February Newsletter/Music Director Selected

I am pleased to announce that Nick Herrin will join the staff of Holy Trinity as the new Music Director. His first Sunday will be February 26th. Nick comes to us from St. James House of Prayer Episcopal Church in Tampa. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Comprehensive Music degree from Campbell University in North Carolina, with continuing education at the University of North Carolina, School of the Arts Conservatory in Winston-Salem. He served with Fr. Hehr on the staff of St. John's, Tampa, as Associate Organist. In that setting, he played for the Sunday services, weekly chapel services and directed the Middle School Choir.

Holy Trinity parishioners first met Nick at our 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service. With very little notice, he jumped in to help us that evening even though he already had another Christmas Eve service to play at St. James. Nick very quickly demonstrated his musical skill, flexibility and love of working with people. He is comfortable with a variety of musical styles and will help Holy Trinity grow and expand its musical repertoire.

A reception will be held on Sunday, February 26th, after the 10:00 a.m. service. At that time we will greet Nick and his fiancée, Chanele.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all the fine musicians who have helped us since October. They are Eleanor Taylor, Pamela Rogers-Hehr, Neil Page, Jan Highsmith, Cheryl Brouette, Nick Herrin, and Nancy Metivier.

In Christ,

Randy Hehr

Rector

Changing Church in a Changing World
by provocative Christian author Brian McLaren

The exciting Sunday morning series of discussions concludes this Sunday, Feb 12, 11:30 a.m., upstairs in the Parish Hall. We are exploring the work of a provocative Christian author, speaker and activist Brian McLaren. See him live at one or more of his local appearances below.

Chili Cook-Off

The third annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper & Chili Cook-Off Contest will be held on Tues, Feb 28th, 6 p.m., in the Parish Hall. Compete for the best "Chili" in all of Holy Trinity! Please sign up in the narthex, and bring your best chili to the Parish Hall on Feb 28th by 5:30 p.m. The supper is $3 per person. Children under 12 are free. Join us and share some wonderful fellowship as we begin our Lenten journey. For more info, please call Lynn Talbot at 727-724-9687.

The Lenten Journey

Ash Wednesday is Wed, March 1st. The imposition of ashes on this day "is an ancient biblical sign of desolation of spirit and repentance." (Liturgy for Living, p. 231) The Holy Eucharist will be celebrated on this day at 7:00 a.m., Noon, and 7:00 p.m. Thanks to the generosity of one of our parishioners, Lenten devotional booklets, Faithful Facts for Lent, will be available this year. Please plan to begin your Lenten journey is this very special way.

Leaders Meet

Holy Trinity's annual leaders meeting will be held Sunday, Feb 19th, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Classroom 9/10 upstairs in the Parish Hall. All leaders of parish teams and ministries are encouraged to participate in this important gathering each year.

Eat, Pray, Share

Join us for Prayer & Share Fri, Feb 24th, and every fourth Friday of the month, upstairs in the Parish Hall. Potluck begins at 6:30 p.m., and the program begins at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome. Contact Charlie Kunath. Hope to see you there!

Caregiver Support
Every third Thursday at Holy Trinity

The Caregiver Support Group comes together to share the problems, worries, and frustrations of being a caregiver...as well as ideas and successes. Sally, the Memory Care Programs Coordinator from Brookdale Countryside, will be on hand to facilitate. We meet at Holy Trinity the third Thursday of each month from 5-6 p.m., upstairs in the Parish hall. The next meeting is Feb 16th. RSVP to 727-726-5090. It's free and open to the public. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Holy Trinity volunteers have served dinner to the homeless and veterans for many years at the Homeless Empowerment Program (HEP) in Clearwater. We do this the first Saturday of each month for only one hour (4:30-5:30 p.m.). No set up or clean up, just serving a nutritious meal to those in need. Please sign up in the Narthex for one or more Saturdays this year. HEP depends on us. For more info, see Mickey Vallejo.

Annual Meeting Notes

Holy Trinity's ANNUAL MEETING took place on Sunday, Jan 22nd, the theme for 2017, DARE TO DREAM THE VISION. Highlights from the meeting included:

- The election of vestry members. Congratulations to Marie D'Imperio, Rogers Howard, Joanne Wallend, and Karen Pierce.

- The election of lay delegates, and alternates, to attend the Diocesan Convention. Congratulations to the delegates Denise Garthwaite, Karen Owen, and Mickey Vallejo, and alternates Jan McMahon and Cindy Medvic.

- Review of the 2016 year-end financials, including a report of a very positive financial position at yearend.

- Presentation of a balanced budget for 2017, which was met with applause but included some painful cuts to ministry budgets. Any new pledges/donations in 2017 would allow for the development of existing and new ministries.

- The exciting announcement that an anonymous gift of $100,00 was received by the church in January. This gift is restricted by the donor to be used to pay down the mortgage on the church.

- An update on the possible sale/lease of the southern portion of the church property where the house and thrift shop now sit. According to our real estate agent, Hold Thyssen, there has been considerable interest and an offer could be presented for consideration very soon. A task force of Holy Trinity volunteers and staff have been investigating future opportunities for the Thrift Shop.

- The church offices are scheduled to be moved on Friday, and possibly into Saturday, on February 24.

Thank you to everyone who attended the annual meeting. The full annual report can be viewed on the church website. To obtain the members only password, for a hard copy of the report by mail, or to receive the full detail of the annual budget, please email or call 727-796-5514.

February Statements Emailed
Thank you!

February pledge statements were sent via email on February 1st. If you did not receive yours, please let us know by calling 727-796-5514 or emailing.

If you would like to obtain a statement of your giving record for the 2016 year for tax purposes, please call 727-796-5514 or email your request. Please specify whether you prefer an emailed or snail mailed copy.

Keep in mind, if you are 70 ½ or over, you are eligible to make charitable contributions from your required minimum distribution from your IRA or retirement account without being taxed as ordinary income. This may be Win-Win situation for you and the church! Talk to your tax preparer today.

Pay your pledge online

Coming Events

UNITED FAITHS WALK OF PEACE

The 2017 United Faiths Walk of Peace, will take place on Sun, March 19, 1:30pm, First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin, 455 Scotland St. The 3 mile walk will proceed through Dunedin. Free parking. There will be gatherings along the route for reflections on peace by a variety of faith leaders. For more info, contact the Rev. Becky Robbins-Penniman.

The Diocese is sponsoring a wonderful conference in April, featuring Brian McLaren and Sarah Bessey, with music by Fran McKendree and River Guerguerian. The conference Food For the Journey - A journey toward God will be held at DaySpring Episcopal Center the weekend of April 20-23, 2017. Food for the Journey is an opportunity through speakers, music, reflection and nature to be nourished, to stir creative juices, to ask questions, to get inspired. Register online.

MAY 19-21 2017

Women's Retreat with St John's Tampa at Dayspring Conference Center: For more information contact: Deacon Kathleen Moore.

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Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
3200 N. McMullen Booth Road
Clearwater, FL 33761
727-796-5514
HolyTrinityClw.org