As always, we need toilet paper, paper towels, dish-washing liquid, facial tissue, and trash bags. Thank you so much for your continuing generosity.
No time to shop? Give us some money and we’ll shop for you!
—Geoff and Judith

211 of Butler County is an information and referral service for Butler County residents or those new to the area. Simply dialing 211 connects a caller to friendly and helpful people who have access to an extensive database of local social services including food-, shelter-, clothing-, and utility-resources, social security, Medicare, Medicaid information, credit counseling, caregiver support, and transportation, to name a few. They also have information about civic organizations, youth activities, and schools. The Community Counseling & Crisis Center operates 211 as part of its hotline, so it is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year..

Thank you to those who have given memorials to
Polly Jeanne Fahnestock/Paetke (Mary F-T’s sister),
Suan Louise Woodward (Jean Lutz's cousin), and
Pamela Porter (Annette Tomarken's mother).
And thank you also to Jim Woodworth for his gift designated for the church grounds.

On December 5 the MIDDAY MUSIC series will be partnering with the OXFORD LANE LIBRARY for a viewing of the rarely shown
A Christmas Memory, by Truman Capote.
This memorable 1966 TV production of 51 minutes won a Peabody award, three Emmys and stars the Oscar-, Tony-, and Emmy-winner Geraldine Page.

On December 19 Midday Music presents the award winning Canterbury Brass quintet for its third annual program of Christmas music. Both free programs are at 12:00 p.m. at the Oxford Presbyterian Church, 101 N. Main St., in Oxford. Information: 523-6969.

at Holy T, 25 E. Walnut, Oxford

Tuesday, Nov. 27, 12:05 PM: A recital of music for voice and piano performed by soprano Audrey Luna and pianist Brad Caldwell.

Tuesday, Dec. 4, 12:05 PM: A recital of the organ music of Dieterich Buxtehude performed by Frank Jordan.

Tuesday, Dec. 11, 12:05 PM: A recital of music for violin and piano performed by CSO violinist Stacey Woolley and his brother, pianist Scot Woolley.

Perhaps more than with any other Christian tradition, Anglicans are defined by HOW we worship. The Anglican tradition includes centuries of poetry, liturgy, Scripture and music that helps to define us and unite us with others in the Anglican Communion. For the four Sundays of Advent, Adult Forum will examine aspects of this rich legacy. Coordinators: Peter Williams and Cleve Callison. Sundays at 9:15, with refreshments at 9:00.

Dec. 2 — Hymn texts by John Donne and George Herbert. Presenters: Laura Mandell and Frank Jordan.

Dec. 9 — Anglican Music for The Daily Office. Presenter: Bob Benson.

Dec. 16 — Origins and Legacy of the King James Bible. Presenters: Anne Lodge and Cleve Callison

Advent: 8:00 am, Holy Eucharist I; 10:30 am, Holy Eucharist II

December 2: I Advent
December 9: II Advent
December 16: III Advent
December 23: IV Advent

Nativity play rehearsals after the 10:30 a.m. services all four Sundays for children.
Youth will be selling items and wrapping your presents to raise funds
for their Dominican Republic mission trip.

Saturday, December 8—Holiday party at the Schmitts’—5:00–9:00 p.m.

Christmas:

Monday, December 24:
5:00 p.m. Family Christmas Eve Service
11:15 p.m. Festive Candlelight Service (HE)

Tuesday, December 25:
10:30 a.m. Christmas Day Holy Eucharist

Sunday, December 30:
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Sunday, January 6:
Epiphany! Holy Trinity Feast

In the Western Church the Sunday nearest St. Andrew’s Day, November 30th, is the first Sunday of Advent. This year I Advent is December 2. Advent I is also the first day of the new church year.

In recent years, there has been a liturgical focus on distinguishing the nature of the Advent season from the nature of the Lenten season. For example, Holy Trinity has changed from purple to blue. The symbol on the priest’s blue chasuble will be new this year: an alpha and omega, symbolizing God’s eternity and infinitude. Once again the four candles on the Advent wreath will be lit, the number lit corresponding to the number of weeks in Advent (1 on I Advent, 2 on II Advent, etc.). The third Sunday in Advent is Gaudete Sunday, the only Sunday the candle is pink rather than blue.

As always in Advent, we will not sing the Gloria, waiting until the day of the nativity—Christmas—when Christ has come! This year the Advent processions will be in silence. May the silence help to still us as we ponder the coming of the Holy Child, and all that God is waiting to be born and brought forth from us.

May this season bless you as you rediscover the pregnant pauses of life, and how God is calling you to be wholly creative.

O come, O come, Emmanuel!
Karen

We hope most of you saw the article written by Jim Luce on Orphans International in the December 12 issue of the New York Times! As you know, Orphans International was “adopted” by the Outreach Commission as our 2007 “international agency of the year,” and therefore we pledged $2500 from Outreach funds to go to this most deserving agency. All of that money but $650 has been sent to them, and the remainder will be sent before the end of the year. Of course if any of you feel moved to make individual donations to the agency, that would be wonderful, especially in light of their efforts to build a home for their children named in honor of Stan Luce. We are excited about the publicity Orphans International has received in the Times.

The Oxford Senior Center, located at 922 Tollgate Drive, Oxford, will be hosting a Holiday Open House on Tuesday, December 11, 2007, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. We are holding this event in order to encourage people in the community, particularly those 50 years and older, to stop and see what the Senior Center is all about.

Bring your little ones and well-behaved pets for a photo with Santa. A make-and-take craft item will be offered. The pool tables will be open for play as will the dart boards, card tables, and corn-hole games. We expect to have examples of our craft work, ranging from wood carving to stained glass and quilting. Please plan to attend this event and invite anyone who may be interested in joining our membership. Cookies and punch will be provided. Come and enjoy!

Joan Potter-Sommer

In many ways we did not have that much in common. We work in scattered locations across the Dominican Republic doing different types of work. Some are theologians lecturing at the seminary, others are teachers or church developers or health workers or priests or administrators or just general helpers. Some have a commitment of a few months, others for a year or two, and others (like us) with open-ended time frames.

We had gathered for a retreat of all the Episcopal/Anglican/cross-denominational missionaries working with the Episcopal Church here in the Dominican Republic. We had one day to share, relax, and reflect at a private spot on the beach. It was a rainy (and sometimes windy!) day.

As we reflected together, one commonality was clear: we all had felt a call to mission service in the Dominican Republic. We had come in obedience to God’s call even though it had taken us far from family, had presented cultural/linguistic challenges, had sometimes necessitated abandoning careers and jobs, and had brought its share of inconveniences. To some extent, the strength and certainty of the call was a sustaining element in facing the challenges. Despite all the ups and downs, each person felt blessed.

Our phone bill here has a mix of long-distance calls and local calls. Mostly we make local calls.

All Christians are called to go forth and put their faith into action. Mostly those calls are local calls. While we may be “long-distance” missionaries, our work here is at the local level. Part of our dependence upon the Lord is that He is making local calls to the people here – whether to those who are called to work for the church (such as employees at the Clinic who could usually earn more working elsewhere) or those who volunteer, such as those who feel called to serve as health promoters.

Another part of our dependence upon the Lord is that He is calling people to be mission partners and support this mission work.

Overall, a whole lot of calling going on!

Keep praying,
Anita

Anita and Michael Dohn are physicians serving as missionaries with La Iglesia Episcopal Dominicana through the South American Missionary Society. They live along the southern coast in San Pedro de Macorís in the Dominican Republic.
E-mail: < DohnFamily(at)sams-usa.org >

.

The 133rd Convention of the Diocese of Southern Ohio took place Friday and Saturday, November 9th and 10th, at the Dayton Convention Center. This was the first such convention presided over by our new Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Thomas Breidenthal. Holy Trinity was represented by the Rev. Karen Burnard, Cleve and Jenny Callison, and Dick and Ginger Smith.

Since Bishop Breidenthal had been through a series of listening and discernment meetings with parishioners around the Diocese for the last several months, the theme of the Convention was “Listen to What the Spirit is Saying to the Churches.” The Bishop acknowledged his newness at running the meeting and his dependence on the advice of long-time convention hands. Those of us at the Holy T table seemed to feel he did a masterful job in engaging his audience with his articulate good humor.

One activity of the first day was a half-hour Bible study, conducted at each table. Our table had the five of us from Holy Trinity and three delegates from St. Philip’s Northside in Cincinnati. We discussed Ephesians 4:1-16. This beautiful passage contains much language familiar to Episcopalians from phrases in various Collects of the Day and our Baptismal Covenant. The three delegates from St. Philip’s—one quarter of their entire congregation!—told their remarkable story. Once a much larger parish, they realized years ago that they could not reverse their decline in membership or keep up with maintenance on their building. They decided to continue as a church regardless. They sold the building to a Baptist congregation and invested the proceeds in an endowment, from which they run a number of ministries out of the ecumenical group CAIN (Christians Active In Northside). Their moving description of their Friday community meals and mentoring programs for fatherless youth struck us as brilliant examples of the church “building itself up in love” so that members can grow to “the full stature of Christ”, to quote the Ephesians passage.

Some of the business of the Convention consisted of announcements of, or voting for, positions in various Diocesan committees and commissions. A future Interchange or the Diocesan web site will give the complete list. Some of the more notable races were the following:

Diocesan Council: lay members: Matthew Adeyanju, St. Andrew Pickerington; Brad Turner, Calvary Clifton; and Dolores Woodroffe, St. Philip Columbus. On the first ballot there was a tie for the fourth position between Roy Barker, St. Patrick’s Dublin and Cleve Callison of Holy Trinity; Barker was elected on the third ballot. Clergy member: Bruce Smith, St. Mark’s Columbus

Delegates to 2009 General Convention: lay delegates: Jon Boss, Ascension & Holy Trinity Wyoming; Don Reed, Christ Church Springfield; Deborah J. Stokes, St. Philip Columbus; and Kay Sturm, Trinity Columbus. Clergy delegates: The Rev. Paula Jackson, Our Saviour Cincinnati; the Rev. Richard Burnett, Trinity Columbus; the Rev. Dcn. Dick Schisler, All Saints Portsmouth; and the Rev. Heather Weissman, St. Timothy’s Anderson Township.

Standing Committee: lay member: Pat Ellertson, St. John’s Cambridge; clergy member: The Rev. Stephen Smith, St. Patrick’s Dublin.

Trustees of the Diocese: lay member: Marily Sesler, St. John’s Worthington.

Friday night saw a reception and dinner in the somewhat cavernous space of the Convention Center.

Following a morning Eucharist, a number of resolutions took up the bulk of Saturday’s business sessions. Unlike the practice of prior years, there were no small group sessions on resolutions at the convention. Instead the Diocese held a series of meetings for delegates over the last few week in various locations. Here is a quick summary:

--Resolutions 1 and 2 dissolved declining congregations in Hilliard and Wilmington. Both were approved.

--3 concerned the regulation of payday lending in Ohio. It advocated legislation protecting citizens from predatory lending practices. This was approved.

--4 concerned the formation of an Ohio Interfaith Power and Light; not an actual utility, but a coalition of churches aggregated to purchase renewable energy. Such groups exist in 24 states now. IPL would also assist churches in energy audits, conservation and other green measures. This was approved.

--5 was labeled as “in support of pregnant women.” It and 2 others were sponsored by a single individual from St. Matthew’s Westerville, a parish which is debating whether to withdraw from the national church. While some agreed that parts of the resolution were widely acceptable, there was also wording indicating that the resolution may have been intended to put the Diocese on record as endorsing some specifically anti-abortion language. The wording was heavily amended on the floor to align its messages with a 1994 resolution of General Convention which acknowledged the “tragic dimension” of abortion but also affirmed the need for choice. This was approved by show of hands, 169 to 168. The Bishop reflected that the closeness of the vote indicated that this topic is one on which dialogue is still needed.

--6 commits the Diocese to develop policy recommendations on environmentally sustainable community development, to be presented at next year’s Convention. Some of this resolution had its genesis in specific concerns of the Appalachian deaneries in the diocese, but there were broader applications as well. This was approved.

--7 dealt with immigration. It called on congregations to educate themselves about immigration, build relationships with recent immigrants, welcome strangers and advocate for their well-being, and to resist legislation or action that violates fundamental Christian principles. It further called on elected officials to respect humanity and prevent actual crimes; and called on members to work for reform based on Christian moral principles. This was a controversial resolution in some of the pre-convention meetings. Of special concern was language that said it was important for immigrants to know that “someone sees them as human beings and not criminals”. It was much amended on the floor but still lost by a rather decisive voice vote.

--8 was also sponsored by the individual from St. Matthew’s Westerville. It called on the national church to withdraw from property lawsuits against congregations wishing to withdraw from the church. A relatively unusual motion to withdraw the motion from consideration was proposed and approved by a 2/3 vote, so the motion itself was never debated or voted on.

--9 was another from St. Matthew’s. It urged all dioceses and Bishops to “receive and accept the Windsor Report” from the Anglican Communion which addressed sexuality. Opponents argued that the national church and dioceses through the recent Bishops’ meeting in New Orleans have addressed the report and that this resolution appeared to put the Diocese on record as endorsing positions many would not accept. This resolution inspired an alternate, presented from the floor. The alternate resolution commended the House of Bishops for its response to the Windsor Report and expressed hope in the recent dialogue within the Anglican Communion. It endorsed “the listening process called for in the Windsor Report”. The substitute motion was approved.

--10 was also presented from the floor of the convention. It called on the diocese and churches to study ways to address the special needs of veterans and active duty military personnel returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was approved.

In other actions, a budget of $3,777,023 for 2008 was approved. The Trustees’ report on the William Cooper Proctor Fund was received.

Continuing the theme of listening, on Saturday the Convention broke up into several smaller groups to discuss various questions before the Diocese. Key issues were Christian formation, Transparency, Leadership and Connection.

In his concluding address, Bishop Breidenthal announced diocesan conferences on Christian formation (on February 23rd) and Mission (on May 3rd).

Respectfully submitted,
Cleve Callison (with help from Karen, Jenny, Dick and Ginger)

 

for Parishioners and Friends
of Holy Trinity Oxford
February 1–3, 2008
The Convent of the Transfiguration—Glendale.

Once a year in mid-winter parishioners and friends have the opportunity to spend a weekend in silence with others from Holy T at a community of Episcopal sisters, The Convent of the Transfiguration, near Tri-County. The Guest House Beth-Anna has once again been reserved for our use. The suggested time for the retreat begins at Evensong, 5 p.m., followed by supper on Friday, and ends after breakfast, about 9 a.m., on Sunday. Three meals are served Saturday. A later departure on Sunday is also possible. Accommodations are available for men and women. The suggested donation is $30.00 per night for lodging and meals.

Possible activities include participation in the Daily Office. Not to worry—a sister is always willing to keep you on the right page. Guests are welcome to use the library, borrow books and read in their rooms or any quiet sitting space in the convent and guesthouse. The convent grounds and neighborhood of Glendale provide ample places to walk. Just silently being is also encouraged.

January 26th is the date by which the Sisters would like to know the number of participants and how many places to set for each of the five meals. There is always some flexibility for a few last-minute decisions.

To the eyes and ears of you who have not attended a silent retreat, this may sound a bit much, or not enough. Please know I’m ready to share more information and answer your questions at any time. Just call 523-8614. Let me know which meals you will want to eat with the group.

-Kathleen Carels

With smiles on our faces, Gene and I came to Holly Trinity. The choir was rehearsing—not just a choir, but real choir with a superb director and excellent organist. As the liturgy progressed, we continued to smile at one another. We smiled on the way home, too, in thanksgiving for the wonderful greetings of welcome we received after the service.

We established our pew right behind Ginger and Dick and in front of Mary Melvin. Gene began his chemo treatments and we settled into life at Holy Trinity. The chemo was soon proven to be ineffective and was stopped. At this point I convinced Gene that he should do what he love to do so much. He had been singing in Episcopal choirs since age nine as a boy soprano at St. James’s in NYC. Gene approached Bill with a request to sing just rehearsals but was immediately encouraged to sing any services he felt able to do. Thus began our love affair with the choir. We both attended rehearsals regularly—Gene beaming and I hovering with water and available pain meds. After one serious reaction to his pain meds, the choir came to our home, packed themselves into our bedroom, and sang a favorite anthem and carols. Gene lay in bed, eyes closed, mouthing all of the words. There was not a dry eye in the household.As my love approached death, Karen brought weekly communion and more food, cards, visits, phone messages, and flowers poured into our home. After Gene’s death, my HT family took me to Jungle Jims, Krogers, gas stations … anything to get me out of the house and functioning.

After my recent surgery the Holy Trinity angels were out in force once again. This time with more beautiful flowers, visits, cards, hom communion, the very best soups in the world and even a picnic in bed, complete with checkered tablecloth and warm apple crisp.

We came as strangers in your midst and you welcomed us and loved us. What a great tribute to the Christian spirit of Holy Trinity. You express a constant presence of love and peacefulness in a world of turmoil … You are the living saints of Oxford, and Gene and I thank you.

Dorothy Samter

Annette and Ed Tomarken's beautifully maintained owner-occupied home in NW corner of Oxford's Square Mile. 3 BR, 1 1/2 baths, large landscaped garden, new roof, water heater, A/C, kitchen renovated 2 years ago, repainted inside and out within past 4 years, hardwood floors, working fireplace, and many other features. $289,000. We leave for 18 months in Luxembourg in December, but our home will not be vacant until May, 2008, so you do not have to plan a move over Christmas!

If you have questions or would like to view the house, please  call (513)-523-2425 or e-mail Annette Tomarken at: tomarkah@muohio.edu.

6 Kelly Hansel
7 Sarah Michael
9 Mike Stahr
11 Bill Bausano, Rob Thomas
12 Barbara Pontius, Erica Dierling
15 Dianne Hutchinson
16 Barbara McCabe, Jeanne Bassett
18 Ed Demske
20 Doug Hamilton, Morgan Stahr (2003)
21 Phyllis Hollenbaugh
22 Brent Bartels, Margaret Miller
23 Al Lindsey
24 Katie Hamilton (1998)
25 Mary Sue Houk
27 Rebecca Lukens
28 Mary Callison
29 Tony Terrell, Nicholas Morton (2005)

15 Bob & LaVerne Pruden
24 Barbara & Jim Reid
27 Warren & Bonnie Mason
30 Jeannine & Brian Dobson

The Triad is published monthly by

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
25 E. Walnut Street
Oxford, OH 45056
(513)523-7559; fax (513) 523-8086
e-mail: htoffice-at-nuvox.net (email address altered to foil spammers)
website: http://members.nuvox.net/~on.holyt/

The Rev. Karen Burnard, Rector
Susan Kay, Senior Warden
Karl Schilling, Junior Warden
Frank Jordan, Organist
Wiliam Bausano, Choir Director
Steve Elliott, Treasurer
Ruth Lindsey, Clerk of the Vestry

Jackie Engelhard, Parish Secretary (htoffice-AT-woh.rr.com)

Vestry:

Al Lindsey
Gary Martin
Lila Mason
Mike McVey
Neil Poppendeck
Judy Shaw
Rob Thomas
Diana Uhlman
Eleanore Vail

Newly elected: Barbara Hamilton, Glenn Julian, and Oliver Mogga

Robert Benson, Acolyte Coordinator
Frank Jordan, Organist
William Bausano, Choir Director
Steven Elliott, Treasurer
Jackie Engelhard, Parish Secretary

--, Christian Education Director

Pre-school (ages 3-6) Church School:
Barbara Hamilton, Anita Atkinson

Elementary (age 7-8th Grade):
Susan Fortney Harlan, Parker Moore, Kathy McCabe, Mila Ganeva

High School Youth Group:
tba

Panama Experience:
Anita Atkinson

Mary Fahnestock-Thomas, editor
(comments and corrections welcome at 513-523-6235, at the Church office and thomasrj-at-muohio.edu [address altered to foil spammers)

Deadline for January: December 20