Martin Luther King Morning of Service January 2019
In honor of the legacy of the late Dr. King, Trinity Swarthmore hosted its 6th annual Morning of Service in support of Aid For Friends, a non-profit organization which provides meals to 1,700 home-bound individuals who have little to no means of support. This year, Trinity and many local community volunteers came out in droves on a very cold MLK holiday morning to be in community service together. We assembled 1,000 breakfast bags with enclosed note cards made by the children and prepared nutritious hot foods which were used to make 100 frozen dinners for distribution by Aid For Friends.. This inter-generational morning of service event is an example of Trinity Swarthmore's outreach efforts to create compassionate community.
Bp. Gutierrez visits Trinity!
On January 20, 2019, Bishop Daniel Gutiérrez and his wife, Suzanne, joined us in worship and fellowship at Trinity! The Bishop preached and presided, offering sermon reflections on the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Services were followed by festive fellowship in the parish hall, and then time spent with Trinity clergy and vestry leaders. Bishop Gutiérrez is the 16th bishop of the historic Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, which is the second oldest and fourth largest in the Episcopal Church.
Lenten Programs at Trinity 2019
Join Trinity in two Lenten Daily Devotionals, and come to our Sunday and Wednesday programs - see below!
 Click above to sign up
Get out your laptops and smart phones for Lent, Trinity is entering the electronic age! Every day during Lent you will receive a 2-minute meditation by email, and a question to ponder for the day. A workbook will be supplied. Trinity's offerings on Sundays and Wednesdays will be based on this program.
This program is provided by the Brothers of the Society of St. John the Evangelist. |
 Click above to sign up
Lent Madness allows participants to be inspired by the ways in which God has worked through the lives of saintly souls across generations and cultures. Throughout Lent, thirty-two saints will do battle to win the coveted Golden Halo. Based loosely on the NCAA basketball tournament of a similar name, this online devotion pits saints against one another in a bracket as voters choose their favorites throughout this penitential season.
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Sundays during Lent
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Wednesdays during Lent
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Stations of the Cross
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Stations of the Cross Shadow Play
On Sunday, April 7, 2019, Trinity Youth used shadow play, an ancient form of storytelling and entertainment, to present a dramatic narration of the Stations of the Cross. Thank you, Trinity Youth, for this moving presentation!
Palm Sunday 2019
We began Holy Week on a misty Sunday morning, gathering in the circle drive to process into the sanctuary. Beginning with the Liturgy of the Palms, we followed our newly formed children's choir in procession, raising our palm branches and calling out, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the Highest!"
Farewell and Thank You, Rev. Joyce!
On May 19, 2019, Trinity bid a fond farewell to the Rev. Joyce Tompkins and celebrated her dedicated service at Trinity as she entered into retirement from parish ministry. Rev. Joyce served as Associate Rector at Trinity for nearly 19 years, during which time the Trinity community grew to lovingly embrace her wit, energy and quiet but wise leadership. We will miss Rev. Joyce very much and give thanks to God for our time of shared ministry with her at Trinity!
A note from Rev. Joyce:
Dear Trinity Friends,
My heart is full after the wonderful farewell you hosted for me on my last Sunday with you, and after nearly nineteen years of fulfilling mutual ministry. You all have been a community of love and support for me and all my family these many years, and have given me a taste of the heavenly city. Thank you also for the very generous farewell gift. My love and prayers are with you.
Blessings, Rev. Joyce.
A note from Rev. Joyce:
Dear Trinity Friends,
My heart is full after the wonderful farewell you hosted for me on my last Sunday with you, and after nearly nineteen years of fulfilling mutual ministry. You all have been a community of love and support for me and all my family these many years, and have given me a taste of the heavenly city. Thank you also for the very generous farewell gift. My love and prayers are with you.
Blessings, Rev. Joyce.
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Liturgical Breakfast
Trinity's Liturgical Breakfast is celebrated as a combined liturgy and hearty breakfast in the Parish Hall. This fun and lively worship service is held on the last Sunday of the church school year. The children and youth write the prayers for the service, read the scripture passages and take part in the music. The breakfast food is blessed and becomes a part of the communal experience.
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Trinity Youth Pilgrimage 2019 to Corrymeela, Northern Ireland
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From June 23 to July 1, 2019, Trinity Youth made a holy pilgrimage to Corrymeela, Northern Ireland, an internationally recognized spiritual center for faith formation and peace building.
+ + + Eight of our youth, accompanied by Fr. Ted and Sr. Warden Bella Englebach, communed and worshipped with others from around the globe. Designed as an experiential time of exploring and deepening one's faith-life, the Trinity Youth pilgrimage occurs every other year. Pilgrimages of the past have brought our youth to the Iona Community in Scotland, the historic cathedrals of England, and the American Southwest. |
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Wednesday Evenings in July
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Led by Fr. Ted and developed in collaboration with David Clemmer and Alan Levi, this discussion series will address questions such as:
How do we remain spiritually-attuned in the process of making difficult decisions?
How can we approach politics as people seeking to be oriented to God, working out our best answers to complex problems by inviting our political adversaries into the same intention?
How do we act in a fraught world in accord with our best desires and intentions rather than getting caught up in the polarization of society and even the politicization of religion?
How do we remain spiritually-attuned in the process of making difficult decisions?
How can we approach politics as people seeking to be oriented to God, working out our best answers to complex problems by inviting our political adversaries into the same intention?
How do we act in a fraught world in accord with our best desires and intentions rather than getting caught up in the polarization of society and even the politicization of religion?
This is an on-going discussion series, building upon materials introduced from week to week. Please contact Fr. Ted if you are interested in attending the discussion series.
Installation of Fr. Ted & Celebration of Mutual Ministry
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On September 25, 2019, Fr. Ted was formally installed as Rector of Trinity Church, Swarthmore! Bp. Gutierrez preached and presided over this festive liturgical celebration, marking the beginning of a new chapter in our shared ministry together at Trinity. On hand were Fr. Ted's family, our Trinity community, clergy and parishioners from around the Diocese and several faith leaders from the local community. A beautiful reception of food, fellowship and hospitality followed the service.
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Blessing of the Animals in Honor of St. Francis
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Blessing of the Animals, a favorite October feast day in celebration of our furry ones!
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Drag Queen Story Time at Trinity!
November 3, 2019
Some Trinity members may be wondering what exactly is a “Drag Queen Story Time (DQST)” and why our church has decided to host one. A central Christian understanding is that human beings are created in God’s own image. In the Baptismal Covenant of The Episcopal Church, we promise to respect the dignity of every human being. In that spirit, we are celebrating the gifts of a member of the community, who will be the featured presenter in this program of stories, songs, movement, and crafts for young people. Drag Queen Story Time is like a normal library story time created for children, with picture books, songs, movement, games, and crafts. In particular, DQST emphasizes themes of acceptance, diversity, love, and kindness. Uniquely, DQST features a drag queen as storyteller. Since its inception over three years ago, DQST has expanded nationally. These events have become increasingly popular, drawing large crowds. Drag Queen Story Times have even begun to pop up at libraries, schools, and bookstores globally in Canada, England, and even Tokyo, Japan.
The DQST to be hosted at Trinity will include several children's stories about inclusion and acceptance written from a religious perspective. Our featured storyteller, Balena Canto, will read A Church for All, by Gayle E. Pitman. This simple, lyrical story celebrates a diverse community on a Sunday morning at an inclusive church that welcomes all people regardless of age, class, race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. She will also read God’s Dream, by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Archbishop Tutu has a vision of God's dream, which he shares here with the youngest of listeners. It involves people who reach out and hold each other's hands, but sometimes get angry and hurt each other — and say they're sorry and forgive. It's a wish that everyone will see they are brothers and sisters, no matter their way of speaking to God, no matter the size of their nose or the shade of their skin. Aided by vibrant artwork evoking such images as a rainbow and a sharing circle, Tutu offers the essence of his ubuntu philosophy, a wisdom so clear and crystalline that even the smallest child can understand. Lastly, the story time will include other books, songs, and movement activities, some with and some without an explicitly religious component.
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DQST is a fun experience that fosters creativity and at the same time provides children with a positive and confident LGBTQ adult role model. They see someone who is comfortable with exactly who they are. It gives an example to those children who may feel or one day feel similarly. It also shows people how to embrace, accept, and feel empathy towards those different from them, even if that difference is something they might not fully understand. The hope is that by providing this opportunity at an early age, DQST will help diminish the harrowing effects of bullying: “LGBTQ-positive programs like DQST are a vital part of making the world a safe and affirming place for all children” (Drag Queen Story Hour organization website).
Having a drag queen as a children’s storyteller offers LGBTQ (and all) youth an experience they would not normally be able to access. This is because DQST is geared specifically towards children and contains age-appropriate content, whereas a “traditional” drag show is usually held at 21+ venues and is for an adult audience. Additionally, these programs strive to foster awareness and acceptance of ALL facets of identity, like race, religion, nationality, age, disability, socio-economic status, familial structure, and more. At its core, DQST is advocacy for love and acceptance. Finally, drag queens are natural born performers. They are energetic, funny, and know how to address a crowd and hold their attention. |
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People who are unfamiliar with the idea of Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) can be concerned about a hidden agenda. Here is a quote from the DQSH National Organization website: “The agenda is simple: A belief that people of all ages should be free to express themselves however they want, free from the constraints of prescribed gender roles. …DQSH teaches children that there are many ways to express themselves and their gender, and they are all OK. Of course, drag is an art form that is rooted in diverse LGBTQ communities, and we support equality, justice, and respect for all people. …Given that LGBTQ people are present in every community, we believe that children deserve to be exposed to these aspects of our shared history and culture, in age appropriate ways....”
The character of Balena Canto is created by Matthew Maisano, Trinity’s bass section leader and soloist, opera singer, and library assistant at the Penn Wynne Library. In Matthew’s own words, his goal “is to show our youngest generations that they can create a world full of love and acceptance instead of hate and bigotry. A world where regardless of the intersections of their identity, a child can go to school feeling free of the anxiety, pain, and anguish of daily bullying, harassment, and violence. Where people of all ages can easily find love and support and know that it is okay to seek help when they feel alone, confused, or are even contemplating personal harm.” Matthew recently appeared with the Opera Company of Philadelphia in “Love for Three Oranges.” Matthew is a popular presenter of Drag Queen Story Times. You can find out about upcoming performances by following Matthew on Facebook at www.facebook.com/balenacanto. We thank Matthew for finding time for this event!
--Welcoming and Affirming Committee
The character of Balena Canto is created by Matthew Maisano, Trinity’s bass section leader and soloist, opera singer, and library assistant at the Penn Wynne Library. In Matthew’s own words, his goal “is to show our youngest generations that they can create a world full of love and acceptance instead of hate and bigotry. A world where regardless of the intersections of their identity, a child can go to school feeling free of the anxiety, pain, and anguish of daily bullying, harassment, and violence. Where people of all ages can easily find love and support and know that it is okay to seek help when they feel alone, confused, or are even contemplating personal harm.” Matthew recently appeared with the Opera Company of Philadelphia in “Love for Three Oranges.” Matthew is a popular presenter of Drag Queen Story Times. You can find out about upcoming performances by following Matthew on Facebook at www.facebook.com/balenacanto. We thank Matthew for finding time for this event!
--Welcoming and Affirming Committee
Making Peace Within Ourselves and in the World:
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Workshop 1:
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Workshop 2:
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Trinity Church, in partnership with Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, is proud to present two workshops featuring unique disciplines of peacemaking and peacebuilding. On November 10, Vieve Radha-Price, Chuk Obasi and Tayla Hernandez-Ritter of TÉA Creative will lead us to explore our own creativity and how we make meaning of the world. The workshop will be interactive and carry a focus on developing our capacities as peacemakers. On November 17, Nawal Rajeh will share from her award-winning work with the Nawal Rajeh Peace Camp in Baltimore, Maryland, a camp for urban youth which serves as both an oasis of peace and school for peacemaking -- to include across inter-religious divisions. Youth are encouraged to attend the Nov. 17 event.
Click here for full details. Space is limited. To register for either event, please email the Trinity Church office here.
Click here for full details. Space is limited. To register for either event, please email the Trinity Church office here.
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Seeking Peace in Advent & Christmas
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SUNDAYS IN ADVENT: Seeking PeaceDecember 1
WEDNESDAYS IN ADVENT: Practicing PeaceDecember 4, 11 & 18 - Sanctuary Yoga
CHRISTMAS EVE: Anticipating PeaceDecember 24
CHRISTMAS DAY: Welcoming PeaceDecember 25
CHRISTMAS I SUNDAY: Sharing PeaceDecember 29
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