Trinity Episcopal Church St. Louis 2023 Annual Report

Agenda for the 169th Annual Meeting of Trinity Episcopal Church St. Louis, Missouri

January 28, 2024

January 28, 2024, Annual Meeting Agenda

1. Welcome and call to order Annual Meeting Trinity Episcopal Church

2. Opening Prayer – The Rev. Dr. Mary J. Korte

3. Clerk of the Vestry – certify voting member list and assure presence of quorum.

4. Acceptance of Minutes from last year.

5. Introduce and thank the nominating committee. Nominating report: present candidates for Vestry and Convention Delegates. Voting.

6. Reports: (Can be accepted by acclamation)

a. Interim Rectors Report

b. Senior Warden’s Report

c. Junior Warden’s Report

d. Deacon’s Report

e. Finance Committee Report

f. Treasurer Report

g. Presentation Of The 2024 Budget

h. Endowment Report

i. Stewardship & Generosity Committee Report

j. Delegates Report

k. Discernment Team Report

l. Trinity Food Ministry Report

m. Arts Committee

n. Acolytes, Readers And Intercessors Report

o. Sacristans Report

p. Ushers Report

q. Pastoral Care

r. Centering Prayer Group

s. Trinity Book Group

t. Film And Fellowship Report

u. Holy Yarn Report

v. Art Club Report

7. Acceptance of Reports For Inclusion In Annual Report.

8. Commissioning of Wardens and members of the new Vestry – The Rev. Dr. Mary J. Korte

9. Thank outgoing and welcome incoming Vestry – The Rev. Dr. Mary J. Korte.

10. General Appreciations and Thanksgiving

11. Adjourn

12. Closing Prayer, Blessing, and Dismissal

Minutes of the 168thAnnual Meeting

January 29, 2023

Call to order

Opening Prayer: Senior Warden Joyce LaFontain called the meeting to order at 12:08 pm in the sanctuary and appointed Liz Maiocco as secretary. The Ven. Harry Leip led us in prayer.

Necrology: Deacon Harry remembered Penelope Biggs, Virginia Benson, George Friesen, and Jim Pfaff, praying for the repose of their souls.

Approval of the minutes: Michael Shepley moved to approve the minutes of the 2022 Annual meeting. Adrienne Fly seconded the motion which was then passed by the congregation.

Business

Election of Vestry Members: Adrienne Fly made a motion to elect Lisa Will Smith for a one year term and Bill Von Glahn to a three year term which was seconded by Lisa Carpenter. Both candidates were elected unanimously.

Election of the Delegates: A motion was made by Faith Sandler and seconded by Anne Henning to elect Joyce LaFontain and Adrienne Fly as delegates - this was passed unanimously by the congregation.

Election of trustees: Lisa Carpenter moved to re-elect Vander Corliss, Barbara Uhlemann, and Jean Freeze as trustees. This was seconded by Michael Shepley and passed unanimously for all three candidates.

Review of 2022 Year End Financials: Barbara Uhlemann summarized the 2022 financials. She noted that pledge income came in $32,000 below budget, which contributed significantly to the deficit for parish operations of $24,000. As well, expenses for utilities and to cover building repairs were higher than originally anticipated. She thanked Lisa Will-Smith and Bill Ader for all the work they do maintaining our property, and noted that while building expenses were $41,000 over the original budget, we had funds in reserve to cover them.

Lastly, she noted we had an unrealized loss of $31,000 in a Schwab account which holds bequest funds due to market conditions. She noted this was a paper loss only as Trinity did not take any money out of the account.

Presentation of the 2023 Budget: Barbara reported the 2023 pledge budget is lower this year based on the results from the stewardship campaign, coming in at $324,000. She explained that as we do not currently know what interim and supply clergy payroll costs may be, they budgeted the same amount for rector salary this year as 2022. Other expenses are based on historical numbers. Barbara also stated that 2023 has a projected deficit of about $49,000, but noted we have the reserves to cover the expenses.

Report of the Trustee: Barbara briefly discussed the Trinity Endowment, stating it has a balance of a little over $1 million. She noted it had lost some value, which was mostly due to market conditions.

TFM Report: The Rev. Dn. Barbi Click noted she is returning from sabbatical refreshed and thanked the parish for holding her in love in prayer over the past year. She acknowledged 2022 was a challenging year, yet despite those difficulties TFM was able to serve more than 3000 people and 3500 hot meals. She addressed concerns regarding the growing number of individuals sleeping on the property, and discussed guidelines she and Father Jon set up for ministering to our unhoused neighbors.

Barbi reported TFM is working at a surplus for the first time in several years. She hopes to get new rolling shelves which will hold grocery items and help make the transition from the pantry to parish hall easier. Barbi also announced that TFM will be reopening on Wednesdays as a cafe from 11am - 1pm. She thanked Cody Burleson, Al Adams, Lisa Carpenter, Fritzi Baker, and everyone who showed up for the pantry.

Junior Warden’s Report: Lisa Will-Smith shared that 2022 was a challenging year of building repairs. She noted that Trinity spent over $54,000 on repairs, including substantial sewer repairs and the re-pavement of the east parking lot. Additional repairs include (but are not limited to) tuckpointing, replacing the handrail near the rector's office, painting and repair of water damage in the hallway and ceiling repair in the North Parish Hall. She also discussed the hiring of a sexton, stating that we have interviewed someone for the position and hope to make an offer within the next few weeks. In 2023 Lisa plans to repair the fence around the property.

Lisa reflected on our responsibility to our community and neighbors, and affirmed Trinity's value of service while maintaining safety for all. She stated her faith that Trinity will pull together to find a new rector and make positive changes in the coming year.

Senior Warden’s Report: Joyce LaFontain acknowledged the recent departure of Father Jon Stratton and his family. She explained that while we are searching for a new rector, we can find strength in our relationships here at Trinity. Joyce compared Trinity to a garden, expressed her desire to ensure Trinity has fertile soil to grow the flowers of our relationships while we search for a new gardener. She additionally asked the congregation to reflect on a relationship they want to water this year.

Rector Search: Joyce shared that despite the limited numbers available, we are pushing for an interim rector. She also reported that the Vestry is creating a search committee, which will be made up of different folks than those on the vestry. The committee will be put together later in February. She shared that our parish is a priority for the bishop, and that there is no need to rush nor languish in our search. The search committee will help keep us on track, and they may conduct their work without an interim in place.

Joyce highlighted the past year’s achievements, including Trinity receiving the Bishop’s award for outstanding ministry and service to the Diocese in being a beacon of hope, hospitality, and holiness, and Rev. Barbi Click receiving the Bishop’s award for outstanding service in feeding, defending, and championing those who have been forgotten by the world.

Appreciation: Joyce and Dn. Harry offered a litany of thanks to members of the congregation and our committees. Special acknowledgement was given to Cathy Tierney, Ron Tompkins, Jeff Nall, Lisa Will Smith, and Bill Ader.

Close and Benediction: Joyce LaFontain led us in a closing prayer, asking for guidance during this time of transition. The meeting was adjourned at 1:27 pm.

Respectfully Submitted, Liz

Maiocco

Candidates for Vestry and Diocesan Delegate

FOR VESTRY

Skip Coburn (2-year term)

Skip Coburn retired in 2018 as a senior vice president in commercial real estate after 32 years with Bank of America and its predecessors. During his career with those banks, he closed hundreds of loans for multi-family housing, office buildings, and retail centers located across the Midwest and Southeast.

He also served for several years on Boatmen’s Community Reinvestment committee, the board of directors of the St. Louis Equity Fund, Hope House, the City’s transitional housing project, and Beyond Housing, a local affordable housing development organization. While working at Bank of America, he was a volunteer instructor in financial literacy for a savings incentive program sponsored by the Urban League and United Way.

He joined Trinity in 2016 and served as an usher and offering counter, as well as volunteering at the Food Ministry. Upon retiring he moved to Eugene Oregon and lived there for four years where he served on the vestry and as Junior Warden of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection. Upon his return to St. Louis last year, he rejoined Trinity where he has served as a member of the discernment committee while volunteering at the Food Ministry.

Ben Kiel (3-year term)

I first encountered Trinity and the Episcopal church through Ida McCall when we were first dating. Coming from the Lutheran church, Trinity was a breath of fresh air. Ida and I later got married at Trinity, moved to Delaware where we spent time at the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew, and then came back to Saint Louis and Trinity over ten years ago. In my non church life I run a typeface design company and have been a board member of AIGA Saint Louis and volunteer with the Saint Louis Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts.

David Hilditch (2-year term)

My partner Annie Smart and I started attending Trinity in 2002 and are regular attendees of the 8am Service. Since then I have served two terms on the vestry and twice as senior warden. Raised as a Roman Catholic, I was, through my mid-twenties, a member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), a Roman Catholic religious order. My daily mindfulness meditation practice has been a cornerstone of my spiritual life for many years. I am currently a semiretired philosophy professor and I regularly facilitate public conversations about philosophical ideas in public cafes and retirement communities.

Perry Trolard (3-year term)

I'm Perry Trolard, and my family Anne, my spouse, Lorne (12), and Iris (7) has been at Trinity since late 2022 after being a part of Christ Church Cathedral for more than a decade pre-pandemic. Trinity ministries that I'm especially grateful for are children's Sunday school and the Food Ministry, where I serve as Innkeeper at Sunday hot lunch once a month. I embrace a term on vestry as a way to increase my exposure to other ministries, and to get to know more Trinity-goers thereby. I work as a software engineer for a satellite internet company headquartered in southern California, am a recreational endurance athlete, and an enthusiastic home cook.

FOR DIOCESAN DELEGATE

Ted McNamara (3-year term)

Interim Rector’s Report

Dear People of God,

Every year the clergy of the church are asked to deliver an annual report of the parish or mission that we are called to, ideally before February 1st, to the Bishop of the Diocese. The report for the year ends on the thirty-first

day of December. The report is to show the number of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and burials during the year. A summary of all the receipts and expenditures (thank God for treasurers), a statement about all the property held with an appraisal, a statement of indebtedness, and the amount of insurance carried. Many of these statistics will also be in the parochial report due by March 1st.

All committees report for the year on their primary mission and activity. In addition, elections are held for officers and members of the vestry and delegates. My thanks to all Vestry members and delegates. Those Vestry members completing their terms are Joyce LaFontain (senior warden), Abby Thacker, Barbara Uhlemann (treasurer), Adrienne Fly, and Lisa Will-Smith. The delegates were Adrienne Fly, Joyce LaFontain, Cody Burleson, and Jerry Martin who completed Cody’s term.

It has been a busy, challenging, and prayerful year of ministry at Trinity Church. In 2023 we continued to navigate COVID-19 and its variants, flu, and RSV. Statistically, we had zero Confirmations, two Baptisms, one marriage, and four funeral or memorial services. Also, two people in the ordination process that I inherited and supported were ordained December 9th: Rev. Aaron Rogers to the Priesthood and Rev. Dcn. Bethann Rolfing as a transitional Deacon. In 2023 the average Sunday attendance was eighty-one. For Easter services 146 attended and for Christmas services we had eighty-eight attend.

Following are a few of the focal points of the year’s ministries; there are always so many more bodies and souls operating on behalf of God and the church than we know!

My first service with you was Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at 7 AM. I am grateful for the warm reception, prayers, and comradery. One highlight of my time with you was the National Overdose Addiction Awareness Day service in August. Another highlight was the St. Francis Day Blessing of the Animals service. Our preacher that day was Brother Sam Kinkaid, a friar in the Order of St. Francis. An additional highlight was the Gun Violence Prevention Vigil in support of our Diocesan Bishop Deon Johnson and the Gun Violence Prevention Ministry. This was a historic Ecumenical service that was covered by St. Louis TV, radio, and press. I appreciate Jeff Wunrow for stepping forward to be the Gun Violence Prevention Representative for Trinity Parish.

I began to look at the infrastructure of the Church and how to encourage and broaden ministries, e.g., a bimonthly Pastoral Circle of Caring Committee, coordinated by myself and Kate Worland, was launched and/or expanded. We established a Building and Grounds Committee and had a parish cleanup day in November. We appreciate Karen Jackson and Angelo Shell, our custodians/sextons, who keep our building clean. We added new people as acolytes, choir members, readers, and thurifers. We gratefully recognized Brian Alms, Ellie Chapman, and Julien Worland for their many years of lay ministry service as they retired. We celebrated Jeff Nalls 20th anniversary as our organist and choir director.

We are blessed to have our Food Service Ministry director, Deacon Barbi Click, along with many volunteers, continue to faithfully provide meals and sustenance to so many in need. We also are grateful for the donation and installation of the Narcan Box by the Euclid Street parking lot.

We distributed and used the Living Compass booklets for Advent as a Christian Education resource. For our Kid Zone, I want to thank Katie Wolf for nursery care and other children’s education opportunities, such as supporting the intergenerational All Hollow’s Service, the November “Tea,” the visit from St. Nicholas, the intergenerational Christmas Pageant, and the birthday cake for Jesus. Thank you, Ron Tompkin, for your ministry with Godly Play, coordinating the sacristans, and your quiet ongoing ministry.

A special thank you to everyone who gave of their time, talent, and treasure for the church (especially the numerators who track our donations); the Treasurer Barbara Uhlemann who compiles our monthly financials, for our successful Stewardship Campaign led by Mary Moore; and for our Vestry Clerk, Hal Moore, who maintains our minutes and records. Bill Ader has kept the office functioning and has my thanks for all that he does for the church. Thanks to Anne Henning and the Trinity Book Group, Sarah Lappi who leads the Holy Yarn Knitting Group, Lisa Carpenter the contact person for the Women’s Group, and Robin Morgan who leads the Centering Prayer Group. (We are still in need of a Parish Life Coordinator and a new Evangelism person.) We continue to expand both written communication and technology in the church and online. We appreciate Riley Luebbers’

steadfastness in providing our services online and we will celebrate her departure when she graduates in May. Additional thanks to the ushers and Jan Kasalko, to Barbara Holmes, who coordinates the Art Club, Ron Tompkins with Film and Fellowship, and Jeff Wunrow who heads the Arts Committee. Certainly not least, I want to express thanks on your behalf to the Search Committee led by Carter Whitson and Mary Patton.

Some others who I thank for their service to the church: Rev. Teresa Danieley, Rev. Erika Essiem, Rev. David K. Fly, Rev. Jeff Goldone, Rev. Shug Goodlow, Rev. Anne Kelsey, Rev. Canon Whitney Rice, and Rev. Dr. Pamela Stuerke. We continue to offer various spaces for meetings, trainings, tutoring, and social organizations such as AA, St. Louis DSA, artists groups, and ongoing after-school tutoring programs.

I want to express my appreciation to Archdeacon Harry Leip who has been a tremendous help and colleague as I have learned some of the history and traditions of Trinity Church. How wonderful it is to serve with the Archdeacon in the ministration of God’s word and sacraments. Thanks to the Wardens team of Joyce and Lisa who have worked with diligence, grace, and humor.

I plan to facilitate a Visioning Exercise as a Vestry Retreat to continue your steps to calling the next Rector and to hear the voices of the Vestry leadership and congregation as you contribute resources and wisdom to help create a fulfilling life open to new possibilities at Trinity Church. We will continue to address building and grounds security issues as part of the Retreat. The commitment of the Vestry will be to work in life-giving, cooperative ways as we continue to grow in ministry. I encourage all to be leaders in some way. This next year will require more dialogue of the ministry options for the future of Trinity Church. Thanks for being open, flexible, and engaged in conversations. Many people make Trinity Church work, and I am thankful for all the ministries that take place in the parish and look forward to the opportunities in my remaining time with you.

Watch over your friends, O Lord, so that they can look forward to the days when they can look back and behold with wonder the great things they have co-created with you. Amen.

Blessings and Peace,

Rev. Dr. Mary J. Korte Interim Rector

Senior Warden’s Report

The Senior Warden’s broad access to all of the goings on of the church has given me a unique bird’s eye view of our beloved Trinity - and I am happy to report that the view is beautiful and resilient. We are a community that rises to the moment, and we have done so reliably over the past several years. Several accomplishments of the past year highlight that exact quality, including the Discernment Team’s listening sessions, a celebration and blessing of our treasured Parish Administrator Bill Ader, tender memorials for several long-term parishioners, and the successful onboarding of an interim rector.

Now that we have an interim rector helming the ship, the Senior Warden’s role can return to the much more comfortable realm of “duties as assigned”. I know that our parish will continue to be served by generations of servant-leaders, and I am proud to have played my part. Through God all things are possible, but through the icon, the legend, the Venerable Archdeacon Harry, all things are flawlessly organized - thank you, Archdeacon Harry, for absolutely everything. Thank you, also, to the many folks who have offered a kind word of support or counsel - our parish is a group project, and it is so rewarding to succeed together.

Respectfully Submitted, Joyce

LaFontain

Junior Warden’s Report

Thanks to the Building and Grounds Committee for all the help and especially for coming to the church on a Saturday to clean up on the fall workday.

The committee currently consists of

Adrienne Fly

Dave Hilditch

Jerry Martin

Jan Parker

Michael Shepley

Cathy Tierney

Barbara Uhlemann

Bill Von Glahn

Lisa Will-Smith (chair/junior warden)

Please feel free to join us. New people are always welcome.

Projects completed in 2023:

• Wrought Iron fence repaired and painted.

• All railings around the church were painted.

• Front steps repaired and painted. New railings replaced the old railings that were not the right height and were in bad shape.

• Wood floor in hallway replaced.

• Knox Box ordered and installed.

• Major repairs recommended by Kuhn report completed.

• Electrical work outside and in the SPH completed.

• Fall workday that resulted in the library being redecorated, and the loft and room behind the vesting room being cleaned up.

• Front parking lot repaved with funds from a grant from the diocese and Trinty funds.

• The sidewalk in front on Euclid was added to the St. Louis City Citizen’s Bureau for database for review and repair: ID#1761107.

Possible projects for 2024:

• Replace floor in woman's bathroom and update/remodel. (add a foot pedal for opening the door)

• Replace steps in front of church as needed after winter ends. (The bottom two steps will likely need replacement.)

• Repaint the front steps in possibly a darker color?

• Replace/refinish parts of the wood floor in the sanctuary, especially near the organ and around the radiators.

• Tuckpointing as recommended by Kuhn (in process)

• Complete minor repairs recommended by Kuhn after review by the committee.

• Possibly seal back parking lot which was repaved in 2022.

• Clean up the basement and get rid of a lot of extra junk stored there. (workday)

• Renovation/repair of the wheelchair ramp that allows for entrance through the NPH door.

In addition to the repairs, the Junior Warden, with direction from our Interim Rector, worked with two sextons, Karen Jackson and Angelo Shell to keep the building clean. Their work is greatly appreciated. When you see either of the two sextons, please thank them for their hard work this past year. Karen does most of the cleaning and Angelo helps with coffee hour, cleaning the sanctuary after Sunday services and he helps with the hot lunch each Sunday.

The other responsibility that the Junior Warden was charged with this year was setting up a schedule for vestry members to come open the church at 7:30 a.m. Thank you to all the people who have been doing this ministry:

Amy Barnes

Bob Emert

Adrienne Fly

Joyce LaFontain

Hal Morgan

Mary Moore

Barbara Uhlemann

I would like to thank the Rev. Barbi Click for her hard work as manager of the food pantry and for working with the clients to reduce the amount of trash and personal items being left on the property. Barbi and her team of volunteers work with the food pantry and unhoused population to help them understand the importance of the relationship they have with the church regarding respect for the property. They also lend a big hand in picking up belongings and discarding items that are left behind.

Trinity continues to work on establishing safe church policies, including limiting access to the church once worship begins and having ushers at each entrance to welcome people before worship begins. Thank you to all the ushers, who are very committed.

The one hope I have for 2024 regarding our unhoused neighbors and others seeking help is to hire someone who can work on Sunday mornings in addition to our Sunday sexton, Angelo Shell, to provide hospitality to those people waiting outside the church for the hot lunch to begin. Some folks arrive as early as 9 a.m. and it would be wonderful if we had a staff person whose main job was to help people who come to the church on Sunday morning seeking a hot cup of coffee or some kind of help. This staff person could also provide oversight of the property while the Trinity community worships. We could possibly have volunteers do this work, but Sunday is primarily our time for worship and trying to serve the poor and worship often results in neither being done properly.

Thank you, Trinity community, for your support during this past year as I continue my Junior Warden journey that sometimes can be quite challenging but is also very rewarding!

Respectfully submitted:

Lisa Will-Smith

Deacon's Report

Friends, as I think about the past year, I am reminded of this passage from Romans which St. Paul wrote to his own community who were living in a difficult world, who were figuring out who they were as a community and discovering their common values:

Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other. Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord! Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers.

This year has been all about community, remembering who we are, what we’re about in a season of change –holding on to what is good, practicing hope and serving each other. We spent the year worshipping thru the various seasons of the year remembering that (in the words of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry) it’s all about love.

For those of you who have been members of Trinity for years and those who are new, we have seen another year of being a progressive faith community in the city, looking for ways to serve others around us.

This year I owe a huge debt to all those who journeyed with Trinity and helped us continue our sacramental traditions in a spirit of mutual ministry and always with a sense of humor. Whether it was our pet blessing in the South Parish Hall, an exuberant Easter morning baptism, a quiet moment spent with the contemplative prayer group, singing in our choir or learning about the Apocrypha over the summer – the people of Trinity continue to find ways to learn and worship and laugh – all in community.

A big thanks to all the priests who supported us and served with us during this transition year – Teresa, Jeff, Anne, Mary and others. It says a lot about our community that priests are happy to lead services at Trinity knowing that we appreciate the diverse ways in which they engage the liturgy. I want to thank the choir and our organist & choir director Jeff Nall for their faithful gift of music which lifts the soul. Thanks to Bill Ader our intrepid Parish Administrator who can do bulletins by the score, order cleaning supplies and fix the copy machine – often all at the same time! Many thanks to Karen and Angelo, our sextons, who do a great job of quietly keeping Trinity’s campus clean and inviting for others.

I want to personally thank our wardens Joyce and Lisa for their incredible work and time spent supporting the Trinity community, much of it behind the scenes. Faithfully attending to the roles of Senior and Junior Warden is a large labor during normal times but during times of transition, these roles can be quite demanding. Thanks to them the campus continues to look great, Vestry continues to meet, we meet all our financial obligations to the diocese and vendors and we keep the doors open so that we can greet anyone who comes into our space. During the past year, it has been a blessing to watch our various ministries continue while we journeyed through our transition. The book group kept meeting as did Film and Fellowship. The knitting group gathered as did the women’s group. It is a faithful confirmation that the life of our community continues even during leadership changes. Also, all the groups which support our liturgical life – our ushers, sacristans, choir, snack providers and acolytes continued to serve – again and again, rising to the occasion when something was needed. I owe much gratitude to you all! And thank you to Jan Kasalko and Ron Tompkins for being amazing partners in ministry!

I would be greatly amiss if I did not also recognize the amazing ongoing work of the Trinity Food Ministry. For over 50 years (!!!!) the ministry has been supported by faithful volunteers and passionate leaders (such as Deacon Barbi and Brother Sam) who tirelessness open Trinity’s doors to our neighbors - giving safe space, food and comfort to all who enter. We continue to better understand and live out the Gospel when we meet those around us – especially those who are different from us and truly listen to their stories.

Trinity is known in the diocese as a good place for persons discerning a call to Holy Orders to get their feet dirty in real ministry and also learning about liturgy. We are fortunate to be part of Deacon Bethann’s journey and it has been a blessing to get to know her and her passion for helping others. Likewise, during this transition time, it has been a blessing to work alongside Rev. Mary and she guides us during this time of change.

One last note of thanks. I am rarely surprised. I was always the kid who could smell a surprise birthday party a mile away, could guess what I was getting each birthday/Christmas from my family. So it was an absolute shock and a moment of abundant joy when I was showered with gifts and affections on Trinity Sunday by the wardens and the assembled community. I will never forget that day and thought of you all often as Ed and I took our vacation to Alaska, made financially easier by your generosity.

As I tell people all the time when they ask – there is no place in the diocese where I would like to serve more than here, with all of you. Thank you all for being the Trinity Community of 2023 and continued blessings as we explore 2024 together.

Respectfully submitted, the Venerable Harry Leip Deacon, Trinity St. Louis & Archdeacon, Diocese of Missouri

Finance Committee Report

2023 End of Year Results

For 2023, key information on the income side is that although pledge income was under budget, at $281,000 compared to $309,000 budgeted, plate offerings were nearly double the amount budgeted, and total operating income was just under the budgeted amount of $406,050. On the expense side, rector expenses were considerably lower than budgeted because we did not have an interim rector for most of the year. With respect to other expenses, looking at them by category totals, most were close to the amounts budgeted. The exception is repairs and maintenance expense which includes major projects to improve our physical plant, all of which were approved by the Vestry.

We ended the year with an operating deficit of about $20,000 compared to a budgeted deficit of over $74,000. However, the income and gains from the Schwab Bequests account was almost $100,000. We ended the year with over $77,000 in net income.

2024 Budget

Based on pledges received we have budgeted an undiscounted $337,000 in pledge income, $20,000 in plate income, $54,000 from the Endowment and smaller amounts in other categories for total budgeted income of $437,600. Rector’s salary and related expenses are budgeted at the same as 2023. Other expenses are based on history or our best guess. We have pledged the full diocesan assessment of $58,941. The result is an operating deficit of about $46,000. If needed, we will take that amount out of the Schwab Bequests account to cover the gap.

Respectfully submitted:

Barbara Uhlemann, Treasurer

Trustees:

Endowment Report

Barbara Uhlemann, Jean Frazee, Vander Corliss

Stewardship & Generosity Committee Report

The 2023 Stewardship campaign theme was “Rooted in Abundance”. We discovered the strong roots of God’s abundant love at Trinity especially during this year of transition and the rectors search. We were also challenged with the deaths of several long term members of the parish. We were able to explore our own roots from the past and how each of us past and present contribute to the community with our time, talent, and treasures.

Our campaign was very successful. We had 72 pledges amounting to $337,241.49. There was an increase of online pledges with 9 new pledges. We thank all of you who have pledged. If you have not pledged for 2024, you can call the parish administrator, Bill Ader, or make an on-line pledge.

Highlights of 2023 Stewardship Campaign:

● Stewardship letter from Rev. Dr. Mary Korte was emailed to parishioners.

● Letter from Stewardship committee was printed in the Etimes and Sunday bulletin

● Five members from the parish gave testimonials on what they pledged at four services in October and November

● Committee communicated pledge updates on a weekly basis along with personal reflections about generosity.

Other activities of the committee

● 10 Monthly meetings

● Held a Noon Forum on Funeral Planning in July with 15 attendees. Deacon Harry led the discussion.

We are blessed as a community to have such strong roots of abundance . It is fitting that the theme for 2024 is “walk in love” as we call a new rector to Trinity.

Respectfully submitted:

Mary Moore

Delegates Report

Lay Delegates: Joyce LaFontain, Adrienne Fly, Jerry Martin, substitute

On Friday & Saturday, November 3 & 4, 2023, the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri held its 184th annual convention at the DoubleTree Hotel in Chesterfield, Mo. The convention’s theme was “I Love to Tell the Story”.

Trinity’s representation included the Venerable Harry Leip, member of Diocesan Council, Bethann Rohlfing, candidate for ordination, and delegates Joyce LaFontain, Adrienne Fly, and Jerry Martin. Rev. Mary Korte, our interim rector, was unable to attend because of illness; her husband, Tim, who is a member of Standing Committee, was present with us.

Parishioner Jeff Wunrow, who was an exhibitor, Dr. Carter Whitson, member of Standing Committee, and Duncan McArthur, parishioner, filled out the Trinity table. The Rev. Dn. Barbi Click attended as Missioner for Jubilee Ministries and inspiration for the JustFood Truck, as well as manager of Trinity’s Food Ministry.

A thorough accounting of the entire 184th Convention, including details about resolutions passed on clergy compensation and restoring congregational health, is available on the Diocesan website (www.diocesemo.org/2023-convention).

Highlights pertaining to Trinity:

Joyce LaFontain was elected to the Diocesan Council.

Duncan McArthur was elected to the Disciplinary Board.

Our own Venerable Harry Leip was awarded one of the Bishop’s Medals. The citation reads:

“For outstanding service to the Diocese of Missouri in embodying the ministry of caring and compassion in leadership Your ministry in defending and championing those who have been forgotten by the world is an inspiration to others. Yours ins a faith that stands up, speaks out, and holds fast in its commitment to serve the marginalized, the powerless and the voiceless. Through your deep dedication to caring for the Community of Deacons, empowering and centering the needs of LGBTQIA+ siblings, and companioning those seeking ordination, you have expanded the vision of compassion and joy among your siblings, inviting others to claim their ministry of servant leadership You have been a trusted advisory, a loving companion, and a shining light as your life proclaims the Good News of Jesus Christ.”

To which we can only say “AMEN”!

Respectfully submitted: Adrienne Fly

Discernment Team Report

The Discernment Team has been tasked with calling a new rector to Trinity Church. Over the past 14 months, the process has taken us longer than we anticipated. We have completed (to our satisfaction) the narrative responses to the 12 questions required by the Office of Transitional Ministries. This effort would have gone quicker had we known that there was a 1,200 character limit on each question. C’est la vie.

Currently, the team is finalizing the Profile. The Profile describes the church and the community in a way that may appeal to interested applicants. As soon as the Profile is finished, we will submit it and the Office of Transitional Ministries Community Narrative Questions to the Diocese of Missouri. Canon Doris Westfall will collect names and review credentials before sharing with the Team. We will then undergo another process of discernment to select a rector. Stay tuned.

Respectfully submitted: Carter Whitson

Trinity Food Ministry Report

As Trinity Food Ministry became a Jubilee Ministry Center 30 years ago, it accepted the mandate to be a network in Christ with poor and oppressed people wherever they are found, to meet their basic human needs, and to create a just society. TFM is literally the center of a huge mutual ministry network, both inter-religious and interrelational.

This network includes Grace Kirkwood, Holy Communion, Church of St Michael and St George, St Peter’s Ladue, St Timothy’s Creve Coeur as the Episcopal parishes; the CWE Church, Central Reform Congregation, St. Paul’s UCC in Affton, First Unitarian, First Church of Christ Scientist, University of Evansville, Wash U, McCarthy Construction, Philip Johnson Salon, Whole Foods, and Evangeline’s. This thing we do is very large and is known throughout this diocese and city – not only because we do it well but because so many are involved in the doing of this ministry. Volunteers come from the neighborhood, the community, Trinity, other parishes.

The Work of TFM

TFM assistant to the Manager Cody Burleson left in early 2023 to accept a full time [position elsewhere. Bro. Sam Kincade was hired in her place in March 2023.

Giving for 2023 was down comparatively speaking since 2020 – 2021 were such anomalies, extraordinary, in fact. However, material donations of both perishable and non-perishable goods increased substantially over the year – other pantries (Isaiah 58, Centennial, & Feed My People), the CRC Mitzvah Garden, Old Bonhomme Elementary School, the Gleaning Program at Eden Theological Seminary, Bombas socks, Dale & Susie Anderson and other Trinity folks, St. Peter’s Ladue (monthly ingathering), Church of St Michael & St George (sandwiches and casseroles in addition to non-perishables). St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox (sandwiches), the unknown “bag lady” who drops off paper & plastic bags to many more people who give and give and so many others give as they are able.

Wednesday Café:

In April 2023, TFM brought back its pre-pandemic Wednesday event. However, rather than an unwarranted third day of Pantry, the Wednesday Café was introduced. Slowly, it is gaining a following. It is an easy day with a simple meal and great conversations. It is also a space where we can hold special events such as the Foot Ministry (with Deaconess Ministries) on April 5, Vaccination Clinic with the Medicine Shoppe in Affton on October 11, and a Diabetes Clinic on November 8.

Other Special Events:

On August 31, 2023, we held an International Overdose Awareness Day service prior to Thursday Pantry to commemorate those who have died from overdose and to pray for those who are victims of substance abuse disorders. Many people came from the neighborhood and from across the Diocese to share in this event. Immediately following the event, a “Life Box” which had been installed the previous day was dedicated and filled with Narcan, a lifesaving interruption to a deadly overdose.

Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2023, approximately 80 people attended the TFM Thanksgiving Gratitude Meal. This was the third Thanksgiving Day meal and the third time that Bishop Deon and Ja’Lon (his son) came to serve with us. There were numerous guests and volunteers from throughout the diocese plus many community members who shared this special day. Eight turkeys were a gift from a small group of “friends” who wanted to do something special for all that is done at TFM. A special friend, John Watson, smoked all the turkeys and delivered them to us on the morning of Thanksgiving. There were many who stated that this was indeed the best Thanksgiving ever.

Each of these events will be repeated in 2024, In addition, there will be Ashes-to-Go on Ash Wednesday, February 14. The TFM Foot Ministry is scheduled for Wednesday March 27, the day before Maundy Thursday. TFM continues to work weekly with our Deaconess Nurse, Virginia Springmeyer. We are also in close communication with STL Winter Outreacher Nicole Warrington during the most frigid and dangerous days. As TFM Manager I am also a voting member of the Continuum of Care, a broad-based membership of local organizations and individuals that works together “to prevent people within the community from becoming homeless & to find ways to end homelessness.”

Volunteers:

There are far too many excellent volunteers to name them all. I am so blessed to work with each one of them. You all know who you are, both in the Pantry and at Hot Lunch. Sing your praises loudly while bragging about this ministry!

However, I must give special thanks to and for those upon whom I so often depend. Al Adams, Jeanie Bryant (CSMSG), and Lisa Carpenter – individually, they do the work of many and remove a good deal of concern from my shoulders. I am exceedingly grateful for them and their leadership.

I am incredibly blessed to be the manager of this historic and noteworthy ministry. July 2023 marked my tenth year as Manager. I shake my head in wonder at all I have come to learn in this time. This ministry has changed my life. I daresay that it is the primary reason I said yes to ordained ministry as a deacon. I give thanks for each and every moment and person who has made this such a special place and time.

Statistics from 2023:

6772 people served in 2841 Households

1771 – 17 and under

3271 – 18-61

1724 – 62+

4750 weekday hot meals

4420 Sunday Hot Lunches

Good people doing God’s good work.

Respectfully submitted:

Deacon Barbi Click Manager, Trinity Food Ministry

Arts Committee

Several dedicated members keep the arts alive at Trinity through art-themed outings, commissions of original work, and mounting of exhibitions in our church’s own Parish Gallery. Whether you are a creator, collector, or all-around art appreciator, your presence is encouraged and welcomed - come join us for our next outing!

Highlights of 2023 include thrilling field trips to the various CounterPublic installations - from north city on down to the Missouri River bluffs in south city - and a curator-led tour of the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art. Several Parish Gallery exhibitions are slated for early 2024 - keep your eyes on the Etimes for opening reception details!

Respectfully submitted, Joyce LaFontain

Acolytes, Readers and Intercessors Report

One of the foundations of our Anglican Tradition, of which we are inheritors, is that we take liturgy seriously –and in particular the acts of praising God, prayer and hearing Scripture. I am happy to report that with many persons’ help, Trinity continues to faithfully carry out these duties as we worship well over 100 times each year! As many of you know from your childhood and beyond, public speaking takes a bit of time to get used to – in fact it takes a little bit of courage to stand in front of people and try to get through biblical texts – great stories, confusing theology, St. Paul’s famous un-diagrammable, run-on sentences and many foreign names and proper nouns. So, I am very grateful for those persons who lead us in sharing our sacred stories and bringing us together in prayer though our intercessions: Al Adams, Fritzi Baker, Adrienne Fly, Joyce LaFontain, Ted McNamara, Hal Morgan, Michael Shepley, Rachel Steinbrueck, Ron Tompkins, John Uhlemann and Jeff Wunrow It also takes a bit of courage and gumption to participate in the liturgy as an acolytes – carrying the cross, swinging the thurible with its smoky incense and sharing the chalice. Thank you to Matt Bittman, Stephen Forsyth, Mike Fowlkes, Jerry Martin, Jocelyn Reckford, Barbara Uhlemann, Bill von Glahn, Carter Whitson, and Lisa Will-Smith for your faithful attention to our liturgy and its choreography.

Lastly, I would like to thank three persons who have faithfully served Trinity for many years but are retiring from this ministry. Their wiliness to serve and their gracious manner has been a wonderful example for many of us to follow. Thank you Ellie Chapman and Ann Watts for your wonderful voices and also to Brian Alms for his steadfast leadership at the altar. Ellie & Ann, we appreciate your dedication and wish you many happy years of not having to read strange names and Brian, we hope you enjoy not wearing several layers of vestments during the heat of our St. Louis summers!

Respectfully submitted: The Ven. Harry Leip

Sacristans Report

My ongoing thanks to the Sacristans for their commitment in preparing the church for Sunday and other special services including Baptism, Funerals and Holy Week Services. These Sacristans are: Lisa Carpenter, Steven Forsyth Anne Hennig, Linda Small and Rachel Steinbrueck. Joyce von Glahn assists the Sacristans by maintaining the Altar linens used for our Communion services. Thank you for the time and attention paid to polishing brass and silver, cleaning and repairing vestments and doing all the extras that support our worship services.

Respectfully submitted: Ron Tompkins

Ushers Report

Due to some concerning incidents in 2023, a decision was made to limit the number of access doors for the 10:30 service on Sunday mornings. This policy also led to changes in ushering duties.

The South parish hall entrance is now open right before and after the 10:30 service. The ushers and greeters are working together to help monitor that entrance.

Thank you to our wonderful team of ushers for their dedication and flexibility. Thanks also to The Venerable Harry Leip for his guidance.

Serving at 8:00 am. Bob Emert

Tom Kirk

Serving at 10:30am. Fritz Baker

Lisa Carpenter

Carol Cradock

Ron D’Aloia

Adrienne Fly

Chuck McManis

Kathleen McManis

Respectfully submitted,

Jan Kasalko

Dave Mundy

Cathy Tierney

Cheryl Wobbe

Jeff Wunrow

Pastoral Care

This small group, under the direction of the Rector, normally meets on the first Sunday of the month after Mass. At these gatherings we delineate concerns of the community and send notes. Sometimes, we make decisions about how to care for a person, for example, providing transportation to a doctor’s appointment. We pray daily for individuals.

Respectfully submitted:

Kate Worland

Centering Prayer Group

Trinity’s Centering Prayer group meets every Thursday afternoon at 1pm in the chapel. We begin our time together with two 15 minute periods of silent prayer (meditation) surrounded by liturgical prayers.

After our prayer time, each week we discuss the book we are presently reading. So far we’ve read Cynthia Bourgeault, Richard Rohr and, at this time, Michael A. Singer. These texts help us explore the depths of Centering Prayer from a variety of perspectives and offer starting points for our conversations.

Anyone who is interested in exploring Centering Prayer is welcome to join us.

Respectfully Submitted:

Robin Morgan

Trinity Book Group

We usually meet on the third Saturday evening of each month. At the start of 2023, we were still meeting via ZOOM, but in February, 2023, we began gathering in Trinity’s North Parish Hall (NPH, also known as the Sunday School Room and the Art Gallery), hosting a pot-luck before starting the book discussion promptly at 7PM. Later in the summer we decided to discontinue trying to offer ZOOM meeting capability - the Host’s laptop was not transmitting to/from a room-full of comments and ideas adequately. If you’ve been at Trinity any length of time, you will understand! In the Fall, the NPH opening time was backed-up to 6PM to allow time to

heat up and set out food (which usually includes at least one hot casserole or soup; freshly baked bread; at least one Vegan dish; salads and fresh veggies & fruit; lots of desserts; and flavored seltzers that we buy on special and leave in the NPH fridge for other thirsty Trinity staff to share, in exchange for the K-cups we use – thank you!)

Books we read run the gamut from historical non-fiction to international best-sellers, from established “fine literature” (Bronte sisters, Jane Austen) to speculative fiction/sci-fi. Our only criteria are that at least one Book Group member must have read the book personally; that it has been in paperback and is short enough to be obtained and read in the month of the recommendation. One of our members is reading every Pulitzer prize winner from the 20th Century, and recommending ‘good ones’; another new source is the St. Louis Public Library’s “Book Group Kits” program. Two threads common to most of our book choices are (1) a “good story” with a satisfying (though not always happy) ending, and (2) an interesting spin on how Society treats individuals who may not ‘fit in’ and how that influences (or is reflected by) the individuals’ behavior as the story progresses. We often talk about parts of the story that don’t make sense, or seem unrealistic or out-of-character to one of us. The discussion is often enriched by members sharing personal experiences with story locations, situations, or online interviews with the author.

We welcome anyone who wants to drop in for good food (for body and for thought!), whether or not you have finished (or even started) the book. If anyone would like a complete list of the books we discussed in 2023, please contact Anne Hennig (henniganne07@gmail.com or look me up in the new Directory).

Respectfully submitted: Anne Hennig

Film and Fellowship Report

Film and Fellowship meetings in 2023 were held in person from January to December with a break from JuneAugust. Film and Fellowship meetings provided a time for sharing meals as well as rich conversations about the films seen. Films discussed September-December included “Barbie,” “Oppenheimer,” “Napoleon,” “Poor Things,” and “ Maestro”. Film and Fellowship discussions are attended by 10-12 persons. We invite and welcome anyone who is interested in movies to join us on the second Tuesday of each month in the North Parish Hall.

Respectfully submitted: Ron Tompkins

Holy Yarn Report

The Holy Yarn Group did not have a very note-worthy year in 2023 – between lingering Pandemic effects, our storage space getting flooded out, and our meeting space being re-converted to a Rector’s Office, I don’t remember that we accomplished much besides moving some storage bins into the former Library-cum-Fr. Jon’s Office-cum-Library-Again. We did contribute a few items to Deacon Harry to give to Trinitarians who were also receiving special prayers, including our new Interim when she first arrived at Trinity. That was a special gift: a crocheted lace doily in the shape of a rose that had been waiting in storage for Just The Right Person & Occasion. (I first met Rev. Mary and her husband Tim when they attended our Book Group gathering their first weekend in St. Louis. The book’s story that month dealt with roses among other things, and the discussion veered in that direction. Sometimes the Holy Spirit whacks us over the head to get our attention!)

Anyway, we are trying to get our Group meeting regularly once again. We usually meet the first Sunday of the month, after the 10:30 Service Coffee Hour in whatever space happens to be available. For February (2024), however, because of the Bishop’s Visit on First Sunday we are meeting on Feb. 11, and the place will have to be announced … In spite of that, we welcome anyone who knits, crochets, or does any other yarn craft, untangles yarn and rolls it into balls, or appreciates hand-made crafts. Holy Yarn also takes unfinished projects, unwanted yarn and yarn-related books & tools. Our finished projects include prayer shawls, lap and baby blankets, winter hats, scarves, mittens and socks for people on Trinity’s Prayer List, people who come to our Food Ministry, or

neighbors who drop by the Wednesday Café. Before the Pandemic we also contributed items for Christmas Sales to benefit TFM. Finally, if any Trinity family member would be willing to be the Official Contact for this group (send out monthly meeting reminders, field requests for finished items, and write a brief year-end Summary for the 2024 Annual Report), PLEASE drop in for one of our meetings, contact me (henniganne07@gmail.com) or let Bill Ader know.

Respectfully submitted: Anne Hennig

Art Club Report

Art Club members have continued to enjoy our gatherings on Saturday morning in the South Parish Hall from 9 am to 11am. Its informal setting supports lively conversations while we work with our hands and spirits to create interesting compositions from a wide variety of mediums. This past year we splattered painted a large piece of canvas outside on the alley fence in the Spring. It now challenges us to imagine its possibilities. We have embroidered it, and painted/collaged it. We are not yet finished with its transformation! We have taken up coloring mandalas and learning to let the slow steady rhythm of filling in tiny spaces with color calm our spirits. On a more adventurous note, we are exploring thread as an artistic medium and hope to continue this sometime in the upcoming months.

Our project from 2023, entitled Declaration (a light box that illumines a photo collage of Trinitarians seeking inclusion within a societal culture of discrimination) was accepted for the juried exhibition, Peace: Who is God?, Midwest exhibit. A photo of our project was featured on the back cover of the exhibit catalogue. The exhibit was at the Gretchen Brigham Gallery at Union Avenue Christian Church from October 5 through November 26. It was juried by David Brinker, Director of MOCRA.

This group continues to be a fellowship group for aspiring creatives. No previous art training is required. Everyone is welcome! Please consider joining us in 2024

Respectfully submitted: Barb Holmes