Dear Trinity Church and friends,
Grace and Peace and Tuesday greetings! I hope this message finds you well.
Last Advent, we began praying a newly adapted Prayers of the People. The Intercessor would bid: “I ask your thanksgivings for all the blessings of our common life: for the marvel of the cosmos; for the beauty of the world; and for the gift of this parish family.” We as a congregation would then respond: Let us pray for grateful hearts and gracious lives.
When the Ministry Council convened with members of our staff in January of this year, we chose the ideas of that concluding couplet – Grateful Hearts, Gracious Lives – as our 2025-2026 Program Year theme. You will notice in this email’s header the cleverly (and elegantly) linked g’s in the shape of a heart, a fresh look for our publications and a sign of this new season’s arrival.
During our worship and formation in the year ahead, we will explore God’s grace and graciousness with us and all people. We will also consider how those gifts inspire our gratitude, as well as how, in turn, God calls us to grace and graciousness with one another. These inquiries will stretch from scriptural and theological studies this September; to the practice of mannerliness during Epiphany; to the holy labor of difficult conversations in Lent; and to the gratitudes of lives well lived next Easter. Enjoying the previews that follow, I hope you will make your plans to join us for the new year that kicks off on Sunday, September 7!
With a grateful heart,
The Rev. Morgan S. Allen
Rector
Blessing of the Backpacks & Return to Program Year Schedule, Picnic & Annual Parish Photo
Sun., 9/7
On Sun., Sept. 7, we return to our Program-Year worship schedule of 8 am, 10 am, and 5 pm. We are pleased to offer an in-person Children’s Homily at 10 am and nursery care for little ones (age 4 and younger) during the morning.
Our 10 am service will also include a Blessing of the Backpacks. At 11:15 am, we will gather to take our Annual Parish Photo and the Fall Kick-off Picnic will follow on the Clarendon Lawn, with games, face painting, music, and a barbecue feast! Volunteers for set-up and clean-up are very welcome; extra hands always appreciated! Sign up here.
Weekday Communion Services
Tuesdays, 12:15, Chancel
Beginning Tues., Sept. 9, join parish family, neighbors, and passers-by for an intimate celebration of the Holy Eucharist. With the congregation gathered in the chancel (where the choir customarily sits) and the first rows of the nave, we will share a liturgy with readings, preaching, music, and Communion – services purposefully kept to a half-hour for those joining during a workday’s lunch hour.
Return of Weekly Offerings
- Friday Organ Recitals at 12:15 pm beginning Sept. 5
- Tuesday/Thursday Zoom Compline at 8:30 pm beginning Sept. 9
- Wednesday Zoom Bible Studies at 7:30 am beginning Sept. 10
- Formation for All Ages at 11:15 am beginning Sept. 14
- Wednesday Evensong at 5:45 pm beginning Oct. 1
Forum Series: Grace and Graciousness
Sundays, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 11:20-12:10, Lloyd Forum
As we begin our year of “Grateful Hearts, Gracious Lives,” join a four-part series overviewing grace, the faithful virtue; and graciousness, the ethical practice. We will approach these ideas from our Anglican perspectives of “scripture, tradition, and reason,” as well as contemporary resources in popular culture.
Episcopal 101
Sundays, 9/21-10/5, 12:30-2 pm, Undercroft; lunch included
Are you new to The Episcopal Church and want to learn more about its history and traditions? Are you a curious Episcopalian with lingering questions? Have you been considering baptism or confirmation but never knew how to take the next step? Then this class is for you! Join newcomers and long-tenured Trinitarians alike as we explore our Episcopal heritage. Contact Brandon at bashcraft@trinitychurchboston.org with questions or to register.
Bishop’s Visit
Sun., 10/19, 10 am
The Rt. Rev. Julia Whitworth will make her first episcopal visitation to Trinity at 10 am on Sun., Oct. 19, the one-year anniversary of her ordination as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. For those adults interested in baptism, confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation, a time of preparation will be hosted at Trinity on Friday evening and Saturday morning, Oct. 17-18. All adults interested in exploring these opportunities should contact Brandon at bashcraft@trinitychurchboston.org.
Check out more highlights here.