October 2, 2019

The mission of Trinity Church is to share Christ's love and grace in a vibrant community whose joyful spirit empowers people to do God's work.

SENIOR WARDEN'S NOTES
OK, so I’m a professor and we’re having a quiz today.

  • What’s a piscina, do we have one, and where is it?
  • What’s a sacrarium, do we have one, and where is it?
  • What’s a sacristy, do we have one, and where is it?
  • What’s an ambo, do we have one, and where is it?
  • What’s an aumbry and who made ours?
  • When do we use purple as a symbol in our church?
  • What’s an Altar Guild? Do we have one and what do they do?

That last question is a giveaway and what this newsletter item is about today. When we enter the sanctuary on Sunday mornings, Saturday night, or Wednesday noon for a service, or for a wedding, funeral, or other event, we see pristine white cloths and candles on the altar and some vessels holding wine and wafers for the service of Eucharist. Did you ever wonder how this traditional and central part of our service happens?

The Altar Guild at Trinity is a group of women – though they’d welcome male volunteers, as well – who prepare this part of the service for us each time we worship at Trinity, whether it be a scheduled service, a funeral, a visit from the Bishop, or whatever. Headed by Mandy Anderson assisted by her colleague Kelly Carniol, a group of about 30 women perform this unobtrusive and often unnoticed service for us. Four teams of volunteers do the work, with Mandy Anderson, Carolyn Frye, Becky Dagg, and Rosemary Arneson heading the teams.
The teams keep track of the altar drapes and the piece for the ambo – another name for the pulpit – and use the correct color for each service. The hangings are kept in the sacristy, a small room to the left in the front of the church, through a door most of us probably haven’t even noticed. The colors change according to the liturgical seasons: red for Pentecost, blue for Advent, white and gold for feast days (Christmas, Easter, weddings, funerals, etc.), purple for Lent, rose for one Sunday of Advent and another in Lent, and green for the “ordinary” times when none of the other colors are appropriate.

Consecrated elements for the Eucharist are kept in the aumbry, the small recessed locked cabinet you see in the right front of the church. Our aumbry was designed and constructed by Fred Kerby about three years ago. He used reclaimed red oak from the arched panels that were in our chancel before the renovation.
An Altar Guild team is responsible for preparing the altar for each service, including preparation of the Eucharist bread and wine – did you know we drink port? Any leftover wine from the chalice is either consumed by the priest or the lay Eucharistic ministers (LEMS) or it can be poured down a special sink in the sacristy called the piscina, and drains to the earth through the sacrarium.

Different vessels are used for different services; we see a silver plate (paten) holding wafers and chalices holding wine at the 8 AM and 11:00 AM services – except at Lent, when hand-made pottery vessels are used. Clear glass items are used for the 9:15 service.

The Altar Guild members are a huge part of our worship. They also wash and iron the altar cloths, order the wine and wafers, care for the colorful altar and ambo drapes, make sure the candles are filled with liquid wax (safer than dripping traditional wax candles), prepare the home communion kits, and make sure all is well for the beginning of each service. Then they clean up afterwards.

If you’d like to be a member of the Altar Guild, they can always use volunteers, both male and female. Patti Wallace, a member of the Altar Guild, remembers that years ago, members were invited by the rector to become members. Now a new member volunteers. The experienced members will give you all the training you need, which includes learning to do the work with respect and reverence. Rosemary Arneson, who helped with this newsletter item, calls it a “liturgical dance”, adding, “Altar Guild is fun, working closely with a team with a lot of laughter involved.”

Too many of us take you for granted. We Trinitarians devoutly thank you who are members of the Altar Guild.

Claire Curcio , Senior Warden
TRINITY NEWS
Top off your holiday weekend on Monday, October 14th
from 5:30 until 7:00pm at Trinity's ITALIAN DINNER in Barber Hall!

Specially prepared lasagna with braised beef short ribs, garlic bread, meatballs, salad, pasta topped with a variety of homemade sauces,dessert and beverages for all ages will be served at this annual event. Delizioso!  Please join your Trinity family for a memorable evening of good food and fellowship.

All proceeds support the outreach efforts of
Trinity's Brotherhood of Saint Andrew chapter.
Mangia! Mangia!
NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS
The DISCERNMENT COMMITTEE will be conducting a SURVEY as part of our work in calling a new rector for Trinity. The parish survey is a confidential tool to assist the committee in ascertaining Trinity's demographics, present needs, and future desires. The survey will be available in hard copy and online beginning Sunday, October 6. (Hard copies also available in the church entryway for the 1st Saturday service on Oct. 5.) Please follow this link for a preview of a sample survey form.

Trinity Discernment Prayer

O Everlasting, Omniscient, and Loving God
 
We confess that our daily worries and concerns
often blind us to your voice and guidance in our lives.
 
We thank You for this time of change,
may it be an opportunity to grow together more closely
as followers of your son Jesus Christ
as we work to discern your path forward for our congregation.
 
We pray that You will watch over the Bishop, diocesan transitional
ministry team, the parish clergy, members of our vestry,
and the other leaders of our church as they lead us on a new path for our parish.
 
We pray for the members of the discernment committee
as they endeavor to do Your holy work in calling a new rector for Trinity.
 
We pray for all the members of our parish family during this time of transition
that we come closer to You and feel your presence in our hearts.
 
Amen.

******************************

The TRINITY GEMS will meet next Wednesday, October 9th, at 12:30 PM in Barber Hall. Our guest speaker will be The Rev. David Casey. The menu is Potluck. If possible, please bring a dish to share. The dessert and drinks will be provided. If you have any questions regarding this meeting, please call Sug Clingenpeel (540-840-6255) or Joan Rice (540-755-2353).  

Baptism classes for those seeking to be baptized on the Feast of All Saints, November 3rd, will begin on Saturday, October 12th at 10:00 AM in the Lounge. Please contact the church office for further information.

The Fall ECW Meeting and UTO Fall Ingathering will take place on Saturday, October 19, 2019, 8:30AM—2:30PM at Pohick Episcopal Church, 9301 Richmond Hwy, Lorton, VA. Part of the program “Hope and Healing” about the church’s response to the Opioid Crisis will be presented by Rev. Amanda Kotval.  Registration is due by this Wednesday, October 9th . See the bulletin board in the hallway leading to Barber Hall or speak with Jeanie Hunt for more information.


YOUTH NEWS AND EVENTS

Parents, if you have not yet registered your child for SUNDAY SCHOOL, a registration form can be found on the table in the entryway of Jamison Hall (the Christian Education building). If you have any questions, please contact Sam Burton .

HALLOWEEN PARTY FOR TRINITY CHILDREN. The Junior and Senior Youth Groups and Club 45 will host a Halloween Party/Harvest Festival for Trinity’s littlest ghosts and goblins (ages 3 – 8) on October 20 from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM in Jamison Hall. There will be fun games, face painting, a costume contest, and prizes for everyone! A lunch of chicken nuggets, fries, and veggie sticks with dip will be served. Parents, if you have any questions, or would like to help with this event, please contact Sam Burton

The SENIOR YOUTH GROUP’s next meeting is this Sunday, October 6th from 12:30 – 2:30 PM in Jamison Hall. This is a very important meeting! We will be working on the final plans for the children’s Harvest Party. Your input and energy are needed. Be there or be square. If you have any questions, please contact Sam Burton .

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH - SAVE THE DATE! The Senior High Parish Youth Ministries Retreat at Shrine Mont will be held November 1 – 3, 2019. All youth in high school are invited to attend. Trinity will pay half the tuition for each youth, so each person pays $75.00 plus money for lunch on the way home. More information and registration forms coming soon. Parents, Sam Burton will be unable to attend the PYM, if you are interested in chaperoning, please contact Sam Burton .


NEWS FROM TRINITY'S CARE TEAM

The CAREGIVERS' SUPPORT GROUP will meet Thursday, October 10th, from 10 - 11:30 AM in the Health Ministries Room. Men and women who are caregivers for a disabled or ill adult or child are invited to attend the meeting. Call Randall (540-207-0600), Brenda (540-226-2628), or Claire (540-479-6988) for more information.  

The Health Ministry Committee will be sponsoring BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS on Sunday, Oct. 13th between the morning services. Do something good for yourself by heading down the hall to the Health Ministries room for your check.

The HEALTH MINISTRY COMMITTEE will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 15th at 1:30 PM in the Health Ministries room.

Our TRINITY BLOOD DRIVE will be November 2nd from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM in Barber Hall. You may sign up after the services on Sundays Oct. 20th and 27th. You can also go online to redcrossblood.org to pick your time and sign up. Let's help the American Red Cross save lives by having a good turnout on November 2nd!

Triniity acquired a new AED this summer. It is located in the wall cabinet across from the office door. If you would like to learn how to use it you can borrow an instructional DVD from the Health Ministry Committee. The video is only about 10 minutes long and well worth your time. It may help you save someone's life! Please contact Brenda Chase (540-226-2628) if you are interested.


TRAVELING THE WAY OF LOVE - From the National Church

Traveling the Way of Love, Episode 5: Pray, the latest installment of a new video series from The Episcopal Church Office of Communication, is now available for viewing on The Episcopal Church website (click on Pray) and on The Episcopal Church Facebook page . Hosted by Chris Sikkema, the Office of Communication’s manager for special projects, Traveling the Way of Love shares stories of the ways people across The Episcopal Church practice the Way of Love. Each episode highlights one of the seven Way of Love practices: turn, learn, pray, worship, bless, go, and rest. This fifth episode focuses on pray.  
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Wednesday, October 2
4:00 pm Blessings in a Backpack (K)
5:00 pm Evening Prayer (IB)
6:30 pm Daughters of the King (L)


Thursday, October 3
AM Blessings in a Backpack delivery
7:00 pm Musicians' Rehearsal (CR)


Friday, October 4


Saturday, October 5
5:00 pm 1st Saturday Eucharist


Sunday, October 6
8:30 am 9:15 Song Leaders' Rehearsal (CR)
9-11:15 am Cafe Trinity
10:15 am Sunday School
10:20 am Casual Adult Ed (L)
12:30 pm Senior Youth Group (J)


Monday, October 7
6:00 pm Yoga


Tuesday, October 8
10:30 am Tuesday AM Book Group (L)
12:00 pm Knaughty Knitters (L)
5:00 pm Campus Ministry Meal & Worship
(The House)
7:15 pm Healing Prayer Team Meeting (L)
Wednesday, October 9
12:30 pm Trinity GEMS (K/BH)
4:00 pm Blessings in a Backpack (K)
5:00 pm Evening Prayer (IB)
6:30 pm Executive Committee Meeting (R)
7:00 pm Vestry (BH)


Thursday, October 10
AM Blessings in a Backpack delivery
10:00 am Caregivers' Support Group (Rm 14)
7:00 pm Musicians' Rehearsal (CR)


Friday, October 11


Saturday, October 12
8:00 am Brotherhood of St. Andrew (BH)
9:15 am Pastoral Care Committee (L)


Sunday, October 13
Blood Pressure Checks
9-11:15 am Cafe Trinity
10:15 am Sunday School
10:20 am Casual Adult Ed (L)
11:15 pm Fun Stars (J)
Links
(540) 373-2996