to Mila Ganeva, for being promoted to Associate Professor and being granted tenure at Miami!

to Laura Poppendeck, for being admitted to graduate study at the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana) with a "full ride"!

Starting in the Lenten season (mid February), our topic will be “Mysticism.”
                  March 2 - Carol Baker
                  March 9 - Islamic Mysticism (Sufism), Rick Colby

Adult Forum normally meets in the Undercroft from 9:15 to 10:15 preceded by tea and coffee at 9:00; however, there will be NO Adult Forum on Palm Sunday (March 16) or Easter (March 23).

at Holy Trinity, 25 E. Walnut, Oxford

Tuesday, Mar. 4, 12:05 pm: A recital of music for violin and piano performed
by violinist Elizabeth Hofeldt and pianist Stephen Phillips.

Tuesday, Mar. 11, 12:05 pm: A recital of music for solo organ performed
by organist Heather MacPhail.

The books for March and April have been switched due to availability; they are
               March 10—     EVERYTHING BELONGS, by Richard Rohr
               April 14—     READING JUDAS, by Elaine Pagels
All discussions take place in the Undercroft at 12 noon.  All the books are or will be available at Follett's Miami Coop.

On Wednesday, March 19, the Midday Music in Oxford series presents a free jazz concert by The Dan Karlsberg Group from Cincinnati. This lively combo is made up of pianist Dan Karlsberg, along with an upright bass player and dummer. The program will begin at 12:00 p.m. at the Oxford Presbyterian Church, 101 N. Main St., in Oxford.  Information:  513-523-6969.

Palm Sunday, 8:00 and 10:30 a.m., Holy Eucharist           
Maundy Thursday, 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday, 12:10 and 7:00 p.m.
Easter Vigil, 8:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

The films that the Cincinnati Earth Institute is showing once a month will now also be shown in Oxford on the first Sunday of the month (except May and June) at 1:30 pm at the Campus Ministry, 16 S. Campus Ave. Discussion is optional. The events are open to the public—bring a friend or two!
The schedule:
March 2..... Episode 1—Journey into New Worlds
April 6..... Episode 2—The Matrix of Life
May 18..... Episode 3—The Fire of Creation (note the different Sunday)
June 8..... Episode 4—Coming Home (note the different Sunday)

The notion of life “slowing down” after Christmas has had little reality within our marvelous community here at Holy Trinity!

*After months of planning, Julian has come and gone. Thanks to so many of you who braved the weather to see the play, and especially to those of you from “town and gown” who helped bring it to Oxford. Special thanks to Julian coordinator Anne Lodge, Anne’s committee, and Holy Trinity’s Adult Forum team.

*The Benefit Bank is now in full swing, counselors from Holy Trinity helping clients scheduled by the Family Resource Center each week. We are grateful to an anonymous donor who gave us computers and printers to make this happen: thank you, good and faithful servant!

*After our January Annual Meeting our new vestry is off and running. Four of us attended our new bishop’s all-day forum on Formation on Saturday, February 23rd. In one participant’s words, “It was exhilarating!” The vestry will hear a report about this at the March meeting.

*Our Tuesday night Lenten program has begun under the able leadership of Carrie Galsworthy and Elizabeth Taylor.

*Between Serve City and our community dinners, we have prepared four dinners since the beginning of January; the fifth is in just three days!

*Adult forums continue on Sundays at 9:15, ever challenging us to think and remember and reflect and feel, as we continue to grow in community at Holy Trinity, living into the full stature of Christ.

*Lenten concerts begin in just two days with our own Rob Thomas sharing his extraordinary gifts. *Next Sunday, March 2, the Social Concerns Committee will present a special movie at 7 p.m. We encourage families and youth to be with us as we view a grass-roots movement centered on the environment (and eat popcorn).

*Don’t miss church March 9th when the youngest among us will share some of their recent Church School projects under the gifted leadership of Ellie Phelps.

*And each evening during Lent you can waltz into the chapel at 5:30 for the tranquil experience of Evening Prayer. One of our officiants is a Miami student, Alan Burke.

*The Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper/Corn-hole Tournament was wonderful, adding $440 to our youth’s June Dominican Republic mission trip fund. *A new Bible class is underway, as is the Inquirers’ class. And our musicians continue to bless us with so much more than “a joyful noise!”

Thanks to all of you who make our life full, rich, meaningful!

In the midst of all this activity we are getting closer to Holy Week. I implore you to keep alert, reading bulletins and Triads and Easter letters/schedules, so that you do not miss a beat of this significant journey. And then…

Alleluia! We stop the Lenten/Holy Week caravan to get off and strike the fire of the Easter Vigil, processing into the church, where we celebrate the magnificent first celebration of Easter. If you have never participated in an Easter vigil, please come and see!
                 Alleluia! Christ is risen!
                 He is risen indeed!
                 Easter blessings to all,
                          Karen+

Please join the Social Justice Committee in viewing the inspiring and informative movie Marching For Climate Change. We will have drinks, snacks and a surprise to take home.

Lenten soup and salad suppers continue on Tuesdays, March 4 and 11.  Carrie Galsworthy and Elizabeth Taylor are the leaders for this series, "Journey to Jerusalem."  In each session we will study three or four Bible readings related to a specific theme. Reading, reflecting, small group interaction, and whole group discussion will be used to analyze and learn from the readings.

Supper will start at 6:00 in the Undercroft, and the one-hour program will begin about 6:30.

On March 30, we will begin a four-week series called “Journeys.” This series is a follow-up to last year’s “Connections” and “Transitions” from two years ago. In each session, one parishioner will talk about his or her faith journey and how that led to becoming part of the Holy Trinity faith community. Judith deLuce will be the speaker on March 30. In April, Oliver Mogga, Susan Kay, and Mila Ganeva will share their stories.

We are very blessed to have a super group of young people who participate in our Church School Program. Thank you to parents who share these great children with us: Kathryn, Ethan, Marty, Ian, Isabel, Sylvia, Victoria, Andrew, and Wagner. Having loved teaching students from kindergarten level to college level for over 25 years and, several years back, having had the benefit of being a member of a wonderful Holy T. Church School Teaching Team (Rosalyn B., Mary B., Linda C.), I find this new teaching experience, even more “icing on the cake”! And—there is no doubt—this group of children is a very deep-thinking, fun, and sensitive group!

Thanks to Laura Harlan, who does a super job of helping; her kind and patient manner is especially helpful when we are up to the rafters in clay, glue, glitter … while the kids work on individual and group projects as we explore the life of Jesus, the prophets and saints, and the meaning of God in our lives. Of course, Mother Karen supports us and enlightens us on our journey, and so many others share their smiles and talents with the children during the year!

Notes:
      -Our Church School class will share our study of some special prophets and saints with a small presentation on Sunday March 9th.
      -I will not teach Church School on March 16th (Palm Sunday), March 23rd (Easter Sunday), or March 30th due to family travel.
       -During April we will spend some time outdoors and focus on some special Bible stories and Christian symbols …

In May I will travel with Ambassadors for Children to Malawi, where we will work in the schools and with the orphans of Mtendere Village. Each traveler will take a 50-pound duffel bag of personal and school supplies for the children. If you would like to contribute supplies or money for this program, please tell me and I’ll give you details about what is needed. For more information, see www.ambassadorsforchildren.org.

The Outreach Commission has decided to split the Easter offering between the youth mission trip to the Dominican Republic and the Choice Food Pantry. The funds that go to the mission trip will be used for supplies to help achieve the work of the trip, and anything beyond that will go directly to the work of the Doan family. The funds given to the Choice Pantry will be part of the $5000 that are the matching funds of the grant given to the Pantry by the Episcopal Community Services Foundation of the Diocese of Southern Ohio. At the time this grant proposal was written (by Dick Lodge and Karen Burnard), it was stated that Holy Trinity would match the grant from the Diocese dollar-for-dollar. The Pantry was fortunate to receive the full amount requested in the grant ($5000). Half of the matching funds ($2500) will come from the portion of the Endowment that is reserved for Outreach, and the Easter offering will go toward the remainder, along with the Christmas offering.

Michelle and Michael Patterson, owners of the Uptown Café, 109 W. High St. (next to UDF), are generously donating 10% of net revenues of receipts on Saturday, March 15th, to the Youth Group Dominican Republic Mission Trip. The Uptown Café is open on Saturday serving breakfast and lunch 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The mission trip to San Pedro de Macoris, Republic Dominicana, where diocesan missionaries Drs. Michael and Anita Dohn and their family, who have been there for 10 years, will give the youth an opportunity to be part of a work project at the Medical Clinic and to see the community-building that is instrumental to such work. The youth will leave June 7th and return June 14th.

Please support our trip by patronizing The Uptown Café on Saturday, March 15th!

And thanks from Geoffrey Blackwell, Laura Harlan, Nora McVey, and Stephanie McCabe

We have been very busy these last two dinners; we are especially in need of laundry detergent, garbage bags, facial tissue, dishwashing liquid. And of course we always need toilet paper and paper towels. No time to shop? Give us some cash or a check and we’ll do it for you! As always, thank you for your generosity!

—Geoff and Judith

 

“Dear Ms. Schmitt & Friends,

Thank you so much for your generous contribution of $220.00 to PARACHUTE: Butler County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). Your donation will be used to recruit, train, and provide support for CASA volunteers as they serve the abused, neglected, and abandoned children in Butler County … 

      Sincerely,
      Ms. Chris Schultz
      Executive Director”

“Dear Mrs. Schmitt,

The staff, board, and volunteers of the YWCA [‘eliminating racism, empowering women’] thank you very much for your recent donation of $550. Your generous gift will help us to improve the lives of many women, children, and families in Butler County. You kindness helps to strengthen the whole community …

      Sincerely,
      Sibyl A. Miller, Executive Director”
            [daughter-in-law of Bill & Bessie]

Why are so many Ohioans—including children, women, and veterans—homeless? What are the practical things we can do to overcome it? Join us for the Unsheltered Life conference organized by St. John’s Columbus at Procter Conference Center on March 15. The day-long retreat, co-sponsored by the national Jubilee Ministries Office and ECSF, draws on the huge success of last year’s Columbus Deanery Lenten program. Hear testimony from people currently or recently homeless, learn about the factors fuelling this crisis, and experience a powerful simulation of living on the streets. Reflect, pray, and hone personal and congregational action plans. Anyone already involved in ministry to the homeless is encouraged to bring displays or handouts. To register, go to the ECSF website,

www.ecsfsouthernohio.org

and choose the link at the top of the home page. Mail the form with a $20 check payable to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1003 W. Town St., Columbus, OH 43222. Questions? Call the Rev. Lee Anne Reat at 614-221-9328

Midwinter prayer for the homeless: Oh Lord, born without shelter, protect those homeless in these bitter winter nights—among them children, battered women, veterans, and the mentally ill. Open the eyes and kindle the courage of all your people to aid them towards a safe and permanent home. Bless Street Church, IHN, Shalom, the Greenhouse, and all the other ministries of churches in our diocese to those without a home.

 

The Oxford Senior Center will be open on Monday evenings until 7:30 p.m. beginning Monday, March 17, 2008. This will serve four purposes: 1) provide transportation for those who wish to visit the Choice Pantry; 2) allow members access to the center to socialize; 3) give opportunity to people who do not drive to go to an early movie, eat an early dinner, shop, or visit; 4) provide periodic “educational courses” at the Center to encourage the public to come and use it. Oxford Senior Center’s transportation is available for people 60 years or older and/or disabled of any age on a donation basis. The suggested donation for a one-way trip is $1.50. You do not have to be a member of the Senior Center to use the transportation service. It is asked that rides be arranged at least 24 hours in advance, which can be done by calling 513-523-1717.

The extended transportation hours will be staffed by volunteers. If anyone is interested in becoming a driver or a dispatcher, please contact Joan Potter-Sommer at 513-523-8100. There is training involved for both of these volunteer positions.

It only costs $12/year for adults 50 years and older to enjoy the benefits of Oxford Senior Center’s membership. Paid members receive a monthly newsletter and access to the programs and activities held at and sponsored by the Senior Center. For more information about becoming a member or to obtain a registration form, call 513-523-8100.

Lastly, not only will we offer the first evening transportation on Monday, March 17, we will also be sponsoring a gardening program entitled “Easy Grid Gardening.” This program will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and the suggested donation to help cover the cost is $3 to $5 per person. Reserve your spot for this class by calling 513-523-8100.

Any questions can be directed to Joan Potter-Sommer, Executive Director of Oxford Senior Citizens.

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

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Anton was smiling and animatedly describing the activities of the local neighborhood council in Punto Pescadero, but his eyes looked sad. Anton is council president.

We were talking to Anton as part of the evaluation of various neighborhoods for health promoter projects over the next three years. We visited eight communities or neighborhoods in the process. Mostly, the community leaders were receptive. They talked about their neighborhoods’ situations openly and sincerely.

Punto Pescadero is large. It is part of the city of San Pedro de Macorís, but is on the other side of the river. Anton described the council’s accomplishments such as 95% of people having convenient access to water (not safe for consumption, but at least water), organized sports programs for young people, and smoothing-out the holes in the dirt streets.

The sad part began as Anton talked about the “barrios marginales” (essentially “marginal neighborhoods” surrounding their own suburban neighborhood) for which the Punto Pescadero neighborhood council feels responsible. Those areas do not have access to water nor any other utilities. The entire Punto Pescadero neighborhood has no public health clinic or any kind of pharmacy. Anton related that the council gets no help from the municipal government and is more-or-less on its own.

Anton finds conditions depressing, but is working to make things better for his neighbors. In some ways his motivation is the same as ours: he is a Christian and feels a call to serve his neighborhood and improve conditions.

We can begin our work in two neighborhoods now, two more later in the year, and several more next year. Punto Pescadero will not be one of the first neighborhoods we choose; it is too big and will take some advance planning. And this makes us a little sad, too.

Keep praying, Michael

This new feature in the Triad will provide information and ideas to raise our environmental consciousness and help us demonstrate our commitment to being a Green Church.

We invite members of  the parish to share environmental concerns and offer helpful suggestions, resource materials, useful quotations, etc. Send your ideas and concerns to the Environmental Stewardship Team c/o Jackie at the office, or call Jane Strippel at 523-5533.

In the next Triad we will include “Things You Can Do to Help Stop Global Warming” and some resources to help understand the climate change issue. In the meantime, don’t miss the inspirational movie Marching for Action on Climate Change, with Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature and Deep Economy—March 2nd, complete with popcorn and other goodies.

Food for Thought:
“We are entering an age in which environmental crises and related issues of justice will dominate our life together on this planet. If the church is to be relevant in the world, then the church and its academic underpinnings need to get moving.”
from “The Green Gospel,” by Katherine M. Preston, writer and workshop leader on creation awareness and care (see Sojourner Magazine, Sept./Oct. 2007).

and more food for thought:

Begin to knit, and God will show you the pattern
and give you the yarn.
—adapted from a German proverb by Kent Ira Groff
Please note: Dorothy Samter is coordinating Holy T’s prayer shawl ministry.

Directions for Knitting a Shawl.

1. Decide what size needles you will use. Size 11 will create a slightly denser shawl and the K3 pattern will be more noticeable. Conversely, size 13 will create a slightly looser, less definable pattern. You may use circular or straight needles depending sollely upon your preference.
            Approximate finished sizes, not counting fringe, are
                        26” x 60” on size 11 needles and
                        30” x 64” on size 13 needles.

2. Select your yarn (make sure all skeins have the same dye lot number!). Suggested brands include
            -Lion Brand Homespun (available at JoAnn Fabrics and Michael’s). This brand tends to ravel when cut. Fringe will need to be knotted at its ends.
            -Caron’s Fascination (no dye lot)
            -Bernat Bouclé
            -Lion Brand Jiffy. You will need 5–6 skeins of this yarn.
            You might select a yarn for its color, for its texture, or for its name. Most shawls can be knit with 3 skeins of yarn that are 6 ounces (170 grams) and 185 yard (166.5 meters) each. Check the yardage listed on a skein to ensure you will have enough. You may wish to make a larger shawl, especially if it is for a person of size. To make a large shawl, simply buy and use more yarn (usually 1 skein).

3. Cast On. Cast on 57 stitches for size 13 needles, 63 stitches for size 11 needles. The pattern is K3, P3 every row. This means that you will always begin with K3 and end with K3. Other numbers of stitches may be cast on (57, 63, 69, 75, 81). Onece your first row is done, you knit the purls and purl the knits!! The shawl should not look like ribbing!! Follow this pattern until you have one skein remaining; at that point, measure the amount you need for fringe, cut it, and set it aside. The knit the yarn remaining in the last skein until the shawl is conplete.
            A lap blanket for men is an alternative. In this case you will cast on 87 stitches (size 13 needles). This will create a blanket that is approximately 45” wide. Use the K3, P3 pattern, beginning and ending each row with Knit 3. You may wish to use r skeins for a lap blanket.

4. Make Fringe. Fringe is an individual thing. It can be long or short. You can put a single piece of fringe through every stitich, or you can use several strands of yarn for fringe that is placed in every 3rd stitch. Some people tie or sew beads to fringe, especially if the shawl is for a child. Whatever you decide, her is what you do:
            Decide how long you want the fringe. Because it is doubled when you fasten it to the shawl, you cut cut the fringe twice the disired hanging length. For 6” fringe, each strand must be 12” long; for 12” fringe, cut pieces 24”, and so on.
            For standard fringe, cut as many lengths as you have stitches on your needles. Remember to Knot Lion Brand Homespun Yarn as you cut it. Reserve fringe until you have finished knitting the shawl.

5. Finish the shawl. Attach the inside end of the remaining yarn to your shawl and continue knitting until all the yarn is used up or until you have achieved the desired length.

6. Attach the fringe. Double the yarn and, using a small crochet hook, pull the loop through the stitch; insert the ends of the fringe through the loop and pull tight, creating a knot.

7. Knot the fringe. If you have not already knotted the ends of the fringe, you may do so now. You may also add beads or charms to the fringe at theis time.

8. Give away your shawl. If you are making the shawl for a particular person, you may want to include the history of the shawl ministry and a prayer. Many people wrap the shawl in tissue paper, include a sachet and a written blessing or prayer, and tie it with a piece of leftover yarn.

This text is adapted from Knitting into the Mystery: A Guide to the Shawl-Knitting Ministry, written by Susan S. Jorgensen and Susan S. Izard, who adapted their text from the original text written by Victoria A. Cole-Galo and Janet Bristow © 2002.

See also www.shawlministry.com

After many years of looking, I just found an organizer for my earrings, and as I was organizing them, I kept finding yet another pair I probably will never wear again. And I wondered if there are other women in the church who could use a similar organizer and who have some earrings to hand on to someone else. So I thought: We could have an earring exchange in April, maybe in the Undercroft, where participants pay $20 and bring their extras, and for that they receive an organizer like the one I have and an opportunity to trade around.

The proceeds could go to the Youth Mission Trip. Anyone interested? Anyone have a better idea? Then please e-mail Mary at fahnestockthomas(at)verizon.net or call her at 513-523-6235.

3 Gary Martin
6 Mary Catherine Dowd
7  Judy Shaw, Jim Wilson
12 Jane Gross
14 Michael Patterson
17 Caitlin Bausano
19 Carol Baker
21 Cathy McVey, Mary Cayton, Barbara Reid
22 Kathy Ferguson
26 Suzanne Church, Dorothy Samter
28 Laura Harlan
29 David Ferguson
30 Warren Mason, Susan Fortney-Harlan, Diana Uhlman
31 Dick Lodge

1 Susan & Steve Macklin
13 Fred & Lila Mason
22 Margo & Carty Ellis

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
Carty Ellis, Senior Warden
Diana Uhlman, Junior Warden
Frank Jordan, Organist
Wiliam Bausano, Choir Director
Steve Elliott, Treasurer
Jack Slouthar, Assistant Treasurer
Ruth Lindsey, Clerk of the Vestry

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

Vestry as of 1/20/08:

Chris Church
Barbara Hamilton
Glenn Julian
Anne Lodge
Lila Mason
Oliver Mogga
Dick Nault
Judy Shaw
Chris Taylor

--, 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 April 2008: March 20

Remember that Vestry decided not to have its minutes printed in the Triad, given its wide extra-parish distribution. If you would like a copy, look in the Narthex and/or the Bishop's Foyer. (Of course, if you can't get to church, just call the office to have one mailed to you.)