Director of Operations & Communications & Administrator’s Report

C o m m u n i c a t i o n s , O p e r a t i o n s &

A d m i n i s t r a t i o n R e p o r t

There’s never a dull day at the Trinity Parish office! The huge volume and variety of tasks and enquiries we deal with on a daily basis, especially within the ever changing context of Covid-19, is sometimes challenging and always rewarding. Our small team consists of Richard Jones, Director of Operations & Communications (joined August 2021), Betsy Crenshaw, Administrative Assistant, Tommy Breedon, Sexton, Angela Lake, Housekeeper, and we are joined most days by volunteer Gina Hammond who supports us in everything we have to do. Together, put simply, we work to ensure the smooth running of Trinity Church and all its activities. Cooper, our four legged honorary member of staff, can also be found at the Parish Office each day. 2021 was another year when “flexibility” was a key attribute we were all required to demonstrate continuously. The challenges of Covid19 restrictions did not deter us and we almost always found new and creative ways to continue with our work and to offer worship, witness and activities at Trinity. During the year we made particular progress with refreshing, developing and maximizing our plethora of communications channels. We experienced particular success with our social media channels, and with our weekly digital newsletter E–Genesis, with subscribers and reader levels at an all time high. We launched significant updates to our weekly service bulletins; we supported a particularly successful stewardship campaign and a glittering Christmas Party & Auction. We managed an almost constant stream of repairs and renewals to our campus; and it was a year when we renegotiated several significant contracts and continued to fulfil our pledge to reduce expenditure and obtain best value for money in all areas. We are excited to be able to continue to support a church experiencing spiritual and numerical growth and renewal and look forward to making dreams for 2022 in to firm plans and a joyful reality. “We are excited to be able to continue to support a church experiencing spiritual and numerical growth and renewal and look forward to making dreams for 2022 in to firm plans and a joyful reality.”

Betsy writes: As I reflect on 6465, all I can think about is Covid. It has affected our lives in every way. After services outside for almost a year, this summer we finally got back into church. What a joy! Each service and event has to be revised because of Covid. You have all stepped up to the plate and helped in so many ways to ensure that Trinity remains active and vibrant. I’ve been around Trinity for 30 years and I’m always amazed and eternally grateful for all the volunteering that makes things happen. There are many groups that make this church function: the Vestry, Parish Life, Worship, Finance, Stewardship, Christian Education, Outreach, Buildings & Grounds, Outdoor Sanctuary, and the Cemetery Committee. It takes all of you and your time, talent and treasure for Trinity to work. I feel privileged to work, pray, give, and grow with you each week, each year. We live in a busy world and what a joy it is to think that Trinity is at the center of that world, Covid-19 or not. There are so many volunteer opportunities here at the church. Let me know how you would like to be involved. Think of the rewards for the project and more importantly for yourself. I would be amiss if I didn’t mention what great co-workers I have and they make coming to work each day a joy. If you’d like to be involved or just want to “dip your toes in the water” call the Parish Office on 540 592-3344 or e-mail betsy@trinityupperville.org. I’d love to chat about the miracles happening in and around Trinity Church, even during the pandemic!

Richard D. Jones & Betsy Crenshaw