NOTE: CORONAVIRUS PROTECTION MEASURES IN PLACE.
SERVICES BEING CONDUCTED ONLINE ONLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
CONCERNING THE CURRENT COVID-19 VIRUS PANDEMIC AND PREVENTATIVE MEASURES ENACTED AT HOLY TRINITY CHURCH: Until further notice, parishioner attendance at services is not permitted. please continue to participate in worship by attending online only at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/live. We will continue our full schedule of Sunday and weekday services as published in the Herald and listed on our website calendar. For the latest information on coronavirus measures at Holy Trinity Church, visit https://www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/coronavirus.
Welcome to Holy Trinity Church's Live Video and Audio Broadcast Ministry
Whether you are unable to attend Liturgy today due to church closures, you are home-bound or are watching from an area where there is no church nearby, it is our joy to be able to welcome you into the worship life of Holy Trinity Church. Today we are blessed to worship from our Saint George Chapel. For a complete list of Sunday and weekday services, please see our online calendar at HolyTrinityPgh.org/calendar.
REPEAT REQUEST: PLEASE Send Stories and Photos of Your Holy Week “Church of the Home!” for the Herald!
Holy Week was certainly different this year, wasn’t it? Certainly not what we expected! But it also held many special blessings for people as they gathered with their families, sometimes for more services than they would have otherwise attended. How about sharing that experience? Please consider two requests:
- Our Holy Week Story: Please consider sending a paragraph or two about your Holy Week at the “Church of the Home” experience. Share the special blessings, challenges, stories and lessons you found in this never-before-experienced way of preparing for and celebration the Holy Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- Our Holy Week Photos: If you took pictures of your household gathered for worship, meals or celebrations, please consider sending some of those in as well.
These submissions will be considered for a “collector’s edition” (translation: “may this never happen again!”) of the Herald to commemorate this journey and share the blessings with one another. Send your photos and stories to broadcast@HolyTrinityPgh.org. Thank you!
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Worship Attendance and Community Activities Still Limited Pending Updates
Please note that we are still operating under the attendance restrictions previously announced but are awaiting updates from the authorities and our Metropolis on anticipated changes to those guidelines. You will be notified via email and our website at the earliest possible moment so we may begin to safely resume our in-person worship attendance and vital community life activities. In the meantime, our office remains open for essential operations and mail and deliveries are being accepted. Thank you to our staff for their continuing dedication and to you for your understanding and patience.
“Faith and Family WEEKDAYS” This Week
Holy Trinity Church’s “Faith and Family WEEKDAYS” ministry has been updated once again to provide valuable faith growth and learning to the entire Holy Trinity family. Building on the fruits of our six years, we are now including more days and more opportunities for everyone to participate in and grow from worship, spiritual life and educational ministries beyond Sunday morning and to make the Church the "crossroad of daily life”.
THIS WEEK’S OFFERINGS:
- Daily: Prayer Partners. Have you remembered your prayer partner every day? Especially in these times!
[May 18 & June 1] Bereavement Support Ministry: Join us for our monthly group gathering via Zoom!
Our Bereavement Support Ministry Team provides spiritual care to our parishioners and their extended family & friends in times of grief and loss of a loved one. However, during this challenging time, we are opening up our ministry to helping those in dealing with other losses too. Loss comes in many forms such as loss of a job or family business, loss of identity and purpose when family caregiving changes, loss of a pet, loss of independence and mobility when one ages, loss of one’s mental alertness with dementia and chronic illness, and loss of a role when children leave home and go to college. These are only some losses. Everyone’s grief and loss journey is unique. It may be a recent loss or one from many years ago. Grief is a reality and takes time to better understanding when the journey is accompanied by someone who cares. Our monthly bereavement support group gatherings will resume via Zoom on the following dates: Monday, May 18th 7:00-8:00 pm and Monday, June 1st, 7:00-8:00 pm. If possible, we ask everyone to bring a candle with a holder, matches, and a photo of your loved one. If you are not grieving a loved one, then bring a photo of yourself with family or friends at an event that brings a special memory. All are welcome to participate in group sharing or observe through quiet time with others who care. To learn more about our Bereavement Support Ministry or to register and receive your Zoom link or dial-in phone number, please contact Amy Armanious at 412.628.0973 or visitationministry@holytrinitypgh.org
[June 9] Spring General Assembly – Note Rescheduled Date
Please note that the Spring General Assembly, originally scheduled for May 5 has been rescheduled for Tuesday, June 9 beginning at 6:30pm. This is an EVENING General Assembly as voted on and approved at last Fall’s General Assembly.
Visitation Ministry Reaching Out to our Holy Trinity Family!
Our Visitation Ministry has helping hands and time to reach out to those who may need some support during this challenging time. Currently we are concentrating on our parishioners who are elderly, homebound, chronically ill, feeling lonely, grieving loss of a loved one, and/or need some extra home support. We are asking you to contact our Visitation Ministry coordinator, Amy Armanious (412.628.0973) or email visitation@holytrinitypgh.org for assistance. Please leave a voicemail with your full name and phone number so Amy can return your call as soon as possible. We are offering to pick-up pharmacy medication refills, grocery store items, and take-out meals. We can cook simple homemade meals, meet transportation needs in our local community, and run short errands. We have team members in our Phone Call Ministry who are dedicated to calling individuals at regular times throughout the week, or once a week for those who need an encouraging word and a prayer. Our Bereavement Support Team is offering phone calls to those who are grieving loss of a loved one and need a listening ear for support. Also, our Visitation Ministry coordinator is willing to assist families with community resources for extra help in the home. We are here to provide spiritual care and our helping hands. Don't hesitate to contact us for your own needs or needs of a loved one. We have Visitation Ministry team members ready to serve in many different ways. May we all stay safe and healthy these next weeks ahead asking God for His protection and guidance. No one is alone... we are all just a phone call or email away. If anyone is interesting in volunteering their helping hands and time, please contact Amy. Our Visitation Ministry Team is always in need of volunteers. Thank you!
Philoptochos Mother's Day Tea Fundraiser
Once again, the Ladies Philoptochos Omonia is honoring our mothers with a special May Mother's Day Tea fundraiser. Letters with a complimentary tea bag have been mailed out to the entire parish mailing list, so they can make a donation and enjoy a cup of tea while meditating about their mothers. This is one of the biggest fundraisers that our Holy Trinity Philoptochos holds each year, and due to the limited amount of fundraising we will be unable to do this year, any monetary donations would be most welcome! The money collected from this fundraiser is used to help many people during the coronavirus epidemic as well as giving vital support to many local and special charities. Thank you in advance for your generosity and sending in a donation in honor of our mothers!
Non-Perishable Grocery Donations Still Being Accepted at Holy Trinity for Distribution to the Needy
Want to help those in need during this crisis? How about picking up a few extra groceries? While we are all being asked to stay home/restrict our outside activities, most of us still need to make occasional trips for groceries. The needy of the Hill District do not always have that opportunity and could use some help. Thanks to Dr. Chris and Kathy Balouris, we are able to provide it. Here’s how it works. Next time you go to the grocery store, pick up a few extra non-perishable food items. Canned soups, pork and beans, vegetables are in-demand, but use your discretion. Then, even though our Holy Trinity offices and campus are closed to outside visitors, please drive by the main entrance of the church and drop off your items in the labeled bin by the office entrance. They will be collected on a daily basis and be delivered by Chris and Kathy to the FOCUS center in the Hill. Thank you for reaching out with love to our neighbors in need!
Festival Cooking – WATCH FOR UPDATES AND BE READY!
The Parish Council and Festival Committee are evaluating how the current coronavirus restrictions how they will possibly affect the Festival situation. They will engage the community in that discussion when recommendations are ready. In the meantime, the early May schedule originally published is not possible, but the committee is working hard on an alternative plan. Please stay tuned and be ready!
“LIGHT A CANDLE” PROGRAM STILL AVAILABLE DURING “STAY AT HOME” STATUS
St. Symeon of Thessaloniki said, “It is impossible to imagine an Orthodox church in which candles are not lit.” Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12). At this time while we are not physically able be in the church, we are praying at home but dearly miss the ability to do so in our parish's spiritual home. And one of the first things most people do upon entering an Orthodox Church is to light their candle and offer prayers for one’s personal needs or that of a family member or friend. We also light candles to pray for divine protection and safety as an affirmation of our trust in the "Christ, the Son of the Living God" (Matthew 16:16). Even though we are not able to light a candle ourselves during this time, it is still possible to have a candle lit for you! To light a candle, simply visit HolyTrinityPgh.org/candles. Before pressing the "Place Order" button, please use the space below the donation amount to submit the names of your loved ones, those who are alive and/or those who have departed this life or special prayer requests. During these times when we are not able to visit the church in person, we would be glad to light the candle for you and offer the prayer(s) you have submitted during the next service.
Stewardship as Love and Compassion: We Are Here for Each Other!
This has been an unsettling time, to say the least, but one also filled with blessings known and unknown. After so many weeks of coping with this world crisis, some may be understandably struggling uneasiness or even sadness. But, in the midst of all this uncertainty, one beacon of light and hope remains lit and constant in our lives: our Church. Even as we have not been able to physically attend services, some of us discovered ourselves actually spending more time “in church” during this Lent and Holy Week than ever before. How ironic is it that what was intended to keep us apart ended up drawing us even closer together through our Holy Trinity Church!
Now more than ever, our faithful Stewardship is at work here to make this all possible. Our Time, Talents and Treasures are keeping the light on for our most needed ministry - our Church itself! So, a huge “Thank You” to everyone whose pledges and contributions sustain this community - our mother and her big family - and can’t wait to be reunited in person. Your love and continuing support have made it possible for Holy Trinity Church to be there not only for her own members, but for thousands more who have joined our family online during this time of physical isolation as we have set our light “upon the hill.” To keep this all going, now is the time to make sure our support stays strong.
How You Can Help/We Can Help: Knowing that this crisis has affected our parish families in varied ways financially, please prayerfully consider your situation and ability to support your church at this critical moment and see which of these scenarios fits you best:
- I’m in financial distress: If reduced income, job loss or other related issues have caused you to be in a financially distressed condition, please do not worry about your stewardship right now; your church understands. Contact stewardship@HolyTrinityPgh.org confidentially to let us know. In fact, we may even be able to help your own situation. Please contact Father John confidentially and our Agape Fund can provide you with assistance. The Archdiocese has also just released an announcement of COVID-19 financial assistance. See our email list for information.
- I am thankfully OK: If you are weathering the crisis securely and are able to continue to meet your financial needs, please remember your church and continue your contributions as always.
- I am able to do more: If your situation allows you to accelerate your giving by either contributing earlier (such as paying your full 2020 stewardship balance today) or by increasing your pledge from your original commitment as your expression of thanks, that would be a great blessing of tremendous help, and thank you for considering doing so. Contact stewardship@HolyTrinityPgh.org confidentially to let us know.
How to Give: We have recently opened new donation avenues to allow you to contribute in the way that fits you best. In addition to mailing your checks as always, you may now donate By Web using our online donation system, By App using the new Apple or Android phone/tablet app or By Text by simply sending a text with the amount you wish to donate to 833-955-2176. More information about all these giving opportunities can be found at HolyTrinityPgh.org/give-info.
During this difficult time, Holy Trinity is our spiritual haven, our home, our light on the hill. Thank you for continuing to help keep her strong and bright!