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A note from Rev. Amy
Dear Church,
In about two weeks, I’ll be wishing you happy new year! Advent will begin: a season of expectant hope, of watching and waiting for the salvation that we know by faith will come.
One of my favorite things about the liturgical calendar is that it helps lift me out of chronos - chronological time, ordered by watches and the sun and the academic calendar and the regimes of the world - and moves me into kairos, a deeper time, time spiraling ever more profoundly into the really real, the eternal, the life of Christ that we’re all called into. Our new year starts December 1, the first Sunday of Advent, and I want to invite you to let it be a new beginning — a fresh start — a reset — an opportunity to hold on to what is real, and let go of what you don’t need.
That said– the beginning of our new year does coincide with what is often one of the busiest, most commercial seasons in our lives, filled with parties and gift giving and performances and and and… And so this will take intention.
Let me invite you to pull out your calendar and think now about what you want December to be: what you want to say yes to, and where you’ll protect the margins of your life for quiet and renewal. One way you can plan for that now is by registering to join us for a Quiet Day, Saturday, December 7, from 10-3 here at church. From hymns about blooming roses to Scriptural readings about flood, the seasons of Advent and Christmas repeatedly invite us to turn our attention to the natural world. During our five hours together, we’ll interweave teaching from Duke professor Lauren Winner with periods of quiet reflection and group discussion. Lunch will be provided.
I hope you’ll join us. But most of all, I pray you’ll enter this new year renewed in hope
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From destruction comes hope
The cross at the front of the church was made by Byron Ellen Shaw of debris from the River Arts District after Hurricane Helene, and represents our hope that through Jesus, all things are being made new.
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Worship
Each Sunday, we celebrate the Eucharist at 8:00 and 10:45. Breakfast is served from 9:00 to 9:30, Christian Formation for all ages takes place from 9:30 to 10:30, and our Nursery is open from 9:15 to 12:00. We host a Coffee Hour after the 10:45 service in the Church Street Courtyard.
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The Church of the Advocate opens at 1:00 and celebrates the Eucharist at 1:30, and we celebrate a candlelight Celtic Eucharist service in the church at 5:30. | | |
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Annual Meeting
This Sunday is Trinity’s Annual Meeting during the 10:45 service. If you are visiting with us today, you have caught us on an odd day. Our service is somewhat abbreviated. Today, we will elect new members to the Vestry and hear a report from our Treasurer. The Investment Team and the Rector will also provide a report. The Senior Warden’s report and reports from formation and ministry leaders will be available online before the meeting.
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This Sunday's Adult Forum
"Searching for Wisdom and the
Power to Become Children of God"
Nov. 17 & 24 - 9:30-10:30
with George Stein
In Istanbul, Turkey, there stands the historic Byzantine church called Hagia Sophia in Greek or, in English, the Church of the Holy Wisdom.
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During week one, we will explore just what, or more importantly, who is the Holy Wisdom and her relationship with the Word or Logos in the Preface to the Gospel of St. John. Why would St. John use a Greek philosophical idea for what we translate as the “Word” of God? In our second session, in St. John’s Gospel again, the Incarnate Word promises: “to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.” Note that this is “power to become” – a gift and a response. What, then, do we understand as “becoming a child of God”? | |
Parents in Conversation will meet at 9:30 in the Clark Room with Rev. Amy Peterson Leading. | | |
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Beginning Sunday Afternoon
Wondering what active hope looks like? It’s not too late to join the Rev. Amy Peterson for a two-part book club discussion of Defiant: What the Women of Exodus Teach Us about Freedom by Kelley Nikondeha. We’ll meet in the Clark Room today, November 17, and December 15, from 4 to 5:15. If you have questions or want to be added to the email list for reminders, contact Amy (amy@trinityasheville.org).
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Entrance for Worship
During the 10:45 service, there will be only one entrance into the Trinity Church campus, the main gate entrance on Church Street. At 10:45, the office doors and doors leading to the Tuton Hall stairway will automatically lock. Reducing access points while most of us are occupied in the church is a highly recommended way to enhance overall security. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
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Christmas Giving Tree
Give the Gift of Christmas this season by providing gifts for children in need in the Tuton Hallway there is an Advent tree with ornaments that have the Christmas wishes of children who would otherwise go without. Stop by and take an ornament this Sunday!
Follow the instructions you will be given, and return your gifs unwrapped to church by Sunday, Dec. 3.
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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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Save These Dates in Advent
Save the date for Advent Wreath making during the Sunday School hour on the First Sunday of Advent, December 1, Advent Recitals and Lunch on Wednesdays (4, 11 &18), a visit from the Bishop of Myra at the 10:45 service on December 8, and Trinity’s service of Nine Lessons and Carols at 5:30 on December 15.
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Advent Recital Series
Please join us at our annual Advent Recital Series on Wednesdays, December 4, 11, and 18 at 12:00p in the Nave. We are proud to host organist Kyle Ritter from All Souls on the 4th, the Pan Harmonia Flute and Harp duo of Kate Steinbeck and Jessica Schaeffer on the 11th, and local jazz pianist and UNCA Director of Jazz Studies Bill Bares on the 18th. The recitals will last thirty minutes, and lunch will follow for a donation of $6. Come enjoy some quiet time and hear music reflecting the beauty of the season.
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Stewardship Campaign Returns
In the midst of Hurricane Helene's devastation, Trinity resumes our annual Stewardship Campaign with the hope of the Gospel of Jesus, asking all Trinity members to make a financial commitment to our 2025 mission and ministry.
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Creation Care Corner
You’re invited to join the Creation Care Committee of Trinity for a special presentation this Thursday, November 21, at 9 in the Undercroft! We’re welcoming Kimber Jones and Eli Winkenwerder, who initiated the cutting-edge composting program at the Biltmore Estate. We’ll learn about their advocacy, methods, and the results of their work. Friends and neighbors are welcome, too! Contact Monte Gaillard with any questions.
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Christian Formation for All Ages | | |
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All the Living
Advent Book Club with Lauren and Amy will meet on Friday, December 6, from 5:00 to 6:30. Come for discussion, wine, sparkling water, and cocktail hour snacks. We’re reading All the Living by C.E. Morgan. Register here.
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Advent Quiet Day
Join us for an Advent Quiet Day on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 to 3. From hymns about blooming roses to Scriptural readings about the flood, the seasons of Advent and Christmas repeatedly invite us to turn our attention to the natural world.
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During our five hours together, we’ll interweave teaching from Duke professor the Rev. Dr. Lauren Winner with periods of quiet reflection and group discussion. Lunch will be provided. Registration is open now. This event is open to the diocese, and you are welcome to invite a friend to join, too. Click here to register. | |
Upcoming for Adult Forums | |
December 1, 8, 15, 22: “Infancy Narratives” with Tim Owings. What would the Advent and Christmastide seasons look and feel like without the stories in the first two chapters of Luke’s Gospel? No visit by Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, Magnificat, shepherds, or angel chorus singing “Gloria,” no Bethlehem stable, and no baby Jesus in a musty manger. To our great joy and wonder, those and other treasured stories are the gifts Luke gives the Church. In this 4-week study, we’ll journey through these first two chapters of Luke’s Gospel, asking why Luke might have felt the need to tell us about our Lord’s birth. How did he learn these stories that Mark omits and Matthew and John do not seem to know? And most importantly, how do these stories function as a prelude to the rest of Luke’s Gospel? Tim Owings will lead this study in Redwood Chapel. An ordained minister, Tim holds a Ph.D. in New Testament literature. He and his wife, Kathie, are active members of Trinity Church.
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Midweek Worship
Every Wednesday, we offer a midweek worship service at 12:15 (ending around 12:45). The church will also be open from 11:30 to 1:00 for anyone seeking a place for private contemplative prayer. Our final Wednesday eucharist for the calendar year will be November 27. In December, we invite you to join the Advent music series Wednesdays at noon. The midweek worship service will resume on January 8.
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Rector's 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. 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 this link.
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Women’s Bible Study
The Women’s Bible Study meets on Tuesdays from 9:30 to 10:45 in the conference room. It is open to all women.
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Women's Retreat 2025
Join us for the 2025 women’s retreat, “Embracing Limits: Discovering Wholeness,” at Valle Crucis March 28-30. We’ll be taking a fresh look at the Beatitudes with author and podcaster Micha Boyett and enjoy music led by Boone musician Amanda Held Opelt. Registration is open now.
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 |  | When Micha Boyett's son was born with Down Syndrome and later diagnosed with autism, she was drawn into the ancient teachings of the Beatitudes. In a culture that values performance, perfection, and strength, Micha found in this small passage of ancient text a new language to honor the worth of her son and to push against the intrinsic ableism in our culture’s response to disability: blessed—whole—are the weak ones, the grieving ones, the ones who long for peace, the misunderstood. In other words, blessed are the rest of us, who will never live up to the world’s exacting standards. Micha Boyett is an award winning podcaster, as well as a writer and speaker. In addition to Blessed Are The Rest of Us, she is the author of Found: A Story of Questions, Grace, and Everyday Prayer, and a contributor to the New York Times bestseller A Rhythm of Prayer, edited by Sarah Bessey. She cohosts The Lucky Few podcast, and is the creator and host of The Slow Way podcast and letter. Micha lives with her husband and three children in Northern New Jersey and works part-time as a youth pastor at Good Shepherd Church in New York City.
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NURSERY CARE
Nursery care is offered for infants through 3-year-olds who are not fully potty trained. The nursery opens at 9:15 through the end of the 10:45 service.
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GODLY PLAY 9:30-10:30
We offer three classes:
- Godly Play 1-for 3 year olds that are fully potty trained through PreK
- Godly Play 2- Kindergarten through 2nd grade
- Rite in the Middle-3rd-5th grades.
These classes are located in the downstairs children’s area (enter the church through the doors at the covered porch by the playground and immediately head down the stairs.)
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Children's Hour 10:30-11:30
This is a separate worship service for ages 3 (potty trained) through 2nd grade. We head straight to the Undercroft after our Sunday School classes and then to the Redwood Chapel for our worship service. (For children that were not at Sunday School, simply meet us in the Undercroft at 10:30 am) We join parents upstairs after The Peace.
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Middle School Class (grades 6-7) 9:30-10:30a
The class meets in Trinity’s youth area and can be accessed from the stairs to the right of the Tuton Hall kitchen or from the outside door into the same stairway. The classroom is on the left past the game room.
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High School Class (grades 8-12) 9:30-10:30a
The high school class meets in Trinity’s youth area. It’s located under Tuton Hall and can be accessed from the stairs to the right of the Tuton Hall kitchen or from the outside door into the same stairway. The classroom is the first room on the right of the youth kitchen.
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Diocesan High School Conference for grades 9-12
High schoolers, youth leaders, and chaperones, please join us at Camp Henry/Lake Logan Conference Center from Nov. 22nd to 24th. Youth Council and Charlotte have planned a fun and exciting retreat! Register today!
If you have questions please reach out to Charlotte Garcia.
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Youth Confirmation 2025
Are you in 6th-12th grade? Join the Rev. Amy Peterson for a six-week youth confirmation course to learn about the foundations of our Christian faith. We’ll gather on Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:30, January 12-February 16, in the conference room in the oak hallway.
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When you were baptized, your parents committed to raising you in God's faith and love; now, it’s your turn to choose for yourself. To be confirmed in May, students must attend five of the six Sunday morning classes, so please mark your calendar now. The course is open to any students; even if you’re already confirmed, you’re welcome to join us for a refresher; even if you’re not sure you want to be confirmed yet, you’re welcome to join us to explore. Confirmation Sunday will be May 4. Contact amy@trinityasheville.org with questions | |
Other News and Opportunities | | |
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This Saturday
A Reading with Bruce Beasley
& Susanne Paola Antonetta
presented by Orison Books
In the Trinity Redwood Chapel on Saturday, November 16 at 7:00pm
Free and open to the public
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Becoming Beloved Book Club (Wednesday evenings)
In this group, facilitators Sharon Lechner and Page McCorkle invite members to discuss the intersection of social and environmental justice with the dominant culture of white supremacy. To join, email pageconnermccorkle@gmail.com. Meetings are held monthly on Wednesdays at six on Zoom and in the Clark Room. On Nov 6, we’ll discuss Dear White Peacemakers, and on December 4, Between the World and Me.
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The 2nd Chapter Book Group
This traditional ladies' group meets on the 2nd Thursday every other month at 10:00 in the Clark Room. For more information, please contact Barbara Fotinos at bfotinos@gmail.com.
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Caregivers
The Trinity Caregivers’ Group meets by Zoom every second Friday. We welcome all who care for a loved one(s), local or at a distance, diagnosed with some form of dementia. Challenges and experiences are shared. Dr. Corkie Morrill is a retired geropsychologist, and Peggy Buchanan is a retired Deacon and nurse, and they facilitate the group. Corkie Morrill 828-684-3972, corkiemorrill@charter.net.
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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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Trinity Clergy, Staff, and Vestry | |
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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: Becky Work, Nancy Ackerman Cole, Laura Simons,
Robert Rhame, Phillip Price, Robert & Patricia White, Dave Hensley, Rody & Ann Sherrill,
Rylan Carpenter, Neal Owings, Laurie Hamilton, Lynne Diehl, Neil Grant,
Michael Copeland and family, Leo Duncan, and Jane Clark
ONGOING CONCERNS: Molly Gray (granddaughter of Sam & Paul Faeth)
HOMEBOUND PARISHIONERS &THOSE IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES:
Lynne Diehl, Evelyn Hemphill, Gus Boone, Karen Taylor, Clare & Hugh Stephens
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), Captain Brooks Jarnigan, Army Intelligence (nephew of Dale & Cindy Carroll); Col. Jon C. McDaniel, U.S.M.C. (son of Mr. & Mrs. R. Allison McDaniel), 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: Hoge Reynolds, William Vandegrift, Tom Williams, Matt Hamilton,
Sue Hinterman, Mike Langford, Henderson Reynolds, Ann Frohbose, Charlie Howell, Chris Kamm, Jessie Budzinski, Mary Ellen Shaw, Waker Wallace, Cheryl Chasin,
Kira Jahn
ANNIVERSARIES THIS WEEK Michael & Catty Andry, Michael & Marcia Jones,
Mark & Susan Sudimak
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