Trinity Ministries

Acolytes

Contact: Ken Estes

Acolytes serve at 9:15, lighting and extinguishing candles, receiving the communion elements from the ushers, passing out and collecting offering plates, and assisting in preparation for communion. At 11:00 they do all those things plus lead the processions with the cross. In every case, they are always ready to do what is needed in assisting the clergy and other leaders of worship. Special events such as baptisms or holy days like Easter offer other options. Occasionally they serve at 8:00. Call Ken at 675-2225.

Altar Guild

Contact: Barbara Lohre

The Altar Guild is the group you seldom see in action, but are witness to their work every Sunday or any other occasion such as weddings, funerals, and special church events. The altar is prepared for each and every service by the ladies of the Guild (at one time, we actually had a gentlemen serve on the Altar Guild and would welcome more if they would like to join), as well as keep the linens and Communion vessels clean to be ready for the next service. The Altar Guild also keeps Jenks’ vestments clean and in good repair. There are four teams of three or four ladies who rotate throughout the year for one month at a time. This way no one is overwhelmed. We try to have someone from each of the services on a team whenever possible. There is always room for another member, and we welcome them with open arms. If you are interested in becoming a member contact Barbara Lohre at 937-6331 or beelohre@gmail.com.

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew

Contacts: Preston Angell and Phillip Strange

The Brothers meet in the Parish Hall at 7:30 AM on the first and third Saturdays of each month. The Brothers are divided into teams of three to four, which rotate the duties of preparing breakfast (or arranging for breakfast at the Café) and planning a program. Programs vary over a wide range, often reflecting a Brother’s occupation or life interest. Programs often address current world events and how as Christians we should be addressing the moral and ethical questions involved. Brothers are encouraged to contribute a nominal amount (less than the cost of a breakfast) at each meeting for the purpose of supporting several worthwhile projects on a continuing basis. If you are interested, seek out a Brother, or show up at one of our breakfast meetings. You’ll be cordially welcomed, and you may find that you enjoy it! Call Preston at 675-1353.

Dried Flower Sale

Contact: Liz Oliver

The Dried Flower Sale is a 50 plus year old tradition of using God's bounty to raise money for charitable works. This project is a good chance to make good use of the three "T"'s of stewardship - with a goodly amount of Time, a modicum of Talent, and a smidge of Treasure we create a beautiful end result that can be enjoyed for years to come. Although, we only take over the Parish Hall for about a month in the fall and the Tour itself encompasses one weekend, the Dried Flowers are actually a year-long ongoing project. We harvest and dry various flowers, vines, seeds, etc. as they come into bloom. Some of these are done with finesse in silica gel, or glycerine, but the majority are air dried. We are on a constant hunt for containers in which to arrange. I encourage anyone who has an interest in any aspect of this endeavor (growing, picking, drying, or arranging) to contact Helen Williams at 937-4279 or Liz Oliver at 675-3598 on where to begin. We will match you up with the correct mentor and once you begin you will find it hard to stop!

EfM (Education for Ministry)

Contact: Jenks Hobson

The Trinity schedule always keeps Friday mornings, 9:30 to 12:30, during the school year for EfM. What can that mean? It means Education for Ministry – a four-year class in which the Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, and Modern Developments are studied, and theological reflections encouraged, to deepen our knowledge, appreciation, and understanding of our Christian faith. Is it a big commitment? It may seem so at first, but everyone who starts Year 1 soon finds Friday mornings sacred. Come and join us in conversation, laughter, prayer, contemplation, learning, and reflection.

Fellowship

Contact: Judy Segaar

At Trinity we do a lot of "gathering together", and as a vestry member I view anything we can do to enhance these gatherings as "fellowship". Most of the time those enhancements have to do with refreshing ourselves, i.e. having refreshments. The Fellowship Committee - sixteen strong - makes arrangements for refreshments at our church events. Those events include the lunch following the annual congregational meeting, Lenten dinners, the church picnic, and weekly coffee hours. We also facilitate the small group dinners and arrange for hosting of the annual Dried Flower/House Tour event every October. We are "on call" to assist with funerals and other events that come up on the church calendar. We are grateful to the many people who help with our church gatherings, and we welcome additional members to our fellowship committee. Call Judy at 937-6644.

Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEM)

Contact: Jenks Hobson

Lay Eucharistic Ministers assist in the sharing of communion by administering the chalice (the cup of wine) while Jenks shares the bread. The ministry is exercised at all 9:15 and 11:00 eucharists, and very occasionally at 8:00 eucharists. They usually vest and sit either in the altar area or in the choir. Those who are new to this ministry meet with Jenks for training and coordination. At 11:00 the LEM also does the prayers of the people (this is the litanist role which we will address later). Another facet of LEM function that we want to do more frequently is the taking of communion from the church to those who are unable to be with us for reasons of health and age. If any aspect of these various functions interests you, please talk to, call, or email Jenks.

Small Group Dinners

Contact: Nancy Weitz

One of the social activities of our church that has been very popular in the past ten years is the “Small Group Dinners”. The main purpose initially was to get the people of our three services together socially. We divide into groups each fall and meet at someone's home or the parish hall. Everyone brings a dish – vegetable, salad, starch, or dessert, so it's not a big task for anyone. No home is too small or too big. This next year we will be getting back to the original “small groups”. We've had so much interest that our groups have gotten too big. We want everyone to feel they can participate. It's such a great way to put names to faces. Communication is so important for the success of any church. Our Trinity family is so very special – we feel the Small Group Dinners have been a great contribution. If you haven't participated, we encourage you to contact Nancy Weitz at 987-8154.

United Thank Offering

Contact: Louise Eastham

The United Thank Offering is a personal and family devotional program of the Episcopal Church. It is the sum of our daily thanks for the blessing in our everyday lives – for good weather, happy times, job opportunity, and unexpected visits – there are so many things for which we can be thankful. At the very least, we can be thankful to God for blessings and take action by putting coins in the Blue Box. Twice a year you are asked to bring the amount of your daily thanksgiving for the ingathering, where it is combined with offerings of hundreds of thousands of other Episcopalians to become the United Thank Offering.

The United Thank Offering is an organization founded by Julia Emery and Ida Soule, Episcopal women, in 1889 and originally supportive of women missionaries. It has become a worldwide effort to meet compelling human needs and to expand the mission and ministry of the church – for men, women, and children throughout the world. The UTO is a way for each person to express tangible thanks to God. United with prayers and offerings of Episcopalians, its ministry reaches around the world. The power of the Blue Box is unlimited. Your prayers and offerings have built churches and schools, made needed renovations, fed the hungry, clothed the poor, provided shelter for the homeless and provided care and support for those with physical, mental, and emotional challenges.

If you do not have a Blue Box, or would like to know more about the United Thank Offering, please contact Louise Eastham at 675-3550. Regular, intentional thanksgiving can make a difference in your life as well as in the lives of those who receive your offering.

Ushers

Contact: Noel Laing

The main responsibilities of ushers at Trinity are to greet people as they arrive. They also hand out the bulletins. We have four teams of six to eight people with a team captain to set their schedule. At the 8 o’clock service, the usher turns on the lights, lights the candles on the altar, and takes the bread and wine down to Jenks after the Peace. At the 9:15 and 11:00 o’clock services, they take the bread and wine down after the Peace and then take up the collection. After the service, they make sure the pews are clean and ready for the next service. Each team ushers three months a year. This works out to about two Sundays a month for each member of six Sundays a year. Contact Noel at 937-3511.

Vacation Bible School (VBS)

Contact: Noel Laing

Trinity holds a joint Vacation Bible School (VBS) every summer with Washington Baptist Church hosting. The week is filled with fun and excitement for all involved. Every morning children fill the church with great expectations about what's in store for them. They spend the morning enjoying crafts, songs, skits, bible stories, outdoor recreation, and snacks. In order to have a successful VBS, it takes a community of volunteers from teens to retired folks. No matter what your talents are you would be a great asset to the VBS team! Contact Noel at 937-3511.