Siblings in the family of God.

Because the days of September – like the season – are waning, this may be my last opportunity to write for the E-pistle and to share with you a perspective of my ministry with you and to express some critically important information.

I have enjoyed my time and felt privileged to be your Interim Dean for the last 30 months. We have all worked hard and hit a few bumps in this process, but you are a faithful people committed to Trinity Cathedral as your worship home and for the community of believers with whom you are connected here. The objectives established for this interim by the Bishop and the Vestry were momentous. The exposure to a broader expression of Anglican/Episcopal worship and ethos landed well for most people, though admittedly difficult for a few. That, however, is the nature of the Church and of life; that change is inevitable and how we deal with it is a test of our commitment to each other and to peace. Coalescing a vision of how the parish fits in and benefits the immediate neighborhood was made easy by the deafening cries for justice among the poor and the marginalized around you.

If, during my stay here, we have accomplished anything of the goals set for us, let us be certain to accredit it all to God. The principal role for a pastor is first to pray fervently for an understanding of how the Spirit is moving and calling a community – and to help it respond to that call, its mission. Early on, we met, and we committed to pray to God to show us how we could meet the challenge of our mission in a clear-minded, dedicated way. It was through that prayer – both in worship and in contemplative practice that word of Tapestry Farms’ ministry and its search for a home came to us through a parishioner. Like many times in my own life, God’s blessings are unanticipated and often surprising. I believe firmly that Tapestry Farms is a gift from God to this Community allowing you to practice the core Gospel value of welcoming newcomers in the Quad Cities. If you haven’t already noticed, Ann (McGlynn) is a living example of an apostle of Christ, making the impossible happen with the few resources she has, but with mighty collaboration from her colleagues and friends.

The leadership this community has raised up in Vestry and ministries gave me encouragement and support for the work done in this interim. The Wardens (Keith, Karen, Elizabeth, Andrew, and Sherry) have an enduring vision of the what the church can be and the drive necessary to achieve it. The Community of Trinity Cathedral and I both owe your leaders so much for the work they are willing to take on and the courage they showed in sometimes tumultuous waters. Love was your guide and love is your strength.

The ministry extending your love to those who cannot come for worship is being exercised so completely by Keith that I am humbled to have been able to share in his holy ministry. The work of the Altar Guild at Trinity is seamless and beautiful. I watch with raptured awe the leadership that Karen, Trish, and their teammates provide. I pray others will hear the call to service on the AG and find the joy available and that these holy people have found. Don’t get me started on the CHOIR! I have been transported to celestial heights because of the beauty and grandeur of these ministers. You have a great history and a great future both because of expert leadership and because of your own commitments to quality worship. I’m excited to see the transformation of the Outreach Committee evolving from a mostly philanthropic ministry to being facilitators of doing the Gospel of Christ in our neighborhood. I pray for your continued evolution.

These are just some of the highlights of ministries being conducted at Trinity. The hope of leadership and I is that you will do whatever you can – with great urgency – the ministry of coming together to listen to each other and to commit to staying in communion, especially when you disagree. For in this is the invitation of the Spirit to find strength and love.

If, during my tenure with you, the love I have for you was not evident – or even if it seemed lacking, I am sorry. If things were done that left you feeling unheard or unappreciated, I apologize. The unknown length of an Interim Period makes some things happen too quickly for some and doesn’t always give enough time for everyone to have input and hear sufficient explanations. If I was indelicate in managing those changes, I am sorry.

Love for the people whom God entrusts to me is my motivation in ministry. I pray that never changes. When someone lashes out in anger, I wish always to default to love. “How can I love this person so they remain in dialogue with me and each other?” is the best approach I can conceive of in ministry and the approach I believe Jesus exercised. Love also prompts me to avoid the temptation to jump to conclusions or to believe everything someone tells me. “He never listens” is more an invitation to go and listen than it is to avoid him. “They shout whenever they disagree with you” is a person I need to get to know more and form my own opinions about before believing a third party’s tale. As Anglicans, we owe this to each other. Our history instructs us to be curious, not judgmental; to wonder and ask, not to avoid. For those of you with whom I didn’t have more personal conversations or satisfy your curiosity, I am sorry.

I cannot describe adequately enough the joy it has been to do ministry with three of the most professional and service-minded people in their respective fields. Meggan, Michael, and Victoria – like Tapestry Farms – are gifts to you from God.

• I watched Meggan take ‘ownership’ of the tasks of being an administrator of such a monumental, historical facility. She expresses love and openness to all who come to her. She is an astoundingly quick study and has mastered the art of creating beautiful bulletins. She is also learning how to model and sustain an informative website. She has a heart for love. Hers is a consistent labor of love – for Jesus and for the people and property of Trinity Cathedral.

• From his first interview, Elizabeth and I sensed the Spirit of love and service emanating from Michael, your director of Music Ministries. He is a gentle soul that attracts people of quality to himself, people who wish to join him in ministry and allow him to draw out their best selves. He is a consummate musician and a better liturgist than most. Some of the loudest laughter in the office comes from conversations with this man of intricate intelligence, a wicked wit and a love for good worship.

• Victoria is a diamond that arose out of the detritus of unqualified applicants, most of whom universally had trouble with arithmetic operations beyond addition. Outside the pool of subscribed employment apps, she called the office for an interview. We recognized immediately her high level of skill as a bookkeeper but also saw that she had the patience of a god! She is multi-talented and leaves each vestry meetings with mouths agape at her skillful presentation and her artistic handling of the budget.

I will pray for you always and shall watch with great interest the next phase of your journey. I encourage you to keep trusting God, trust the ministry and leadership of your Bishop (who is a gift to the Church as a whole, by the way), and remember how important it is to be kind and to love one another always.

Christopher +

A Message from The Rev. Jay Elmquist

I am writing on behalf of the 175th Anniversary Committee from St. John Episcopal Church in Keokuk, IA. We are celebrating our 175th anniversary on November 1, 2025 at 1:00 pm with a Festival Eucharist for All Saints Day. Bishop Monnot will be present and presiding and we would like to specifically and specially invite you and your church family to join us.You, along with St. John, Keokuk, represent the first six churches in the state; churches that are celebrating a similar anniversary to St. John Keokuk in the next few or last couple of years.

We are planning a special place in the service where we will be honoring and praying for each of your congregations and the work that you do in your communities. Would you be willing to organize a contingent to send, hopefully including you? We hope that your church might be represented with a banner in the procession, as well.

Please let me know if you are able to come and join us. We are excited

about this prospect and hope you will come celebrate with us!

 Jay+

Altar Guild Requests Canned Donations for Flowers:

The Altar Guild is in need of clean tomato juice-sized cans for flower arrangements. If you could kindly bring in your empty clean cans, your donations would be greatly appreciated. You can either drop them off at the church office or bring them in on a Sunday.

Wednesday Night Book Study:

Join us for Wednesday Night Book Study on September 24th . We are currently reading “The Bible With and Without Jesus: How Jews and Christians Read the Same Stories Differently” by Amy- Jill Levine (available on Amazon). Study begins at 5:30 PM. All are welcome.

Farewell Gathering:

Join us on September 28th after the worship service as we come together in the great hall to say goodbye to our interim Dean, Rev. Christopher Potter. Let's wish him well on his journey back to California.

Trinity Shirts Are Here:

If you purchased a Trinity T-shirt or sweatshirt, they will be available for pickup this Sunday in the Great Hall. The total cost will be indicated on the item or items you ordered. Jerry Farmer will be stationed at the table in the Great Hall and will have a list of those who bought shirts. Please note that payment will be required upon pickup of your items.

Nzara Soap and Salt Donations:

The Outreach Team of Trinity Cathedral is requesting donations for the Nzara Soap and Salt Campaign during the rest of September. They have already contributed $1,000 and encourage congregation members to donate as well. Checks should be made out to Trinity Cathedral with "Nzara Soap and Salt fund" in the memo, while cash contributions should be placed in an envelope labeled for the same fund. Thank you for your support!

Fall Blood Drive:

Impact Life will be at the Great Hall of Trinity Cathedral on Tuesday, October 14th, from 3:30 to 6:00 PM. The last eligible donation date before this event is Tuesday August 19^th. For questions or concerns, contact Ned Bergert @ nhbergert@gmail.com. To register for the Blood Drive please click here.

Tapestry Farms News:

Tapestry Farms is still needing volunteer drivers to either take or return people to Stone’s Apple Farm from their homes in Davenport, M – F mornings. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Leslie Klipsch via email @ leslie@tapestryfarms.org

Tapestry Farm’s is hosting their first ever Harvest Moon Festival fundraiser on October 7th at 7 pm in the Great Hall. Tickets available below by clicking the link.

Online Giving Portal:

To make donations, pledges, or contributions,

please visit our online platform at

https://engage.suran.com/trinityepiscopal/s/give/new-gift

Sound Therapy in Community

Harvest of Harmony:

A Sound Sanctuary for Renewal

An Invitation to Pause

As autumn unfolds with the Autumn Equinox, where the balance of light and dark lingers in the air, we are called to slow down. In a world that moves endlessly fast, taking time to rest isn’t just a luxury—it is a necessity.

The Sound Journey

On Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 6:30 PM, join award-winning musician and certified sound therapist Lynne Stukart for an enchanting evening of sound, rest, and renewal. Together, we will honor the gifts of body, mind, and spirit, journeying into the wellness embrace of vibration, resonance, and frequency.Step into a luminous sound sanctuary where vibration is more than heard—it is felt. With the body made up of over 70% water and sound traveling 4.5 times faster in water than air, healing frequencies flow through you like threads of light, dissolving tension, quieting the mind, and guiding you gently home to yourself.This is more than a sound bath - it includes the power of using intentions for healing, chakra balancing, and the ability to journey for a deeper experience.

To get your tickets please visit the link below, if you have trouble with getting your ticket online please contact the church office and other arrangements can be made. Phone 563-323-9989

To Get Your Ticket Please Click Here

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