THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY

December, 2011

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A note: This month we get two letters from Mother Tina. The October one got to the editor after the newsletter had been
distributed. October 24, 2011 Dear Parish Family and Friends, I write this as I am sitting in one of the upstairs bedrooms of my sisters home in Everson, Washington. The house is still quiet and through the window I can see the mountains to the East taking shape as the sun begins to rise. It is gorgeous! I am reminded of Psalm 121. I will lift up my eyes to hills: from where is my help to come? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. That Psalm was one I memorized as a sophomore in high school. That year in Bible Class we were assigned part or all of 50 of the 150 Psalms to memorize. I must say, they have been a great help to me over the years, as at just the right time the needed verse comes to mind and provides comfort, direction or challenge. This is such a time as I came here last Wednesday for my brother, Everts funeral. He died last week Monday, October 17, and today we are having his burial. Although it is a sad time, it is also a wonderful time to be together as family. My sisters house has a steady flow of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends visiting. Im grateful that we can also be a support to my brothers wife and son. Im grateful for the opportunity to play lots of card games and dominoes with the younger nieces and nephews and through that activity getting to know them better. Even though in I Corinthians 15, St. Paul writes that the last enemy to be overcome is death, it is also necessary and important to befriend death. St. Francis of Assisi writes of brother death. During these months of my brothers illness and hospitalization I certainly became aware of both those realities. We struggle hard to live, yet when death comes we surrender to it and entrust ourselves and those we love to the mercy of God. Another aspect of befriending death is doing what is necessary to prepare for death. Procrastinating seems to be a human tendency, but it is important to get our lives in order and plan for the end of life. On page 445 of the Book of Common Prayer, the section entitled: A Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child, the final rubric reads: The Minister of the Congregation is directed to instruct the people, from time to time, about the duty of Christian parents to make prudent provisions for the well-being of their families, and of all person to make wills, while they are in health, arranging for the disposal of their temporal goods, not neglecting, it he are able, to leave bequests for religious and charitable uses. If any of you have not yet made a will I encourage you to do so. It is an important step in befriending death and preparing for it. It is also important to talk with your family and health care providers about your wishes regarding end of life care. The appointment of a Health Care Representative is also essential. If you have any questions about these things, I would be glad to listen and assist you in that decision making process. By the time you receive the next newsletter, Advent will have arrived and we will be well into the holiday season. May God richly bless us as we prepare for His coming. Faithfully yours in Christ Jesus our Lord, Mother Tina+

November 21, 2011 Dear Parish Family and Friends, We are between Christ the King Sunday, the last of our liturgical year, and the season of Advent, the beginning of the Christian New Year. This week we are in a kind of limbo. The old is waning away and preparation for the new is beginning. Advent is my favorite season. The challenge and hope of what God is doing is thrilling and fills me with longing (Come Thou Long Expected Jesus). The promise that God is with us and creating a new heaven and a new earth can easily get lost in the hustle and business of our lives. Although it is counter cultural we are invited to slow down and open our eyes and hearts to Gods presence with us as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Enclosed in this newsletter is a pledge card for 2012. Giving and pledging are among the main Christian disciplines to help us practice trust of God. As important as planning is, trust of God is even more important. Please return it to the Church by mail, P.O. Box 3679, 46619 or bring it to Church. Sunday, December 4 is designated as collection/reception Sunday. Every day is a stewardship day. We are always stewards of the gifts and resources God has given us. Forms will also be at the back of the Church for your convenience. Forms for giving Christmas Flowers in memory of loved ones or in thanksgiving for Gods blessings are also enclosed. This is a wonderful way to remember and to help beautify our worship space. They can be returned through Sunday, December 18. Lets also remember the poor and hungry and continue to bring nonperishable foods and dry goods for Broadway Christian Parish with whom we partner throughout the year. This is a time of particular need for them and all donations are gratefully received. It seems like a long time ago, and it is, but I do want to thank everyone for the beautiful celebration of my 20 years as your priest and rector. Thanks to all who planned and worked to make this possible. It was a treat to have Bishop Gray preach and Bishop Little be present. It was wonderful to share with friends from various times and places of my life and to have two of my sisters present for the celebration. Thanks so much, the memory of it still fills my heart with joy and gratitude. I thank God for you! Faithfully yours in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, Mother Tina

COPS, COFFEE & CONVERSATION!

by Susan Adamek It was an extraordinary day for our neighbors, for our church, and for the South Bend Police Department! If you missed this memorable event, you missed witnessing three groups coming together to iron out real or perceived problems caused in our high crime neighborhood. Neighbors complain of lack of police response and concern, and police complain that neighbors do not call when problems arise. The morning started out slowly, with both sides testing the waters to see just exactly where these conversations were going to lead us. There was never a time in our nine hours of open house, when police were not present. Around one hundred people signed in, and from this number twenty were from SBPD. Chief Boykins visited with us twice during the day. Because of monies donated from AAA Credit Union and Kuert Concrete, we were able to provide a variety of food and drink. We lost count of the numbers of pots of coffee we made. Volunteers from our church and our neighborhood all pitched in to prepare and then clean up. It was a joint community effort. Conversation flowed freely, with many new friends being made in the process. At times we all sat around the tables and listened to one person, and at other times there were multiple people standing in groups. The noise level was music to our ears! It was evident that we are forming a community of caring people in this troubled west side. We all agreed we now have a better understanding of one another and are looking forward to being partners in reclaiming our neighborhood. The evening ended dramatically, when the police were called to the scene of a shooting near the airport!

WE ARE GOOD AT THIS!!

By Susan Adamek The members of Holy Trinity Church are experts in making people feel welcome! And they certainly, once again, proved this quality. Those helping with Cops, Coffee & Conversation were as follows: Calvin Molnar and his roofmate Theresa, arrived early and came back late. They helped prepare food and displayed it beautifully on the table. John, Dan, and Mary Ann Zanka, all know their way around the church and were able to answer questions about our past, find extension cords, make lots of coffee and lots of friends. Barbara Koehler took time from a very busy week and lent great assistance in the kitchen and kept the buffet table looking tip top. Andrew Irving always asks great questions and people love to hear him talk! Randy Coleman and his fur kid, Lorenzo, arrived with much gusto, to the surprise and delight of our guests. Both of these gentlemen have been great and faithful supporters of our neighborhood group from the very beginning. Kathy Molnar and Pat Wisniewski are terrific in the conversation department and also know their way around the kitchen. Mother Tina baked dozens of ginger snaps, offered words of wisdom and made her way conversationally, around the crowd. To each one of you, we offer our thanks and thanksgivings!

Who do you think this little first grader is that now attends Holy Trinity Church? Keep reading the newsletter to find out.

Our Prayers:
Remembering those of our parish family and friends who have died during December:
December 5, 1989 The Rev. Sheldon Harbach December 18, 1945 The Rev. Edwin Smith December 7, 1982 Stephen E. Farkas December 21, 1989 Julia Molnar December 10, 1924 Lillian Farkas December 22, 1974 Robert Simon December 11, 1956 Louis Horvath December 24, 1981 Arthur Trice Berkley December 11, 2007 Craig Vandergriff December 26, 2001 Joseph Bernat December 12, 1959 Agnes Horvath December 26, 2007 Henry ten Hoor December 14, 1975 Leo Luzney December 26, 2009 Frank Beard December 15, 2008 Edgar Wiktorowski December 1945 Joseph Fekete Father of all, we pray to you for those we love, but see no longer. Grant them your peace; let light perpetual shine upon them; and, in your loving wisdom and almighty power, work in them the good purpose of your perfect will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

We remember each of them in our prayers at the altar on the Sunday before their death and on the last Sunday of the month.

Remembering those who are sick and/or shut in:

Sick: David Koehler, Kathy Molnar, Wilma & Howard Stahl, Jane (Father Jims cousin), Jean Garrison, Russ Cartwright, Nedra (Pat Zankas mother), Rosemary Zigler, Ronnie Gilliam, Debbie Miller, Lucas Frank Molnar, Carol Stoakes, Meghan, Donna Brown, Yolanda Illes, Kelsey, Jim, Lawrence, Audrey Yakes (Mother Tinas sister). Homebound: Bruce Stahl. Julie Fekete, Doris Fekete, Helen Szczechowski, Tim Goodrich, and Dorothea Felix, James Brown Almighty God our heavenly Father, graciously comfort your servant N. in his/her suffering, and bless the means made use of for his/her cure. Fill his/her heart with confidence that, though at times he/she may be afraid, he/she may put his/her trust in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Look with mercy, O God our Father, on all whose increasing years bring them weakness, distress, or isolation. Provide for them homes of dignity and peace; give them understanding helpers, and the willingness to accept help; and as their strength diminishes, increase their faith and their assurance of your love. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Remembering those celebrating birthdays during December:

December 3 Dan Zanka December 5 Debbra Herman December 17 Debbie Miller December 21 Tristan Milborn December 27 Gabrielle Lauren Brunner

O God, our times are in your hands. Look with favor, we pray, on your servant, (name) as he/she begins another year. Grant that he/she may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen his/her trust in your goodness all the days of his/her life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Prayer for the Parish: You are invited and encouraged to pray this prayer each day. Almighty God, all times are in your hand, and all occasions serve your will. Accept our prayers of thanksgiving and hope which we offer for this community of faith: the Church of the Holy Trinity. May she ever continue in your mercy and grace and may she never falter in gratitude to you and in service of you in our brothers and sisters, as well as the poor, sick and disenfranchised of our neighborhood, city and world. All this we ask through the intercessions of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AT HOLY TRINITY: Sunday , November 27 Season of Advent begins

Wednesday, November 30 the Feast of St. Andrew will be celebrated at 6:30p.m. Sunday, December 4 at both 8:00a.m. & 10:00a.m. - there will be an offering of our pledge cards for 2012 Sunday, December 4 at 5:00p.m. - there is a worship celebration of music honoring the Blessed Virgin Wednesday, December 7 at 6:30 there will be a neighborhood meeting in the Parish Hall Saturday, December 10 - a day of baking keiflies Friday, December 16 & Saturday, December 17, 9:00a.m.-5:00p.m. Bake Sale at Holy Trinity Sunday, December 18, following the 10:00a.m. service we will prepare the Church for Christmas. A light lunch will be served. Please come prepared to stay and help.

Wednesday, December 21 the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle There will be a deacons ordination at the Cathedral of St. James at 7:00p.m. There will not be a service at Holy Trinity. Saturday, December 24, 8:00p.m. Christmas Eve Service Sunday, December 25, 10:00a.m. Christmas Day Service Sunday, January 1, 8:00a.m. & 10:00a.m. the Feast of Holy Name will be celebrated Wednesday, January 18, 6:30p.m. we will celebrate the Feast of the Confession of St. Peter. This is the beginning of the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity. Sunday, January 22, following the 10:00a.m. service we will have our annual parish meeting. This involves electing vestry and a junior warden as well as reflecting and reviewing 2011. Wednesday, January 25, 6:30p.m. we will celebrate the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. This is the ending of the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity.

DECEMBER READERS FOR THE 10:00a.m. WORSHIP SERVICE AND THE READINGS:
December 4 David Koehler December 11 Pat Zanka December 18 Randy Coleman December 25 - Ruth Wivell - Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8 - Isaiah 61;1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 - 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38 - Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12), John 1:1-14

Advent Lessons & Carols

Sunday, November 27, 4p.m. at St. John the Evangelist, Elkhart, IN

A free chili cook-off will follow. All kinds of chilies are welcome so long as they are in a crock-pot. An offering will be taken to benefit the Elkhart Area Church Community Services.

NEIGHBOR MEETING

by Susan Adamek Put Wednesday, December 7th, 6:30p.m. on your calendar. This will be the final meeting of our Neighborhood Focus Group for this year. We will rehash Cops, Coffee, & Conversation, the store, and how we are going to proceed when we once again gather. We have decided to take off a few months. Usually when the winter gets snowy, icy and cold, it is very difficult to get into the church. Crime also seems to lessen, as well, at this time. This group is passionate and ready to move forward. Just because we wont be meeting together for a few months, does not mean we are not working in our own ways. We need your continued prayers.

A Christmas Carol
Sunday, December 18 at 6:090p.m. St. Michael & All Angels, South Bend will be hosting a staged reading of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. Local clergy will serve as the readers.

 A Decade of Advent Music and

Prayer in Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sunday, December 4, 5:00p.m. at Church of the Holy Trinity
In both Western and Eastern Christianity, the Blessed Virgin Mary belongs in a special way to the seasons of preparation for Christmas, called Advent in the West, to Christmas itself, and to its continued celebration in Epiphany. The celebration both of the annunciation of Mary (March 25) and her Visitation to Elizabeth (May 31) belong also especially to Advent where the Gospel readings from these two feasts are read on the Fourth Sunday of Advent (Annunciation in Year B and the Visitation in Year C). These Gospel readings also occur, respectively, on the December 8 Feast of Marys (Immaculate) Conception (December 9 in the Christian East, where it is called The Conception of St. Anne) and on the more recent December 12 Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, whose image is carried in procession and set in a place of honor during tonights service of music and prayer. Traditionally in the West, January 1, the Octave of Christmas is also a day to commemorate the divine maternity of Mary under her title Theotokos (God-bearer or Mother of God), the title given to her by the Third Ecumenical council of Ephesus in A.D. 431. In the Christian East, especially among the Syrian Orthodox, December 26 is celebrated as the Feast of Congratulations to the Mother of God, and in the medieval Spanish liturgical tradition (the Mozarabic Rite), December 18 was the traditional date of the Annunciation and is a feast of Mary in that Rite still today under the title of St. Mary. We hope that this service in her honor, organized around an ecumenically oriented decade of the Rosary focusing on the first Joyful Mystery (the annunciation), will be a blessing to all of you in this Season of Advent preparation. Come, Lord Jesus! Musical performers include, Quaterna Mediaeval Ensemble, is a group of Medieval music scholars, Kate Kennedy, Leora Smith, Brenda Smith, and Jenny Ubl. The group includes a musicologist, a conductor, an organist, and vocalist. They perform a wide repertoire of early music from chant to polyphony. Baritone Stephen Lancaster is Assistant Teaching Professor of Voice at the University of Notre Dame. His performances in Europe and the United States have included roles in the operas of Mozart, Puccini, and Johann Strauss II. He is also active in sacred music, and is presently Choir Director and Associate Organist at St. Davids Episcopal Church, Elkhart, Indiana. Kevin Vaughn is Dean of the St. Joseph Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO), Director of Music and Organist at St. Vincent de Pauls Roman Catholic Church, Elkhart, and manager of St. Vincent de Pauls Concert Series. He was recently appointed Adjunct Instructor of Organ at Goshen College, Goshen, Indiana.

Our friend Pat Wisniewski

Pat was born and has lived all of her life in South Bend. She graduated from St. Joseph High School and took a few courses at IUSB. Her working years were doing secretarial work. She has been retired 8 years. Game shows on TV and reading are some of her favorite past time home activities. She enjoys going to the Notre Dame Womens basketball and volleyball games. She especially likes to have Country Music playing at her home. Theatre plays and live Music Concerts are favorites of hers, also. Around 1980 her son was in Boy Scouts with Father Hibbert as his Scoutmaster. Having been to their home several times for dinner and knowing Pat did not attend a church, Father Hibbert invited her to attend Holy Trinity Church. She says the rest is history and she truly loves being at Holy Trinity. She was confirmed by Bishop Sheridan. She has been on the vestry a couple of times and voted in as president of the Church Belles. There are not enough people at Holy Trinity to have the past long time Bake and Rummage Sales which she enjoyed. She does continue to help with funeral dinners. Many church bus trips and dinners at local restaurants were planned by Pat. I know she truly likes baking for church coffee time and other programs at Holy Trinity. Pat is the mother of Ron who is married to Melodie. Her 18 year old twin granddaughters, Aprilyn & Brittany, are the light of her life. She no longer has pets at her home but she has recently done pet sitting for friends. She would love to travel all the time if she could. Favorite destinations are Branson, Missouri and Nashville, Tenn. A dream trip would be to Alaska. Italian and Polish foods are most liked. Pats favorite hymns are the Easter hymns with the Alleluias. She says she gets very emotional while singing most hymns. Her favorite Bible verses are John 15:12-13 This is my commandment that you love on another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down ones life for ones friends and the 25th Psalm. (The picture found earlier of the young girl, is Pat. You can also find her in the picture first one on the left - at the end of Ruth Wivells article.)

ADVENTS SWEETS

by Ruth Wivell If youve ever put your potatoes in the refrigerator, youll have noticed that their taste changes quite considerably; the warming earthiness that we are accustomed to becomes much sweeter and lighter. In the fridge, the potato notices the change in climate and its starches begin turning into sugars. I dont know about you, but unless my potato is actually a yam or a sweet potato, I dont want it to taste sweet. However, there are many veggies that we like to be a bit sweeter. Carrots, kale, leeks, collards, broccoli, and parsnips (and many more of the hardier vegetables) are much sweeter after a few frosts have touched them. We have largely cleared out the garden but without a layer of snow on the ground yet, I can see some hopeful renegade plants sprouting through the covering of fallen leaves. Lettuces, parsley, cilantro, radishes, and mustard greens have popped up in random places and the plants are the sweetest and most tender they have been all year. They are growing very slowly and soon will pause altogether. If they can remain insulated under mulch and snow, they will resume growth in the warmth and the light of days beginning to lengthen. These slow-growing, ever-sweetening vegetables remind me of a reflection Rowan Williams shared in preparation for Advent of 2008you can hear this at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8DWu6HfDaA. Advent is the time we wait for the Light of the World to come, knowing that when it comes, everything will change. But too often, waiting seems so passive and boring, Williams says. He mischievously goes on to say that we pad it out with the daily chocolate from the Advent calendar just to make it more bearable. Since Halloween this year, it has not been unusual to hear stores belting out the Christmas carols and luring us with special shopping deals. In our boredom, we take the bait and fill up our lives with busy-ness and stressthere is no space in our minds or hearts for peace and reflection on the coming of Christ and His love. Our waiting becomes more bearable but less meaningful. These quiet and dark days give us time, should we choose it, to pause and examine our lives. We can start to wonder at how our lives will change as we are witness to more of Gods truth. We can ask ourselves if we are able to live in the freedom that the Good News offers, or if we are still trapped in a life of slavery. Our longing for Christ in the world echoes Old Testament prophesies; for belonging, for a return home, for freedom from slavery, for reconciliation. Indeed,

Williams suggests, Advent is a time to repent and seek forgiveness from others and from God. These quiet and dark days soften and sweeten our hearts, and give us time to make straight the way of the Lord.

SWEET POTATO AND BLACK BEAN CHILI Serves 4-6

This very easy recipe was the final one that Kristan Gonzalez from the Purdue Extension Service taught us in the nutrition classes. It makes a delicious, warming meal and can be made a bit more special with a dollop of yoghurt or sour cream on top. Leftovers can be eaten with tortilla chips, over rice, or as a filling with cheese in quesadillas. Kristan also taught us that to deepen the flavors, especially the spiciness, you can add a half cup of fresh brewed coffee with the beans and tomatoes. 1 Tbsp cooking oil 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed 1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed 1 can (15 oz.) diced tomatoes (not drained) These next 5 seasoning ingredients can be replaced by 1 packet of chili seasoning: 1 Tbsp chili powder tsp garlic powder 1 tsp ground cumin tsp salt tsp pepper 1. 2. 3. 4. Pour oil into a large pot and cook the sweet potato until crisp-tender. Add the seasonings (or the packet of chili seasoning). Cook one minute longer. Stir in beans and tomatoes. Optional: add c of brewed coffee here for deeper flavor and spiciness. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat. Simmer for 30 minutes. Serve hot.

Our final nutrition class with Kristan Gonzalez (center with her son, Isaac). The class has evolved into a craft group and you are most welcome to join us. Bring along something that you are working on and meet us Fridays, 10am in the church hall. If you dont craft, come for the coffee, baking, and conversation!

The Mitten Tree is up

Bring mittens, scarfs and hats to decorate the tree and be given to the children at Muessel School in South Bend. The tree will be up until January 1

Kieflie Baking At Holy Trinity Church

Do you like to make or would you like to learn how to make Kieflies? Join us Saturday, December 10 beginning at 10:00a.m. Bring a container to take some home and be prepared to donate towards the cost of supplies. A light lunch will be served at noon. Contact Pat Wisniewski at 287-6164 with questions

-Cakes-Cookies-Pies-Cheesecakes-A Decorate Your Own Cookie Station for kids-And More-

Too Busy to Bake??? Come to the annual Bake Sale at

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church!!!! 915 N. Olive Street, South Bend, IN Friday and Saturday, December 16 & 17 -- 9:00a.m. 5:00p.m.

PLEDGE CARD FOR THE YEAR OF 2012 I/We _______________________________________________ pledge to give: $__________ per week $____________ per month

Pledge Sunday will be December 4, 2011. Please bring this with you or mail it to the church. Additional forms will be available in the back of the church.

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POINSETTIA PLANTS FOR THE SANCTUARY AT CHRISTMAS TIME Poinsettia plants will be ordered to decorate the sanctuary at Christmas time. I would like to contribute to the Christmas flower fund $_______________________ In memory of __________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ In thanksgiving of _______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________

Name __________________________________________________________________

Please mail or bring to church by Sunday, December 11. Additional forms will be available in the back of the church.