The Trinitarian

2017

Rector’s Report

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”- Psalm 16: 11

Christian Presence

As a child, during this time of year, all I could think about was Christmas presents. What might it be this year? A bike? A train? Hot wheels? A game of some kind? I was no different than any other child, with high hopes of getting Christmas presents from both Santa Clause and family members. And the biggest presents, the ones with lots of Christmas wrapping, were the best.

I would sit and gaze at the Christmas presents with ‘Chip’ scribbled on the name tag, for hours on end, trying to guess what the gift might be. As I look back, this time of great expectation was even more exciting than the actual unwrapping of the gift.

However, as I’ve grown older, well beyond the Santa Clause years, I came to realize that the greatest present was actually ‘presence’, that is, the presence of those I loved. That my greatest hope and aspiration for Christmas and the holiday season was to be with family and close friends. As we are now in the middle of Advent, waiting for the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ, it becomes my prayer that we focus more on ‘presence’; realizing that presents are great, but they seem less important the older we grow, the wiser we become, and the more we focus on God’s love through his son.

I wish only the best for you and that you truly enjoy your Christmas Presence this holiday season. Amen.

Fr. Chip +

A Deacon’s Doodlings

The church service on 3 December at Trinity celebrated the first Sunday of Advent and the first Sunday of year B in our scriptural readings. If you attended this service, you would have noticed some changes – the blue altar hangings and the presence of the Advent wreath with one of the four candles lighted. Also, you would have seen a manger scene which was empty except for animals you would expect to find there. The hymns we sang were filled with lyrics expressing the tone of the Advent season and you may have noticed a pink or rose candle in the Advent wreath which will be lit on the third Sunday and referenced as a sign of joy.

In general, none of the liturgy for the Advent season mentions a baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph finding no room in an inn, angels singing on high or shepherds coming to search for a babe in the manger. You see, Advent is a season observed in many Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. The term, Advent, is a version of the Latin word meaning "coming."

For Christians, the season of Advent anticipates the coming of Christ from three different perspectives: in the flesh in Bethlehem, in our hearts daily, and in glory at the end of time. This season offers the opportunity to share in the ancient longing for the coming of the Messiah, and to be alert for his second coming. The theme of readings and teachings during Advent is often the preparation for the second coming, while also commemorating the first coming of Christ at Christmas.

In recent times, the most common observance of Advent outside church circles has been the keeping of an Advent calendar with a different markings or small doors to be opened on each day leading up to Christmas eve. Of course, in this modern age, we seem to have been preparing for Christmas since before Halloween without much thought of our own spiritual and mental preparation to celebrate the first coming of Christ into our world.

In this season, we are using Eucharistic prayer B and in the consecration of the elements the celebrant says, "therefore, according to his command, O Father,

We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection,

We await is coming glory;” as we proceed through the Advent season with our mind set on Christmas and the birth of our Savior in a manger in a stable, the above phrase helps us to remember that there are three events to keep in mind – Jesus birth in Bethlehem, Jesus in our hearts daily, and his coming in glory at the end of time.

Advent proclaims that the one who came in humility as a little child, and also comes to us in Word and Sacrament as Lord and Savior, will come again in glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead. It reminds us that the future as well as the past and the present are in God's hands. May the Lord's blessings be upon all of us this season,

Deacon Jim

We deeply appreciate the following members for their dedication to the growth of Trinity and its ministries

Bob & Susan Shields

Bill & Jeannie Dennison

Josh & Elizabeth Ray

Needs of Cridlin Pantry

The following are the Food of the Month and Underwear needs: 48 ravioli, Men’s L boxers. We are in desperate need of boys’ and girls’ clothing sizes 4T – 10 and men’s clothing and toys. ------------ --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- ------------ --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- ------

Spiritual Direction? What’s that? Flowing Spirit Ministry offers Spiritual Direction for groups as well as individuals. What do we mean when we talk about Spiritual Direction? Spiritual Direction is a tool for spiritual growth from the earliest time of Christianity that has experienced a renaissance in the 21st century. It is a form of companioning or WALKING WITH people through their struggles, questions, and the ups and downs of their lives helping to make sense of them and finding God in their midst.

By LISTENING on a deep level in this way Directors help people to NOTICE God’s fingerprints and inspirations in the experience of living their ordinary lives.

It comes as a surprise to some that they don’t have to go to a monastery or a desert place to have a religious experience or grow in their relationship with God. Spiritual Direction enables people to grow in their ability to pay attention to God’s personal communications with them, to help them respond, and to grow in intimacy with the God who loves them. It presupposes being in a place of safety, trust, and compassion.

How do you choose a Director? Look for someone with whom you are comfortable, compatible, and find trustworthy. Come by our office on the main floor or contact Liz (lizjdeal@gmail.com) or Eileen (grace51@aol.com) for more information.

What’s new?

Night Church A joint Celtic Evening Worship

Sundays at 5 PM Sponsored by St. John’s & Trinity

at

St. John’s Huntington, WV

Garden Report Fall 2017

Your landscaping and grounds committee, in preparation for 150th birthday/anniversary in 2019, has developed and implemented a plan to restore a building and grounds to that of an English church, parish hall, and memorial garden.

Our first phase is underway. Selection of shrubbery and plants to be located achieve the most impact and those to be replaced you will notice several areas in process as we work through the next year. Specific items donated “in memory of” are treated respectfully by remaining in their original area or intention is to leave them to continue to grow and nourish in the memory of a loved one.

You will notice a slightly different design in the columbarium garden. The altar has been opened with the result being a key visual component in our restoration efforts. When the effort in that area is completed, we anticipate a beautiful quiet place of solitude for all who enter. You will enjoy the different shades of green, the seating areas, the open altar area, and the attention to detail in the entire garden.

Fountains, tables, and benches will be added to further solidify your downtown Trinity experience we appreciate your passion for Trinity and appreciate your willingness to work with us through this time.

Committee members Jim Morgan, Dave Coster, Cam Brammer, Bonnie Oliver, Robin Turnbull, Liza Caldwell, Chuck Hazlett, and Larry Clark.

Help Wanted…

We are currently seeking Office Volunteers, Acolytes, Lectors, Ushers, Sunday School Helpers, and Eucharistic Ministers. If interested, please call or email Kristi.

A History of Trinity Episcopal Church by Joseph Mackey

will be continued in the next issue. Joe is currently on hiatus. The next series will be about Music at Trinity.

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Juliette Wiles, Karen Tubert, Doug Hall, Lucas Weimer, Jim Morgan, Chip Graves, Red Dawson, Gwenyth Hood, Russell Cook, Steve Thabet, Len Samworth, Holley Baumgartner, and Judy McDowell

Mike & Bonnie Oliver, Brent & Meredith Sturm, George & Julie

Brawn, Jenny & Larry Grover, Doug & Nancy Hall,

Greg and Becky McNeer, and Bob & Susan Shields

Calendar of Events

Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous meets Sunday at 7 PM and

Thursday nights at 7 PM. Consult http://aawv.org/site/home.htm for information.

Boy Scouts Meets every other Monday at 6 PM in the Dining Hall. If you are interested

in volunteering, please call Jeremy Reed at 304-972-9116 or nighthawkeye@yahoo.com.

Coffee ‘n Collars Every Thursday at 9:30AM, your Huntington Episcopal priests will be

having coffee at Heritage Station. Everyone is invited to join us for coffee and conversation. Come join us!

Bridge Club The Bridge Club has 2 games a week – Mondays and Wednesdays at 12:30 PM. They are on Facebook at Huntington Duplicate Bridge Association. If

you have questions or need a partner, contact AJ at 646.808.7404 or huntingtondba@google.com or Mark Semanco at 304-634-3451,

markinwv@gmail.com.

Dick Newman Dances Come to a Friday Night dance party at Trinity! Dances are from 7-10 PM in the Dining Hall on the fourth Friday of the month. Contact Dick at 301-544-

5852 or dnbl@msn.com to send requests

Narcotics Anonymous

Meets Tuesdays at 7 PM in the Dining Hall Daily Reprieve (NA#2 group) Fridays at 12:30PM, Dining Hall

Taizé Service Every Second Tuesday of the month. Meets at 7PM in the Sanctuary.

Top Hat Ballroom Dancing Top Hat Ballroom Dancing gives dance lessons on Thursday Evenings in the Dining Hall. Beginner’s class start at 6:30 PM, Intermediate Class starts at 7:30 PM. Classes are $20 per couple per class. Contact Gail or Paul Patton at 304-412-3171 or visit their website at tophatballroom.com.

The Woodlands Service Every Thursday at 4 PM, please join Deacon Jim in a small service with

communion.

Yoga Monday nights at 5:30 PM. Contact Susie Ferguson at 304-633-4953 or

mamasusanne2@aol.com

Comic Relief

Young Eddie was spending Christmas with his grandparents. On Christmas morning the family went to church. While they were waiting to go in Eddie checked all the announcements, and pictures along the walls. When he came to a group of pictures of men in uniform, he asked a nearby verger, 'Who are all those men in the pictures?'

The verger replied, 'Why, those are our boys who died in the service'.

Dumbfounded, the Jonathan asked, 'Was that the carol service or the Christmas Day service?'

Rector: The Rev. Dr. Chip Graves

Deacon: The Rev. James H. Morgan

Administrator: Kristi Meadows

Organist: Mark A. Smith

Sexton: Chuck Hazelett

Trinity Episcopal Church 520 11th Street

Huntington, WV 25701 wvtrinitychurch.org

304-529-6084 Fax: 304-525-5269

Facebook: Trinity Episcopal Church – Huntington, WV