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Who is That Celebrity Chef?

Shhhhhh! We have tried to keep the lid on, but word is slowly getting out. This year’s visiting Celebrity Chef is someone near and dear to the Diocese. A graduate of Culinary Institute of America (C.I.A.); an accomplished chef in his own right with experiences ranging from being a personal chef to managing large-scale food services operations for several companies, as well as the U.S. Army. He will tempt our taste buds this year with an array of passed hors d'œuvres and a choice of three entree selections:

 Seared Salmon Steak with Celery Root Mash &Swiss Chard with tomato concasse’

Roasted Rack of Lamb with mint Oil Drizzle, Quinoa Pilaf & buttered Asparagus

Wild Mushroom Risotto with White Truffle Oil Essence

Maybe you joined us last year at our 2009 Celebrity Chef Dinner, or perhaps heard about the evening that included a Cajun dinner, entertainment, wonderful fellowship and the grand finale of our “50/50” campaign. It was certainly an evening for celebration, as we raised more than $9,000 for Trinity’s hunger and poverty outreach ministries. Please consider joining us this year’s celebration as we strive to do more!

With the funds raised last year, we were able to replace the deteriorated stoves and ovens that served the Cathedral for more than 70 years. We provided supplemental food purchases that were distributed by our volunteers to the growing line of individuals who visit our food pantry twice a month. Welcome packets were also distributed during the Christmas and Easter seasons to children and adolescents in the community. 

We are pleased to report that our ever-increasing efforts in reaching out to our community members have helped to strengthen the safety net for some of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters, as well as making us a stronger congregation. This year’s Celebrity Chef Dinner and proceeds from the “50/50” raffle will be used to continue the ministries for our outreach missions. 

It is our prayer that you will continue to assist us in this mission, as the job is not complete; therefore we invite you to join us on September 18, 2010 from 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM as we enjoy our 2010 Celebrity Chef Dinner and this year’s “50/50” campaign grand finale.

Please complete and return an order form TODAY and let us know your dinner selection and how many raffle tickets you need! We are planning a festive evening, full of wonderful fellowship, food and entertainment. Make your reservations today! We look forward to seeing you.

         For additional questions and/or raffle tickets, please contact Debbie Raab at debbieraab@verizon.net, or through our parish administrator at (609) 392-3805 extension 100.  

Outreach Commission Offers Additional Program

 By Clara Gregory and Janet Thompson

Due to the continued rise in unemployment and underemployment nationwide, the United States Department of Agriculture on October 1, 2008 introduced the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the federal food stamp program. This new program reflects changes made to highlight the needs of clients, including a focus on nutrition and an increase in benefit amounts.

To receive SNAP benefits, households must satisfy certain criteria in the following areas:

• Resources
• Income
• Deductions
• Employment Requirements
• Special Rules for the Elderly and Disabled
• Immigrant Eligibility

During the month of October 2010, members and volunteers of the Outreach Commission will be able to screen and submit applications for individuals that may qualify for SNAP and receive an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card. This EBT card can be used to purchase fresh produce and groceries. If you are unemployed or underemployed, you may qualify for this program or know of others that may qualify.

Brochures and pamphlets outlining the qualifications will be available in late September and located throughout the Cathedral. All applications are confidential. We thank the following individuals that have taken the first step in being trained to provide this service: Virginia Harmer, William Harmer, Dulce Lawton, Clara Gregory and Debbie Raab. If you wish to volunteer your service for this much needed program, please contact Patrice D’Angelo, our Parish Administrator at (609) 392-3805 extension 100. 

Major Chapter Forms Accessibility Committee

At its May meeting, the Major Chapter of the Cathedral formed a committee to plan for and implement improvements to our Cathedral buildings so that they will be accessible for people with disabilities. The members are Ellen Wry, Clara Gregory, and Deb Raab from the Cathedral, and The Rev. Deborah Piggins and Ms. Donna Devlin, both members of the Chapter from other parishes.

The committee has surveyed the Cathedral property and noted the many areas that are impossible for those with physical disabilities to reach. It began its survey with an excellent study done a few years ago by Bernard McMullan, chair of our Property and Maintenance Commission.

There are three main areas of focus as the committee begins its work: creating a longterm plan, setting priorities for access improvements, and finding funding sources outside the Cathedral so that the improvements will not need to be paid for out of the Cathedral budget. Priorities will be set by looking at how frequently an area is used, who uses it, what changes could be made to make it more accessible, and what the changes would cost. And under the guidance of committee member Deborah Piggins, who has had experience with grant writing, the group will be spending some time researching possible grant sources and eventually applying for grants.

Right now, the committee has set two priorities. It will soon be purchasing a portable ramp to provide wheelchair access from the main part of the chancel into the sanctuary so that clergy and lay people with disabilities can serve at the altar. And it is investigating the possibility of installing a wheelchair lift to allow access up the stairs to the Guild Room and the rest of the education wing. 

The committee would welcome anyone with an interest in accessibility or the knowledge of the grant process to join us. This will be a longterm process, and we would be grateful to share this important ministry with anyone who is interested. Our parish’s mission includes a commitment to welcoming everyone, and we hope that this new ministry will help us to do just that. Interested? Call Ellen Wry at (609) 695-4372 or E-mail her at ellentwry@gmail.com or speak with any of the other members.

Position Vacancy

Executive Director sought for Interfaith Caregivers Trenton (ICT), a non-profit organization located in Mercer County, New Jersey. ICT, in conjunction with a coalition of local faith congregations, promotes the independence and dignity of the homebound elderly and disabled by matching them with volunteers who assist with tasks of everyday living. Volunteers are organized and trained through the member congregations. 

A dedicated and experienced professional is sought for this challenging and rewarding position.  Qualification requirements are:

• ·        B.A. or B.S. degree (in a human services related field of study a plus)

• ·        Three or more years management experience

• ·        Proven fundraising experience

• ·        Strong interpersonal, communications and networking skills

• ·        Budgeting and finance experience

• ·        Other preferences include non-profit experience, experience working with the elderly, and volunteer management experience.

Looking to fill the position in early September.  Send letter of interest and resume to:

Rosemary D. Durkin, Chair
993 Lenox Drive, 1st Floor
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
E-mail:  rdurkin@stark-stark.com

Information on Interfaith Caregivers Trenton is available at www.interfaithcaregiverstrenton.org.

The Healthier Heart Farmers Market at Trinity Cathedral 

By Clara Gregory and Charles McIntire 

The Healthier Heart Farmers Market at Trinity Cathedral reopened on Thursday, June 24, 2010. Our opening theme, “A Blueberry Festival” was well received with more than 100 participants attending throughout the day. Lunch included an array of desserts made with fresh blueberries and a wonderful cooking demonstration by Charles McIntire. Seventy-five pints of blueberries were donated by our farmer, Judee Dificcio as well as eco-friendly bags donated by our Sustainability Commission. 

At the market, we continue to offer Jersey Fresh fruit and vegetables, weekly health screenings, educational literature and health forums. Dr. Phil Lewis, facilitated a forum entitled, “The Wondrous Astonishing You,” that was well received by the participants. Staff of the Mercer County Office on Aging continues to qualify and issue $20.00 Senior Farmers Market Checks to seniors that meet the income requirements. 

What's new at the Market this year?

A beautiful sign, acknowledging our Market was hand-painted and donated by Ruth Councell, Chairperson of Episcopal Church and the Visual Arts (ECVA). Bernard McMullan, Chairperson of our Property and Maintenance Commission, designed and constructed a mobile platform for the sign. 

Three additional faithful volunteers joined us this summer.  We are grateful to welcome Winifred Daniels, Dulcie Lawton and Debbie Raab.    

According to the NJ Department of Agriculture, Judee Dificcio is listed as one of the “14 farmers” in the State of New Jersey that can accept Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to purchase fresh produce.  SNAP was formerly known as the food stamp program. During 2009, she was listed also as one of the top 10 farmers in New Jersey for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Senior Farmer Market Check redemptions by the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services. 

The Market was relocated from the parking lot to the corner of West State and Overbrook. This visible location has made a great difference in the number of weekly shoppers. 

New Jersey Celebrates Farmers Market Week – August 1 – 7, 2010 

On July 29, 2010 the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture, Douglas H. Fisher announced Farmers Market Week, August 1 to 7, 2010 by issuing a challenge to New Jerseyians to eat local. We were one of the two Markets selected by Nora Muchanic of Channel 6 ABC Action News that was aired on the 6:00 PM news program on Monday, August 2, 2010. In Nora’s broadcast, she indicated that our market “takes Jersey Fresh a step further.” 

The following chart shows “When to find fruit and vegetables in New Jersey.” Remember eating in season is not only healthier but its cheaper! 

To download and print a registration form for individual golfers and teams, click here.

For our sponsorship form, click here.

For our program book advertiser form, click here.

Trinity Partners With Trenton Area Soup Kitchen to Open West Ward Satellite Site

Outstanding news! Trinity Cathedral has partnered with another local community service organization, the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK), to offer a location to provide dinners to our many neighbors who need assistance. Each Thursday, from 5:00 to 6:30 pm, hot, nutritious meals will be served in Synod Hall, or guests can take their dinner packaged “to go”.  TASK and Trinity volunteers will staff the operation, which got off to a great start on July 16 - all 100 meals were distributed

You may have heard of TASK’s main location on Escher Street. But there are thousands of people in Trenton who either do not own a car, or otherwise cannot make it to the facility. In 2003, TASK first partnered with the First Baptist Church in Trenton’s South Ward, to start the South Trenton Soup Kitchen Satellite. In 2004, the program was expanded to include three evening meals each week. In 2007, a fourth night of service was added at a new location, the Divine Mercy parish. In 2008, TASK served 20,320 meals through the South Trenton Satellite Meal Program.

From 2008 – 2009, TASK piloted an additional satellite site in the West Ward. But during the pilot year, participation was well below what they expected, though prior studies suggested that the need in the West Ward was similar to that in the South Ward. TASK temporarily closed the West Trenton Soup Kitchen to search for a more accessible location for the people that needed their meal service. In April of 2009, Dennis Micai, TASK’s Executive Director, met with Dean René John and discussed the possibility of bringing the program here. Of course, the Dean enthusiastically accepted; “eradicating extreme poverty and hunger” is one of the 10 Millennium Development Goals adopted by the Episcopal Church.

So, once each Thursday evening, hot, nutritious meals will be prepared and packaged at TASK and delivered to our satellite site. Whenever possible, TASK keeps food costs down by purchasing through the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank (where Trinity’s Food Pantry also obtains much of its food) and making extensive use of food donated by the public, area organizations, corporations and farmers. TASK makes a concerted effort to serve fresh fruits and vegetables with every meal.

If you would like to volunteer to help out on one or more Thursday evenings, please speak with Dean John. We are proud to partner with the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen!

Credits to the “Taste of TASK” newsletter article from which this background information was obtained.    

Service Schedule and Office Hours

We are currently observing our Summer Sunday and weekday service schedule:

Rite I in All Saints' Chapel at 8:00 am

Rite II in the Cathedral at 10:00 am

Igbo-language (Nigerian service) in All Saints' Chapel at 12:30 pm

The Wednesday Healing Eucharist is on break for the summer and will resume on September 15. 

Our summer office hours are 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Curious?
Try a Yoga Class at Trinity!

          We are proud to be hosting Yoga classes every Wednesday evening from 6:15 to 7:15 pm. Carol Robinson, a Yoga and Pilates instructor and friend of Trinity Cathedral, has graciously agreed to offer classes to both parishioners and guests, for only $7 each.  She is contributing 10% of all proceeds back to the Cathedral.  The classes have earned rave reviews from the parishioners who are "regulars" each week.

          The health and fitness benefits of yoga have long been reported by practitioners and are now being confirmed by scientific research.  The benefits of yoga include improved flexibility and strength, weight management, stress relief and a calm and focused mind.  Give yoga a try and discover what it can do for your body, your mind, and your soul.  Join us to begin or continue your yoga practice - all levels of experience are welcomed! Call (609) 392-3805 ext. 100 for more information.