to the ceiling, in every room, with every box, wrapper and item ever bought, including food. Hoarding is the way that many of us treat the most precious gifts we receive in this life. We hold onto our money, our possessions, our love, our joy, fearful that if we

share them there won’t be any left for us. Yet this gift, the child of God, is one that can be shared without any fear of exhausting it’s power. This Jesus can be shared, not merely with friends, but with EVERYONE, in every place. Jesus is the light of God reaching out around the world. May our reaction to Christmas be as Simeon’s—that Jesus is a light for the joy of all people.

By Grace,

Trinity TidingsThe Newsletter of Trinity Episcopal ChurchJANUARY 2015

The Story Continues…by Scott White

One of the great Christmas stories that many will not recognize as such is “The Presentation of Jesus in The Temple.” It is recorded in the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke and from it comes the beautiful canticle (song) quoted above which is included in the service of Evening Prayer. As the story goes, the Shepherds find Mary and Joseph at the manger with the newborn child. Luke says, “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them” (2:20). The very next verse begins the story of Jesus being presented in the temple. So, this is a Christmas story. Luke says, “Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout…it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah” (2:25-26). So, when Simeon sees the child in the temple, his reaction is telling, “For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people, To be a light

to lighten the Gentiles (nations), and to be the glory of thy people Israel.” It is part of the Christmas story to hear that the purpose of Christ’s birth is to be a light to all nations, all peoples.

When channel surfing at home I sometimes stop and watch, with utter amazement, the program simply called, “Hoarders.” The show chronicles the serious struggle of many individuals who literally can’t throw anything away. I’m not talking about your normal Fibber McGee’s closet, but homes piled

The Song of Simeon Nunc dimittis Luke 2:29-32

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,*according to thy word;

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,*which thou hast prepared before the face of all people,

To be a light to lighten the Gentiles,*and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

The Feast of Lights Sunday, January 4th at 10:45am we will cel-

ebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, the celebration of the arrival of the three Kings, or Magi, at the nativ-ity manger of Jesus. In many parts of the Christian world this day is the day to celebrate Christmas. Older children and youth will participate in the service. We will also mark the end of the twelve days of Christmas by burning the Christmas greens after the service. For more information, please contact Debbie Cox at debbie@trinityasheville.org or Beth Chestnut beth@trinityasheville.org.

The Prayer Shawl ministry at Trinity has been meeting monthly. Our numbers are small and we welcome new members at any time. We have some contributors who work and cannot attend the meetings but donate knitted or crocheted items to this ministry. A limited amount of yarn is available and donations of yarn are welcomed.

We make Preemie items. blankets, hats and burial wraps. We also make blankets for babies that are being baptized here at Trinity.

For the homebound we have lap-gans for those in wheelchairs. Shoul-der capes for those confined to bed are available as well as prayer shawls.

Hats and scarves are available for the homeless.

We have pattenrs for knitted and crocheted items that can be copied.

If you are a caregiver or know of someone who would enjoy of the Prayer Shawl ministry items, please contact Rev. Peggy Buchanan at the church office or home 669-6191.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry at Trinity

2 Trinity Tidings

Epiphany teaches us through the image of the Magi that Jesus draws people of all races and cultures throughout the world into his loving embrace. Beginning with ashes imposed on our foreheads, Lent causes us to reflect deeply on our mortality and our relationship with God, on an individual and corporate level. Easter fills us with joy that we have no need to fear death, for Jesus has triumphed over it.

As we begin the new year in our Sunday Adult Formation programs, the themes of our liturgical seasons inspire the programs we offer and challenge us to fulfill our mission statement. There is plenty of room for exploration of faith, for community building and for personal transformation.

Please join us Sunday by Sunday on our journey of faith here at Trinity Church.

Sunday Forums for Epiphany

International Issues of Faith January 4- February 15In the Undercroft

It is no secret that faith is exceedingly complex in our world today. Instead of receding in importance, religion seems to have increasing power in the social and political realm. We share our world with people who hold beliefs of extraordinary intensity and diversity, and those beliefs impact all aspects of our global life together. Join Jared Grant on January 4 and Liz Colton on January 11-February 15 as they share their perspectives on mission, diplomacy, journalism, and personal faith gained from their work around the world.

January 4 What it means to be an Episcopal missionary today: The Young Adult Service Corps led by Jared Grant

For the past two years, Jared has been involved with the Episcopal Young Adult Service Corps. During his time with the program he worked in Lesotho, Africa, and in Italy, and as you can imagine these experiences were very different. This time has given Jared the opportunity to see how the church engages in very different parts of the world. He has learned that we are one body in Christ, and we all have a place in God’s mission.

Adult FormationPlease join him on January 4th for a presentation

on his time with YASC. He will be sharing photos, stories, and objects collected during his travels that remind him of the beautiful world we live in, including Basotho blankets and prayer flags made by refugee artisans. All this is to put into perspective his work within the mission of the Church and to say thank-you to Trinity for its support during these two years.

Jared Grant grew up at Trinity Church, was active in diocesan youth ministries and graduated in 2012 from Appalachian State University.

January 11 – February 15Religion on the world stage: Journalism, Diplomacy and Personal Faith led by Dr. Elizabeth Colton

Elizabeth is an Asheville native who grew up at Trinity Church. She has worked in more than one hundred countries on six continents as a diplomat, with a special focus on the Middle East. Before joining the Foreign Service, she was a journalist for ABC news and other media, and has been a Fulbright scholar, university professor and newspaper editor. She is a graduate of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and holds a Ph.D from the London School of Economics.

In this series, she speaks as one who has covered religious issues as a journalist, has worked as a diplomat on issues of religion and human rights, and perhaps most importantly, has been a member of Christian churches around the world. Thus, she speaks about living as a Christian in countries where Christianity is a religion of a small minority or is even illegal. And also, in her work, she has learned to create a climate of tolerance and respect with people of other religions.

January 11: Religion and the Politics of Global ImagesJanuary 18: Covering the News of Religion and Obstacles to ReportingJanuary 25: U.S. Diplomacy and ReligionFebruary 1: Christianity with Islam in the Middle EastFebruary 8: Christianity with other Religions in Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent

January 4 - February 8

Exploring the Episcopal Experienceled by the Rector in the Conference Room

What do Episco-palians believe? Why do some people cross themselves in church but others don’t? Are we suppose to stand during the Eucharist or kneel? What doe s IHS mean? Who is Nicene? These and any other questions you bring will be explored in Exploring the Episcopal Experience. The Rector of Trinity Church leads this class and it is appropriate for all those interested in knowing more about the Episcopal Church, its worship, structure, theology and mission. If you are a newcomer to Trinity it is a powerful way to get to know more about the Episcopal Church and Trinity. Many who were confirmed as youth take the class as a refresher. Those who take this class will be prepared (should they choose) to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church, or to renew their baptismal vows through the formal rite of “The Lay-ing On of Hands” when Bishop Taylor visits Trinity on April 19. Whether you are interested in coming before the bishop or not you are welcome to come and explore. All are welcome.

January 11 - February 15

Parents in Conversation led by Sally Spiegel in the Clark room

P.I.C. is where the vow you took at your children’s baptism: “I will with God’s help” is spoken through your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, PIC discussions are led by a rotating team of Trinitarian peers who consider hot topics and current events as they relate to families, explore our own Christian formation

February 15: Christian Communities in Countries of Threat

Trinity Tidings 3

Wonderful Wednesdays at TrinityJanuary 14 - February 4Music • Food • Fun • Study

Beginning again in January, Wednesdays will bring many engaging activities at Trinity. This is one opportunity where all aspects of our mission are lived out: Explore Faith, Embrace Community, Expect a Difference.

Come to any part of the evening that works for you or your family. The evening begins with Choir rehearsals for our children. Dinner will be served and there will be a nursery, study hall for children and youth, and a Bible study for Adults. Look at the schedule below.

Wednesday evenings will be one of the evenings you don’t have to cook!5:00: Alleluia Choir (ages 4-second grade)5:00 - 7:00: Nursery Open5:30 - 6:30: Dinner Served (in Tuton Hall)5:30 - 6:10: Jubilate Choir (third grade through eighth grade)6:15 - 7:00: Adult Study (see below)6:15 - 7:00: Youth Study Hall (Youth Room)6:15 - 7:00: Children Study Hall (Godly Play 2 room)7:00: Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Women’s Bible Study begins January 6 in the Conference Room

MUSICWhat a wonderful season of Advent and Christ-

mas we had! Thanks to all our musical parishioners for making Lessons and Carols and Christmas Eve services so beautiful, as well as for all the Sunday morning and Celtic services. The music continues! Dates for choirs to resume are the following: Handbells: January 12 at 5:15Alleluia Choir: January 14 at 5:00Jubilate Choir: January 14 at 5:30Chancel Choir: January 14 at 7:00

If you are interested in joining a choir, please contact Sharon for more information at 253-9361 or at sharon@trinityasheville.org. We especially need two hand bell ringers!

Adult Studyled by Carol Hubbard

From Genesis to Revelation: A Com-prehensive Look at the Bible. One of the most common reasons people shy away from studying the Bible is that at first glance it is seems so overwhelm-ing. The Bible contains many books written over many thousands of centuries. In this study we will step back to look at the overall makeup of the Holy Scripture. We will look at the different themes in scripture as well as the the different types of lit-erature used. The holy text of God is indeed, “living and active,” as the author of one book of the Bible puts it. Yet, it is not inaccesible. We continue our study in January, moving to the New Testament.

through invigorating conversation, or examine one of the day’s readings as it relates to us today.

Sally Spiegel is a long-time member of Trinity and is the mother of Ava and Gage. She leads Sally Spiegel, Inc. - Renovation Management and Design, a design and contracting firm in Asheville. The daughter of a priest, Sally has always been active in the Episcopal Church and, in our diocese, has served on the Commission on Ministry, the Standing Com-mittee and is currently a member of the Executive Council.

Sally Spiegel - continued:

Dear Trinity Friends in Christ,On behalf of all of the people of The Church

of the Advocate we seek to serve in Christ’ love, thank you so very much for your clothing and other holiday gifts, financial support, and continuing care and prayer during these Holy seasons and throughout the year. God’s grace and empowering Incarnate Presence is the balm of all of our souls and lives. May that perfect work of Christ bless and keep you in the wonderful promise of His love.

Ho, Ho, Hosanna; Ha, Ha, Halleluiah; He, He, He saved us… Now we have the Joy of the Lord!Yours in Christ, Ham+

4 Trinity Tidings

Trinity Kids•Kids•

OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW!

The first half of the Sunday School year has been a busy one! We have heard many of the sacred stories from the Old Testament, finishing the year the way the church year starts….Advent!

Lots of seasonal activities including: Advent Wreath Making, a visit from St. Nicholas, Women’s Dine and Decorate, Gingerbread House Making and a trip to see “A Charlie Brown Christmas”.

Trinity Tidings 5•Kids•

Youth ConfirmationThis year, our youth in grades six and seven will

be eligible for confirmation, plus any older youth who have not yet been confirmed. Bishop Taylor will visit Trinity on April 19 and confirmation will take place at the 10:45 service. Confirmation classes will be led by our Rector and will meet during the Sunday morning education hour (9:30-10:30) in the Middle School Youth Room from February 15 - March 22.

A letter has gone out giving further details of the program. If you have not received this letter or have any questions, please contact the Rector:scott@trinityasheville.org.

Summer Opportuntunities: Camp Henry 2015Brochure at welcome table or online at www.camphenry.net.

Haiti Mission ExperienceJuly 6th -13th, 2015 Cange, HaiteCost: $1,200.00www.trinityasheville.orgApplication due by Monday, January 12, 2015

YouthJanuary EYC CalendarJanuary 4th - Service hours at Trinity(Cleaning greenery from Christmas)After 10:45 am - 2:00 pm

January 11th - Movie Night at Trinity4:00 -6:30 pm Monday, January 12th - Haiti Mission trip forms due

January 16th - 18th -Radix at Lake Logan Confer-ence CenterGrades 9-12Registration by 1/5/15 is $100.00/after 1/5/15 is $110.00www.diocesewnc.org/youth/youthcalendar

January 18th - No EYC

January 25th - Game Night at Trinity4:00 -6:00 pm

Saturday, January 31st - “Midnight Manna”8:30 - 1:00 amCost: $15.00

EYC is for grades 6-12 every Sunday, unless other-wise notified. For more information, please contact Debbie Cox at 253-9361 or debbie@trinityasheville.org

CHRISTMAS CARD SALES SUCCESS!!

Thank you Trinity parishioners for buying up all of the Christmas cards being sold by our children in conjunction with the Art Guild! We sold every package!! The children really enjoyed the experience and proved to be good salespeople!

Our new year looks at the life of the young Jesus all the way into adulthood. Godly Play classes will specifically be focusing on the Parables of Jesus. Our Rite in the Middle

class will look at Jesus’ ministry in Galilee and Judea. Children’s Hour will hear stories of Jesus’ ministry and healing as well.

Dine and Decorate

6 Trinity Tidings

Women’s Retreat Day at Trinity ChurchFebruary 28, 2015

Just Show Up: As You AreTrinity will welcome

nationally known speaker, Glennon Doyle Melton, on February 28, 2015. Glennon is the founder of the online community at Momastery.com and is the author of the New York Times best seller Carry on Warrior. She has also been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network, the Today Show, Ladies Home Journal and brings her message to corpora-tions and churches alike. We’re thrilled to bring her to Asheville!

In her dialogue presentation, she will speak about one of the most difficult tasks in the life of faith: embracing the reality that God loves us just as we are. She will share her journey on this road, with poignant reflections on overcoming addictions to go on to reshape a life of wholeness with family, friends and God.Event Schedule - Note Time Change9:00 - 9:30: Registration / Book Sales - Tuton Hall9:30 - 11:30: Worship, Presentation, Q&A - Church

The Trinity staff is grateful for all the goodies left from

parishioners during Christmas.

Wine and Dine groups are being formed and your captain should be contacting you soon. Please consider offering your home to host a dinner. The dates for 2015 dinners are the following Sundays at 6:30 pm: February 8, May 3, August 23, and October 25. If you didn’t sign up at the last dinner in 2014, you can still sign up by calling the church office or contacting me, Lynne Fuller, at lynnepfuller@aol.com or 890-3232. All the dinners will be held at 6:30 pm to accommodate those wishing to attend the Sunday Celtic service. Dinners will be pot luck style with everyone bringing a dish and a bottle of wine or other beverage. The hosts will provide nonal-coholic beverages. Remember, these dinners are about good food, fun, and fellowship with fellow Trinitarians, nothing fancy or formal. It is a great way to get to know each other better and form deeper relationships!

2nd. Chapter Book Group News

This group will have a special book selection meeting on January 8 at 10AM in the Clark room. Come with a favorite book idea for the coming year. We will choose six titles for discussion start-ing in February. This would be a great time for new members to join us. We meet on the second Thursday of the even numbered months at 10 AM. Contact Barbara Fotinos for more info: 828.676.6883 orbfotinos@gmail.com.

Annual Musical RevueOur Broadway/Musical Revue night is

February 11 at 5:30. If you would like to perform, please contact

Sharon Carleton Boone.

11:30 - 12:30 : Reception / Book SigningTickets will be $25, offered at Trinity’s website.Our goal is a sell-out crowd of 300 attendees.

Interested in volunteering to make this event a huge success? Email missy.sherburne@gmail.com or carol@trinityasheville.org if you’d like to help out.

Trinity Tidings 7

me that she stated “I don’t know how to use the oven.” It took a lot of effort to not show a surprised reaction on my face. I began speaking with the woman, and found out that she only uses the stove top because when she was growing up no one ever taught her how to use it. I started sectioning off a time to specifically focus on how to use the oven and stove top. It just blew me away, because I have never ques-tioned how to use the oven. Part of that is that I lived with a Dad who was a chef, but also it seems so simple to me. So, because it comes

so naturally, trying to explain the simplicity of it has been difficult. This is one of the many examples I experience each day of having a grateful heart. I am grateful that my parents taught me how to do simple household things like, how to use the oven.

It is required that we attend church at least twice a week, but my roommates and I go every Sunday. I don’t think we would attend as much if it were not for the community we have at St. Peter & St. Mary.

This is a quaint church with a maximum of 30 people sit-ting in the pews on Sunday morning. It was definitely an adjustment after growing up in a church like Trinity, but I like that I get to have intimate conversations and truly know each individual of the church. I have made great friends at the church, and my year would not be the same without this amaz-ing community.

This year has been the happiest and most challeng-ing time I have ever faced in my life. I am already seeing growth within myself, and I wouldn’t be here if it

wasn’t for the support of Trinity Episcopal Church. Thank you for your contributions to help me get to where I am now. I can’t wait to walk in to church on Christmas Eve and feel the love and support that I have always felt at Trinity! See you soon!

Peace be with you,Megan

A Letter from Megan CoxGreetings Trinity,

As you all know I am doing a year of service through the Episcopal Service Corps in Denver, Colorado. I live with 3 roommates, two of them being from North Carolina and the other from Texas. Each of us are placed at a different non-profit organizations, and work at least 35-40 hours a week. We also have formation days every Friday which consist of yoga, a topic of conversation (social justice, prayer, Sabbath, etc.), volunteer opportuni-ties, and a yummy crockpot lunch. We also have to attend church twice a month at St. Peter & St. Mary Episcopal Church, which is walking distance from our house. So as you can see I am pretty busy!

I work at Cooking Matters Colorado as a program coordinator. Cooking Matters is a program of Share Our Strength – a national nonprofit dedicated to ending childhood hunger in America. Share Our Strength’s efforts combine access and education to surround families with healthy food where they live, learn, and play. Cooking Matters teaches families at risk of hunger how to shop for and prepare healthy, affordable meals with the resources they have available. A lot of my time this year has been spent teaching classes to low income families. With each class we do a cooking portion and a nutrition lesson, then each family gets to take home a bag of groceries that Cooking Matters provides. I also lead a free interactive, guided grocery store tours to teach adults key shopping skills to purchase healthy ingredients for their families on a budget. Each tour covers: how to read food labels, compare unit prices, identify whole grains, and buy fruits and veggies on a budget. Participants receive a $10 gift card to practice what they learn, along with a reusable grocery bag and cookbook. It’s a great organization full of enthusiastic, young people wanting to make a difference. I love my job and I feel needed here in Denver.

To give you a picture of one of my classes; right now I am finishing up a 6 week course for Spanish speaking women. We meet twice a week at a rec center with a kitchen the size of my Mom’s office. So the two challenges I face and the small space and not being able to speak Spanish. I do have a translator, but I have to approach and teach this class in a different way. A week ago we were making black bean and corn salsa, with homemade tortilla chips. I asked one woman to put the pan of cut up tortillas in the oven. I then received a confused look back from her, I asked again and was still getting that same look on her face. The translator then tells

Trinity Episcopal ChurchThe Episcopal Church in Downtown Asheville Since 184960 Church Street • Asheville, NC 28801Telephone: (828) 253.9361 • Fax: (828) 253.9866Email: info@trinityasheville.orgWeb address: www.trinityasheville.org

Sundays at Trinity8:00 am: Holy Eucharist9:00: Breakfast9:30: Nursery Opens9:30: Education & Formation for All Ages10:45 am : Holy Eucharist12:15 pm: Coffee Hour5:30 pm: Celtic Service with Eucharist

Church of the AdvocateSundays: 1:30 p.m.

Our Vision Statement:“Trinity Church is a nurturing Christian community

providing opportunities for worship, Spiritual growth and commitment in a supportive and open atmosphere.”

VESTRY

The Reverend Dr. R. Scott White .............................RectorThe Reverend Carol Hubbard .................. Associate RectorThe Reverend Peggy Buchanan ............................ DeaconDillon Manly ........................................Financial AssistantKen Wilson .................................Administrative AssistantSharon Carleton Boone ............................. Music MinistryDebbie Cox ........................ Fellowship & Youth MinistriesBeth Chestnut ...................... Children & Family MinistriesPaul Dismukes ...................................... Building EngineerGlenn Childes ........................................................ Sexton

Carole Hilderbran ..................................... Senior WardenChris Kam ..................................................Junior WardenJeff Covington ................................................... TreasurerKatie Chappell ..........................................................Clerk

Christmas 2014

Class of 2016Hope ByrdVince ChildressTodd CrossHigh GarstSandy Grant

Class of 2015Sally CochranCatherine MetzgerDavid PheilAdrian VassalloCharlie Waddell

Class of 2017Spencer AtwaterCourtney BlossmanElizabeth BoulterJohn HoskinsBonnie Scothorn