Commissioning Sunday 2026, photo by Crystal Fiechtl

September 17, 2026 | Trinity Episcopal Church, Staunton, Virginia

QUICK NOTES

Thank you to all who participated in our Commissioning Sunday service! Last Sunday, we saw just how many hands it takes to make a Sunday morning happen, and we're so grateful for every one of you who serves. Thank you, too, to everyone who came to celebrate your fellow parishioners.

Mischief is afoot. Queen City Mischief and Magic is just around the corner, and tickets for the Hogwarts Reunion Banquet are nearly gone. Truly! Only a few seats remain, so grab yours now. More info below.

THIS WEEKEND AT TRINITY

Our Shrine Mont retreat is this weekend! We are eager to see you there!

Both 8 am Rite I and 10:30 am Rite II services will proceed as usual.

Adult formation will meet as a combined group at 9:15 am in the parish house.

Send us your photos!

If you get a good one at Shrine Mont this weekend, or anywhere else around Trinity, send it to Autumn at communications@trinitystaunton.org. We love sharing them.

DID YOU KNOW?

If you've ever left a light on at Trinity and found it off the next morning, Sally Mueller may have had something to do with it. Living nearby, she keeps a watchful eye on the building and grounds, noticing what needs checking and making sure it's taken care of.

On Sunday mornings, you'll find Sally in the thick of things. She serves as a lay Eucharistic minister and coordinates the other LEMs for the 8 am service. She's also behind much of the work that goes into Trinity's picnics and receptions, from tables and logistics to the small details that make those gatherings come together. She helps Ana with deposits too, and it's always a treat to see her in the office, usually with her sweet dog Kivi in tow!

Sally has opened her home to people connected to Trinity, hosting visiting musicians and, this past summer, our seminarian intern, Chris Yoder. She's led grief recovery groups and Sacred Ground and participated in Education for Ministry.

One of Sally's most lasting gifts to Trinity hangs in the Foster Room: the Prayer of St. Francis, which she designed and stitched entirely by hand. Next time you're there, take a closer look.

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

QUEEN CITY MISCHIEF AND MAGIC IS FAST APPROACHING

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

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! 

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW

Not able to lend a hand but still want in on the magic? Trinity is hosting two feasts this year, and there’s a seat at the table for everyone from first years to alumni. Follow this link to secure your tickets before the Great Hall fills up!

Hogwarts Reunion Banquet • Saturday, September 26 • 6:30 pm

Come feast with your favorite characters as the Great Hall opens its doors for the evening: butterbeer, characters, and a banquet worthy of celebration. Tickets are $50, with proceeds supporting Honduras Missions.

Hogwarts Pancake Breakfast • Sunday, September 27 • 9:00 am & 10:30 am

Sunday morning includes bottomless pancakes, plus sausage, cinnamon apples, coffee, tea, and orange juice, hosted by Stuart Hall’s Rotary Interact Club. Tickets are $20, with proceeds benefiting Honduras Missions and Smile Train.

NO TICKET REQUIRED

On September 27 at 9:15 am during the formation hour, the Marauder's Map will lead witches and wizards on a free hunt around Trinity's grounds. Mischief managed!

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. Next week is taco Tuesday and the suggested $5 free will offering supports Trinity's Chorister program.

WOMEN OF FAITH, MORNING AND EVENING



Both Women of Faith groups are underway, Wednesdays at 11 am and 5:30 pm in the Foster Room. These first weeks we're sharing faith stories, sitting with the Sunday readings in lectio divina, and sketching out where the year should go. The Beatitudes, Job, Mary Oliver in Lent, and time with Wil Gafney's Women's Lectionary are all planned, with more to come.

WEDNESDAY MORNING YOGA AT TRINITY

Make some space in your week for this gentle hatha yoga class, led by Stephanie Otteni. There is no charge, and the class welcomes all bodies, abilities and experience levels, with slow movements designed to stretch and strengthen, while offering an opportunity for introspection and deep relaxation in the peaceful environment of Trinity's sanctuary. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a mat and any props you own (Trinity does have a limited number of mats available). Contact Rev. Cara with any questions!

MONTHLY PRAYER WALK • SEPTEMBER 27!

Meet Father AJ and fellow parishioners at McCormick Farm for time with prayer, community, and a trail walk. If you’d like to carpool, meet in the Johnson Street lot at 3:30 pm or meet at McCormick Farm at 4 pm. Won't it be peaceful to get out of town after all the QCMM commotion?

ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL

Celebration of the Animals Fest

Saturday, October 3 • 10 am to 12 pm

Sunday, October 4, is the Feast of St. Francis, who saw God's goodness in every living thing and called all creatures his brothers and sisters. On the eve of his feast day, we'll honor him with an outdoor liturgy and a blessing of the animals. Bring your dog, guinea pig, horse, snake, fish, goat, or your best loved teddy bear.

Afterward, visit and learn more about some of the people in our community who take care of the animals who share our lives. There will be crafts for the kids and good resources for anyone who loves a critter. Animals enrich our life together. Come give thanks for them with us!

Choral Evensong for the Feast of St. Francis

Sunday, October 4 • 5 pm

Eight hundred years after Saint Francis died, we'll celebrate his feast day the way he might have liked best: in song! Sung by Trinity's Senior Choristers, this contemplative service of Evening Prayer will include music by Jessica French, Herbert Sumsion, John Rutter, and Malcolm Archer. It will be a beautiful opportunity to pause, reflect, and worship through music.

SAVE THE DATE • MUSIC FOR GOOD

Saturday, October 10 • 5 pm

Music for Good was created with the intent of supporting our neighbors. All funds raised will go directly to the Familia Fund, a volunteer-led group of Stauntonians working to support community members who are facing detention, deportation, food and housing insecurity, and legal fees.

The concert is a collaboration between professional and student musicians. Strings, organ, clarinet and choir will appear in various configurations, performing a variety of music.

THIS WEEK ON THE BLOG

Rev. Cara's September 13 sermon:

Why should we forgive?

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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