In Holy Week we follow Jesus. This week—think of it as a pilgrimage—immerses us in the life, death and resurrection of our Lord. It invites us to be involved in body, mind and spirit. No part of us remains untouched by this journey of faith, which leads to our Christian hope of the Resurrection. On Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday we fully use our bodies and senses through ceremonies and rituals, which are weirdly wonderful: waving palm branches, washing feet (after Jesus’ example), remembering the first Eucharist (his offering his body and blood for the life of the world), stripping and washing the Altar in preparation for Good Friday. Shouting: “Crucify!” Bending the knee to venerate the cross and to ask for God’s forgiveness. On Wednesday in Holy Week through the solemn liturgy of Tenebrae we meditate on sacred writings, respond in prayer, meditate in silence and in songs from the Taizé tradition, light candles and snuff them, allowing the shadows to lengthen, our minds to be quieted. On Maundy Thursday the all-night Watch over the reserved Sacrament in the silence of the church by the Altar of repose, a garden environment created in the church, offers an experience of solitude, time with God. Our schedule of services encourages the full participation of children and their families: On Good Friday there is a special time with children in the church at 11 a.m. Palm Sunday and Easter Day are full of ceremonies that allow for all ages to participate. Let this week be fully a part of the rhythm of your lives, the start of a new tradition! Easter begins with the Great Vigil, when we will kindle the new fire that lights the Paschal Candle, which we will carry into the darkened church. Light from that one candle, representing the Resurrection, will spread into the pews, as worshippers hold tapers and hear the history of salvation, leading to the glorious Resurrection proclamation. This solemn, sensory-rich experience is the most beautiful liturgy of the Church Year. Easter Day is filled with festivities. The spirit is loud and bright and even in places rambunctious. I love seeing people dressed in their Sunday best: ladies in hats, colorful African dresses, a new tie or jacket for dad, children groomed for a family picture in the sanctuary, which will be filled with a riot of aromatic flowers. Extended families, the generations gathered. I rejoice for those visitors who bless our community by their presence. We shout and sing our faith, hope and love. I encourage you to invite a friend or neighbor to Holy Trinity and to experience Holy Week and Easter. May we all be changed by this pilgrimage. May we all live and love like Jesus.
Spring 2019
THE
choir notes
REctor's reflection
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, South River
continued on back
Coming soon: An online Parish Directory! Look for your invitation via email. Are you receiving the weekly ePistle (full of news, inspiration, and people pictures)? Is your contact information up to date? If not, let us know!
Faithfully, The Reverend Gregory Bezilla TheRector@HolyTrinitySR.org
This Easter, the choir will be singing two anthems, “Easter Festival” by Michael S. Bryson and “God So Loved the World” by Lloyd Larson. These two anthems are a wonderful start to the Easter season. In “Easter Festival,” the constant meter changes and harmonies give the listener a sense of rejoicing. The drive of the music along with the song’s lyrics bring to life Jesus’ triumph over sin and death. There is also familiar tune inserted in the middle of the piece, bringing back the melody of “Jesus Christ is Risen Today,” which helps to reinforce the message of Jesus’ victory over the grave before returning to the original joyful theme of “Christ the Lord is risen today.” “God So Loved the World,” in contrast, provides the congregation with a meditative anthem reflecting on why God “gave his only Son” for us. The text is based on John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Lloyd Larson’s gentle approach and beautiful melody fit this text very well, touching all those who listen.
Stephanie Evans joined the Church staff at the end of February. A parishioner since 2014, she and her husband, Dan, have three children: Cooper age 11, Aubrey age 8 and Bodhi age 4. Bodhi also attends Calico Cat, though will be off to Kindergarten next Fall. Stephanie has a background in non-profit administration, development and marketing. She is available in the office Mon-Fri from 9-1.
Long-time teacher Ilona Spatola was appointed as the new Director of Calio Cat in 2018. How long have you been at Calico Cat and what positions have you held? I was hired as a lead teacher for a four year old classroom in August of 2009. In 2010, Calico Cat opened a full day Kindergarten program. I was fortunate to put my skills and practice into developing and implementing Kindergarten class curriculum. I worked with the Kindergartners for two years until the public school district decided to offer full day kindergarten and it became no longer in our center's best interests to continue with such a program. So, since September of 2012, I have been reassigned to a Pre-K classroom. This year has brought new challenges as I try my best to lead a class and work on administrative duties. But all is possible with the guidance and support I receive from Fr. Greg and with help from my great staff. What are your favorite aspects of teaching pre-school children? What excites you about working with this age group? I have prior experience working with high school, middle school and elementary school students (I started my teaching career in 1990), but the most exciting and fun group to work with are preschoolers. They are zealous to explore, eager to try new things, easy to motivate, they openly share their emotions: grins, hugs and sometimes, shed their tears, or show frustratio. They are happy about little things and they change and grow at such an amazing rate! They inspire me to create new learning props and materials, to incorporate new games and hands-on activities into my lesson plans. It is a very humbling and rewarding experience to look at their assessments throughout the year and think that I took part in their journey. Each spring, before the Graduation day, I look at the photos of my happy Pre-K students and feel pride as well as sadness that the year is over, and that they are off to a new start. They take their accomplishments, newly acquired skills, memories of their time spent here, and confidence in their abilities to Kindergarten. How does Calico Cat differentiate itself form other pre-schools? As a small center, we strive to provide the best care and fun learning opportunities while focussing on individual needs and different learning styles of our little students. We try to instill Christian values, knowing that spiritual, emotional and social development of each child is as important as their academic and physical growth. I am very happy and proud to hear positive feedback from families of our former students, who share their children's success ( their honor roll lists, their gifted and talented program accomplishments, district art show awards, etc). They recommend us to other prospective parents and thank us as their child's first teachers. What is your vision for the school? A preschool should provide a loving and stimulating environment, where young children learn while having fun. We will continue to invite volunteers from our community with engaging programs and interactive activities to create an element of excitement, to promote the sense of wonder, to inspire creativity and instill a love for learning. Such enrichment programs spark students' curiosity and motivate them to open up to new experiences. Do you have a favorite Bible verse or hymn that inspires you? Romans 12:6-8: "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." Any anecdotes from current or former students to share? I enjoy observing children pretend play "preschool teacher and students". It is fun to watch how they mimic our teaching styles and techniques, by "reading, encouraging, comforting, motivating, disciplining and explaining to the class". Each year I collect letters, drawings, pictures and cards from my students to save them in my Teaching Experience Portfolio. It reminds me oft all we do as educators and reflects on how and what our students learn.
Stephanie, on right, pictured with Vestry member Jennie Racek
meet the new parish administrator
Calico Cat Preschool
Christian formation is the ministry of Discipleship, it is the ministry to which I have been called to serve as the Deacon of Holy Trinity. Communicating with God, learning to listen for God’s voice, is essential to living out the call to live and love like Jesus. Intentionally engaging in a regular prayer practice, reading and meditating on Scripture, learning from circumstances, meeting with a spiritual director, attending retreats, or seeking counsel from spiritually mature Christians are all ways to develop a relationship with God. Encouraging members of the congregation and guests to participate in small group and fellowship programs, are ways that develop spiritual friendships in which we grow in relationship with God and others. Making a habit of intentionally and expectantly listening for God will give us the confidence we need to become his disciples. God is willing to speak to us just as powerfully as he did to the people in the Bible, because he values us just as much. We are his people and he is our God. It’s more important that our focus is on developing a relationship with God and waiting for his timing than constantly seeking immediate results. It takes discipline to wait on God’s timing, trusting in his perfect plan. No accident that discipline is the root word of discipleship. With God’s help, our Christian formation will continue to grow and bear much fruit.
Deacon's corner by the REv. Brigitte Pincelli
Suggestions? Holy Trinity is looking for suggestions on how best to engage our youngest parishioners (toddlers-5th Grade). Members of our Christian Formation committee welcome your input - please speak with: Jennie Racek, Sandy Rahn, Christine Wei or Fr. Greg.
When the vestry met on a Saturday in February, members discerned two big goals for the year: Renewal of the Vestry: · Create a new servant-leadership culture in the Vestry; · Focus on leadership development; · Deepen connections among members and work as a team; · Organize and equip the Vestry for effective action to accomplish its responsibilities and purposes; · Educate and communicate with the Parish more consistently and effectively about issues in the life and ministry of the Parish and about the Vestry’s role in advancing the mission of the Parish. Renewal of the Parish: · Focus on spiritual growth for children and their families; · Follow recommendations of the Vision of Spiritual Growth for Holy Trinity; · Committee on Christian Formation and Discipleship leads initiatives and entire Vestry supports their work as a team; · Accomplishment of goal is measured by families with children participating in efforts to create ministries that serve their spiritual needs.
Vestry NOTES
Bishop William Stokes pictured with The Rev. Brigitte Pincelli The Bishop is Coming! On Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 10 AM Bishop William (Chip) Stokes will visit Holy Trinity to Confirm and receive new members of the Church.
Text
Palm Sunday. Palm procession with congregational reading of the Passion.
Maundy Thursday: Commemoration of the institution of the Lord's Supper with foot washing.
Ascension Day - service with St. Peter's Spotswood at Holy Trinity.
apr 14 10:00am
Easter Sunday
choir Notes (cont.)
Tenebrae - an update on a traditional Liturgy - preceded by a light Lenten supper in the Parish Hall at 6:00pm.
Trumpet Editor: Stephanie Evans theTrumpet@HolytTrinitySR.org
apr 21 10:00aM
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Calendar
90 Leonardine Avenue South River, NJ 08882 732.254.1734 HolyTrinitySR.org
The Great Vigil of Easter
Timothy Racek and Angelina Wright were welcomed as new Acolytes in February.
The Way of the Cross
Visitation by Bishop Stokes
apr 19 3:00pm
apr 20 8:00PM
may 30
Holy Week for young children and their families
apr 19 11:00am
Good Friday Liturgy
Jessica Alcid Music Director
apr 18 7:00pm
may 5
apr 19 noon
apr 17 7:00pm
