TRINITY CHURCH
ANNUAL REPORT - 2024
OUTREACH & PASTORAL CARE
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Appalachian Regional Ministry
In 2017 the Vestry asked our Rector to explore ministry opportunities beyond those of Outreach. A committee was formed to consider regional, national and international efforts. After much study, thought and prayer, we decided to start here in NC and the Appalachian Regional Ministry was developed. It is an effort to respond to God’s call to help our Appalachian neighbors in need.
The committee identified three goals: 1) we wanted to find an area of legitimate need, 2) where there was already a local group trying to help solve some of the problems, and 3) that same group would like our help. After researching the Appalachian areas, we found a group of ministers in Graham County doing exactly what we were looking for and decided to focus our efforts there.
Graham is one of the very poorest counties in the state. There is only one school in the county and only one grocery store. There are almost no jobs anymore. With almost 2/3 of Graham County a national park, their income base will never be great. Over half the children are living in poor or low-income homes and over one quarter of the children live in households that have food insecurity.
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To help meet these needs, we have developed two general areas of ministry, those directed at meeting current needs and those we hope to develop to address additional needs as identified by the ministers in Robbinsville. First, as for Trinity's current efforts, a growing number of volunteers have been going out to Graham County every month to work alongside local volunteers. Together we unload a Manna food truck and repackage big boxes of fruits and vegetables into individual serving sizes so they can be given out to family members. Afterwards, our Trinity volunteers go to work in the kitchen and help prepare a meal which is given out in the evening. Initially, we prepared food to feed 200 people.
The need has grown so we are now preparing food for around 300 people. Second, we wanted to listen to the ministers with whom we work to learn about other needs. As a result, Trinity has collected books for children’s reading programs, conducted multiple clothing drives for youth and adults, and volunteered to help teach computer skills. Mary Howell has designed a curriculum to help the elderly learn how to safely use the internet, shop online, and other social skills. This is now helping retirees connect with their neighbors and save money on items they need.
With God's help, Trinity is responding to the Vestry's call to develop this ministry and we thank all the volunteers who have helped make this ministry such a successful experience. The ministers out there have repeatedly expressed how grateful they are for all our help. Pastor Eric Reece of the Robbinsville United Methodist Church said recently, “A great benefit was the encouragement and care Trinity brought and that is priceless.” They are genuinely trying to do all they can for the poor. With our mutual prayers and efforts it is a real blessing to be able to see God's hand at work. If you are interested in helping our less fortunate Appalachian neighbors, please contact me, tegoodrich@gmail.com. Thank you so much.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tom Goodrich
Pastoral Care Team
The Pastoral Care team meets monthly to oversee Trinity’s many pastoral ministries, coordinate efforts to care for the parish’s sick, grieving, or needy, and discuss the pastoral care and concerns of the community. The goal is to avoid institutionalizing care, as multifaceted care is ongoing with clergy, staff, and parishioners.
The team comprises clergy and lay persons. We continue to meet on Zoom primarily. Often, our meetings last 30 to 40 minutes, and the time travel to and from the church can add another 30 to 40 minutes for some members.
Our meal team continues to deliver hearty meals to those recovering from health issues and those amid difficult times or grief. Trinity’s Encouragement ministry, led by Jennine Hough and consisting of close to a dozen people, continues to offer written cards with words of comfort, prayer, and encouragement to many of our parish members who are sick, unable to travel, or grieving. Corkie Morrill continues to host a group for caregivers of those with dementia or other cognitive illnesses.
The Flower Delivery Guild continues to touch members' lives with altar flowers. Connie Wilson oversees this ministry. They deliver to those who have experienced illness, are recovering from sickness, and have celebrated a recent life milestone. We have a whole host of volunteers who dismantle the altar flowers from Sunday and arrange them in individual containers to be delivered.
We consider our healing station at our 8:00 and 10:45 services a part of our overall ministry of care and healing. Additionally, we have a team of Lay Eucharistic Ministers who take the elements of the Eucharist to members in their homes in times when they are homebound by surgery, or other circumstances.
I am ever grateful to all those who serve on this ministry team and share with me in the pastoral care of Trinity Church.
Respectfully Submitted,
Scott White
Caregivers’ Ministry
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Thanks to Zoom, the Trinity Caregivers’ Support group is able to meet every second Friday of the month. Our members are parishioners who are caring for a spouse or family member who has been diagnosed with dementia.
Our group has grown this year to eleven participants.
Respectively submitted,
Florence M. Morrill, PsyD
Clinical Psychologist (retired)
Encouragement Ministry
The Committee of Encouragement Notes was formed about ten years ago. Grace Pless led the coordination for years and then Jennine Hough stepped in.
There are currently 12 people on the committee. They are Allison Manolfi, Nancy Dexter, Connie Wilson, Carol MacRae Janice Nash, Mandie Carlson, Susan Covington, Susan Haldane, Sally Cochran, Steve Cochran, Grace Pless and myself.
We learn in the monthly Pastoral Care meeting of the people who are facing surgery, have experienced a family death or crisis, are having a baby, recovering from an illness, in treatment for cancer or mental health, or other concerns and who have asked for our prayers.
For the most part, and there are exceptions, the information about a member is kept
confidential by the committee.
The names of these parishioners are divided among the members of the committee and most months each person in our group writes 2-4 notes.
We also write or send a card to our homebound members of Trinity.
As of November, we have written 268 notes in 2024.
Respectively submitted,
Jennine Hough
Daughters of the King
The Daughters of the King is an Order for women who are communicants of the Episcopal Church or churches in communion with it. Today our membership includes women in Episcopal, Lutheran, Roman Catholic and Anglican churches.
As Daughters, we undertake a Rule of Life, which can be thought of as a covenant between God and ourselves. It helps us to focus on our walk with Jesus Christ. Our Rule of Life incorporates a Rule of Prayer and a Rule of Service.
Daughters seek to grow and deepen their relationship with God through the Rule of Prayer. We fulfill this vow by praying daily for unity in Christ’s church, the spread of Christ’s kingdom, God’s blessings upon the members of our chapter and our clergy, and the spiritual growth of our parish. We also pray specifically for members of our parish who request prayers and for those on the Sunday prayer list in the bulletin. Our members are involved in diverse services throughout the church such as vestry, altar guild, garden guild, Sunday school teachers, lay readers, outreach in the community, volunteering with the Church of the Advocate, etc.
Through the Rule of Service, a Daughter seeks to do the will of God every day. It is the application of her baptismal vow in which she strives to be Christ’s faithful servant by growing His Kingdom, participating in worship and study and assisting clergy in the outreach and work of the church.
The Order of Daughters of the King at Trinity welcomed two members who were transfers from other chapters. We hosted the WNC spring assembly in May and it was attended by forty members from throughout Western North Carolina . We often attend regional meetings hosted by different parishes throughout Western North Carolina. We hold our monthly meetings in the Clark Room usually on the third Sunday after the 10:45 service. Our current book study is We provided a scholarship for a student in Haiti to attend school. We have provided underwear, shoes, and monetary donations for the Church of the Advocate and helped sort supplies to be distributed to the needy. We also help with breakfast and funerals and other special events. Two of our members lead contemplative prayer in the Beloved Community Book Club on Zoom as well as meeting in person. We send out personal postcards to Trinity members for Birthdays and Anniversaries. Nancy McCorkle is the President. Ada Jo Foley is the Secretary and Nancy Dexter is the Treasurer.
Any interested women are invited to contact Nancy McCorkle at nkmccorkle@gmail.com or at 912-224-5387. We welcome new members at any time.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy McCorkle
Parish Life
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Breakfast
Breakfast is served every Sunday in Tuton Hall at 9:00 am. The cost is $6.00. We are using Dry Ridge Farm Eggs. Debbie Cox and Paul Hatfield with volunteers help with this fellowship every Sunday. On Easter Day, we provide a champagne breakfast and hire other workers to help.
Receptions
Trinity Church receptions provide gracious and abundant refreshments, thanks to many volunteers coming on short notice. Receptions generally follow funerals or memorial services but may include weddings, concerts, and other church occasions like Sharon’s retirement reception.
Parish Dinners
This year, Trinity dinners were during Shrove Tuesday, Lent, and Broadway/Musical Review. Dinners are throughout the year. Paul Hatfield or Debbie Cox prepares these dinners.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Cox
Flower Delivery Ministry
The Flower Delivery Ministry was inaugurated after Easter Sunday, 2020. With a huge array of flowers intended to adorn the sanctuary, Easter was a virtual service for the first time in the history of Trinity Church. What to do with the flowers?
Ken Wilson and Pastoral Care Team-member Chris Dismukes, pulled together a team of three to arrange over 60 small vases the day after Easter. Another team of three delivered to parishioners at Retirement Communities, nursing homes and those alone at home.
Out of this effort, the Flower Guild learned that this small gift of flowers from the altar was a symbol of God’s love, and our love and support of one another. This ministry is now a part of Pastoral Care, as we think of those in need, dealing with trying times, or celebrating a milestone.
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Each Sunday, volunteers meet at Trinity after the 10:45 service to rearrange flowers from the altar to smaller vases. Deliveries follow with one or two volunteers who may have 4-6 vases, depending on flower availability.
Our group currently consists of 30 volunteers. Being a part of this ministry gives just as much joy to us as the joy delivered to others. We receive many wonderful well wishes from recipients who are grateful for this small way of showing support. To date, over 1,100 flower arrangements have been delivered by this committed team.
Please contact me if you are interested in arranging, delivering or both, or if you know of a parishioner who would benefit from a delivery.
If you have clear glass vases that you would like to donate, feel free to deliver to the church kitchen. Please kindly run them through your dishwasher before donating, as dirty vases encourage bacteria growth that result in dead flowers!
Connie Wilson
773-769-6939
