Trinity Episcopal Church, Mobile AL

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH MOBILE, ALABAMA 2020 PARISH PROFILE

TABLE OF CONTENTS LETTER TO THE READER OUR HISTORY BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS TRINITY DEMOGRAPHICS OUR TRADITIONS – WORSHIP CHRISTIAN FORMATION SERVICE AND OUTREACH PARISH LIFE AND FELLOWSHIP PARISH FINANCES DIOCESE OF THE CENTRAL GULF COAST OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND PROGRAMS OUR HOPE FOR OUR NEXT RECTOR

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Trinity Episcopal Church Established 1845

Dear Friend, The members of Trinity Episcopal Church, Mobile, invite you to learn more about our parish. This parish profile was created by our Search Committee to give all a chance to share our sacred space and to learn about our worship, formation, and fellowship opportunities. It is our hope that you are left with a better understanding of who we are, where we have been, and where we hope to be led.

While many hours were put into creating a realistic picture of our parish, it is impossible to do justice to the feeling of community that we share at Trinity. How do you include in these informative pages the comfort when receiving a big hug and smile from Adam during the passing of the peace each Sunday or the joy of watching young Madden pull the food pantry wagon with little brother Owen tagging along during the offertory? We are not sure where to fit in the care Tom gives to greeting parishioners and visitors each Sunday especially helping the elderly through our doors. These parishioners and numerous others make our community unique and are a bigger part of our story than a profile can contain.

Thus, it is our prayer that this profile is simply an introduction. God willing, we look forward to walking this path of discernment with you in the days ahead. Thank you for your interest in our parish.

Peace,

Trinity’s Search Committee Anne Gill (chair) Bradley English Pat Rodgers

Laurent Cadden Steve Flukinger Rita Treutel

Julie Castle Nathan Poole

For more information on Trinity’s search process, please contact Anne Gill at 251-599-3479 and/or annegill3479@gmail.com.

For more information on our parish, please visit www.trinitychurchmobile.org. Trinity can also be found on Facebook (Trinity Episcopal Church Mobile) and Instagram (trinity_episcopal_church).

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OUR HISTORY Trinity is Mobile’s second Episcopal parish. Founded in 1845, the church was started as a “free pew” church that was open to all, poor and affluent. The congregation worshipped for eight years in rented space until Bishop Nicholas H. Cobbs, first bishop of Alabama, called the Reverend Joshua A. Massey to be rector in 1848.

Under Dr. Massey’s leadership, Trinity soon became the largest Episcopal congregation in Alabama and Trinity’s Gothic Revival house of worship was built in 1853-54 at the corner of St. Anthony and Jackson Streets downtown. (The spire and sacristy were added in the 1880’s.) At the same time, Trinity helped form two new congregations—St. John’s Church and the Church of the Good Shepherd.

During the Civil War, Trinity, along with all Mobile churches, fell on hard times; buildings were damaged and records lost. Trinity’s budget began a downward trend, and its communicant strength fell from 520 in 1875 to 285 in 1881.

By 1884, Reconstruction was over, and Trinity began to regain some of its former strength. Trinity celebrated its Jubilee in 1894. In 1913, a cornerstone was laid for a parish house which was to provide space for a Sunday School and other church activities.

In 1925, Mobile was a city of prosperity and its growth was westward. An impressive new Spanishstyle high school had been built on Carlen Street in midtown and immediately enrolled 1800 students.

As neighborhoods changed, Trinity struggled to survive; its membership declined and Trinity was no longer the leading parish in the city. In 1930, plans were made to move Trinity west and property was bought on Dauphin Street, near the new school.

Ground was broken in 1932 for the “Trinity Junior Parish House” which included a chapel and rooms for Sunday School. As the only worship facility in the neighborhood, Trinity was well-attended. After World War II, the nearly century old building was moved from downtown, “brick by brick,” and rebuilt in precise and loving detail at its present location.

By 1955, Trinity was the largest parish in Mobile; and in 1961 a new parish House was built to accommodate the increased membership. In 1970, Trinity became a parish in the new Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast. In the recent decade, Trinity has undergone several upgrades to the sanctuary, including bringing it up to code. In 2020, Trinity Church is celebrating its 175th anniversary.

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BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS Trinity Episcopal Church is located in the heart of Mobile’s historic Midtown neighborhood.

When the church building was moved to its present location, the building was elevated to allow for an undercroft which is used for special projects and storage. A chairlift was added to the church building in the 1980s, but handicap accessibility remains a concern of the parish.

The new site was already home to a parish house that had Sunday School classrooms and a chapel. A new and much larger parish house replaced the older building in 1961. This structure includes the Schroeter Chapel, plus Irving Hall, a kitchen, parish office, the Meginniss Library, a recently renovated parlor, a conference room and classrooms.

Irving Hall serves as a large meeting and dining area for parish functions. With an elevated stage at the north end of the hall, it can host plays, pageants and concerts. The classrooms are located on the second floor along with office and storage space for youth ministries. A children’s chapel is available on the second floor as well.

Between the church and the parish building, the Memory Garden is a place for quiet meditation and the final resting place for the ashes of many parishioner and friends of Trinity.

In 2009, Trinity embarked on a renovation to the sanctuary following a major capital campaign. Our chancel was enlarged to accommodate a new freestanding altar allowing the priest to face the congregation while celebrating the Eucharist. Our gallery was also extended to allow for the organ and choir to be relocated from the chancel area.

On Christmas night 2012, a tornado blew through midtown Mobile causing extensive damage to the sanctuary and Irving Hall. Another renovation project resumed. All of the homes on the block east of Trinity were damaged past occupancy. One lot was already owned by the parish and the two adjacent ones were purchased. These lots are undeveloped today and are mainly used for parking, the parish garden, and outdoor activities.

Trinity Church is well-loved by the parishioners who have been attending services within these walls for generations, as well as by those who have only recently entered through the large wooden doors that open to the world.

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TRINITY DEMOGRAPHICS Our parish survey results, compiled in April 2020, give us a sense of the variety of individuals who make up our community. Our parish is a mix of new parishioners and lifelong parishioners. We are young and old, we are residents of the immediate Midtown neighborhood, and we are also commuters from all points surrounding the Mobile Bay region, some of us passing many other churches on our way to our church home. Some of the results of the parish survey are depicted in the following graphs and tell something of who we are:

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TRINITY DEMOGRAPHICS Ranking of Strengths Desired in a Priest Community outreach Lay ministry development Faith based leadership Traditional liturgy Church administration Preaching Theologian: knowledgeable in scripture/theology Ability to share the Good News Pastoral care Teaching/working with adults Teaching/working with children 0 #3 choice

2 #2 choice

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

#1 choice

Analysis: Trinity wants it all! According to these results, though, we can infer that our parish prioritizes a priest with gifts for pastoral care, preaching, and knowledge of scripture and theology.

OUR PARISH BY THE NUMBERS:

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Members 455 415 424 371 318

Communicants 293 215 230 244 224

Attendance 141 114 112 112 95

Baptisms 6 4 2 4 3

Confirmation 10 4 1 4 8

The staff at Trinity consists of two full-time and three part-time employees. Full-time employees are a Sexton and the Very Reverend Johnny Cook, a retired priest, who is currently serving as our interim rector. Our part-time employees include a financial secretary, a parish administrator, and an organist/choirmaster. A part-time volunteer Parish Nurse, Archivist and Chancellor are also on staff.

Trinity has also been blessed by the service of our vocational deacon, the Reverend Deacon Terry Goff, for many years.

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OUR TRADITIONS - WORSHIP Trinity is an old parish that is continuing to seek new opportunities for ministry. Our worship, Christian formation programs, outreach, and fellowship offerings exemplify our willingness to look at both old and new ways through which to serve the parish and the world around us.

Worship is the heart of our life together as Episcopalians. Holy Eucharist is celebrated at our Sunday and Wednesday services. Rite I and Rite II are both used on a rotating schedule for our Sunday service.

Music is an important part of Trinity’s worship experience.

Installed in 2015, our Goulding & Wood Organ is 30 ranks (prepped for 33 ranks) and is housed with the Choir in the Gallery at the rear of the Nave. While not the largest organ in Mobile, it is the newest.

The choir welcomes members of all ages and understands its most important job is leading the congregation in the Psalm and the hymns. They also sing an offertory or communion anthem each week. Our music is generally traditional.

A faithful group of Lay Eucharistic Ministers, lectors, ushers, oblation bearers, acolytes, Altar Guild, Flower Guild and greeters assists at all Sunday and special services. Our children typically worship with us for all of the service or for the Holy Eucharist portion. The nursery is open for all children from birth to age 5 during both worship and Sunday School.

On Wednesday evening in Lent, Evening Prayer is conducted prior to a light supper hosted by various church groups. The meal is followed by a Lenten Program. This is well-attended and a popular offering.

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CHRISTIAN FORMATION Trinity is the only church in Mobile that offers Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for its children’s formation. For this reason, we have attracted families looking for intentional method for their children.

Trained catechists and volunteers lead both a Level I (for ages 3 – Kindergarten) and Level II (1st-4th grade) atrium each Sunday from September through May following the Sunday morning service. Our youth in 5th-12th grade gather for a class on church history, liturgy, scripture, and current events.

Adult Sunday School classes are offered following the Sunday morning service. Both clergy and lay members lead these classes. A clergy-led Inquirers Class is also offered annually.

A faithful group meets each Wednesday before the noon Eucharist for Bible study. The group chooses a different book of the Bible to discuss and then slowly works their way through verse by verse.

Our EYC consists of an active, yet small group of youth beginning in 5th grade. Led by a volunteer, the children gather for fellowship, service projects, and formation. Our youth groups conduct an annual Trick or Treat for Hunger to collect canned goods for distribution from our panty to those in need. The group frequently participates in diocesan-wide youth events such as lock-ins, Worship on the Water, and the All Saints Jam. 9|Page

SERVICE AND OUTREACH Trinity has long sought to serve our community and our fellow parishioners. Currently, AA, Weight Watchers and the Shakespeare Club hold meetings here. We also lease Irving Hall and the parish building to a newly planted church, Christ Redeemer. They have been holding services on Sunday evening each week for a little over a year.

Our members serve dinner monthly at McKemie Place, a homeless shelter for women. We also have several members who volunteer with Family Promise. While Trinity does not host families, we assist All Saints’ Episcopal Church by providing meal preparers and evening hosts.

Beginning in 2013, Housing First began serving people who are homeless in Mobile and Baldwin Counties by offering a number of services (legal, medical, hygiene, etc.) in one central location. In 2015, Trinity Episcopal Church was challenged to provide a missing element to this event: coats, 1,000 coats to be exact! Through the combined efforts of Trinity Church, Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, friends of both congregations and the surrounding community, 1,200 coats were collected, hung, sorted and sized, and then freely given to guests who visited Project Homeless Connect.

Since that first year, our collection of gifts has grown in response to the needs of the people. Our 2020 offering included 30 racks of coats, pants, shirts, dress clothes, over 2,000 pairs of socks, baskets of belts, toboggan hats, scarves, blankets, shorts, t-shirts and shoes in varying sizes for men, women and children. We also had ten volunteers (including 2 youth volunteers ages 12 and 7) from both congregations. At the 2020 event, 743 guests were served.

Each week we serve our local community by providing families in need and the homeless with simple staple food supplies. We are open every Monday from 10 am to 2 pm (except holidays).

This past year, we helped 2,173 people. This is an increase of need from 2018 with 1,822 people served. Donations from the parish continue to keep the Food Pantry stocked and open. A list of needed items is in the weekly parish announcements. To bring a greater awareness about this weekly ministry, a little red wagon is pulled through the church aisles during the offertory by our youth to collect food and money donations. In addition to donations, the parish garden provides fresh produce throughout the year. We also have a Parish Food Pantry available for the needs of parishioners who may need food or essential supplies.

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SERVICE AND OUTREACH Pastoral care is an important ministry at Trinity. A volunteer team delivers altar flowers weekly to parishioners, and lay eucharistic visitors offer communion to the homebound and sick. Meals are provided to families with a new baby in the house and to those suffering from illnesses. Our newly instituted Order of the Daughters of the KingÂŽ meets regularly for study and is committed to praying over the and the needs of the parish.

Trinity has a volunteer Parish Nurse on staff to provide a health ministry to the congregation.

She works with community partners and resources to keep the parish informed and aware of health needs and answers. In addition, she makes hospital visits and assists parishioners in preparing Advanced Directives and planning.

Trinity’s dedication to the Diocese and to the Episcopal Church has always been strong, and the Parish history documents a tradition of furnishing an impressive number of Diocesan leaders and seminarians over recent decades. A parishioner will represent the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast at the General Convention this summer. Parishioners serve on Diocesan boards as well. Members of Trinity also serve on the construction team for annual mission trips to the Dominican Republic.

A Visitation Committee, when requested, provides a reception to bereaved families following funerals.

A community garden seasonally provides fresh fruits and vegetables to the food pantry and contributes flowers and greenery under the guidance of the Flower Guild. A swing hangs at its entrance and is frequently occupied by the children of the parish.

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PARISH LIFE AND FELLOWSHIP Fellowship has long been an important aspect of Christian life at Trinity. We enjoy group gatherings at First Sunday breakfasts, coffee and snacks after the Sunday service, Stewardship dinners, the Easter Vigil dinner, and Annual Meeting.

During Advent, our children participate in Joyful Night, a Christmas pageant and potluck supper held on Sunday evening. Recently, we have invited the Christ Redeemer children that worship in our space to join us. Our rectors have often led production of an annual printed Advent Devotional, comprised of personal reflections written and submitted by parishioners.

Long a Trinity tradition, the Children’s Easter Festival is held before the service. Offering an egg hunt, the flowering of the cross, and a light breakfast, this event is a perennial favorite.

The Men’s Cooking Team includes a group of men from the church who serve meals to the parishioners throughout the year. They prepare a First-Sunday-of-the-Month breakfast that is a popular gathering.

They also cook for other events such as the Bishop’s visit, Easter Vigil, and other special events. In December, the men sell Boston Butts to church members, friends, family and members of the community. Money raised is used to maintain the parish kitchen and for other small projects around the church.

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PARISH LIFE AND FELLOWSHIP St. Anne’s Guild meets monthly for fellowship and work projects. Funds generated through these projects are used for outreach, capital improvements in the parish, and the support of parish programs.

We also offer the Y’all Come Supper Club that gathers at local restaurants. Our parish has participated in the diocesan ‘Sharing Your Faith’ dinners hosting several dinners for adults and children to discuss their faith and break bread together.

One of our favorite traditions is our annual Blessing of the Animals held around the feast day of St. Francis each October. Church members and neighborhood friends flock to our grounds with their dogs, cats, and other creatures in hand. Our youth help plan and implement the simple liturgy. The day is a great celebration of all God’s creatures.

Trinity has recently added new fellowship opportunities. Our Theology Book Club meets monthly to choose and later discuss a theological or spiritual book together. In 2019, many of our families participated in the Los Posadas tradition of hosting the holy family through the Advent season. After the holy family traveled to various parishioners’ homes, a family brought them to the nativity manger at the family Christmas Eve service.

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PARISH FINANCES The parishioners of Trinity love their church and give generously of their time, talents and treasures. Like many churches in recent years, Trinity has struggled to attract new members. It is also facing an aging membership which factors into our numbers and the parish finances. However, it is truly amazing how much service is accomplished with the number of parishioners this parish has!

As Trinity’s membership decreased about ten years ago, the parish budget was suddenly forced into a situation of living from month to month. Then the tornado struck on Christmas night of 2012 and all our energy was turned to recovery mode. Fortunately, the insurance paid for most of the repairs, but time was lost that could have been directed to raising funds. As some deferred maintenance issues have arisen over time, the Vestry has had to make some hard choices. We began relying on endowment funds over and above the allocated percentage to cover expenses rather than for special projects as it was originally intended.

Many members support projects and activities financially over and above their pledge commitments. Their pride in the parish’s outreach, projects and programs is a testament of their love for their church and God’s mission for the community in which we reside. This community spirit is contagious and has recently helped us attract some young families with children. We’re hoping this will continue as they get involved in parish activities and spread the word of God’s work happening at Trinity.

Five Year Financial Review (in thousands) Total Operating Fund Income Total Operating Fund Expense Operating Fund Gain/Loss

2019 2020 actual budget $311,577 $311,000 $27,222 $21,250

Pledge Plate/Special Offering Other Income Endowment Distribution Total Income

$89,736 $10,000

$13,100 $15,000

$438,535 $360,350

Salaries and Benefits Utilities Repair and Maintenance Parish Programs Outreach Other Expenses Total Expense

2019 2020 actual budget $213,988 $182,587 $42,070 $43,100 $78,095 $27,760 $9,033 $12,250 $23,748 $22,650 $65,018 $72,003 $431,952 $360,350

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

$417,700 $425,200 ($7,500)

$380,700 $330,600 $50,100

$262,000 $204,900 $57,100

$475,400 $455,700 $19,600

$438,500 $432,000 $6,500

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PARISH FINANCES Trinity’s pledge history appears below. While the number of pledges has fluctuated over the past 6 years, the average pledge per household has increased over that same period by almost 40%.

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Pledge Units 116 108 100 115 94 92

Total Amount $280,708 $297,284 $297,151 $305,584 $316,185 $309,428

Average Amount $2,420 $2,753 $2,972 $2,657 $3,364 $3,363

In 2019, a newly formed Stewardship Committee began their campaign using Project Resource. The committee worked hard to revamp pledge cards and hosted a nice dinner for those in the leadership category of giving. A large contribution of this committee was the recognized need and then implementation of a more intentional social media presence.

Trinity leaders are hopeful that continuing to approach stewardship using this intentional method will reap benefits in the future. We are also hopeful that after the transition to a new rector, church attendance and pledging will increase, stabilizing the budget and strengthening our programs.

Designated Funds as of January 1, 2020 Endowment Fund Gifts and Memorials Other Designated Funds

$59,369 $26,574 $43,358

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DIOCESE OF THE CENTRAL GULF COAST The Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, though officially formed in 1970, traces its origins to an Episcopal presence of over 175 years. The Diocese was constituted from the southern portion of the Diocese of Alabama and the western portion of the Diocese of Florida. This diverse area includes the farms and forests of the interior counties, and the beaches along the coast.

The cities of Mobile and Pensacola have the highest concentration of urban population. Both are active ports of call for ships from all over the world, and both offer a full range of cultural and sporting activities. The Diocesan offices are located in Pensacola, and the Bishop’s seat is at Christ Church Cathedral in Mobile.

The Diocese has three agencies: Wilmer Hall Children’s Home, Mobile; Beckwith Camp and Conference Center, located on Weeks Bay in Baldwin County (AL), a summer camp, environmental education center and year-round conference facility for adults and children; and Murray House, an assisted living facility in Mobile.

For more information on the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, please visit www.diocgc.org.

OUR COMMUNITY History: Mobile was founded in 1702 by Pierre d’Iberville as the first capital of the expansive French Louisiana Territory, and functioned as the center of the territorial administration for its first 18 years. In the 1770s, prior to the American independence, Mobile was governed as a part of the British West Florida colony (East and West Florida being the 14th and 15th recognized New World colonies), and was invited to join the Continental Congress to organize revolution, but declined due to majority Loyalist dependency and leadership. Mobile, one of America’s oldest cities, has retained its southern charm and much of its historical architecture.

The Arts and Entertainment: Due to the city’s location, hunting, fishing and water sports are accessible to all citizens. Mobile is home to several national sporting events including the Azalea Trail Run, Senior Bowl, and Lending Tree Bowl. The City of Mobile also provides its citizens and visitors with a wide selection of museums, theaters, and other performing arts organizations. Mobile is home to the Mobile Symphony Orchestra and the Mobile Opera, each providing diverse performances.

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OUR COMMUNITY Commercial Outlook: Mobile has a diversified economy and is home to Alabama’s only seaport, which is considered one of the busiest ports in America. It is the 12th largest in the amount of tonnage. Anchored by Austal’s Mobile Shipyard, Airbus, and a host of multinational industrial manufacturing sites, the Mobile Bay Area has gained worldwide attention due to is incredible growth and the potential for more in the upcoming years.

Educational Opportunities: Mobile offers a vast array of schools, elementary to college, both public and private. Over 58,000 students are enrolled in the Mobile County Public School System which offers gifted programs such as magnet schools and the International Baccalaureate. There are a number of church affiliated schools: two Episcopal schools (PK-12) and a large parochial system headed by the Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile.

Public institutions of higher education include the University of South Alabama (USA), Bishop State Community College and Coastal Alabama Community College. Spring Hill College, a private Jesuit institution and The University of Mobile, a Baptist affiliated school, offer undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Housing Market: The Mobile residential real estate market is booming. According to Mobile Area Association of Realtors, cost the second quarter of 2019 the median cost of a home purchased in Mobile County was $155,000, well below the national median of $240,900. The Midtown area, where Trinity is located, offers historic homes as well as popular restoration new construction throughout the early 1900s-era former downtown suburb in a wide price range.

More information on the City of Mobile may be found at www.cityofmobile.org and mobilechamber.com.

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OUR HOPES FOR OUR NEXT RECTOR As a parish, we are confident that God’s spirit is already moving to establish a new rector to love and lead our congregation. Even our name, Trinity, speaks to our acknowledgement and adoration of spiritual mysteries, and our belief that God can and does work miracles in the midst of what may seem rudimentary. This search process, for example, is run by a committee that is human. Even with all its limitations and practical structuring, we trust that it can be an instrument of God, meeting both the human and holy needs of those we represent.

We are hopeful to call a rector who, likewise, embraces the mystery of worship, church life, and the sacraments. We desire someone who can simultaneously honor God and his people by faithfully observing the long-standing liturgical traditions of the church, enthusiastically supporting parish activities, and authentically presiding over our Lord’s supper. We seek a rector who, while disciplined in liturgical practices, will celebrate the eucharist with his or her distinctive personality.

We pray to call a servant-leader who is sensitive to the culture of our church and willing to guide us gently, making necessary changes through discernment and consensus building. We acknowledge, at the same time, that our rector will need to be an administrator, someone capable of both demonstrating and yielding authority as is necessary for the health of the church. As Christ demonstrated meekness in his washing of the disciple’s feet, yet strength in his protest in the court of the money changers, we hope for a rector who can be gentle with our church culture, yet strong in the protection of its members and the well-being of its organizational structure.

We pray for a teacher who cherishes scripture and is insightful in its exposition. We are a congregation that appreciates thoughtful teaching that avoids cliché and saccharine truisms. We believe scripture is capable of speaking to us in our time, in our circumstances, in new and unexpected ways, and we look forward each Sunday to discovering the connections between our readings and our lives. We desire a rector who can lead us to those discoveries.

Finally, we pray to call a rector who has a heart for pastoral care. Care at Trinity means many different things. There are the obvious duties, of course: visiting elderly and sick parishioners, praying for and with those among us who are afflicted, and supporting our outreach ministries to those less fortunate.

But apart from these, we also believe care means being accessible, taking the time to stop and talk and fellowship, meeting new church members and visitors for coffee or meals, and in general displaying Christ’s love in the small interactions that make up our lives. We desire a rector who longs to share life with us, among us, as Christ’s body.

We are praying for you as you read this letter. We pray you would have discernment, wisdom, and peace as you seek to find a parish that can be your next spiritual and physical home.

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