TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 500 COURT STREET, PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA THE TRUMPET

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1 TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 500 COURT STREET, PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA THE TRUMPET DECEMBER 2015 Worship Services 8:00 Holy Eucharist Rite I 9:00 Nursery Age 5 & Under 9:00 Parish Breakfast $4 9:30 Christian Formation all ages 10:30 Choral Eucharist: Rite II Parish Hall Coffee Hour after 10:30 service Morning Prayer Monday-Friday 9 AM in the Chapel Midweek Service Wednesdays at Noon in the Chapel What s inside... Sr. Warden Message 2 Christmas Shoppe 3 St. Eliz. Guild 4 Birthdays & Anniversaries 4 An Invitation from Julia Dorsey Loomis 5 Children & Youth Activities 6 Photos from Bishop s Visit 7 Christmas Memorial Donation Information 8 Photos Bell Tower Restoration Begins 9 Restoration Update 10 Ministry Calendar 11 Upcoming Events 12 Dear Friends: As we enter into December we begin the season of Advent in which we are meant to prepare to receive the Lord anew at Christmas and to receive him again on the great and glorious terrible last day. This is traditionally a very busy time in our lives and I think this is most unfortunate. It is not that there is anything wrong with our rhythm of Christmas, I mean Advent, parties and other festivities. There is something holy about gathering with others to share in the joy of this season. But, this month is meant to be a time of quiet preparation for the first and second comings of Jesus, our Lord and savior. This serious work of preparation is not something that can be rushed or hurried along. There are no short cuts for preparing your heart, mind, and soul to greet Jesus. This Advent at Trinity we are trying something new as a way of providing space for each of us to slow down, if but for an hour a week to prepare our hearts and minds to receive Jesus this Christmas. Every Thursday in Advent at 6PM we will gather in our chapel to pray the rosary and to celebrate the Eucharist. This hour of quiet leads naturally into our choir practice on Thursdays at 7:15PM and would serve as a great primer for the choir should you be interested in joining. But more importantly than even the choir rehearsal is the setting aside of an hour that you can dedicate to preparing yourself to receive your Lord. Will you join as we get ready for Jesus? Blessings, Fr. Charles Best wishes to all for a Blessed Advent and Christmastide!

2 FROM THE SENIOR WARDEN A SPECIAL VISIT FROM THE RT. REV. HERMAN HOLLERITH IV, BISHOP ON NOV. 22nd First of all I want to thank all of Trinity s parishioners who contributed to the success of Bishop Hollerith s visit to Trinity Episcopal Church. In particular, the work of the Worship and Altar Guild Committees, ECW, Vestry and Brotherhood and others in providing our Bishop with a warm Trinity welcome! Secondly I wanted to congratulate our newly confirmed members: Vanessa Valentine, Mike Sanborn, Larry Morgan, and Jan McManus. This also includes the Reaffirmation of David McManus. Please join me in welcoming them into our church membership and their continuing service to Christ and his kingdom. STEWARDSHIP: GRATITUDE or OBLIGATION? I hope all of you have taken some time to reflect on Trinity s Stewardship campaign for We have asked all the members of our parish community to discern prayerfully on how God has uniquely gifted each of us. As people of faith, we are invited to discipline ourselves to express our gratitude at every opportunity. We are challenged to figure out how we can express our gratitude, by saying and living thank you, and by figuring out how, and how much of, our money we want to give in gratitude. A special thanks goes out to all those parishioners who have already made their commitment to our pledge requests. Our goal is sixty-five (65) or more pledges for So far, we have reached 60% of our goal in both pledges and dollars. If you still have the Stewardship materials, we hope you take the time to pray and ask God to help you recognize your gifts and make a commitment of your time, talent and treasure. We also welcome any additional participation from the congregation, so please complete the commitment cards as soon as possible and mail or deliver them in to the parish office or drop them in the offertory collection at the service. Thank you for your commitment to our parish and the community. THE SEASON OF ADVENT The season of Advent, among other things, is frequently described as a season of joy, expectation, and waiting of the coming of the birth of Christ. It is a season that lasts four weeks prior to Christmas. I hope all of you will take advantage of all the wonderful Christmas Services that Trinity has planned for the season. Respectfully, Irv Lindley, Senior Warden Staff The Reverend Charles J. Smith, Rector Jack Levick, Director of Music Jacky Rodes & Chrissy Smith, Directors of Children s Ministry Linda Torres, Parish Administrator Tony Macklin, Sexton Leadership W. Irvin Lindley, Senior Warden J. Richard Gill, Junior Warden R. Malcolm Fortson III, Treasurer Patricia Roulhac, Recorder Trumpet Page 2

3 CHRISTMAS SHOPPE 2015 Saturday, December pm, December 13 12:30 4pm This December will be the 21st anniversary of the Trinity Christmas Shoppe. This is a shop just for children where they can shop for their parents, grandparents, siblings, and anyone else on their list. Volunteer elves who staff the shop provide each shopper with a list to make sure that he or she does not forget anyone. The elves also assist the children in selecting their gifts. Each item is priced at $3.00, but many of the items are worth far more than $3.00. In addition, volunteers also gift-wrap each item that the children purchase. All children, ages 3 to 12, are invited to shop at the Trinity Christmas Shoppe regardless of church affiliation. Family Income levels are not considered for those who wish to participate. The children can then surprise their parents, relatives, and friends. Sisters Gracie Peacock and Patty Hollins are co-chairmen of the Christmas Shoppe Committee. Gracie and Patty shop for closeouts and clearances all year long. They also visit garage sales where they often find new items. According to Gracie, people sell all kinds of items at bargain prices at garage sales. In addition, they, with a small group of volunteers, man concession stands at N Telos, Scope, and Harbor Park all year to raise money for this project While children are shopping, no parents are allowed in the children s shop. However, parents can shop at a parents shop where handmade gift items, jewelry, jellies and jams, and gift baskets are available for sale at bargain prices. They can find all those needed items for children s teachers, bus drivers, neighbors, and co-workers. Saturday, December 12 th from 10am to 4pm will be THE DAY for the Christmas and Parents Shoppes with elves and gift wrapping. The Christmas and Parents Shoppes are also open on, December 13th from 12:30-4pm. There will be no gift-wrapping on. Each year the Christmas Shoppe donates to children s charities in Portsmouth. The Children s Museum, Wesley Center, Edmarc, Friends of the Juvenile Court, HER Shelter, and Girls Inc are just a few of the children s charities that have received the donations from the proceeds. VOLUNTEERS ARE STILL NEEDED TO HELP WITH CROWD CONTROL, WRAPPING OR TO ACT AS ELVES TO HELP THE CHILDREN SHOP. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE, PLEASE SIGN UP ON THE BULLETIN BOARD OUTSIDE THE PARISH HALL. OR SEE GRACIE PEACOCK! Trumpet Page 3

4 FLOWERS AT CHRISTMASTIDE Take note of the flowers being offered to the glory of God this Christmastide at Trinity. Our arrangements consist of roses. We are reminded of the fantastic hymn for this season: Lo, how a rose e re blooming and the powerful image of blooming rose reminding us of the Incarnation and birth of Jesus. Lo, how a rose e er blooming From tender stem hath spring. Of Jesse s lineage coming, As men of old have sung; It came, a flow ret bright, Amid the cold of winter, When half spent was the night. Isaiah twas foretold it, The Rose I have in mind, With Mary we behold it, The virgin mother kind; To show God s love aright, She bore to men a savior, When half spent was the night. O flower, whose fragrance tender With sweetness fills the air, Dispel with glorious splendor The darkness everywhere; True man, yet very God, From Sin and death now save us, And share our every load Ginny Neimeyer St. Elizabeth s Guild Tuesday, December 8th, The St. Elizabeth s Guild will hold its annual Christmas Luncheon in the Parish Hall at 11 am. Jane Lego, a member of the Norfolk Story Teller s League, will be the guest speaker. A salad with protein will be provided. Please bring sandwiches, finger food or a dessert for lunch. Beverages will be provided. December Birthdays December Anniversaries Carol Davis Page McGaughey Eleanor Anderson Kayla Vick Macon Williams George Matais Cheyeene Cartwright Mickey Ballinger Leon Matheny John Vogt Valerie Dugan Mary Whitney Diane Thompson Candace Calentine Beverly Matais Mitch Ash John Kauffman Elizabeth Smith Rion Matheny Joe & Laura Fleenor Joe & Joyce Saveika Gene & Susannah DeNardi Randolph & Vivian Boothe-Pharr Paul & Maggie Radford Jimmy Staples & Lynn Spencer David & Jan McManus Don & Kimberly Shenenberger Bob & Denise Hersh Larry & Andrea Morgan If you plan to attend, please sign up on the board outside the Church Office. Trumpet Page 4

5 AN INVITATION TO THE PEOPLE OF TRINITY AND ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCHES Love at the Heart of the City: The Grace of Race A few years ago while serving in a Norfolk parish, I took part in a six-week program called Norfolk United Facing Race. It was an eye-opening experience for me, a step in the removal of my blinders. We are aware of the racial division in our city and on our City Council, one of the factors tearing Portsmouth apart. Ever since the massacre at Emmanuel AME in Charleston I ve felt moved to reopen the conversation about race in the heart of our city, beginning in our own parish. This is an invitation to consider being part of a small group of six to eight members, half people of color and half white, with co-facilitators. Groups would meet for six consecutive weeks, starting in January, for about 90 minutes each. Each group would establish its own ground rules and then respond to questions such as, How did your grandparents and parents feel about people from other racial or ethnic backgrounds and how did that influence you? Each will have a chance to share pieces of his or her own story without interruption. One of the byproducts of this process is getting to know one another better at Trinity as well as strengthening us for discipleship in Portsmouth. You are welcome to ask friends to join us. If you d like to do some background reading, I recommend Ta Nehisi Coates s Between the World and Me, Debby Irving s Waking Up White, and Michelle Alexander s The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. In addition there s a lovely little book of historical fiction, set in Portsmouth in the mid-1800 s, by Portsmouth author and member of Third Baptist, Billie Montgomery-Cook: Georgiana Scott: A Free Child of Portsmouth. This you can purchase from the author (billie.cook@juno.com). If you are willing and able to participate, please the Trinity parish office (admin@trinity-portsmouth.org) or me (jdrloomis@gmail.com). The Rev. Julia Dorsey Loomis Trumpet page 5

6 YOUTH/CHRISTIAN FORMATION ACTIVITIES FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 THE CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PAGENT IS DECEMBER 24TH at 5pm PARENTS NIGHT OUT!! Yea!! Have last minute shopping to do? Just need a night out for a movie or dinner? Upcoming Rehearsals for all participants are scheduled for, December 6, 13 and 20, immediately following coffee hour Let us help! Childcare is available for children from birth to age 10 at Trinity from 6 to 9 pm on Saturday, December 19 Older siblings can come along and assist the youth and adult volunteers. Donations accepted which will go toward the youth trip this spring. Final Dress Rehearsal will be held on Wed., December 23th. Time to be announced Trumpet Page 6

7 VISIT FROM BISHOP HOLLY ON NOVEMBER 22 Trumpet Page 7

8 2015 CHRISTMAS MEMORIAL DONATIONS A significant goal for this year is to celebrate Trinity s refreshed beauty. As we re-enter and emotionally experience our NEW OLD CHURCH HOME, we should take time to recognize the spiritual and physical legacy of past parishioners. Much that you see and the accoutrements used in celebrations have been memorials and thank offerings. Trinity has been blessed by her past. In addition to celebration, it behooves us (the NOW Trinitarians) to preserve, refurbish and maintain these treasures. Last year this process was elevated to an unprecedented level as YOU enabled most of our silver and brass to be restored. Decorating for Christmas will be our thank offering in recognition of God s gifts of financial and personnel resources The Foundation, the Vestry and each individual participant. Memorials and thank offerings will be used to adorn the Chancel and Sanctuary, clean and refresh the kneelers (created by women of the Altar Guild well before 1974), clean vestments, make repairs and restorations of additional brass and silver, flowers for special occasions and to add to our linens (special occasion altar sets and replacement of retired pieces). Note: Much of our retired linen is used by Bobbie Davis to make beautiful Cremain Bags. If you would like to make a Christmas Memorial Donation, please complete the form below and return it with your check to the church office or place it in the offering plate DONATION FORM DONOR S NAME Address MEMORIAL/THANK OFFERING In Memory of: Name(s) Notation: Trumpet Page 8 Please make checks payable to: Trinity Episcopal Church; Attention : Altar Guild Note on Check: Altar Guild Donation

9 RESTORATION OF THE BELL TOWER IT BEGINS. Photos taken December 2, 2015 as scaffolding is erected and top of bell tower is removed Trumpet Page 9

10 RESTORATION PROJECT UPDATE NAVE REPAIRS Complete--Almost We are still working to finish cleaning the tile floors. This has proven to be a time consuming task as the tile and grout must be absolutely dry before the finish can be applied. We are replacing the dry well and underground drain lines at the back of the church. After we finish grading there will be an opportunity for planting the area. BELL TOWER REPAIRS Erection of the scaffolding has been completed. The wood trim at the top has been removed and the cap prepared for removal. Then the deconstruction can begin. Because we must salvage as much of the original materials as possible, this requires removing the bricks by hand and lowering them to the ground. The round window sashes and frames are so rotten that we will have to replace them. Our architect is making exact drawings so the replacements will be an accurate recreation. The architect and historic renovation consultants continue to carefully document the work to insure the tax credit eligibility. A storage container in Charles s parking space is being used to store the wood trim until time to reinstall it. During this work the nave will be fully accessible on s through the first floor of the tower, the sacristy entrance and the Court Street doors. The Court Street entrance to the tower is not useable. Completion is scheduled for the middle of Joe Saveika, Project Manager GOT NEWS OR A STORY FOR THE TRUMPET? Call Dottie Lindley, Editor, at or her at dslindleyva@aol.com Note to Breakfast Cookers! NEXT OASIS BREAKFAST IS SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6 TH AT 6:00 AM Trumpet page 10

11 DECEMBER MINISTRY CALENDAR Date/Service/ Time Acolytes Lectors Intercessors* Chalicers (LEM) Ushers December 6-8:00 AM Carol Davis Cora Lorkiewicz Carol Davis Carol Davis December 6 10:30 am Mike Riley Heather Hollowell Dean Burgess Mike Riley Deborah Matheny, Gracie Peacock, Paul Radford, Joe Saveika December 13 8:00 AM Ken Rodgers Todd Boyd Carol Davis Gene DeNardi, Kier Ballinger, Jim Nicholson, December 13 10:30 am Deborah Matheny Vivian Boothe- Pharr* Gene DeNardi Andrea Morgan Carol Davis December 20 8:00 am Ken Rodgers Andrew Quicke Carol Davis Irv Lindley, Jim Staples, Larry Peacock December 20 10:30 am Deborah Matheny Joyce Saveika Dean Burgess Andrea Morgan Lawrence Outten Christmas Eve December 24 5:00 pm Andrea Morgan Zion Stith Crucifer Kaden Morgan Torch Quincy Arnold Lectors: TBD Dean Burgess * Dean Burgess Gene DeNardi Richard Gill, Del Delcambre, Eddie Tapman, Amy O'Donnell Christmas Eve December 24 11:00 pm Andrea Morgan VOLUNTEERS NEED- ED Dean Burgess* Mike Riley Andrea Morgan Lawrence Outten December 27 8:00 am Larry Outten Cora Lorkiewicz Carol Davis Richard Gill, Del Delcambre, Eddie Tapman, Amy O'Donnell December 27 10:30 AM Deborah Matheny Jacky Rodes Gene DeNardi Mike Riley Richard Gill, Del Delcambre, Eddie Tapman, Amy O'Donnell

12 TRINITY CALENDAR DECEMBER Thurs., Dec 3 The Rosary and Holy Eucharist, Chapel 6 pm Thurs., Dec. 3 Choir Rehearsal 7:15pm Sat., Dec. 5 If you ordered a tree or wreaths from Boys Home of Virginia, please be at the church at noon to meet the truck and pick them up. Tues., Dec. 8 St. Elizabeth s Guild Luncheon at 11am. Story Teller from Norfolk is guest Speaker. Light lunch served. Contact church office to sign up. Sun., Dec 6, Rehearsals for Children s Christmas Pageant after 10:30 service & coffee hour 13 and 20: are over Thurs., Dec. 10 The Rosary and Holy Eucharist, Chapel, 6pm Thurs., Dec. 10 Choir Rehearsal 7:15 pm Fri., Dec. 11 Caroling and Visit to Winter Wonderland 7pm. Meet at the Church Sat., Dec. 12 Children s Christmas Shoppe 10am 4pm Sun., Dec. 13 NO BREAKFAST AT 9AM Children s Christmas Shoppe 12:30 4pm Thurs., Dec. 17 The Rosary and Holy Eucharist, Chapel, 6pm Thurs., Dec. 17 Choir Rehearsal 7:15 pm Sat., Dec. 19 Parent s Night Out 6-9pm Childcare available from 6-9 at Trinity. Free but donations toward EYC projects appreciated Tues., Dec. 22 ECW Meeting, 10:30 am Thurs., Dec. 24 Church Office closes at Noon Thurs., Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Children s Pageant 5pm; Evening Service 11:00 pm Friday, Dec. 25 Christmas Day - No Services; Office Closed Sun., Dec. 27 No Breakfast at 9am One Service at 10:30 am; No Christian Formation TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH 500 Court Street Portsmouth, Virginia Affix Postage Here Address Service Requested