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Our Witness to a Divided Nation

Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde set the “cat among the pigeons;” that was a favorite expression that Archbishop Desmond Tutu often used when upsetting political leaders. At the national prayer service after the inauguration, she urged President Trump to “have mercy” as our government proceeds with deportations, etc. Her words brought both comfort and outrage.

One of the church’s gifts to a politically divided and conflicted nation is to show ourselves as diverse yet committed to radical inclusivity and at peace with each other when we disagree.

The Apostle Paul had a church full of such conflict in Corinth, and there, those with economic and political power lorded over those of low status and poor education. In I Corinthians 12:21 (which we read this Sunday), he writes (using the metaphor of the church as the actual living body of Christ), “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you,’ nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need for you.’”

Paul kicks it up a notch when he says, “God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body but the members may have the same care for one another.”

Wow. Our witness is that diversity does not lead to schism and conflict, but to mutual care and respect.  We reject tolerance for something better: a gracious and compassionate synergy in which all share one another’s sorrows and joys.

Timothy Safford, Interim Rector

Stewardship 2025

Step by step, we are getting closer to our goal of $360,000. A big thank you to all of our members who added their pledge this week.

With 110 pledges received to date (1/21/25), your generosity totals $341,140. The Stewardship team is delighted to see that 13 of those pledges are new this year, and many of the pledges are increased over last year.

If you have not yet made a pledge for 2025, it’s not too late. You can make your 2025 pledge online with a click here.

If you need a pledge card or coaching to enter your pledge online, Terry Commodore or Molly, the Parish Administrator, can help with that.

Tower Lighting

“The Tower will be lit on Saturday, February 1, 2025

to the glory of God and in loving memory of

Canon Lockett Ford Ballard,

25^th Rector of Trinity Church,

Installed February 1, 1954”.

– Lockett Ford Ballard, Jr.

Trinity Church Reading Group: The next meeting will be February 10, at 5PM. This group will reading “James”, a novel, by Percival Everett. Remember Huckleberry Finn? Please contact Anne Glenn if you are interested. Click on her name to write an email.

Construction as of 1/16/2025

Trinity Serves Capital Campaign

Behan Bros is making great progress on the construction of the Education and Administration building.  Additional funding is still needed to ensure we do not need to finance a long-term loan.

Your gift presents a unique opportunity to secure our future and be permanently recognized in the new building. Consider taking advantage of the available naming opportunities listed below. You may choose to honor a family member or friend and leave a lasting tribute through your philanthropy.

New Construction Naming Opportunities:

Classroom A                                    $100,000

Classroom B                                    $100,000

Mill Street Entrance                        $75,000

Nursery                                             $50,000

Landscaping and planting             $30,000

Ground floor furnishings                $20,000

Built-in storage (3)                           $10,000 / Office

Restroom (2)                                    $10,000 / Room

Main Entrance Plaque                    $5,000 and above

Thank you

Norris Commodore

Senior Warden

SAVE THE DATE

The Annual Meeting: March 2, 2025.

All reports, information and photographs for the Annual Report must be submitted by January 31, 2025 to the Parish Administrator.

Angel Choir

Do you know a child who likes to sing? The Choir School of Newport County is recruiting children of all ages. The Professional Choristers, ages 8-18 (7 with good reading skills) has been supported in many ways by Trinity Church since its founding in 2014 by Peter Berton. You can hear them sing an evensong with the Trinity Choir on February 23rd right here, so don’t miss that. And this year, we are bringing back the Angel Choir for ages 4-7, directed by Jenn Berton, who sings in the Trinity Choir, which will will assisted by Lily Berton, who helps with Sunday School here at Trinity. The Angel Choir builds a foundation of theory and singing through fun musical play, and is a wonderful continuation from programs like Music Together. We are so glad to bring it back into the community! It’s hard to put into words the impact The Choir School has had on the children who join. It certainly brings musical skill, with performance and travel experience; but it also builds confidence, leadership, community, belonging, empathy, encouragement and of course, brings children closer to God. 

If you know a child who may be interested in checking us out, please grab a handout from the piano in Honeyman Hall or email Jenn at jberton@mac.com. She will also attend coffee hour over the next few weeks so you can speak with her directly if you wish. Lily is also a good person to ask as she has been singing in The Choir School since age 4! You can also go to the website https://choirschoolri.org. If you wish to support us in other ways, I will also have the Newportopoly Game for sale each Sunday. 100% of the proceeds go directly to The Choir School and it’s a fun way to support us and local businesses!

How to get involved

Parish Administration Assistance: Additional assistance in the office on Tuesday and Friday afternoon to answer phones, filing and assistance with production of leaflets would be greatly appreciated. Assistance in the office to prepare for the Annual Meeting would be needed the week of February 11-14, 2025. Please contact the Parish Administrator if you can spare an hour or two during that week.

Mens Bible Study: Meets weekly on Wednesdays, 12:00-1:00PM via Zoom. If interested in joining, please contact john_gilmartin@mac.com.

Choir Practices: If interested, please contact the Michael at michaelbahmann@yahoo.com or Fred at fredjodry@brown.edu.

Prayer Shawl Group (PSG) This Group meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month, 1-3PM in the Hawes Room. The group creates Prayer Shawls, Baptismal Blankets and fellowship. All knitting and crochet talent welcomed.

Trinity Loves and Cares (TLC): If you would like to learn about pastoral care and helping others in our parish, please contact Pam Alexander. Sometime a phone call or card can keep us all connected.

*Should you have any questions, contact the Parish Administrator, Molly Chamberlain. 401-846-0660

Community Meal Needs Volunteers

A warm meal and comradery can make a difference. We have been very busy this year and are serving about 100 guests per meal. We delight in providing a restaurant-like experience for our guests but need your help! Please consider joining the team (we have a lot of fun!) by signing up for the many open volunteer slots here: Community Meal Calendar Sign Up. We always serve on the 1st, 4th, and 5th Mondays of the month. - D'arcy Carr.

Trinity Loves and Cares 

Trinity Loves and Cares is a ministry of pastoral care of praying for and providing support to members of Trinity Church for January 2025, the TLC coordinator is Pam Alexander. Click on her name and you can write her an email.



Message from TLC: "People will forget what you said, forget what you did, but they will always remember how you made them feel.” – Carol Burnett, Comedian and Actress

The Trinity Altar Society is happy to assist you in providing flowers as a beautiful symbol of what we offer to God in our worship. Whether to honor a loved one’s memory, to celebrate a special occasion, or simply in thanksgiving, it only takes a phone call or an e-mail to Chris Pimentel, cap5182@cox.net

Tower Lighting

The historic spire of Trinity Church is lit nightly. When you contribute to the cost of lighting, you may memorialize a person who has passed or give thanks for an event, like an anniversary or birthday. The traditional offering is $50, but please give as the Spirit moves! Contact Molly Chamberlain, Parishadmin@trinitynewport.org to make arrangements.  

Worship Participants

Preacher & Celebrant: The Rev. Timothy Safford

Co-Music Director & Organist:: Fred Jodry

The talented and gifted Trinity Choir

Acolyte & Crucifer: 8:00AM Terry Commodore , 10:00AM Karen Nash.

Lector & Intercessor: 8:00AM Terry Commodore, 10:00AM Diane Myers

Ushers: Philip Wilson, Candy Gilmartin and John Gilmartin.

Altar Society: Lisa Trainor, Pam Alexander,

Terry Commodore and Jane Roach.

A/V: Norris Commodore

Sunday School: Dolores Bauer & Melissa Moniz.

Coffee Hour: Jan and Jeff Gordon.