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TRINITY UNITED CHURCH
TRINITY TIMES Issue 38 – December 2016
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INDEX
New Editor’s Message............................................................................................................................... 2 What is Advent?........................................................................................................................................ 3 Seasonal Message from our Ministers...................................................................................................... 3 What are Trinity’s Committees up to These Days?................................................................................... 4 Youth Report............................................................................................................................................. 6 Seasonal Worship Services........................................................................................................................ 7 Other Goings On........................................................................................................................................ 8 On the Road to Bethlehem........................................................................................................................ 9 Egg Soufflé Recipe..................................................................................................................................... 10 Some Christmas Humour to Lighten Your Day.......................................................................................... 11 Contact Information.................................................................................................................................. 12
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR NEW EDITOR
Hello Everyone:
I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to edit our wonderful newsletter: Trinity Times. I have big
shoes to fill. On behalf of the whole congregation I want to thank Carolyn Pierson for her many years of hard
work in making Trinity Times such an integral part of the communication within our congregational community.
Bless you Carolyn. Trinity is a richer place because of you and your dedication to our church work. I hope I can
maintain the quality that people have come to expect from Trinity Times. Thank you again so very, very much.
Karen Wall – New Editor of Trinity Times
CAROLYN
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WHAT IS ADVENT?
For many Christians unfamiliar with the liturgical year, there may be some confusion surrounding the
meaning of the Advent season. Some people know that the Advent season focuses on expectation and
think that it serves as an anticipation of Christ’s birth in the season leading up to Christmas. This is part
of the story, but there’s more to Advent.
THE HISTORY OF ADVENT
The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming,” which is a translation of
the Greek word parousia. Scholars believe that during the 4th and 5th centuries in Spain and Gaul,
Advent was a season of preparation for the baptism of new Christians at the January feast of Epiphany,
the celebration of God’s incarnation represented by the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus (Matthew
2:1), his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist (John 1:29), and his first miracle at Cana (John
2:1). During this season of preparation, Christians would spend 40 days in penance, prayer, and fasting
to prepare for this celebration; originally, there was little connection between Advent and Christmas.
By the 6th century, however, Roman Christians had tied Advent to the coming of Christ. But the
“coming” they (the Roman Christians) had in mind was not Christ’s first coming in the manger in
Bethlehem, but his second coming “in the clouds as the judge of the world” (post-resurrection). It was
not until the Middle Ages that the Advent season was explicitly linked to Christ’s first coming at
Christmas.
ADVENT TODAY
Today, the season of Advent lasts for four Sundays leading up to Christmas. At that time, the new
Christian year begins with the twelve-day celebration of Christmastide, which lasts from Christmas Eve
until Epiphany on January 6. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas.
(Above article is taken, with minor adaptations and editing, from the website: www.christianity.com)
A SEASONAL MESSAGE FROM OUR MINISTERS:
Our thoughts turn now to the Advent season and how we travel “on the way to Bethlehem.” Each year
there are many ways to find meaning and beauty, wonder and joy in our time together. From regular
Sunday worship surrounded by familiar faces, to the Advent Candle lighting ritual, and the different special
services we hope you’ll find a space and place to listen for God’s voice, to experience the presence of God
and to know god’s spirit on our journey.
Elizabeth and Milly
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WHAT ARE TRINITY’S COMMITTEES UP TO THESE DAYS?
FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE – RUTH GRAHAM
Fellowship hosted a very successful Welcome Back
Lunch in September and will have one more post-
worship Fellowship gathering in 2016 on December
11th. Post-worship Fellowship gatherings will resume
again in the new year. Other groups that fall under the
Fellowship umbrella have also been busy. Caring
Connections who visit shut-ins, those who deliver
“Candles with Care” to bereaved congregants, and
those who knit prayer shawls have all been active over
the fall.
Our committee is always open to new members who
wish to serve on a group that oversees the care and
fellowship of the congregation. Those wishing to get
involved in Caring Connections, Candles with Care, the
Prayer Shawl Ministry, or Fellowship gatherings can
contact one of our committee members: Evelyn Hardy,
Bev Wiens, Denyse Whalley, Wynn Ferguson, Barb
Kendel or Ruth Graham.
THANK YOU to those who have donated cookies to, or
helped serve at, Fellowship gatherings; those who
have delivered candles; and those who have made and
delivered shawls.
If you wish to donate cookies for Fellowship
gatherings, see the sign-up sheet on the green board in
the vestibule. Please remember all cookies must be
NUT, BANANA, and PEANUT BUTTER FREE.
A BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO ALL
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE –
MARILYN LOAT/ GERTA DEJONG The Fundraising Committee has had a busy fall
again. Our “Guess Who’s Coming for Dinner
Event- 2016” was a tremendous success thanks to
the hard work and commitment of the event’s
organizers: Dale and Barb Kendel. We cannot
thank Dale and Barb enough for their time,
talent, dedication and diligence to this project.
The “Christmas Stars” campaign was a success
again this year as well. The stars are lining our
sanctuary wall and we hope that you will all take
the time over the Christmas season to read the
many messages of remembrance, love and hope
for family, friends and community.
On Saturday, December 3rd Trinity was treated to
a fantastic concert of Christmas music by the
Winnipeg Golden Chordsmen. Singing of old and
new, lively and quiet, religious and secular, and
culturally varied Christmas-themed music filled
our sanctuary. All who attended were filled with
the Christmas spirit by the music and filled with
refreshments and home-baked goodies at the
fellowship gathering of singers and attendees
after.
Church calendars are on sale in the church
narthex before and after services until they are all
sold. Cost is $5/calendar.
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MINISTRY AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE – DALE KENDEL
The Ministry and Personnel Committee is a
mandatory committee of Trinity as required by
the by-laws of the United Church of Canada for
every pastoral charge. This committee is a
confidential, consultative body that supports the
pastoral relationship through active and open
dialogue with all Ministry personnel and church
staff.
The committee’s goal is to achieve an environment of mutual trust, where clear messages are given and received, and helpful relationships are established that further the Church’s ministry and mission. The committee provides communication to the Board, other committees and the congregation when and where appropriate. The liaison and support to staff at Trinity is organized as follows: Milly Malavsky(Minister) - Liaison: Dale Kendel Elizabeth Brown (Minister) - Liaison: Harry Johnson * To be hired (Office Administration) - Liaison: Irma Nadeau Erica Wiebe (Youth Worker) - Liaison: Nancy Delong Laurence Broadhurst (Choir Director) - Liaison: Jim Dixon Nicola Davis (Accompanist) - Liaison: Jim Dixon Rabi Timsima (Caretaker) - Liaison: Dale Kendel Pat Chabluk has left the office administration position as of November 15th to assume a ministry position in Keewatin/Sioux Narrows, Ontario. Good luck Pat in your new venture.
OUTREACH COMMITTEE – BETH ANDERSON
The Outreach Committee would like to express
their sincere thanks to the people of Trinity for the
generous donations to the Christmas hampers
prepared for local needy families. Five boxes of
gifts were collected and gratefully received at
Dalhousie School. Thank you to all for their
thoughtful, kind gifts!
Once again the Mitten Tree is loaded with
beautifully knit and purchased hats and mittens.
They will all be put to good use to keep the
children in our community warm during the cold
winter months.
Also - a special thanks to those who supported
Atticus and his drive for baby formula and/or 1
Just City. The generosity of Trinity people is
overwhelming!!
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STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE – JACKIE SNARR
Stewardship Prayer:
Generous and loving God, you call us to be disciples of your son, Jesus, and good stewards of your many gifts. Open our minds and hearts to a greater awareness and deeper appreciation of your countless blessings. Transform us through the power of your Spirit to nurture a stewardship way of life for all of our days. Help us to be the salt that brings out the god-flavours of this earth, to bring seasoning to the world! Be with us as we encourage vitality and joy, never losing our saltiness and our purpose. Help us to be a light of community, compassion, and hope in our homes, our community, and the world. We pray this in the name of Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. Amen.
Thank you to everyone for your participation in this
year’s Stewardship congregational giving campaign.
Your completed commitment forms can still be
dropped off or mailed to Trinity United Church, even if
the campaign is finished. We are so grateful for the
sharing of your gifts and talents with our church, our
community and the world.
The Stewardship Thank you cards sent by
Stewardship/Board were donated by the United
Church of Canada and the stamps were a gift from
Tony and Michelle McGill. Trinity did not have an
expense for the mailing of the Thank you cards.
2016 Tax Receipts: The cut off date for 2016 donations
to Trinity United Church will be noon on December
29th, 2016.
YOUTH REPORT – ERICA WIEBE
The more things change, the more they stay the
same. The Youth Group has been busy again with
fall start up. The group began meeting on
Mondays instead of Wednesdays and continued to
engage in conversations and activities about a
variety of topics relevant to both the youth and
the Church. The Youth Group has continued to
participate in community outreach through
involvement in the Fort Richmond Baptist Church
Food Bank once a month, and is continuing to
explore the subject of respect; what it looks like,
and how we live it.
The group has participated in many ‘off-site’
activities this fall including: visiting a mosque,
touring the corn maze, and attending the Terry
Fox exhibit at the Manitoba Museum. These
outings continue to cultivate the strong sense of
community among the youth and I am hopeful
that will continue as we prepare for the upcoming
calendar year.
We have many interesting things planned for the
New Year including a book study, and several
exciting outings, so please don't hesitate to come
check us out and join in the enthusiastic
conversation and activities that take place each
Monday night from 6:30pm-8:30pm. For further
information, the calendar of events is posted on
the Youth Group bulletin board for information on
what we’ll be doing each week.
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WORSHIP COMMITTEE AND MINISTERIAL STAFF
SEASONAL WORSHIP SERVICES December 11th - 10:45 am Choir Concert “Night of Silence” December 18th - 10:45 am Worship and Communion December 21st - 7:00 pm Longest Night Service: A quiet time to reflect, especially if you find this season particularly difficult December 24th - 5:30 pm AND 7:30 pm Services for the whole family filled with Christmas music and story and candles! December 25th NO SERVICE January 1st - 10:45 am Worship and Communion
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OTHER GOINGS ON...
WINNIPEG
BLUE BOMBERS
PARKING INITIATIVE The Grey Cup is over; the Ottawa Redblacks are the new CFL champions for 2016; and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are getting ready for next year! We played our part as we helped with parking and crosswalk duties for 10 Bomber games and two outdoor NHL hockey games. It was wonderful to have 59 people volunteering! Together we raised more than $10,000 for Trinity: a wonderful gift of time, energy and commitment. Thank you to all who helped out in any way!
COMING SOON TO
TRINITY
The Outreach Committee will be
hosting a KAIROS Blanket Exercise
in which everyone can participate.
The event will be held on
February 5th following the church
service. Rev. Connie Budd will
lead this meaningful experience
that uses blankets to teach about
Canadian history from an
indigenous perspective. The
blanket exercise was first
developed by the organization
KAIROS as a response to the
report of the Royal Commission
on Aboriginal peoples. It has
been gaining popularity as a
teaching tool in recent years.
Watch for further announcements
in the new year. Please plan to
attend!!
And they recognized him in the breaking of the bread ...
Come to our Community Cafe
Please join us Friday, January 17th, Friday, February 24th and Friday, March 31st from 12:00 to 2:00 for our Community Cafe. This is a chance for folks from all over the city to meet west end residents over a lovely 3 course lunch. A program will help to encourage our conversation. Tickets must be ordered in advance and are $1 or pay what you can. People in our neighbourhood are still buzzing from the first one. You can make a difference in building right relationships by breaking bread together. Call the office 204.774.3957
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“ON THE ROAD TO BETHLEHEM” OPENS THE SEASON OF ADVENT AT TRINITY AND GOOD SHEPHERD
The Breakfast
A new, improvised version of the traditional “Breakfast in Bethlehem” event was held on Sunday,
November 27th. A creative and tasty breakfast, coordinated by Phyllis Marsch and her team of Leslie
Johnson, Marilyn Strukoff, Gerta De Jong, Carolyn Pierson and Milly Malavsky was served in the lower hall
before the worship service. The food was warm, nourishing and plentiful and included a vast variety of
muffins, loaves, pastries, biscuits, toast, fruits, cheeses, juice, coffee and tea... and even a crock pot of hot
porridge and brown sugar to warm your insides! The “hands-down hit” of the meal, however, was the
delicious egg soufflé. It was such a hit that Phyllis has been inundated with requests for the soufflé recipe...
so the recipe is included in this edition of the Trinity Times on the next page.
Phyllis would like to thank Connie Fillion for coordinating the carollers who greeted us that morning with
seasonal music and all who helped with baking, cooking, washing dishes, setting up, taking down, and all
the other little jobs that went into making the breakfast a resounding success. The congregations of both
churches would like to thank Phyllis, her team and all the others who contributed to a lovely breakfast.
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The Worship Service
Following breakfast the two congregations were treated to a humorous, modernized, yet thought-provoking, short
play about Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth. Even with their modern technology
of tablets and I-Pads, Mary and Joseph were unable to find lodgings in Bethlehem, and our congregations were still
able to imagine the couple’s momentous journey of old prior to the birth of Christ. The social media theme of the
play was the brain child of our own Ed Tymofichuk. Barb Tallman, Richard Castro, Marguerite Zaworonok, Peter
Timonin and our congregational ministers Elizabeth Brown, Milly Malavsky and Jennifer Sisson proved they had
excellent acting skills!
Egg Soufflé Recipe
I am happy that so many of you enjoyed the egg soufflé that was served at the breakfast on November 27th. It was
definitely a big hit if the requests for the recipe are any indication. However, I must give credit where credit is due.
The recipe actually originates from a cross country ski lodge called Mapelag, where our family has often made an
annual visit over the past number of years. It was a traditional start of the Maplelag Sunday morning smorgasbord -
hence I felt it was an extra special "easy to make" menu option to offer for our first Sunday in Advent breakfast.
Egg Soufflé:
2 cups grated cheese 1 cup half and half cream 1/2 tsp salt 2 tsp dry mustard 1/2 tsp dill weed (if fresh, use 1 tsp dill) 1 dozen eggs (beaten) Sprinkle of white pepper (if you don't have white pepper, black pepper is also totally fine) 2 tbsp butter (melted)
For ease in clean up, I spray the 9 x 13 inch pan with a vegetable oil (e.g. Pam) first, then cover the bottom of the pan
with the cheese. Pour the beaten eggs over cheese. Combine the half and half and seasonings, and then pour over
the eggs. Pour melted butter over all and refrigerate overnight.
Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 - 45 minutes.
Bon appetite!
Phyllis Marsch
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SOME CHRISTMAS HUMOUR TO LIGHTEN YOUR DAY
Pontius Who?
At Sunday school, the younger children were drawing pictures illustrating Biblical stories. The teacher
walked by and noticed one little boy was drawing an airplane! "Oh, what Bible story are you drawing?"
she asked. "This is the flight into Egypt," the little boy answered. "See, here is Mary, Joseph and baby
Jesus. And this," he said, pointing to the front of the plane, "is Pontius. He's the Pilot."
(www.desperatepreacher.com)
Christmas Fireman
In a small Southern town I saw a Nativity Scene and felt that great skill and talent had gone into its creation.
One small feature bothered me. The three wise men were wearing firemen's helmets. Completely unable to
come up with a reason or explanation, I stopped at a convenience store on the edge of town and asked the
lady behind the counter about the helmets. She shook her head in an exasperated manner and said: "Do
you Yankees never read the Bible?" I assured her that I did, but simply couldn't recall anything about
firemen in the Bible. She grabbed her Bible from behind the counter, ruffled through some pages, and
finally jabbed her finger at a passage. "See, it says right here: The three wise men came from afar.'"
(www.humormatters.com)
The Proud Parents
(www.guy-sports.com)
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CONTACT US:
Trinity United Church 933 Summerside Ave. Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3T 4Y1
Phone: 204-269-1632 Fax: 204-269-2499
E-mail: [email protected]
ONLINE:
www.trinityunitedwinnipeg.com
WE ARE ON FACEBOOK AT:
Trinity United Church Winnipeg
I hope you enjoyed this edition of the
Trinity Times and my first attempt at
editing. Please consider submitting articles
or stories of interest to our congregation
for our Spring 2017 edition. You can e-mail
ideas or submissions directly to me at:
or telephone me at: 204-269-5550
I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and
a Happy New Year
Karen Wall Trinity Times Editor