The Lobsters Are Coming!
Part of sales help benefit Teach Them to Fish ministry
BY BEN HILLYERGive someone a fish and you feed them for a day. Sell that person a lobster ticket, and you could invest in the future of Trinity Church.
How, you might ask? By giving Trinity’s youth the opportunity to grow in Christ by helping others learn how to fish for life.
Part of the proceeds from the 2023 Claws for a Cause will go to a ministry called Teach Them to Fish Microindustries. This ministry is partnered by the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi and the Diocese of Honduras.
Teach Them to Fish encourages skilled Mississippians to go to Honduras to teach those in need trades and skills that can support them for a lifetime.
In partnership with Teach Them to Fish, Trinity will use funds from Claws for a Cause to send youth — ages 14 and above — on a mission trip to Honduras to help teach skills and foster
discipleship. The youth will join adults from Trinity and Natchez who will share their skills and trades.
Claws for a Cause co-chairs Sarah Whitman and Melinda Ballard see the partnership as an opportunity to open the eyes of youth to a life of service and, in turn, a way to form the next generation of Trinity Church.
“It helps our young people make the connection between what we hear every Sunday, and what they should do and how they should think,” Whitman said.
“It helps them to see,” Ballard said.
Now is the time to invest in our youth, Ballard and Whitman said.
“I know we don’t have very many young people at Trinity Church, but we have to start somewhere,” Ballard said.
“You never know if one of our children has a buddy who, when he hears about this ministry, may say, ‘That’s awesome,’” Whitman said. “Next thing you know, their family is coming to our church.”
Funds will help local Santas for Seniors ministry
BY MELINDA BALLARD, CLAWS FOR A CAUSE COCHAIRSantas for Seniors is an outreach program that develops friendships, creates fellowship and experiences the joys of giving.
This year a portion of the funds raised from Claws for a Cause will benefit Santas for Seniors.
Santas has grown from providing Christmas gifts to Adams County Nursing Home residents. The program has expanded to monthly birthday parties, adding Natchez Rehab residents, and, last year, helping with indigent patients who were admitted without family.
We help with their needs for basic living: clothing, under clothing, hygiene supplies and items for joy, such as snacks, games, a special blanket, whatever it is that they want.
With the added funds from Claws this year, we are hoping to add Glenburnie Nursing Home to our list of special residents and to expand into the community with the help of a few home health agencies.
Our goal has always been to touch lives and add joy… a smile, a hug, a conversation… for a resident to just not feel forgotten. All the other stuff is just the icing on the cake.
Where: Trinity Church, 305 S. Commerce St.
Support Two Outreach
Outsanding Ministries:
• Teach Them to Fish (in Honduras)
• Santas for Seniors (in Natchez)
Cost of Tickets
• Lobster (with trimmings): $55
• Chicken (with slaw and baked beans): $20.
• Hamburger (with chips): $10.
Meals available to-go or to be eaten at the event.
Where to Buy Tickets
• At the Trinity Church office
• Call 601-445-8432
• From Trinity members
• Go online to TrinityNatchez. org and click on Claws for a Cause.
Deadline for All Sales
• SUN., MAY 7, FOR ALL TICKETS.
For Sale at the Event
• Soft drinks, water, wine, beer, snow cones
• Claws souvenir visors, hats, aprons, koozies
• Copies of Welcome to the Trinity Table
Free of Charge:
LIVE MUSIC, KIDS’ ACTIVITIES, TOURS OF TRINITY
CHURCH, FELLOWSHIP AND FUN!
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200+ Years of Celebrating Faith, Worship, and Service
Springtime Brings Beauty, New Beginnings TRINITY VESTRY NEWS
It’s springtime again in Natchez, and our natural beauty has again been gloriously revealed in our yards and gardens by countless azaleas and magnolias!
Spring, a time for rebirth, is highlighted by Easter, which was recently celebrated in such a beautiful and meaningful manner by both Trinity Church and Christ Church!
Spring is also a time for new beginnings at Trinity.
For personal and family reasons, Vestry member Dan Bland asked to be relieved of his duties. Dan served on the current Vestry for more than two years, and his financial advice has proven invaluable.
We appreciate Dan’s service to Trinity, and we extend to both Dan and Roane
BY JACK STEPHENS, SENIOR WARDEN, TRINITY CHURCH
our very best wishes.
On April 17 the Vestry unanimously elected Carla Raworth Gore to fill Dan’s unexpired term. We welcome Carla and look forward to working with her to help make Trinity all that it can be.
Our Wednesday evening suppers are delightful, and so are the programs afterward that provide insights into various topics.
Of particular interest is the program to be presented May 24 by Peyton Cavin and Hyde Carby. It regards estate planning and tax advantages when giving to Trinity.
Not only will this program be of interest to parishioners, but it will also be important to the long-range financial planning necessary to address
the continuing maintenance and improvement of our church properties and the enhancement of our outreach programs.
We welcome the return of socializing with refreshments in the Callon Garden after our Sunday morning services. That time gives us the opportunity to mingle and get to know each other better.
I encourage all parishioners to take advantage of these offerings and use them to help us know each other better. After the services on Sunday, please don’t rush off. Please linger a while outside the church and make it a point to speak to those that you do not yet know well, and especially speak to our visitors.
Let’s show everyone that Trinity is indeed a friendly church and one where everyone is welcomed! Not only will this simple act of friendship be appreciated by others, it will also enrich your life as well!
Jack Stephens William ThamesTriniTy Family news
Sending Deepest Sympathy…
• To Harvey Collins and his family on the death of his sister, Debbie Collins King, of Dallas, GA (Aug. 9, 1956 - April 4, 2023).
• To Ruth Ellen Calhoun and other members of the family of Ethel Green Banta (Sept. 2, 1933-March 24, 2023), whose Service of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Sat., May 6, at Trinity Church. Visitation is from 9 a.m.-10 a.m. at the church; a celebration of life follows the service at Stanton Hall, 401 High St.
May Birthdays
Kristine Wiley—May 1
Virginia Williams—May 3
Walker Carby—May 4
Paul Brown Harrington—May 4
Hallee Handjis—May 6
Bazile Lanneau—May 6
Mary Drane—May 11
Katherine Whitman—May 12
Parish Prayer List
Brandi Lewis—May 16
Megan Punches Malone—May 17
Vance Custer—May 23
Brooks Harrington—May 23
John Ward Junkin—May 24
Gerry Winters—May 27
Cindy Drane—May 29
Will Smith, Jr.—May 30
Patsy Armstrong, Eileen Ball, Roane Bland, Michael Blattner, Harrison Boyd, David Browning, Coral Byrd, Karen Callon, Pete Cantu, Dudley Carter, Julius Carter, Rhonda Chisholm, Judy Coker, Renee Cooley, Jun Corrigan, Emmalee Cupit, Billy Cuthbertson, Patricia Kling Duffy, Linda Dustin, Edwin Erinne, Tom Ford, Virginia Gamberi, Angela Gardner, Michael Glidden, Kyle Greer, Paul Brown Harrington, Nathalie Harris, Andrew Harriss, Kaiser and Emiline Harriss, Selbourne Johnson, BeBe Jones, Wilson McClain, Tom McNeely, Bill Melzer, Mary Francis Michelle, Dixie Miller, Ginger Mims, Jim Overton, Jinny Patterson, Andrew Peabody, Jeanie Peabody, Stephanie Punches, Elise Ritter, Betty Rogillio, Charlie Seal, Aurora Shane, Elizabeth Swalm, Corky Vess, A. B. Walters, Margaret Watts Walmsley, Katie Adams Watson, Jim Willard, Selah Willard, Norma Williams, all who serve in the United States Armed Forces and the people of Ukraine, Turkey and Syria
ECW Busy Completing Spring Projects
Members of Trinity’s Episcopal Church Women are busy completing spring projects before taking a summer break and gearing up for fall and winter activities.
Members will meet at 10 a.m., Mon., May 1, in Rectors Room of Kuehnle Hall to review a recent ECW activity and finalize details of two upcoming ECW events.
The group provided an Eastertide supper on Wed., April 26, featuring creamy fettuccine and all the trimmings.
Future activities include hosting a hospitality station at Claws for a Cause, 5-8 p.m., Sun., May 21, and hosting a social time in Callon Garden after the church service on Sun., June 4.
During Claws, members will sell copies of the ECW’s award-winning bicentennial book, Welcome to the Trinity Table: Recollections and Recipes Celebrating 200 Years, 1822-2022.
With only a few dozen copies left for for sale at $40 each, the full-color, hardback
BY PAM HARRISS, ECW PRESIDENT, TRINITY CHURCHbook is a treasured keepsake.
It is filled with church history, information about church ministries, hundreds of names of people associated with Trinity Church and many recipes of foods served at church-related events.
Proceeds from book sales go to the Stewpot food bank, a ministry which Trinity Church helped found in 1984. Payment can be by cash, check or credit card.
The book would make a great gift for birthdays, graduation, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
After June 4, the ECW will take a summer break and then resume monthly meetings on Mon., Sept. 11.
Though the usual meeting date is the first Monday of each month, because Sept. 4 is Labor Day, the group will meet on the second Monday of September.
DID YOU KNOW????
ALL LADIES THAT ARE MEMBERS OF TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH ARE MEMBERS OF THE ECW!
Current members would love to have all other Trinity ladies join us. We work for the good of the church and our community providing suppers, luncheons, bridge game parties, bake sales, sales of the Trinity book and more.
At Christmas time in 2022 the ECW donated more than $4,500 to worthy organizations. Raising money from the above projects enables us to make these donations.
Dues are $20 per year. Please consider joining us May 1 at 10 a.m. See you there!
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Rejoice! And Again, I Say, Rejoice! Easter at Trinity
BY THE REV. KEN RITTER, RECTOR OF TRINITY CHURCH
Rejoice in the Lord always: And, again, I say, Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4-7)
Easter weekend at Trinity April 8-9, 2023, was indeed a time to rejoice!
Large numbers of worshippers attended Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday services and Trinity Church rose to the occasion.
Many thanks go to all the volunteers who helped make the celebration of the risen Lord so very special.
While I thanked everyone and every group that I could think of at the Easter services who helped with Holy Week, I wish to acknowledge one group again here—our wonderful choir. The choir is directed by Dr. Byron Johnson, Associate Professor of Music at Alcorn State University, and accompanied at the organ by Dr. Patrick Doherty.
The music they provided Easter weekend was exemplary.
Especially complicated was a beautiful Mozart anthem sung in Latin, “Sancta Maria, mater Dei.” For months, the choir studied and rehearsed that music and other selections especially to enhance Easter services.
Two very talented choir members are Alcorn State University honors students. These music majors will complete the spring semester in mid-May.
Soprano Azaria Darneaud, a junior at Alcorn, will return to the Trinity choir next fall. Tenor Byron Morris, a senior, will graduate in May and move away from southwest Mississippi.
We thank them for sharing their talents with Trinity Church.
And thanks be to God for all who contribute so much to make Trinity a warm and welcoming haven for worship.
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Acolytes serving Easter Sunday were, front row from left, Wilkes Roberts and Stella Roberts; second row from left, Lillian Lewis, Jane Carby and Kathryn Carby; and third row from left, Walker Carby, Philip Carby and Daniela Corrigan. Not pictured is acolyte Gibson Hillyer, who was the live stream technician for that service. (Photo by Philip Carby ) The Light of Christ from into the darkened nave.
Children scramble to pick le Hall after wet conditions
Azaria Darneaud
Byron Morris
A crowded Christ Church in Church Hill celebrates Easter.
The Rev. Ken Ritter
Was Glorious, Thanks to Many!
Trinity Continues to Celebrate Eastertide 2023 with Wednesday Gatherings
Easter season continues through Pentecost Sunday, May 28, and Trinity’s popular Wednesday evening gatherings continue as one way to acknowledge the special season.
Centered prayer, led by the Rev. Geoffrey Butcher on the second floor of Kuehnle Hall, is from 4:30 p.m. to 5:25 p.m.
A healing service with Eucharist is in the church at 5:30 p.m. on all Wednesdays but third Wednesdays, when a contemporary worship service is in Rectors Room of Kuehnle Hall.
A free supper is served in Rectors Room of Kuehnle Hall at 6 p.m.
After supper, beginning about 6:40 p.m. in Rectors Room, is an interactive program on varying subjects.
The Wednesday evening programs planning committee members have organized the following programs in May:
4 Wed., May 3: Mary Foster Parmer of Natchez will present material based on her internationally acclaimed ministry: Invite, Welcome, Connect. Assisting will be the Rev. Tommy Dillon, rector of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Baton Rouge.
4 Wed., May 10: Tom Welch, a Jackson, Miss., native who is now director of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew with offices in Louisville, Ky., will present a program about the Brotherhood.
4 Wed., May 17: Adam Gwin and Eileen Ball, both of Trinity Natchez, will discuss Anglican prayer beads and teach people how to create them.
4 Wed., May 24: Hyde Carby and Peyton Cavin, also of Trinity Natchez, will discuss estate planning and avenues of charitable giving to Trinity Church. (See related story in this issue, “Giving to Trinity 101.”)
Suppers are provided by teams each week. Anyone willing to help with supper should contact Adam Gwin (adam@ gwinfinefurniture.com).
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Trinity
from the Christ candle leads the Easter Vigil procession
pick up Easter eggs in the second floor hallway of Kuehnconditions forced the hunt inside.
Colton Cavin picks up a few Easter eggs with a little help during the egg hunt.
John Graham Laukhuff places a flower in the Easter cross on Easter Sunday.
Mindi DeLancey talks about the mission Teach Them to Fish during one of Trinity’s Wednesday Easter programs.
Dr. Ed Bond talks about slavery and the formation of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi during a Wednesday program.
Parishioners light their candles from the Christ Candle at the beginning of the Easter Vigil service.
PHOTOS BY BEN HILLYER, EXCEPT WHERE NOTED
Sunday Seekers Class to Continue Discussing Wisdom from Mary
BY KATHLEEN BOND, CLASS FACILITATOR
The Sunday Seekers class will continue conversations around Birthing the Holy: Wisdom from Mary to Nurture Creativity and Renewal by Christine Valters Paintner. The class meets in Rectors Room of Kuehnle Hall at 9:15 a.m. each Sunday.
Each week we discuss one of the book’s short chapters.
May 7: Star of the Sea: She Who Helps Us Navigate
May 14: Morning Star: She Who Awakens the World
May 21: Seat of Wisdom: She Who Knows
May 28: Mother of Good Counsel: She Who Supports Our Discernment
If you would like to join the class, contact Kathleen Bond ( katbondart@gmail.com , 601-431-0796). All are welcomed to join the class at any point! We have a long way to go.
The Benefits of Centering Prayer
BY THE REV. DR. GEOFFREY BUTCHERSome may ask what the benefits of Centering Prayer are.
The first response is to say that in the actual practice of being quiet and letting go of thoughts one is not seeking the fruits of contemplation.
One is simply being open to the presence of the Spirit without any agenda. The practice is to let go of all thoughts in the prayer as much as one possible.
One might then ask, “What good is this inward-facing path of Centering Prayer if one is not expecting a benefit?” The response could be, “There are benefits, but that’s not the
reason for doing it.”
It is normal for us to think that in any endeavor there should be a benefit for us or for someone else. And indeed, being present for the Spirit in prayer does make a change in us, but we are not in charge of the change.
As a centering prayer presenter has described it, “By resting in Being, I am able to rest my busy mind, the chaotic emotions, and go into the stillness of my body. By resting in Being, I touch base with the deepest parts of myself.”
Keith Kristich goes on to say that questions do emerge about our own practice like, “Am I more open minded as a result of my meditation? Do I truly love those nearest to me?
Am I better able to love my perceived enemies as a result of my centering prayer?”
The hope is that by resting in the Spirit one will become a more loving and compassionate person. But that is the Spirit’s work, not ours.
There are benefits from centering prayer, but we can’t make them happen as a result of our agendas. “Letting go” allows the Spirit to work in us. Often the changes within us are first noticed by friends, not ourselves.
Please join us on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m.-5:25 p.m. in Kuehnle Hall at Trinity Church if you would like to know more about this prayer and practice it with other parishioners.
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Images for Mary Star of the Sea
Learn How You Can Help Trinity Church with Estate Planning, Gifts, Tax Benefits and More
BY HYDE CARBY AND PEYTON CAVINLots of Trinity Church parishioners have questions about giving to Trinity. How should I go about leaving assets to Trinity as part of my estate plan?
How can I make a gift to Trinity that benefits a particular ministry or project?
Do I get an income tax benefit for giving to Trinity?
What about an estate tax benefit?
To answer these questions and more, we’ll present a program to demystify charitable giving and explain various techniques available to benefit Trinity in a tax-efficient way.
Please join us at 6:40 p.m., Wed., May 24, in Rectors Room of Kuehnle Hall for a free presentation about charitable giving that benefits Trinity.
We’ll discuss why to give, how to give and when to give. We’ll include details on the use of trusts, life insurance and retirement
Dates Save the
10 a.m., Mon., May 1: Meeting of the Episcopal Church Women, Rectors Room.
4:30-5:25 p.m., Wed., May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Centering Prayer sessions led by the Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Butcher, second floor meeting room in Kuehnle Hall.
5:30 p.m., Wed., May 3, 10, 24, 31: Healing service with Holy Eucharist at Trinity Church.
6 p.m., Wed., May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Supper in Rectors Room.
6:30 p.m., Wed., May 3: Program by Mary Foster Parmer based on her Invite, Welcome, Connect ministry; Rectors Room.
7 p.m., Thurs., May 4: “The Glorious Sound of Brass” by the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet, presented by the Natchez Festival of Music. $25 at the door.
Hyde Carby, past Senior Warden at Trinity Church and a law partner in Carby & Carby PC, is currently completing an LLM degree in taxation from Georgetown University. Peyton Cavin, treasurer of Trinity Church, is a certified public accountant and a partner in Silas Simmons, LLC, Certified Public Accountants and Advisors.
accounts to fund charitable giving -- as well as details about more advanced charitable giving vehicles.
We’ll also include information about the tax advantages of charitable giving during life and at death and specific charitable giving opportunities for churches.
Come earlier for Centering Prayer at 4:30 p.m.; healing service with Eucharist at 5:30 p.m.; and free supper at 6 p.m. See you there!
10 a.m., Sat., May 6: A Service of Christian Burial for Ethel Green Banta, preceded 9-10 a.m. by a visitation with the family in Kuehnle Hall and afterward by a celebration of her life at Stanton Hall, 401 High St.
9-ish a.m., Sun., May 7, 14, 21, 28: Lectionary class led by Dr. Bruce Scarborough in Calvert Conference Room.
9:15 a.m., Sun., May 7, 14, 21, 28: Sunday Seekers class based on Birthing the Holy: Wisdom from Mary to Nurture Creativity and Renewal by Christine Valters Painter, facilitated by Kathleen Bond in Rectors Room. For information: 601-431-0796.
10:30 a.m., Sun., May 7, 14, 21, 28: Church service with sermon and Holy Eucharist, Trinity Church.
After church, Sun., May 7, 14, 21, 28: Socializing and refreshments in Callon Garden.
12 noon, Wed., May 10: Deadline for news for the June newsletter. Send news to Carolyn.Smith@colin.edu or call 601-4458432.
Directions for Event Placement on Trinity Church’s Web Site Calendar
• Go to the church’s website at TrinityNatchez.org.
• Scroll down to “Church Calendar.”
• On the calendar, click on the green button that says, “Submit Event.”
• Follow the instructions to create and request an event to be placed on the calendar.
• Provide as much information as possible and then submit the request.
• If the event is approved, it will appear on the church website’s calendar.
• This calendar is only for Trinity Church events.
6:30 p.m., Wed., May 10: Program by Tom Welch on The Brotherhood of St. Andrew; Rectors Room.
3 p.m., Sun., May 14: Church service with sermon and Holy Eucharist, Christ Church, Church Hill, Miss.
4:30 p.m., Mon., May 15: Finance Committee meeting, Calvert Conference Room.
5:30 p.m., Mon., May 15: Vestry meeting, Rectors Room.
5:30 p.m., Wed., May 17: Contemporary worship service led by the Rev. Ken Ritter (no healing service), followed by supper and program about Anglican prayer beads by Adam Gwin and Eileen Ball; Rectors Room.
5-8 p.m., Sun., May 21: Claws for a Cause benefit featuring lobster, chicken and burgers; an afternoon street party in front of Trinity Church. Tickets available at church office and online at Eventbrite.
6:30 p.m., Wed., May 24: Program by Hyde Carby and Peyton Cavin about estate planning and ways to give to Trinity Church; Rectors Room.
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Charitable Giving 101:
Meet the Folks Behind the Scenes at 2023 Claws for a Cause
BY SARAH WHITMAN, CLAWS CO-CHAIR WITH MELINDA BALLARDThe following Trinity Church members will chair committees for the 2023 Claws for a Cause. The benefit event will take place 5-8 p.m., Sun., May 21, in the 300 block of South Commerce St. in front of Trinity Church.
4 Entertainment – Bruce Scarborough
4 Ticket and merchandise sales – Ann
O’Bryant and William Thames
4 Food service – Malan and John Parks
4 Beer and wine – Ryan Richardson and Sarah Lindsey Laukhuff
4 Kids’ area – Brandi Lewis
4 Hospitality – Episcopal Church
Women
4 Set up/take down – Men’s Club
4 Publicity – Ben Hillyer
4 Kitchen – Martha Raji
4 Water, sodas and snow cones – Lee Carby
4 Lobster cracking – Hyde Carby
4 Food distribution; “to-go” orders –Ann McDaniel
4 Burger grill masters – Malan and John Parks
Sunday Socializing Is a Hit! Join the Fun!
BY JOHN BALLDozens of Trinitarians and others have attended Sunday Socializing in Callon Garden following the 10:30 a.m. church service on Sundays. Revitalized on April 16, the informal time
May Worship Schedule
at Trinity Church, 305 South Commerce St.
Sunday Services (in-person and livestreamed on YouTube at trinitynatchez.org)
10:30 a.m., Sun., May 7, 14, 21, 28: Service of Holy Eucharist, led by the Rev. Ken Ritter.
Wednesdays (in-person only)
5:30 p.m., Wed., May 3, 10, 24, 31: Service of Holy Eucharist with anointing for healing in the church, led by the Rev. Ken Ritter. 5:30 p.m., Wed., May 17: Contemporary service of Holy Eucharist in Rectors Room, led by the Rev. Ken Ritter.
is highlighted by conversation and light refreshments.
Anyone interested in providing refreshments for upcoming Sundays can call me at 601-8702545. Refreshments do not have to be elaborate. Join the fun! And bring a friend!
Christ Episcopal Church, Church Hill (in-person only)
3 p.m., Sun., May 14: Service of Holy Eucharist, led by the Rev. Ken Ritter.
Connect with Trinity Church and Christ Church
Phone: 601-445-8432 | Fax: 601-442-4939 | Toll-free: 877-214-5400
Email: office@trinitynatchez.org
Jack Stephens, Senior Warden thegrovenatchez@bellsouth.net
William Thames, Junior Warden wathames@gmail.com
Lisa Allain, Secretary melissaallain@bellsouth.net
Website: trinitynatchez.org
Trinity Church Vestry Members
Melinda Ballard melbllard@gmail.com
Ronnie Boutwell aboutthewell@aol.com
Carla Raworth Gore carlargore@hotmail.com
Peyton Cavin, Treasurer Peyton.cavin@silassimmons.comMarion Smith, Trinity Warden carolyn.smith@colin.edu
John Norris, Junior Warden John@wyolah.com
Adam Gwin adam@gwinfinefurniture.com
Meg Hazlip mhazlip49@gmail.com
Ben Hillyer ben@willbhill.com
Christ Church Mission Committee
Eddie Thompson, Bishop’s Warden 601-597-7327
Harvey Collins hhcollins3rd@gmail.com
Tracy Killen killentracy4@gmail.com
Bruce Scarborough goostardmd@gmail.com
Sarah Whitman sarahkatewhitman@gmail.com
Cammie Dale cammiedale@msn.com
Virginia Patterson natchezyaya@gmail.com
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The Rev. Ken Ritter, Rector frken@trinitynatchez.org
The Rev. Ken Ritter, Vicar frken@trinitynatchez.org