If it continues, there is a really good possibility we might even eliminate our deficit. Can you imagine what a celebration that would be?! So much -- SO MUCH for which to say thank you -- "It is indeed right to give God thanks and praise!

With a grateful heart,
Fr. David +

The Deacon's Corner

The blessing of the shawl ministry continues to expand by those sharing in crocheting and knitting. It is a ministry that is truly touching lives. A person from another church involved in a shawl ministry there put into words the impact a shawl or lap blanket can make in someone's life. She writes, "Shawls ... made for centuries are universal and embracing, symbolic of an inclusive, unconditionally loving, God. They wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace, mother, hug, shelter and beautify. Those who have received these shawls have been uplifted and affirmed, as if given wings to fly above their troubles."

I also share with you a recent thank you we have received:
"Dear Deacon Gail, Thank you so much to you and your prayer shawl group for the colorful shawl you sent me through Joanie McCoy, my cousin! It's so pretty and the prayers are deeply appreciated in helping me battle my illness. I truly believe that with the help of God and all my family and friends that I will be able to get better from this disease, and your good wishes and prayers add to my belief! Thank you again, Mona Giamborne"

Peace and Blessings,
Deacon Gail

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