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A Season of LentTRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH

2018

During the season of Lent, Christians are called to examine anew our lives, our relationships with God, with each other, and even with ourselves. A penitential season, we are called to take an unvarnished look at who we really are and who God really is. This season, Trinity has myriad ways for you to go about that, from devotionals and at-home lessons to weekly prayer and special speaker series.

In many ways, the work of Lent is profoundly countercultural in a society all about the carefully curated images we present of ourselves on social media and even to our friends and families. One of the deep tap-roots of this desire to put our best foot forward, to shape our resumés to resemble superstars, to be seen as successful and happy is fear. Fear of not being enough. Fear of being known for who you really are. Fear of not being worthy, of not being up-to-the-task, of not being loved. So we wear masks, much as we do during celebrations of Mardi Gras.

On Ash Wednesday and for the season of Lent, though, we are called to slowly peel the mask and the lay-ers of ourselves away, to face our mortality and our shortcomings. Through prayer, fasting, or other spiritual practices, we get to the bottom of who we are and attempt to replace that taproot of fear embedded in our souls with the seed of God’s love. As Christians, when we do peel away our masks, what we find is not unworthiness, but belovedness. And that belovedness in God is our truest identity. It’s like our rector, Fr. Scott, likes to say, “Lent isn’t so much about how bad we are as it is about how good God is.”

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TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH60 CHURCH STREET

DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE 28801TRINITYASHEVILLE.ORG

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The Last Sunday before Ash Wednesday is traditionally called “Alleluia Sunday.” It is the last Sunday we use the praise word Alleluia until Eas-ter morning. During Lent we refrain from using “Alleluia” as a way of honoring this time of reflection. On this day our children will be part of our procession out of the church. They will process with our Alleluia Banner and they will exit the church and proceed to the bowels of the church basement under Tuton Hall to bury “the Alleluia” until Easter Sunday when they will carry it back in at our services.

TABLETOP LENT B R I N G I N G T H E S E A S O N I N T O Y O U R H O M ESunday, Feb. 119:30-10:30 in Tuton HallWe have the Advent wreath to guide us through the season of Advent, but what about Lent? How can we find a tangible way to acknowledge the season from week to week? Enter: TABLETOP LENT! We will be gathering in Tuton Hall during the Sunday School hour to create and assemble the materials needed for TABLETOP LENT. We will be using the Godly Play Lenten series of

lessons called “The Faces of Easter” as our basis. Our Director of Children and Family Ministries will be leading us through this lesson and how we will use materials from a Lenten bag to create our own TABLETOP LENT. Each family will be given a purple burlap bag, a length of purple felt, special pictures from the “Faces of Easter” lessons and small items to correspond with each “face” picture. Each bag includes instructions on how to use the pieces. All you need is a tabletop: dining room table, foyer table, any flat surface where these materials can reside for the season of Lent. Come and join us as we create a new way to “see Lent” in our homes!

Changes i n Worsh ip dur i n g t h i s Pen i t e n t i a l S easonYou will notice that our worship services during the season of Lent will be different from our ordinary worship life. In Lent, our worship is changed to reflect the solemn nature of the season and to help us reflect on our relationship with God in light of our own imperfections, what is called, in theological terms, sin. The color of the season is violet, flowers will not be used on the altar, the tone of our music will be more subdued, and we will refrain from using the word, “Alleluia.” All of these changes help us to focus our attention on the season and will be “lifted” on Easter morning.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner

Our Shrove Tuesday will be held in Tuton Hall on Tuesday, February 13th at 5:30 pm. The cost is $5.00 with a family cap of $15.00. Please join us in preparation for the start of Lent, as we enjoy pancakes, sausage, and bacon, all prepared by TRINITY MEN! There will be pancake-racing, piñata-breaking and noise-making for children! No reservations required. TRINITY MEN, your help is encouraged to cook and clean up between 4:30 - 7:00 pm. Please sign up on the bulletin board near the Conference Room or email debbie @trinityasheville.org.

Alleluia Sunday

Sunday, Feb. 11

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A Holy LentA Devotional Booklet

by Trinity ParishAt Trinity, the wealth of faithful disciples in our community is an overwhelming and profound gift to our parish’s common life. Across all aspects of Trinity, from young to old, the collective wisdom and witness of our members represent the breadth and depth of what it means to be a follower of Christ in the 21st century. So for Lent this year, we have decided to lift up this wisdom and witness with a daily Lenten devotional, written by some of Trinity’s own.Be on the lookout for this daily devotional booklet with a meditation and reflection for each day. Pray along with your fellow Trinitarians, learn from them, and allow them to call you continually to observe a holy Lent.

So why not just use a pre-packaged devotional? Of course, we love Forward Day by Day as much as the next person, but we believe our common life is deeply and profoundly enriched when we hear from those closest to us, about each other’s faith and experiences of following Jesus. In doing so, we join in that great cloud of witnesses who point to the transcendent, immanent, and transforming love of God. Our hope is that as we journey to the cross together during these Lenten days through this parish devotional, we will find ourselves drawn closer to both God and to the community to which God has called us.

Ash Wednesday ServicesFeb. 14

Three services of Holy Eucharist with the imposition of ashes will be held. 7:30 am in the Redwood Chapel. This service is intended to last 30 minutes for those would like to attend before head-ing to the office or other responsibilities of the day.12:15 pm in the church. This service is intended to last one hour for those who need to get back to work.5:30 pm in the church. This service will be led by our adult Choir and will include music for the season.

Celtic Choral EucharistFebruary 185:30 pmThe Chancel Choir will be present at the weekly candlelight Celtic service on this first Sunday in Lent, singing music to usher in the season. Martha Bailey, harpist, will accom-pany “Cantique” by Faure, and other music will include Rutter’s “The Lord Bless You and Keep You,” and “Lord, for Thy Tender Mercy’s Sake” by Farrant. A reception will follow.

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Becoming, Belonging, Beloved

A Women's RetreatTrinity's annual Women's Retreat at Lake Logan will be led this year by the Rev. Christie Olsen from St. James' in Hendersonville. A dynamic, engaging, and fun facilitator and teacher, the Rev. Olsen will lead our retreat right at the mid-point of Lent, providing the perfect time for reflection, spiritual growth, and building relationships together. The 24-

hour retreat's theme is "Becoming, Belonging, Beloved." Register at trinityasheville.org/education/womens-retreat. This year we have several different rooming options, including three cabins and the Retreat House on Lake Logan's property. The cost is $110 (double occupancy) and we have space for 23 participants.

March 24, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Letting Go for Holy Week: A Zentangle Retreat Join parishioner and Zentangle artist Joan Payton as we pre-pare ourselves for Holy Week. The theme will be "What Are You Letting Go of this Season?" and allowing the hand of God to touch your life. During the season of Lent, we have let go of certain things or behaviors as we journey toward the cross, and now we enter Holy Week, a time when our Lord let go completely for us.During the retreat we will use Zentangle which is a beautiful, relaxing, and meditative art that employs repeating pattern and is an art form that anyone can enjoy. Sign up soon as the retreat is limited to 15 spaces. $15 fee covers cost of materials.

A Question of IdentitySelf-Reflection for the season of Lent

How answering the question “Who Am I?” Brings Power, Purpose, and Peace Into Our Lives

Our spiritual and psychological health rests in the question of identity. Regardless of whether we call it ego, personality, or persona, we need a strong one if we’re going to navigate the world and enjoy a successful life. At the same time, if this is the only way we see ourselves, we will never be truly fulfilled. There’s something deep within that longs to return to our essence, or divine self, and be in union, reunion, and communion with the Divine. Depending on where we are in our lives, our primary focus may be on persona or on the divine self. But, in order to feel happy, healthy and whole, we need both. In this daylong workshop, participants will explore how to fully engage ego and essence.

Date and Time: Saturday, March 3, 2018; 8:30 to 4:00 in the UndercroftInvestment: $25 (Includes materials and light lunch)

Registration/Information: Call the church office at 828 253-9361. Deadline for registration is Wednesday, February 28. Trainer: Randy Siegel

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Su ndays i n L e n t

This April marks the 50th anniversary of the tragic assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., so for Lent this season, Trinity is joining with St. Matthias to let King’s prophetic voice ring again. On each Sunday, we will explore on of King’s sermons, delivered in worship and in churches, to allow his voice and spirit to speak directly to us again. Some scholars consider the Civil Rights Movement as much a religious revival movement as a political movement. And King’s sermons demonstrate this dynamic profoundly, revealing King as a faithful pastor, an engaging theologian, and a stirring prophet all at once. We will hear his voice in its context and then explore how his voice continues to speak to us today and our current context today, to challenge, to inspire, and to provoke us to be more faithful Christians. Held jointly in honor of Dr. King’s vision of beloved community, this series will be led by and hosted at St. Matthias for the first two weeks Feb. 18-25, concluding for the final weeks at Trinity, March 4-March 25, from 9:30-10:15 a.m. St. Matthias is located a few short blocks from Trinity at 1 Dundee St. The series will run from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. to give all attendees time to make it to worship at their respective parishes.Trinity’s church van will depart from the Tuton Hall parking lot at 9:15. The Undercroft will be available at 9:15. Kids will then attend the Trinity Formation classes at 9:30.

To the Mountaintop: The Sermons of Martin Luther King, Jr. A Collaborative Sunday Series with St. Matthias

Feb. 18 at St. MatthiasBill Mance, diocesan chair of the Commission to Dismantle Racism, on “Paul’s Letter to American Christians,” a sermon delivered at Dex-ter Avenue Baptist Church. Chairman of commission to dismantle racism

Feb. 25 at St. MatthiasJean Parks, previous senior warden of St. Matthias and counselor with the Partner-ship for Pastoral Counseling, on “Loving Your Enemies,” a sermon delivered to Dexter Avenue Baptist Church,

March 4 at TrinityLiz Colton, Trinity vestry mem-ber and board member of the Asheville Martin Luther King, Jr. Association, on “The American Dream” and “Unfulfilled Dreams,” sermons delivered at Ebenezer Baptist church

March 11 at TrinityThe Rev. Dr. Margaret Faeth, Rector Emerita at Immanuel Church on the Hill, VA, on “The Drum-Major Instinct,” delivered at Ebenezer Baptist Church.

March 18 at TrinityThe Rev. Dennis Fotinos, fa-cilitator of Trinity’s Becoming Beloved Community group, on “A Knock at Midnight,” delivered at Mt. Zion Baptist.

March 24 at TrinityThe Rev. Dr. Scott White, with The Rev. Kirk Brown chaplain at Christ School, on “Remain-ing Awake Through a Great Revolution,” delivered at Washington National Ca-thedral on March 31, 1968. Just a few days before his assassination, this marked King’s final Sunday sermon of his life. The Rev. Brown was in attendance that day.

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As is our tradition, we will hold Stations of the Cross each Friday during Lent at Trinity, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Nave. Join us after work or just before dinner out as we journey with Jesus and in the company of each other to the cross, pre-paring ourselves for Holy Week and focusing on the sacrifice of Christ. Stations of the Cross began as an element of pilgrimage to Jerusa-lem for the faithful and it is characterized by

the offering of prayer at a series of places in Jerusalem that are traditionally associated with Jesus’s passion and death. Quickly it was adapted for local use in parish churches with art depicting the fourteen events in Jesus’ walk to Calvary’s hill. Stations will be placed on the walls of the church and par-ticipants will move as a

group from station to station with prayer and reflection. All are welcome.

Stations of the Cross Each Friday

weekdays i n L e n t

Daily Prayer at Noon during Lent in the Redwood ChapelLent is a time when we are called to deepen our life of prayer. As a result, Trinity’s staff will be leading daily prayer in the Redwood Chapel on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays during Lent. These short 10-15 minute prayer services, found on page 138 in the Book of Common Prayer, give us a chance to pause in the day and center ourselves in the presence and grace of God. If you are downtown, please consider making this part of your Lenten practice. During each service, we will pray for all on our prayer list and give space for your personal prayers as well.

Join us in person or online! Jesus and the Revolution: Exploring the Crucifixion of Christ7 p.m.-8 p.m. Wednesdays in the Conference Room (or in your own home!)

Through the lens of Scripture, especially Paul’s letters, this Lenten Bible study will explore how the crucifixion of Jesus began a revolution in the world. As we prepare for Easter, our rector Scott White will lead us during Lent in examining the event that transformed the world -- and us -- and continues to make a difference in our lives today. We know many people want a chance to explore our faith during this Lenten season, but we also know that it can be difficult to get church in the middle of the week, especially for working professionals or parents. So we are trying something new. You can join us for the Bible study in person or you can join us online through Zoom. If you'd like to join us online, please call the church office to let them know so we can make sure you receive the Webinar link. We will also be posting a link in our Trinity Parish Events Facebook group the day of the study.

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Lunch cost during Faith in the 828 is $5.00 per person February 21 Soup/Grilled Cheese/DessertFebruary 28 Chicken Casserole/Rice/DessertMarch 7 Soup/Salad/DessertMarch 14 Baked Potato Bar/ Spinach Salad/DessertMarch 21 Baked Chicken/Rice/ DessertIf you would like to volunteer to help cook, collect money, and clean up please contact Debbie Cox at 253-9361 or debbie@trinityasheville.org

Faith in the 828: Exploring the State of Spirituality in Asheville for LentWednesdays in Tuton Hall, 12 noon - 1 p.m.Our traditional Wednesday evening program for Lent is being moved to noon this year as we are trying something new! Come for noonday prayers, lunch, and an engaging guest speaker and conversation. What is the state of spirituality and faith in Asheville and Western North Carolina? In a community and a nation that is dramatically and rapidly changing, what are the most important and pressing spiritual issues facing people of faith? We wanted to know, so we decided to invite a half-dozen faith leaders from our region to join us in conversation and dialogue this Lenten season. Hosted by a member of Trinity’s clergy on Wednesdays during Lent, these interview-style sessions will give us a chance to listen to our sisters and brothers over a light lunch. Bishop José McLoughlin will be our guest on Wednesday, Feb. 21. Rabbi Batsheva Meiri of Congregation Beth HaTaphelia will join us on Feb. 28. The Rev. James Lee III will join us on March 7. Faith leaders involved in ministry to those experiencing poverty and homelessness, including the Rev. Vic Mansfield of Church of the Advocate, and the Rev. Shannon Spencer of Kairos West, the Asheville Poverty Initiative will join us on March 21. Our --guest for March 14 is still being confirmed, so be on the lookout for that announcement!

McLoughlin MansfieldLeeMeiri Spencer

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March 25Palm Sunday: Multi-church Walk to Pritchard Park Our Parents in Conversation class, children, and youth will join with the families of Central United Methodist and First Presbyterian for a Palm Sun-day gathering. We will meet in Tuton Hall at 9:30 for about 20 minutes, and then will walk over to Central to gather there. All gathered will process with palms behind a donkey to Pritchard Park for a short service of song and readings. Then we head back to Trinity for our 10:45 service.

March 25 8:00 am Eucharist and Liturgy of the Palms: Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ 8:45 am Nursery Opens 9:00 am Breakfast 9:30 am Christian Formation 10:45 am Eucharist and Liturgy of the Palms: Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ 5:30 pm Celtic Eucharist with Blessing of the Palms with music from PastymeMonday and Tuesday in Holy Week - March 26, 27 5:30 pm Holy Eucharist, Redwood ChapelWednesday in Holy Week - March 28 12:15 pm Holy Eucharist, Redwood Chapel 5:30 pm Holy Eucharist, Redwood ChapelMaundy Thursday - March 29 5:30 pm Holy Eucharist and optional foot-washing Stripping of the Altar, NaveGood Friday - March 30 12:15 pm Good Friday Liturgy with the reading of the Passion Gospel 5:30 pm Good Friday Liturgy with the reading of the Passion GospelEaster, April 1 6:00 am Sunrise Easter Vigil with quartet from the choir, beginning in the Memorial Garden. Quartet sings music mostly from the Renaissance period. The congregation will sing many of the great hymns of Easter.

7:30 am - 10:45 am Champagne Breakfast in Tuton Hall 8:45 am Children’s Hour in the Undercroft 9:00 am Full Choral Eucharist with Brass Quartet and Chancel Choir 10:30 am Easter Egg Hunt (Chapel Courtyard) 10:45 am Children’s Hour for the 11:00 a.m. service begins (meet in Undercroft) 11:00 am Full Choral Eucharist Brass Quartet and Chancel Choir 5:30 pm No Celtic Eucharist

ho l y we e k a nd eas t e r