_____________________________________________________

— ARNIE’S CORNER –

The season of Advent is again with us. Where has the year gone? We all can provide answers to that question. Yet, Advent is special, people have been busy putting out the annual decorations, “Black Friday” has come and gone and we’ve all seen the tally regarding that day.

Whether or not we recognize the season, we are still racing around. We race to the mall for the general gifts, we run to this or that store for a special gift, we scurry around the kitchen making cookies or we rush to visit those who are not able to come to church. The four weeks prior to Christmas are filled with racing around and I wonder if we recognize the reason for the season.

The tape across the track is the birth of the Christ child, the Child of Light, the Savior of the world. I can’t help but wonder if Mary and Joseph experienced the same race we do today. Remember, Mary was close to term and they had to travel for the census. They had to struggle to get through each day, they had to travel to be counted, they had to camp out over night, they had to pack food for the trip and they may have had to walk part of the way. Those of you who experienced a pregnancy realize what a demand was placed upon Mary and Joseph. Go back in time to your experience and think about how it might have been for Mary. It couldn’t have been easy.

It’s not easy today. Even with all the conveniences we have, we worry about parking, the crowds, the sales, the inventory. Will we be able to get just the right gift? The house needs attention, the meals have to be prepared, we need to go to work, the cookies, the tree, the wrapping, the hiding, and on and on it goes

Let’s look forward to the Christmas story: Jesus was born in a cattle stall, in a feeding trough for animals. There may be a more humble beginning, but I can’t think of it. Jesus had an effect upon the world that changed the lives of many people. Is this story of Jesus’ humble beginning a clue for us? Is this time before Christmas supposed to be a race? Is it meant to be all hustle and bustle? Or is it a hint that we are missing why He came and why we are celebrating the birth of this Child of Light?

Isn’t this time meant to prepare ourselves again for this miracle birth? Isn’t it time for us to stop, just for a few moments, to reflect on what our busy-ness is all about? Perhaps taking five minutes each day to reflect on what we are about to celebrate will provide a period of meaningful calm in the busy-ness of Advent. Let us appreciate this time of waiting and watching, let us anticipate the coming of the Christ Child and let us find joy in each day. Let us become excited about God’s love made flesh on Christmas morn.

~~Pastor Arnie

— CHRISTIAN EDUCATION –

Library

It's the Tuesday before Thanksgiving so it seems very appropriate that the book I am reading for the library is The Rising of Bread for the World: An Outcry of Citizens Against Hunger, by Arthur Simon, founder and president emeritus of Bread for the World, "the nation's foremost citizen's lobby on hunger." Do look for the book in the library kiosk in Fellowship Hall in January.

Simon's autobiographical book tells the story of how the grassroots organization began and how it has grown to over 60,000 "ordinary" people.

Simon, son of a Lutheran minister and his wife, is a Lutheran minister himself and brother to the late Congressman Paul Simon. He is modest, but he has been recognized with many honors including the Presidential Hunger Award for Lifetime Achievement. His first book Bread for the World won the National Religious Book Award and was described by the late Nobel economist Gunnar Myrdal as "a clear and convincing analysis of world hunger." From what I have read The Rising of Bread for the World is equally "clear and convincing" and written with an honesty that is rare.

Thanks to everyone who visited the book table at Treasures and Treats. Your purchases raised over $200 for charity. Moreover, quite a few children will receive the gift of wonder this Christmas. Please make some quiet time during the busy holiday season to read together in the family or to share a book with a child who may not have someone to read to him or her. Holy Trinity library has a large collection of Christmas books, from beautifully illustrated picture books of the gospel story, to legends such as The Real Santa Claus, by Marianna Mayer, The Legend of the Christmas Rose, by Selma Lagerlof, retold by Ellin Greene and Silent Night: the Song and Its Story, by Margaret Hodges, to the perennial favorites Nutcracker and The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg, and the antics of that irrepressible piglet in Olivia Helps with Christmas.

Happy reading!

Ellin Greene

Luthermania

We invite all 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th graders to sing Christmas carols at Sunnyside Manor in Manasquan on Thursday, Dec. 17. We will then go to Sundaes for ice cream. Yummy!

Parents, please volunteer to stay with us to help with transportation, or be prepared to sign a permission slip for your child to be transported by other adults.

Note: wear lightweight clothing – the senior center is very warm. Try for red or green or Christmas accessories if possible (Santa hats, anyone?).

Cost: One item for the food pantry plus your child’s ice cream order. Each child will order and pay individually.

Itinerary

5:45 p.m.: Meet at Holy Trinity in Fellowship Hall to practice singing. (I know this is early but we must coordinate with Sunnyside.)

6:15 p.m.: Depart for Sunnyside Manor [2501 Ramshorn Dr., Manasquan, NJ 08736-2133 (732) 528-9311]

6:30 p.m.: Sing for residents during their dinner and pass out candy canes.

7:00 p.m.: Depart for Sundaes (State Highway 35 & Meetinghouse Road, Manasquan. Phone number – 732-223-9555].

7:30 p.m.: Depart for Holy Trinity.

7:45 p.m.: Arrive at Holy Trinity for dismissal.

Please sign up on the Christian Ed bulletin board or e-mail lizstupar@comcast.net by Wednesday, Dec. 16.

(See the Christian Ed bulletin board for a sample songbook.)

— STEWARDSHIP/EVANGELISM –

Feeding the hungry sometimes can mean our own hungry college students!

Thirty-seven college care boxes were lovingly packed and shipped to our Holy Trinity college youth in early November.

Thanks to all who supported the Evangelism Committee’s fall college care package mailing. Some of you donated money, some offered their heartfelt prayers and words of encouragement, others baked or donated food items.

Barbara Barella and Lauren Harris

out did themselves with homemade cookies!
(“That’s the best part,” our youth tell us.)

Laurie Cummins arranged for Evie Shibla to pick up the boxes and packing materials, even though she was recovering from back surgery!

This year’s packers were Pat and Chuck Augustine, Annette Pratt, Gracie Walton, Sue D’Avanzo and Debbie Woolley.

A million thanks to all of you who came together to reach out to our church youth in various college campuses around the country and send them our love and support. Check out our crowded college map in Fellowship Hall to see where they attend school. Read their heartfelt thank you e-mails on the Evangelism bulletin board and in the Mailbag section of this issue of the Lamplighter, and get a glimpse into their campus lives.

Let’s remember to welcome them home when we see them on weekends and during the upcoming holidays.
~~ The Evangelism Committee

Blanketeers

Thank you to all the Holy Trinity Blanketeers who donated blankets to Project Linus NJ this past year. We have reached almost 1,000 blankets donated since we started 10 years ago.

We have requests for handmade blankets and hats of all sizes and styles, tote bags, baby sweaters, hat and scarf sets and bibs.

The Holy Trinity Blanketeers will meet at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14 and Jan. 11 in the room behind the kitchen in Fellowship Hall.

If you cannot attend our meeting but enjoy knitting, crocheting or sewing, please help by making blankets at home and dropping them off in the church office.

For more information about Project Linus NJ, please call Lois Hodousek at (732) 223-2841.

Thank you for your support

and a blessed Christmas to all!

Gloria Smith

— STEPHEN MINISTRY –

In June, I attended the Stephen Ministry Leadership training course held in Orlando, Florida. Participants in the course came from across the United States and Canada, and we were taught how to implement and direct a Stephen Ministry program of Christian caring in our own congregations.

Holy Trinity has an active Stephen Ministry program. All of the Stephen Ministers have completed a 50-hour training course that prepares them to provide the one-on-one supportive care that is the heart of the ministry. The ministers provide this care to people who are struggling with life crises like grief, divorce, loneliness, relocation, hospitalization, serious illness and unemployment. These Stephen Ministers, through training and ongoing support, are equipped as laypeople to fulfill their calling as Christians and to expand the amount of caring ministry available for those in need at Holy Trinity.

I will be joining the other trained Stephen Ministers at Holy Trinity in recruiting, selecting and training members of the congregation to be Stephen Ministers. The leaders will match each Stephen Minister with a person in need of care and will provide the ministers with regular supervision and continuing education.

My hope is that members of the congregation who are experiencing challenging and difficult times will turn to our Stephen Ministers who are uniquely trained to support, listen and care. In addition, if you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, you can talk to Nancy Sabo, Ruth Walsh, Pastor Mary or me about applying for the program. I am very grateful that the congregation gave me this wonderful experience and I look forward to serving Holy Trinity in this new role.

~~ Rosemary Kaden

— CHILDREN OF GOD –

During the months of November & December Holy Trinity welcomed the following children into the Body of Christ through the Sacrament of Baptism:

Child: Cailin Marie Balsys

Date of Baptism: Sunday, Nov. 8

Cailin was born July 11, 2009 to Andrew and Susanna Balsys. Megan Osborn and Douglas Kavolius are her sponsors. Holy Trinity members Carol and Jim Noe are Cailin’s maternal grandparents.

Child: Christian Ryan Matthews

Date of Baptism: Sunday, Nov. 15

Christian was born June 28, 2009 to Michael and Jodi Matthews. Mark Matthews and Stephanie Perrin are his sponsors.

Christian’s big brother, Michael, is six-years-old.

Child: Jacqueline McVey Thorp

Date of Baptism: Sunday, Nov. 22

Jacqueline was born Sept. 7, 2009 to John and Michelle Thorp. Cheryl Yatsko and Ryan Walton are her sponsors.

Jacqueline has a six-year-old sister, Mary, and a five-year-old sister, Paris.

Child: Cole Erwin Kauffman

Date of Baptism: Sunday, Nov. 22

Cole was born July 13, 2009 to Charles H. Kauffman, III and his wife, Deborah. Curtis Pryde and Cristin Rigopoulis are his sponsors.

Cole’s brother, Charles H. Kauffman IV, is one and one-half years old.

Child: Timothy John Zarelli

Date of Baptism: Sunday, Dec. 6

Timothy was born March 8, 2001 to Rod and MaryAnn Zarelli. Stephen and Judy Speicher are his sponsors.

Timothy’s brother Matthew is 13-years old and his sister Allison is 12-years-old.

— WEDDING BLESSINGS –

Suzanne M. Divadi and Richard T. DelSordo were married Friday, Nov. 6 by Pastor Mary.

Kirk MacKinson was the best man and Catherine Foley was the maid of honor.

— WORSHIP AND MUSIC –

The choirs of Holy Trinity will combine with strings, flute, harp and organ to present “Come, Ye Faithful,” a service of Lessons and Carols, at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13. A freewill offering will be accepted. Proceeds will support the Music Ministries of Holy Trinity.

World renowned tenor Eduardo Villa will present a concert of Christmas favorites at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20. Eduardo is one of the world’s most sought-after and versatile tenors with an unusually broad repertoire that ranges from Nemorino to Otello. He is a regular guest of the Metropolitan Opera and has appeared on its stage in the title roles of Don Carlo and Ernani, Radames in Aida, Rodolpho in Luisa Miller, Don Jose in Carmen, Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana

and Enzo in La Giaconda. A freewill offering will be accepted, with proceeds earmarked for ELCA World Hunger.

A reception will follow each concert. We expect our pews will fill up fast! If you plan to attend, please register online by accessing Music Ministries’ website www.holytrinitynj.com and clicking on “Concert Series.” This free online registration will let us know how many chairs to set up. If you do not have internet access, please note on your attendance card which concert(s) you’ll be attending.

— REST IN PEACE –

During the month of November, the following memorial and funeral liturgies were offered in the Holy Trinity sanctuary:

Deceased: Marilyn M. Kamna

Date of Death: Nov. 6

Service: Pastor Mary presided at the funeral service on Nov. 12 in the Holy Trinity sanctuary. Robin Kelly is Marilyn’s relative.

Deceased:

Genevieve “Genny” Whitley

Date of Death: Nov. 9

Service: Pastor Mary presided at the funeral service on Nov. 14 in the Holy Trinity sanctuary.

Deceased:

Gwendolyn S. Lehmann

Date of Death: Nov. 11

Service: Pastor Mary presided at the funeral service on Nov. 16 in the Holy Trinity sanctuary. Lorraine Lee is Gwendolyn’s granddaughter.

— BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY –

Each month Holy Trinity offers bereavement support to those grieving a loss or a change of some kind. Chris Ann Waters, author and certified bereavement specialist, leads the discussion. Consecutive attendance is not required and people are welcome to attend as needed. The next meeting will be at 10:15 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, in Pastor Mary’s study.

The most recent Transitions, a monthly devotional written by Ms. Waters that addresses matters of grief and change, is printed here for the benefit of Lamplighter readers:

THANK YOU

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Lord, grief is a season difficult to face. A time we do not want to face. Yet, each life shall know grief. By Thy mercy, grace, tenderness, and abundant love, help each one who grieves to live through this season such that Your presence is known and faith deepens. Amen.

He will give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. Psalm 91:11

Lord, may all who grieve know that Your angels are near and Your Spirit of Holiness abides. Amen.

And we know that all things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Lord, often we know not how loss can be part of the good that works together. Grief makes good hard to see and faith weak. But because You said so, it is so. Through tears, may we glimpse a vision of Your Tomorrow filled with a goodness that only Your love completes. Amen.

Nothing. I am the vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. John 15:5

Lord, goodbyes are powerful. They teach deep lessons. Among them is the truth that we can do nothing by ourselves, including grieve. Keep us mindful that Thou art with us to give comfort and hope. Without You we can do nothing. Amen.

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

Lord, the heart is filled with depth and memories we treasure as well as sorrows we know. Thank You for the great love of Your heart that makes possible and rich the fullness in ours. You have shown us that even the sorrows are laced with love. Amen.

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:16

Lord, fruit bearing comes in various forms. The fruit in our yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows are obvious or hidden. Thank You for the hidden fruit in grief that Your love and timing shall ripen and reveal. Amen.

One of them (one of the ten lepers) when he saw that he was healed, came back, and with a loud voice glorified God. And fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. Luke 17:15-16

Lord, only one leper returned to You to give praise and thanksgiving for being healed. Nine did not. Lord, as Lord, only one leper returned to You to give praise and thanksgiving for being healed. Nine did not. Lord, as You grant healing, may we remain mindful of Thee and return with our praise to Thee, the One who makes all things new.

Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. Isaiah 9:6

Because of You, Lord Jesus, there is a hope and a promise that lives on. We give You thanks and praise for being our Emmanuel, God with us, and for accompanying us throughout all the seasons of our lives. Amen.

— WOMEN OF THE

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN

CHURCH IN AMERICA (WELCA) –

Circle of Faith’s Christmas get together is at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21 in the home of Pat Walton.

Please bring something for the food pantry instead of gifts.

We will not meet in January and February but will resume in March and continue through June, July and August.

Best wishes to all for your faithful service to the Lord’s ministry.

~~ Ruth Walsh

Elisabeth Circle will meet at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14 at church. Lois Hodousek will be our hostess and Ruth Beers will prepare our devotions. Each member will bring a sandwich for lunch, which will follow this meeting and cookies to share with each other for our holiday party. Visitors welcome!

Church Family Christmas Card

The 2009 Christmas Card will be on the WELCA Bulletin Board in Fellowship Hall during Advent. Envelopes with instructions for those who would like to participate have been distributed at church services in December.

Send a holiday greeting to your church family and friends. All donations will be used to replace the door from the parking lot into Fellowship Hall.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. ~~ Matthew 7:7

WOMEN'S NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION-

TAKE TIME FOR ME!

WHAT’S YOUR WORD?

If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that word be?

Our thoughts create sensations and emotional energy both positive and negative in our bodies. Knowing this to be true, how powerful would it be to be able to create your reality through one word – your own personal word?

Is your current word propelling you into the future or keeping you stagnant?

Harness your power and create the future you dream of!

In this workshop, you will:

Identify your own personal word.

Find out how to apply this powerful concept to all areas of your life.

Understand the direct effect your energy is having on your life, & your family.

Learn how to take this concept and fulfill your needs

10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010

in Fellowship Hall

Sign-up on the WELCA board

&/or by e-mailing LBMALTA@Verizon.net

Hosted by the Circle of Hope

& presented by

BEE Coaching

~Balanced Empowered Extraordinary~

Heather Cosimano AELC, CEC

heathercos@aol.com

— ETC. –

I am a Junior Girl Scout Leader and two members of my Troop, who attend Holy Trinity, earned their Bronze Star Award from the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore this fall. They are MaCay Mencer and Dakota Donohue.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Junior Girl Scout can earn. It shows you have made a promise to help others, improve your community and world, and become the best you can be.

As part of their Bronze Star Award requirements the girls completed a minimum of 15 hours preparing for this award. They explored their community, chose their project, planned the project, put their plan in motion, and spread the word about their project.

Their project was monitoring the Piping Plovers and the Least Terns, endangered birds who nest along the Jersey shoreline. They worked with the Wreck Pond Watershed Association. The Wreck Pond Watershed Association's mission is to foster responsibility to care for our natural resources and ensure that they are sustainably managed for current and future generations.

They focused on the resources in and around Wreck Pond from the headwaters in Wall Township through Spring Lake Heights, Sea Girt, Spring Lake and ultimately, the ocean. They participated in the responsible management of wildlife, land, water and biodiversity to ensure healthy ecosystems for present and future generations.

MaCay and Dakota, along with three other girls from our troop were recognized with a proclamation at the Wall Township Committee meeting Tuesday, Nov. 24. Mayor Michael Clayton, also a Holy Trinity member, presided over the ceremony.

Catherine Schwier-Mencer

— MAIL BAG–

Dear Holy Trinity Family,

We wanted to let you know that Sandy, the German Shepherd that we raised and who was our first Seeing Eye puppy, has been placed with a 25-year-old female teacher and is now residing in Idaho.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and well wishes as we trained her to do her job.

We are so proud of Sandy. She is one smart puppy.

God bless you,

Paul and Bobbi DiCorcia

♥

Dear Holy Trinity,

Greetings from the Caribbean!

First and foremost, I want to thank each and every one of you who have prayed for me and my community, hosted a coffee hour, bought books, or otherwise contributed to my work here in Trafalgar, Dominica, especially Ellin Greene, the Blazaks, the Augustines, Pastor Mary, Social Ministry and my parents.

The day I received the new books, some children saw me getting off the bus with this bag full of books and they rushed over to my house to read them right away. What an amazing thing to see these children, many of whom can't actually read (words), so excited about books! And the Seventh Day Adventist church has been able to do so much good for the needy in the community with the donations towards hurricane relief and community needs. Everyone here is SO grateful and feels so blessed to have received these gifts. I do, too. And I feel so thankful that I have such a loving, supportive and generous church family!

Things are going well here. I am keeping busy with various cultural activities and with work. Dominican Independence was 3rd November (31 years this year) so there was an entire

month of celebration with concerts, cultural dances, food, and national wear days.

Next week, the Peace Corps Volunteers are all coming to my house for a traditional American Thanksgiving complete with a Butterball turkey and Stove Top stuffing! There is one place on the whole island that sells turkeys we found out. My next door neighbors are joining us as well and it will be their first Thanksgiving meal. I am excited we'll get to share mashed potatoes with gravy and some local dishes like fig pie (a casserole made with green banana, seasoning, and cheese) together!

With work, things are coming along slowly as is typical here. I am hoping to hold a few workshops with staff at Operation Youth Quake, the residential care site for children who've been abused, abandoned, and neglected, to initiate a behavioral therapy program. We've tried to hold these workshops since June and we're still waiting! Drives me crazy sometimes, but I've learned to accept this (kind of) and go with the flow as much as possible. I am also working on starting a biodiesel project where we will collect used vegetable oil from restaurants, hotels, and people's homes to convert it into biodiesel fuel, a cleaner alternative to diesel. Many car engines here are diesel, so we are hoping to sell it to drivers and to those using diesel generators. We are looking to get youth involved as much as possible, reduce Dominica's carbon footprint, and save money spent on electricity at Operation Youth Quake.

Again (please note the theme), things are progressing slowly, but I am hoping by early next year we will have received our first grant installment from the United Nations Development Program so we can get started! I am also involved in teaching remedial reading, remedial math, and computer skills at my village school and at Operation Youth Quake, facilitating

activities with the Catholic youth group, and I worked with my village council in throwing our village feast over the summer.

I wish everyone a blessed Christmas season. Again, thank you so much for all you've done!

Love,
Alicia Dodds

PS: ’thought people may be interested in my blog address. It is aliciawrites.blogspot.com.

♥

Dear Holy Trinity Members:

I want to thank the pastors and all the members of the congregation for their prayers, well wishes and emotional support for both me and Rosemary these last three months following my open heart surgery.

It never fails to amaze me how my church family always seems to be there when times are difficult and my faith is tested. You show me that God's love truly is manifested and magnified through this congregation.

I continue to heal and expect to be back worshipping regularly by mid-November (just in time to complete the 2010 budget with the Finance Committee.)

Thank you again for helping Roe and me get through this difficult process.

Ray Kaden

♥

Dear Holy Trinity Family,

Thank you all for the prayers for our brother Harvey Swensen. He was a great brother and will be missed. He passed on Oct. 2, 2009.

Keep his wife, Mary, in your prayers. She was just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

Our whole family really appreciates the prayers.

In God we trust,

Lilly Roberts and Lolly Forsberg

♥

Dear Holy Trinity,

Thank you SO much for the care package!! I received it about a week ago and was astounded at the amount of food you could pack into that little box!

My roommate Sydney and I immediately divided up the food and have been using it as snacks in between classes, and during late nights to keep us awake while doing our final class projects.

We are both very thankful for the care package and the kind message sent with it!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Sincerely,

Diane Baymore (and Sydney!)

I just wanted to thank everyone so much for the box of goodies. My roommates and I look forward to these boxes each year.

I hope everyone is doing good and hope to see everyone during the holidays coming up.

Thanks again.

Love,

Deanne Cox

Holy Trinity Church and Friends,

I just got my care package today, and it definitely made my day a lot better! Finals are coming up soon, and I've been studying non-stop! This is a great reminder that everyone back home is thinking about me and wishing me well in my studies here at West Chester University!

I am so grateful to have a wonderful church community of friends and family at home! Thank you so so much!!

I hope everyone is doing well back in Manasquan, and I will be back over Thanksgiving break to say hello!!

Thanks again!

Alexandra D'Avanzo

Hey guys,
Thanks so much for the care package! It's great to go through finals knowing all of you were thinking of me. I look forward to seeing all of you over (my last) Christmas break!

See you soon,
Pat Davis

Dear Holy Trinity Church,

Thank you so much for the package. It came at just the right time. I definitely needed a boost. It has been very busy here with midterms and performances. I appreciate the support from home very much.

I look forward to seeing you all when I come home for Christmas. Thank you once again.

Sincerely,

Lewis D’Avanzo

Dear Church Family,

       Thank you so much for the care package. It's such a treat to get something in the mail, especially all those goodies that I could share with my

friends. My sorority sisters and I are enjoying the goodies.

               I'm looking forward to coming home and seeing everyone.

Love,

Kristin Diefenbacher

Dear Pat and the Holy Trinity Church Family,

               I just wanted to say thank you for sending me such an amazing care package this fall!  I was so happy to receive such a nice gift from the church community.

               It really means a lot to see that everyone is thinking about us struggling college students!  There were so many delicious treats inside, and I couldn't be more grateful.  Everyone in my apartment loved the snacks, you really made a lot of kids happy with this one box!

               It meant a lot to see that you were recognizing all the hard work I have done this semester at school.  It definitely helped to have snacks while working through the night on 10-page papers!  It is really an encouragement to keep up the good work.  Thank you so much for everything!

Thank You,

Jamie Gyftakis

Family & Friends at Holy Trinity,
I am so grateful to have supportive people in my life. Per usual, the care package brings joy in my life for several reasons. One, I know the people who spend their time making these wonderful packages enjoy helping students with a low budget. Two, the goodies keep getting sweeter and tastier! Three, it reminds me that I still have a place to call home. I certainly enjoy these treats and I will do my best to support our President’s wishes of "sharing the wealth" to my roommates because that's what we’re supposed to do.

(Or is it?)
I look forward to spending the holidays in the best area in the world, The Jersey Shore!

Best,
Mark Harris

Dear Holy Trinity,

Thank you for the care package. I really enjoyed it.

Regards,

George Illmensee

Hello All!
Thank you for your generous college supply box! I look forward to it every year. I hope you’re blessed with a great holiday season,

Sincerely,
Julie Illmensee

Dear Holy Trinity,

Thank you so much for the care package you sent me! It came just in time for my midterms. Rutgers has been amazing so far and I am having a lot of fun. I look forward to seeing everyone soon!

Sincerely,
Michele Illmensee

Hello Holy Trinity Family!

Thank you so much for the thoughtful box of yummy goodies! As a college student, I appreciate any donations to help keep me focused and energized as I study and do homework. It is so nice to know that someone cares and is thinking of me, especially when I get stressed out with exams and assignments.

Thank you so much, and I cannot wait to see everyone the next weekend I am home for worship.

Sincerely,

Leanne Maroney

Thank you so much for the lovely care package. I put the box in the trunk of my car because I am always at school and have no time to come home. So, I just go into my trunk and snack on the food.

Thanks again, it's saved me a lot of money on buying food.

Kaitlin McLaughlin

Dear Holy Trinity Family,

Thank you so much for the care package! The box was so jam packed with snacks that it will definitely last me all the way through exams (if my roommates don’t get to it first!).

It was such a pleasant surprise, and since I transferred schools I was so glad to see you guys were able to keep up with me.

I am working really hard so I can make it back to jersey a.s.a.p. :). I am so thankful I have such a caring extended family to return to when I come home.

Thanks again! And as we say down here, "y'all" are the best!

God Bless ♥

Caroline Moore

Hello to Everyone at Holy Trinity!

Thank you so much for the care package. It came just in time! There are so many goodies in it that it takes a few minutes before I can decide what I actually want to eat!

This semester has gone by so quickly, I cannot believe it is already November. All of my classes this semester are very interesting yet very difficult. I took a chemistry class, a biology class based on the eukaryotic cell, a design and statistical analysis class and calculus. Calculus is giving me a run for my money that is for sure! I recently met with my advisor to pick classes for next semester – more chemistry, a psychology course, a statistics class and another class to fill one of my requirements for graduation.

As of now, I'm still going down the road of going to dental school. Right now I would love to go to UMDNJ after I graduate from here, but I have time and plenty of options to consider. It's a tough road to follow so I'm doing the best that I can.

I look forward to seeing many of you during winter break. Thank you again so much.

Love,

Brianna O'Hara

Thank you all very much for the box of goodies. I always enjoy getting them every year. There is always something new in there every time I look.

Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Jared Pehanick

Dear Holy Trinity,

Thank you so much for the care package that I received in the mail! The food is such a nice treat to have since I have been working really hard lately trying to keep up with classes as well as planning to study abroad for the spring in London, England (I got accepted and am going this January!).

I also have shared the food with all my friends and they LOVE it.
Everything is going well with school, although it is getting to be close to the end of the semester and lots of work is building up. I still am a Biology major and Spanish minor and definitely plan to go to medical school after college.

I hope all is well in New Jersey! Thank you again!

Sincerely,
Jenni Pretz

Dear Holy Trinity Family,

I appreciate the delicious snack basket. It was a very nice surprise and I was very happy to receive it. Somehow you got all my favorites.

Thank you,

McCoy Ritchie

Dear Holy Trinity Family,

Thank you so much for the gift box, I was in true need of all of those snacks. Hopefully all is well in New Jersey and you all are happy and safe.

Thanks again,

Kyle Wehner

Dear Holy Trinity Family,

               Today I received your wonderful care package! It is so generously packed with lots of great snacks. These are all greatly appreciated.

               As the weather gets colder up here it’s nice to have snacks at hand when the dining halls are a cold walk away.

               Things are going great here at UConn. The semester’s end is approaching quickly and it is most definitely welcomed! Thank you for the care package and the warm wishes!

               Hope to see all of you this holiday season!

Thank you,

Melanie Woolley

Allied Health Major

University of Connecticut

To My Family at Holy Trinity,

Thank you very much for the care package! It was quite a surprise to come home to after a long day. I will enjoy these treats very much in the coming weeks.

I cannot believe how much this semester has flown by! Only 2.5 weeks of class left, then finals. Then, only one more semester to go!

Hope all is well back home, see you at Holy Trinity when I come home for Thanksgiving!

JJ Woolley
J