LIFE TOGETHER: A PURSUIT OF FELLOWSHIP AND COMMUNITY

BY TIM JONES, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY + CARE

Think, for a moment, about the last truly great meal that you had. Maybe it was freshly caught tuna at the end of summer vacation or maybe it was a bowl of chicken soup after finally recovering from the flu. Now pull back from the actual food for a moment and reflect on what made the meal so wonderful. Likely the food was a part of this…but only a part. The place—the lighting, the space, the service—may have also played a role in making this meal wonderful. But more than the food and the ambiance, it is the people we share a meal with that make the meal itself great. The connections between and among friends are some of the deepest joys of life. It is the hope of the CCLT (Community & Care Leadership Team) that every parishioner would experience glimpses of friendship and connection like this here at Trinity.

Part of what it means to be made in the image of God is that we were made for relationship and friendship. These friendships, built around and sustained by the love of God in Christ, are places where we practice seeing and hearing each other, where we laugh, cry, ponder together. They are places where we learn how to love.

As you may have heard or felt yourself, Trinity can be a challenging place to ‘get in’ to community. Read below the experience of one family in our church, the Byrne family, as they journeyed from the front door to experiencing deep fellowship:

When we first began attending Trinity Church in 2012, we had 4 children 4 and under, including 6-month-old twins. We were barely breathing. Our family was transitioning from a several-year stint helping with a church plant, and we were realizing that the time of intense ministry had left us dry and hungry.

We arrived at Trinity, placed our sweet children into the loving hands of the childcare workers, grabbed some hot, strong coffee, and plopped down into one of the Adult Education classes.  The next weeks and months confirmed that God had directed us to Trinity for this time to be loved and fed well.  We were so encouraged by the rich teaching we received through the education classes and the different sermon series.

Recognizing the benefit of Christian community, we desired to get to know others better and began inviting some families into our home for dinner and fellowship. We were also the recipient of several warm invitations into others’ homes, and new friendships began to form.

Through these connections, we came to know other Trinity members in our area who were interested in forming a small group. Our family began hosting this group several years ago and it now includes 5 families, ranging from newly married to retired couples.

Each Sunday evening over dinner, we pray for one another’s struggles and concerns and rejoice together in the ways God is answering our requests and working among us. This group has blessed us more than we could have imagined. And they have played a large part in re-energizing our family and enabling us to continue pursuing ministry and service opportunities both inside and outside the church.

This past year, Bob went through the elder training process and began his active role as elder this summer. We are humbled by this opportunity and so thankful that God has used Trinity and its members to nourish our family and equip us for this next season of ministry.

Taking the first step to participate in Christian community can be daunting. We are asked to be vulnerable with others and to invest in their lives. This sounds scary and takes time. But this investment reaps great rewards. True and authentic friendships are formed. Spiritual insight and wisdom is gained. And we, as God’s people, are equipped for service and mission.

We are very thankful for the Trinity Church community and look forward to the days ahead.

The Byrnes' experience of welcome and community began with their experience with the nursery, continued as their minds and hearts were engaged in Adult Education and through sermons, and flowed into their desire to bring others into their home in hosting a small group, even as they were invited into the homes of others.

We recognize that, though we were made for loving friendship with one another, because of sin our friendships and experiences of intimate community are often marked by frustration, disappointment, and longing. But, because all things are being made new in Jesus, we now, by the power of the Spirit, have the ability to pursue each other—like Bob and Lauren Byrne pursued and were pursued by others at our church.

This is hard work and we need each other—with all of our gifting, wisdom, peculiarity, and struggle—in order to pursue it. If you are new to Trinity or desiring to become a part of a smaller community, we would love to connect you with a Parish Small Group. To join a group, please complete the interest form at trinitycville.org/Small-Groups.

HOSPITALITY AT TRINITY: WHEN HELPING HELPS

BY FRANCES SHAW, ASSISTANT FOR EVENTS + VISUAL ARTS

As summer closes and we embrace yet another beautiful fall here in Charlottesville, many of you have been asking the simple question “How can I get involved in serving at Trinity?” I want to highlight one specific way you can quickly step into the life of our church, whatever your age, whether you are a long-time member or a new visitor.

In my current role at Trinity it has been such a privilege and joy to collaborate with several of you on our revamped Sunday morning hospitality initiative. In many ways, hospitality is right where my heart lies—at the intersection of effective, clear communication and an inviting space where relationships can flourish. By providing these two things, our hope is to cause both members and visitors to know and feel their value in our church, in this city, and in our world.

As a result of the diligent efforts of several amazing team leaders, we have built up six new Hospitality Teams. These teams of hospitality volunteers consist of parents and their young children, college students, empty nesters, elders, deacons, young professionals—they include everyone. Each volunteer has committed to serving with their team for one Sunday about every six weeks. While the time commitment is small—only 30 minutes before a service and 15 minutes afterwards—the impact can be profound. In choosing to take a step outside of our usual habits at church, we will slowly cause a change within ourselves and within the broader culture of Trinity. We will begin to notice those who sit by themselves week after week. We will see the couple with no friends to talk to, regularly standing near the coffee alone. We will recognize the young person who walks out of the sanctuary after communion because it is too painful to be alone when the service ends.

You may have noticed people with bright green name badges scattered throughout the church on recent Sunday mornings, intentionally and probably sometimes awkwardly welcoming you. This Sunday morning, let them ask you if you are new to Trinity, even if you’ve been a member for years. Let the awkwardness pass by and fade away as you get to know one another.

If you are interested in learning more about this ministry, I would love to answer any questions you may have and share how you can be a part of one of these Sunday morning teams. There are also many other ways that you can serve this fall, many areas in our church body that need your unique talents and abilities. See the list below for other current volunteer needs throughout our church.

AUGUST 2015

The session did not meet in the month of August.

The report from September's Full Session Meeting on September 10th will be included in next month's edition of Trinity Together.

Questions? Email: session@trinitycville.org

AUGUST 2015

The final four months are important for finishing the ministry year. Please give generously this Fall to help Trinity's ministries continue serving well, and grow into the next year without further cutbacks. Over $1 million is needed to fulfill our goals for the year. As of August, giving is $33,000 behind expectations. Expenses are on budget. However, with additional cash needs for building repairs and severances, our operating cash accounts are low.

UPCOMING EVENTS