E-News!

He Is Risen!  Alleluia!   Fifth Sunday of Easter

Bob, Roxy, Katie, Christine and Pr. Tom at Dia De Los Muertos.   This Sunday we celebrate and say goodbye to Katie and Christine as they complete their time here at First Trinity.  Katie is going on to her internship in Minnesota, and Christine will be graduating from LSTC on May 17, and getting married in June. We will also be celebrating our own Bob Leone's first 10 years at First Trinity with a piano dedication and taco party after church.  Many of you know that Bob holds a weekly Books to Prisoners group and he pays for most of the postage out of his pocket.  We are asking those who can to make a donation to Books to Prisoners during the party.  $5 covers a letter and books to a person in prison, $10 can send as many as three packages.  Please help Bob in whatever way you can; including books, packing supplies and prayers.  The most requested books are dictionaries and books about prisoners rights/law.

This Sunday This Sunday's image of how the risen Christ shares his life with us is the image of the vine. Christ the vine and we the branches are alive in each other, in the mystery of mutual abiding that we read of in the gospel and the first letter of John. Baptism makes us a part of Christ's living and life-giving self and makes us alive with Christ's life. As the vine brings food to the branches, Christ feeds us at his table. We are sent out to bear fruit for the life of the world. Readings: Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 22:25-31, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 Other News I have some exciting news!  We've talked about this at our annual meeting and in other conversations, but now it's happening:  We are updating some of the lighting in the community center. Read more on our blog! Want to know who's going to be interning at First Trinity next year?  Check it out!   Clay day was a blast!  Look for information about The Art Bowl coming soon. Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm!  Come by the God's Closet Yard "Sale" and help us clear out some of the overstock!   We can use helpers, shoppers and visitors!  Everything is still free... except: The kid's will be selling lemonade, crafts and baked goods to help pay for their trip to camp and beautiful weather is expected.

Energy Updates

I have some exciting news!  We've talked about this at our annual meeting and in other conversations, but now it's happening:  We are updating some of the lighting in the community center.  This includes new fixtures in the kitchen, bathroom, chapel and auditorium.  We can expect to save over $600 per year on energy costs and 5684 Kilowatt Hours per year.

According to the EPA by reducing 5,684 Kilowatt Hours Per Year we will reduce the production and emission of the following pollutants: (emissions are in pounds per year) Carbon Dioxide Emissions 12,789 Sulphur Dioxide Emissions 99 Nitrogen Oxide Emissions 47.  That's awesome! 

Here is how this works: a few weeks back Tom Fashing and I took Mike Stanch from Energy Solutions International  on a tour of our buildings and provided him with copies of energy bills.  Mike made his recommendations to the synod Environmental Concerns Working Group who approved First Trinity for an interest free loan to cover the upgrades.  First Trinity has been awarded a small loan to pay for the upgrades which we will pay back over time based on the savings that we see from the project.  Part of the project will be covered by an incentive rebate from ComEd.

Anyone interested in seeing the energy audit, or related documents is encouraged to talk to me.  

In a letter explaining the terms of the loan, Ken Westlake, Chair, Environmental Concerns Working Group for MCSELCA said, "We thank your congregation for taking this action to upgrade your energy efficiency and being good stewards of God's creation." Which is exactly what I was thinking :)  

- Rene