--------------------------------------

On Friday and Saturday, Feb. 1-2, the Wardens and Vestry joined Rev. Denise Mantell in our annual retreat. This year, with facilitation by our former Deacon Catherine Esposito, we studied the newly-adopted Vision of the Diocese of New Jersey and discussed how Trinity can embrace and enact its goals. What follows is a concise summary of those goals and our thoughts on what Trinity is doing and can do to embrace and enable them.

THE VISION OF THE DIOCESE OF NEW JERSEY: The Diocese of New Jersey is one family of diverse and unique congregations, belonging to Jesus Christ and belonging to one another, for Jesus’ sake. Together, we are a missionary community, celebrating the abundant life of Christ (John 10:10) and sharing that life with the world that God so loves (John 3:16). Our vision is to build up the Body of Christ and reach out to the world in Christ’s name as we:

• share the Good News simply and genuinely;

At Trinity, we can do this by continuing to be a welcoming, accepting and diverse congregation and by extending such outreach activity as Pastoral care visits to hospitals and nursing homes and participation in Meat Loaf Monday's.

• worship the Lord radiantly and reverently;

At Trinity, we can do this by striving for a joyful, intelligent, inclusive approach to the Liturgy, with many voices being heard in song, in sermons, in readings and prayers of the people.

• serve the poor boldly and strive for justice passionately;

At Trinity, we can do this collectively, through such efforts as the winter coat drive for the Seaman's Institute and the Souper Bowl Sunday drive to support food pantries. And we can do it individually, by setting personal examples of tolerance and civility and respect for the views of others in our homes, schools, workplaces and social circles.

• give of our resources, our abilities and our lives joyously and generously;

At Trinity, we can do this collectively with our financial support for Episcopal Relief, for the Millennium Goals and our encouragement of such additional outreach as last Summer's youth aid mission to the Katrina-stricken Gulf Coast. And we can do it individually by continuing to bring our diverse gifts --talents of hand, heart and mind-- to the needs of our church.

• seek continual spiritual renewal for a closer walk with Christ.

At Trinity, we can do this by continuing to promote opportunities for spiritual enrichment, through Christian education, bible study, prayer groups and special services, whether offered by our own church or others in the Diocese.