Trinity Episcopal Church, Asheville, North Carolina

Note: Church Education Courses do not meet during the Summer.
Resumes the end of August.

The favorite part of the service, for many people at Trinity, is following the Offertory and during the Peace when the children come into the Church to join their parents for Holy Communion. The laughter and patter of feet is the sound that gives light to the life of the Parish. Trinity is blessed with a large number of young families that brings with it a vitality not often found in today's churches.

Our Christmas Eve service is filled with bright faces, costumes, and high energy!

The Godly Play curriculum uses a careful telling of scripture stories, engaging story figures and variety of creative activities to encourage children to seek and find their own answers to their faith questions. This unique approach to religious education invites children to wonder about themselves, God and the world in a way that is playful and meaningful to them. Godly Play respects the innate spirituality of children and encourages them to use their curiosity and imagination to experience the mystery and joy of God.

This class uses the foundations learned in Godly Play to explore stories from scripture as they relate to the liturgical year. Each season of the church year focuses on one of the Godly Play stories, where we expand our understanding of its meaning through a variety of means: art projects, dramatic presentations, community outreach and other ways that involve the student’s active participation.

All of the above meet at 9:30, but don't forget the Children's Story Hour which meets at 10:30 am in Tuton Hall for ages 3 through 2nd Grade.

Nursery is available during both the 9:30 am Sunday School hour and the 10:45 service. The nurserys are located in the connector corridor to Tuton Hall. For children under 3 years of age.

In addition to our annual events such as the Children’s Christmas Pageant, Easter Egg Hunt and Vacation Bible School , we offer many opportunities for children and their families to gather to socialize and have fun! We hike, bike, snow tube, picnic and get together for other fun activities. We go on field trips in conjunction with our curriculum- which included most recently, visiting a local synagogue and funding a food drive and visiting A-Hope shelter for the homeless. Hands on ministry is encouraged here!

Trinity Youth come from many different middle and high schools in the Asheville area creating a unique diversity. There are many opportunities for our young people.

Grades 6 - 8 This group uses the Seasons of the Spirit Curriculum. This is an international lectionary-based church school curriculum that builds strong faith communities by centering the ministries of Christian Education, worship and service around common scriptures each week. This group meets in the Youth Room on Tuton Hallway every Sunday at 9:30.

Grades 9 - 12 A variety of curricula is used for this group, including the Journey to Adulthood Curriculum. They meet in the EYC Room.

Bowling

Youth Group (Grades 6 - 12) Youth Group meets every Sunday from September through May. Activities are announced in Tidings or through mailings.

Mission Trips (Grades 10 - 12) Trinity Youth go to Tegucigalpa, Honduras to El Hogar, a boy's orphanage. This is an experience our young people look forward to every other year.

Diocesan Events Trinity's young people are connected to our diocese through events such as the Acolyte Festival, New Beginnings, Fall and Spring Conferences and Camp Henry.

"Public leaders, home makers, physicians, attorneys and business owners, movers and shakers, community activists and volunteers, all have called Trinity home."

The adult offerings are exciting and well thought out, with fun and fellowship to guide you along the way. There are classes on the Gospels, the Sunday Lectionary Readings, and what it means to be a Christian (and an Episcopalian) in today's world. In addition, there are offerings during the week, with everything from Bible studies to prayer groups.

Acts of the Apostles The Acts of the Apostles class explores the journey of the early church. The class studies Acts in relationship to The Gospel According to Luke, written by the same author, and as a continuation of the Synoptic tradition of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Tools used by the class include historical context, literary strategy, theological reflection, and the early Christian community's concerns as it advances from Jerusalem throughout the Roman Empire. The class format includes both presentation of materials and group discussion, with reflection not only on the texts as these are written, but also as they are lived out in community. This class is let by Ed Blaynat and meets every Sunday in the Goosmann Room (upstairs hallway).

Gleaners of the Word This class will studies the Book of Ephesians. While the teacher will provide the historical background and exegesis, various class members will lead the exposition and discussion.

The Gleaners Class is currently doing an in-depth study of the four scripture readings in the Lectionary for each Sunday. The framework for this study is the “Synthesis CE” series published for the Episcopal Church. Trinity has transitioned to the Revised Common Lectionary, and the class is becoming acquainted with the new series of lessons. In addition to class reading and discussion, we supplement the lessons with guest speakers, art, and music (including some old-time mountain gospel hymns, where appropriate!) Roland Doepner leads the class, assisted by Michael Jones, with commentary by Ed Bleynat, when needed. Please join us each Sunday in the Adult Sunday School class. The class is taught by Roland Doepner in Room 204.

Parents in Conversation A class focused on issues of interest to families, but open to everyone Sundays at 9:30 in the Clark Room.

Adult Forum A class that meets throughout the year with different offerings and facilitators. This class meets in the Undercroft from 9:30 am to 10:30 am on Sunday. The facilitators and topics are announced in Tidings. Everyone is welcomed!