March2008 - TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH

X The Trinity Chimes X

The Newsletter of Trinity Episcopal Church in Rocky Hill, New Jersey – March, 2008

A Special Invitation to Celebrate “New Life”

Peace and Joy (times two!) to all who read “The Trinity Chimes.”

No. You are not seeing double. We have intentionally sent our church families two copies of The Trinity Chimes.

Why? We’d like you to share the second copy with a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker, or anyone you think would like to join us this Easter morning. If you are the recipient of a copy given to you by a Trinity member, we extend a warm invitation to you to share Easter with us.

Our Easter Sunday Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 8 a.m. (with music) and 10 a.m. (with music and choir).

Please remember the resurrected Jesus Christ gives us all the opportunity for a new life with God. Those who have made the commitment to demonstrate their faith within a faith community, and those who may have wandered away from active participation, become equal. In essence, we all get the chance to start anew.

We are proud to be an inclusive church, welcoming everyone who is looking to be a part of a growing faith community with a long and special history.

To those who join us each Sunday, I express my sincere appreciation. Your participation keeps our Church very strong. So many good things are happening within our community…and you make them happen.

There is no better time than the Easter Season to learn more about our Church, and to invite others to join us. Always feel free to call on me personally. Our telephone number is (609) 921-8971 and trinityrockyhill@patmedia.net is our email address. I can also be reached by mobile phone at (609) 462-0028.

God Bless,

Fr. Paul Rimassa

We thank those who donated Easter flowers in honor of their loved ones. The complete list of Easter flower donors will appear in our weekly bulletin.

From the Desk of Larry Decicco, Warden

On behalf of the Vestry and Wardens, I want to wish all a Happy and Blessed Easter season. We continue to see the signs of life and vibrancy in our church. Membership continues to grow. Our Sunday school program is moving toward the completion of a term that has shown increased youth participation, introduction of a new curriculum, loyal parental support, and dedicated leadership. Our worship in liturgy and sacred music is uplifting and our Vicar’s words around the gospel lessons enrich and strengthen us.

Thank you to all who work to make Trinity Rocky Hill a welcoming and growing Faith community.

Vicar's Visits

If you, or someone you know, wish to share some time with our Vicar, please talk to him and schedule a mutually-convenient time. Fr. Paul's visit does not require an agenda or any particular purpose other than social. Fr. Paul also asks that you keep him aware of anyone in need of a visit because of illness or otherwise unable to come to church to receive the sacraments. Those who wish to request prayers for themselves or others should also inform Fr. Paul personally.

Did You Know?

Trinity Episcopal Church can be found on the web at www.trinityrockyhill.org.

Trinity Church was consecrated July 15, 1864 and built from plans and material ordered by mail and so it was often referred to as a "Mail Order" church. A Parish Hall was added in 1901; it was used by the Rocky Hill community for plays, musical presentations, town meetings and other events. In 1950 a further addition for a kitchen, bathrooms, office and meeting space was completed. In 1999, the parish began work on a landscaping plan which includes a Memorial Garden and several new plantings. The Garden was dedicated in November, 2001. Visitors are always welcome to our inclusive church.

A REQUEST TO REFLECT: From Mission to Parish

Many of our church members are aware of the hope that is had for our “mission” church to achieve “parish” status.

A campaign to that end was mounted in 1997 under the capable leadership of the late Rev. Canon Rugby Auer, with the goal of creating an endowment fund to support a full-time ministry at Trinity – Rocky Hill, as the first step in achieving parish status.

With the support of Bishop Councell, in 2006 the congregation called Fr. Paul to become the first full-time Vicar in the church’s history. A focus group formed by the Vestry and Fr. Paul agreed that the present time allows us an opportunity to reflect upon the past, to utilize the strengths of our present, and to realize our hopes for the future. To move from mission to parish, the following goals were set: 1.) Seek and welcome new members, 2.) Continue to strengthen our financial resources, including the Endowment Fund, and to 3.) Address our current “brick and mortar” needs.

Wardens and vestry encourage everyone to learn more about this process. Please let Fr. Paul or a member of the Vestry know of your interest at your earliest convenience. Thank you.

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND…

There is no better time than the Easter Season to learn more about our Church, and to invite others to join us. Always feel free to ask questions! Our telephone number is (609) 921-8971.

Nancy Kirby, our Church Secretary, is available most mornings. Fr. Paul can also be reached by mobile phone at (609) 462-0028.

Our Spring Rummage Sale is coming up on May 17^th. The receiving dates will be Monday, May 12 through Wednesday, May 14 from 9:30 am to 12 noon. On Monday and Tuesday evenings only, the receiving hours will be 6 to 8 pm.

We are always in need of more volunteers. Please let Fr. Paul or a Vestry member know if you have some time to help!

SUNDAY LITURGIES ARE HELD AT 8 A.M. AND 10 A.M.

Ongoing Church Activities:

Food Drive for Crisis Ministry is the first Sunday in each month.

Morning Prayer is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 am.

The knit & sew group meets at 6 pm in the church, first and third Tuesdays.

Noontime liturgy is on Wednesdays.

Choir practice is every Thursday, 7:30 to 9 pm.

Sunday School is 9:45 to 10:30 am with nursery care available.

HOW TO CONTACT US: Trinity Episcopal Church, Box 265 Crescent Avenue, Rocky Hill, NJ 08553, Church Office: (609) 921-8971, www.trinityrockyhill.org.

Lillian and Rosie Remember

I had a delightful lunch with Lillian Patterson and Rosie Skodacek this week. In case you don’t know, they are the elder stateswomen at Trinity.

Both ladies agree: one of the best inventions during their lifetime has been indoor plumbing. They also agree that what they like best about Trinity is that it is nice and small, and very friendly.

Lillian Mable Rodefeld Patterson, a cradle Episcopalian was born in Cincinnati, Ohio of German descent. Her parents worked for Paul Matthews who progressed from Deacon to Dean to Bishop. So they moved around as he took new assignments. Her Dad was chauffer and her Mother was cook. Lillian recalls that they ended up in Princeton when Matthews was named Bishop of New Jersey. Bishop Matthews was the 5^th Bishop of NJ and served from 1915-1937.

Lillian was introduced to her future husband Laurence (Pat) Patterson by her brother. Both her brother and Pat worked at A&P. Everyone called him Pat – “only his older sister called him Laurence”.

Lillian and Pat were married at Merwick Chapel, which was located on the estate owned by Bishop Matthews. She and her husband were congregants at Trinity in Princeton until he died about twenty years ago. She subsequently decided to join Trinity-Rocky Hill where her daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Howard Smith, worship.

Lillian holds the distinction of being the oldest member of the congregation at Trinity. In fact, Lillian celebrated her 98^th birthday on October 22, 2007. If you really want to get her dander up, call her Lil. Otherwise, call her “Gammy.”

Rosita (Rosie) Skodacek emigrated from Czechoslovakia to New York when she was 16 years old. She was accompanied by her older sister, age 19, and because they were underage, a guardian traveled with them. Rosie recalls the crossing was quite rough. While many were seasick, including her sister, she was a good sailor and had no problems. Rosie and her sister came to join their Father and sister who had previously arrived at Ellis Island. She recalls having about $2 to her name and bought a lot of lemon drops to eat. To this day, she has not had a lemon drop since.

Rosie met her husband Paul at a dance hall near Battery Park, New York. She recalls that while Paul was not as good a dancer as some of the other boys, he did dance a pretty mean Czardas. And, he didn’t get drunk. Rosie’s brother was a musician and she recalls a time when all the musicians got drunk because someone had spiked their beer and Rosie got sick. Her mother said, ”I don’t understand. He’s drunk and you got sick!”

Paul was Lutheran and they were married in the Lutheran Church. Rosie had been confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church but, after marriage in the Lutheran Church, she was unable to receive communion at the Roman Catholic Church. After moving to the farm in Griggstown, Rosie didn’t have a lot of time for church. But, when things calmed down a bit in the 40’s, Rosie was in search of a church. She attended several different churches in the area but when she went to Trinity, Rosie says, “I knew I found a home.” She has been a congregant at Trinity for over 65 years.

Rosie celebrated her 95^th birthday on February 22, 2008. Interesting that Jim and Bonnie Carroll assisted her cutting the cake. During our conversation, Rosie recalled Jim’s baptism as well as the fact that he was an Acolyte as a teenager. Watch out Jim – Rosie has a great memory.

Both ladies recall with fondness the Smorgasbord dinners that Trinity used to hold. They were the talk of Rocky Hill and very well attended. Rosie remembers working in the kitchen making about 900 meatballs with Pat Matthews and another lady.

Both ladies will be quick to tell you that the spirit and warmth that brought them to Trinity Rocky Hill is still very much alive and well.

Submitted by Kathy Krauszer