Beauty Instead of Ashes As we enter into the beautiful season of Christ-mas, and joyfully remember once again the birth of our Savior, we are also filled with sor-row at the remembrance of beloved brothers and sisters who have left us in these recent days. In the last few weeks, we have said goodbye to faithful servants of the Living God, and of the church: Mr. John Samuels III, Mrs. Artie Ware, The Rev. John Donovan, and Mr. Paul Grizzle. Each was beloved and faithful, each was filled with the Holy Spirit in Baptism and nourished at the altar of Holy Eucharist, each leaves behind families and friends who mourn. The Prophet Isaiah offers us a powerful word of consolation from his long life of service to God: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, He has anointed me to bring good news to them that mourn—to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise

for the spirit of heaviness.” Many years later, Jesus stood up in the synagogue and read these same words, announcing to the crowd: “Today, in your hearing, these words are ful-filled.” The Lord Jesus, whose birth we await and celebrate, was well acquainted with sorrow and loss. He knew heartbreak and grief. And, He is our beauty for ashes and our oil of joy and our garment of praise. We need a Savior, and Thank God we have one! As the community of Trinity Church lives into all celebration and joy, and all remembrance and sorrow, and everything in between, we rest in the Good News of Jesus Christ. Read on in this Messenger for information about opportunities to worship, learn, serve, and grow. Faithfully, The Rev. Susan J. Kennard (Proud) 11th Rector of Trinity Church

Winter/Spring - December 15, 2019

The Parish Messenger

A PUBLICATION OF TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH, GALVESTON, TX The Reverend Susan J. Kennard, Rector & Publisher

V i s i t u s o n l i n e a t w w w . t r i n i t y g a l v . o r g 2 2 n d & W i n n i e S t r e e t s ( e n t r a n c e )

2 2 1 6 B a l l S t r e e t ( d e l i v e r y ) G a l v e s t o n , T X 7 7 5 5 0

Adult Sunday School: December 15 @ 9:30am

Snack Packs for St. Vincent House

December 22 @ 9:30am

Advent & Christmas Carols

December 29 @ 9:30am No Activity or Study

January 5 - Movie Night

THE SHACK Jan. 5, 12, & 19 - discussions

February 2, 9, 16 & 23

Everything you ever wanted to know about The Episcopal Church - send your questions to Rev. Susan or Father Ed

CHRISTMAS WORSHIP

SCHEDULE Mon., 12/23 @ 3pm - Caroling Christmas Eve 5:30pm - Family Service with Pageant 9:30pm - Traditional Service with choir music Christmas Day 10:00am - Holy Communion

January 26 @ 9:15am in

Eaton hall

+++++++++++++++++++++++ Sunday child care from

8:00am - Noon

Ro

oted

in H

istory

G

rou

nd

ed in

Ga

lvesto

n

Forg

ing

into

the F

utu

re

2

christian formation news

Join us on Sunday evening, January 5th at 7:00 p.m. for a screening of the movie, The Shack, on the large screen in Eaton Hall. (Popcorn and soft drinks provided!) We will see the entire film. During three Sunday mornings (January 5, 12, and 19) our regular adult Sunday school time will be a discussion of the Holy Trinity. We will explore Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as we have

known them AND as they are portrayed in The Shack. Each Sunday morning, a brief clip from the film will help launch our conversation, especially for visitors or those who could-n’t come to see the movie on the 5th. Many people have experienced profound healing in the experience of this amazing and very unusual story of death, resurrection, and God.

GODLY PLAY SUNDAY SCHOOL

Our nursery is staffed EVERY

Sunday from 8 am to noon for

newborns through age 3.

Children, ages 4 through 5th grade,

are invited to attend Godly Play

Sunday School in the chapel on the

cloister and will be returned to their

parents in the Church at the Peace

in time for Holy Communion.

Adult Bible Study continues on Thursday evenings in the Acts of the Apostles.

We’re delving into the Book, inquiring into the historical and socio-cultural contexts of

the Greco-Roman world of Jesus Christ and the religious sensibilities of those who

heard and followed him, as well as the understandings that influenced their response

to his message. More importantly, we’re seeking to discern how all of those forces

are reflected in our own day, i.e., what the early Church may have to teach the pre-

sent-day Church. Please join us in upstairs Eaton Hall on Thursday evening at 7

to 8pm following the prayer service of healing.

Children formation

Please see page 7 for Episcopal

Youth Community (EYC) events.

Christmas Eve Worship Schedule Family Service with PAGEANT: 5:30pm Traditional Worship with choir music:

9:30pm

3

Featuring our People: The Pfeifers Who are the Pfeifers whom we are so blessed to have at Trinity? Hear it in Shannan’s own words (in the third person):

Theron and Shannan Pfeifer, along with their children Heidi (5) and Townes (4) are very happy to be a part of the Trinity family. They moved to Galveston from San Antonio in September 2017 and attended Trinity their very first weekend in town. Shannan agreed to come to view the architecture of the church and Theron secretly hoped that he could convince his Baptist-raised wife from West Texas to join the Episcopal Church, which he had an affinity for after being raised in St. Mark’s Episcopal in San Antonio. They will always mark the visit that Reverend Su-san made to their home in their first few weeks in Galveston as

the moment that they knew they would become affiliated with the church. They have grown to love the sense of community, the affiliation with education, the pursuit of intellectual and spiritual growth, the commitment to humanitarian/philanthropic efforts and the authenticity evident in the church leaders. Theron and Shannan make their home in the Silk Stocking Historic District, where you can often spot them walking around the East End, attending all of the festivals, and trying to catch a trolley. Theron is a graduate of Texas A&M Galves-ton and works in the maritime industry as a Captain with G&H Towing. Shannan is a graduate of Baylor University and works at Trinity Episcopal School in the Admission & Advancement Department.

William Temple Student, Sophia Jacob Sophia Jacob is a graduate of the University of Hou-ston with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, and is now in her first year in the two-year Masters in Physician As-sistant Studies Program at the UTMB School of Medi-cine. She was born on the Island, but her family moved to Houston when she was in grade school. Sophia chose UTMB because it is close to home and has an established Physician Assistant program, and because she was very familiar with UTMB – her mother and grandmother both earned nursing degrees here. “I chose a career as a physician assistant because I

will be able to do a lot on my own, helping doctors with diagnoses and recommending prescriptions, and spending more face time with patients, really connecting with them,” she said. “I like the teamwork aspect of working with the physicians, nurses and the rest of the staff.” She became involved with Willie T’s after a roommate told her about it, and she likes the fact that it provides a safe place to study at the church, open 24/7, and there’s always someone there. In her spare time, Sophia enjoys playing volleyball, and spending time in Houston with her family and friends. - by Pat Welsh, William Temple Center Volunteer

4

The Mission of Trinity’s Outreach Ministry is to give hope in the name of Jesus Christ to all who need such through the many ways we re-spond to the many needs of our community and beyond. Our team of caring facilitators use their gifts of time, talent and financial resources as stewards of God’s riches. With budgetary support as provided by the parish vestry and other individual gifts, we are currently a total of twenty-three (23) city, state and international organizations. Locally, we share support for St. Vincent’s House, The Galveston Police De-partment (‘Out of the Blue’), the Seafarer’s Center, Camp Allen Tuition Assistance and the Salvation Army among many oth-er service organizations on the Island. In 2019, we collaborated with other religious denominations to provide for the needs of Galveston’s citizens. The OUTREACH MINISTRY formed an alliance with CHRISTUS Our Daily Bread to help feed the homeless and the Islamic Center to provide meals at Thanksgiving. Statewide, we financially supported the efforts of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas and ‘Team Brownsville,’ as they min-istered to the needs of those at the Texas/Mexico border. Internationally, we provided financial assistance for ‘Teach for Liberia’ and ‘Desks for Liberia.’ (It is interesting to note that in many instances, a child may not attend school in some parts of Liberia unless they can afford to supply their own desk.) Most recently, Trinity OUTREACH purchased one hundred (100) meals for the fourth (4th) Annual UTMB Veteran’s Day Luncheon. we have observed this event grow from an afternoon of hot dogs, etc., on the church’s lawn to a major recognition of American Veterans with a sit-down dinner held at UTMB. The OUTREACH Committee meets quarterly, or more frequently as needed, at 5:30 p.m. in Kelso Library. We’d welcome you to join us as we attempt to respond to the unique needs of a diverse world-wide community. - Dr. Calvin Buckley

One of the many ways Trinity Church is involved in our Galveston com-

munity is participation in the important work of the Salvation Army. A

team of parishioners shop, prepare and serve dinner one Thursday a month

from 3pm to 5:30pm. About 100 people, all ages, are excited and grateful

for a hot plate of nourishing food.

If you would consider offering a couple hours of your time (one Thursday)

a month, please call Trish at the parish office at (409) 765-6317 or Eileen

Hall, coordinator at (409) 744-2583. We’re in desperate need of volunteers.

5

Dear Trinity Families and Friends, I love history and I have learned a lot about Galveston history through many of you, so I thought I would share some history from my neck of the woods. James Pierpont was born on April 25, 1822 in Boston, Massachusetts. While he attended a boarding school in New Hampshire he wrote a poem to his mother for Thanksgiving about a sleigh ride. In 1849, Pierpont left his wife and children with his father in Massachusetts and went off to California to open a business in San Francisco during the Gold Rush. His business failed after his goods burned in a fire. More bad luck prevailed for Pierpont, as his wife died in 1856 in Boston and so he decided to follow his brother to Savannah, GA taking a post as the organist and music director of a church. To support himself, he also gave organ and singing lessons. He had accomplished nothing he set out to do or be. His poem to his mother was turned into a song and was originally performed in a Sunday school concert on Thanksgiving in Savannah, Georgia. In 1859, it was re-released with the title "Jingle Bells,” or “The One-Horse Open Sleigh." The song was not a hit either time. James Pierpont died a failure in 1893. Why am I sharing this? It's not an uncommon story. Many nineteenth-century men had similar lives -- similar failures and successes. In one very important sense, James Pierpont was not a failure. Every year, in December, we celebrate his success. We carry in our heart and mind a lifelong memorial to him. It's a song. Not about Jesus or angels or even Santa Claus. It's a terribly simple song about the simple joy of whizzing through the cold white dark of winter’s gloom in a sleigh pulled by one horse. And with the company of friends, laughing and singing all the way. No more. No less. James Pierpont wrote "Jingle Bells." To write a song that stands for the simplest joys, to write a song that three or four hundred million people around the world know by heart-- a song about something they've never done but can imagine -- a song that every one of us, large and small, can belt out the mo-ment the chord is struck on the piano and the chord is struck in our spirit -- well, that's not failure. One snowy afternoon in deep winter, James Pierpont penned the lines as a small gift for his mother and in doing so he left behind a permanent gift for Christmas -- the best kind -- not the one under the tree, but the invisible, invincible one of joy. John Piedmont verifies, that everything we do matters. Here’s a link of the excitement happening on our campus. https://www.facebook.com/Trinity-Episcopal-School-283731838334455/?ref=bookmarks

With warm regards, Mark Ravelli, Head of School The spirit of kindness and generosity permeates the air this time of year. Below, students of Trinity School and Ball High School Student Council members unload van driven by associate rector, Father Ed. Food was collected by Trinity Church parishioners.

Trinity Church’s Brotherhood of St. Andrew members prepare to cook (smoke) turkeys for Thanksgiving. Thanks to Good Shepherd Episco-pal in Friendswood Brotherhood for the invita-tion to participate in the annual fundraiser.

Head of School Mark Ravelli

6

Dickens-on-the-Strand

On the first weekend in December, Galveston relives the Victorian era of 19th Century England (1837-1901). And we at Trinity Episcopal Church, founded in that period (1841), always get a special treat: “Her Majesty’s” visit.

The Houston Regional Girls Scout Choir adds icing on the cake.

Some of our parishioners will not be outdone!

Dickens-on-the-Strand, Galveston 2019

7

2019 EYC Schedule Episcopal Youth Community

Know, Grow, Become, Go

*Meetings are 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month unless schedule says otherwise. Movie Night on Sunday, January 5 @ 7:00pm: The SHACK

Y.E.S & Happening

YES #132: January 24-26, 2020; YES #133: April 17-19, 2020

Happening #166: Jan. 24-26, 2020; Happening #167: April 17-19, 2020

The Happening Experience - 9th-12th Grade

The Happening is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Through this experience, Happening encourages high

schoolers’ participation in one's own parish and youth group. The Happening movement thinks that Christi-

anity is not only relevant today but also can penetrate many areas of school life and transform the world. It

does not propose a new type of spirituality but provides a method through which one's spirituality may be de-

veloped, nourished, lived, and shared in fellowship with Christians willing to dedicate their lives to God in an

ongoing manner. Those attending Happening listen to thought-provoking and challenging talks given by

members of the staff and clergy. These talks are designed to help the Happeners get to know God. The

fee for the weekend is $75 and includes meals and lodging.

The Yes Experience - 6th-8th Grade

A Youth Encounter Spirit (Y.E.S.) weekend brings together members of the 6th-8th-grade youth of the

Diocese of Texas as a Christian community. The focus is on "who Christ is." Y.E.S. helps foster a clearer

appreciation of self, richer relationships with others, and a deeper experience with Jesus. The aim is for

those who attend to discover new things about themselves, their relationships, God, and the church. The

weekend is designed to provide an atmosphere of openness where participants can ask questions and have

the freedom to explore answers without fear of judgment. A team of adults and teens plan and run the week-

end. The fee for the weekend is $75 and includes meals and lodging Sign Up at - https://www.epicenter.org/happening/

https://www.epicenter.org/yes/ YOU SIGN UP AND WE WILL DRIVE THE KIDS THERE.

Parents will need to pick up their children at Camp Allen so they can experience the closing ceremony on

Sunday morning.

8

A visit with st. Nicholas and making Christmas Ornaments—Monday, Dec. 9

Advent Pilgrimage At its inception, the Galveston Advent Pilgrimage was led by a large tin star made in Mexico that contained a lighted candle. A community proces-sion followed from church to church in the down-town area. That star belonged to The Reverend John Donovan, then Rector of Trinity. The star (here on the left, and carried by Trinity’s current Rector on the right) that now leads us is a replica of the original and is still owned by Trinity. The 39th Annual Galveston Advent Pilgrimage was on Sunday, Dec. 8. The procession of pa-rishioners of the five historic Christian denomina-tions in downtown Galveston began at First Lu-theran then proceeded to First Baptist, Trinity Episcopal, First Presbyterian, and ended at St. Mary’s Catholic Basillica who hosted a reception.

Of Historical Note

Calling all children: There’s still a place for you in the Christmas Pageant. Speak to Ms. Danielle Alvarado.

9

John Samuels III was a Sunday School kid here in Eaton Hall. He died at 89 years old in October this year in Dubai, having been an active “churchman” in various parishes around the world. It took his family, spread out in many dif-ferent parts of the world, a while to be able to gather for a proper memorial. He was buried from Trinity on Dec. 7.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Long-time matriarch of her family and of Trinity’s Altar Guild, 102 year-old Artie Ware died on Nov. 29. Artie’s Family in Trinity Church goes back many generations, and her descendants to the fifth generation still worship and serve here. This was she on her 99th Birthday.

Nov. 19, 1917 - Nov. 29, 2019

“So, when their work is finished here, they may in hope their

charge resign. So, when their Master shall appear, they may

with crowns of glory shine.” - James Montgomery (1883)

The Reverend John Donovan, a doyen among the Clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, was Rector Emeritus at the time of his death. Father Donovan served as Associate Rector of Trinity Church in the early 1970s, then returned to serve as Rector 1976 to 1995. He and his wife Joal of 57 years made their home between Galveston and San Miguel, Mexico. Well loved by all, Trinity continued to be their home church since Father Donovan’s retirement in the mid 1990s.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Paul R. Grizzle, Trinity’s only Verger of recent memory, died also in December at UTMB’s Jeanie Sealy Hospital surrounded by family. A gregarious personality, Paul most recently served as Eucharistic Minister at Trinity.

October 7, 1956 - December 3, 2019

10

From the finance office YEAR END CLOSING

Once again, we want to thank all of our parishioners and friends for your continued sup-port of our church. We give special thanks to those of you who have moved away or are homebound for any reason yet faithfully send your financial support as well as pray for our beloved church. Please contact Camille Haglund (Finance Director) by email (finance@trinitygalv.org) or phone (409-765-6317) if you would like to know the balance of your pledge for the 2019 year. IRS rules require us to receive all year end contributions that you would like to use for 2019 tax purposes to be received in the church office by December 31 or have a post-mark on your mailed check of December 31, 2019. We will send final 2019 year end con-tribution statements for tax purposes around the middle of January 2020. Also, if you are sending your contribution directly from your investment account or retire-

ment account would you make sure that your name is put on the check as the donor or have them send a note with the check. You can also notify Camille Haglund that a check is being sent so that we know who the donor is. If you have not signed a pledge card for 2020, please do so. You can also send an email to Camille Haglund (finance@trinitygalv.org) and let her know what you intend to give in 2020. For accounting and budgeting purposes we need to have an idea of what we actually will have to pay our church expenses. We are counting on each of you to help us sustain this church, its staff and the work of Christ in the world.

Ministry of Prayer for Healing A Call to Prayer: “Restore to wholeness whatever is broken in our lives, in

our nation and in the world; Hear us, O Lord of Life.”

In this season of pain, violence, illness, and brokenness in our lives and in the world, a brief time is being set apart to take action in the form of prayer. You are invited to come for yourself as well as bring the name(s) of others for whom you want prayer and for

the incidents in our world for which you are concerned. The time and space set apart for this is every Thursday evening from 6:30-7:00pm upstairs in Eaton Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church, 2216 Ball Street, Galveston, TX. Also, look for “Prayer Warriors” on Sunday by the northeast Altar as you leave the Communion rail. They’re there to pray with you if you desire. They’re trained to value confidentiality.

ALL are invited to join us for a showing of The SHACK, a much talked-about movie based on the 2007 book of the same title by William P.

Young. Showing at seven o’clock on Sunday evening, Jan. 5 in downstairs Eaton Hall. This will double as the EYC regular program on first Sunday of the month. There’ll be pop corn and soft drinks!

Join us to spread JOY on Mon-

day, Dec. 23 starting from the

church at 3pm. We’ll visit The

Meridian and other places.

Supper Club table deco-rations in Eaton Hall

Friday night, Dec. 13. A W E S O M E!!!

11

BIRTHDAYS IN DECEMBER

Peter Moore - 12/01 Dixie Possert - 12/16

Matthew Hughes - 12/02 Sally Byrom - 12/17

Keith Mahaffey - 12/03 Cynthia Earthman - 12/18

Tracey McCarley - 12/04 Robert Hesley, Jr. - 12/20

Catherine Polk - 12/04 Nancy Hughes - 12/21

Vicki Lewis - 12/06 Patrick Welsh - 12/25

Lydia McKeithan - 12/06 David Hughes - 12/27

Nikki Patillo - 12/06 Jennifer Haglund - 12/29

Katherine Zendeh Del - 12/07 Brenda Atchley - 12/30

Timothy Toombs - 12/07 Margaret Jensen - 12/31

Collyn Davies - 12/08 Susan Mcleod - 12/31

Lawrence Charpentier - 12/10 Nancy Polk - 12/31

William Morris III - 12/11

Frank Shepherd - 12/11

Harper Trout - 12/13

BIRTHDAYS IN JANUARY, 2020

Peggy Hipple - 01/01 Makenzie Walser - 01/14

Janyce Grizzle - 01/02 John Adriance - 01/15

Robert Krout - 01/02 Albert Shannon - 01/16

John Solari, Jr. - 01/02 Taylor O’Donnell - 01/17

Rev. David Dearman - 12/04 Nathan Fiegel - 01/21

Marcia Edwards - 01/04 Tyler Garza - 01/21

Andrew Fulton - 01/04 Nora Perkins - 01/21

Stuart Hoff - 01/05 Jennie LaRue - 01/24

Eugenia Campbell - 01/08 Enrique Ybarra, Jr. - 01/24

John Van Dewalli - 01/08 Michael Stein - 01/25

Sean O’Rourke - 01/08 Andrew Shelton - 01/26

John Kelso - 01/09 Christie Campbell - 01/28

Mary Rudenberg - 01/09 Olivia Meyer - 01/28

Sarah Holzheuser - 01/10 Evangelina de Los Santos - 01/29

Claudia Stein - 01/14 Patricia Fox - 01/29

Vashti Thompson - 01/14 Preston Botik - 01/30

Judith Giovanni - 01/31

James Manning III - 01/31

Mike Ellis Fred Schlemmer John Clyburn Robert Lefeber Judy Giovannini Leo Mack Ellen Parkey George Jones Leslie Saunders Frank Fotony Rodney Winzel Cynthia Vought Sissy Howell Stephanie Ramos Cheryl Kelly- Webster Peggy McMullen Chase & Keaton Adams Genie Tavener–Rolf Jim Atchley Kevin Godleski Mary Cooper Robert Bauder Jeffery Horn Guy Griffith Robert Hutchins David Edwards

Elizabeth Stamile Karen Rudenberg Belva Funke Louise Campbell Betty Schroeder Leta & Joe Higgins Will Blackshear Joe Vance Frances Townsend Mindy Bollinger Margaret Lee Philip Head Billy Garrison Daryl Wilson Kyle Brown Kim Adams Jimmy Yeatman Howard Hoover Bunnie Zapalac Patty Fox The Rev. Helen Appleberg

PRAY FOR THOSE SERVING IN ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE

John R. Kelly

Jarrod Johnson

John Wilkinson

Bo Lallar

John Kelso, Jr.

David Middleton

Nick Toombs

12

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. Postage PAID

Galveston, TX Permit # 21

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2216 Ball Street Galveston, TX 77550 409-765-6317 www.trinitygalv.org

The VESTRY (Governing Board) of Trinity Church

John Speich, Senior Warden

Robert Ebert, Junior Warden

Rowan Dougherty, Treasurer

Ann Anderson, Clerk/Secretary

Calvin Buckley

Eugenia Campbell

John Vandewalli

Marylou Shuffler

Eileen Hall

Dotsy Ballentine

Laura Hughes

Walter Meyer

Maurine Nichols

Vestry meets on 4th Tuesday of the month.

Please join us for worship

8:00am, Sunday - Holy Eucharist Rite I

10:30am, Sunday - Holy Eucharist Rite II

5:30pm, Sunday - Holy Eucharist (come as you are)

5:30pm, Wednesday - Evening Prayer

6:30pm - Thursday - Healing Service

Education Opportunities

9:30am, Sunday - Adult Formation, Eaton Hall

10:15am, Sunday - Children’s Godly Play

7:00pm, Thursday - Bible Study

Child care is available for Sunday morning services.

Clergy and Staff

The Reverend Susan J Kennard, Rector

The Reverend Edward H Thompson, Associate Rector

The Reverend John Donovan, Rector Emeritus

The Reverend Douglas Tucker, Assisting Priest

Ronald Wyatt, Organist & Director of Music

Patricia “Trish” Clason, Parish Administrator

Camille Haglund, Director of Finance

Danielle Alvarado, Children’s Ministry

Nikki Pattillo; Peyton Heinze, EYC (Youth)

Carolyn Speich, Newcomers Ministry

Kathy VanDewalli, Communications

Larissa Botik, Executive Director, William Temple Center

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Email articles or other info for the

Parish Messenger

to: associate@trinitygalv.org

Address forwarding requested.