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April 2012

In this issue

Birthdays p. 8

Calendar p. 6-7

Garden Mart p. 4

Haiti mission trip p. 2-3

Lay Schedule p. 6-7

Liturgical Notes p. 8

Reading Camp p. 11

Rummage Sale p. 9

A familiar question Dear Friends,

In the months that lead up to my first Sunday at Trinity, I imagined the first sermon I would preach many times. I wanted to share this sermon with you because it lays out some important themes for our time together. I would wel-come any feedback, and look forward to hearing from you (rector@trinitychurch covky.com or 859-431-1786, extension 17).

Rev. Peter D’Angio

* * * * *

Well, here we are face to face for the first time. I have imag-ined this moment for the last few months and I would guess that you too have thought: “What is he going to be like and what is he going to say?” After all, there is only one first time, a single moment to begin. I wasn’t sure how I was go-

ing to begin until I walked into my office for my first official day at Trinity. I received a gift from the Rummage Sale in honor of that day. Sitting on my desk was a stuffed bear that plays the Beatles’ hit tune “When I’m Sixty-Four.” But it wasn’t the gift that gave me the opening for this sermon. Stuck on my desk next to the bear was a Post-It note that read: “What in God’s name is going on at Trinity.”

Nicolette Papinek, Trinity’s Interim Rector, started her first sermon with this question. Two years ago, she, like me today, started her time with you on Rummage Sale weekend and, like me, she saw what goes on

to make that sale happen. So, with a nod to Nicolette, let me ask: “What in God’s name is going on at Trinity.” You have been living this question for two years. I started living this question nine months ago. Late last May, I received my first communica-tion from the Nominating Committee, inviting me to con-sider putting my name into consideration to be your Rec-tor. We sent e-mails back and forth, and then phone calls and video sessions. We exchanged visits and then I made more visits here until one day in the middle of December I finally said “Yes.” Two interrelated things have run through this nine month process. First, there’s been a commitment on both sides to tell the truth. I found that the profile that the Nominating Committee produced, the ques-tions that the Nominating Committee and Vestry asked all strived to be truthful, and in the best possible way. On my side, in the answers

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‘So much more that could be done’

I arrived in Port-au-Prince with two digital cameras and three extra batteries. I intended to document this trip on Face-book so my friends and relatives could admire how I spent my week of service. But it was more than a month since Tony, Joe and I returned from the mission before I had the courage to download and actually look at the 24 pictures I took. The first few pictures were of United Nations vehicles, which spoke volumes of the country’s instability even two years after the devastating earthquake. I took a few pictures of our very skilled translators; members of the generation of hopeful youth who realized that a way to make Haiti better is for them to stay in their homeland to be a part of the solution instead of moving overseas (or even across the bor-der to the Dominican Republic) at the first opportunity. The next few photos were of the stark, de-forested hillside by the orphan-age in Fondwa which was a tes-tament to Haiti’s dwindling nat-ural resources. The rest of the pictures were of animals that lived such different lives than what our pampered pets at home

are accustomed to. I thought I was emotionally equipped to handle what I might see in Haiti since I grew up in the Philippines; a beautiful but poor country often featured in heartbreaking commercials for “sponsor this child” charities. Imagine the stupor that seized me daily that I didn’t take out my camera and shoot pictures until all my batteries (a total of five) were spent. It overwhelmed me when I saw as we drove from the fortified (with 24-hour armed guards) Matthew 25 guest house that Port-au-Prince looked like my old home. I went on this mission to serve and document the condi-tions to show members of Trini-ty the importance and impact of the Diocesan Haiti outreach, but

deep inside it felt abhorrent to take pictures, especially of the earthquake’s aftermath (tent cities, amputees and the mass gravesite in Leo-gone) as it dawned on me that if not for a simple twist of fate, I could easily be the person outside the Family Health Ministries vehicle needing the help instead of the one able to help.

To say that Haiti is poor would be an understatement; what I witnessed was a country in the throes of abject poverty. There is so much more that could be done to help the Hai-tian people that I felt as if I was merely spitting into the mouth of a volcano to extinguish the fiery lava. I really hope our brief min-istry of presence made an impact to those we served. People were grateful for the care and free neckties they received at the clinic and the children at the or-phanage enjoyed our visit and gifts like it was Christmas morn-ing. It’s so easy to send money and “stuff” to help with the relief and rebuilding …. it’s deeply re-warding to actually deliver help and impart hope.

Gelene Speicher

Right: The Northern Kentucky con-

tingent poses en route to Haiti.

Gelene Speicher, Deacon Tom

Runge (formerly of Trinity), Joe

O’Brochta and Tony Powell. They

were part of a 14-person team

organized by the Diocese of Lex-

ington who spent a week in Haiti

offering health and construction

assistance to a country still recov-

ering from a massive earthquake

two years ago.

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Photos courtesy of Joe O’Brochta

Left: Tom Runge, now a deacon at St. Paul’s in Newport, lends a

hand with some concrete block work.

Below: Children at the orphanage in Fondwa play with hula hoops.

Left: A group of

Haitian and Dio-

cese of Lexington

workers pose at

the home site near

Cite Soleil on the

final day of con-

struction.

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There will be lots a’blooming at the Trinity Garden Mart, May 11-12. This ECW-sponsored event features greenhouse plants as well as pass-alongs from our own gar-dens for sale, craft items and Friday lunch. The Garden Mart provides an opportunity to wel-come our downtown neighbors to Trinity, raises funds for maintaining our gardens, and helps build our own church community. We love sharing God’s bounty and have great fun doing it.

Many volunteers, both men and women, are needed, so please sign up now on the sheets posted by the May Room door.

How can you help?

Plant Sellers: We need you to help set up, sell and ad-vise buyers as they choose from our excellent bedding plants, herbs and perennials. Set up: We especially need

help early Friday morning (7-9 a.m.) setting up the site and un-loading flowers from the deliv-ery truck to rolling carts. Passalongs: Plan to divide and donate perennials from your home garden. Spring is the best time to thin them, and we can find them new homes. Our customers are looking for hostas, day lilies, coral bells, iris, ferns, mums, and any oth-er perennials that have been successful in your own garden, For more information, check the bulletin board or call Karen McKim at 859-781-3609. Boutique de Jardin: We need your donations of antique garden tools, statuaries, gar-dening books and magazines, collectibles, yard games, deco-rative pots, garden ornaments and bird feeders. We will also

need volunteers to help price items Thursday afternoon May 10 and help with selling during the Mart. If you have any ques-tions, please call Gina Russ at 859-426-0701. Raffle: Ticket will be on sale April 15 through the Mart, with the drawing Sunday, May 13 at noon. Lunch: Help prepare, cook and/or serve a delicious Friday lunch. Contact Linda Tabeling (859-331-9203) to sign up. So please volunteer and please plan to purchase your flowers for your garden and for Mother’s Day at the Trinity Garden Mart, Friday, May 11 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Saturday, May 12 (9 a.m.to 1 p.m.).

Mary Ann Weiss, 513-744-9445;

weissma@nku.edu

Garden Mart needs volunteers

Spring is just around the corner and it is time to update the garden volunteer list. We need volunteers, beginner or expe-rienced, to help with the planting, cleanup and maintaining the beautiful gardens at Trinity. If you have volunteered in the past please update your contact information by phone, e-mail or sign up sheet. If you are a new volunteer please provide an e-mail ad-dress and phone number to Emery Schmidt at 859-491-7399 or at emery.schmidt@gmail.com.

Emery Schmidt

Please help our

gardens grow

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Continued from Page 1

that I gave, and the questions I asked, I also sought to be genuine. The truth is a precious commodity, and often what passes for the truth ignores that reality. The truth, when spoken in love never starts with, “Well to tell you the truth ...” because what often follows may be honest but rarely loving. The process of calling a Rector has involved both sides — the congregation and the candidates — asking “What in God’s name is going on?”, which is another way of saying that we have lis-tened to the call of God. I know this kind of language can seem like so much “churchy” talk, but I believe that God called me to be here. And now, God calls us into minis-try together and the question of what is in God’s name is going on is not one that we shelve, having answered it to our satisfaction. Like all good questions, this one is never com-pletely answered but we keep it before us. God calls us to discern His will in qualitative and quantitative ways — we can discern God’s truth in facts and figures as well as in conversation. In short, truth telling is part of the “what” God’s calls us to do. Let me talk about about the “how” this will happen. I find it richly ironic I arrive almost exactly nine months since you and I started this relation-ship, because I have.imagined it must be like hav-ing a baby. I can imagine the new parents looking down into the face of their newborn for the first time and asking, “Little one, I wonder what you are going to be like and what you will become?” I ask the same questions of this relationship: “What will it be like and what will it grow into?” Imagine we are those parents. I — the Rector — am one parent and You — the congregation — are the other. We each bring some of our spiritual and church “DNA” to this relationship. As this relationship grows those pieces of DNA will inter-act in ways that we cannot yet foresee. When this happens in children, it means beau-tiful things can happen. The child gets mom’s ap-titude for math combined with dad’s love of draw-ing, enabling this child to do amazing things in both the sciences and the arts. That child is more than the sum of both sides, but is a new creation. So too with this relationship that we have cre-

ated. It will grow to become more than the sum of both of us and will lead to new things that we can neither yet see nor even imagine. When DNA combines — physical DNA in the case of children or spiritual and church DNA in this relationship, there can be a down side as well. As you can plainly see, I was never intended to be neither a basketball player nor fashion model. I have inherited my father’s build: as well as be-ing short I am rather stocky. I have learned, in my 52-plus years, not to wish to be a different body type and not to try to “overcome” my height and body type but to be happy with the body I have. Thus it is with combinations. Our spiritual and church DNA will combine in ways that we may not like, producing results that may have unin-tended side effects. As we live along into this relationship, let’s be clear about one thing: It is not going to be perfect. I will do things that will anger and upset you; you will do things that will anger and upset me. It’s a fact of life. Rather than spending time wishing that things we cannot change could be different, let’s agree to focus on things that we can change. Let’s concentrate on making this relationship the best it can be. There will be triumphs and disappointments, tears and laughter, frustration and satisfaction. What will keep us focused on making this rela-tionship work well is to be persistent in asking the question: “What in God’s name is going on here at Trinity?” Let me talk briefly about what is going to hap-pen in the next several weeks. The way that we build this relationship and continue to answer the question is by spending time together. You will be invited to meet with me in one of a series of small groups. Some groups will be formed on the basis of geography, and others will be formed on the basis of interest. Mostly, I intend to listen to you all as you tell me about Trinity and what in God’s name has gone on here. I do this as a way to con-tinue to discern what God calls us to do and be at this time and in this place. I also will answer any questions you may have. Let me conclude by saying that I am overjoyed to be here at last. As my first official act I am do-nating that singing bear for next year’s Rummage Sale. By then may God have given us many excit-ing answers to the question: “What in God’s name is going on here at Trinity.”

(This text has been edited for space.)

Peter’s first sermon

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Wanted: Trinity Sunday greeters The Nurture & Parish Growth Commission needs your help. We are looking for faithful pa-rishioners that would like to serve as a Trinity Church Greeter. The Greeter performs a special ministry that allows visitors and newcomers to experience the welcoming love of Christ. Newcomers to Trinity Episcopal Church will immediately come to some conclusions on their first visit with us. Some-times, those first impressions are often long-lasting ones. Please consider blessing us with your welcoming spirit. If you are interested in serving or would like more information, please contact Julie Wharton at jmwharton@fuse.net or 859-394-4634.

Midday Musical Menu

features pianist, soprano

The featured performers of this month’s Midday Musical Menu concert are Esther Nam, soprano, and her husband Song Hun Nam, pianist. Esther is an Adjunct Professor of Voice at Northern Kentucky University, while Song teaches in the NKU Preparatory Depart-ment. Esther has been soloist with the Cin-cinnati Symphony Orchestra under the ba-tons of James Conlon, Jesus Lopez-Cobos and Erich Kunzel. The concert is Wednesday, April 18 at 12:15 p.m., with lunch available from 11:30 a.m. Lunch is $7. The concert is free.

With seemingly everyone asking, “What in God’s name is going on at Trinity,” I think we all know that one answer is the ECW Rummage Sale! The Rummage Sale has a long history at Trinity, begin-ning around 1990, as the brain-child of Eleanor Clarke. It has gradually grown through the years and now takes over much of the first floor, on the first Saturday of March. An amazing transition oc-curs each year as a year’s col-lection of clothes, household goods and furniture is arranged and priced. We like to think of it as our very own gigantic re-cycling project, that gives peo-ple in our community an op-portunity to own something lovely at a bargain-basement price. And let’s also remember that the fruits of our labor fund Trinity’s Episcopal Church Women’s budget for an entire

year. This Rummage Sale could not happen without you. Many thanks go out to Trinity’s army of volunteers who make this happen through unpacking, moving, donating and packing again, all in one week (and suf-fering sore backs and feet dur-

ing the process). A special thanks also goes to Jean Brann, for once again stepping to the plate and serving as a co-chair of this mammoth-sized event, and to Robert Edwards for his “moving and storage” of many of the donations.

Lisa Edwards

Another year, another success

A group of Rummage Sale volunteers, plus Peter, take a break during the mid-

week set-up and pricing process.

Volunteers and buyers help Rummage Sale raise money and ‘recycle’

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Join your Diocesan family at the Cathedral Domain to cele-brate St. George’s Day and the annual Diocesan Spring Festi-val. Activities begin Friday even-

ing and continue through the weekend, including a pig roast. Come for the entire weekend or just the day; there will be something for everyone. There will be a Youth Rally

Saturday at 3 p.m., featuring a Diocesan Choir and a proces-sion of flags representing each congregation. Please see Robert Edwards for more details.

The Rev. Linda Young will lead medita-tions at the Diocesan Woman’s Weekend at Cathedral Domain May 18-20, entitled “Women in the Old Testament – How They Speak to Women of Today.” The weekend will begin Friday with an Opening Eucharist & Healing Service cele-brated by the Rt. Rev. Chilton Knudsen, Inter-im Assisting Bishop of the Diocese.

The weekend will al-so include music by Candace Armstrong, a Prayer Workshop, a si-lent auction to benefit the Domain playground and more. Participants who bring a new friend for the weekend can get 15% off the registration fee for both. Contact diolexecwweek-end@gmail.com or Lisa Edwards at 859-753-4646 for more infor-mation or to register.

Spring Festival / St. George’s Day planned

Perhaps you have been to Christ Church Cathedral in Lex-ington and seen a vested person leading the procession carrying a staff that is called a virge. This person carrying the virge is called a verger. The verger is a unique lay min-istry largely exercised behind the scenes, seeing to the many details which make the worship service go smoothly. Before services the verger is in the church to help greet visitors as well as checking to see that people taking part in the service are pre-sent. During the service itself the verger helps relieve the clergy of the burden of liturgical

detail so that they can concentrate on their priestly duties to preach the Word and administer the Sac-raments. The office of verger dates back to the 12th century in the cathe-drals of Rochester, Lincoln, Exeter and Salisbury. At one time found only at cathedrals, vergers are an asset to all worship communities.

There is a national group for vergers called the Vergers Guild of the Episcopal Church with a website: www.vergers.org. If you would like more information or feel a calling to this ministry, contact one of the clergy. Some specialized training is necessary.

Opportunity to participate in a new ministry

Women’s Weekend slated

at Cathedral Domain

Butch Clements at the Cathedral Domain

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Our fifth NKY Reading Camp is scheduled for July 16- 20. Katharine Piaskowy and Natalie Gabbard will be co-directors. Our goal is a full-capacity camp of 36 campers. With the help of our awesome volunteers, it will happen! If you believe in the mission of Reading Camp and are will-ing to talk to teachers, princi-pals, and family resource coor-dinators about the wonderful things we are doing at NKY Reading Camp, you can help us meet our recruitment goals. Please contact our head re-cruiter Gee Gaither at 859-331-1632 or Gageby43@gmail.com. All it takes to recruit campers is a strong commitment to Read-ing Camp and a little persis-tence. If you have an educational background, we need you as a teacher or assistant teacher. Teacher coordinator Leah Sti-dham will fill you in on what you need to know. Contact her at leah3697850@yahoo.com. Field trip volunteers are needed to accompany and su-pervise campers on afternoon

field trips. Male role models are especially appreciated. Have fun with some great kids, go swimming, ride a zipline and much more. If you enjoy decorating and creating, we’d love to have you on the Decorating Committee. We will meet on the Saturday before Reading Camp to trans-form the second floor of Trinity into the land of Narnia. Come join in the fun. Are you a photography buff? Use your talent to help kids be-come better readers. Our campers love to have their pic-tures taken, and they use them to decorate their journals.

More campers eat more food. Please see Linda Tabeling if you can help in the kitchen. Contact her at lindatabe @fuse.net or 859-331-9203. It wouldn’t be summer camp without a camp nurse. Contact our head nurse MaryAnn Wolff at 859-363-7995 or justme wolff@yahoo.com if you have a nursing background and are willing to help. Counselors are also very im-portant to the success of Read-ing Camp. Our campers look up to you. Contact volunteer coordinators Katharine Pias-kowy at katharinepiaskowy @gmail.com or Natalie Gab-bard at 859-630-7690 or natgabbard@yahoo.com if you would like to be a counselor. We also invite you to join the NKY Steering Committee to help plan and organize Reading Camp. We are a intergenera-tional committee representing all the churches of Northern Kentucky. Contact Diane Gab-bard at dianegabbard @gmail.com if you are willing to serve on this committee.

Diane Gabbard

Volunteers needed for Reading Camp

Trinity Choir to sing

at Museum Center

The Trinity Choir will join the Xavier Univer-sity Concert Choir to sing Verdi’s Stabat Mater at the organ recital of French organist Frédéric Champion on Monday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m. We are only the second church choir to perform on the series, the other choir was from Christ Church Cathedral, Cincinnati. Tickets at the door are $20. Trinity can get a special group rate of $15. See Penni Dale out-

side the May Room after church the first three Sundays of April to take advantage of this rate. Jim and Patsy Leo helped provide financial support to get the series started. Some of the finest organists in the world have performed in the series. Also on the April program is Debus-sy’s Nocturnes with the Xavier University Women’s Chorus and works by Cesar Franck and Franz Liszt, music especially suited to the Museum’s large E. M. Skinner organ from 1929. The organ’s pipes are located in the rotunda where the rear concourse connects.

John Deaver

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Reserved for Judy (postal info)

Please send all materials for The Chimes to

chimeseditor@trinitychurchcovky.com

16 East Fourth Street

Covington Kentucky 41011

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Trinity Episcopal Church, Covington, Kentucky

Mission Statement

Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Covington serves a diverse community. We are

committed to the celebration and worship of Jesus Christ in a parish nurtured by educa-

tion and fellowship. As Christ’s servants, we strive to share God’s love, and our resources,

in the greater community.

Website: www.trinitychurchcovky.com E-mail address: info@trinitychurchcovky.com

Office address: 16 Fourth Street, 859-431-1786 or 859-392-2360. FAX. 859-392-2361

The Right Rev. Chilton R. Knudsen, Interim Associate Bishop of Lexington

The Rev. Peter D’Angio, Rector

The Rev. Linda Young, Associate

Dr. John Deaver, Director of Music

Tony Milburn and Julie Wharton, Wardens