The Final Week: Operation Christmas Child
The 2022 edition of Operation Christmas Child draws to a close after this week.
The collection week runs from November 14 to 21. That means this coming Sunday, November 20, is the last Sunday you can drop off your gift shoeboxes at the Church.
If you haven't already done so, come by the Church this week and pick up a shoebox. Put together a special Christmas blessing for a child who needs to experience the love of Jesus.
You can find more information about the shoeboxes and how to prepare a gift package at the OCC website:
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoe-box/
TriLakes Cares Giving Tree
The Tri Lakes Cares (TLC) Giving Tree, which is part of a program that helps underprivileged children and seniors get through the holidays, is standing in our Church lobby and is filled with ornaments.
Pick an “ornament” from the tree and purchase the gift requested on the ornament. Return the gift UNWRAPPED (with the ornament taped on it) to the Church no later than 9 December.
The Giving Tree volunteers at TriLakes Cares will match up the gifts with the requesting families and will have them wrapped and delivered in time for Christmas.
If you have questions or need help, Ryan Paradis is our point of contact for the Giving Tree program. You can reach Ryan at (719) 964-6711.
IMPORTANT COMING DATES
Here are several important dates and events you'll want to mark on your calendars:
Hanging of the Greens: 20 November @ 6 PM
Our annual fellowship gathering to decorate the Church for Advent and Christmas is THIS SUNDAY!! We're “hangin' the Greens” before Thanksgiving this year, because we want all of the decorations in place for the first Sunday of Advent on November 27.
This is a wonderful gathering that you won't want to miss. We share snacks and treats, sing a few carols, entertain the kids with activities, and get all of our holiday decorations in place, including the Christmas tree. We have a special Christmas potluck with everyone bringing their favorite cookies and sweet treats to enjoy while we decorate and fellowship.
The event begins between 5:30 and 6 PM on Sunday evening (November 20) and usually ends around 8 PM. Please join us!!!
Membership Class: 27 November @ 12:30 PM
We will have our final Membership Class of 2022 on November 27 from 12:30 to 3:30 PM at the Church.
The Membership Class reviews the theology and history of Holy Trinity and of Anglicanism in general. This is a comprehensive class on our collective and foundational beliefs, and it offers a look into what membership at HTAC is all about.
Whether you are seeking membership or not, this is an excellent class for learning more about HTAC and is highly recommended for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of our church. It is also a required experience for those wanting to vote as members of the congregation at the annual meeting in January.
Prior reservations are not necessary for this class; however, it would be helpful to know if you intend to participate. Please email Deacon Mark in the Church Office if you plan to attend or if you have any questions.
Contemplative Service: 4 December @ 6:30 PM
As we've done in years past, we will be hosting a special contemplative worship service on Sunday, December 4 in the evening, starting at 6:30 PM. This is a beautiful service, supported by the HTAC Choir and a number of local artists and musicians from the local area. It is a powerful way to enter into and reinforce your Advent mindset.
A SPECIAL CALL FOR ADVENT / CHRISTMAS ART PIECES
Holy Trinity is inviting artists to consider offering visual art pieces for display in the Church during the Advent and Christmas seasons.
We are looking for art that communicates these themes:
Advent: longing for our Messiah, we wait in hope, joy, peace, and love.
Christmas: we rejoice in the mystery and beauty of Christ's Incarnation.
Art pieces will be placed in various spots inside the Church, based on subject matter, size of the piece, and flow of the overall content.
If you have a work of art that you would like to offer for display, please send a photo and a little more information about the piece using the Google form at the link below:
If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to the Church Office or to Terri Moon.
