OUTDOOR WORSHIP
We welcome you to attend one of Trinity’s outdoor worship experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. We so very much look forward to seeing you and we believe we have developed protocols for these experiences that maintain health and wellness as much as is possible at this time. Please read this thoroughly so you are aware of the guidelines and best practices we will have in place for attendance.
Welcome to Trinity Church
Outdoor Worship
TRINITY CHURCH
ANNUAL REPORT - 2022
ADULT MINISTRIES
A Message from the Scott
Adult Ministries
Faith formation is a lifelong process, a belief that Trinity lives out by offering a diverse, engaging, and timely slate of Adult Education opportunities throughout the year.
In 2021-2022, faith formation unfolded partly through online offerings and partly through in-person opportunities.
In the Fall of 2021, we started the Adult Formation series with the Rector’s class Exploring the Episcopal Experience. Exploring the Episcopal Experience is a foundation-level class that examines all aspects of the Episcopal Church. It also serves as training for those new to the Episcopal Church and as a review for anyone interested.
In January, the Rector led a series titled “God in Real Life,” where he shared articles from current events beforehand, and the group considered how God is showing up in the events we observe daily. Finishing out the Winter term, we held a forum to explore Trinity’s new Time and Talent survey and its use in our larger life together. We also have Professor Peter Williams, who led a series on Religion in America as seen through its architecture.
In Lent, the Rector led a series titled “Difference, The Power of Faith in a Conflicted World.” A program of the Church of England and initiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the study explored the spiritual and biblical principles of living a faithful Christian life with those with whom we disagree on some topics.
After Easter, we welcomed our Bishop and held a series titled “Christian Perspectives on War.”
The Fall of 2023 kicked off with an opportunity for our new Associate Rector, Amy Peterson, to share her personal journey and continued with a session by Professor Williams on Cathedrals and a repeat of our class titled “God in Real Life.” Amy Peterson will lead a course on the Great-Grandmothers of Jesus. We will also welcome Norman Wirzba, a professor at Duke Divinity School, for one Sunday, where he will lead on the topic of the Spirituality of Eating.
After being self-led for many months, in the fall Rev. Amy Peterson began leading our Parents in Conversation Sunday morning group. In a series entitled “Bad Parents of the Bible,” the group has been slowly reading through the book of Genesis and plans to continue with occasional breaks for other themed units.
The weekly women’s Bible study continued meeting through the year, both in person and online, to discuss upcoming lectionary texts. The contemplative prayer and study group, which had been meeting virtually through the early years of the pandemic, began meeting in person in the Redwood Chapel and online in the fall. Several Trinity Members attend as as well as a group from St Simon’s Island, Georgia.
In addition, the Becoming Beloved Community book club, led by Sharon Lechner and Page McCorkle, continues to meet every other week in person and online, reading and discussing books by Black writers. Its members are deeply committed to anti-racist work and support each other’s endeavors outside of the group.
Our Rector, Scott, maintained a Thursday night Rector’s Bible Study on Zoom that has been consistently well-attended, averaging 20-30 people each week. Other adult formation offerings include the Women’s Bible Study and Online Friday Morning Prayers, and we continue to host a large class of Education for Ministry.
We give thanks, especially to all those who led a formation series or offered their professional expertise and spiritual wisdom.
Respectfully submitted,
Scott White
Women’s Bible Study
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The Women’s Bible Study (WBS) continued its weekly meetings this year to hold morning prayer and discuss the Sunday lectionary texts. Averaging between 10 and 20 participants each Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., WBS provides a warm, engaging, and fun environment in which those gathered share their joys and prayer requests, listen for God’s guidance, and enjoy each other’s companionship. Conversation around shared life together and around the scripture text is lively, engaging, and encouraging.
Because of the pandemic, the WBS moved to a hybrid platform that allows members to participate either in person or online, and members have continued to appreciate this option. The Zoom online version of the program allows members who are not able to attend in person (whether by location or health) to join this beloved group and find weekly support and connection. We’ve had folks join from multiple states away at times.
Deacon Bob Zito faithfully led the group while the church was without an Associate Rector. Beginning in late August, The Rev. Amy Peterson bgan facilitating discussions, assisted at times by adjunct clergy and lay members of the group on occasions when diocesan commitments required our clergy to be at other meetings. WBS remains a strong, important spiritual gathering in the life of Trinity Episcopal Church.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Peterson
Rector's Bible Study
The Rector's Bible Study has continued to be a bright light through and coming out of COVID-19. The study was born out of COVID-19 and our inability to gather in person. Begun soon after in-person worship was suspended the study continues to flourish and has become one of the largest online gatherings at Trinity. Our first book studied was Paul's Letter to the Galatians, we moved on to study the Acts of The Apostles and now we are doing a comparative study of the Synoptic Gospels. We have every intention of continuing this study. God has the power to take our darkest moments and do something amazing with them. This study is one of the blessings of COVID-19.
The use of the Zoom platform for this study benefits so many of our members. When the time changes and our evenings turn dark, during the winter months of questionable weather and more this platform allows us to continue meeting consistently. Many of our participants live 20 minutes away from the church building so what would be a nearly two hour block of time to participate is strictly the one hour of the study.
We took the summer of 2022 off and resumed at the end of September. We are starting off this new year with a study of John’s Revelation.
Respectfully submitted
Scott White
The Men’s Morning Prayer and Bible Study
The group (formerly Men's group) meets using ZOOM at 7:30 A.M. each Friday for a little over an hour. The group has grown to an average participation of 8 to 10. Still, in the quietness of the early hours, we continue to pray for the health of Trinity Parish family, the local community, our country, our nation, and the world. We also pray for those with personal concerns. We then take time to reflect on one of the following week's lessons. Often, contemporary national and international issues influence our discussions and prayers.
We welcome any and all, MEN AND WOMEN, to gather with us using ZOOM This information can also be found in the weekly updates at www.trinityasheville.org.
Submitted by
John Bordley
Education for Ministry
EfM provides a four-year curriculum that develops theologically informed laity who are prepared to listen for and respond to God’s call. EfM helps participants discover and exercise their varied gifts for ministry in their everyday lives.
An EfM group is 6-12 participants who meet weekly over 36 weeks. The classes are about 3 hours in length. Students are given weekly assignments to study and then come back to class ready to discuss the readings. Year One students study the Old Testament, Year Two, the New Testament, Year Three is Church History and Year Four is interfaith encounters and ethics.
EfM is open to all denominations and is an international program.
Trinity currently has 11 students. This class meets by Zoom on Monday evenings.
New classes begin in September 2023. and would welcome new students.
For more information, please contact Peggy Buchanan or Sandy Grant for the evening classes.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Buchanan
Trinity Wednesday Book Study
Reimagining Our Place in the Story
This hybrid book study group meets every other Wednesday 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm in the Clark Room and via Zoom. The group originally started by David Henson, former Associate Rector, along with parishioners, Sharon Lechner and Page McCorkle in June 2021. The first series included an initial group forming and norming meeting followed by discussions of the book, "Jesus and The Disinherited" by Howard Thurman.
The second series began in September 2021 and continues through December 2021. Co-facilitators, Sharon and Page, continue to lead the group. The book being studied is, “Sisters in the Wilderness” by Delores Williams.
The third series will begin in January 2022. The book selected to study is - “I’m Still Here, Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness” by Austin Channing Brown.
Each meeting we host about 6 people in-person and 2-4 online. Most members of the group are Trinitarians. The group has garnered attention of some non-members, who have joined us. We invite any interested participants.
We created a set of intentions that guide our meetings and we follow a simple format.
Intentions include:
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Building relationships, following Jesus into the wilderness, and learning together,
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Practicing making changes where we can, no matter how big or small,
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Committing to the work for a lifetime, making it a lifestyle choice
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Seeking the Third Way of gentleness, creativity, and divestment of power, not only in our antiracism work but in our relationships with each other.
In exploring the works of theologians of color and other African-American authors, we deepen our faith, expand our understanding of Christ’s call for reconciliation, and develop a different perspective of scripture.
We welcome group members to enter into dialogue in a safe and supportive setting with other fellow Trinitarians and church leaders – to discuss questions about the text that can be challenging and uncomfortable.
The group’s journey is to do “the work” of learning what have our black brothers and sisters experienced (and continue to experience in our world), how did (and do) they feel, what have they learned (and what can we learn from them), where did (and do) they find God in the midst of racism, oppression and violence, and most importantly -- what is our role in doing God’s work as fellow Christians.
We share our own stories of personal growth, shame, healing, and where we find hope and opportunity to embrace the larger community of faith that includes all God’s children. We discuss ways we -- as individuals, a group, a community and a world -- can promote social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
If you are interested in joining us, then please contact Page McCorkle or Sharon Lechner.
Rector's Bible Study
The Rector's Bible Study has been a bright light in the middle of this dark time of COVID-19. The study was born out of COVID-19 and our inability to gather in person. Begun soon after in-person worship was suspended the study continues to flourish and has become one of the largest online gatherings at Trinity, drawing up to 60 participants or more. Our first book studied was Paul's Letter to the Galatians. Now we are working our way through the Acts of The Apostles. We have every intention of continuing this study even when in-person gatherings resume. God has the power to take our darkest moments and do something amazing with them. This study is one of the blessings of COVID-19.
Respectfully submitted,
Scott White.
Women’s Bible Study
The Women’s Bible Study continued its faithful weekly meetings this year to hold morning prayer and to discuss the past Sunday’s lectionary texts. Averaging between 10 and 20 participants each Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., the WBS provides a warm, engaging, and fun environment in which those gathered share their joys and prayer requests, listen for God together, and enjoy each other’s companionship. Conversation around shared life together and around the scripture text for the week, is lively, engaging, and encouraging.
Because of the pandemic, the WBS moved to an online platform only since March. However, Zoom has enable participants who had not been able to attend for many months (whether by location or health) to rejoin this beloved group and find weekly support and connection during a time of social isolation. We’ve had folks join from multiple states away at times.
The Rev. Scott White and the Rev. David Henson continue to alternate weeks leading the group and facilitating discussions, with adjunct clergy, Nancy McCorkle, or other members of the group on occasions when diocesan commitments require our clergy to be at other meetings. The Women’s Bible Study remains a strong, important spiritual gathering in the life of Trinity Episcopal Church.
Respectfully Submitted,
Scott White
The Men’s Morning Prayer and Bible Study
“Thy words were found, and I ate them, and thy words became to me a joy and a delight of my heart, O Lord, God of hosts.”
Jeremiah 15:16
The men’s group meets using ZOOM at 7:30 A.M. for approx. an hour and a half each Friday. The group has grown to an average of 10 often gathering 12 or 13. Still, in the quietness of the early hours, we continue to pray for the health of Trinity Parish family, the local community, our Country, our nation, and the world. We also pray for those of personal concerns. We than take time to reflect on the following weeks Gospel lesson.
We welcome any and all to gather with us using ZOOM at the following address https://zoom.us/j/7480056 which can also be found in the weekly updates at trinity.org.
Submitted by Bill Myrick
contact # 262-203-2670 or 4wmharris@gmail.com
Education for Ministry
EfM provides a four year curriculum that develops theologically informed laity who are prepared to listen for and respond to God’s call. EfM helps participants discover and exercise their varied gifts for ministry in their everyday lives.
An EfM group is 6-12 participants who met weekly over 36 weeks. The classes are about 3 hours in length. Students are given weekly assignments to study and then come back to class ready to discuss the readings. Year One students study the Old Testament, Year Two, the New Testament, Year Three is Church History and Year Four is interfaith encounters and ethics.
EfM is open to all denominations and is an international program.
Trinity currently has three EfM classes representing all four years of study. Two of the classes are held on Monday evenings at Trinity. One class is held during the day at Deerfield.
New classes begin in September 2020 and would welcome new students.
For more information, please contact Peggy Buchanan or Sandy Grant for the evening classes or Rhonda Kilby for the day class.
2nd Chapter Book Group
What better way to share in our community of faith than to come together in a small group for honest conversation about a good, or not so good, book? We are a group of women who enjoy reading and getting together to talk about what we have read. Sometimes you read a book you may never have chosen if it was not on the “list” and it opens new horizons of thought.
This daytime group meets six times per year on the second Thursday of the even numbered months at the church from 10-11:30AM. 2020 marks our seventh year of meeting to discuss a variety of fiction and non-fiction books chosen by the group that lend themselves to good conversation. The year started normally with our first meeting at the church but quickly changed in April to a Zoom format online. Attendance usually varies from 6-8 women from our list of regulars and continues to see those numbers as we adjust to virtual meetings. Anyone interested in joining us should contact Barbara Fotinos (bfotinos@gmail.com) for more information.
Respectfully Submitted,
Barbara Fotinos
2nd Chapter Book Group
What better way to share in our community of faith than to come together in a small group for honest conversation about a good, or not so good, book? We are a group of women who enjoy reading and getting together to talk about what we have read. Sometimes you read a book you may never have chosen if it was not on the “list” and it opens new horizons of thought.
This daytime group meets six times per year on the second Thursday of the even numbered months at the church from 10-11:30AM. 2022 marks our ninth year of meeting to discuss a variety of fiction and non-fiction books chosen by the group that lend themselves to good conversation. We have approximately 20 active members with average attendance being 10. Being a member of this group is a great way to meet new people if you are new to Trinity. Anyone interested in joining us should contact Barbara Fotinos (bfotinos@gmail.com) for more information.
Respectfully Submitted,
Barbara Fotinos