Special information for newcomers

Seasons at Trinity

The Trinity Church year begins in mid-September with a Parish Picnic and a return to three services on Sunday (7:45 am, 8:45 am and 11:00 am). The summer lull is over and the activities of the parish begin a fresh new year. Sunday School for all ages starts at 10:00 am. The choirs begin preparing music. Taize-style services resume on the first Tuesday of each month.

The Blessing of the Animals is the first special service of the season. A new Vestry is chosen. In November on All Saints’ Day we commemorate the beloved dead.

Advent brings special events like the eagerly anticipated Advent Lessons and Carols service on the first Sunday of the Advent season. An Advent Event brings all ages together to make Advent wreaths, and celebrate the anticipation of the coming of Christ.

The Christmas season features a Pageant presented by the children and youth of the Parish. Christmas Eve is the joyful celebration in music and ritual of the humble birth of Jesus. In January or February, a mission trip to Honduras usually takes place.

As the winter wanes, Ash Wednesday brings in the somber season of Lent. A Lenten study series and dinner is often planned for the long evenings. Holy Week starts with Palm Sunday, and ends with Easter Sunday...in glory. Between these important services are those that are the most somber observances of the church year, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Eve.

Spring brings celebrations of the coming to man of the Holy Spirit and the telling of the word of Jesus Christ by the disciples and the founding of the Christian tradition. Sometimes a Parish Retreat is planned, sometimes a mission trip. In late spring, another picnic is held to usher in the summer.

Mass on the Grass is held in the churchyard on summer Wednesday evenings, a Eucharist service followed by dinner and fellowship. Sunday services are held at 8:00 am and 10:00. The highlight of the summer is Vacation Bible School, attracting children from the Parish and the neighborhood in July.

Volunteering at Trinity Church

Trinity Church simply would not be Trinity Church without its many volunteers.

Worship is greatly enhanced by young and adult acolytes, choir members, readers, deacons, greeters, ushers and Altar Guild members.
 
Community outreach is done by volunteers. Our Noon Lunch Program, a significant community service that serves a hot noon meal to about thirty needy men, women and children each weekday, is run by volunteers from twelve local churches and by many dedicated Trinity volunteers. We also support SACRA (the local organization of churches that disburses emergency funds) both with volunteers and with a special monthly collection. Our Outreach Dinner on Christmas Eve provides a delicious meal and a gift purchased by the congregation for each person attending. Our Meals On Wheels responsibilities are coordinated and delivered by volunteers.

Parish care is supported strongly by volunteers. Lay Eucharistic Ministers deliver communion to housebound people, specially appointed visitors comfort those who are sick or bereaved, prayer chain members pray daily for those in need of support, the Casserole Committee provides meals to those who are ill, bereaved, or in changing circumstances. Newcomers are greeted by welcoming members bearing homemade quiches.

Children and youth at Trinity are supported by Sunday School teachers at all levels, members of the Christian Education committee and Vacation Bible School volunteers. Parents and grandparents join other members as adult chaperones for mission trips and other over-nights.

Adult Christian Education benefits from volunteer organizers and presenters, bible study leaders, book discussion leaders and special events coordinators.

The care of Trinity property and assets, as well as stewardship and special fund raising are also ways in which the people of Trinity contribute to parish life. There are work crews and individuals who help with the maintenance of church property. There are  committees devoted to protecting and prudently investing Trinity’s resources.

Office projects that depend on volunteers are offerings counting, weekly mailings to housebound members, parish-wide mailings, bulletin production, newsletter production and mailing.