Trinity Annual Fund 2023

LETTER FROM THE RECTOR

There is an old saying that “time flies when you’re having fun.” Indeed, it is hard for me to believe that 2022 marked the 10th anniversary of my call to be your Rector here at Trinity Episcopal Church and School. I was 43 years old when my family arrived in August of 2012, and you will recall that in 2012, Trinity had recently been through the “split.” The viability of the parish was anything but certain. But thanks be to God and to the faithful who remained, the church survived and now thrives. Our financial situation and numerical growth improved dramatically. Trinity has more than doubled our average Sunday attendance in 10 years, and our giving has grown by more than 400%. We remain the fastestgrowing parish in the Diocese of Central Florida.

We have had several major milestones over the past ten years. First, we have been blessed by a faithful team of clergy, among them Fr. Jason Murbarger, Fr. Josh Gritter, and Fr. Robert Switz, who are valuable and trusted colleagues. Our lay leadership continues to flourish and grow with our team of Greeters, Welcomers, Ushers, Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, and our very active Daughters of the King. Music continues to be a vibrant part of our parish life together. Our small, but talented and devoted choir under the direction of Dr. Anthony Baron, led us in some of the best sacred music ever written. Finally, our thoroughly Christian Preschool and Kindergarten, which was launched just three years ago with 12 students, has grown to over 60 students and continues to draw young families into the life of our parish. We’ve accomplished a great deal for the Kingdom of God over these past 10 years, which begs the question: where do we go from here?

One exciting development planned for 2023 is the launch of an elementary school at Trinity. The plan is to start with First grade and add an additional grade each year. Many of you know that the public school system is increasingly moving away from the traditional “reading, writing and arithmetic” model to becoming centers oftentimes with an agenda incompatible with the Christian faith. If we are going to move the culture, the Church needs to be at the forefront. If we do not do it, who will? The school is part of our larger mission.

Similarly, 2023 will coincide with developing a Christian Counseling Center here at Trinity Episcopal Church and School. Finding quality counseling is a challenge, and this is especially true when trying to find counseling services with a Christian worldview. Trinity will step into the gap and provide a place for our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and extend it to the Vero Beach community and beyond.

Time does in fact fly when you are having fun, and particularly when we are serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you for trusting me over these past 10 years as your Rector and thank you for being part of an amazing parish family. We’re just getting started! Please prayerfully consider your pledge to our life together for 2023.

With a grateful heart I remain Yours in Christ

Fr. Chris Rodriguez

WHAT IS

THE 2023 ANNUAL FUND?

The Annual Fund provides the yearly operating income for the mission and ministry of Trinity Episcopal Church & School and reflects our call to biblical stewardship. Contributions must be renewed every year with your annual pledge.

Trinity Episcopal Church & School is funded solely by the members and friends of this parish. We receive no money from the Diocese, the Episcopal Church, or any other organization. All of the financial support of our Annual Fund comes from members and friends of Trinity Episcopal Church & School, like you.

THE LAST 10 YEARS IN REVIEW

As we celebrate Fr. Rodriguez’ 10 year anniversary, we reflect on the many ways the Lord has blessed our parish and community. Tremendous growth in attendance and generous giving has allowed Trinity to establish a preschool and kindergarten, and to create better outreach opportunities for the greater community. We look forward to the future and the exciting plans God has in store for expanding our school and furthering the gospel through Trinity in and around Vero Beach. Here’s to another ten successful years!

AVERAGE

ATTENDANCE

CONTRIBUTIONS

10 YEAR TIMELINE

2012

Rector Installed

Fr. Rodriguez relocates from New Jersey and is installed as rector during a Sunday morning ceremony by the Bishop of the Diocese.

2013

First Low Country Boil Initiated by Fr. Rodriguez, Trinity hosts its first Low Country Boil party in the parish hall, complete with shrimp jambalaya! A fun and exciting social event for the church and community.

Fr. Gritter Ordination

The Bishop of the parish visits Trinity to ordain Fr. Gritter to the priesthood.

Keys Visit

After Hurricane Irma comes through the Florida Keys, Trinity helps with a generous financial gift and communal visit. 2017

Securing our Future

Our church raises over $5.5 million in commitments from its members toward an Endowment Fund for our physical church property. These contributions ensure that our campus remains in good repair in perpetuity, providing a safe and beautiful campus for future generations.

2014

First Blessing of the Animals

In partnership with the Humane Society, parishioners bring their pets in to be blessed by Fr. Rodriguez.

Fr. Murbarger’s Ordination

2015

Parishioners gather to witness Fr. Murbarger’s ordination to the priesthood.

Blessing of the New Roof

Fr. Rodriguez blesses Trinity’s new roof, a multiyear project made possible by generous parishioners.

2016

Diocesan Convention

Trinity is honored to host the Diocesan convention, which is held every 2-3 years for all the clergy serving in Central Florida. The bishop leads the multi-day convention with special services, fellowship, and voting.

Choral Scholars Program Founded

The Choral Scholars Program invites high school students to sing with the Church choir, learn advanced musicianship skills and about the church and liturgy.

2019

Dunk a Priest at Walking Tree

Trinity organizes this fun, unique fundraiser to support veterans in Indian River County.

Trinity Episcopal Preschool Established Trinity fulfills a community need for a safe, grounded, and value-centered preschool with outreach opportunities.

Bounce Back to School Event

Kindergarten Launch

Preschool Community Parade

Children are introduced to community helpers and practice their expressions of appreciation.

An exciting addition is established to the preschool in response to a need for a valuecentered school serving children ages 5-6.

Chapel Renovation Updates to our Chapel reinvigorate this sacred space. 2021

Trinity welcomes students and families back to school and provides an avenue for connection with a playful event with face painting, bouncy houses, food, and games. 2022

LOOKING AHEAD

School

Trinity looks forward to growing our education ministry by establishing an all-grade-level school as an alternative option for Indian River County families. The grade school will be built on the same foundations as our successfully growing preschool and kindergarten program providing an environment where children can grow up learning through discovery and the love of Jesus Christ. Through the school, we hope to serve young families who lack a local church and further the gospel message of Jesus Christ throughout Vero Beach.

Counseling Center

Trinity has become acutely aware of the need for biblically-based Christian counseling for our parish and the greater community of Vero Beach. Therefore, Trinity will soon establish an on-campus counseling center to serve those in need.

OUR PARISHIONER’S THOUGHTS ON TRINITY’S FUTURE

I’m excited for what the future holds: continuing to reach out into the community spreading the good word and inviting people to come to Trinity. Also, I’m thrilled that we now have a preschool with the possibility of increasing grade levels, providing an education grounded in Christ.

Chalmers Morse

I have been a member of Trinity for 21 years. I am proud to be a member, as I think we are as strong as I can ever remember. We have great clergy and staff and are financially sound. I'm most proud of what I hear coming out of the pulpit every Sunday and happily recommend that others come to hear for themselves.

Dr. Johnson Hagood

I am very excited about our preschool that is growing and helping to raise up young ones with the knowledge and love of Jesus. I see this school as a stepping block to the next generation of Christians and am hopeful this will help us grow with new families.

Susan Miller

I’m excited that at Trinity our Rector, Father Rodriguez, consistently guides us as parishioners to seek to change the world holding consistent with our faith and Biblical teachings in opposition of permitting the culture to change our Christian traditions and heritage. These truths proclaimed by our priests have resulted in the growth of Trinity’s membership of people of all age groups.

Lee Rodgers

*A Ministry Budget is a budget that breaks the expenses down into allocations for ministry and mission priorities.

KEY DATES

January 15th ........................ Annual Fund Launch January 29th ............................... Annual Meeting February 5th .................... Commitment Weekend

Please mail the enclosed Annual Fund Campaign card to Trinity Episcopal Church and School or bring it to church and place it in the collection plate on Commitment Weekend.