The Trinity Times TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH 430 JULIANA ST., PARKERSBURG, WV TRINITY-CHURCH.ORG

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1 The Trinity Times TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH 430 JULIANA ST., PARKERSBURG, WV TRINITY-CHURCH.ORG OCTOBER 2018 The Mission of Trinity Episcopal Church is to seek and share the love of God made known through Jesus Christ with all people through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. THE STAFF The Very Rev. Paul L. Hicks, Rector Tiffany Deem, Dir. Rel. Ed. Susie Fitcher, Administrator Jim Full, Dir. Communications Paul Miller, Treasurer Devin Sudman, Choirmaster Marie Mallory, Organist THE VESTRY 2018 Becky Mathis-Stump Larry Nutter Katie Perrine Dennis Ramsay 2019 Margaret Burdette Barbara Full 2020 Kim Couch Bob Harris Justin Warren TRUSTEES Charles Allman Forbes Hiehle Denny Prather Larry Tucker TIMES EDITOR Barbara Full Living her faith story inside Photo by Paula Oliphant

2 A Word from Your Priest I would like to provide you all with an update on our Church s current security plans. Unfortunately, we live in a world that churches must be concerned with security. I recently attended a meeting called by the Bishop including all the priests that have inner city churches to discuss security. I learned that all the churches in downtown locations are dealing with the same issues and all had taken similar steps to address these issues. Most of which we have already taken or are in the process. We do not need to be afraid we just need to be responsible and diligent. The first step is to keep the doors locked on the building that are not monitored. During the week, we keep all the doors locked except the Rectory. We even need to lock it sometimes, when Susie is here alone. On Sunday, all the doors should be locked, including Trinity Hall and the Education Building 5 th street entrance unless there will always be someone present. The front doors of the church are open from 7:30 am until around noon. Please use those doors on Sunday to get in and of course you can leave from Trinity Hall after coffee hour. If this creates a problem for anyone, please come see me and we can figure out a solution. We all must take responsibility to keep these doors locked. On September 26 we will have (or had) our ADT security system installed. The ADT system will include monitors and motion detectors that will cover all the doors and windows that will secure our perimeter. We will also have cameras outside covering 5 th street, Juliana Street, and the Columbarium. We will have a camera inside covering the lobby of the Rectory. There will also be a camera that lets Susie monitor the front door of the Rectory and decide to open it or not. We will be posting signs indicating the video surveillance and limiting access to the Columbarium to only daylight hours. We are not changing locks, so your key will still work, but you will need a security code to turn off the alarm and turn it back on if you enter or leave after hours. Please see Susie in the office to get your code. Please return your RSVPs for our Heritage Dinner to be held on Friday, October 12. The Bishop will join us for the dinner and then will be with us on Sunday to celebrate our services. The church will cover the cost of the hotel ballroom and entertainment keeping the cost of the dinner to $30 per plate. As you can see, we have a lot of exciting things happening here. Please Trinity by the Numbers August Sunday worship attendance: 8:00, 10:30 August 5: 13, 65 (total 78) August 12: 24, 70 (total 94) August 19: 11, 27 (total 38) August 26: 14, 35 (total 49) Average August, Average August, come and be a part of what God is doing at Trinity, and as always, bring a friend. God bless you one and all, Father Paul Sat. 5:30 41, 27, 16, 15 Wed. 12:15 service: 11,13, 10, 11 Tues. Prayer Beads Service: 4, 5, 4 Wed. Pr. Beads Service: 7, 10, 8, 3, 8 Crisis Intervention help with: electric-6, water-5, gas-2 Food Pantry: 15 adults, 4 children Clothes Closet: 38 people Program chairman Connie Warren reports that we served 471 meals in the month of August at a cost of 94 per plate. The low cost was due to cleaning out the freezers - wish we could do it every month, but we can t!! Monday Feeding Program We had a total of 44 volunteers to fix and serve the meals, an average of 11 each week. Connie, Jim, and Chuck would like to thank those who donated food or time to the soup kitchen. Special Congregational Meeting, November 4 There will be a special meeting of the congregation for the purpose of amending the bylaws to allow for a second term for a vestry member. The meeting will be held immediately following the 10:30 service in the Nave. 3

3 Living Her Faith Presiding Bishop Michael Curry encourages all Episcopalians to live your faith not just on Sundays but every day of your life. Trinity s own Olivia Ramsay who is a senior at Parkersburg High School has embraced that challenge. Being a senior, Olivia had the option of renting a parking space in the school parking lot for a fee of $10. In August of this year many of those who rented spaces gathered to personalize their spots by painting them with designs expressing their personalities, their likes, their passions. Some used Disney characters or school emblems (a few shown in the photo below), but Olivia wanted to share her love of Peterkin and all things Episcopal by using the Alleluia banner. Olivia said that many people have asked her about her choice and she is happy to explain it and share the reason behind her design as well as inviting them to worship with us. A good example for us all. Thanks to Charlotte Bee for suggesting this article. Heritage Dinner The next event in Trinity s yearlong celebration will be The Heritage Dinner, Friday October 12 at the Blennerhassett Hotel. The evening begins with hospitality (cash bar) at 6:00, with dinner and entertainment following. The entertainment will be a few selections from the Actors Guild s recent production of Sister Act featuring Trinity s own Barbara Full, Lori Ullmann, Olivia Parsons, Lori Clark, and Devin Sudman. The Bishop will be joining us for the dinner and will share some remarks. The invitations for the dinner have been mailed, but if the mail has not reached you and you want to attend there is still time! The cost of the meal is $30.00 per person. Please contact the office for a response card. Movie Night October 21, 5:45 Popcorn, pizza, drinks provided

4 TRINITY EPISCOPAL OCTOBER 2018 CHURCH CALENDAR SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY :00 pm Blenn. Stamp Soc. 12:15 HE & Healing 7:00 pm Choir Rhrsl. 10:00 am Bible Knitters, Book Sorting 5:00 pm Actors Guild (Tr. Hall) 5:30 pm Saturday Evening Eucharist PENTECOST :00 am Eucharist :15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Choir Rhrsl. 10:30 am Eucharist 11:45 am Coffee Conv. 2:30 pm Bless. Anim.. 4:00 pm Confirm. Class PENTECOST :00 am Eucharist :15 am Sunday School 9:00 am Vestry, Trustees meet w/ Bishop 9:30 am Choir Rhrsl. 10:30 am Eucharist, Confirmation PENTECOST :00 am Eucharist 9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 pm Choir Rhrsl. 10:30 am Eucharist 5:45 pm Movie Night Discretionary Sunday PENTECOST 23 5:45 pm Finance 6:30 pm Vestry :00 am Eucharist 9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Choir Rhrsl. 10:30 am Eucharist 6:00 pm Exec. Comm. Office Closed - Col. Day < Book Sale Set - Up > 11:30 am Pr. Bead Min. 12:15 HE & Healing 2:00 PM Chairs mtg. 12:15 HE & Healing 7:00 pm Choir Rhrsl. 10:00 am Food Closet 12:15 HE & Healing 7:00 pm Choir Rhrsl :00 am Bible Book Sorting Bldg/Gr/Dec. 6:30 Conf. Rm :00 am Bible Book Sorting 6:00 pm Blenn. Stamp Soc. < Diocesan Convention > 5:30 pm Evening Prayer Trinity Times Deadline :00 am Bible Book Sorting BIRTHDAYS 4. Brian Copeman Sue Palmer 6. Olivia Parsons Amy Warren 7. Michael Cameron Abbey Justice Michael Shaw 11. Mona Life Cathy Mildren 16. George DeHoff Amelia Hess Nicholas Wright 17. B.J. Hess Paul Miller 6:00 pm Heritage Dinner, Blennerhassett Hotel 4:00 pm Wedding rehearsal 18. Dennis Ramsay 22. Nick Gyongyosi 25. Becky Alkire Joe Shaw 26. John B. Ralsten 29. Bella Marteney 31. Hannah Adkins Marjorie Thomas 9:00 am ECM breakfast, T. Hall 5:30 pm Saturday Evening Eucharist 8:30 am DOK Book (Panera) 1:00 pm Wedding (Nave), Reception in Trin. Hall 2:00-5:00 5:30 pm Saturday Evening Eucharist ANNIVERSARIES 7. Beverly & Steve Reger 9. Joy & John Brownfield 17. Terry & Joe Shaw 28. Pat & Earl Westbrook

5 Book Sale Trinity Hall is being consumed by a growing number of excellent books, although we still need more books to make our sale complete. Before you turn around it will be time for the next annual Trinity Used Book Sale. It will take place November 5-10, We have been hard at work sorting and storing books since the beginning of May. It's amazing the amount of new fiction, as well as historical nonfiction, books we have accumulated. Be ready to come and shop, and also to work this wonderful sale. A member of the Book Sale Committee will be calling to schedule your time to help with the sale that week in November. Please consider helping because this sale is valuable to the community organizations, as well as our own programs at Trinity. The September 8th Trinity Work Day was a success! After a breakfast of pancakes and sausage, eight men and one woman completed inside work while two men cleaned the Columbarium. Inside there were 12 Tasks identified to complete work required by the Fire Inspector. Work accomplished included removal of unsafe storage and cleaning of the HVIC, boiler room, and electric panel rooms. Junction boxes were covered; blank breakers were installed; extension cords were removed; and scarred walls on the 2nd floor of the Rectory and a hole in the wall in Tiffany s office was repaired and painted. Materials were secured for projects to complete in the future. An inspection of the complete campus was performed and shut-off valves and additional items to provide safe buildings were identified. There is much yet to be accomplished. One worker stated: Personally, today was rewarding. You could see an example of Christian love for one another, and for our church buildings. The workers did their jobs thoroughly, helped each other as they finished their assignments, worked as a team, and a sense of camaraderie existed. It was a wonderful day! October Feeding & Thanksgiving Dinner for Families November Christmas Outreach Look for envelopes in each Sunday s bulletin as well as in this issue of The Trinity Times. Two Ways to Help Trinity While Shopping Did you know that you can benefit Trinity Episcopal Church when shopping at Amazon?! AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com.The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice. To begin shopping, just visit and follow the simple instructions to designate Trinity Episcopal Church as your desired beneficiary before completing your purchases. IN Nancy McGinnis Handlan, former parishioner, died August 17 in Wilmington, NC at the age of 81. Nancy contributed to the life of Trinity for many years, especially artistimemoriam cally, having made many of the hanging banners, including the red Trinity banner. Rest eternal grant to Nancy, O L!d; and let light perpetual shine upon her. May her soul and "e souls of a# "e departed, "rough "e mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

6 A SCANDALOUS LOOK AT TRINITY S PAST by Paul Miller [The following article is copied almost verbatim from four newspapers: The Memphis Public Ledger, June 18, 1874; the Cincinnati Enquirer, June 24, 1874; the Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, December 30, 1875; and the Philadelphia Times, May 9, As was the style of the era, the accounts are often florid, sensationalized, and inaccurate.] In the summer of 1864 when Parkersburg was filled with troops, the Hon. J. J. Jackson, sent his only daughter, Miss Lilly, to a fashionable boarding school in Philadelphia. While there she formed the acquaintance of Miss Harriet Clarissima Lizzie Ely, then a gushing maid of some fifteen summers, the only daughter of a prominent Presbyterian clergyman. When the holidays came, Mrs. Jackson extended an invitation to her daughter s friend to accompany them back to Parkersburg. Miss Ely soon became the center of attraction of admiring beaux and the envy of less-favored belles. With a form delicately rounded plump without being gross eyes like sparkling solitaires, and manners winning, yet modest, the satiny softness of her lily-hued skin inspired with burning fever the ardent blood of all the young Lotharios. At Philadelphia she was as demure and a kitten, mild as a pet lamb, and circumspect as a staid matron, yet withal a slumbering volcano of passion. No sooner had she reached Parkersburg than the floodgates of her passion broke loose: the loosely cemented walls of prudence and virtue gave way and swept on in wanton riot and mad revel. Accordingly, Mrs. Ely was sent for, and decided, after due deliberation, to repair back to Philadelphia with her amorous charge. But the young lady had marriage on the brain, and reaching Oakland, Maryland, she feigned sickness and telegraphed for a gentleman who had been paying her his addresses a Mr. Beale Blackford to come and marry me. Blackford, vastly preferring to repose in the green pastures of matrimonial bliss to browsing longer on the bleak and lonely moors of bachelordom, repaired to Oakland, hied away to the priest s, and at age 16, the gushing Miss Ely became the lovely Mrs. Blackford. Returning to Parkersburg, she and her husband immediately took lodgings with a Mrs. Saunders. But scarce was the honeymoon done and the battle of life in earnest begun when Mr. Blackford discovered that his wife was a genuine female thoroughbred. He had taken a position at the Northwestern Bank as Teller. She joined Trinity Episcopal Church [communicant #150], and shortly after her only child, a girl named Carrie, was baptized there. Suspicious eyes glanced askance at her, and her old habits of dissipation clung to her. She could not subdue her love for strong drink. Frequent jars, bickerings, and quarrels ensued, and on a Sunday morning, her husband not appearing at breakfast, she replied that he had been out late the night before. The servant found him in his bed, stiff and cold in death. One of his sisters wanted an investigation, but she was overruled, and Mrs. Blackford had no trouble procuring the cash for a $15,000 policy of insurance [some reports give the total as only $5,000] that she held upon his life with the New York Mutual. His burial is listed in Trinity s Parish Register. But strange to relate, Mr. Beverly Smith, the cashier of the same bank, and Mr. Steele Smith, his son, the bookkeeper and intimate with Mrs. Blackford, were each found dead in their beds within a year. The public were suspicious then, and whispered but did not openly avow foul play. From Parkersburg Lizzie repaired to Philadelphia, left her daughter with her mother, and laid in wait for rich young men and amorous old bachelors. Known in Philadelphia as the daughter of the Rev. Dr. Ely, she had the entrée of the very best of society there. So adroit were her schemes, so modest and suspicion-disarming her ways, that many s the unwayward she lured to her folds. She caused to be published a tale of how, while she was traveling, an old man, tottering with years, entered her railcar. She gave him a seat, revived his drooping spirits with her never-flagging tongue, caught his bedimmed eye by the delicacy of her attentions, and so administered to his repose and comfort, that the old gentleman, dying shortly afterwards, bequeathed her a half million dollars. Sometime after this, she began to figure unpleasantly in the courts and was spoken of as a blackmailer. She furnished a house on Rittenhouse Street [a very fashionable area at the time] and not only became a notorious character herself and helped ruin many men but was instrumental in seriously damaging the reputation of a number of prominent women. Her escapades were almost legion. She became intimate with a man named Proctor, finally terminating the affair at a cost to him of around $30,000. There is some question as to whether she married Lloyd Phoenix, a New York millionaire: at any rate, she started calling herself Mrs. Lizzie Feenix, and is supposed to have weighed heavily on his exchequer. She finally was threatened with prosecution, and leaving Philadelphia started upon her foreign career. While in Europe, she continued her escapades and became acquainted with aristocracy, including the Prince of Wales. The culmination of her romances was in Russia, in connection with the Grand Duke Nicholas, the nephew of the Czar, whom she met in St. Petersburg. This affair led him into a plot to betray his family, in which he stole three valuable diamonds from an icon that belonged to his mother, valued in some reports at $175,000. He was declared insane and he was banished to the far reaches of the Russian empire never to see home again. Lizzie remained in Europe for another ten years. While she was in Paris, a thief in the service of the Russian Government entered her apartment for the purpose of possessing himself of some very curious diplomatic documents relating to the Russian royal family, which she retained among the other treasures that came into her hands during the course of her liaison with the Grand Duke. The papers soon announced the publication of a volume autobiographical in character in which she called herself Fanny Lear and revealed her exploits at the Russian court. Various efforts were made for its suppression and a sum of $50,000 was offered for the entire edition. The fair American demanded $100,000. This attempt failing, the assistance of the Belgian government was enlisted, and a seizure of all books ordered, but only partially executed. [Available on Amazon.] Lizzie returned to Philadelphia around 1884, where a stranger ran off with some of her jewelry. While reporting the theft to the police, her identity was discovered. She then returned to Nice, France where she died in 1886, a neglected and ostracized stranger in a strange land, utterly unlamented. Such is the sad story and ending of a willful and beautiful girl, a one-time member of our parish, who started out wrongfully and selected a career that led to her destruction, all the more fatal because of the height as well as the depth of degradation she reached.

7 Trinity Episcopal Church 430 Juliana Street Parkersburg, WV Return Service Requested Dated Material Please Deliver Promptly NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PARKERSBURG, WV PERMIT #70 In honor of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi Blessing of the Animals Sunday, October 7 2:30 pm Trinity Parking Lot We will have a canopy set up and we hope the new fence will have been installed. Winding Road Kennel, which is sponsored by Faithlink, will be on hand to answer any questions about pets or opportunities for volunteering. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to join us. Animals (well-behaved and on leashes) are also welcome at both 8:00 and 10:30 services that day