"Gracious Father, we pray for your holy catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything that it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior." –Collect for the Church

At our Annual Meeting on January 28^th, the Vestry announced that Holy Trinity would begin a period of discernment to be concluded with a special parish meeting on March 4^th. During this time of discernment we as a parish are being asked to consider two principal questions: First, is there a crisis in the Episcopal Church? Second, if there is a crisis, how should we as a parish respond?

Some have characterized this period of discernment as merely window dressing in preparation for taking Holy Trinity out of the Episcopal Church. This is not the case. This period of discernment is a time for each of us to find out what is happening in the Episcopal Church today, and a time for us to consider what response, if any, that God would have us make to the events of the past several years.

If you have not yet picked up your copy of "40 Days of Discernment," I strongly encourage you to do so as soon as possible. In it you will find a number of important items: First, you will find an overview of the situation in the Episcopal Church today, plus a list of things to keep in mind as we seek to discern God’s will for us. Included in this introduction is an explanation on how prayer and fasting is a vital part of discerning God’s will—and how we cannot presume to know God’s will unless we first humble ourselves before Him in fasting and prayer.

This overview is followed by a systematic, day-by-day Bible study of Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. 1 Corinthians provides an excellent Biblical perspective on the issues that we are facing today, so that we might understand what the Lord says about these things, and perceive how we as faithful Christians are to respond in the days ahead.

I hope that everyone will take the opportunity to do the daily Bible studies on their own, and then attend one of the three study groups that will meet starting this week to discuss these vital issues.

Please remember that above all, our purpose as a parish is to be faithful to the will of God and to promote the welfare and the faith, of Christ’s one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church as it is expressed here at Holy Trinity. May the Lord bless us all during this time of discernment, and may we have the courage to hear His word and obey it!

Affectionately,

Fr. Andy+

It’s that (yummy) time again! The EYC will host the annual Parish Pancake Supper. Please join us from 5:30-6:30 on Tuesday February 20^th. The EYC kids will serve you pancakes (with toppings!), sausage, coffee (with real cream if you like), orange juice, and milk. Come join us for fun and fellowship! Questions – call Emily, 685-1499.

8:00am Holy Eucharist

9:00am Education

9:00am 40 Days of Discernment, Room 1

10:00am Holy Eucharist

10:00am Holy Trinity Bookstore Open

5:15pm Holy Eucharist

6:00pm EYC

9:30am Yoga, Musikgarten Room

12noon Pastoral Care Council Mtg, Room 1

5:15pm Holy Eucharist and Healing

5:15pm Yoga, Musikgarten Room

7:00pm Boy Scouts, Parish Hall

7:00am HE and Women’s Breakfast

9:00am CDO, St. Francis

9:30am Yoga, Musikgarten Room

10:00am Holy Trinity Bookstore Open

11:30am Alison Cancer Center - Dialog & Support Group, Parish Hall

5:30pm Council Heads Meeting, Room 1

7:00pm Cub Scouts, St. Francis Hall

7:00am HE and Men’s Breakfast

8:00am Bible Study Fellowship, Nave & Ed. Wing

9:00am Musikgarten Class, (birth 15mos)

9:45am Musikgarten Class, (1-2 years)

10:00am Holy Trinity Bookstore Open

10:30am Musikgarten Class, (2-3 years)

11:15am Musikgarten Class, (3-5 years)

12noon 40 Days of Discernment, Parish Hall

4:15pm Study Time for Kids, Game Room

5:00pm Junior Choristers, Choir Room

5:30pm Supper, Parish Hall

6:00pm Bethel Bible Study, Room 1

6:00pm Kingdom Kids, Room 17

6:00pm Kids Plus, Game Room

6:00pm Girls of Grace, Room 9

6:00pm Boys’ Bible Study, Room 7

6:00pm EYC, Youth House

6:00pm Through Life's Window, Room 2

6:00pm 40 Days of Discernment, Parish Hall

6:00pm Scrapbooking, TBA

7:30pm Adult Choristers, Choir Room

9:00am CDO, St. Francis

9:30am Yoga, Musikgarten Room

9:45am Rector’s Bible Study, Room 1

10:00am Holy Trinity Bookstore Open

11:00am Holy Eucharist and Healing

5:30pm Vestry

6:00pm Wedding Rehearsal, Nave

6:30pm Wedding

February 14: Cyril and Methodius, Monk and Bishop, Missionaries to the Slavs, 869,885. Ephesians 3:1-7, Psalm 96:1-7, Mark 16:15-20.

February 15: Thomas Bray, Priest and Missionary, 1730. Isaiah 52:7-10, Psalm 102:15-22, Luke 10:1-9.

February 17: Janani Luwum, Archbishop of Uganda and Martyr, 1977. Ecclesiasticus 4:20-28, Psalm 119:41-48, John 12: 24-32.

David Overton

Bill Schammel

Bob Klemme

Mike Brady

Caroline Holmes

Team II will serve February 10-16. Barbara Leeton, Captain. Nancy Stewart, Janet Sam, Bonnie Hubbard, Kay Sirgo, Cindy Carpenter, Linda George, Terry Staub.

Doris Cannaday will serve breakfast on Tuesday, February 13, 2007, following the 7:00am Holy Eucharist.

Todd Westmoreland, Jack Blake, Jr., will serve breakfast on Wednesday, February 14, 2007, following the 7:00am Holy Eucharist.

Those having a birthday: Lynn Layman, Melinda Lea, Kathryn Hanson, Sammy Jolliffe, Emily Holeva, Holly Herd, Alan Holmes, Allen Whitman, Mark Philpy, Eva Combs, Anne Hover, Brad Jones, David Overton, Ashlyn Hansen.

Those having an anniversary: Dedee and Shane Boring, Deborah and Gary Norwood, Doris and Mark Cannaday.

For Those in Trouble, Sorrow, Need, Sickness or Any Other Adversity: Mary, Denny, Liz, Jimmy and Fan, Roberta, Herb, James, Flo, Donny, Dave, Cindy, Judy, Katie, Tom, Emmett, Brady, Jere, Nickie, Helen, Julie, Gay, Norma, Richie, Bob, Jan, Judy, Mary, Lior, Barbara, Meg, Livi, Britt, Kay, Susan, Steve, Tony, Johnny, Ed, Michael, and Byron. (Please call Cindy in the Parish Office to place a name on the Prayer List. Deadline is Friday at 2:30pm.)

For Those in the Military: Bo, Eli, Nick, James, Kimberly, Chris, Mike, Rosemary, Justin, Lisa, Craig, Jody, Andrew, David, Steven, Jordan, Sean, Michael, Patrick, Etienne, Annie, Casey, Nick and his platoon, and Victor.

If you know of anyone in the Armed Forces, please feel free to call the Parish Office and place his or her name on the Prayer List.

Please call the Parish Office at 683-4207, and let us know when someone from Holy Trinity is in the hospital or rehab center. We don't want to miss anyone. Thanks!

ADULT EDUCATION

Bethel Bible Study facilitated by Fred Newman and Karen Mason in Room 1.

Through Life's Windows—Topics on Faith led by Fr. Mark and Fr. Andy in Room 2.

During Lent—February 28-March 28. Special five weeks - Psalms of David

40 Days of Discernment: Parish Hall, led by Carol Armstrong

Scrapbooking - Parish Hall

 

Wednesday, February 7: "Giant" Monopoly—don’t' be late! 6:00pm at the Youth House.

Sunday, February 11: Game: Do you love your neighbor? 6:00pm at the Youth House.

Wednesday, February 14: Valentine Games

Thursday-Saturday, February 15-17: Thoroughly Modern Millie, featuring Lesa Wright, Libby Lea, Wheatley Gates and Taylor Luke. Call Trinity School for tickets, 697-3281.

Sunday, February 18: Dance, Dance Revolution at the Youth House, 6:00pm.

Tuesday, February 20: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. EYC does the cooking, meet at 4:00pm in the Kitchen. Pancakes served at 5:30pm.

Wednesday, February 21: NO EYC—Ash Wednesday. See you at church. 7:00am, 12noon or 5:30pm.

All children’s programs will take a break from the regular programs to learn about missionaries and their work in other countries. This four week class will take us to Kenya, India, Dominican Republic and Thailand. We will learn what the people of these countries eat, do for fun, their religion and how missionaries work in their countries. This will be fun and we want all children to join us in Lent for our adventure!

February 11-Wheatley Gates

February 18-Dedee Boring

February 25-Kendall Clark

Welcome to Hollywood!

Rays of Hope Children's Grief Centre is starting 2007 classes for children ages 5-18 who have experienced a loss due to death, divorce or other painful transition. There is no charge for participation in our classes. If you know a family or child who could benefit from our programs—get them connected. Please contact the Rays of Hope team at 684-5427 for more information. Register now, space is limited.

This group is offered for adults who are experiencing grief or loss due to death. The group meets every quarter for six weeks on Tuesday nights from 7:00-8:30pm. These meetings are held at Hospice Midland, located at 911 W. Texas Avenue. This group is closed to new members after the second meeting. More information, contact Lacey Arrick at 682-2855.

February 6, 13, 20, 27

March 6

April — no meeting

May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

June 5

July — no meeting

August 7, 14, 21, 28

September 4, 11

October —no meeting

November 6, 13, 20, 27

December 4, 11

Dear Miss Know It All,
What is a CURATE?
Dumb Founded

Dear Dumb Founded,
The term typically refers to an assisting priest in a parish. It is from the Latin curatus, "entrusted with the care" of something. (I am giving you the Latin terms because you never know when you might be on Jeopardy!) The term is not used in the Book of Common Prayer or the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church.
Miss Know It All

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 (Oxford Annotated Bible)

The New Year started with the remaining excitement of Happening #29 held in Midland, TX at Holy Trinity in December 2005. Our very own, Alex Purdy was named Rector for Happening #30 for Spring 2007.

I assisted with the Holy Trinity Women’s Retreat, Spa for the Soul in Fort Davis which I am already looking forward to the next retreat.

The Eucharistic Ministers have continued to take Holy Communion to those who are homebound and there will be training for those interested in this wonderful ministry later this spring.

I serve as a Chaplain at MMH, and as a representative of Holy Trinity. I serve on the Pastoral Care Council, Nurture and Education Council and Nancy’s Place Board.

Ministry as your Deacon continues to grow outside the walls of the church building as I stay centered serving at the Table on Sundays. My other full time job is working as the Patient Counselor at Allison Cancer Center and West Texas Cancer Center. I am also the Director for The Gifts of Hope, Inc., which is a non-profit foundation that provides direct needs for the cancer patients during their treatments.

Beginning Balance 1/1/2006-$1,194.34

Ending Balance 12/31/06 - $419.17

"Let us go out into the world to love and serve the Lord"

Peace, Deacon Mary Collier

Tuesday: 10am – 4pm

Wednesday: 10am – 4pm

5pm – 6pm

Thursday: 10am – 4pm

Sunday: after the 10am service

Bibles, Study Bibles, Prayer Books, Children’s Books, Devotional Books, Self Help Books, Baby Gifts & More

1. We need a house captain and co-captain to choose a house and help lead the effort to coordinate & enlist workers for the event. The house will be chosen Thursday, February 22.

2. Volunteers are needed to paint, hammer, clean up, or whatever is required to repair the home. In addition, help is needed to provide lunch for the workers (sandwiches and drinks). Work will be in late March, April, or early May.

If you would like to help coordinate this project, please contact: Pat Collier- 685-0811 (home); gigemeng@sbcglobal.net

If you would like to volunteer to work on the house, or help with food, please sign up on the sheet on the M&O bulletin board (in the red room entrance near the kitchen), or contact the church office, 683-4207. Thank you for your support.

Saturday, February 24

Watch for details.

Call the Parish office to r.s.v.p. 683-4207

Thank you all so much for the outpouring of care and love in the many donations of shoes for the children down there...they cannot attend school with out shoes, so now they can go (and they WANT to go to school!) As you are reading this, David Morrow and others are handing out the shoes there. Thanks a bunch!....till next year.....Love, Cindy O

The Holy Trinity Trust Fund is now accepting applications for grants. The deadline for applications is March 31, 2006.  Applications may be picked up in the church office.  Contact Bob Klemme at 687-5646 if you have questions.