OPENING SENTENCES
Here at Holy Trinity we are blessed in so many ways by a gracious and loving God. And this month we have been given several ways of cultivating those blessings. A few weeks ago many of you had $20 bills fall out of your prayer books and hymnals, and were commissioned to use them to “make the world a better place.” Just yesterday, we had different groups of all ages planting, clearing, and organizing during our Spring Clean-up day. And later in the month each one of you will be contacted by a vestry member as a part of their “Connections” program to further build community in our church.
These are all manifestations of Christian Stewardship in action. Stewardship is simply using our gifts to care for all we’ve been given by God. It’s a word that’s most often heard when the church is asking for your pledge of financial support. And that may be important, but it’s only a part of the story. Christian Stewardship is a far richer experience than simply writing checks or putting cash into an envelope.
Using that money you discovered in your pew back in April in some creative way to make the world an even better and more rewarding place to be is great stewardship. Those who are getting to do this are working with two gifts, not just the $20, but also this amazing world we’ve all been born into without having to do anything to deserve it. You get to use the one to make the other even better for someone else. What could be more Christian? … or a clearer act of stewardship?
Our beautiful church and the wonderful property it’s set on have been passed on to us by others who have exercised their stewardship to keep everything well-maintained over the years. Through gathering for workdays such as we had yesterday, we are reminded that this isn’t just a place we come for worship, but it is our second home, our spiritual home. So it’s right that we act as good stewards, keeping up the church and grounds so that they are as attractive as possible when we gather here, and attractive to others who might be looking for a parish home for themselves.
And what are we all about here anyway? That’s the whole point of “Connections,” the vestry’s plan to talk to each member of the congregation to find out just how you are connected to Holy Trinity and what it is you are looking for here. Because only by knowing what’s in your heart will the leadership of the parish know Holy Trinity’s mission and purpose. As stewards of that mission, the vestry is entering into a bold act of stewardship, which, with your cooperation and support, will help us all to make the most of the gift we’ve been given by God in Holy Trinity, our parish home.
God’s Peace be With You,
Fr. Phil


YOUTH SUNDAY/PARISH PICNIC
JUNE 15TH
This year’s YOUTH SUNDAY SERVICE will be on Sunday, June 15 at 10 am. Young people will take leadership roles in the service including prayers, lessons, ushering, greeting, LEMing, and preaching. Please come out and support the young people of our parish! And be sure your children are free to be here that day. THE PARISH PICNIC follows immediately after the service in the picnic grove. Please bring a salad or dessert. The Men of Holy Trinity will provide Grilling and beverages…and I hear there are Big Plans for the games!
MEN OF HOLY TRINITY…REUNITE!!!
MAY 14TH
The Men of Holy Trinity are meeting for dinner at on Wednesday, May 14TH at 7pm. We’ll gather in the side room of Ria Mar, 25 Whitehead Ave in South River for salad, appetizers, dinner (limited menu), dessert, and beverages all for $20/person. Secure your place at the table by giving your money to Bruce Richardson, Royce Flippin, or Paul DeSarno. It’ll be a great dinner, a great time, and a great time to connect with each other and start looking into future activities.


DOMINIQUE
KAZCMAREK
Yes, Dominique Kazcmarek does have “the gift” where working with children (and their parents!) are concerned. Unfortunately for Holy Trinity, there aren’t enough hours in the week for her to spread that gift between two institutions of young learning. Dominique’s “Learning Playhouse” is simply demanding too much of her time for her to fulfill, to her expectations, the call that she feel to oversee our children’s faith formation here at Holy Trinity. So this year’s Youth Sunday will also be a service of thanksgiving for Dominique’s years of service on staff at Holy Trinity as Youth Minister.
In April Dominique let Mother Polly and me know that she was resigning from her position here so that she could take the day off as a parishioner in the pew on Sundays, to recharge her own spiritual batteries. Her warm smile and ability to do whatever it takes to get the job done will be sorely missed by the children, parents and teachers in the Sunday School.
For the time being Mother Polly will take over Dominique’s supervisory role. Mother Polly has a strong 18-year background in designing and supervising Christian Education programs, so our children will be in good hands during the transition. But Dominique will stand by to advise us, as we sort through the information offered by Sunday School parents at this week’s meetings, and structure a program for the coming year.
Thank you Dominique for your creative energy and loving spirit, given so generously to the children of Holy Trinity over the past two years.
Fr. Phil

EYC
THANKS YOU!!
All of our hard work paid off! Our teamwork made us a profit of $2,100!
Many thanks to all who helped with every aspect of our Cajun Dinner…the servers, the runners, the kitchen crew. Especially our chef Bill Hawksby, who worked countless hours in the kitchen to prepare the delicious food.
…and thank YOU, our parish family for your continuous support not only financially, but also with warmth and love.

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS