_{Thank you for all you have done to support Trinity Commons in this year. 
I invite you to make a financial gift to support the ongoing ministry of Trinity Commons.
You can give now at http://bit.ly/TCGives.}

This Week.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.”Philippians 4:4

Scholars believe that the Apostle Paul wrote these words to the church in Philippi while he was imprisoned. Paul writes to the church to thank them for their gifts and support of his ministry, and reports that his imprisonment has not been a hinderance, but rather has helped him spread the gospel. So, from his confinement, he rejoices and invites the Philippians to do the same.

The year 2020 has brought many challenges. In March, we thought that the school closures would be temporary and that our students would be back after spring break. But as COVID-19 took hold, we realized that would not be possible. We grieved the cancellation of in-person worship and our Tuesday gatherings. Our students faced the disappointments of cancelled graduations, trips, and the loss of jobs. But even in the time of COVID-19, we are called to “rejoice in the Lord always.”

With this calling in mind, we gathered on Zoom for fellowship and worship, and rejoiced that we could stay connected and that new people, students and faculty, were able to join us. Our current and past students joined us to offer a virtual Easter Vigil, and while it was not what we were used to, we rejoiced that we could remain connected.

We rejoice and give thanks that through your financial support we have been able to continue our ministry online and on campus. Your gifts have allowed us to provide financial assistance to students that lost employment during the shutdown, to return safely to in-person worship while maintaining a virtual presence, and to gather again, physically distanced, to eat supper on Sunday nights. While boxed Sunday suppers and spaced-out seating are not what we are used to, we rejoice that we can gather for fellowship and to share a meal.

As we look to 2021, it seems certain that the world, the church, and college ministry will look different when the pandemic passes. I invite you to join us in our ministry by making a financial gift to support Birmingham Episcopal Campus Ministries. You can make a one-time or recurring gift online at bit.ly/TCGives. With your financial support, we will continue, in new and creative ways, to seek and serve Christ in all persons and to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the students, faculty, and staff on college campuses in Birmingham.

Rejoice!

Kelley+

WINTER BREAK SCHEDULE

Tuesday

• 2-5 p.m. Drop-in Hours at Trinity Commons
  Come by for a chat or just to take a break.

Sunday

• 6 p.m. Worship on Facebook or YouTube
  We invite you to join our worship online on Facebook or YouTube. This week’s worship is a recorded service because Kelley will be at Camp McDowell broadcasting Bishop Sloan’s Virtual Celebration.