Friday, February 27, 2026

Dear Friends in Christ,

As we continue to explore our faith together at Trinity, we want to share a word from within a ministry that quietly supports our life of worship: the work of our Altar Guild.

Our team understands its calling in this way: “We are the ones chosen to prepare for the meeting of the people with God.” That simple statement captures the heart of what we do. Our ministry helps all who enter Trinity Church to “worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” The liturgy begins and ends with the work we do together.

Members of St. Hilda’s Altar Guild care for the sacred vessels, the bread and wine, the fair linens, the hangings, and all the other items used in our services. We come in during the week and on Sundays to set up and to put away, making sure that everything needed for worship is ready and in its place. This “holy housework” creates the ordered, beautiful space in which we pray, sing, and meet Christ in Word and Sacrament.

In this ministry, we seek to carry on St. Hilda’s legacy of preserving the gospel of peace and embodying it in our common life. Altar Guild members are not only caretakers of holy things; we are also social activists, leaders, and teachers in our congregation and community. Our service at the altar flows outward into lives of compassion, justice, and witness.

We invite you to hold the Altar Guild in your prayers, to notice this work, and to consider whether you might be called to join us. If you feel drawn to a hands-on ministry that supports our common prayer, we would be glad to talk with you about becoming part of this team.

With gratitude and blessing,

Jane Exner, Ada Jo Foley, Anne Imes, and Bill Brackney

Changes in Sunday Worship During Lent

You will notice that our worship services during Lent differ from our ordinary worship. Worship changes to reflect the solemn nature of the season so that we may reflect on our relationship with God in light of our imperfections–sin. The season’s color is violet, flowers do not appear on the altar, the tone of our music is more subdued, and we refrain from using the word “Alleluia.” These changes help us focus on the season and will be “lifted” on Easter morning.

James in the Suburbs: New Adult Forum for Lent

with Dr. April Love-Fordham

March 1-29 During Sunday Formation Hour, 9:30-10:30



Do you consume God's blessings, or do you share them? Most Christians are consumers. We are obsessed with knowing the right theology and following the right set of rules in hopes that God will bless us. Yet, no matter how much God blesses us, we are still looking for more. Our belief that God created us in God’s own image and likeness demands us to see all human beings as those to whom we owe honor and service. James says our faith without works is dead and the Book of James helps us understand how faith frees us for service. Being the hands and feet of Jesus is a response to the grace offered, a “yes” to being created in God’s image. In such light faith, says James, says their faith is alive. Trinitarian Dr. April Love-Fordham is an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the author of numerous books, one of which is “James in The Suburbs.” Join April for an exploration of the Book of James and how it leads us from grace to service. 

During the course of this study, you can purchase the Kindle version of James in the Suburbs for $3 on Amazon. Click here.

Spaghetti Fundraiser

Support our youth mission trip to Ecuador at a delicious Spaghetti Fundraiser on March 1 at 6:15 pm! Thirteen youth and three adults are heading to Ecuador, and your meal helps make their journey possible. Enjoy spaghetti, salad, drink, and dessert for $15 per person as we gather for good food, fellowship, and to send our mission team out with love and prayers. If you want to reserve a meal, sign up soon! Click here to register!

Creation Care Workdays in Lent

Join the Creation Care Committee for Saturday landscape workdays around the church, every week until Easter from 9:30–11:30 a.m. All are welcome—tools provided! Stay for lunch afterward. RSVP to Monte Gaillard at mparsons123@gmail.com.

The Lenten Journey at Trinity

Lent begins with a bold claim about God: “You hate nothing you have made.”

On Ash Wednesday, we don’t come to perform sorrow, but to practice honesty. We name the habits, omissions, and sharp edges that have harmed others and bent our lives away from love—and we lay them before the God of all mercy, not to be shamed, but to be forgiven.

Lent is God’s renewing work in us: creating “new and contrite hearts,” soft enough to receive grace and strong enough to make amends. As we pray, fast, give, and worship together this season, may Christ heal what is broken and send us out lighter and more ready to serve.

We invite you to journey through Lent with Trinity. Explore our services, studies, and practices—and get a preview of Easter—click here.

Wednesdays in Lent

Starting February 25, take a midweek pause with opportunities for worship and reflection.

Daytime Opportunity:

The Holy Eucharist at 11:30 AM with Guest Reflections (Feb 25 – Tim Owings; Mar 4 – Christy Randall; Mar 11 – Beth Chestnut; Mar 18 – John Kramp; Mar 25 – Ragan Sutterfield), followed by lunch in Tuton Hall; $6 suggested donation, no registration.

Evening Opportunity:

For the Living of These Days, a simple dinner and conversation with Scott and Amy Return at 5:30 PM in Tuton Hall. Each week we’ll learn from a saint of history how their faithful witness speaks to the challenges of our own time.

Intercession and Silent Prayer During Lent

In Lent, we are called to a more intentional season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Anyone desiring an opportunity to deepen their intercessory and personal prayer life during this season, please join us beginning on Ash Wednesday and each Wednesday thereafter from 10:45 to 11:15am in the Redwood Chapel. Contact the church office or email Sue at sjhgraff@yahoo.com with questions.

Calling All Artists for the Trinity Art Fair

Calling all Trinity Artists! Register to participate in the Trinity Art Fair taking place in Tuton Hall and the Chapel Garden on April 25, 2026. There will be space for 35 artists. Proceeds support scholarships for our parish youth to attend Camp Henry at Lake Logan this summer. Register Here. For more information, contact Marie Woodard, mariecp1111@gmail.com. 

WNC Resilience Hub Network Summit

Dear Friends in Christ,

I am pleased to share that Trinity is supporting the WNC Resilience Hub Network (with a portion of the resources we received during Hurricane Helene), including an upcoming summit that will bring together local leaders and partners to strengthen collaboration, preparedness, and care for our neighbors in times of crisis. 

With gratitude,

Scott +

_______

Save the date! Join Resiliency Hub leaders and community partners for a convening focused on collaboration, preparedness, and network building. The WNC Resilience Hub Network Summit will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center. This gathering brings together resilience hub leaders, faith communities, and community partners to build relationships, share learning, and strengthen a coordinated network that can better support Western North Carolina communities before, during, and after emergencies.

Click here to learn more about the event

Introducing the Rector's Blog

We’re excited to share a new feature on Trinity’s website — The Rector’s Blog. This space gathers reflections, sermons (adapted for reading), and other writings from our rector, offering thoughtful insights rooted in our shared life of faith.

We hope you'il take a few moments to check it out!

Click here to read and subscribe.

Subscribe to Trinity's Blogs

Trinity has two blogs - Stories that Matter and The Rector’s Blog. We invite you to subscribe to them!

Click here to view Stories That Matter

Click here to view The Rector's Blog

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.

Spring forward next week!

Don’t forget to “spring forward” next week!

Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 8

Upcoming Events and Notes

Recital Featuring Dr. Kevin Seal

On March 4th, our very own Director of Music Dr. Kevin Seal will be playing a noon-time recital at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Tryon, NC. The recital is open to all, and free of charge.

Owen High School Concert at Trinity

On March 5th, the Owen High School choirs, directed by Trinity member Elizabeth Seal, will present their winter concert at Trinity. The concert is at 7:00 PM, and is free of charge.

Upcoming Youth Event!

EYC (for youth in grades 6–12) will meet on Sunday, March 8, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. We’ll start by attending the Celtic Service together and then head out for dinner. Come join us for worship, good food, and time with friends! Email debbie@trinityasheville.org to let her know if you want to go!

Youth: Spring Gathering is Back!

Youth in grades 7–12 are invited to an exciting weekend of fellowship and faith formation at Valle Crucis Conference Center, March 13–15. Look forward to a senior blessing by Bishop José, a Saturday night talent show, a youth-curated Eucharist, a youth-led music team, and much more. Click here to register - Registration closes on March 1. For details or to get involved, contact Charlotte at youth@diocesewnc.org.

Music at Trinity Concert: March 28

This concert will be a joyful evening of music featuring two trumpets and organ, with musicians Brad Ulrich (Western Carolina University), Paul Merkelo (principal trumpet of the Montreal Symphony), and our own Dr. Kevin Seal on organ. Admission is free.

Refugia Faith: A Trinity Women's Retreat



Registration is full -- email Amy to be added to the wait list. Join us for our annual Trinity Retreat at Lake Logan, March 20–22! Author Deb Rienstra will guide us as we explore “Refugia”—places of resilient new life—in faith and nature. Enjoy teaching, music, small groups, rest, and local heritage. Scholarships are available and donations welcome. Questions? Contact Rev. Amy at amy@trinityasheville.org

Sunday Offerings

Adults:

• New Adult Forum: James in the Suburbs with Dr. April Love-Fordham. Explore the Book of James and how grace frees us for lives of service—moving from merely “consuming” God’s blessings to sharing them as the hands and feet of Jesus in our communities.​ Sundays March 1–29 during the Formation Hour, 9:30–10:30 a.m.

• Parents in Conversation meets in the Clark Room during the Sunday formation hour (9:30–10:30) for informal conversations about life and parenting. All are welcome. Contact the Rev. Amy Peterson with questions.

Children and Youth:

• Goldy Play for Children: Usually, During Sunday formation hour (9:30–10:30) with three classes, serving potty-trained three year olds through fifth-grade. Classes meet downstairs.

• Nursery is available starting at 9:15 until after the 10:45 service for infants through three-year-olds who are not yet potty-trained.

• Children's Hour: Ages 3 through second grade meets at 10:45 in the Undercroft for snacks and worship; children and youth above 2nd grade are invited to join their guardians for Holy Eucharist. Children Hour attendees return to parents after the Peace.

• Middle School: (grades 6-8) Usually meets Sundays at 9:30 in the youth area, accessible via stairs near Tuton Hall kitchen



• High School: (grades 9-12) Usually meets Sundays at 9:30 in the youth area under Tuton Hall, accessible from the same stairway

Regular Offerings

Midweek Eucharist Every Wednesday, we offer a midweek worship service at a new time, 11:30. See details above for Wednesday offerings in Lent.

Women’s Bible Study meets Tuesdays at 9:30 in the conference room (and online) to discuss the Scriptures appointed for the upcoming Sunday. Contact the Rev. Amy Peterson with questions.

Bible Discovery with The Rector Explore the great themes of Scripture in a new Thursday Bible Discovery series, “Biblical Themes,” with the Rector on Zoom from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Each week we trace key biblical images, places, and ideas and what they reveal about God and the life of faith. Email rebecca@trinityasheville.org for more info or to sign up.

Trinity Caregivers’ Group meets via Zoom on the second Friday monthly. Support and share experiences caring for loved ones with dementia. The next meeting is March 13. Contact Corkie Morrill at corkiemorrill@charter.net or 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. Upcoming dates and books: 3/11 - Isaac Samuel, author of Migrant God: A Christian Vision for Immigrant Justice, will be joining us for a discussion about the book and any other questions you may have; 4/22 at 6:30 - James by Percival Everett. 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 April 9 — The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. 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. The next meeting is 3/15. 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 fourth Tuesday of the month, and their worship meeting is on the first Sunday of the month. The next meeting is this Sunday.

The Creation Care Committee's mission is to deepen awareness of the sacredness of creation, tend to the landscape around Trinity with a strong sense of the spirit of the place, and to inspire others to rethink how they can be good stewards to God’s creation. The next meeting is March 12 with guest speaker Jennine Hough.

Additional Mentions

Creation Care Corner:

Did you know North Carolina is the state with the most Wildland/Urban Interface in the nation? We have more acres where forests and woodland vegetation intermingle with homes and communities. This gives us many beautiful gifts — but it also makes wildfire ignition and suppression more dangerous and complex. One step you can take to protect our forests and our homes is to take the free Home Risk Assessment offered by Firewise of Buncombe County - click here!

Listen to our podcast: 60 Church

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. This week, we celebrated a milestone: over 1,000 downloads! Many thanks to Karen Marie for her dedication to this project!  Click here to listen!

Parking Sticker Update

Our red parking stickers are expiring soon. Parking stickers are not needed on Sundays. If you come to the church office for ministry on days other than Sunday, please stop by the church office on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday to request a sticker.

Volunteer

Check out Trinity’s website to learn more about opportunities to serve the church and world.

Children and Youth Mentors Needed: Help create a safe, supportive space for youth to learn about Christ. Contact Nanette (nanette@trinityasheville.org) or Debbie (debbie@trinityasheville.org) to get involved.

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. Their next trip is March 11. 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. The next day Trinity will serve is 3/16. 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. 

Give

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

Prayer List

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: Nyla Saylor, Laurie Hamilton, John Gilbert, LuAnn Wilson, Jason Hamlin, Neal Owings, Matt Hershey, Rose Marie Taylor, Mickey Trinite, Rody & Ann Sherrill, Mildred, Brittany, & Elizabeth Plant, Maggie Stranges, Robert Woodrich, Mike Sharp, and Debbie Wallace

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), Adrienne Welker, US Navy Band (daughter of Leslie Welker), Gerald Welker, Jr, US Air Force Band (son of Leslie Welker), SN John Work, US Navy (son of Becky & Jack Work)

Birthdays (March 1-7): Rachel Boulter, Kyra Cavanaugh, Patience Earley, Taryn Gentry, Vicki Jayne, Owen McCleery, Beau Young, Mark Hemphill, Margaret Sinnott, Carol Berry, Van Joffrion, Angelina Snow, Elizabeth Bleynat, Carla Bush, Ed Isbey, Spurlin, Rose Taylor, Allison Trask, Bill McCann, Wendy Brookes, Will Fleming, Carlyn Pheil, Clara Bitter, Thomas Blackburn, Jack Budzinski, Pellie Kurtz, Jack Morris

Anniversaries (March 1-7): Rick & Angie Tullis 

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