advent opportunities rumpet...
TRANSCRIPT
Inside this issue:
Mission: To follow Christ through the ministries of worship, education, and service.
Vision: To be a major Christian presence in the Highland Lakes Area, proclaiming the Gospel
of Jesus Christ.
Dec
emb
er
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13
As we enter the Advent season, we recall
God’s gift of Christ’s Incarnation, and we
also await his Second Coming with hope
and anticipation. In this in-between time,
Christ’s Light within us shines forth like a
candle to illuminate His presence in the
world today.
As bearers of His Light, we at Trinity can
give hope for a brighter, warmer future to
some of our neighbors who are in the midst
of personal crises. These include parents
and children who have suffered abuse and
trauma, children who need but cannot af-
ford mental health services, individuals
and families who do not have enough to
eat, older adults who cannot prepare their
own food adequately, and children who
have unmet medical needs.
Fortunately, many organizations in our
community minister to our neighbors who
are in vulnerable situations. By supporting
these ministries, our Lights can make the
world brighter, safer and more secure for
those in need.
During Advent, we have several opportuni-
ties to support these ministries.
The Fourth Annual Giving Fair, Sunday,
December 1, offers a chance to learn about
seven different groups that serve our
neighbors experiencing a wide range of
needs. The Giving Fair offers an alterna-
tive giving opportunity - a chance to give a
donation in the name of a family member
in lieu of a
physical gift, or
give the gift of
your time and
talent when you
offer to volun-
teer. Informa-
tion about the
organizat ions
coming to the
Giving Fair is in
the Narthex.
From now until December 15, you may
donate a gift or a Wal-Mart gift card to
provide a present for a child served by
CASA, the Court Appointed Special Ad-
vocates. Just pick out an angel on the board
in the Narthex and bring your gift or gift
card to Herb Lewis at church.
From now until December 15, you may
donate a Wal-Mart gift card for the High-
land Lakes Family Crisis Center. These
gift cards will be used by the parents resid-
ing in the Crisis Center’s shelter to pur-
chase Christmas gifts for their children.
Our goal is to donate $25 for each of the
37 beds in the shelter. The donation box is
in the Narthex on a poster.
On December 15, we will have our Food
Pantry Sunday, with emphasis on foods
that are part of traditional Christmas cele-
brations. Food donations, or checks pay-
(Continued on page 15)
Advent Opportunities
Advent Lessons and
Music
Giving Fair
Outreach Grants
Have You Met
Preachers
Identical Twin T
rinit
y T
rum
pet
Advent Opportunities
By Madeleine Manigold
December 2013 Trinity Trumpet Page 2
As I write this, Thanksgiving is just a few days off, so
I have a heightened sense of the many things in my life
for which I am thankful. Truly, my blessings are too
many to number, but as I remember my family, my
health, and our home, I also give thanks for having
been called to this amazing parish. I give thanks to
God for you all daily, not only for how you have
blessed me, but how you have blessed so many in the
community surrounding us. You are, truly, a sign to
the world of God’s blessing. Thank you.
Though the culture around us has been in full holiday
swing for the better part of a month now, as Christians
we recognize that we cannot arrive at Christmas until
we have first passed through the season of Advent. It is
increasingly difficult to maintain an Advent focus dur-
ing the month of December.
One of the ways in which we keep our attention prop-
erly focused during Advent is through our worship.
Our Sunday morning worship is very much focused on
themes of waiting, anticipation, and preparation, as we
rehearse some of the events leading up to the birth of
Jesus so many years ago, and make sure that we are
prepared for his return. Unlike many Christian de-
nominations, Episcopalians do not sing Christmas car-
ols during Advent, but have a whole section of our
hymnal devoted to Advent themed hymns. Our music
is a powerful resource in maintaining an Advent focus.
Another great way of keeping a proper Advent focus is
by attending our annual service of Advent Lessons and
Music at 6:00 on Wednesday, December 18th. This
traditional Anglican
service is a series of
scriptures (we typically
use six readings here at
Trinity), each followed
by a musical response.
Some of the music is congregational, some are an-
thems sung by the choir. These songs are not
“Christmas Carols,” but rather songs with strong Ad-
vent themes, each of which relates to the reading
which precedes it.
As in past years, the Parish Life Commission will be
hosting an “Advent Soiree” immediately following this
service, with a simple but elegant reception including
wine and hors d’oeuvres. This is a wonderful way to
“celebrate the season” without jumping ahead too far!
A final recommendation for keeping an Advent focus
is to make it a spiritual discipline during the month of
December to attend Adult Christian Education. We
will spend this time discussing Advent themes, and
hearing from different church groups about how to
stay properly focused during Advent. These sessions
will be both informative and inspiring.
It is not easy to maintain an Advent focus during the
month of December. But for us who have known the
joy of the Incarnation, Advent only enhances the joy of
that annual celebration. Some things are worth the
wait!
Faithfully,
Dave
From the Rector
By The Rev. David Sugeno
Blue Christmas
Our First Wednesday Worship offering in December will be a “Blue Christmas” service. This time of year,
though filled with joy and promise, is for many very painful. Those who have experienced loss, whether in the
recent or distant past, may feel those losses more keenly during the holiday season. Those who are having diffi-
culty in life, illness, joblessness, etc., may have conflicted feelings about the celebrations they see around them.
For those who are having any such difficulty this year, we are offering a “Blue Christmas” service. This service
of scripture readings, songs, and prayers is designed to offer comfort, healing, and hope to those who may be in
need of Christ’s healing presence this Advent season. If you have any questions about this service, please con-
tact Dave or Cathy at the church office.
December 2013 Trinity Trumpet Page 3
From the Associate Rector
By The Rev. Cathy Boyd
“Keep awake! You do not know on what day your Lord is coming!” These words
from the gospel reading for Advent I (Matthew 24:36-44) set the tone for the new sea-
son. The sense of urgency and watchfulness that characterizes Advent is meant to set
our teeth on edge a little, to make us sit up a little straighter and brace ourselves for
the coming of God.
It would be easy, and natural, during the first weeks of December simply to focus on
getting the Baby’s room ready. Sure, we have decorating and other things to do, but
we must not settle too soon into the relaxing and cozy side of Christmas.
The season of Advent invigorates us with images of “laying aside the works of dark-
ness” and “putting on the armor of light.” (See Romans 13:11-14.) If you make time
to practice the discipline of the Advent season—read the lessons assigned for the day, say a special Advent
prayer every day…whatever works for you—this will make your Christmas observance that much sweeter.
Advent and Christmas Activities
December 1 Giving Fair (Following both services)
December 4 5:30 pm Blue Christmas - A Service of Darkness and Light (First
Wednesday Service)
December 18 5:30 pm Service of Advent Lessons and Music
6:30 pm Advent Soiree
December 22 Greening of the Church (Following 10:30 Service)
Christmas Eve 4:45 pm Celebration of Carols
5:00 pm Christmas Eve Festival Eucharist Rite II
8:00 pm Christmas Eve Festival Eucharist Rite II
Christmas Day 10:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II (One Service Only)
December 29 8:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I and Carol Sing
10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II and Carol Sing
Advent Retreat for Women Led by Cathy Boyd and Molly Bennett
When: One night: 5:30 p.m. December 6 through lunch, Saturday, December 7.
Where: The Antlers Hotel, Kingsland (overnight accommodations optional).
How might attention to the Advent themes of hope and waiting deepen our experience of the very busy holiday
season? A retreat setting affords a unique opportunity for Trinity’s women to relax, enjoy fellowship and build
community. Email to [email protected] for more information.
December 2013 Trinity Trumpet Page 4
Advent Lessons and Music
And Parish Soiree
By Ann Ragsdale
“O come, let us sing unto the Lord!” Psalm 95
Wednesday, December 18th,, beginning at 5:30, is the date for this year’s service of Les-
sons and Music followed by our third annual Parish Soiree. This is a time during Advent
when our church family can gather to sing and worship while we wait for the light to
come into the darkness. Our Trinity choir, under the leadership of Phil Kuhne, will lead
us into the Christmas season with songs of anticipation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ - And the love of God our Father - And the ‘fellowship, and the fel-
lowship’ - Of the Holy Spirit be with us!...”
The Advent Soiree will once again provide a time of fellowship for our parish family. The Parish Life commis-
sion will host an elegant affair in the Narthex directly following the service. A group of Trinity’s best cooks will
provide appetizers and festive beverages for all to enjoy. This would be a great time to invite a friend to come
and experience the hospitality that makes Trinity so warm and welcoming.
For questions or to volunteer to help, call Ann Ragsdale (512) 755-0032 or [email protected]
Save the Date!
Trinity’s Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 19th, at 11am. On that day we will combine
our two services, having a single service at 10am, with the parish meeting immediately following. At that meet-
ing we will hear a report from the rector and other leaders of the parish, hear the state of our finances from our
treasurer, and elect new members to the vestry.
This year we are also planning to have an added celebration; a “Burn the Note” party to celebrate the retirement
of our construction debt! Hope you will plan on being at this very important annual event in the life of this par-
ish.
The Trinity Floral Committee has posted a sign-up sheet for those persons who would like to donate a poinsettia
plant for the 2013 Christmas altar décor. The red poinsettias will be large plants in 8 inch pots with foil cover
and will cost $20.00 each. There will be nine 6 inch white poinsettias which will cost $8.00 each. Please make
checks payable to Trinity Episcopal Church with a notation that it is for poinsettias. Please drop the check in the
collection plate or turn it in at the office. We encourage donors to pick up the plants after the church services on
Sunday, January 5, 2014.
Order Poinsettias For Holiday Season Now
December 2013 Trinity Trumpet Page 5
Please join us for Trinity Episcopal Church’s 4th
Annual Giving Fair, Sunday, December 1st, from
9:00am to 12:30pm.
Trinity’s Ministry and Outreach Commission are
pleased to once again sponsor a Giving Fair on Sun-
day, December 1st. What a great recommendation by
Rev. Dave four years ago, and we quickly invited sev-
eral organizations to participate.
Advent is always a time of expectation, with attitudes
of giving and serving others in celebration of all that
the Lord brings us of hope and salvation.
The Giving Fair gives us a great opportunity to hear
directly from local organizations with feet on the
ground about their mission and purpose in our commu-
nity. So many at Trinity are already engaged in work-
ing with our local service groups and this gives so
many more the opportunity to learn about their efforts
and how we can help.
We can each make a difference and have an impact
with our talents and, yes, financial gifts. In this season
of giving we can be purposeful and very meaningful
with gifts of our time and/or donations in the name of
our loved ones. As we
serve our Lord we are
so blessed to work
with people and or-
ganizations that are
dedicated to caring for
those in need every
day.
Look to Proverbs for
some wise verses and
consider this special
time of Advent and
our blessings of Jesus
Christ our Lord.
Proverbs 11:25
A generous man will prosper. He who refreshes others
will himself be refreshed.
18:16
A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into
the presence of the great.
19:17
He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he
will reward him for what he has done.
22:9
A generous man will himself be blessed for he shares
his food with the poor.
Organizations participating in this year’s Giving Fair:
Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center
Seton Highland Lakes Hospital -Seton Care-a-
Van
Camp Phoenix/Phoenix Center
WBC Opportunities - Burnet County Meals on
Wheels
CASA for the Highland Lakes
Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center
The Helping Center - Food Pantry for Southern
Burnet County
Giving Fair
By Rita Marquess
The Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center was rep-
resented by Amy Sugeno at the 2012 Giving Fair.
Rita Marquess
December 2013 Trinity Trumpet Page 6
“GOOD NEWS” REGARDING OUTREACH GRANTS FOR 2013
By Madeleine Manigold
Good news! Trinity is making an enormous difference in
the lives of people in vulnerable situations in our commu-
nity. By supporting non-profit organizations that minister to
these individuals, we are serving Christ and proclaiming His
Gospel.
Thanks to the generous gift of Dick and Marian Repert, the
Trinity Foundation and the Vestry tasked the Ministry and
Outreach Commission with allocating $32,000 for outreach
grants early in 2013. In April, ten groups received grants
ranging from about $1,900 to $4,000. The amounts granted
were based upon the amounts requested by the groups. Fi-
nal reports on the use of the funds are due April 15, 2014.
After six months, there is very Good News!
The Boys and Girls Club provides after-school and sum-
mer programs for youth. The grant of $3,840 was used to
offer aviation summer camps. Club members learned prin-
ciples of flight, thereby reinforcing skills in math, science,
technology, and engineering and broadening their career
horizons. Campers also got a 20 minute flight courtesy of
the Freedom Flyers based at the Burnet airport!
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) trains and
supports advocates for abused and neglected children.
The grant of $3,840 supported staff travel for home visits
and court appearances. This allowed the staff to help find
permanent homes for children involved in the most seri-
ous cases.
The Christian Women's Job Corps helps women develop
job readiness and other skills. The grant of $3,328 was
used to buy Microsoft Office software to install on do-
nated laptops so the clients could learn to use Word and
Excel. This allows the participants to improve their job
readiness skills and become better able to provide for their
families.
The Helping Center is the primary food pantry in southern
Burnet County. The grant of $3,200 was used to buy
meat to serve the ever-increasing number of clients. As a
result, more hungry people were able to receive nourish-
ing meals.
The Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center serves clients
who have experienced domestic abuse and sexual assault.
The grant of $3,968 was used to help residents in the shel-
ter move into independent living and self-sufficiency.
Without this assistance, economic difficulties might force
abused clients to go back to their abuser.
The Hill Coun-
try Children's
A d v o c a c y
Center pro-
vides forensic
interviews and
support ser-
vices to chil-
dren who have
e x p e r i e n c e d
s e x u a l o r
physical abuse. The grant of $2,944 was used in part to
improve the sound proofing and functionality of the foren-
sic interview room. This improved the quality of the
DVD of the interview and ensures that the children only
have to re-live their experience once.
Meals on Wheels Burnet County provides lunch and daily
contact to homebound and other people in need, Monday
through Friday. The grant of $1,920 was used to offset
budget cuts so that all current clients could continue re-
ceiving nourishing meals and human contact.
The Open Door Recovery House provides women residen-
tial care and support so they can enter recovery from sub-
stance abuse. The grant of $3,200 was used to complete
the remodeling of a new home that can serve more clients
in a facility appropriate for their needs. As a result, more
women will have a chance to transform their lives.
The Phoenix Center provides affordable mental health ser-
vices to children and their families. The grant of $3,840
enabled the number of children and parents receiving ther-
apy to double by expanding the hours of a therapist from
half- to full-time. The therapy will help the children grow
into healthy adults.
Seton Care-A-Van provides affordable medical care to
children in their local community using a mobile van.
The grant of $1,920 will be used to purchase digital ther-
mometers to give to children's families who receive medi-
cal care at the Van. This will allow families to monitor
their children's health more effectively.
In sum, the Good News regarding the progress of these
grants after just six months predicts very successful out-
comes by the end of the grant year. Through these minis-
tries, Trinity truly is living into its vision of becoming a
major Christian presence in the Highland Lakes area, pro-
claiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
December 2013 Trinity Trumpet Page 7
Dave was born in Baton Rouge, La., and graduated from U.T.
with a B.E.S. degree. He is currently a part time energy consult-
ant in the Houston area.
Bernadette was born in Dubois, Penn., and also graduated from
UT with a BS in Pharmacy. She is currently a relief pharmacist
for various Marble Falls independents.
Dave and Bernadette have three children: a son, 30, in law
school at Baylor; a son, 27, in the MBA. Program at Baylor; and
a daughter,18, a freshman at Wake Forest. They have an 11-
month-old grandson in Waco.
Dave enjoys boating, flying, golfing, and outdoors activities. Bernadette enjoys reading, hiking, and outdoor activi-
ties.
The Ellises have spent the last 30 years at The Church of the Holy Spirit in Houston. At Trinity, Bernadette is serving
as chalice bearer and is a member of DOK. Dave is interested in becoming involved in ushering and community ac-
tivities. They enjoy the clergy and all the Trinity members and find our small size church welcoming.
Have You Met…
Dave and Bernadette
By Mardi Cockerham
Penny was born in Plainview, TX, and lived there until she went
to college. She attended WTSU. and received a BS in Nurs-
ing. Bubba was born in Bryan, TX, and also attended WTSU
where he received a degree in agriculture. Penny and Bubba
were married after college and moved to Muleshoe for a year,
then moved back to Plainview.
Penny worked as a nurse until the birth of their first child.
Bubba and a partner started a medical supply company where he
worked for 15 years.
The Lloyds have 3 children: a son who is a banker, a daughter who is an artist, and another daughter who is a parale-
gal in Marble Falls. They have a 4-year-old granddaughter who lives in Austin.
Penny enjoys cooking, sewing, and golfing. Bubba enjoys riding motorcycles, golfing, and fishing. They both enjoy
taking their motor home to Port Aransas and enjoying the beach.
Penny was raised in the Methodist church and Bubba was raised in the Presbyterian church. They raised their chil-
dren in the Christian Church where Penny was involved in Bible School, providing meals for the church youth, and
was a member of the church board. Bubba was a Deacon and sang in the choir.
The Lloyds came to the Highland Lakes because of the trees, lakes, hills, and schools. They came to Trinity because
of the friendliness of the congregation. Penny states they have not been to such a welcoming church since they lived
in Plainview.
Have You Met…
Bubba and Penny
By Mardi Cockerham
December 2013 Trinity Trumpet Page 8
~A look back ~
Blessed are those who call themselves “Cradle Episco-
palians” for they have escaped God’s preachers of hell-
fire. Those of us born to evangelical Christian homes
saw way too much hellfire and brimstone; heard the
cries and piteous pleas of those condemned to the hor-
rors of an eternal hell. There were some preachers who
could describe hell in a way that would shame Dante
Alighieri and leave your clothes smelling of burning
sulfur.
Why would adults in that era subject their young chil-
dren to such graphic and disturbing scenes of pain and
misery; in the name of God yet! Maybe those preachers
were pointing their message at adults who were actu-
ally guilty of a few sins. But didn’t they realize that
there were young children in the audience who were
being traumatized by their good intentions? Did I want
to go to church on Sundays? Hell no! While sitting in
church, I would let my mind take me to a more pleas-
ant place; usually to mom’s roast beef and fixins in the
oven - awaiting the survivors of yet another Sunday in
hell!
But enough of hell; what about heaven? While hell was
being presented in fine and fiery detail, the preacher
couldn’t seem to make Heaven all that tempting. We
were told of a land of “milk and honey;” I wasn’t hun-
gry; I was scared! We were told of streets paved with
gold – who cares? We would stand before an alabaster
throne praising God all day long. Are you kidding me?
Two hours of
church was
driving me
over the edge!
And then
there was the
blood: blood
of the Lamb,
blood sacri-
fice, the sa-
cred blood of
atonement. We no longer sing “Washed in the Blood of
the Lamb.” When I was 6 yrs old and hearing of an
eternal hell, folks were singing about being washed in
the blood of a lamb. Uh-oh! When is that going to hap-
pen?! Yeck! I don’t want to be washed in a lamb’s
blood. I like the Episcopalian way of removing the
younger children to another area before the sermon so
they won’t hear what they can’t understand (or might
understand all too well!)
Episcopalians preach God’s love and forgiveness
through the teachings of Christ Jesus; as it should be.
Hellfire preachers preach the fear of God and the dam-
nation of human nature: and their only intent was to
increase membership by gathering those who only
wished to avoid hell. But leave the children alone. Je-
sus said, “Let the little children come to me; for it is to
such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs.” I wish
my parents had been Episcopalians!
Preachers - A Look Back
By Carl Ragsdale
Ryan Eberst led an Adult Forum class on social
media. The two session were well attended with
focus on safely using Facebook as well as other
applications like Twitter and Instagram.
It seems like the trend among youth is away
from Facebook as their parents and grandpar-
ents are joining up to monitor what is being
posted. Instagram seems to be the new Face-
book for the younger crowd.
December 2013 Trinity Trumpet Page 9
What Is it Like to Be an Identical Twin?
By Joan Hallum
This is a question often asked of twins and the simple
answer can be: great, terrific, wonderful, awesome or
miserable, annoying, irksome and repetitive. Each
would be perfectly descriptive, depending on the time,
place, situation, and person doing the inquiring.
The two most irksome questions asked of twins are,
“Which one are you?” and, “What’s the difference?” In
my experience, younger people can more accurately
tell twins apart than older people. As for the second
question, there is a lot of difference, because twins are
two individual persons.
Twins do not get through school gleefully trying to
confuse the teacher, it just happens no matter how
much the instructor tries to separate them in the class-
room. Without even knowing what the other will write,
draw or say, the end result is the same…identical an-
swers. My twin and I did it often in art class…same
drawing. Only our mother could always tell us apart.
Our paternal grandfather died never being able to tell
us apart.
The great, wonderful and awesome features of being a
twin are too many to count. From even before birth and
then throughout your life, a twin has had a built-in
roommate. A mate who, as C.S. Lewis once said,
knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to
you when you have forgotten the words. That other
person is there whenever or wherever you may be…far
or near. My twin and I have often sensed, felt and ex-
perienced similar physical and emotional events. We
developed a sense of oneness and often used what we
jokingly called, “the royal WE.” WE need to see, do or
attend to something.
My twin and I have lived in a very special world, one
that has always provided wonder, delight and happi-
ness. There is never any need to explain, apologize or
ask when a situation arises because WE will deal with
it and come out better and happier than ever before.
Joan and Arthur Hallum
Bulletin Boards
The next time you walk down the hallway to the church
office take some time to look at the bulletin boards. Mary
Ashcroft is the Keeper of the Boards and there’s always
something interesting to read.
This one about Phil Kuhne’s 30th year at Trinity has sev-
eral interesting photos of Phil through the years. Mary
had help from Mitzi Reneau for this one. [More pictures
from the Phil Kuhne 30th year celebration on page 12.]
December 2013 Trinity Trumpet Page 10
Jonah didn’t want to be a prophet. Oh no; that
was a dangerous business. Most of a prophet’s
work was taking a message of God to people who
didn’t want to hear it. The Lord’s command to
Jonah: “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and
cry against it; for their wickedness has come up
before me.” (Jon 1:2) Jonah didn’t want to go.
Nineveh was a huge city to the north of Israel –
“the bloody city, all full of lies and booty.” (Nah
3:1) It had to be bad news or God wouldn’t be
sending him as oracle.
Jonah decided to run from God. He would get a
fast ship at Joppa and sail to Tarshish (at the
western end of the Mediterranean); God would
never find him there. So, in the dark of night, Jo-
nah set out. But God found him. God had attached
a GPS chip to Jonah when He thought he might
run. Oh yeah; God knew GPS, DNA, and IBM;
He just hadn’t announced them yet.
God sent a great storm that threatened to destroy
the ship. The crew cast lots to determine who
among them was incurring God’s wrath. (Have
you noticed that whenever the Hebrew people are
confronted with a daunting situation, they always
cast lots to solve the dilemma?)
Well the lot fell upon Jonah as the culprit. Jonah
agreed to be thrown overboard; he had rather
drown than face an angry God. When Jonah was
thrown overboard, the seas calmed and the storm
passed. But God was not through with Jonah just
yet.
A great fish gulped him down, clothes, staff, GPS
chip and all! Aw man, where am I? It was dark,
dank and smelled like sushi. I don’t know much
about marine biology but Jonah could have ex-
pected a shower of enzymes and digestive juices
and within 24-36 hours be rendered a pile of fish
poop on the ocean floor!
I suppose God used his knowledge of DNA and
pisces metabolism to shut down the fish’s diges-
Jonah
As retold By Carl Ragsdale
tive process. After 3 days God restored the fish’s natural
rhythms and forced the much maligned creature to barf Jo-
nah out on the dry ground. While Jonah was getting the
slime and sushi cleaned off, God appeared and said, “Now
Jonah, about your trip to Nineveh” - Jonah winced and said
“yeah, yeah, I’m on it, looking forward to it.” Oh the life of
a recalcitrant prophet!
Jonah arrived in Nineveh and delivered the oracular state-
ment, “Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be over-
thrown!” (Jon 3:4) The whole city including the king re-
pented and covered themselves in sack cloth and ashes.
Even the animals were draped in sack cloth. God was
pleased and impressed. He forgave them and showed them
great mercy.
Jonah was furious! He had hoped that God would do a
Sodom and Gomorrah number on them. I mean after all his
trouble?! But the important thing to be learned here is:
never be disobedient to God even when it scares the sushi
out of you!
Scripture doesn’t say whether or not God ever used the
prophet Jonah again. Rumor within the POGG (Prophets of
God Guild) says that he retired to the wine country of
France where he offers his services as “Taster,” plays a lit-
tle golf, avoids the sea altogether and became a Vegan!
December 2013 Trinity Trumpet Page 11
Thank You
Note from Ryan and Shayla Eberst
As Shayla and I prepared for the arrival of our new son, Liam
James, we tried to get everything in order. We got registered and
had our first shower in Dallas with my family. We fixed his
room up and got it ready for him. And we tried to prepare our
household for our new arrival. But there was one uncertainty re-
maining.
At our job, there is no paid maternity leave, so Shayla just has to
deplete her vacation time. We have tried to save it up as much as
possible, but being pregnant and working full time is not always
the easiest. Days were missed. As the date came closer we real-
ized she was going to be about two weeks short, which meant we
would have to go without a full paycheck. We have some saved
up, but knew that those first weeks with a baby were not going to
be cheap. We were doing our best to trust God, but we had no idea how we were going to make it through those
two weeks without a check.
We knew that we would have a shower with our Trinity family,
but we never dreamed we would receive as much as we did. We
knew that you all would be there for us, no matter what. But we
never imagined that our financial situation would be taken care
of without ever having to mention it. As we added up the gift
cards, we both had tears in our eyes as we realized that we
would have more than enough to get through those two weeks.
God is alive and at work in our church community. Without
ever knowing there was a financial concern, Trinity came
through and God met our needs through you. Shayla and I have
never been so blest with such a wonderful church family.
So from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Thank you for
your gifts that help put us at ease before our baby comes. But
thank you more for being such a presence of God in our life.
Thank you for being the church, the Body of Christ, to us, and
allowing us to love, participate and fellowship with you. Thank
you.
A truck for baby Liam filled with gift
cards for everything else he will need.
Ryan and Shayla with Shayla’s mother,
Elaine Andress, and her grandmother, Pat
Koch.
Vestry Election
Election of new members of the Vestry will be held at the annual meeting on January 26, 2014. The nominating
committee consists of the out-going vestry members: Rod Miller, Ashley Harper-Oberle, and Bob Link. The
committee is currently seeking nominees for the election. This is a critical time for our church as we move for-
ward in addressing the issues developed during our visioning process. The work associated with our facility ex-
pansion will be especially important for the new vestry. Please contact a member of the nominating committee
or the clergy if you have any interest in serving on the Vestry.
December 2013 Trinity Trumpet Page 12
Trinity celebrated Phil Kuhne’s 30th year as music director on Nov 17.
Beautiful cake and sumptuous treats provided by
Parish Life.
Phil with his sister-in-law Lyndith Kuhne and her cousin
Goldie Lease.
Two of Phil’s friends from Austin, Barbara Morris
and Tom Buckle, joined us for the celebration.
Barbara is a former member of Trinity's choir. We are so blessed to have Phil as our choir and
music director. Thank you Phil for all you do!
Newcomers’ Dinner - Left: Mardi Cockerham organized another well-received newcomers’ dinner with help
from Sandra Travis (pictured), Nannette Watkins, Rita Marquess, and Olivia Cribbs. Right: Penny Lloyd, Rev.
Boyd, and Bernadette and Dave Ellis.
December 2013 Trinity Trumpet Page 13
Fellowship Sunday
This year’s Fellowship Sunday was another
great success organized by Celebrator-in-
chief Ann Ragsdale. The food was great and
people found places all over the church to
celebrate the day.
More Photos from the Newcomers’ Dinner - Left: BJ and Penny Lloyd. Right: Nannette Watkins with her
mom, Beverly Smith.
December 2013 Trinity Trumpet Page 14
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
Blessing of the Animals
This year’s Blessing of the Animals on
Oct 6 was a beautiful day with a large
congregation of parishioners and ani-
mals. Mostly dogs and cats, but some
unusual pets as well.
December 2013 Trinity Trumpet Page 15
able to The Helping Center, will help meet the emergency food needs in our community.
On Dec. 15, The Trinity Center at our Sister parish, St. David’s in Austin, is having a Christmas party for their
neighbors who do not have permanent homes. The Trinity Center has requested donations to help pay for the
hoodies and fleece blankets that will go in each of 200 gift bags. A gift of $20 will pay for both a hoodie and a
fleece blanket for one person. If you feel so called, please mail a check payable to The Trinity Center, 304 E. 7th
St., Austin, TX 78701, to help warm the lives of our Sister parish’s neighbors.
May the Light within us demonstrate to all the power of Christ’s love. Let There Be Light!
(Continued from page 1)
What? Informal discussion group for book study
Who? Everyone who wishes to participate; facilitated by EFM graduates
When? Every second and fourth Wednesday: 1:00 to 2:30 PM; first meeting Jan. 22
Where? Trinity Episcopal Church, library
Why? Fellowship, fun and learning
Books are chosen by participants and read in chapter clusters of approximately 30 pages. The first book is " Em-
bracing Grace: A Gospel for All of Us" by Scot McKnight. See or call Bruce Lomax or Penny Miller for details
or questions.
New Year Adult Education Invitation
By Abbi Breckwoldt
I’m working on a building
Working on a building
Working on a building
For my Lord, for my Lord
It’s a holy ghost building
A holy ghost building
A holy ghost building
For my Lord, for my Lord
If you want to listen to the
music, Click on one of the
names below:
Rev. Sugeno
Elvis Presley
The Oak Ridge Boys
Trace Adkins
B.B. King
“Rest eternal grant to them O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon them.”
The quarterly schedule for The Trumpet does not usually allow for death notices. This week, however, is an
exception as we have lost two parishioners: John Garland and Micki Hudson.
Please hold Kathy and Trey Garland, and Pat Hudson and all their children and other family in your prayers.
May they be enfolded and upheld by the love of Him who created John and Micki and called them by name,
and who now has called them home.
P.O. Box 580
Hwy. 1431 E. at Ave. D
Marble Falls TX 78654-0633
830-693-2822 Fax 830-798-9172
www.trinitymarblefalls.org
Links to Internet Sites of Interest
Trinity Episcopal Church Marble Falls Trinity Facebook Page
Episcopal Diocese of Texas Bishop Andy Doyle’s Blog
Episcopal Church of the US Book of Common Prayer
Bible (NRSV) Forward Day by Day
This Month at Trinity - December 2013
Here are some of the upcoming events during Advent and into the new year. Be sure to read
This Week at Trinity for reminders of these and other events.
12/1 Giving Fair, following both services
12/4 Blue Christmas (First Wednesday Service), 5:30pm
12/6-7 Advent Retreat for Women
12/18 Lessons and Music, 5:30pm
Advent Soiree, 6:30pm
12/24 Celebration of Carols, 4:45pm
Christmas Eve Service, 5pm
Christmas Eve Service, 8pm
12/25 Christmas Day, one service only at 10am
1/19/14 Annual Parish Meeting