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December, 2007

RECTORS REPORT

Dear parishioners and friends of Trinity Church,

I know that this letter is falling quickly on the heels of the recent one - but I wanted you to be informed of upcoming events at the parish in December. By the end of the year we hope to be on a regular cycle of monthly newsletters. (another one will be sent out before Christmas, for January)

On Saturday, Dec. 1st, is the Rockland Stroll. As you probably know, our parish presents a live nativity. There will be more about that below.

On Sunday, December 2nd, we begin the season of Advent. This is the beginning of our Church Year…Year A in our Lectionary. Advent, in our Christian tradition, is the time of waiting prior to Christmas. Advent actually means “coming”. Although the Baby Jesus was born long ago, we still await his final coming. During these 4 weeks, prior to the celebration of Christ’s birth on Christmas, we enter a time of preparation. We hear prophecies from Isaiah of this wondrous birth.

In Church, each Sunday, we will light another candle on our Advent wreaths. Usually the wreath is covered with greens, which symbolize everlasting life. There are 4 candles, either purple or blue…and often with one rose colored. The 3rd Sunday of Lent is observed by some churches as Gaudete Sunday, which means rejoice. Thus, they use the rose color candle on that day. That Sunday is more joyful than the others as we read the lesson from Isaiah. As we light the candles progressively, adding one each Sunday, they signify light out of darkness. They help us to remember the One who said “I am the light of the world”.

One of the customs that has grown over time is signifying each candle with an attribute: light, hope, joy, and peace. Another custom is signifying the candles with the Christmas story (prophets, angels, shepherd, Magi). In our parish we use blue candles, rather than purple, which is traditionally also used during Lent. It helps to separate Advent from Lent. Although Advent is a solemn time, it is less solemn than Lent, which prepares us for the great feast of Easter.

I hope that you will each take the time to use an Advent wreath in your homes during this Advent season. I will leave copies in the narthex, of the brief readings that we will hear each Sunday, for you to take home.

Finally, after all the “hoopla” of the secular Christmas season, our Christian Christmas will arrive. Then we will sing joyful Christmas carols. The church will be decorated in lovely Christmas decorations. It can feel so anti-climatic - after being deluged with Christmas music and decorations since before Halloween. At one time the world waited until after Thanksgiving, but now the frenzy starts sooner. How sad. We get so caught up in the commercialism and the secular Christmas - that we forget that this time before Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace and waiting. It takes a real effort on our parts to find that peace and sense of waiting. But if you allow yourself to do so, then Christmas can truly be a joyful event. One way to claim a little peace in this frenzied season is to attend services on Sunday. It will still be Advent here! Christmas will arrive at its proper time – and we will celebrate the real reason for it – the Birth of Jesus Christ.

I invite you, your family and friends to attend one of our services:

NURSERY

Baby-sitting is available at the 10:00 a.m. service for infants and Toddlers.
Please call or see Karen Boyle if you are interested in volunteering.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

The Sunday school classes have been very busy since coming back in September. Jennifer Johnson came and talked with the students about her work in Africa. The students decided they wanted to help the family she worked with. At the Holiday Stroll, during the Live Nativity, they will be selling Christmas ornaments that they have made and the money will go directly to the family in Africa. This money will help them with clothing, supplies, etc. Please support them in this very worthy cause. They are very excited about their project, ask them about it.

This year the Sunday school students will be singing holiday songs for the Christmas Eve service at 5:00 pm. They have a special treat planned. They will be working very hard every week. If you would like your child to participate in the Christmas Eve service, please make sure they are attending Sunday school. We will not be able to allow children that come on Christmas Eve to participate in the songs. We have a wonderful group of students that come regularly and we'd love to see that number grow throughout the year.

WOMEN’S GROUP

The Women's Group will meet Monday, December 10th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room. We will be having a 'Cookie Swap'. Just bring a batch of your favorite cookies to share and go home with a batch of delicious treats. All women of Trinity are invited to attend.

CHOIR

All are welcome to join the choir! We are always looking for more voices. We rehearse before the 10:00am service every Sunday. If you have any questions, please see John Ferguson, our choir director and organist. Please help the choir and come sing with us. What is in this for you? You would be joining a group of very talented people, also a group of very funny people, and learn something new from John, he is very talented. Give it a try!

PARISH HAPPENINGS

Live Nativity- Come experience the true meaning of Christmas at our Live indoor Nativity Saturday December 1st from 4:30- 7 pm. Behind the scenes: we need baked goods, apple juice and bottle water. We could use a couple of donations of newer (easier to set up!) artificial Christmas trees. We need help setting up Mon- Wed from 3-7. We need help breaking it down at 7 pm on Sat. Thank you in advance for all your help.

If you have not attended a service in a while please come and meet our interim priest.

Is there anyone that has fallen through the cracks and would like a visit? Please call the church and leave a message.

This is a reminder as we get so busy and feel stress. Take a break

SUNSHINE

Liz Lundgren has taken over the position of Sunshine person. She would like to know if any one in the Church needs a card. Please let her know immediately if some one has a loss, illness, happiness, or needs cheering up. She can be reached via e-mail at sunshine@trinityrockland.org.

Any News contact Joyce

Closing Thought

You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him.
“Courtesy of a friend.”