Monday, October 19
7 PM – Spirituality Class at Church and on Zoom
Tuesday, October 20
10 AM – Akathist
Wednesday, October 21
7 PM – Adult Catechism Class at Church and on Zoom
Thursday, October 22
9 AM – New Testament Class at Church and on Zoom
Friday, October 23
9 AM – Old Testament Class at Church and on Zoom
Saturday, October 24
10 AM to 12 noon -Church School
5 PM – Vespers
Sunday, October 25
10 AM – Divine Liturgy
Wednesday, October 14, 7 PM – Adult Catechism Class at Church and on Zoom
Thursday, October 15, 9 AM – New Testament Class at Church and on Zoom
Friday, October 16, 9 AM – Old Testament Class at Church and on Zoom
Saturday, October 17 8 AM – 4 PM – Baking session
Saturday, October 17, 5 PM – Vespers
Sunday, October 18, 10 AM – Divine Liturgy
Sunday, October 18, 12:30 PM – Parish Council Meeting
As you probably know, Phase 3 Re-Opening for the state of CT began October 8. What that means for churches is that we can increase to 50% capacity which for us at Holy Trinity is approximately 50 people. This means that we will be able to stop having A and B weeks and go back to “normal” attendance at church on Sundays for liturgy.
This will bring some changes to the parish. Here are some reminders of safety procedures that will be in effect:
We will no longer have A week and B week—people can come to church as they are able on any given Sunday and there will no longer be assigned seats.
• Parishioners will be seated when they arrive, using every other pew with 2 units per pew.
• We have shifted the ribboned off pews by one so that we now have 5 pews on either side that are useable including the first pew and the last one. (We can seat 10 units in pews, 4 in the side alcoves, 4 in the choir loft and potentially 2 additional people up front if needed.)
• Seating will be first come, first served.
• If we reach capacity, parishioners who arrive later will have the option to stand in the vestibule (6ft distance), outside on the porch or downstairs and come up into the church to receive communion. (If necessary, we can arrange to have the service shown on the TV downstairs for overflow.)
• Parishioners will receive communion and prosphora starting from the front of the church to the back as directed and maintaining 6 ft distance between each other as they approach Fr. Luke.
• Parishioners will continue to follow one-way direction in the church whenever possible.
• All parishioners are asked to wear masks while in church for liturgy.
• All parishioners are asked to use hand sanitizer upon entering the church.
• All parishioners are asked to maintain a 6ft distance between each other as much as possible.
• When receiving communion, parishioners are asked to tilt their heads back, open their mouths wide and please do not stick out your tongue to make it easier for Fr. Luke to place Eucharist in your mouth without any contact with the spoon.
• If you have any symptoms of sickness, please stay home.
• We will continue to use the air handler and keep windows open for optimal air movement. It is suggested that parishioners plan to wear coats or warmer clothes to stay comfortable.
• If you are uncomfortable attending liturgy at this time and would like to receive communion, please contact Fr. Luke to make arrangements to do so.
“Feed My Lambs”
To the Orthodox Christian Faithful of the United States of America:
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
In this time of global pandemic, the majority of the Faithful of our Churches have been withheld from receiving Holy Communion and attending Divine Services in order to safeguard their health and the health of others. We, the Hierarchs of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA, are taking action to restore the possibility of Holy Eucharist to the “lambs” of Christ, in accordance with His word.[1]…
http://www.assemblyofbishops.org/news/2020/covid19-reopening
For church leaders and elder boards everywhere, the last few months have presented a near-constant array of complex challenges related to shepherding a church during the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest complex challenge is perhaps the trickiest yet: how to prudently resume in-person gatherings.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/church-dont-let-coronavirus-divide/
Dear Bake Sale Customers,
As we adjust our plans with the goal of keeping everyone safe during this crisis, we have decided to cancel our Easter Craft and Bake Sale for this weekend. Many of you have sent in orders and we will hold on to them and contact you when we have rescheduled the eventual sale. For those of you who have also paid for your orders, we are holding the checks and not cashing them. If you would like us to send your check back to you, please contact us via email (padreluke@aol.com) or by phone (203-797-8326) and leave your name and address.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
We at Holy Trinity parish are praying for God’s help for those suffering, those serving and all of us as we do what we can to stay safe and care for one another.
Out of concern for the safety of our parishioners, the Danbury community, and the world at large due to the spread of COVID 19, all of the Divine Services at Holy Trinity are, unfortunately, closed to the public. You are able to watch our services via Facebook Livestream at https://www.facebook.com/htocdanbury/
We apologize for any inconvenience, but ask that you keep us, and the entire world, in your prayers for a quick end to this threat facing our communities as we will pray for you and the whole world.
Dear Faithful and Friends of Holy Trinity,
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!
In response to the most recent press conference with President Trump and the White House Coronavirus task force, I am canceling classes for the next two weeks. With the suggested limit now to 10 (ten) in groups, we sometimes exceed that number for our classes. We will do our part to blunt this impending tsunami of sick people.
I assure you of my love and continued prayers. I ask that you also continue to please pray for God’s relief and comfort during these most trying and uncertain times.
Services will continue for this week but I ask you to be extra cautious as this appears to be an extremely communicable virus. I will continue to have services here praying for all of you. For those who are home you can follow services on line at our diocesan website at www.acrod.org.
In Christ,
Fr. Luke
As we go forward we will be assessing day to day schedules. Since we have less than 50 people at our classes and most of our services,
we are well below the crowd size that have been established by government health officials.
AGAIN, if you are sick or if you have underlying health problems, please stay home.
We are cleaning and wiping with Clorox wipes: icons, door knobs, light switches, pews, counters before and after services. Practice social distancing. If you are concerned about your health, there is NO judgement if you feel more comfortable staying home.
If there are changes during the week we will change.
Fr. Luke
Monday, March 16
7 PM – Spirituality Class
Tuesday, March 17
8:30 AM – Lenten Hours
Wednesday, March 18
6 PM – Presanctified Liturgy followed by Lenten meal and Adult Catechism Class
Thursday, March 19
8:30 AM – Akathist
9:15 AM – New Testament Class
Friday, March 20
9 AM – Old Testament Class
7 PM – Presanctified Liturgy at St. John’s 600 Silver Lane, Stratford CT
Saturday, March 21
5 PM – Vespers
Sunday, March 22
10 AM – Divine Liturgy