The Trinity Bell

Rector's Reflections

On Baptism
I'd like to talk a bit about baptism, as my thinking about it has been evolving recently.
Like most richly symbolic sacraments, baptism carries many layers of meaning. The most well-known is the
washing away of sin. But there are others: dying and being resurrected with Christ (water is an ancient symbol
of death or chaos); being born again in Christ (water also suggests the womb); passing from slavery into
liberation (think Moses leading the Israelites through the water of the Red Sea); and being initiated into Christian
community. These other meanings add depth to what we are doing when we baptize.
Sometimes people come to me to baptize a child not because they want to join a church but because they carry
a vague superstition that if they don't have this ritual done, the child won't ever get into heaven. I try to dissuade
people of that thinking. Truly, what kind of loving God would toss the souls of children into the depths simply
because no one got around to sprinkling some water on their foreheads? It just doesn't make sense.
In fact, I used to discourage non-members from seeking baptism at Trinity in general. The reason is, in baptism
both the sponsors/godparents and the church make a lot of promises about raising the child in the Christian
faith. It's important to mean those things when we say them, and not just go through the motions. So I have
typically encouraged folks to find a church community where they are comfortable (ours or another) and then
baptize their kids there.
I still do think that's the best way to baptize. The sense of community is important.
But then there's the story of Philip baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. Philip teaches the eunuch about
Jesus and then they stop at a river and the eunuch says, "What is to prevent me from being baptized?" And it's
that simple. No prep classes. No pledge card to sign. Just wade into the water as the Spirit moves you.
That story has reminded me that as a priest, I don't really want to be a gatekeeper to this beautiful
sacrament. Although I still think it's important for parents and sponsors to understand what promises they are
making in baptism, ultimately it's up to those families to follow-through.
So I have come to see baptism less as a rite whose authenticity I have to protect and more as a gift that the
church gives the baptized. The gift comes with some instructions: pray, join a church, pick a godparent who is
spiritually mature. But ultimately, like the divine grace it symbolizes, we give the gift of baptism freely,
generously, and openly.
Peace,
From the Pastor
Deacons Pen
Youth Ministries
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Pastor Ian

11575 Belleville Rd., Belleville, MI 48111

(734) 699-3361
www.trinitybell.org
https://www.facebook.com/TrinityBell

The Trinity Bell December 2016

Deacons Pen
We have entered into the new church calendar year, four weeks of preparing ourselves for the greatest gift any of us have ever been given. Advent is a time of expectation and preparation for the arrival of our savior, Christ.
Advent is not new to the Christian world. According to a booklet Im using for my personal spiritual
studies during this period, Advent, as we know it, has been celebrated since the 400s C.E., and according to Christian tradition, it includes the four weeks before the coming of the Christ child.
According to the Rev. Claudell County in his booklet The Spiritual Practices of Advent each week
has a particular focus. Week one is based upon FAITH for us to consider what we believe, and do
we focus on actively strengthening it?
The second week focuses on the spiritual practice of and for PEACE. We need to practice on expressing our feelings calmly and honestly, or as Rev. County says We can choose peace instead of
confrontation.
The third week we should focus on LOVE. We know that God loves us, and Genesis 1:26 says, we
are made in the image and likeness of God. Since we share in the image, we need to share in
showing our love and in the New Testament, John reminds us God so loved the World, He gave
His only begotten son (John 3:16).
The final week of Advent should focus on JOY. As Rev. County points out in his pamphlet Joy is
contagious----a powerful emotion that lights up our brain and lifts our spirits. And, as we all know,
JOY is what we feel and share every Christmas Eve when we receive our first Communion of the
Christmas season of JOY.
I hope each of us will find this Advent Season to be one of FAITH, PEACE, LOVE and JOY that will
lead us to a Merry Christmas and blessed New Year.
Deacon Richard

Childrens
Ministries
Advent & Christmas
During the Advent season this year, we will be
preforming an advent
pageant written by Pastor Ian on Sunday, December 11. Rehearsal is
Saturday December 10
from 10amNoon. If
you didnt sign up and
your child would like to
participate, please see
Martha or Pastor Ian, he
has some parts that can
be added.
There are a few more
reader/candle lighter
spots available during
advent, if your child
would like to participate,
please contact me right
away, by email at

children@trinitybell.org
or phone (734)262-1975.
Families are also invited
to participate in the
Christmas Party at Cedar Woods. Please
check the bulletin for the
date and time. Each
year members of Trinity
spend a few hours singing Christmas carols,
passing out treats and
gifts to the residents of
Cedar Woods. The kids
have been making
Christmas trees to hand
out during this party as a
gift to the residents.
Christmas Eve, we will
be doing Pageant in a
Bag at the 5:00pm ser-

vice. I will have plenty of

bags for everyone, so
please invite family and
friends to this fun evening. It is always fun to
find out who ends up as
Mary, Joseph and Baby
Jesus.
Childrens Worship will
not be meeting on Sunday, December 25 or
Sunday, January 1.
There will be a single
combined service on
those Sundays, at
9:00am.

December 2016

Upcoming
Lessons
Jews and Gentiles

12/4

Johns Questions
for Jesus

12/11

An Angel Visits
Joseph

12/18

Christmas

12/25

No Class
New Years Day

1/1

No Class
Chosen as Gods
People

1/8

A Light to the

1/15

People

Sign Up Now
Advent Pageant
Candle Lighters
and Readers for
the advent wreath

The Trinity Bell December 2016

December Birthdays
12-4-Nosa Obaseki
12-6-Tammy Mayrend

12-16-Mary Hill

12-7-Kathryn Truesdell

12-18-Trenton Hill

12-8-Maggie Penhorwood

12-20-Cynthia Coleman

12-9-Doris Novak

12-21-Lucille (Lucee) Jean Wilson

12-10-Anu Power

12-27-Virgil Stoltz

12-12-Diane Wilson

12-29-Valarie Altizer

12-16-Joe Dapsi

12-29-Jenifer Dapsi-Morse

12-3-Rae & Bev Thom

12-6-Lynn & Arleen Robson
12-18-Melvin & Sharon Peters
12-19-Eric & Julie Travis
12-29-Pete & Jackie Gregory
12-30-Steve & Cheryl Miller

The Trinity Bell December 2016

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS:
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA PLANTS: Altar Guild ar e now taking donations for
the Christmas Poinsettia Plants in memory of someone deceased or blessing received.
Envelopes are located on the usher table at the back of the church. es are located on the

Saturday, December 10

10-12 noon, Advent Pageant Rehearsal

1:00 p.m. Jan Oliver Memorial Service
Sunday, December 11
11:30 a.m. (after the 10:30 service), Advent Pageant
2:00 p.m. Cedar Woods
Christmas Celebration
Sunday, December 18th
10:30 a.m. Choir led Lessons & Carols Service
11:30 a.m. Chicken Soup LuncheonThis year, we will have our Chicken Soup Luncheon
(with hot rolls made by Jeanne Power) . This is a free lunch with fresh cut up vegetables provided by the parish. Drop off your veggies in the kitchen before the service. A little background
on how this began. Years ago, Virg raised the chickens, and had a chicken-pluck-in party in
her back yard. She provided the chickens and parish members killed and plucked the feathers. Now we use store bought chickens already cleaned and put in packages. Members of the
parish purchase these.
Saturday, December 245:00 p.m.-Family Friendly Christmas eve Service with Pageant in a Bag
10:00 p.m. - Christmas Eve Service with Candles

Many thanks to the Strawberry Festival Committee for the wonderful send off
on my retirement as Strawboss. The food was outstanding and the program
well done. I enjoyed the pictures of so many festivals and so many friends
who worked at making the festivals successful. It was thoughtful to have a
plaque saying (In Recognition of Faithful, Dedicated Service Virg Strawboss Room). All of this
was sure a surprise. Another surprise was the good will offering to send me away during the festival. Where I will go? No Idea!
I am truly thankful I could give so many years of service and that the parish
believed as I did that our festival enhanced our fellowship and our endeavors
for our community.

December 2016
Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

AA meets every Monday evening at 7:00 p.m

and every Tuesday at 12 noon.
Boot Camp meets 5:45 am on Wednesday and
Fridays

December 2016
Sun

Mon

4 *Regular Sun- 5

Tue

Wed

day Services

11 *Regular
11

Sunday Services
11:30 Advent Pageant

18

12
12
19

6:30 p.m. Boys

Scout
6
7

13
13

6:30pm Mentoring@ BHS

NO Choir Re- 11-1:30 Soup

hearsal
Kitchen

14

15

6:30 p.m. Boys 6:30 pm Girl

Scouts
Scout

Sat

16

6:30pm Mentoring@ BHS

20

21

22

23

27

28

29

30

108:00 a.m.
3

Altar Guild
10:00 Pageant
Rehearsal

10

1:00 Jan Oliver

Funeral

6 pm Choir
Rehearsal

15

38:00 a.m.
Altar Guild

Fri

2
6:30 pm Girl1 6:30pm MentorScouts
ing@ BHS

14

Sat

Thu

Fri

16

17

6 pm Choir
Rehearsal

24

2: 00 Cedar woods
Christmas Party

25

18

26

19

20

21

22

pm Girl
6:30 p.m. Boys 6:30
Scouts
Scout

*Regular Sunday Services

Morning Service

26

27

28

pm Girl
6:30 p.m. Boys 6:30
Scouts
Scout

29

Altar G
11:00 Setup
Chicken Soup
uild

31

236 pm

24 Christmas

Choir Rehearsal

Eve
8:00 a.m.
Altar Guild
5;00 p.m service
10: p.m service

30

31

10:30 amChoir
Lessons &
Carols

25 *9:00 a.m

178:00 a.m.

New Years Eve

NO Choir Re- 8:00 a.m.

hearsal
Altar Guild

Dec
2016

Dec 4

Dec 11

Dec 18

Dec 24
Early / Late

8 am EM Randy Hotton

Cynthia Coleman

Susan Armstrong XXXX

10:30 am Deacon
EM Bread Richard

Bev Jenkins

Deacon Richard

Deacon Richard
both services

Dec 25

Randy Hotton

Deacon Richard

Jeff Hill Early

Jamie Owen
Dennis Bramigk
Ian Penhorwood \Late
EM 1
Erica Fulton
Brenda Thom Ear10:30 am
Maggie PenDarylr Conliffe Adesuwa Obaseki
ly/ Late
horwood
EM 2
Eddie Fulton
Jacob Hanoian,
Kendyl Sikorski &
Joel Hill,
10:30 am Bradley eziuka Kenedee Morse, Jacob Hanoian, Ariana Altizer/
Need any availaEllie Russel &
Elizabeth Hanoian Early/ Late: Jacob
ble Crucifer
Acolytes & Benjamin
Katherine Russell & Kenedee Morse & Elizabeth HaEziuda
noian, Eathan
Fulton
Deb Green Early/
Sean Hanoian
Welcomer
Charlotte Drake
Erica Fulton
Late Dave Ander- Sean Hanoian
son,
Sue Carpenter
Nancy
Welcomer
Sara Eziuka
Eddie Fulton
Early/ Late Judy Nancy Copeland
Copeland
Anderson
Sean Hanoian EarHarry Van GeldGiftbearer
Maria Conliffe
Dave Anderson ly / Late Charlotte
er
Drake
Mary Hill Early/
Cheri Van GeldHarry & Cherie
Giftbearer
Darryl Conliffe
Judy Anderson
Late Sharon Peer
Van Gelder
ters
Mike McCuitchBrenda Thom
Lector
Judy Anderson
Charlotte Drake
en
Sally McMullian,
Sally McMullian, Sally McMullian, Sally McMullian,
Sally McMullian,
Bev Thom,
Bev Thom, Kethy Bev Thom, Kethy Bev Thom, Kethy Bev Thom, Kethy
Kethy Graham,
Altar Guild
Graham, Erica Ful- Graham, Erica
Graham, Erica Ful- Graham, Erica
Erica Fulton (on
Fulton (on call)
ton (on call)
Fulton (on call)
ton (on call)
call)
10:30 am

Counter Bonnie Martin

Kraig W.

Bonnie Martin

Debra G

Kraig W.

Counter Dennis B

Jeff H.

Harry V.

Dave A.

Moulda Waldron
Obaseki Family

CHICKEN SOUP
No Coffee Hour
LUNCH

Coffee
Sara Eziuka
Hour Host
Bread

No Coffee hour

The Trinity Bell December 2016

11575 BELLEVILLE ROAD

BELLEVILLE, MI 48111
www.trinitybell.org

Church Phone: 734-699-3361

Fax: 734-699-7181
Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Holy Eucharist: Sundays 8:00AM & 10:30

Senior Warden -Bonnie Martin

Vestry Secretary Pat Gearns
Ian Penhorwood
Jeff Hill
Debra Williams
Joel Hill

699-6487
905-0322
485-6254
587-2060
368-1138

VESTRY
Junior Warden Morris Altizer
730-8247
Sara Eziuka
248-207-8201
Dave Anderson
547-9658
Charlotte Drake
218-0529
Ken Emerson
699-5338

Rector The Rev Ian Reed Twiss

Deacon The Rev. Richard O. Boulter
Office Manager-Dana Doemer
Sexton (janitor) Brenda Bonior
E-mail: office@trinitybell.org
Website: http://wwwtrinitybell.org