Summer Turns to Fall – Busy Times at Your Cathedral!
The summer of 2024 was quite hectic! We hosted two summer camps: Urban Promise and Blue Mountain Music. Thanks to Sean McFadden, Georgia Koenig and the Urban Promise Team, and to Sherri Anderson and her team. Our young people were engaged in lots of meaningful activities.
In terms of property work, many thanks to Irene Sanz and the Landscaping Committee, and for the faithful support from congregation and staff. The grounds held up under a blistering summer sun. Thanks to Mike Raab for the focus on continued repair and cleaning of the gutters on our facilities.
We have also identified the source of a major water leak in the high altar area of the Sanctuary, and steps are being taken to have those repairs done. Once completed, we will work on having the inner walls restored. Dr. Kerry Heimann was able to make great headway on acquiring an organ console for a fraction of the purchase price – 1/10 of the cost of a brand new one – to replace our present console that is in pretty bad shape.
This summer we also utilized the services of Rob Bullington and Pete Cornell to continue to upgrade our sound system and livestreaming capabilities. We hosted the Julian Bowen Academy from Barbados for a concert featuring about thirty young performers, mostly from Barbados.
The Ministry to Hamilton Grove Care and Rehabilitation Center is once again in full swing. Thanks to Larry Spears, Kimme Carlos and The Rev. Julia McKeon for their service. This fall Althia Muse and Pat Atkins will be working with several families to get our young persons prepared for Confirmation in the spring of 2025.
We are in full preparation mode for our major annual fundraiser, the George E. Councell Memorial Golf Outing and Pickleball Challenge! This year, celebrating its 20th Anniversary on October 14th at Mercer Oaks golf course. We are once again grateful for the faithful and dynamic leadership of La’Tonya Johnson and her intrepid and hardworking volunteers. If sporting activities are not your thing, please be sure to join us for the dinner reception at 4:00pm.
On October 19th from 5 – 7:00pm at the Watershed Institute (31 Titus Mill Rd., Pennington NJ) Stretto Youth Orchestra/Blue Mountain Festival will host an Inaugural Gala. Honorees are Evan Shieh (Alumni Achievement Award) and the Very Rev. René John (Service Leadership Award.)
The African Festival returns to Trinity Cathedral on October 26th. Gaw Jones and his hardworking team are promising this will be a fun and enjoyable event with excellent music, food and entertainment from the motherland.
I’m confident the importance of our upcoming Presidential election, as well as elections for other offices, is weighing heavily on you. Please plan to exercise your civic duty and pray for our nation. To the extent that you feel comfortable, please encourage others to do likewise.
Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States, in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Faithfully,
The Very Reverend René John, Dean