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
WORSHIP MINISTRIES
Worship Team
The Worship Team is composed of both lay and ordained people at Trinity and is charged with assisting the Rector in planning, organizing and implementing parish worship.
In the Episcopal Church, the Rector has sole responsibility for leading and shaping worship in the congregation. However, liturgy cannot happen by the work of the Rector alone. It takes a large group of dedicated individuals to offer liturgy that is meaningful and lifts up the presence of Jesus among us. This team seeks to work together so that the worship of Trinity is edifying to all.
We meet four times a year to assist the Rector with planning. The team comes together to review and coordinate upcoming services; critique past services for any new learning and help cast a vision for worship at Trinity.
The Worship team has resumed meeting after the COVID pandemic and continues to evaluate our regathering.
It is clear that not all members of Trinity who were participating as a minister of the service before the pandemic have returned. A number of our ministries are suffering from lack of participation. We continue to evaluate recruit and train and will consider any adjustments to our liturgies that need to be made in the wake of COVID.
Respectively submitted
Scott White
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild is the “quiet ministry” at Trinity church. The role of the Altar Guild is to prepare all things necessary for the celebration of the Eucharist, Sacraments and Offices of the Church.
In 2022, Trinity’s Altar Guild consisted of 16 active members . We had several retirements this past year and one member who requested to be a substitute as well as several who have not expressed a desire to continue as a member. We have the challenge of members being confident enough to return to in-person service, although that has picked up. Hopefully, we can get back to more participation. We have also had to order more disposable communion cups and trays than anticipated for the services as well as make sure the vestments and hangings are clean and in good repair. This year our budget has been stretched quite thin due to rising costs of shipping and prices of needed supplies. The supplies that are essential to our ministry are: wine, communion wafers, candles, liquid wax, towelettes, and cleaning supplies.
We continue to be dedicated to serving God by preparing the sanctuary, the altar, the hangings, vessels and elements for service and worship.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jane Exner and Brad Wilson
Linen Guild
The Linen Guild is the part of St. Hilda’s Altar Guild that launders, maintains, and cares for the Eucharistic linens used in all our services. These beautiful sacred linens include purificators, corporals, credence table covers, baptismal towels, altar cloths, and fair linens.
The Linen Guild is responsible for laundering and caring for the fair linens and altar cloths used on the four altars and the Healing Station altar. These altars are used for various weekly services. We also care for the small linens used regularly in all services.
Membership in the Linen Guild is not exclusive to members of the St. Hilda’s Altar Guild. Anyone who has an interest and will care for the linens in a reverent, careful manner is welcome. Linen Guild members currently serve on a rotating schedule of two weeks twice a year. Members take the used linens home after the Eucharist to launder and iron them, returning them to the church the following week.
We presently have 15 members in this guild. We are grateful to those who serve in this ministry and we welcome anyone who would like to be a part of this dedicated group. Linen Guild members, through their service, deepen their faith and their knowledge of the church and the Sacraments.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Whisenhunt, Chair
Acolytes
Trinity’s Acolyte Ministry is the largest, most active group of youth in the church. We have youth and children who serve on a regular basis, at least once a month, but sometimes more. The goal of the acolyte ministry is to serve God and his church, and to enhance the worship service for all involved. Acolytes don’t do or say a lot during the service, but imagine how different our service would be without the cross, candles, or banners!
USHER MINISTRY TEAM
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The “Ministers of the Service” notification program seems to be working, albeit with the occasional last minute fill-in need. For the most part our ushers have adapted to this new technology very well.
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Jeff Imes will be taking over the position of Head Usher in 2023 and he will be transitioning to that role at our annual Usher Dinner on November 9th.
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In light of the MSP system’s ability to manage scheduling changes and special needs, the role of the head usher will be slightly reduced to include the creation of an annual schedule, maintenance of the usher roster and coordination of training for our usher captains as procedures change
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We are returning to the traditional Christmas Eve schedule this year, with three services at 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM and 11:00 PM (music starting at 5:00 and 10:30). There will be a Christmas Day service at 10:00 AM.
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The usher schedule for 2023 will have six teams of five ushers each. The schedule covers the 52 regular 10:45 services and 14 special services.
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We are meeting with members of the Vestry who comprise the Security task force to offer input to their studies of dealing with members of the homeless and vagrant population that come into church during our regular Sunday services. How do we deal with them in a respectful manner while offering protection, if needed to our congregation and clergy.
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We will again have our annual “all usher dinner” that is scheduled for November 9th. We have invited our staff members and the Welcome Minister team to join us this year.
Respectfully submitted,
David Pheil
Congregational Development
The Congregational Development Ministry Team’s mission is to:
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Extend Trinity’s ministry beyond our walls and out to the wider community.
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Make the experience of a newcomer as welcoming as it can be.
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Fully incorporate newcomers and help them move beyond membership to participation.
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Encourage current members into participation.
This past year we have specifically done the following:
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Provided Welcome Ministers at our main Sunday morning service.
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Provided updates to our Pictorial Directory.
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Made weekly calls to anyone submitting a Welcome Card.
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Continued our Stocking Ministry to regularly restock each pew card holder with Welcome Cards and Scribble Cards.
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Held two Newcomer events.
The coffee hour in our courtyard continues to provide a wonderful place to get to know one another. Our dreams for the future are to continue to incorporate both old comers and newcomers into becoming more engaged at Trinity.
Team Members: Ed Bleynat, Stephanie Carpenter, Jim Deuel, Bill Dockendorf, Binford Jennings, Ralph Simpson,
Cheri Taylor, Brad Wilson, Lorrie Weeks, and Scott White.
Respectfully submitted
Carlyn Pheil, Convener