September 3, 2026 | Trinity Episcopal Church, Staunton, Virginia

THIS SUNDAY AT TRINITY

At 9:15 am, the new program year gets underway. Sunday School holds its Open House for every class, pre-K through high school, so wander in and see the learning happen. There will be cookies!

Adult formation begins too, with Between the Collars: Fr. AJ and Rev. Cara taking whatever questions you bring, from how a person knows they're called to the priesthood to whether animals have souls. Come with something you've wondered about since you were a kid, or come just to listen.

You can still register for Sunday School, Choristers, Handbells, and Acolytes.

There's a lot happening this fall for adults and youth alike, more on all of it in Rev. Cara's note below!

ORGAN CONCERT IN MEMORY OF GEORGE TAYLOR

This Sunday, September 6 at 5 pm, William Porter will present an Organ Concert in Memory of George K. Taylor. Porter is an internationally known organist and teacher, and a friend and colleague of George's. George was the beloved husband of Carol Taylor, Trinity's Music Director from 1988 to 2010, a faithful member of the congregation and the choir, and half of the brilliant Taylor & Boody partnership that designed and crafted our splendid organ and many others around the world. He was a gentleman, an artist, an intellect, a passionate lover of God's creation, and a dear friend to many at Trinity.

All are welcome to a reception following the concert to greet Bill and to remember George.

Nursery will be available Sunday evening from 4:45 until 7 pm!

This concert will be livestreamed from our YouTube channel.

A NOTE FROM REV. CARA

"I don’t know about you, but the beginning of the school year was always one of my favorite times of year – the new totebag, the new books, the new pencils, the new pencil erasers, the new box to put them in, new teachers, new desk, new notebooks full of blank paper, multicolored folders (Trapper Keepers, anyone?)…

And it’s that time of year again. I’m not sure Trapper Keepers are around anymore, and school supplies now involve technology, charging cords and wifi..."

Read Cara's full note, with the whole fall class lineup for every age, here.

QUEEN CITY MISCHIEF AND MAGIC IS FAST APPROACHING

Hogwarts Reunion Banquet • Saturday, September 26

Turning McCracken Hall into the Great Hall is a great undertaking, and it takes a whole crew of house elves to do it. We need help with everything from brewing butterbeer to setting tables to washing dishes, before, during, and after the feast.

Whatever you’re good at, from decorating to plating to serving, there’s a place for you. Contact Katie at communitylife@trinitystaunton.org or 580-579-8493 to find yours. There will be swag for volunteers who register in advance! 

SENIOR CHORISTER RETREAT 2026

Senior Choristers spent last weekend singing, playing, learning, and swimming at Shrine Mont Retreat Center. Game night, Saturday Evensong at the Shrine, a talent show, and a campfire are just part of non-singing activities enjoyed by all. The annual retreat is a much-anticipated opportunity for team-building and getting a jump start on music for the upcoming year. Thanks to the many parents who car-pooled and an extra special thanks to our five incredible volunteers who spent the whole weekend supporting these awesome choristers!

YOU MAY RECALL...

receiving a note from our Senior Warden, Paul Bugas, last Thursday. If you'd like to revisit Paul's note, and access a link that (actually) takes you to the meeting minutes, you may do so here!

DID YOU KNOW?

Every weekday, all year long, Noon Lunch puts a hot meal on the table for anyone who wants or needs one. Thanksgiving Day is the only day off, and at Christmas, there’s a special offering: turkey dinner with all the trimmings, Santa, and gifts for guests. It adds up to more than 7,400 meals a year, made and served by more than 100 volunteers working in 25 teams, drawn from 8 churches and 3 local nonprofits.

Kathleen Garcia coordinates the whole program, scheduling the teams and handling whatever comes up along the way. You’ll also find her in the kitchen, serving on a team herself. She’s a great cook! Beyond Noon Lunch, she’s quick to lend a hand wherever it’s needed: with the funeral guild, at receptions, for anyone going through a hard time.

Know someone who keeps things running behind the scenes and deserves a moment of recognition? Tell Katie so we can feature them. We have a lot of people to thank!

communitylife@trinitystaunton.org or 580-579-8493

WOMEN OF FAITH, MORNING & EVENING • SEPTEMBER 9

A second Women of Faith group now meets Wednesday evenings at 5:30 pm, alongside the existing morning gathering.

Women of Faith reads widely: books, seasonal devotions, lectio divina on the week's lectionary readings, with particular attention to women theologians and writers and to women's stories. Rev. Cara has ideas for the year ahead, including a series on the Beatitudes, a reading of Job, and a Lenten series built on the poetry of Mary Oliver, and she would like to hear yours. Each week is designed to stand on its own, so a Wednesday away won't leave you behind.

Please RSVP, and let Rev. Cara know if child care would help you attend, since we're working on that. caram@trinitystaunton.org

TUESDAYS AT TRINITY • SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

Tuesdays at Trinity runs from 3:45 to 7 pm weekly, with rehearsals, small groups, and Kids Club before everyone sits down to a shared meal with a good cause.

Kids Club runs from 3:45 to 6 pm and is open to any child, whether or not they sing, so siblings have somewhere to be while choristers rehearse. Writing Our Faith meets at 4:30 pm with Rev. Cara, reading and writing together with a focus on poetry, though any genre is welcome. The Rector’s Book Group meets at 5 pm and is working through Karen González’s The God Who Sees. If you’d rather some quiet time to yourself, the Parent Breathing Room is open too.

Dinner is at 6 pm in McCracken Hall. This week the Daughters of the King are making nacho bowls, and the suggested $5 free will offering supports the Haiti Collaborative.

GRACE HOUSE ON THE MOUNTAIN FALL MISSION TRIP

This October 5-9, Emmanuel Episcopal Church is returning to Grace House on the Mountain and inviting Trinity and St. John's, Waynesboro to join them. Fr. AJ and Fr. Tom have both made the trip in years past. Volunteers spend the week on simple construction projects such as building accessibility ramps. No tools or experience are needed. The length of the trip is flexible if you're unable to stay the duration.

Full details and contact info here.

THIS WEEK ON THE BLOG

Rev. Cara's August 30 sermon:

Dolly, the Eucharist, and Finding True Religion

Sunday Service Times

Please join us for Sunday services:

8:00 am (Rite I)

10:30 am (Rite II)

Join Us Virtually!

Live-Streamed Services

We live-stream each Sunday's 10:30 am Eucharist (and special services) on our YouTube channel.

How To Submit Prayer Requests

Email prayer requests to Katie Faulkner, communitylife@trinitystaunton.org, by Tuesday at 6 pm for publication in the following Sunday bulletin. Please secure the permission of the person for whom prayers are requested. Full or partial names are permitted. Submitted names remain on the prayer list for four Sundays, after which they're removed unless a request is submitted to continue for an additional term.

Sharing Milestones and Accomplishments

Send personal accomplishments to Autumn Nolen, communications@trinitystaunton.org, by Tuesday at 6 pm for inclusion in Thursday’s weekly email. If you’re submitting something on someone else’s behalf, please first confirm that they’re comfortable with it being shared.

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