Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost

October 18, 2026

8am Holy Eucharist and 10am Choral Eucharist

View the Printed Liturgy for the 10am service.

The livestream may be viewed from the Trinity website, or directly from

Trinity's YouTube channel. 

Ministry Spotlight: Acolytes and Ushers

We invite you to embark on a transformative journey of service by becoming an acolyte or usher at Trinity. These meaningful roles are not only essential to our worship services but also foster personal and spiritual growth within the communities of service they create. We believe that every individual, regardless of prior experience, has the potential to be great in one of these roles. By serving as an acolyte or usher, you will help strengthen the safe and welcoming church community that Trinity already embodies so well. These roles are also a great opportunity to learn more about the "why" behind the liturgy, ritual, and order of service that we participate in every Sunday morning. If you feel called to serve and wish to learn more about these ministries, we warmly invite you to reach out to a contact below or visit the Ministry Spotlight table at Coffee Hour this Sunday to connect. Please join us in making worship a vibrant and inclusive experience for all.

For more information on serving as an acolyte, please contact: Terre Sanitate, terre.sanitate@gmail.com. For more information on serving as an usher, please contact: Jeffrey Krutzsch, jskrutzsch@gmail.com.

Banner Project: Alleluia Short Film Screening

Monday, October 19, 6-8pm

We are excited to invite you to our first workshop for the Banner Project, taking place on Monday, October 19 from 6-8pm in the Parish Hall. We will be watching and discussing the short documentary film "Alleluia," which explores the creative and teaching methods of nun and artist Sister Corita Kent. During this session, we will delve into questions such as: How can we infuse a sense of play into this significant project of banner creation? Which aspects of our spiritual journey can serve as inspiration for our creative endeavors? Join us for an evening of inspiration and collaboration! No registration needed, drop in to join us! Contact: lucillelbell@gmail.com

A Death in the Trinity Family: Jon Davis

Dear Trinity Friends,

We are saddened to let you know of the death of longtime Trinity parishioner Jon Davis. Jon died unexpectedly at his home at Garden Court on Sunday, October 4. Jon had been a member of Trinity since 1999. Please keep Jon's family and the many who knew and loved him in your prayers. 

Jon is pictured here in the Trinity Portico.

God of all, we pray to you for Jon, and for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to Jon eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Peace,

Elizabeth+

The Rev. Elizabeth Molitors, Rector

Baptism at Trinity

The Baptism sacrament is a joyous public service of initiation. The gathered community takes vows to support the newly baptized, and celebrates with and welcomes them. At Trinity we baptize people of any age within our regular worship services. Our next date for baptism is Sunday, November 1, celebrating All Saints Day. If you would like to make an appointment with clergy for baptism preparation, please contact the Trinity office, office@trinitysb.org.

Feast of All Saints: Sunday, November 1

Remember those who have died in the past year

We honor, by reading the Necrology, those who died in the past year. If you have family, friends, or relatives whose names you would like to add to this remembrance, please email the office office@trinitysb.org, with the correct spelling and pronunciation (if needed), by Sunday, October 25.

Women's Group: Women at the Well

Saturday, October 17, 4-5pm

Join the Women at the Well when they return to their 2026-2027 session. They will be reading JOYFUL, ANYWAY by Kate Bowler, a Duke Divinity professor and stage four cancer survivor.

"NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A profound, funny, and deeply human case for joy that doesn’t depend on everything getting better, from the beloved author of Everything Happens for a Reason and No Cure for Being Human." Contacts: drcarolynroberts@aol.com or michellengrue@gmail.com

Banner Project: Workshop

Monday, October 26, 6-8pm

We invite you to join us for our second Banner Project workshop! After the film screening (see above), we will be gathering the following Monday, October 26 from 6-8pm in the Parish Hall for an interactive session. In this second workshop, we will be exploring the use of viewfinders in the sanctuary to bring fresh perspectives to familiar surroundings. No prior experience in art or drawing is necessary as all materials will be provided. We encourage you to come with an open mind and a playful spirit. RSVP here so we make sure to have enough materials for everyone! Questions? Contact: Lucy Bell lucillelbell@gmail.com

The Current Situation on the Ground for Christians in Palestine

Tuesday, October 27, 6-7:30pm

All are warmly invited to join an enlightening evening in Trinity's Guild Hall as we host the Trinity Middle East Peace Program, focusing on the current situation for Christians in Palestine. We will welcome guest speakers Randy and Doni Heyn-Lamb from All Saints Pasadena, who will share an eyewitness report from their time in the Holy Land. This event is not just about education; it’s also an opportunity to grow together by fostering understanding and compassion. Fair Trade olive oil from Palestine will be available for purchase, supporting local economies impacted by the genocide. We look forward to welcoming you to this important conversation and sharing a meaningful evening together! Questions? Contact: Art Fisher afisher100@yahoo.com

Halloween Hullabaloo

Saturday, October 31, 2-4pm

Please mark your calendars for the third Trinity Children and Youth Council Halloween Hullabaloo! This family-friendly, all-parish costume event will have food, games, activities, and trick-or-treating in the Parish Hall. Due to scheduling constraints on the weekend prior, the Hullabaloo will be hosted on Halloween Day in the early afternoon (2-4pm) so you will still have time for neighborhood trick-or-treating in the evening. We are in need of volunteers and door decorators! RSVP and Sign Up Here! Questions? Contact: Theo Patterson, cydirector@trinitysb.org

Compline with Story & Sound

Sunday, November 1, 7-8pm

Join us for an evening of meditative music and storytelling in the Trinity Sanctuary with incense, tea, blankets, and candlelight. This Compline session entitled "Stories of Resilience” will feature two storytellers, Tara Wright and John Gabbert, in conversation with Rev. Sarah Thomas.

Noon Concert: Vocal Motets from the Renaissance to the Present

Friday, November 6, 12:15-12:45pm

Please join us for the next Noon Concert at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1500 State Street, on Friday, November 6 - Vocal Motets from the Renaissance to the Present with Becky Hoffman & Jennifer Johnson, sopranos; Holly Hoffman, alto; and Thomas Joyce, keyboards. The program will include works by Tomás Luis de Victoria, Felix Mendelssohn, Ivo Antognini, Michael McGlynn & Will Todd. Doors open at 11:45am, program begins at 12:15pm. Admission is free. Tax-deductible donations accepted at the door.

Cookie Walk Preparation Underway!



Trinity's 6th Annual Cookie Walk is a cherished tradition that brings our parish together in the spirit of joy and generosity, and invites all of Santa Barbara to join in that spirit, as well. As we prepare for this annual all-parish fundraiser, which takes place Sunday, December 13, we invite each of you to participate by signing up to bake delicious cookies or volunteering to help on the day of the event.

Pair your Cookie Walk sugar rush with our fun and festive raffle! Over 20 baskets will be offered, and we need your help securing items to make this raffle our most enticing ever. We are seeking gift cards of all types, restaurant and theater experiences, wine and more. You can put together a basket yourself, or we will assemble baskets with the raffle items parishioners donate. 

For more information about ways to contribute to the raffle baskets, contact Mary Gibson (sgibson_us@yahoo.com // 805-570-4165) or Elizabeth Patterson (etroy222@aol.com // 310-729-2665). Your generous contributions, big or small, are what make this event a true Christmas miracle every year. Let’s make Trinity's 6th Annual Cookie Walk an unforgettable experience for everyone! Visit the Cookie Walk table on the Labyrinth during Coffee Hour to find out how you can get involved.

Weekly Centering Prayer

Wednesdays, 3-4pm

Centering Prayer is a form of receptive silent prayer in which we welcome God’s presence and activity within us. Drawing on the ancient practices of early Christianity, it is widely practiced in varying forms in diverse denominations. Note: please use street parking or public lots and access the Chapel through the gate on Micheltorena which will be open. Contact Rev. Christine Purcell (christinefpurcell@gmail.com) with questions.

Letter from the Rector

This past spring, I took part in The Episcopal Church Trajectory Study, a set of surveys exploring what Episcopal congregations are doing around worship, welcome, formation, and leadership. The goal was to understand why, since the pandemic, some churches have grown while others have struggled. The preliminary findings are striking. What seems to matter most isn't worship style or theology or programming for children and adults. It’s relationship: people feeling welcomed and seen, people sharing themselves and their stories with one another. In other words, it’s what the early church was all about, what Jesus did, everything he told the disciples to do in order to make God’s love real and tangible in the world. Go figure. And all these things—welcoming, seeing, sharing— are things we do together. No one person can create a flourishing congregation alone. It takes all of us, together, much like the loaves and fishes story Rev. Anne Howard preached about this summer , where generosity shared in service of others becomes more than enough.

This time of year marks the beginning of Trinity’s Annual Giving season, a time when we ask parishioners to make a financial pledge to the church to fund the 2027 Operating budget. But, your pledge isn’t simply about the money needed to keep the lights on and staff paid. Our pledge to share what we have—our bits of bread and fish—is one of the ways we draw together as a body, as Christ’s body, and participate in the relationships that make all our ministries possible. Pledging is a statement of hope, a mark of trust in abundance over scarcity…that despite there seeming to be only a mere 5 loaves and 2 fish, there will be more than enough to go around, and all will be fed.

I invite you to review the pledge materials in the printed packet you received, or that are available online, and consider what financial commitment you can make for your 2027 pledge in support of, and with gratitude for, this community that provides so many opportunities to make God’s abundant love real and tangible in our own lives and in the world.

With gratitude for all of you—all of us—doing what we do together.

The Rev. Elizabeth Molitors, Rector

Parishioner Testimonials

Instead of the traditional Epistle reading (2nd lesson) on Sundays, we will hear from the living scripture that is our lives. For three Sundays during our Annual Giving Season, in conversation with Rev. Sarah Thomas, we will hear parishioners share stories of giving. Listen to Cathi Speake's story by watching the video here.

Nursery, Sundays, 9am-noon

The nursery is available on Sundays for infants and for toddlers under the age of three and a half. It is located on the second floor of the Parish Hall.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS)

Sundays, 9-11:30am

CGS is a Montessori-based religious formation program for child parishioners ages 3½-12. Children may arrive as early as 9am in the Children and Youth building behind the sanctuary. Children will rejoin families in time for Eucharist in the Sanctuary.

Youth Group Meetings

Tuesdays, 7-8:30pm

Youth Group is a time of connection and community for teen parishioners, ages 13-18. Youth Group meets in the Youth Group Room, downstairs in the Church School building. This past week in our Story Circles, half of our youth shared stories of Compassion and half shared stories of Resistance.

Catechesis Corner: Who was Sofia Cavalletti?

"If we can enjoy the presence of God in our life, then our faith is established on the only sure foundation" - Sofia Cavalletti (1917-2011). Sofia was one of the two great founding mothers of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Along with Gianna Gobbi, she spent years... (continued in the Children and Youth Newsletter)

For more information on Children, Youth, and Young Adult programs, please contact Theo Patterson, cydirector@trinitysb.org.

Call for Youth/Young Adult Convention Delegates

Young people aged 16-22 are invited to participate in The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles’s 2026 Annual Convention by applying to become a Diocesan Convention Youth/Young Adult delegate (DYYAD). Youth/Young Adult Delegates are leaders in their congregation and the diocese and have seat, voice, and vote at convention. Anyone is welcome to nominate a youth, and youth are welcome to apply by October 16. The formation staff will contact nominees regarding their applications. 

More information to nominate/apply is available here.

'Clear the Road to Freedom' Pilgrimage Update

The Diocese of Los Angeles' Sacred Resistance movement has completed its 96.5-mile pilgrimage to raise awareness of the inhumane conditions of ICE detention facilities and money for detainees and their families. This interfaith action has had a tremendous impact, having been picked up by national media outlets, going viral on social media, and raising over $65,000 to support detainees. The next step in Sacred Resistance's movement is "Election Defense" to protect and secure poll access for targeted populations this election season. Read more about this update and Sacred Resistance's work on their website here.

PFLAG Zoom Meeting

Monday, October 19, 7-8:30pm

Trinity parishioners are invited to join PFLAG at their

October meeting to explore the topic: "Schools and Inclusive Practices: What creates a safe and inclusive school?" There is always time for sharing, support and discussion. This is a Zoom meeting and pre-registration is required by emailing pflagsantabarbara@gmail.com. PFLAG - Parents, Families, Friends, and Allies United with LGBTQ people to move equality forward has had an active presence in Santa Barbara for over 12 years. Please feel free to contact PFLAG if you would like further information about the local chapter.

CLUE Workshop

Sunday, October 25, 2-4pm

Trinity Episcopal Church

Please join CLUE-Santa Barbara for an afternoon of conversation and reflection titled Spiritually-Based Justice in Uncertain Times: Environmental, Housing, and Criminal Justice. Featured speakers are: Michael Kearney, palliative care physician and author, along with Trinity's own Theo Patterson, Director of Children, Youth, and Young Adults. The program will also include perspectives from CLUE's Housing Justice, Criminal Justice, and Environmental Justice workgroups:

• Housing Justice — Rich Appelbaum, Co-Chair
• Criminal Justice — Larry Severance, Co-Chair
• Environmental Justice — Diane Fox, and Rachel Altman, Co-Chairs

Mary and Maryam in Conversation

Thursday, October 29, 6-8:15pm

Islamic Society of Santa Barbara

Trinity parishioners are warmly invited to a play titled Mary and Maryam in Conversation. This play imagines a conversation between Mary, the mother of Jesus in the Christian Bible, and Maryam, the mother of Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him) in the Qur'an. In these difficult times, it is important to build bridges of understanding among people and religions. The story of Mary and Maryam is that bridge between Christianity and Islam. The Beatitudes Catholic Community and the Islamic Society of Santa Barbara will present the play written and directed by Dr. Victoria Rue.

We are grateful that, thanks to our special relationship with the Islamic Society, 25 seats are being held for Trinity attendees. While there is no cost to attend, a freewill donation at the door is greatly appreciated. The Islamic Society is located at 302 N Los Carneros Rd. Please contact Eileen Read (eileenwhiteread@gmail.com) to RSVP and reserve your spot today!

The Episcopal Church Welcomes You!

Submissions for the Trinity Notes weekly Friday newsletter should be received

by noon on the Wednesday prior. Please send your submission to Betty Wenzel, Director of Communications, bwenzel@trinitysb.org.

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1500 State St, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101 | 805-965-7419 | office@trinitysb.org