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Dear church,
Even more than usual, we are rejoicing in our continued community life. Though our experiences over the last two weeks have varied widely and left many of us shell-shocked, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, we have all seen God's love working among us. We remain rooted and grounded in that love and in the fellowship God has given us with each other.
Here are the most essential updates for our community this week:
- We expect to be without water for at least the next two Sundays. So for the next two weeks, we will meet for 8 and 10:45 services, but all of our formation programming will be on hold. Beth will hold children’s hour during the 10:45 service. Remember that the nearest available toilets are porta pottys at The Orange Peel.
- Our 5:30 service is paused until things return to a more normal rhythm. With fewer members in town, conserving our energy and resources makes sense.
- Nearly all regular weekly events are paused, and all special events over the next month are being rescheduled. For the time being, our building is also closed to outside groups. That said, if you need to stop by to say hello, find someone to pray with, use Wi-Fi, or charge devices, we are open from about 10 to 4 every day.
- An exception to this is the Thursday evening rector’s Bible study, which will resume on Zoom!
- We also continue to gather for a brief service of worship and communion on Wednesdays at 12:15.
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Trinity is accepting financial donations to assist with Hurricane Helene's recovery. We now move into that recovery phase where individuals learn that their jobs will not return, the damage to their homes will break the bank, and our children need services before school can return to session. Many Trinitarians have donated, but you can ask your network to share this news with their networks on social media and beyond. On our website, click on “Give” and choose Hurricane Helene Relief in the drop down menu.
Please don’t hesitate to contact the staff and clergy with any needs. You’ll find all our direct numbers on the website. There, you can also find the most up-to-date news on our hurricane relief efforts (and if you wish, you can subscribe to receive these updates in your email inbox).
Our hearts and prayers are with you,
Scott, Amy, Mike, Bob and the whole staff
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Worship
Each Sunday, we celebrate the Eucharist at 8:00 and 10:45. The Church of the Advocate opens at 1:00 and celebrates the Eucharist at 1:30.
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Entrance for Worship
Enter Only on Church Street at 10:45 During the 10:45 service there will be one entrance only into the Trinity Church campus, the main gate entrance on Church Street. At 10:45 the office doors and the door leading to the Tuton Hall stairway will automatically lock. Reducing access points while most of us are occupied in the church is a high recommendation for enhancing overall security during that time. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
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Additional Parking
Additional parking spaces are available at the Ravenscroft Office Suites at 29 Ravenscroft Drive, across the street from Trinity. A sign signifies parking for Trinity Church. If you can, please leave parking closest to the church for those with difficulty walking.
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Creation Care Corner
Katherine Heyhoe is a Christian climate scientist. Her most recent email was about the science behind what made Helene a “supercharged” storm. Check it out here.
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Christian Formation for All Ages | | |
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Midweek Worship
Wednesday, we offer a midweek worship service at 12:15 (and ending around 12:45). The church will also be open from 11:30-1:00 for anyone seeking a place for private contemplative prayer
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Bible Study
The Rector’s Bible Study meets on Thursdays at 7:00p by Zoom. This season’s title is What Christians Believe and Why? In this study, the church's creeds become a lens through which we examine the scriptures and discover some insights into the core questions of faith: Why God? Why Church? Why Jesus? Why Forgiveness? Why Redemption? Regarding the spiritual life, it is often said that we are on a journey.
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Sometimes, that journey leads to obvious answers; the explanations we seek are more complex and require nuance to articulate. Some of the more profound questions of the faith are approached, believe it or not, in the church's creeds. The Apostle’s Creed is a very early Christian attempt to explore the meaning of God, Jesus, the Spirit, the Church, Forgiveness, Resurrection, and more. This study is online only (Zoom). You can find the Zoom link on the church’s website homepage in the listing of events at the bottom of the page. To be on the email notification of the class, sign up by clicking HERE. | | |
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Women’s Bible Study
The Women’s Bible Study (on a temporary hiatus until the church gets water back) meets on Tuesdays from 9:30 to 10:45 in the conference room. It is open to all women.
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Book Club with Amy
You’re invited to join Rev. Amy for a three-part book club this fall discussing Defiant:What the Women of Exodus Teach Us about Freedom by Kelley Nikondeha. Note: due to the Hurricane, we have canceled our October meeting, and will meet in the Clark Room Nov 17 and Dec 15 from 4-5:15. If you have questions, or to be added to the email list, get in touch with Amy (amy@trinityasheville.org).
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Women's Retreat 2025
Mark your calendar: the 2025 women’s retreat will be March 28-30. Registration will open on October 1.
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The Truth About Racism
This family-oriented unique storytelling series about the origins of racism in American history has been postponed until further notice.
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All Saints' Celebration, November 3
Given the unknowns of the next month, this year our All Saints celebration (November 3) will be a little different. Rather than dinner, we’ll celebrate with a special Evensong, which we will shape to honor the dead and pray for recovery. We will also hold our traditional candlelight memorial after the service in the Memorial Garden.
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Diocesan Convention Changes
Plans for our annual diocesan convention November 8-9 have been altered. It will not be held in person in Cherokee, but there will be an online business session only on Friday, November 8.
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Children's Hour This Sunday
We will have Children's Hour during the 10:45 service. You can bring your child to the Undercroft at 10:30 and once we have enough children we will head to the Redwood Chapel for our usual service.
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Children's Hour is for 3-year-olds who are fully potty trained through 2nd grade. Older children who would like to volunteer to help during this time are welcome. Please, please make sure your child has gone to the bathroom before you come. As usual, we will join parents in the service after The Peace. | | |
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We are forming a new Youth Choir! This great opportunity for our youth to praise the Lord through song and learn about music and worship is open to all youth grades 4-12. For more information contact Kevin at kevin@trinityasheville.org or by phone in the church office. | |
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Volunteer - Helene Edition
Check out Trinity’s website to learn more about opportunities to serve the church and world.
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Trinity Cooking Team for Transformation Village
Trinity has a team that cooks for Transformation Village, a ministry of ABCCM that provides up to 100 beds for homeless women, mothers, children, and veterans. We need up to ten volunteers. Contact Debbie Cox to let her know you’d like to help: debbie@trinityasheville.org.
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Veteran's Restoration Quarters
The Veteran’s Restoration Quarters, a ministry of ABCCM, needs help preparing meals for the veterans and for the members of Team Rubicon, a volunteer organization of veterans who specialize in disaster response
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Team Rubicon has come to help clear mud and strip, sanitize, and restore the VRQ buildings that were damaged in the storm. Each meal needs to feed 175 men. If you would like to volunteer to prepare a meal, you can sign up here or contact ruth.lolo@abccm.org or 828-242-2968 with any questions. | | |
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Wine 2 Water (wtw.org) operates at the Grant Center, 285 Livingston Street. Some Trinitarians are volunteering here now.
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Office Volunteer
Many of our regular volunteers are out of town. If you are able to volunteer at the Trinity office, please contact Ken Wilson at ken@trinityasheville.org.
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Lake Logan
Trinity volunteers travel to Lake Logan every Thursday for service and fellowship to paint cabins, repair furniture, sew curtains, and landscape. Contact Carlyn Pheil (carlynpheil@gmail.com) or Fred Fairhead (fredfairhead@att.net) to learn about volunteering for hurricane clean up work.
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