Sabbatical News: Story Suppers, Reception, and More

Pastor Tracey’s sabbatical will include multiple opportunities with religious communities.  As mentioned in a prior newsletter, there will be time with a Bruderhof community in the UK.  A week will also be spent at
Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky.  Thomas Merton is this monastery’s most famous monk.  Trappist monks are cloistered Benedictines, meaning that they are strictly focused on prayer and work.  Each day they observe the seven prayer times – Vigils, Lauds, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers and Compline.  The abbey is in a remote setting, very quiet and includes many trails through the forest.
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In May, Britt and I will spend a few days in Portland, Oregon seeing the sites.  It will be my first time in the
Pacific Northwest.  Then, Britt will return home and Tracey will drive to Great Vow Zen Buddhist monastery in Clatskanie, Oregon.  This monastery also follows a strict communal schedule with three one-hour meditation times each day.  Like Gethsemani, it is in a beautiful setting surrounded by walking trails.  At both
monasteries, nearly all of the day will be spent in silence.

Please join us for an after-worship “leave-taking” reception on Sunday, April 7, at 11:30.  Although Pastor Tracey’s sabbatical does not officially begin until April 25, the reception is being planned earlier in the month so as not to conflict with Holy Week and Easter.

While Tracey is gone, Trinity will have the opportunity to celebrate life together in community through two Story Suppers.  These will be led by Morris DuBose, our narrative consultant.  Through the story suppers, under Morris’ leadership, Trinity members and constituents will craft the story of Trinity through the decades from the 1950’s until now.  This congregational narrative will be shared and celebrated with Pastor Tracey when she returns from her sabbatical and will also become a resource for Trinity’s 200th anniversary celebration of our faith community in 2027.  The first story supper will be held on Sunday, June 2, immediately following worship and will include a light lunch.  The second will be held on Wednesday, June 19 at 6 p.m. and will include a light meal.  Select the date most convenient for you.  Whether you joined Trinity in the 1970’s or 2010’s, please come to share your perspective and experiences on our church family through the decades.  Please RSVP to the church office ([email protected]). Direct any questions to Morris DuBose ([email protected]).