The church offices will be closed Monday, January 20
in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. day.
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Dear Church,
Ben, make sure you play 'Take My Hand, Precious Lord' in the meeting tonight. Play it real pretty. I hope my last words are as perfect as these, the last words spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. before he was assassinated on April 4 in Memphis.
The song – Dr. King’s favorite – was written by Thomas A. Dorsey, who (according to folklorist Alan Lomax) “literally invented gospel music.” Born in 1899, Dorsey grew up in a religious family in rural Georgia, but it wasn’t until a spiritual awakening in Chicago in his twenties that he composed his first gospel song. He would go on to write a thousand more. (Literally.)
The pairing of gospel good news with the sad, bad blues came naturally for Dorsey. He wrote his first gospel blues tune after two years of deep depression and the death of a close friend: “If you see my savior, tell him that you saw me.” When he was 33, his wife died in childbirth; 24 hours later, their son died as well. It was in the immediate grief of that loss that he wrote “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.”
Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.
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The song became internationally beloved in the 1940s, and during the Civil Rights Movement, Mahalia Jackson would often join Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at demonstrations to perform it: an inspiration for civil rights activists and followers as they journeyed forward in their fight – a reminder that first, before we work, we need Jesus to take our hand.
Grammy award winning record producer Anthony Heilbut writes that in "the few days following Dr. King’s death, 'Precious Lord' seemed the truest song in America, the last poignant cry of nonviolence before a night of storm that shows no sign of ending."
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I’m turning back to this song this week. As fires consume southern California: precious Lord, take my hand. As we remember the life, persecution, jailing, persistence, and assassination of MLK: lead me on, let me stand. As we inaugurate our next president: I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. As winter temperatures plummet and many remain displaced by Helene: through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light. As we hope for this tenuous ceasefire in Gaza to lead to lasting peace and justice: take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
Amy+
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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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Continuing This Sunday:
The Episcopal Experience
Looking to know more about the Episcopal Church? From January 5 to March 2, the Rector will lead Exploring The Episcopal Experience. The Episcopal Church is one denomination of Christ’s holy Catholic Church, and our identity is unique. In this class, we will learn how the Episcopal Church came to be and how it continues to offer a unique expression of life in Christ. We will look through the lens of the Book of Common Prayer to understand the Episcopal church’s expressions of faith, namely theology, sacraments, scripture, prayer, and holy living. We will also take some time to explore the particular identity of Trinity Church. This class is especially appropriate for those who are new to the Episcopal Church or new to Trinity. Yet, many long-time Episcopalians take this class as a refresher. It’s also a great way to get to know others at Trinity. Those who take this class will be prepared to be confirmed or received by our Bishop when he visits Trinity should they choose.
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Parents in Conversation
P.I.C. will meet from 9:30-10:30 in the Clark Room.
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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. Please leave parking closest to the church for those with difficulty walking.
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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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Creation Care Corner:
Are you having fun using AI to write your emails, create images, or chat with you via a bot? Be aware that AI operations can use an immense amount of water. Read more about the connection between AI and life-giving water here.
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MLK Celebration here at Trinity
We will host the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration here at Trinity, January 19, at 5:30 PM. This annual celebration, now in its 44th year, is a wonderful opportunity for all of us—both locals and newcomers—to come together in unity and reflection.
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As we honor the incredible legacy of Dr. King, we are reminded of his powerful words: “Let us rise up with a greater readiness and determination.” These words resonate deeply with us, especially as we navigate the challenges that life presents, including our recent recovery from the devastation of Helene. Dr. King's message continues to inspire us to foster resilience and community spirit, aligning beautifully with the mission to serve and grow spiritually together. | |
Opportunities for All Ages | |
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Trinity Concert Series
The first concert in the Music at Trinity Spring Concert Series will take place on January 31st at 7:00 PM. Join us for an organ recital by our very own Dr. Kevin Seal. Dr. Seal will present works by Samuel Scheidt, J. S. Bach, and Maurice Duruflé, and will perform an improvisation on a tune given to him by a member of the audience.
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Steak & Music
Mark your calendars for an unforgettable evening of fantastic music, delicious food, and great company! Our Music Revue and Steak Night will be on Tuesday, February 11, at 6:00 PM in Tuton Hall. The menu is steak, potato, salad, and dessert. A wonderful selection of non-alcoholic drinks and wine. Youth and adults will help serve the meal. Reservations are require for this event.
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Come One, Come All
We are looking for acts for the Music Revue. Performances can be from Broadway shows, or other music of a “lighter” nature. If you would like to perform on the program on February 11th, please contact Dr. Kevin Seal at kevin@trinityasheville.org with your name, the song you would like to sing, approximate length, and any technical needs (accompanist, etc.)
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Mardi Gras
The Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner will be in Tuton Hall on Tuesday, March 4, at 6:00p. The cost is $6.00 per person. Please join us in preparation for the start of Lent as we enjoy pancakes, sausage, and bacon, all prepared by our Trinity Men. No registration is needed. There will be crafts, games, and a pancake race for children. Nursery care provided.
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Are you a writer?
Are you a writer, or interested in cultivating a spiritual practice of writing? You’re invited to a pop-up writing workshop co-sponsored by Trinity and the Collegeville Institute on Saturday, April 5 in Tuton Hall. Register for one of the limited spots for one-on-one feedback on a piece of writing, and find all the details you need to make plans to join us for cowriting and a plenary lecture from local author Rick Chess, here.
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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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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 Retreat 2025
Join us for the 2025 women’s retreat, “Embracing Limits: Discovering Wholeness,” at Valle Crucis March 28-30. We’ll take 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, 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 co-hosts 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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Amanda Held Opelt is an author, speaker, and songwriter. Amanda spent 15 years serving in the non-profit and humanitarian aid sectors and has written for Christianity Today and 100 Days in Appalachia. She lives in the mountains of Boone, North Carolina, with her husband and two young daughters. Check out her music on Spotify and her books on bookshop. | |
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Supper Clubs
Supper Clubs will be Meeting February 16 If you’re not currently in a group and would like to participate, please email Nanette Popa at nanette@trinityasheville.org to sign up. We’d love to have you join!
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Red Bag Sunday
The next Red Bag Sunday will be January 26 to support the Appalachian Regional Ministry (ARM).
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Mark your calendars
RESTORING & PROTECTING ASHEVILLE: Science and Storytelling Show Us How is a spring speaker series brought to us by Trinity, the French Broad Garden Club, and the McCullough Institute of UNCA.
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Kathleen Biggins, Founder and President of C-Change Conversations “Building a Better Tomorrow: Understanding extremes of the changing climate to better protect our community” Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 11AM, Tuton Hall
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Margaret Renkl, Bestselling Author and Contributing Opinion Writer, The New York Times “Finding Hope in the Age of Climate Change” Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 10AM, UNCA Highsmith Hall, Blue Ridge Room
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Jeff Chu, Journalist and Editor-at-Large for Travel + Leisure, author of Good Soil “Conversations about Nature, Heritage, and Belonging: a reading and Q&A”Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 7PM, Tuton Hall
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Becoming Beloved Book Club (Wednesday evenings)
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. To join, email pageconnermccorkle@gmail.com. Meetings are held monthly on Wednesdays at six on Zoom and in the Clark Room.
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2nd Chapter Book Group
The 2nd Chapter Book Group is a traditional ladies’ group that meets on the 2nd Thursday of every month at 10:00 in the Clark Room. Dates for 2025: Feb 13, Apr 10, June12, Aug 14, Oct 9, and Dec 11. Feb 13 The Second Life of Mirielle West by Amanda Skenandore (rescheduled due to storm, Nancy McCorkle, leader); Apr 10 Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson (Cheryl Paben, leader); Jun 12 All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley (Lynn Marie Kramp, leader), Aug 14 Theo of Golden by Allen Levi (Nancy Dexter, leader), and Oct 9 The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd (Barbara Setzer, leader). For more information, please contact Barbara Fotinos at bfotinos@gmail.com.
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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 and continues until the end of the 10:45 service.
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GODLY PLAY 9:30-10:30
Godly Play takes place during the Sunday formation hour from 9:30-10:30. There are 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.
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These classes are located in the downstairs children’s area (enter the church through the doors on the covered porch by the playground and immediately head down the stairs). | |
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Children's Hour 10:30-11:30
There is a separate worship service (The Children’s Hour) for children ages 3 (potty trained) through 2nd grade from 1030 to 11:30. We head straight to the Undercroft after our Sunday School classes and then to the Redwood Chapel for our worship service. (For children not at Sunday School, simply meet us in the Undercroft at 10:30) We join parents upstairs after The Peace.
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Cherub Choir
Cherub Choir meets on Wednesdays from 5:00 to 5:30. It is open to children from K-3rd grade, and previous musical experience is optional. The choir will sing for 10:45 worship every 4-8 weeks throughout the school year. For more information, please contact Kevin Seal at the church office.
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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 with questions! | |
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Ice Skating with EYC
EYC is for grades 6-12. This Sunday, January 19, from noon to 4:00p, we will have a quick lunch and go to downtown Greenville for ice skating. The cost is $12. Please wear appropriate clothes for ice skating and bring $ for snacks. For any questions, please contact Debbie Cox at 253-9361 or debbie@trinityasheville.org.
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Middle School Class (grades 6-7) 9:30-10:30a
Middle School meets in Trinity’s youth area from 9:30 to 10:30. The classroom is accessible 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. If you have any questions, please contact Nanette Popa at the church office.
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High School Class (grades 8-12) 9:30-10:30a
The HS class meets in Trinity’s youth area, from 9:30 to 10:30. The classroom is accessible 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. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Cox at the church office.
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Wilderness Trail for grades 6-8 ;
July 7-12, Cost: $375
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Be the Neighbor for grades 9-12
July 27 - August 2, Cost: $500
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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. We share challenges and experiences. Dr. Corkie Morrill is a retired gereopsychologist, and Peggy Buchanan is a retired Deacon and nurse. They facilitate the group. Corkie Morrill 828-684-3972, corkiemorrill@charter.net.
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Handbells
The Trinity Handbell Choir rehearses on Mondays from 4:30-5:30 PM. The ensemble rings periodically at 10:45 AM Worship on Sunday mornings and for special events throughout the year. Some knowledge of music reading is a requirement to join, but beyond that, all are welcome! Contact Dr. Kevin Seal at kevin@trinityasheville.org or the church offices for more details.
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Stories That Matter
Trinity Stories That Matter is our blog that highlights member interest pieces, such as weddings, births, achievements, celebrations, graduations, the death of an extended family member, and past and some upcoming special events. Read the latest edition by clicking the link on the website homepage or Stories That Matter | Trinity Episcopal. Please email Nanette Popa (nanette@trinityasheville.org) to share your story.
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Volunteer
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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ABCCM
ABCCM is a significant ministry in our community; our Rector is on the board, and there are many opportunities to volunteer. Explore those opportunities here.
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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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A.R.M.
The Appalachian Regional Ministry (ARM) is a partnership with churches and other leaders in Graham County, one of the poorest in our region. We travel to Robbinsville monthly to cook, distribute food, and work with community leaders in other ways. We welcome your presence! Contact the church office to reach Tom Goodrich.
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Can You Beat an Egg?
Help cook and serve breakfast from 8:00 to 9:30 on Sundays. Paul Hatfield 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.
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Church of the Advocate
Every Sunday after the 10:45 service, the Church of the Advocate can use your help to serve a meal to the unhoused community. No cooking skill is needed—contact the Rev. Mike Reardon at mreardon@reddooravl.org.
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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: Carol Jacobson, Nick Sparks, Brad Sparks,
Mary Summersette, Paula Lawton, Carol MacRae, Leo Duncan, Neil Grant,
Dave Hensley, Patricia White, Laurie Hamilton, Bill Fowler, 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 THIS WEEK: Nancy Coffman, Charles Howden, Frank Howden,
Caroline Roth, Hunt Howell, Nanette Popa, Patrick Sadler, Ross Franklin, Ann Howell, Beth Lamb, Don Trask, Oly Vassallo, Cathey Bailey,Erin Collins, Monte Gaillard,
Susie Heinitsh, Gail Monahan, Catherine Brown, Margaret Joffrion, Emma Ragaller,
Rosie Peterson, Jack Work
ANNIVERSARIES THIS WEEK: Ann & Rody Sherrill, Jay & Janet Stingel
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