15 Senior Warden’s Report

Se n i o r W a r d e n ’ s R e p o r t

Dear fellow parishioners, Looking back on the past fifteen months that I have served as your Senior Warden it is almost amazing to contemplate Trinity’s journey. What a long, strange trip this has been (and continues to be !). Whiplash inducing at the least. The winter of 2020 saw us huddled in the courtyard swathed in puffy coats and mittens but determinedly present on Sunday mornings. This winter we have been gratefully inside our wonderful sanctuary. We sing through our masks, but we sing loud and strong. The year has presented challenges galore but the church community has met them with creativity and good humor and a renewed energy and commitment. Hooray for us ! Among the highlights that spring to mind: the wonderful increase in attendance at services and the appearance of delightful children populating church school and, recently, the cadre of acolytes; welcoming Richard Jones as director of Operations and Communications; The successful search for a manager for our Endowment Fund ( with many thanks to our long serving Endowment Committee); a purposeful focus on local outreach which brought us into

collaboration with the Tree of Life as well as maintenance of Keith House and the long awaited return of the Thrift Shop. Not to mention a wildly successful winter auction to support outreach. Of course we are not yet where we wish to be – we miss the in person version of the Healing Ministry, we miss worshiping and singing and taking communion at the rail, but we will get there. What we do have is a lively congregation that will not be stopped. We have a wonderful vestry and beyond, a group of dedicated volunteers who continue to show up to arrange flowers, cook meals, usher, read, set the altar, stuff envelopes, teach Sunday school, train acolytes, be willing to run for vestry and contribute their time, talent and treasure to the mission and existence of Trinity , Upperville. Sometimes we have had to be pretty nimble and extremely flexible but the spirit was willing and we got it done. My hat is off to the community at large. Speaking of the congregation, I want to acknowledge the wonderful response to our stewardship campaign this year. We are truly blessed by the generosity of our community and

“The winter of 2020 saw us huddled in the courtyard swathed in puffy coats and mittens but determinedly present on Sunday mornings. This winter we have been gratefully inside our wonderful sanctuary.”

Se n i o r W a r d e n ’ s R e p o r t

announce that we have not only a balanced budget but a bit of an overabundance that will be well spent dealing with areas that have had to be pushed to the back burner in recent years. To be a church that is alive and kicking in the time of Covid is to be a rare bird. Many thanks to everyone who pledged or gave quietly. I want to thank Melinda specifically for being the practical one of our team. She of the sharp pencil and the eye on the line item. Because of her diligence we have tightened our belts and run a tight ship through stormy waters and now

are sailing into a calm harbor. We can thank the Holy Spirit and the collective prayers and diligence of the Discernment Committee for bringing us Jonathan who continues to amaze me with is energy and adaptability. He is willing to spend extra hours recording services, is inventive about making things possible in the face of untold obstacles and does all with a smile and great optimism. It has been a humbling experience to work alongside him on this journey. I am so proud of this Trinity family. God speed, onward.

“To be a church that is alive and kicking in the time of Covid is to be a rare bird.”