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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Puzzle Pieces......................................2 Path to Home.....................................3 Bookstore............................................4 Parting Ways......................................5 Burrito Bikers.....................................6 Ushers..................................................7

WINTER 2012

PARISH POST

the magazine of holy trinity episcopal church | (336) 272-6149 | www.holy-trinity.com

Budget for 2012 Significantly Lower Than Last Year How the Decrease Will Affect Holy Trinity’s Ministries

Holy Trinity’s 2012 Every Member Canvass ended Inman, assistant to the rector, and the Rev. Greg Farabout $60,000 short of the $1.6 million goal, which was rand, youth minister) and one full-time employee based on a hold-the-line budget from 2011. (Marjorie Donnelly) replaced the Rev. Joshua Varner, Because the vestry is determined to have a balanced assistant to the rector, and Anne-Barton Carter, Direcbudget every year and not take on debt, Treasurer John tor of Christian Formation. Hope Tyler, Christian Compton and the staff had to reconfigure proposed Formation assistant, has expanded her hours. Those spending for 2012. changes were revenue neutral. “When we realized that pledges would be less than Holy Trinity will give slightly less to the diocese next we hoped, we did a line-by-line review of the budget,” year. Our diocesan asking, or pledge, is 11.5 percent John said. of the parish’s operating budget. There are projected savings in With Holy Trinity pledges down, 2012 EVERY MEMBER CANVASS 2012, but also expected increases. the operating budget is down, so Final Numbers the diocese will get about $2,500 Budget Savings less. Some activities, such as Goal: $1.6 million Glory Ridge, are funded through Savings were realized in several Pledged: $1.54 million separate, designated funds and ways. If a line item was under are not part of the operating 1,200 pledging units budget for 2011, the amount budget, and are therefore not actually spent became the 2012 636 pledges included in the calculation of the budgeted number. 53 new pledges asking by the diocese. Maintenance and repairs done 89 pledges not renewed last year shouldn’t be needed this Budget Increases year and weren’t budgeted. 188 increased pledges “The 2012 budget projects There are increases in several 123 decreased pledges lower utility costs thanks to conbudget areas, such as food service servation efforts led by parishiorevenues and the costs related to ner Eric Hoekstra,” John said. For those increases and some adminexample, changing incandescent light bulbs to compact istrative areas. fluorescent bulbs has saved thousands of dollars. “The national church is changing its rules regarding Two part-time employees (the Rev. Ginny Bain employee health insurance, and that line-item went up continued on page 8

Meet Greg Farrand, Youth Minister

Holy Trinity’s Youth Minister Adds a Piece to the Puzzle

Photo by VanderVeen Photography

Greg’s background as a missionary, pastor and spiritual director have prepared him well for youth ministry “In Servant Leadership we talk about God’s dream of a healed and restored world. Each individual has the opportunity to play a critical role in making God’s dream a reality. I want the youth at Holy Trinity to discover what their piece in God’s puzzle is,” said Greg Farrand, Holy Trinity’s new Youth Minister. Greg’s piece of the puzzle, like so many of ours, is made up of even more pieces showing the diverse experiences in his life. With parents who worked for the Department of Defense, Greg spent his early years in Asia, with visits back to Washington, D.C. as home base. When he was in 6th grade, his family moved to D.C. permanently, and Greg attended St. Andrew’s Episcopal Prep School in Bethesda, MD. Thanks to attending an Episcopal school, Greg was steeped in the prayers and liturgy of the tradition. He served as an acolyte and attended church, but the meaning behind the ritual hadn’t quite sunk in. By the end of high school, it was a different story. During those years he had a spiritual awakening. Where before there was no sense of God’s presence in his life, suddenly Greg was filled with it, and he began the first steps on a journey that would lead to serving in ministry. Greg’s years at UNCG for undergrad provided some important pieces in his puzzle. He met his wife Beth during their freshman year, and they married just a week after graduation. After his sophomore year Greg spent the summer in Uganda as part of World Harvest Mission. Following graduation and their wedding, Greg and Beth page 2

moved to Uganda on a two-year contract with World Harvest Mission. They went as church planters, lived in a mud hut, and spent their time training local pastors and church planters. It was during his time in Uganda that the pieces of Greg’s puzzle began to fall in place, or rather they felt like they were falling out of place. Spreading the gospel, which seemed so easy and natural in the states no longer seemed quite right. “I felt like everything I touched in college turned to gold, while everything I touched in Uganda turned to mud. The suffering of the people, the language barrier, the cross cultural dynamics simply overwhelmed my ‘giftedness’ and I soon felt like I had nothing to offer. But slowly, in that broken place, I learned that God did not love me for what I could produce or what I had to offer… He simply loved and delighted in me. In this new perspective, I was set free to love folks as God’s simple instrument and watch divine love flow through the likes of me.” Soon after Greg’s realization, Uganda underwent a coup, and it was no longer safe for Greg and Beth to stay in their village. They left their post in Uganda six months early, and he was ready for a new opportunity. The opportunity presented itself when the pastor of Redeemed Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem offered Greg a position on staff while he attended seminary. While working full-time as a pastor to young adults and collegiates, Greg attended Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte. Meanwhile, their family was expanding with the birth of their sons. Post-ordination, the family moved back to Greensboro to start Spring Garden Community Church. In this church, Greg realized his vision of a church—a safe, welcoming environment for people from all walks of life. “There were college students sitting next to professors, a CEO next to a homeless person, staunch republicans befriending liberal democrats, and a gay couple sitting next to a graduate of Oral Roberts University,” Greg remembered happily. It looked like God’s kingdom. As the church grew, Greg found his role shifting from building relationships to managing a business, and he burned out. He needed something different than a ministry that drained all of his energy. Greg felt a new call: a call to focus energy and attention to the inward spiritual life rather than an outgoing ministry. That’s when he and Beth started their current organization—Selah Spiritual Formation. At Selah, their goal is to “create spaces to pause, reflect and discover.” Basically that means that when people come to Selah, they are encouraged to slow down and enjoy God. During his time at Spring Garden Community Church, continued on page 5 PARISH POST | WINTER 2012

Marjorie Donnelly Joins Holy Trinity’s Staff A Winding Path Brings Marjorie Home We all have a path to follow, and Marjorie Donnelly’s path has taken her many places, but it’s finally settled her home here at Holy Trinity. Marjorie recently joined the staff as the Director of Christian Formation. She will work directly with children, youth and families and collaborate with the clergy in programs for adult formation.. This position fits in well with Marjorie’s training and the early steps in her journey. She received her undergraduate degree from Salem College in elementary education, and then earned her master’s degree in counseling from the University of Virginia. Her early career was spent as an elementary school teacher and guidance counselor. But Marjorie’s path did not stop there. More and more she felt herself drawn away from the secular and into the spiritual. Early in her time as a member at Holy Trinity, Marjorie went to California to become certified as an Enneagram teacher. Training as a spiritual director was next on her journey, and she spent two years at Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation to be certified in this practice. But still something was urging her forward. Each time Marjorie felt settled, a circumstance or situation would change to shift the balance. And each time she would ask the usual why and what questions. “Then it dawned on me,” Marjorie recalls, “With each change, God had something better in store.” This happened again and again to Marjorie. Eventually she began to trust that the journey would take her to the next place God had in store. Marjorie’s spiritual direction practice, InnerWalk, is very important to her. Formed to offer individual spiritual direction, classes, retreats and workshops, she focuses mainly on individual direction at this point. The naming of her practice was important to Marjorie. The name InnerWalk came to her while on a retreat called “Walking in the Footsteps of God.” The words ‘inner walk’ suggested the interior work Marjorie would help with to equip people to go out and live and walk their faith. The next steps for Marjorie led her along the turning path of the labyrinth. Again, she flew out to California to receive training—this time as a labyrinth facilitator. And she was trained by Lauren Artress. Artress, an Episcopal priest, is credited with popularizing the labyrith. It was at that point that Marjorie started Holy Trinity’s Labyrinth Keepers, citing Lauren’s words, “A labyrinth without a guide is a lonely labyrinth.” Marjorie headed the now ecumenical group until just recently. Even with all that Marjorie had accomplished, her feet and heart wouldn’t let her stay comfortable for long. She found herself wanting to use her gifts in a church setting. As the call grew within her, Marjorie told her spiritual director, David Partington, at First Presbyterian Church. Just that day a position at the church was being publicized, and Marjorie was the right person for the job. PARISH POST | WINTER 2012

Photo by VanderVeen Photography

Marjorie brings experience as a certified Ennegram teacher, labyrinth facilitator, and spiritual director to her position She was doing what she loved—offering spiritual direction through InnerWalk, teaching courses through Servant Leadership, and serving as Director of Adult Education at First Presbyterian, but Marjorie found that her life was fragmented. “It wasn’t that I couldn’t do the work or keep up with the hours. It was just a lot to travel to different offices, to minister to many different groups of people and have my heart in three different places.” Just as she was reaching her limit, another door opened for her. This time at her home church. Marjorie is delighted to be on staff at Holy Trinity, offering her unique blend of gifts to the programs here. From her education background to the emphasis on the spiritual, Holy Trinity will be well served. “I feel that creativity, spirituality and healing are all intertwined. It’s exciting to encourage others to tap into their own innate creativity and manifest their God-given gifts in service to the world. There is a song that has spoken to me as I transition. It is the Shaker tune ‘Simple Gifts’. “Coming back to Holy Trinity is a way to simplify my work life and focus my energies in one place, but it’s much more than that. I’m delighted to be coming home to a place I love. I am coming down where I ought to be. By turning, turning, I have come ‘round right’.” Let’s hope Marjorie’s path at Holy Trinity is like that of the labyrinth she loves—creating new opportunities around each curve, having God at the center, but not taking her far away. –Jo Owens page 3

A Well-Kept Secret That’s Quickly Spreading Sacred Garden Bookstore Offers More Than Just Books That store served as the diocesan bookstore. Not long after Jane and Shelley took over Sacred Garden, Simons announced his retirement, and the vestry of the Oxford church decided to close their bookstore. “The stars were lined up The Sacred Garden Bookstore is a welcoming enviroment for shoppers, groups just right,” Jane said. “Shelley Holy Trinity’s Sacred Garden Bookand I took on the store is quietly growing and gaining bookstore in June, and Harrison left in fans across the state. September. We’d been to see his store, As the official diocesan bookstore, which was very different from this one; Sacred Garden serves churches in our and with his blessing we became the diocese and several others that are too diocesan bookstore.” small to have a bookstore, such as the Shelley said that Simons, who has Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina and since died, was “extremely gracious the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia. and helpful.” Sacred Garden Bookstore opened As the diocesan bookstore, Sacred in 2007, when the two historic houses Garden serves as a central place for on the corner of Fisher Avenue and parishes to order materials, includSimpson Street were converted from ing books and study guides, baptismal a residence for the elderly into office, certificates, and parish registers. meeting and bookstore space. The Sacred Garden also serves the dioSacred Garden Bookstore was meant cese as the home of the Environmental to be a place for the community to Sustainability DVD loan program gather. sponsored by the diocesan committee Jane Cooke and Shelley Miller for environmental ministry. became co-managers when the previ“It’s a service, and there’s no charge, ous bookstore manager left to go to but it helps us develop relationships seminary in June 2010. with other churches,” Jane said. “I was volunteering answering Jane and Shelly have attended phones at the front desk of the church clergy conferences, diocesan convenoffice, and Tammy McElroy, the parish tions, and ECW diocesan meetings to administrator, told me I should try the introduce themselves and make people bookstore,” Jane said. “You work in the aware of what Sacred Garden Bookbookstore and you’re just hooked.” store offers. Shelley, who had volunteered in “One of the neat things is there’s a the bookstore, wanted to be more special atmosphere here,” Jane said. involved. “Now, to be here all the time “We extend that out to the diocese. is fabulous,” she said. Now that we go to conventions and One person who was helpful in cremeetings, we’re also developing perating the store was Harrison Simons, sonal relationships with people.” a priest who ran an Episcopal bookWith the growth in business recently, store in Oxford, N.C., for 30 years. page 4

and the expected future growth, a parttime assistant, James Exum, has joined the bookstore team. The public is welcome at the bookstore, which carries a variety of books, cards, and gifts. The store holds special events, and the meeting room and garden are available to outside groups. Shelley said, “For the most part it’s a distinct brand of spiritual books that are broad based, ecumenical. People come in and say they’ve never seen anything like it and can’t find these things anywhere else. And they can’t— not without going to a lot of trouble and knowing exactly what they want. There’s a special feeling to this space and these books.” In the future, Jane and Shelley envision more people using the space. “We’re on the edge of downtown, with the downtown greenway coming down our side of Fisher Avenue, plus Deep Roots Market coming to downtown, plus 200 apartments being built around the corner, plus being on the edge of the Fisher Park neighborhood,” Jane said. “We want to be more visible to Greensboro. Everyone who comes in the store says what a nice spot it is and how we’re a well-kept secret. We don’t want to be such a secret anymore, and we are working hard to be a vital resource for people and churches in Greensboro and the region.” –Harriette Knox

Sacred Garden Bookstore Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sunday 10 - 11 a.m. The store is closed on Saturday and Sunday, July 4 - Labor Day. You can find Sacred Garden Bookstore on facebook and the website is linked to Holy Trinity’s (www.holy-trinity.com). If you’re interested in helping, there’s always a need for volunteers. Contact Jane or Shelly at 544-1225. PARISH POST | WINTER 2012

Parting Ways Doesn’t Mean Leaving the Church

Holy Trinity Offers a New Ministry for Those Going Through Divorce Holy Trinity’s newest ministry depends on you. Parting Ways is for people who are going through a divorce, but parishioners have to let someone know when they or a friend needs the ministry. “We usually know about marriages, but we often don’t know about divorce until the couple has already been to a lawyer,” said Ginny Herring, assistant to the rector. “People just don’t come to us,” she continued. “There are canons about prenuptial counseling, marriage and remarriage, but not about divorce. When I do prenuptial counseling, I always make a point of reminding people that the Episcopal Church is everywhere. Wherever you are, you can go to an Episcopal church and ask for a priest. You have a home in the church.” Ginny noted that the perception is that if a couple is in trouble and they go to a priest, the priest will try to talk them into staying married. “That’s not so,” she said. “It’s clear from canon law that our job is to be helpful. Healing and reconciling don’t always mean the two get back together.” Hattie Aderholt, a lifelong member of Holy Trinity, helped start the Parting Ways ministry. “Having gone through divorce and

having a close relative at Holy Trinity go through one, it became pretty clear that the church was not actively reaching out to people going through divorce,” Hattie said. Hattie approached several people at the church—both staff and parishioners—who got together to talk about how the church could help divorcing couples. They realized they’d all been divorced and had similar stories about feeling separated from the church. “When the group got together one of us said that it was almost embarrassing to come back to church,” Hattie said. “Getting divorced is a tremendous failure. Those of us who took our vows seriously felt like we let the church down.” Ginny agrees that there is a stigma about divorce. She’s experienced it herself. “I got divorced after I was ordained, and a clergy person told me I was clobbering my career,” she said. “Years ago, I was one of the last two candidates for a job in a large church. I was a divorced mother of six. The other candidate was a man who was young and married with 2.3 children, a dog and a station wagon. When I didn’t get the job, I called someone on the committee – as I always do – to see how I could have done better in the inter-

view. I was told they wanted someone who could represent family values, and as a divorced woman I couldn’t. “Someone once said that the church isn’t a hotel for saints. It’s a hospital for sinners,” said Ginny. “I’ve seen people in the grocery store who tell me they’ve got bad things going on in their lives and that they’ll be back to church as soon as things are better. We tell people come to God, that God wants our mess. If you feel like you’re broken and that you failed, that’s when you should come to church. You need community.” Hattie and Ginny hope Parting Ways will help people feel welcome in the church after divorce. If you or a friend is going through a divorce, call a clergy member or Craven Williams, ministerial associate for pastoral care. A priest will follow up, and if the parishioner wants help, a Parting Ways committee member will send a book of meditations and a note. “The committee members have all been through a divorce and we’re happy to talk with someone,” Hattie said. “It’s important to know the church has compassion for people going through divorce. Parting Ways is a simple concept. We want to reach out and to be sure the church is there to whatever extent people need it.” –Harriette Knox

Greg Farrand continued from page 3 Greg would sneak over to Holy Trinity when there was extra time before services. He found the liturgy was balm to his soul, healing the rough places the rigors of his job had worn. To pray the ancient prayers and be a part of a service that was crafted over centuries was exactly what Greg needed. It was refreshing for Greg to go from being the one who was preaching to the one being fed by Tim and Ginny’s sermons. From being the one who was in charge to being one in a crowd. PARISH POST | WINTER 2012

From being the one to guide and lead a church to being one who participated. Greg isn’t taking such a back seat here at Holy Trinity these days. “To be honest,” he said, “I never thought I’d be a part-time youth minister at an Episcopal church.” But as he’s experienced the energy of the youth, witnessed the love and dedication of the youth leaders, and participated in amazing programs that Holy Trinity offers, Greg finds himself learning and laughing, even as he is

leading. As this new piece fits into Greg’s puzzle, he is quickly becoming integrated into the life of Holy Trinity, and especially into the youth program. From lock-ins and board games to theological conversations, Greg is walking with the youth as they discover their piece in God’s puzzle. –Jo Owens

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Holy Trinity’s Burrito Bikers Pedal Change A Small Item of Food Makes a Big Impact When I want a burrito, I just hop in the car and head to Moe’s where I’m greeted with the obligatory “Welcome to Moe’s!”. The words make me smile, and I know that I’m in the right place. Not everyone is able to hop over to Moe’s anytime they want a burrito. But some of those who can’t, have burritos brought to them. The second Saturday in January, I left my warm, cozy home very early in the morning to walk downtown with a few Holy Trinity youth and advisors to participate in the Burrito Bikers program. It was cold. Very cold. Twenty-eight degrees cold. One member of our group carried an insulated bag full of 60 burritos, someone else carried bottles of water, and yet another person carried a dispenser of napkins. When we reached Center City Park, a queue of men and women were already lined up waiting for us to arrive. Many had hot coffee provided by another volunteer, but they were waiting for the

good stuff. Each month, a different EYC group makes and freezes breakfast burritos for the next month’s delivery. The burritos are made of hashbrowns, eggs, cheese and sausage wrapped in a flour tortilla. Before the monthly trek downtown, page 6

they are thawed and heated in the oven, warm and filling on even the coldest of mornings. “The youth and I, not to mention the advisors, have been so excited about this outreach ministry! It is tremendously satisfying to shop for, cook and distribute these burritos. The smiles that the kids get when they hand them out are priceless. These are people who are in great need and are truly thankful,” said Hope Tyler who arranges the project on a monthly basis. The Burrito Biker’s project came to Greensboro through the work of Hayes Holderness. Hayes’ brother Tommy began delivering burritos in Charlotte in 2008. In 2009, after witnessing the work his brother was doing, Hayes started delivering burritos here. Now there is a wiki site with a spreadsheet of all the groups involved. But they couldn’t do it without the youth of Holy Trinity. “Another glorious morning yesterday with the Senior High Youth Group from Holy Trinity Church making/taking/ serving the burritos,” wrote Hayes Holderness on the Burrito Bikers facebook page. “God has touched their hearts and spirits to help those in need, and they are committing to ‘cover’ one Saturday a

month for us, for at least the next several months! What a blessing to us but more importantly to those we serve!” And just as important, the Holy Trinity Burrito Bikers have just secured a sponsor. The cost for one month of burritos is about $50, and the money for the burritos was coming out of the already tight youth program budget. Hearing

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. –Matthew 25:35 this need, Peter, Nataliya, Svetlana and Vyktoriya Kotting, neighbors of Hope Tyler, donated enough money to cover 12 months of burritos. I won’t forget my experience with the Burrito Bikers, and the youth won’t either. They have been touched by the stories of the men and women they serve, and they have seen the face of homelessness change. The Burrito Bikers demonstrate each Saturday how something small like a burrito, can make a big impact in someone’s life. –Jo Owens PARISH POST | WINTER 2012

Ushers Are Integral to Worship at Holy Trinity Handing Out Bulletins Is a Small Part of a Big Ministry

You may think that ushers at worship services just hand out bulletins, take up the offering, and tell you when to go up for communion. There’s more to it than that. “I view the role of usher as the first point of contact most parishioners and visitors have when they come to Holy Trinity,” said Steve LaFrance, usher coordinator. “We want the ushers to be greeters and concierges. They’re really the logistical facilitators of the service.” At the 9 and 11:15 a.m. services, ushers are stationed in the narthex to distribute bulletins and at the front steps to greet people, help them out of their cars and hold an umbrella when it’s raining. Ushers stationed in front of the parish hall help people find their way and open the doors for parents with young children. Photo by VanderVeen Photography After the service has started, an usher counts everyone at the service and hands the written number to the acolyte Ushers are a vital part of each worship service from start to finish when the ushers receive the offering plates. This number is could step in. I had no idea what I was doing, but I learned.” used to prepare the proper amount of communion wafers Alison Berry, who has been an usher for about two years, and wine, and is the official count that is recorded in the parish records. Ushers also coordinate who needs Eucharist is following in her father’s footsteps. “My father was an usher, and when I was little, I thought his job was a ‘husher’ brought to the pew. to tell people to be quiet in church,” she said. “I do this From helping latecomers find a place to sit, to getting the children from Children’s Chapel, passing the offering plates because I like to help people find their way. I think ushering is an important job.” and helping parishioners to the altar rail, Ushers can have more serious duties. ushers make the service run smoothly. “I think ushering is an In case of emergency, they must know After the service, ushers replace prayer important part of the where the first aid kit, phones and exits books and hymnals; gather bulletins, service. You make some are. Some first-aid training is included in fliers and trash from the pews; take lost yearly usher training sessions. Currently items to the secretary’s office; and retrieve kind of connection to classes in CPR and how to use an AED handicapped signs after the last service. the church for each (automated external defibrillator) are volThe ushers for the 8 a.m. service do person.” untary, but Steve said that training may be even more. offered more often. The early service ushers must arrive by - Lee White Susan Shipman, who has been ushering 7 a.m. They unlock doors to the sanctuabout eight years, said she started by ushary, chapel area, office, and education ering at funerals since she was available during the day. She building, turning on all the lights as they go. They turn on enjoys her duties on Sundays because, “I like to greet people the PA system in the church; place the handicapped parkand make them feel welcome. I never met a stranger.” ing signs outside; take the need box and table to the chapel Lee White started ushering in 1988, but with young narthex; bring bulletins to the chapel; turn on coffee pots children, found himself getting a substitute more often in the chapel lounge area; open the chapel sacristy and take than ushering. He became a substitute for several years, but the communion elements to the altar and credence table; now that he and his wife are empty-nesters, he’s back on an open the priests’ sacristy; greet worshippers and pass out ushering team. bulletins; provide directions or assistance; ring the bell at “I think ushering is an important part of the service,” Lee 7:55 a.m.; return the need box to the church narthex; and said. “You make some kind of connection to the church for straighten up the chapel. They also count the money from each person. Plus I enjoy seeing everyone as they come into the offering plates, locking it up for vestry members, who the church and it makes me feel good to smile and wish count the 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. offerings. everyone ‘Good Morning’ as they come in.” Ushers come in all types and for all reasons. The church can always use more ushers. If you’re inter“I sort of fell into being an usher,” Steve said. “One Sunested in making Holy Trinity a more welcoming place, day I was handing out the reminder cards for Men’s Club contact Steve LaFrance or Ginny Herring. and the usher team was short-handed so they asked if I –Harriette Knox PARISH POST | WINTER 2012

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HOLY TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH 607 North Greene Street Greensboro, NC 27401 (336) 272-6149 www.holy-trinity.com

Non-profit Org. US Postage PAID Permit No. 122 Greensboro, NC

The Rev. Timothy J. Patterson Rector

Return service requested

The Rev. Virginia N. Herring The Rev. Ginny Bain Inman Assistants

Budget continued from page 1 about $12,000,” John said. “We fine-tuned so that there was as little pain as possible,” he added. “We’re thankful that we didn’t have to shut down any programs.” Budget Process Commitments The 2012 budget does not cut outreach, such as the Christian Social Ministries grants, or youth ministry funding. “The vestry was committed to not cutting youth group funding,” said Rector Tim Patterson. “That ministry is a vital part of Holy Trinity and we want to do everything we can to keep it healthy.” Concerns But, while budget cuts might not be readily apparent, there are some worries. “For a church with as many members as we have, we have been operating with fewer clergy than would

be ideal,” John said. That puts stress on the clergy. Staff did not get raises, and haven’t for a few years. The staff and vestry will have to be very fiscally responsible and hope no major repairs are needed on any parish properties. There is no money to put into savings. Last year, the church was able to put about $32,000 into a reserve fund, which is intended to cover emergencies. “Overall, the parish is in stable financial shape,” John said. “One positive is that last year, for the first time in many years, we did not have to spend pre-paid 2012 pledges on 2011 budget items, and that puts us on better footing for 2012.” “As a parish, we’ve had a stressful year,” said Tim. “But I believe we will regain our momentum, and go forward together as the people of God.”