About Us

• In the 1940s and 1950s a vibrant place where movers of the community attended. A presence in the community
• 2002 Noreen started Friends’ dinner
• The pool table (high school kids) played at noon
• Mayor came to capital campaign dinner
• Mid 1960s – choir picture in paper; 50 kids in the choir
• Noreen was interviewed on TV more than once
• Newspaper articles frequently about Trinity
• Art Doersam encouraged understanding of other religions – esp. Judaism, very ecumenical

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• It was great. Sue Moore turned around and greeted us warmly. (1984)
• Louise Boehmke greeted me at end of service and introduced herself (1988)
• Rick and Lynn Lacey turned around to greet and instructed me about intinction
• Noreen brought me to Trinity. (2002)
• Just wandered in
• Came to learn and participate as a potential Episcopalian (1955)
• Came on a summer Sunday. Joined choir (Peter said welcome) (1997)
• Came to Trinity because geographically close to home
• I think I sang in the choir
• The Sunday that the organ was dedicated – Phoebe Helfer was the organist – I was sold!
• My baptism as an infant
• I came as a single parent, and from my first visit felt like our family belonged here

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• Saint Nicholas – Richard Schaal
• Heath Civetta
• Miss Mabel Hissey – Her true love of children
• Phebe English Helfer – Her years and years of dedication
• Bill Opie – His hidden puppets
• Clarence Brown – He brought the shyest children out of their shell
• Erica Wood
• Peter Browne
• Esther Couper
• Noreen Suriner
• Art Doersam
• Jack Hooton – His interesting choir rehearsals (1960’s)
• Jack Hooton – Taught my whole family to love Anglican church music (for life)
• Paul Thompson – His calming service to adults and his special love of children
• Alan Crabb – His St Nicholas Play and his contribution to the adult choir
• Carmen Penna – Her ability to bring out the best in our children
• Paul Donecker – “One in a Million”
• Andy Lacey – Her true dedication to this parish

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• Book study groups – with Heath
• Second Sunday has been an excellent Christian Ed addition
• Choir could get you out of Sunday School
• Many stories of Choir Camp!
• Krispy Kritters Skit
• EFM
• Choir Camp
• Carmen Penna’s Children’s Church 25+ years (children singing “This Little Light of Mine” with gestures
• The brilliant DCE leadership of Pat Raube-Wilson
• Youth group trips

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• The first time I was asked to assist at the altar
• Capital Campaign kickoff dinner – symbolic of a new beginning
• Memories of coming as a family with a new baby
• Choir suppers
• Phebe English Helfer
• Welcomes diversity
• Growing up here – knowing who you are
• Being part of the community
• Raising kids here
• Miss Hissy
• Miss Britten
• A feeling of everyone being equal
• Choir reunion
• Welcoming nature of Trinity at my father’s funeral – March 2009
• Noyes Fludde
• Scouts
• Choir
• Christmas
• Working with the youth in the Breakfast Club

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• Easter sermon – very short! (96 sec long) -1981
• Silent Night with candlelight – ongoing
• Service: lessons and carols – my favorite service
• Lamb costumes in the Christmas pageant
• The Easter Service with breakfast in between
• The beautiful Christmas services
• Flower Sunday – procession at floral tributes “All Things Bright and Beautiful”
• Christmas Eve Services at 11 p.m. – music, lessons, church decorations, candlelight
• Easter services, lessons, music, flowers, a happy relief from somber Lent
• Art Doersam (as one of the kings of Epiphany) swinging a Thurifer of incense
• Watching my young niece ho her own candle while we sang Silent Night at Christmas Eve service
• Amahl – The reception after the “midnight” service (everybody was “back home for the holidays”
• My grown children look forward to every holiday, especially Christmas Eve Service. There is not enough room on this paper to describe the beautiful music of the choir under the direction of Peter Browne – he never ceases to amaze me with his musical talents

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• A place to explore: differences in architecture & design / many rooms & secret places
• Looks like a church “A Special Place”
• Stained glass windows. Ascension Window
• Historic preservation for parish and the city of Binghamton
• Good size – “home” feels good, right size, warmth
• A beautiful church
• It has the best hammer-bean roof in town!
• The crazy way you enter the sanctuary through the hallways and the gym
• The gym door and newly-paved parking lot is a big improvement
• Finding the bones in the old dry well
• We want to go up the bell tower
• Too much empty space not in full use any more
• Love the wainscoting and windows in roof of the nave
• A great place for contra dances (except too hot in summer)
• My first visit was wonderful
• What is peace & love food for eternity that’s what!
• I have been attending church at Trinity for 3 years now, and every week
• I notice something beautiful, different, historical & special about this building. I often wonder “Who sat in row 22 - 55, 75 years ago?”(my favorite row)

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• The sound of Mr Browne playing the organ (practicing) before the service
• The beautiful service in honor of my father in March 2009
• Coming out into the snow on Christmas Eve after hearing Messiaen for the first time. Awesome!
• Jack Hooten as a great influence
• Peter Browne’s selection of music that enriches our worship
• Our organ is really something special
• The performance of the Czech choir. Very controlled performance
• When the Baxters sang “Pie Jesu”
• Madrigal Choir Christmas concerts
• Advantages of exposure to fine music for youth. A tradition here.
• Music enhanced worship for all. Being included in worship is important
• It’s awesome – a significant part of the liturgy
• Peter Browne
• The music makes me calm; it has brought me back again and again
• The Treble trip to England – with fundraising concerts and dinners for 1-2 years before – and then a fabulous trip
• Choir – clergy breakfast at the Tally Ho diner before it burned down – between Easter services
• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for children (late 1990 – 2000+)
• Worship is very compelling – focuses on our relationship to God in each other. Music is wonderful, magnificent, etc.
• The extraordinary music – postludes & preludes – the challenging music program of our young choirs
• Always outstanding – the reason I came to Trinity, especially “Lessons & Carols”
• Choir concerts
• Challenging & excellent music
• The children’s choir when it filled the pews
• The peace from singing and hearing some really old music
• When I attend church on Sunday, my whole week is so much better! I am so proud to say “I’m a member of Trinity”
• The choristers – 45 strong in the early 60’s. A way of life for me

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• Baptism and Confirmation in Jan 1961. Chorister Choir Rehearsals each Friday afternoon with Mr. Hooten
• Bethel Bible Classes
• Adult education classes when Diane Simm was DCE
• Heath Civetta’s Ministry – Exuberance & gift for preaching
• Thanksgiving Day Church Exchanges
• Successful Capital Campaign
• Christmas services
• Singing in the choir
• Daughter married here
• Our three sons (in turn) in Trebles then adult choir
• Our son's interfaith weeding here
• District confirmation at Trinity (2003?) with 50+ confirmations
• Singing in choir. And having our daughter, husband and grandsons join this parish
• Son baptized here – Art walked thru church introducing him to everyone
• When my children came home and we attend church as a family. The beautiful music, message and people make it such a special tradition

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• Roof leaking into the organ
• Oak St door
• Peeling paint
• Deferred maintenance
• Bishop Robinson reporting (lacked focus)
• When the parish house burned
• Not being included well as a newcomer during Noreen Suriner’s welcome dinner

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• We remember fondly not just priests but all our diocesan interns: Erica Wood, Glenn Kanestrom, Julie C-B and assistants, Heath Civetta, Stu Purdy
• Art Doersam came out to my home for a personal visit when I joined Trinity
• Interactions with Paul Thompson, Art Doersam, Noreen, Ralph Johnson, Charles Cesaretti
• Paul Thompson and his handkerchief “rabbit” with which he entertained children
• Paul Thompson came to my house to welcome us – but came unannounced!
• My “kids” loved Paul Thompson’s “bunny” from a handkerchief
• Became very active within Noreen’s tenure
• Paul Donecker “rescued” us from a downward slide!

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