Church of the Holy Trinity Parish Profile

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The Church of the Holy TrinityJuneau, Alaska

Parish Profile

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Table of Contents

PAGE

1. Mission Statement 2

2. Search Prayer 2

3. Introduction 3

4. Our History 4

5. Our Membership and Finances 5

6. Worship 6

7. ChristianEducation 6

8. Lay Service 7

9. OurFacilities 8

10. Our Ministries 9

11. What We Seek in a Rector 11

12. Our Dream for the Future 12

13. Our Community 12

14. VestryandSearchCommittee 14

Appendix A: Budget

Appendix B: New Rector Survey

Appendix C: Parish Community Survey

Mission Statement

Our mission at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, following the example of Jesus Christ, is to joyfully worship God and to nurture inclusiveness, spiritual growth and service.

We have also expressed our mission this way:

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church celebrates creativity, self-expression, and the sharing of God-given talents as a means of making and shaping community. We are pledged to be a safe haven for exploration of the difficult questions of faith, of social justice, of responsibility and stewardship. We honor cultural expression and dialogue. We desire to be a house of prayer for all people.

Search Prayer

Almighty God, we seek your guidance and blessing as we seek a rector for Holy Trinity Church. Be present in our discernment, make us aware of your will for us, and keep us mindful of our calling to serve your purpose and to witness to your love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

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Introduction

Holy Trinity has been on a bit of a roller-coaster ride over the last ten years. In 2003, our then-rector left after engaging in serious personal misconduct. After a period that included three different interim rectors during 2003-4, we were energized by the arrival of a new rector who committed to stay for an extended period. Our recently-restored optimism was then crushed in 2006 through the destruction of our church building by a fire that spread from an act of arson on an adjoining lot. We embarked on a long and arduous re-building campaign. Despite suffering a severe financial set-back related to the market downturn in 2007, we were able, through extraordinary fund-raising efforts by the congregation and the generosity of the community, several foundations, and many individuals, to re-build our church and parish hall. The re-building of our congregation and programs has proceeded more slowly, in part because family and financial concerns prompted our current rector to re-locate to the lower 48 last year. We hope, through this search, to find a rector who will provide stability and leadership to help us grow and become the thriving Christian community we believe God wants us to be.

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Our History

The Church of the Holy Trinity has been a part of Juneau’s history from the town’s beginnings as a mining town through its evolution to become the capital city of Alaska. The first Episcopal services were held in Juneau in the Presbyterian log church on June 9, 1895. Peter Trimble Rowe, the first Bishop of Alaska, arrived in Juneau in March of 1896. He soon traveled north, leaving behind plans for a church building. Bishop Rowe’s colleague, Henry l. Beer, supervised the building’s construction and served as Holy Trinity’s first Rector.

The congregation continued to grow. In 1955, Holy Trinity’s sanctuary was enlarged and a parish hall and classrooms were added to our building. In 1984 concerns arose that there was a need to better serve the people of the Mendenhall Valley and Auke Bay areas. Some members of Holy Trinity began to hold regular services at a valley location. In 1985, the valley congregation became a parochial mission. That mission is now the parish of St. Brendan’s.

Throughout the years, our downtown location and close proximity to the capital building have inspired us to reach out to other congregations and the community through many different service and cultural activities. Our church and hall have played host to Lenten lunches and other joint denominational celebrations involving state legislators and other state government personnel. We have served as an election polling site. We have provided worship space for Juneau’s Jewish community, the Society of Friends, and an Islamic worship group, among others. We have also hosted

educational activities for groups including the Juneau Community Charter School and Head Start Early Development. AA groups use our meeting space for week-day meetings, and we have provided rehearsal and performance space for a variety of musical and theatrical organizations, including Perseverance Theatre, Juneau Lyric Opera, the Juneau Bach Society, and our own resident theater company, Theatre in the Rough.

In 2006, fire destroyed our sanctuary, parish hall and classrooms. For three years our congregation met in the parish hall of the neighboring Roman Catholic Cathedral. During that time, we embarked on a long and ultimately rewarding building campaign. On August 4, 2007, we broke ground for a new church building. By the end of 2009, Holy Trinity was back home.

P87-1128, Alaska State Library, Winter & Pond Photograph Collection, Winter & Pond

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Our Membership and Finances

With the inauguration of services in our new building in 2010 we hoped that membership would increase. That has so far not occurred. Our numbers differ little from 2008-09, when services were being held at St. Ann’s Parish Hall.

Membership and attendance data are presented in tabular form in Table One.

Giving rose from $112,717 in 2008 to $144,786 in 2012. Total revenue increased from $140,219 in 2008 to $178,116 in 2012. Operating expenses increased from $152,553 in 2008 to $154,708. The 2013 budget projects giving at $133,000, total income at $176,000, and operating expenditures at $165,705. Rental of church facilities provides revenue that we anticipate will increase with the completion of the kitchen adjacent to McPhetres Hall.

Financial data are presented in tabular form in Table Two.

Table One Membership and Attendance

Year Membership Average Sunday Attendance =========================================== 2008 196 90 2009 190 91 2010 185 81 2011 185 88 2012 186 78

Table Two Financial Data, 2008-13

Year Giving Total Total Operating Operating Revenue Expenses ================================================ 2008 $112,717 $144,219 $152,553 2009 $110,282 $140,816 $140,815 2010 $117,671 $153,272 $159,271 2011 $132,805 $169,730 $153,988 2012 $144,786 $178,116 $154,708 2013* $133,000 $176,000 $165,705

* Budgeted

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Worship

Regular Sunday worship consists of Rite II Eucharist at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Once a month, Rite I is used at the 8:30 a.m. service. Lay officiants have done an exceptional job of providing Morning Prayer when we have had no priest present these past few months. We anticipate that lay officiants will continue to lead Morning Prayer once a month to provide our priest with a Sunday off until we can afford to pay a full-time salary. At 10:00 a.m. a lay officiant also leads an ecumenical service at Wildflower Court long term care facility. On Wednesday at noon there is normally a Eucharist and healing service. On the first Wednesday of the month we conduct Evensong, followed by a pot luck supper at 5:30 p.m.

Christian Education

Gospel Based Discipleship and Bible Study A small group of parishioners gather on Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. to study gospel readings by asking the questions: What words or phrases stand out for you in this Gospel? What is the Gospel saying to you? What is the Gospel calling you to do?

Godly Play Holy Trinity has been offering Godly Play to children between the ages of 3 and 12 for more than six years. Currently an average of six

children attend (sometimes more and often fewer), but in the past there have been so many children that we divided the class into two. This year five adults are actively involved in Godly Play, and two or three others occasionally participate.

Godly Play, a form of worship for children, recognizes that children have an innate sense of the presence of God. It teaches children the art of using the Christian language they need to explore and strengthen their relationship with God.

For more information about Godly Play, go to www.godlyplay.org.

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Lay Service

Choir The Holy Trinity Choir provides musical leadership at the 11:00 a.m. and special services, with occasional anthems, solos or other musical offerings throughout the year. Anyone who wants to sing is more than welcome to join the group.

Altar Guild Our Altar Guild currently consists of a small group (four active and one inactive) of dedicated people who tend all the needs of the altar.

Lay Officiants Holy Trinity parishioners enjoy participating in worship as lay readers, lay Eucharistic ministers, acolytes, and ushers. Some parishioners also lead worship services for elderly patients at Wildflower Court next to Bartlett Regional Hospital. During our time without an interim priest, parishioners have also stepped in to lead Morning Prayer and to read sermons written by Episcopal priests from around the country.

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Our Facilities

Our beautiful new sanctuary features a soaring ceiling supported by traditional hammer-beam trusses. It is renowned for its lively acoustics. The room seats a maximum of 130 people in pews that can be moved easily to re-configure the space. Our new facilities also include McPhetres Hall, a parish hall that doubles as a performing arts venue with stage, theatrical light and sound systems, and removable platform seating. We have raised the funds and begun construction to complete a commercial-grade kitchen adjoining McPhetres Hall. In addition, our building features two classrooms, a church office, rector’s office, a large conference room, library, and our church re-sale shop, The Mustard Seed.

Holy Trinity is further blessed to be able to offer living quarters to our rector in our 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath rectory, located across the street from the church building.

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Our Ministries

AA For many years Holy Trinity has been the site for Alcoholics Anonymous group meetings. Currently we have three AA groups meeting here regularly on weekdays: Juneau Early Birds (from 6:45 to 7:30 a.m.), Brown Bag (noon to 1:00 p.m.) and Five Alive (5:00 to 6:00 p.m.). Other twelve step groups have also met at Holy Trinity over the years, including Overeaters Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.

Theatre in the Rough Theatre in the Rough, founded by Katie Jensen and Aaron Elmore in 1991, is the Governor’s Award-winning theater in residence in McPhetres Hall. Theatre in the Rough has produced shows at Fourth and Gold for more than 20 years and helped Holy Trinity to finish the new McPhetres Hall by raising

over $170,000 from private donors and small foundations. Theatre in the Rough is a classically based theatre with productions that favor powerful language, great stories and deeply human characters. The productions often feature minimal sets with rich costumes and invite the audience to smooth over the gaps and Rough places with their imaginations. www.theatreintherough.org

Wildflower Court Holy Trinity’s “third congregation” comprises the residents at Wildflower Court long term care facility. Since 1992 Holy Trinity has led an ecumenical service at 10:00 a.m. each Sunday for the appreciative residents there. Scripture, prayers, hymns (mostly “old-time”) and communion make up the 30 minute service, which includes anywhere from 10 to 20 residents each week.

Gold Street Quilters For more than 10 years a group of community women have been meeting together to share

fellowship, to learn quilting skills and to have the opportunity to make quilts that we deliver to the AWARE Shelter, a facility to assist women and children who are victims of abuse, in the fall of each year.

Men’s Breakfast A congenial group of men assemble Saturday mornings to share breakfast and lively conversation. Anyone with any sort of affiliation to the

Church of the Holy Trinity or just an interest in fellowship is welcome to join the Holy Trinity Men’s Breakfast group every Saturday morning.

Glory Hole Once a month members of Holy Trinity get together to cook and serve a meal at the Glory Hole Shelter and Soup Kitchen, which serves the homeless population of Juneau.

Prison Ministry For many years Holy Trinity parishioners have supported ministries dedicated to assisting the inmates of the local state-operated prison facility, the Lemon Creek Correctional Center. These efforts currently include work to establish Haven House, a faith based half-way house for women inmates newly released from prison. They also include visitation with prisoners, prayer meetings with women residents of Gastineau Human Services’ half-way house, and financial support for the prison chaplain at Lemon Creek Correctional Center.

Head Start Food Ministry Approximately twice a month Holy Trinity distributes supplementary food to families of Head Start students in need. The congregation brings non-perishable food to church on Sundays, and our paid membership at the Juneau Food Bank allows volunteers to add perishables to food boxes that are packed and delivered to the homes of ten to twenty students. Our coordinator is in telephone contact with the families so that we are aware of any special needs or allergies. Once a month the box also includes a book for each child in the family from Friends of the Library used book store.

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Mustard Seed The Mustard Seed is an on-site “upscale, previously-owned goods” shop, staffed by volunteers, offering a wide variety of household and gift items. Most of the stock is donated by the congregation and friends, and the remainder is purchased from garage and estate sales. The money earned goes to Holy Trinity for “off budget” expenses.

The other important part of the Mustard Seed’s ministry is outreach to the neighborhood and the community-at-large. Young people setting up their first homes, legislative aides furnishing temporary apartments, and people on tight budgets looking for gifts are among our steady customers.

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What We Seek in a Rector

We are seeking a rector with strong leadership skills who has the capability to motivate and inspire others through effective preaching and communication.

We desire a rector who demonstrates•Integrity•Open-mindedness•Inclusiveness•CommonSense•ASenseofHumor•Christ-Centeredness•Wisdom•AWillingnesstoDelegate•AnAbilitytoEmpowerOthers•AnIntergenerationalOutlook•ADesiretoSeekCommunityInvolvement

We would like our rector to be a person who is•Genuine•Caring•Compassionate•Reliable•Respectful•Kind•Reverent

Responsibilities to be assumed by the rector include•PreachingandSpeaking•ProvidingSpiritualLeadership•ProvidingPastoralCare•InvolvingYouth•PromotingOutreach•SupportingExistingMinistries•ProvidingChristianEducation

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Our Dream for the Future

In preparation for our search we asked members of the congregation four questions: What aspects of our parish life are most important to you personally? What are we doing well? What could we do better? What would you like to see Holy Trinity do that we are not doing now? Several themes emerged.

People repeatedly said that meaningful and moving services, strong preaching, the musical and other artistic content of our services, and having a variety of options for services are very important to them. Our members value our support of the arts, particularly our partnership with Theatre in the Rough. They also value being part of an open, welcoming, non-judgmental religious community.

As for things we do well -- our ability to face adversity and survive ranks high on the list. Our broad range of service programs to the community, which we were able to maintain even through the years when we were displaced by the fire, is also a strength. Our care for each other and acceptance of others stand out for many as part of our core identity.

When it comes to what we could do better, our members noted that, while we have done well with respect to fund-raising for our new facility, we need to encourage more pledging and greater levels of giving so that we can afford the programs and services we’d like to see, starting with a full-time priest. We also recognize a need to do more to welcome community members into our parish -- to

show them that we aren’t the “frozen chosen.” We want to expand the educational programs that we can offer both youth and adults and to make our service more user-friendly, especially to those who aren’t familiar with the Episcopal liturgy. Similarly, we want to vary our services and service music to appeal more to youth and to those who appreciate gospel, blues and praise music. Finally, we want to strengthen our church’s efforts to help those in the community most in need.

In essence, our dream for the future is to maintain our current outreach efforts, restore a strong adult education and youth program, and expand our membership so that we can fulfill our calling to love God, love our neighbors and change the world.

Our Community

Juneau, the capital of Alaska, has a population of approximately 32,000. More tourists visit Juneau each year than any other Alaskan city. Our stunning location on the Gastineau Channel in Alaska’s Southeast panhandle is mountainous and coastal at the same time. The natural beauty invites a love of the outdoors and is what keeps most Juneauites living here. Juneau is home to five different species of salmon, crab, scallops, shrimp and other wild seafood; fishing still plays an important role in the local economy and our palate.

Juneau’s original inhabitants were Tlingit Indians who still make up approximately 12%

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of the population and play an influential role in the community through art, dance, politics, and land ownership.

Gold seekers established a townsite here in 1880. Gold is still a critical element of our local economy. Two large active mines -- Greens Creek and Kensington -- contribute significantly to the local payroll and tax base. Hydroelectrically produced power allows Juneau clean, low cost energy.

The average age of our residents is 38. Our population includes slightly more males than females (51% males versus 49% females). The average household income is about $80,000 a year. Housing is scarce and expensive, with an average mean price for a home at almost $300,000. Fortunately, Holy Trinity is able to provide a four bedroom rectory across the street from the church as housing for our parish priest.

Our easily accessible Mendenhall Glacier is a tourism highlight and one of many stunning hiking destinations. Juneau is blessed with more than 100 hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails, and a wide variety of other recreational activities including a city-owned ski resort, a hockey rink, two aquatic facilities, and multiple boat harbors.

It should be noted that some of what may be considered unique aspects of the capital city can also be potential challenges. Juneau is accessible by air or by ferry but there isn’t a traditional road connecting us to the rest of the continent. This makes vehicle travel in or out of Juneau more challenging, and raises the cost of living as nearly everything must be shipped by barge or

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air. Southeast Alaska is a temperate rainforest. While we enjoy world-renowned clean air and water, it also rains approximately 100 inches per year. Our exposure to sun is limited during the wintertime; in the summer, daylight lasts past 10 p.m. Some people find it difficult to adjust to these swings.

Juneau has an excellent school system serving approximately 5000 students in six elementary, two middle, and two comprehensive high schools. In addition, there is an alternative high school, a charter school, and a Montessori program. Strong special needs programs are also available, as well as opportunities for gifted and talented students.

Juneau is the regional economic hub for Southeast Alaska, as well as the state capital. We therefore enjoy more services and social activities than a town of 32,000 would normally possess. These include a high quality community hospital, a wide variety of educational offerings through the University of Alaska Southeast, and community outreach programs sponsored by federal and state agencies. The arts community is especially strong, with a wide assortment of concerts, plays, festivals, lectures, exhibits and other events throughout the year.

In short, Juneau is a lively community with great opportunities to enhance the life of an individual or family. If you would like to learn more about Juneau, you may want to do some research online.

To learn more about Juneau as a tourist destination, click on: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-191501869-juneau_vacations-i

Find out more about Juneau’s rich artistic community at the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council website: http://jahc.org

The City & Borough of Juneau’s website has some wonderful information on the lower left hand side of the home page, including area maps, census statistics and information on Juneau’s history: http://www.juneau.org

Of course Wikipedia also has a lot of information you might enjoy checking out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_and_Borough_of_Juneau

VESTRY

Michael Lushkin, Senior WardenAaronElmore,JuniorWardenBill AndrewsBill DwyerPamela FinleyAdele HameyMaryAliceMcKeenJonPollardAudrey White

SEARCH COMMITTEE

Bob Van Slyke, ChairAnnGiffordBrendaHewittSteve McPhetresJoyceSarles

Contact Information

Address:415FourthSt.,Juneau,Alaska99801Phone: (907)586-3532Fax:(907)463-5207Email: [email protected]: http://trinityjuneau.org/

Appendix A: Budget

Appendix A

TotalIncome 4000 Income 4010 In Kind Contributions 2,000.00 4020 Fundraising 16,000.00 4200 Loose Plate 5,000.00 4250 Regular Giving 20,000.00 4300 Pledge 113,000.00 4400 Rental Income 20,000.00Total Income $ 176,000.00Gross Profit $ 176,000.00Expenses 6000 Expenses 6100 Church Building 6101 Electricity 22,000.00 6103 Maintenance/Repair 2,000.00 6104 Water/Sewer 1,200.00 6105 Garbage 500.00 6106 Liability/Hazard Insurance 18,300.00 6107 Snow Removal 0.00 6108 Custodial Supplies 500.00 6109 Fire Alarm 700.00 6111 Building Loan Interest 12,000.00 Total 6100 Church Building $ 57,200.00 6200 Rectory 6201 Electricity 1,200.00 6202 Heating Oil 6,000.00 6203 Maintenance/Repair 2,000.00 6204 Water/Sewer 1,000.00 6208 Garbage 250.00 Total 6200 Rectory $ 10,450.00 6300 Office Expense 6301 Advertising 1,000.00 6302 Bank Charges 600.00 6304 Postage 500.00 6305 Supplies 500.00 6306 Telephone/Modem 2,500.00 Total 6300 Office Expense $ 5,100.00 6400 Church Programs/Outreach 6401 Cooperative Church Council 50.00 6402 Deanery Support 1,000.00 6403 Diocesan Support (15%) 6,500.00 6404 Glory Hole 1,200.00 6406 FOOD Ministry 400.00 6407 Prison Ministries 2,400.00 6408 Diocesan Convention 1,500.00 6409 Visitor's Ministry 250.00 6410 Deanery Travel 1,250.00 Total 6400 Church Programs/Outreach $ 14,550.00

Church of the Holy TrinityBudget Overview: 2013 Budget - FY13 P&L

January - December 2013

6500 Worship 6501 Altar Guild Supplies 200.00 6502 Choir Supplies & Music 0.00 6504 Supplies/Bulletins 2,600.00 Total 6500 Worship $ 2,800.00 6600 Education 6601 Adult 200.00 6602 Children 250.00 6603 Youth 250.00 6604 Subscriptions 150.00 Total 6600 Education $ 850.00 6700 Fellowship 6701 Newsletters 0.00 6702 Shrove Tues./Easter/Thanksgivin 250.00 6703 Trinity Picnic/Block Party 100.00 6704 Fellowship Other 0.00 Total 6700 Fellowship $ 350.00 6800 Clergy Support 6801 Health & Life Insurance 0.00 6802 Pension 3,640.00 6803 Ftr. Wilson Housing Allowance 0.00 6804 Rector Stipend 14,000.00 6805 Supply Clergy 1,200.00 6806 Clergy Expenses 0.00 6807 Interim Housing Allowance 14,000.00 6808 Interim Travel & Moving Expense 5,000.00 6809 Search Committee Expenses 8,000.00 6810 Moving Expense - New Rector 12,000.00 Total 6800 Clergy Support $ 57,840.00 6900 Support Ministries 6901 Custodial Contract 3,000.00 6902 Nursery 0.00 6903 Organist Salary 3,975.00 6904 Parish Administrator 7,440.00 6905 Payroll Expenses 1,250.00 6906 Worker's Compensation 900.00 Total 6900 Support Ministries $ 16,565.00 Total 6000 Expenses $ 165,705.00Total Expenses $ 165,705.00Net Operating Income $ 10,295.00Net Income $ 10,295.00

Monday, Mar 04, 2013 12:07:22 PM PST GMT-9 - Cash Basis

Appendix B: New Rector Survey

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Appendix B

SURVEY – NEW RECTOR

The Search Committee is seeking your views regarding the Responsibilities, Competencies, Attributes, and Personal Qualities that should be considered in choosing a new rector for Holy Trinity. Please help us be completing this survey document. The document was developed following the meeting on January 9, in which 32 persons participated in a process to identify items deserving of consideration in developing a parish profile, an application packet, and in evaluating applicants. While some items may be self-evident and may be overlap of items, it was felt that all items offered deserved inclusion, if possible.

The survey form will be made available via e-mail, U.S Mail, or in the Narthex at the Church. Completed forms will be handled in a confidential manner to the degree possible, and the Search Committee will not know the identities of respondents. Forms received will be handled by the secretary and any identifying information will be removed before forms are made available to the committee. Completed forms may be returned via e-mail, fax, U.S. Mail. or hand delivered to the Church Office.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Consider each of the items below. Please rate each one in terms of importance to you, entering beside each item a 4 for Very Important , a 3 for Important, a 2 for Somewhat Important, or a 1 for Not Important

Christian Education _____ Preaching/Speaking _____Counseling _____ Family Activities _____Fund Raising _____ Outreach _____Home Visits _____ Spiritual Leadership _____Involving Youth _____ Supporting Existing Ministries _____Managing _____ Teaching _____Pastoral Care _____

In considering the above items, please list the three that are most important to you in the spaces provided below.__________________________ _________________________ __________________________

ATTRIBUTES


A Discerner _____ Inclusive _____Available _____ Has Intergenerational Outlook _____Christ-Centered _____ Liturgically Flexible _____Common Sense _____ Open Minded _____Integrity _____ Seeks Community Involvement _____Empowers Others _____ Sense of Humor _____Evangelist _____ Supporter of the Arts _____Ecumenical Outlook _____ Thinker, Scholar _____Growth Oriented _____ Wise _____Grounded in Church History, Willing to Delegate _____

Bible, Liturgy _____


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COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS


Administrative Skills _____ An Effective Preacher _____Ability to Inspire Others _____ Leadership Ability _____Ability to Motivate Others _____ Understanding Finance _____An Effective Communicator _____


PERSONAL QUALITIES

Consider each of the items below. Please rate each one in terms of importance to you entering beside each item a 4 for Very Important , a 3 for Important, a 2 for Somewhat Important, or a 1 for Not Important

Caring _____ Flexible _____ Perceptive _____Compassionate _____ Friendly _____ Reliable _____Empathetic _____ Genuine _____ Respectful _____Energetic _____ Kind _____ Scholarly _____Enthusiastic _____ Outgoing _____ Tolerant _____Faithful _____ Patient _____ Welcoming _____


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------With respect to social issues, I prefer a rector who is ____liberal,____moderate, ____ conservative.

With respect to liturgical issues, I prefer a rector who is____liberal,____moderate,____, conservative.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Comments:

Please return the completed form to the Church Office, Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity, 415 Fourth Street, Juneau 99801. Fax to: 907-463-5207. E-,mail to: [email protected]. Or deliver in person.

It will be most helpful to the committee if completed survey forms are returned no later than February I0.

Thank you.

WEIGHTED SCORES

RESPONSIBILITIES COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

Christian Education 72 Administrative Skills 74Counseling 82 Ability to Inspire Others 114Fund Raising 64 Ability to Motivate Others 101Home Visits 62 An Effective Communicator 124Involving Youth 99 An Effective Preacher 113Managing 84 Leadership Ability 105Pastoral Care 103 Understanding of Finance 73Preaching/Speaking 111Family Activities 75 PERSONAL QUALITIESOutreach 97Spiritual Leadership 116 Caring 107Supporting Existing M 91 Compassionate 106Teaching 81 Empathetic 89

Energetic 81ATTRIBUTES Enthusiastic 83

FaithfulFaithful 105

A Discerner 88 Flexible 95Available 89 Friendly 91Christ-Centered 101 Genuine 123Common Sense 111 Kind 101Empowers Others 89 Outgoing 82Evangelist 58 Patient 89Ecumenical Outlook 82 Perceptive 93Growth Oriented 90 Reliable 93Grounded in Church H 80 Respectful 102 Bible, Liturgy Scholarly 74Has Intergenerational 94 Tolerant 97Inclusive 114 Welcoming 107Integrity 119Liturgically Flexible 82Open Minded 116Seeks Community Inv 108Sense of Humor 112Supporter of the Arts 76Thinker, Scholar 81Wise 99Willing to Delegate 92

Appendix C: Parish Community Survey

The Church of the Holy Trinity Our Parish Community Survey -- Summary of Results

March 2013

In preparation for our search for a new priest for Holy Trinity we asked members of the congregation four questions: What aspects of our parish life are most important to you personally? What are we doing well? What could we do better? What would you like to see Holy Trinity do that we are not doing now? Several themes emerged.

People repeatedly said that meaningful and moving services, strong preaching, the musical and other artistic content of our services, and having a variety of options for services are very important to them. Our members value our support of the arts, particularly our partnership with Theatre in the Rough. They also value being part of an open, welcoming, non-judgmental religious community.

As for things we do well -- our ability to face adversity and survive ranks high on the list. Our broad range of service programs to the community, which we were able to maintain even through the years when we were displaced by the fire, is also a strength. Our care for each other and acceptance of others stand out for many as part of our core identity.

When it comes to what we could do better, our members noted that, while we have done well with respect to fund-raising for our new facility, we need to encourage more pledging and greater levels of giving so that we can afford the programs and services we’d like to see, starting with a full-time priest. We also recognize a need to do more to welcome community members into our parish -- to show them that we aren’t the “frozen chosen.” We want to expand the educational programs that we can offer both youth and adults and to make our service more user-friendly, especially to those who aren’t familiar with the Episcopal liturgy. Similarly, we want to vary our services and service music to appeal more to youth and to those who appreciate gospel, blues and praise music. Finally, we want to strengthen our church's efforts to help those in the community most in need.

In essence, our dream for the future is to maintain our current outreach efforts, restore a strong adult education and youth program, and expand our membership so that we can fulfill our calling to love God, love our neighbors and change the world.

Our Parish Community -- Meeting February 24, 2013 and comments through March 3, 2013

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The Search Committee asked people to respond to the questions below, focusing on the following areas of our church life: Stewardship. Worship, Education, Evangelism, Pastoral Care and Service (SWEEPS). Here is a summary of their comments:

What aspects of our parish life are most important to you personally?

People repeatedly identified the same things in the same or similar words:

Worship: meaningful and moving services, meaningful sermons; having a variety of options, with and without music; services that are artistic and encourage this; our lovely music

Service (outreach): our partnership with Theatre in the Rough; our support of the arts

Community (not easily classified in terms of the SWEEPS acronym, but people returned to this theme again and again): Being part of a nurturing, open, welcoming and nonjudgmental community;fellowship

Other non-categorized comments:

Walk your faith seven days a week; spiritual growth

What are we doing well?

Stewardship: Fund raising, survive on a limited budget,Worship: Variety, Wildflower Court, worship services, faithful and committed, lay leadership in interim, music

Education: Godly Play

Pastoral Care: Individual care relationships; involved, caring, accepting congregation; welcoming to community; caring for each other; companionship

Service: Glory Hole, Headstart food boxes, Mustard Seed, Arts, AA, Prayer Shawl, Prison Ministry, use of building for gatherings of diverse groups, patronage of music and performing arts

Non-categorized comments:

Balanced Inward and outward journeyAbility to face adversity - Stick together through thick and thinBeing an open downtown churchInvite all people to participate in servicesJoyful worship in many forms


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We communicate information wellDeal with a crisisOur Bishop said, The spirit is here after singing of the GloriaNonjudgmental inclusiveness and sense of communitySearching for a new priest

What could we do better?

Stewardship: encourage more pledging, greater levels of giving; fund-raising

Worship: services that are a consistent length (not > 70 minutes); services that include music that will appeal to youth; increase the variety of our worship services; better organization during the service, more people trained as LEMS, acolytes, ushers, etc.

Education: many comments expressed a desire to see more Christian education programs for young and old, including Gospel Based Discipleship, centering prayer, and discussion groups on religious topics and our religious beliefs in the context of current world events

Evangelism: let people know that we are here and aren t a frozen chosen church; make our service more user friendly for those who are less familiar with the Episcopalian service; make people feel more welcome, especially those of different ethnicities; support those we don t know as well; be more open and welcoming to the community; find ways to encourage greater community participation in programs and ultimately in worship; attract and retain new members, especially families with children; increase our interaction and cooperation with other denominations and faiths in our community

Pastoral care: better, more consistent plan for visiting parishioners, especially the sick, home-bound or troubled; increase our pastoral care outreach to new and old members

Service (outreach): serve the needy in our church neighborhood


Youth program (listed separately because it cuts across several categories) many comments focused on the desire to offer a strong youth program that includes opportunities for community service, education, and participation in worship

Improve communications among parishioners

Increase opportunities for congregational fellowship; revive coffee hour as an important social time

Do something to attract young families

What would you like to see Holy Trinity do that we are not doing now?


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Worship: Noontime prayer; Reinstitute acolytes (youth and adult); Encourage young people and children to attend; alternate (gospel and youth) worship music; Contemplative service like Taize;Reduce the amount of music at 11:00 to shorten the service, including speaking the psalm sometimes, rather than singing it; A regular, maybe once a month, more contemporary service with contemporary music.

Education: Intergenerational gatherings for time together, Wednesday Suppers, Regular adult education programs, Ecumenical education opportunities, Learning opportunities (church history, bible, etc.), Groups needed

Evangelism: Retain new members, Grow our church family. We are not connecting with people; they come visit but don t stay. Why?

Pastoral Care: Wednesday community suppers

Service: Strong youth program at a time convenient for youth, Step up to help other churches, Youth program with community service component, Prison ministry, More to provide food and shelter to homeless or those most in need, growing our congregation and community, Attract young families


Youth program with community service component to develop leadership and give them a change to make a positive change.Youth program activities that will draw in youth and their friends and will provide wholesome alternatives.Encourage guitar and songs when youth meetActivism re prisons: Charles Campbell s philosophy of not over punishing someone (felons are now a class of persons who are deeply discriminated against, their children end up paying for the sins of the father.)Various Sunday Classes (Godly Play, Bible Studies, Youth Meetings) between services. (10-11 am)Come together as an institution not in emotional waysInstitute a prayer chain

Ideas voiced in discussion:

Raise the level of coffee hourMake church building available for recreational activities for youthIntergenerational Activities (Movies, Game Night, etc)Have more fellowship opportunities for members who attend different services to come togetherReach out to help other denominations, particularly those who helped us in our time of needInvolve adults in helping youth with community service activities designed and led by youth, such as doing home or car repairs for elderly or shut-in


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Sponsor youth-oriented, alcohol-free activities such as open mic, poetry slamHave discussion groups addressing current eventsMusic that is youth friendlyPlay groups for young mothers during the dayBible Study and groups during the daySunday classes for children who will be beyond Godly Play age (6th to 8th grades)Sunday classes between services for both adults and youth -- possibly ecumenical, or involving multiple options including music explorationInstitute services that have youth/community appeal: praise songs, ecumenical music, blues and gospel, U2charistConcern for comfort level of young children in worshipReplace microphones for service leaders so that elders can hear serviceRestore the commentary on the lessons in the bulletin and conduct discussion of commentary before serviceInstitute a lunch group with a focus on healthy heating and a spiritual component (similar to program implemented by church in Ketchikan)

Respectfully submitted by Ann Gifford, Brenda Hewitt and Joyce Sarles

OUR PARISH COMMUNITY

The Search Committee for Holy Trinity's new priest seeks your input on where we are and where we're going as a parish community. Please take a few moments to think about the following questions and comment. You can leave your comments in the box on the table in the lobby outside the sanctuary or slip them under the church office door. Your input is welcome anytime, but if we get it by Sunday, March 3, we will be able to use it in compiling the parish profile that we give to priest candidates and the Diocese.

When you answer the following questions, please provide comments as they occur to you on any or all of the following areas of our church life: Stewardship, Worship, Education, Evangelism, Pastoral Care, and Service. What aspects of our parish life are most important to you personally?

What are we doing well?

What could we do better?

What would you like to see Holy Trinity do that we are not doing now?

Church of the Holy Trinity Parish Profile

Documents

Transcript of Church of the Holy Trinity Parish Profile