Testimonials

The Good News of Trinity
by Susan Van Dyke

So, what is it? What is so very special, so holy about Trinity Cathedral?
I invite you to consider these questions – how do you feel when you approach and enter the doors? In the Sanctuary? Other areas? After asking myself these questions—my answers were immediate. And not the same.

The doors – if they are closed, I know the way in. But I am most aware that a stranger or newcomer might hesitate, maybe even leave. Those huge, dark doors, they don’t say “Come in; you are welcome here.” At least not to me. When they are open, I walk in easily – I have an idea that I am welcome here.

So, the Sanctuary – the feeling is always the same. The Spirit smiles on me as I enter; she invites me to slow down; she puts my mind at rest. Trinity Cathedral is a sanctuary of and for the Spirit. Here, the Spirit greets us, lifts us, washes over us, allows us a period of rest – a place and time where we can praise, worship, and rest with our God. This is also the place where the Spirit sends us out – to “love and serve” that same God – the one who invites us, not only to be comforted, but to serve.

As a newcomer here, I was blessed to be welcomed by friends, to become a part of this loving community – I am very grateful for that. My heart’s desire is for others to share in what we have, to find the solace here, to gain the strength to serve our God in whatever way we are called to do so. My challenge then, and possibly a challenge for each of us, is to be certain that my eyes and ears are open to others – those who visit us and those who may want or need to come here but not know how to approach. I want to be sure that my doors are open, the doors to my church and to my heart as a follower of Jesus. I want to hold open my arms and say, “Come.”

What Trinity Means to Me
by Libby Kovacs

My first reaction when I walked through the Church doors fourteen years ago was: “THIS IS A SPECIAL PLACE! I WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS!” Everyone was participating! The energy was palpable! I had never felt that way before when I walked into a church. I had never seen female children and women at the altar! Women Priests? I could not believe my eyes. I was so excited I could hardly read the service bulletin. I sat in the back row awed and amazed. The liturgy and the Eucharist were familiar, but parishioners crossed themselves the Catholic method. Was it alright to cross myself the Orthodox way? I’ll have to find out. I felt like a child. I wanted to learn how to be filled with the Spirit that was present. I had never experienced such warmth and openness before.

I took all the classes that were offered. Although I had been confirmed as an infant when I was baptized, I felt a need to take the class and learn what confirmation meant. I was told about Education for the Ministry— a four-year program. Unbelievable! They actually want us to learn, to question, and to search for our own answers! To make a long story short, I found my spiritual life, my home, freedom to be me, and to do what I loved most —learning! There is always more to learn about God in our lives and how Jesus lived with us for a while and demonstrated how we are to live our lives in His Kingdom here on earth. There is always more to learn and that give me Joy and Peace.

What Trinity means to me
by Gina Schumacher

Trinity is a peaceful, holy, and caring place. And that is reflected in the people of Trinity, many of whom have been sources of comfort and consolation for me during difficult times in my life.

Trinity has been a place of learning and growth for me in Education for Ministry, Bible study, various TNAC classes and training as a Stephen Minister.

Also, before joining the PIE Committee, I was afraid to make pies thinking it was so hard to do! Now, making pies is, well, as easy as pie.

What Trinity Means to Me
by Shelley Mydans

“Ask, and it will be given you;
Seek, and you shall find.” Matthew 7:7

That’s how it’s been for me these many years at Trinity Cathedral. When I first walked in its doors some 23 years ago, Becky Naman was there to offer an authentic welcome and a cup of tea, poured from a lovely china teapot. When I was learning to educate my young daughter, Carol Anne Brown materialized in the bookshop to help me and become my friend. When my daughter needed to belong, Jessie Crouch befriended her. When I needed help, there were clergy there to guide me.

When the questions began coming, a Thursday Night at the Cathedral class and then Education for Ministry helped me begin to answer them and provided long-lasting friendships. When my heart was heavy, I walked to the East Transept, where loving people prayed. When I felt the pull of healing prayer, a spot opened in the Transept, where I now pray with and for others. When moved by the example of those with whom I sit in Ministry Team, I was led to Stephen Ministry and then to the haven of Centering Prayer. And because what so often looks like coincidence must be the hand of God, I met Janice Boyd. Through her leadership, I find “living water” each week as I sit with others in Centering Prayer. And then, there are the friends. The many, many people I am so fortunate to know at Trinity.

So, has it been for all of us at Trinity, individually and collectively. When we needed a new Dean, into our lives walked Dean Baker, the man who arrived to say the only words that I needed to hear, “I am not here to solve your problems. I am here to love you and be your priest” (or words to that effect).

Being loved, we find ourselves loving back, a community of many that is knit together by love.

When I started writing this article, the thought came to me: Who would I be had I not become a member of Trinity Cathedral? I realized that I didn’t know how to answer the question. So much of who I am today has been shaped by my experiences at Trinity.

And so, it is with a thankful heart that I claim membership with all of you in this community of love, you who enrich my life and give me hope.

What Trinity Means to ME
by Katherine Keeney

“How can we manifest our love for God and each other? How do we support each other in good times and harder times?” At a recent meeting, Susan Van Dyke asked each of us to consider these questions.

For me, the answer is that through worshiping together we help each other to respond to the challenges of life with prayer. The Trinity worship services and community help me sustain my love for God as well as my experience of being loved by God. Some days, I cry my way through the service; other days, I am filled with gratitude and joy.

When I found Trinity in 1998 I had been “church shopping” – looking for that sanctuary and community that could help me respond to my own life with prayer. Ten years later, I know that I need to keep coming back for refills. So, I show up for services and keep recommitting to Trinity through my annual pledge as well as by volunteering.

This year, to “manifest my love for God” I am working with a small committee to start a new Saturday evening service. Like most of my experience at Trinity, this new project is pushing me to grow in ways I didn’t necessarily expect; I have never done this before and I hope it will be a success. The Saturday service will be different from the Sunday services…yet it will be very much the same, because all the services are just different expressions of our love for God and each other.

I invite you to join us at a Saturday service and to invite your friends too—whether in despair or in joy—as we minister to each other through music, worship and prayer. Afterward, you will have time to enjoy dinner with friends or to relax and sleep late on Sunday morning—and that’s a ministry, too!

NOTE: The Saturday service runs from 5:10pm to 6:00pm. Childcare is provided from 4:45pm to 6:30pm.

Dear Dean Baker,

A week ago, Bob and I sat down to fill out our pledge card. Bob had lost his job last May and we have very little money coming in. We have always kept our pledge up, even when times have been tough. Now we were being faced with pledging to our church, with no income. Never did it occur to either one of us to not pledge at all or to reduce our pledge amount. We always have felt, "If God brings you to it, He will see you through it".

Your sermon last Sunday was so beautifully given, and after that, there was no doubt that our pledge would be fulfilled. We deposited our pledge in the alms basin with our faith that God would see us through this so we would be able to fulfill our pledge.

Guess what!! The very next day, Monday afternoon, Bob received a call from [a local] hospital, saying that he was chosen for the job he had interviewed for two weeks prior. Now you tell me, was this not a God thing happening and a testament to our faith?

This letter is written to you and to all of our Trinity family with love and appreciation and thanks for all of your love and prayers.

Bob and Nancy

HOOYAH!!