Trinity's Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) and adult sponsors returned from the youth mission trip last week in Copperhill, Tenn., with tired bodies and full hearts. Partnered with a group of youth and adults from Grace Episcopal in Hinsdale, Ill., our week of service was spent at the home of “Ms. Louise” and her husband. Work projects included: painting the exterior of the house, sanding & painting the covered porch, railing and ramp, building a wooden deck and stairs, replacing flooring in the house, sawing a large tree branch for firewood, weeding vegetable & flower gardens and hauling branches & debris away. Many skills were learned and will be used on future mission trips! 

At base camp, we shared meals, played games, hiked, went river rafting, horseback riding, swam & canoed, mountain biked, and a few even got to dig for gemstones! Every evening we worshipped at chapel with churches from Ohio, Florida, Virginia, Illinois, Tennessee and Georgia that worked on different projects. Our faith and EYC friendships have deepened by working together. We returned home ever ready to serve God and our local community until our next summer mission trip in 2024! We appreciate the continued support of our church family, and the people who park their vehicles in the church lot for the TCU Football EYC Fundraiser every fall. Without them, our mission trips would not be possible! Click here for photos of our trip! 

~ Tracy Miller, Director of Family Life

Just for you: Resources to get ready for Sunday worship.

The State of the Church: Sunday, June 25 at 10:45 a.m. in the Lounge. Join our communications director, Sarah Martinez, for a special presentation on current trends shaping the Episcopal Church. (Spoiler alert! There's a lot of good news to share!)

You’re invited to a potluck lunch in the Parish Hall on Sunday, June 25 at 1 p.m. Please bring a dish to share. It will be a wonderful hour of fellowship and food.

Art of Theology: Theology of Art—Mark your calendars for our summer speaker series starting July 2 at 10:45 a.m. in the Lounge. We're excited to welcome these guests in the weeks ahead!

In related art news: Want to read the magazine Fr. Jason edits? Between now and July 31, EcoTheo Review is having a summer sale -- 25% off single issues and subscriptions using code SUMMER23 when you checkout at https://www.ecotheo.org/shop 

The next Senior Lunch is 12 p.m. on Thursday, July 6 at Pulido’s (2900 Pulido St., Fort Worth, 76107). Please email Tom Wilson to reserve a seat at the table: twwbjw4874@att.net

Please pass along this news to your friends and colleagues: we're looking for a part-time (24 hours a week) bookkeeper. Click here for more information. Cover letters and resumes can be sent to careers@fortworthtrinity.org

A few weeks ago we shared an update on the church budget, which included an explanation about the one-year abatement of our diocesan assessment. In 2024, Trinity will restart its financial contribution to the diocese. Our budget for the upcoming year must accommodate this $100,000+ commitment. The assessment is calculated based on several factors, including congregation size and financial revenue. Why do we have this assessment? All churches and dioceses are “one in the body of Christ,” previous-Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has said, and “we must seek to receive and to share.” Our contribution helps support the overall mission and ministry of The Episcopal Diocese of Texas. The diocese, in turn, supports the work of The Episcopal Church. And our denomination is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The financial support we make as a parish in Fort Worth, Texas has an impact on the Church (capital letter C!) -- the universal body of believers sharing God's redeeming love. We are grateful for all the ways you contribute to this much-greater whole. Soon we'll be asking you to prayerfully consider your giving intentions for 2024. While doing so, remember you're part of something vast and wonderful. Giving to Trinity supports our parish, our city, and our entire world.

Do you know of a 501c3 non-profit doing God's work in our community that we might partner with? Trinity Reaching Out (TRO) awards grants to non-profits that promote Christ's love through service and community. If you know of a non-profit that needs emergency funding now, please complete (or share) the TRO 2023 Emerging Needs application. Emerging Needs grants range from $50 to $2,000 per grant. And if you know of a non-profit that Trinity can partner with in the future, complete (or share) the 2024 TRO grant application. Submissions are due by Aug. 31.

Trinity Reaching Out strives to follow the example of Jesus Christ by reaching out to love and serve those in need. For more information about TRO, email Jackie Ferguson.