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Dear Church,
This Sunday, we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. You might know St. Francis for his deep love of animals and God’s creation, or for creating the very first live Nativity scene. Perhaps you pray the Peace Prayer of St. Francis when you feel anxious (even if it was likely written much later); you’ve probably heard of the Franciscans, the religious order he founded that remains active today; or recognize him as the first historically recorded person to receive the stigmata, the physical signs of Jesus’ crucifixion.
Whether St. Francis is a longtime favorite or completely new to you, we would love for you to join us this Sunday at the 10:45 service. The children and I will present the sermon, Godly Play style, as we learn and wonder together about this ordinary person who loved God and people so well.
We also have three additional special celebrations planned for Sunday:
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Cherub Choir Prelude: Our Cherub Choir (ages four through second grade) will sing the prelude at the 10:45 a.m. service, directed by Dr. Kevin Seal. They have been working hard and would love to see you in the pews!
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Blessing of the Animals (2:00 p.m.): Head home after church to fetch your furry family members (stuffed animals are welcome, too!) and meet us in the Aston Street Courtyard. In honor of St. Francis, we will collect donations to support Brother Wolf Animal Rescue as they continue rebuilding after losing their facility to Hurricane Helene two years ago.
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Evensong Led by the Chancel Choir (5:30 p.m.): Join us for a creation-centered service around the scriptures for the Feast of St. Francis! The service will feature music by Libby Larsen, T. Tertius Noble, and Stephen Paulus. This music-focused evening prayer service will be a treat, and childcare will be available.
With joy and gratitude,
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Shaping Our Future: Stewardship 2026
On Thursday, we launched Trinity’s 2027 Stewardship Campaign, Shaping Our Future.
Unless you have already submitted your pledge, a Trinity neighbor will be reaching out by phone or email to arrange delivery of your pledge card for 2027.
Click here to read more about the campaign and find a link to an online pledge form on the church website.
Between October 1 and October 31, we invite all members and friends to make a financial commitment to Trinity’s mission and ministry for 2027. Every gift comes from the heart as a response to God’s gracious love.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Rebecca Jenkins at Trinity’s office. She has all the details.
Thank you for your generosity—past, present, and yet to come.
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This Sunday is the Feast of St. Francis
As the patron saint of animals, St. Francis stands as a symbol of our care for the created order and our belief that it reflects the Glory of God. We keep the Feast of St. Francis today in our readings, in our liturgy, in our service of the Blessing of the Animals this afternoon, and in our Evensong for Creation at 5:30.
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Creation-centered Evensong October 4
Mark your calendars for October 4th, when our Chancel Choir will be leading an Evensong service for creation centered around the scriptures for the Feast of St. Francis! The service is at 5:30 PM and will feature music by Kenneth Jennings, T. Tertius Noble, and Stephen Paulus.
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Blessing of the Animals
The Blessing of the Animals will be held on October 4 at 2 in the Chapel Courtyard, as we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis! Bring your animals (any and all, stuffies included) to the courtyard on Aston Street for this brief and uplifting service. Donations will be collected for Brother Wolf Animal Rescue.
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Youth CROP Hunger Walk
Our youth are walking in the Asheville/Buncombe CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday, October 4 at 1:30p, raising money to fight hunger locally and globally through ABCCM and Loving Food Resources.
Join: Everyone is invited to join our Trinity Youth team! Support: We have a goal of raising $1000.
If you'd like to join our team or donate to our goal, click here. We are collecting donations through October 4.
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October Clothing Drive
Help support Appalachian Regional Ministry by donating new or gently used clothing this October. Please place donations in bags or containers—no loose clothing—and bring them to the church office by Sunday, November 1.
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Peter Hartwig's Ordination
Celebrate with Peter Hartwig as he is ordained to the priesthood on Friday, October 16, at 1:30 pm at St. Joseph’s Chapel, Christ School. A reception will follow. All are welcome.
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Fall Middle School Retreat
Middle schoolers in grades 6–8 are invited to the Diocesan Middle
School Retreat at Lake Logan, October 23-25!
Enjoy a weekend of faith, fellowship, and fun with youth from across the diocese. The cost is $225.
Register soon by clicking here.
Reach out to Debbie with questions.
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All Saints Dinner
Sunday, November 1, 6:30 | Tuton Hall
Join us for a free family-style dinner, a candlelight reading of the names of those in our Memorial Garden, and storyteller Becky Stone. Our youth will serve, with tips supporting Youth Scholarships, and nursery care is available for children under 5. Click here to register for dinner, as reservations are required.
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Chancel Choir Pilgrimage to the UK
Registration is now open for the Chancel Choir Pilgrimage to the UK: From July 10–19, 2027, our Chancel Choir heads to England for a week-long Evensong residency at St. Edmundsbury Cathedral, plus services in Birmingham and London. The trip is open to everyone, not just choir members. Registration is open, click here to join us.
| | Upcoming Events and Notes | | |
Join the Creation Care Committee on Thursday, October 22, at 10 AM in the Undercroft for the Butterfly Highway Program with Luke Bennett, conservation coordinator at the NC Wildlife Federation. Learn how you can help pollinators thrive right where you live. All are welcome.
Join Fr. Scott for a 10-day pilgrimage through Ireland, October 4–13, 2027, tracing the sacred landscapes of Patrick, Brigid, Kevin, and the Celtic saints. From Dublin and Glendalough to Kildare, Armagh, Belfast, and the Giant’s Causeway, this journey offers prayer, history, worship, and fellowship in some of Ireland’s most beautiful holy places. Space is limited and places will be filled in the order registrations are received. Click here to register to register and reserve your spot with a $500 deposit.
Mark your calendar for the Trinity Women’s Retreat at Valle Crucis, April 9-11. More details to come!
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Schedule
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Holy Eucharist — 8 AM
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Nursery — 9:00-to the end of the 10:45 service; babies through three years old
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Breakfast — 9:00-9:30 in Tuton Hall
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Formation — 9:30-10:30; for children, youth, and adults (see details below)
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Children’s Chapel — (3 years - 2nd grade) During second service; children rejoin families at the Peace.
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Holy Eucharist with Choir — 10:45 (in-person and livestreamed)
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Blessing of the Animals — 2:00, Chapel Courtyard
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Evensong — 5:30 (in-person and livestreamed); Childcare available
Formation
Adult Forum (Undercroft): St. Francis and the Galatians | September 27-October 18
Over four weeks, Dr. April Love-Fordham will teach from her book, St. Francis and the Christian Life, taking us on a pilgrim's road—a hike with St. Francis into the sun-warmed hillside of Assisi. Accompanying us will be the Apostle Paul. We will watch on as these two saints, eight centuries apart, wrestle with building Christian communities. How are we to live the Christian life together? She will not offer tidy answers, but good company for the asking, laced with Italian countryside, a little history, and a mystery—who is Brother Giovanni?
Parents in Conversation (Clark Room): an informal gathering of parents, grandparents, and anyone else interested to discuss life, God, and parenting.
Learn more about this year's Adult formation offerings here.
Children:
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Nursery is available starting at 9 through the end of the second service. Babies through 3 years.
Youth: 6th-12th graders meet in the youth rooms under Tuton Hall. This year, they are learning about Holy Troublemakers. Learn more about our curriculum and our youth program here.
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Intercession & Silent Prayer The Redwood Chapel will be open each Wednesday from 10:45–11:15 a.m. for silent prayer, with a simple handout available to guide you. Contact Sue Graff at sjhgraff@ yahoo.com or the church office with questions.
Midweek Eucharist Every Wednesday, we offer a midweek worship service at 11:30.
Women’s Bible Study meets Tuesdays at 9:30 in the conference room (and online) to discuss the Scriptures appointed for the upcoming Sunday.
The Trinity Caregivers’ Group meets by Zoom on the second Friday of each month at 1 pm, offering a confidential space for those caring for loved ones with dementia, facilitated by geropsychologist Dr. Corkie Morrill. Contact corkiemorrill@charter.net or call (828) 508-8527.
Facilitators Sharon Lechner and Page McCorkle invite you to the Becoming Beloved Community book group. Members discuss the intersection of social and environmental justice with the dominant culture of white supremacy. 10/28 - The Church Cracked Open: Disruption, Decline, and New Hope for Beloved Community by Stephanie Sellers. Email pageconnermccorkle@gmail.com with questions.
The Second Chapter Book Group is a welcoming ladies’ group meeting every even-numbered month on the second Thursday at 10:00 AM in the Clark Room. The next meeting is on October 8 for The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin. Contact Barbara Fotinos for details: bfotinos@gmail.com.
AA meetings: Monday–Friday mornings at 7:00 AM, Tuesday & Friday evenings at 8:00 PM, Saturday mornings at 8:00 AM, all in the Undercroft. Al-Anon and Alateen meet Sundays at 5:00 PM in the Youth Rooms; AA for Women meets on Saturdays at 8:30 AM in the Clark Room.
The next Daughters of the King meets the third Sunday of every month (except for July). The mission of the Order is “the extension of Christ’s Kingdom through Prayer, Service, and Evangelism,” lived out through a personal Rule of Life that always includes a Rule of Prayer and a Rule of Service."
The Brotherhood of St. Andrew meets twice a month. Their social meeting is on the last Tuesday of the month. The Sunday worship meeting is paused during the summer and will resume September 6.
Literary Ladies Book Club, meets at noon on the fourth Thursday of odd-numbered months. The next meeting is July We gather in homes, share a potluck lunch, and discuss novels, memoirs, nonfiction, and even poetry chosen together at the January meeting. Text or email Erwin Gunnells at 838-216-6282 or erwin2@bellsouth.net to join in.
| | Trinity Church has a decades-long history of holding Education for Ministry (EfM), which Helene impacted. But now is the time. EfM is a small group-centered (seminary-led) formation program of biblical study and theological reflection. We are starting a new group in January. If you are interested, please contact Phyllis Smith (smith25200@bellsouth.net) or the Rector (scott@trinityasheville.org). Click here to learn more about these classes on the EfM website. | | |
Did you know that Trinity is equipped with a hearing loop in the main section of the church? This assistive listening system is designed to transmit sound directly to hearing aides that are so equipped.
During Communion at the 8:00 and 10:45 services, a prayer station is available in the Tower Room. After receiving Communion, you are invited to receive prayer and anointing for yourself, others, or any need—spoken or unspoken. All are welcome.
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Creation Care Corner:
“Saint Francis is the example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology lived out joyfully and authentically…He shows us just how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace.”-Pope Francis, Laudato Si #10
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A Note About Our Prayer List:
Please note that names will remain on the Prayer List for six weeks. If you notice someone has been removed and would like for them to stay on the list longer, please contact Kat - kat@trinityasheville.org.
| Photo and Video Policy: To view our policy regarding media and minors, click here. | |
Listen to our podcast: 60 Church Street
Subscribe to our podcast on all major platforms. If you missed the Sunday homily or if you just want to listen to it again, this is a great way to do so on-the-go. Click here to listen!
| If you joined a Supper Club, don’t forget these upcoming dates! 11/8, 2/21, & 4/25. | | |
Check out pics from our community life here at Trinity:
We post pictures from our events for you to enjoy! Click here to view our Flickr gallery.
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Subscribe to Stories That Matter:
Trinity has a second blog - Stories that Matter. We invite you to subscribe to it! Click here to view Stories That Matter. When you subscribe, you will be notified when a new post is made to these blogs and when livestream posts are created. It's a great way to stay "in-the-know" here at Trinity.
| Next Sunday’s Lectionary Readings (for 10/11): Exodus 32:1-14, Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14 | | |
Volunteer
Check out Trinity’s website to learn more about opportunities to serve the church and world.
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Lake Logan Volunteers: Join us every Thursday for fellowship and service including painting, repairs, and landscaping. Contact Carlyn (carlynpheil@gmail.com) or Fred (fredfairhead@att.net).
Serve Meals with Church of the Advocate Help serve Sunday meals to the unhoused after the 10:45 AM service at Church of the Advocate. No cooking skills needed. Contact Rev. Mike Reardon (mike@trinityasheville.org).
The Appalachian Regional Ministry partners with churches and leaders in Graham County to support one of our region’s poorest communities. Join us on monthly trips to Robbinsville to cook, distribute food, and serve alongside local leaders. Everyone is welcome! To get involved, contact the church office for Tom Goodrich’s info.
ABCCM: ABCCM is a significant ministry in our community; our Rector is on the board. Explore the many opportunities to volunteer.
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.
Help cook and serve breakfast from 8:00 to 9:30 on Sundays. Tom Griffin and Debbie Cox do most of the work, but help scrambling eggs or flipping pancakes is greatly appreciated! Sign up on the bulletin board in Tuton Hall or contact Debbie Cox at debbie@trinityasheville.org.
Outreach is a team of Trinitarians concerned about helping those less fortunate in our community. We meet every other month to plan ministries like Habitat for Humanity and Red Bag collections for needy charities. If you would like to help, please contact the church office for more information.
| | | | You can donate to Trinity however is convenient for you. Our address is 60 Church Street, Asheville, NC, 28801. Text “trinityavl” to 73256. You can also use the “Give” button on our website. Thank you. | | Trinity Clergy, Staff, and Vestry | | |
The Following Immediate and Ongoing Prayer concerns remain for a period of six weeks
unless they are intentionally renewed by calling the church office.
Immediate Concerns: Jason Hamlin, Anna Fitch Courie, Carey Mitchell, Chris Bradley, Adaline Parks, Jeanette Sparks, Jack Work, Elizabeth Link, Aldo Delpino
For Those Who Have Died: Jeanette Smith
For Those in Service to Our Country: Lt. Cmdr. Alexander M. Ford (son of John Mark and Charlene Ford), WO. Brendan Gilbert (grandson of Curt Gilbert); Davis N. Graham, Lieutenant J.G. (grandson of Jane Clark), Gerald Welker, Jr, US Air Force Band (son of Leslie Welker), SN John Work, US Navy (son of Becky & Jack Work), CPT Crystal Frutchey, NC National Guard (cousin of Jennine Hough), Charles Nause, Navy Seal (friend of the Shaws), Lt. Noah Hasty, US Navy (son of Hadyn & Terry Hasty), and Maj. Matthew Dugan (nephew of Aimes Pugh).
Birthdays (October 4-10): Devlin Cole, Lawson Jenkins, David Kurtz, Beverly Bagley, Emily Schneider, John Sinnott, Keeton Carmack, Neil Tyler Grant, Elizabeth Boulter, Karen Marie Frederiksen, Kip McClure, Vinton Murray, George Stein, Julian Thingvoll, Sara Thingvoll, Bill Dockendorf, Carolyn Katechis, Sam Budzinski, Christina Foust, Eric Maher, Kay Saenger, Liz Trask
Anniversaries (October 4-10): Kate & Guy Wrenn, Jim & Kary Deuel, Craig & Lauren Wallace, Heather & Russ Cooper
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Have an an announcement for Friday emails?
If you would like your group's announcement to be included in the Friday emails or the Sunday Times, please email Kat Lomuscio.
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