TRINITY CHURCH
ANNUAL REPORT - 2023
WORSHIP MINISTRIES
The Worship Team comprises lay and ordained people at Trinity and assists 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 a meaningful liturgy that lifts up the presence of Jesus among us. This team seeks to work together so that the worship of Trinity Church 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 is an important part of paying attention to the core aspect of a Christian community–praising God. The team is invaluable to the Rector as the Rector is charged with oversight of worship.
Respectively submitted
Scott White
Music Ministry
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In the Fall of 2023, we have 10 children in the Alleluia Choir, 4 in the Jubilate Singers, 31 adults, and 10 handbell ringers in our choirs. We continue to have an instrumentalist and soloist at each Celtic service. Our Lead Singers are Pamela Miller, Nana Hosmer Griffin, Robert Thorpe, and Andrew Davis. We are grateful to organist James Taulbee, who graciously volunteers as an accompanist occasionally.
2023 highlights:
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Music Revue in February
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Requiem by John Rutter sung by the Chancel Choir in March
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Evensong service was sung by Pastyme on Palm Sunday
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Easter Vigil music led by a vocal quartet
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Easter services at 9:00 and 11:00 with choir and brass
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Chancel Choir’s Evensong in May
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Celtic Harp duo at the Celtic Service on September 24
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Chancel Choir retreat at Lake Logan in October
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Three Choir Festival by the Church Street Choirs in October
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Recital by David Woodard and James Taulbee in November
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2023 Music for Advent series on Wednesdays at noon, followed by lunch. Musicians include Polly Feitzinger (piano), Gray Pearson (piano, organ, oboe) and Jessica Schaeffer (harp)/Kate Steinbeck (flute)
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Lessons and Carols with choir and brass on December 10
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Prelude to Christmas Eve thirty minutes before the 5:30 and 11:00 services by choir and brass
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon C Boone
Music Director and Organist
Altar Guild​
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The Altar Guild continues to be the “quiet ministry” at Trinity. What we do is behind the scenes, and our main role is to prepare all things necessary for the celebration of the Eucharist, Sacraments, and Offices of the Church.
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In 2023, St. Hilda’s Altar Guild has 14 active members. In order to keep up with three Sunday services as well as weddings, funerals, baptisms, and the additional Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, and Easter services, we added a third co-chair. This decision was made based on the need to have at least two directors available at all times.
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We continue to recruit and retain members and welcomed two new members this year.
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We are so grateful that our attendance has increased at all three Sunday services, but that also brings the challenge of being fiscally responsible. The supplies essential to our ministry continue to be wine, communion wafers, wax candles, liquid wax, and cleaning supplies. Along with rising vendor costs and increased shipping charges, our budget has been strained. Of course, we need all these pieces in order to have services.
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As a group, we continue to be dedicated to serving God by preparing the Sanctuary, Altar, hangings, vessels, and elements for service and worship.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jane Exner
Ada Jo Foley
Bill Brackney
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.
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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.
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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 16 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
Chairperson
Acolytes
Trinity’s Acolyte Ministry is the largest, most active group of youth in the church. We have 41 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!
Each Sunday requires a minimum of 5 acolytes- one for 8:00 service and 4 for 10:45. The average number of acolytes scheduled for 10:45 service is 4 per Sunday. Bill Morrissey has faithfully served as the acolyte for the 8:00 for many years and only misses one or two Sundays a year.
The majority of our acolytes are in 3rd- 12th grades. We do have some adults that acolyte occasionally when it is not appropriate to use youth, primarily for funerals, the 11:00 pm Christmas Eve service, and the 6:00 am Great Vigil of Easter.
Monies from the acolyte ministry budget are used for the maintenance of vestments, the purchase of new gloves as needed, and to purchase and engrave crosses for our acolytes.
We had one senior acolyte, Henry Holland, who helped with the acolytes and helped the Acolyte Master. Beginning in August, we have a new senior acolyte, Frida Vassallo.
We have two adult volunteers who help with the acolytes, Elizabeth Boulter and Anna Whisnant, when the Acolyte Master isn’t there on Sundays.
We have two training sessions, one in August and one in January.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Cox
Trinity Flower Guild
The Flower Guild ensures that the altar is adorned with beautiful arrangements each Sunday, always in honor of or as a memorial to loved ones and friends. The Flower Guild also works with the Altar Guild to decorate the Church for the High Holy Holidays, Christmas, and Easter. Our guild currently has twenty-eight members.
Once a part of the Altar Guild, we now coordinate with them and the Flower Delivery Team. This is an enthusiastic, talented, and dedicated group: when the schedule is sent via MSP every two months, every slot is filled within days.
In the fall, the Flower Guild hosts an annual luncheon for its members, including the Altar Guild and the Flower Delivery team. This year we welcomed the Linen Guild to this informational meeting. Linen Guild Chair Nancy Whisenhunt shared an update on plans for this year’s renovation of the working sacristy. The Flower Guild presented the Christmas reveal, with Ken Wilson showcasing his vision for decorating throughout Trinity this December.
Forty-two parishioners gathered in the courtyard on the first day of fall to share a picnic lunch. This meeting provided time to share information from each team, including how we can work better together. Social time is equally important as we reconnect and get to know one another better. Four new members, who signed up at the Ministry Fair in September, were also welcomed.
In the spring of 2024, the Flower Guild will host a workshop led by Sharon Miller for all members of Trinity who may be interested in arranging altar flowers. This workshop will address all levels of experience, so feel free to attend if you are curious about this creative process. Watch for an invite in the Sunday Times.
New members will be assigned to work with experienced arrangers during orientation. If you feel called to beautify the sanctuary to the Glory of God and would like to join this dedicated group, please get in touch with me. We would love to have you!
Chris Dismukes
Flower Guild Chair
828-231-2897
USHER MINISTRY TEAM
The Ushers serve to help create a spirit of worship, reverence, and friendliness in and about the church during services. Visitors receive their first impression of the church from the greeters and ushers, and this first impression may be the deciding factor in a visitor becoming a regular worshiper.
The Usher Ministry for 2023 consists of 37 men and women across six teams who serve dutifully at 63 regular and special services.
Looking ahead to next year, the Usher schedule for 2024 will have six teams and individuals covering 62 regular and special services. Ushers will serve 9 times per year on average.
In the upcoming year, The Usher Ministry will continue to work with members of the vestry and the Buildings and Grounds Committee to develop a more strategic plan and approach to the safety and security of our campus, so parishioners continue to feel safe and secure and all visitors feel welcome.
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We are always looking for volunteers to be a part of the Usher Ministry! If you would like to learn more about being an Usher, please contact Jeff Imes: imesjf@gmail.com ; (828) 273-7300.
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Respectfully submitted,
Jeff Imes, Head Usher
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 everyone submitting a Welcome Card
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Continued our Stocking Ministry to regularly restock pew card holders
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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, Jim Deuel, Kathie Owings, Tim Owings, Carlyn Pheil, Cheri Taylor, Lorrie Weeks, Scott White and Bob Zito.
Respectfully submitted,
Carlyn Pheil, Convener
This past year we have specifically done the following:
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Provided Welcome Ministers at our main Sunday morning service
-
Provided updates to our Pictorial Directory
-
Made weekly calls to everyone submitting a Welcome Card
-
Continued our Stocking Ministry to regularly restock pew card holders
-
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, Jim Deuel, Kathie Owings, Tim Owings, Carlyn Pheil, Cheri Taylor, Lorrie Weeks, Scott White and Bob Zito.
Respectfully submitted,
Carlyn Pheil, Convener