Altar Guild:

The Altar Guild team acts as the quiet stewards of our sacred space, performing a, prayerful, behind-the-scenes ministry. Working in faithful collaboration, the members prepare the altar with reverence, ensuring the sanctuary is prepared for the Holy Eucharist, weddings, and funerals.

Through their devoted care of linens, sacred vessels, vestments, and candles, this team ensures that every element of worship reflects the beauty of holiness. By handling the essential, quiet tasks of cleaning and preparation, the Altar Guild team provides a welcoming, holy, and prepared table, allowing the congregation to focus on encountering Christ.

After Lunch Bunch:

Nurturing Faith, Purpose, and Connection, we are a weekly gathering of women dedicated to the ‘gift of togetherness.’ In an increasingly disconnected world, we provide a safe space to navigate life’s challenges through Scripture, books, study, and honest discussion. Our group centers on intentional fellowship, helping each woman deepen her relationship with the Lord as we explore biblical topics and diverse texts together. By studying as a community, we empower one another to better understand our unique purpose and place within God’s creation.

Christmas on the River:

The Christmas on the River Ministry this past year was a great outreach ministry. We prepared and packed goodie bags for mariners working on the Mississippi River. We were able to provide copies of the Forward Day-By-Day for each person, along with beautiful Christmas Cards made by children here in the community. The main office in New Jersey sent beautiful handmade knits, created with love and prayers by people from across the country. In keeping with SCI guidelines, no food or candy was included, but a variety of personal items were added to the boxes. This past year we provided 78 boats, with 518 mariners. It is a wonderful opportunity to give to those we may not know or see, but every time a mariner puts on their SCI hat or scarf, they will be reminded of the love and prayers offered for them. Marie Cunningham has led this ministry for the past few years, assisted by many parishioners and employees of the tow companies we serve.

Daughters of the King

We are a local chapter of The Order of the Daughters of the King, a sacred sisterhood committed to drawing closer to the Lord through prayer and a shared daily Rule of Life. 

Through daily intercessory prayer and faithful service to our parish and community, we support those in need, assist with seasonal ministries, and work alongside other chapters in acts of charity. Wearing the silver cross as a sign of our commitment, we offer even the smallest acts of faith for His sake, trusting that no act of love is ever too small in God’s service

Episcopal Church Women:

The Episcopal Church Women are diverse, multi-talented Christian women serving Christ in our families, parishes, and larger communities. Through prayer, worship, communication, and nurturing, we respond to God’s call to serve. All women of the church are welcome to join. In March we had our gathering and business meeting for the year. Through the proceeds of our annual turkey dinner ($7817) and ECW dues ($40/person), we were able to support our diocesan ECW, the diocesan after-school program, Children at Risk, and CPC (donations for seminarians). We hosted numerous receptions, including baptisms, graduations, and the reception for the newly renovated conservatory and teen space. The ECW hosts bridal and baby showers for parishioners. The ECW donated $1000.00 to Good Shepherd to help with the annual Christmas angel program. We participated in the annual diaper drive and donated diapers to the United Way. We donated clothing items to the Warren County DHS.

Holy Trinity’s ECW also supports our church through St Martha’s Guild, Gourmet Girls, and preparing the church for Christmas and Easter with the Alter Guild and Flower Guild.

Children’s Church Ministry

In August we expanded church experiences to our youth. In addition to the nursery with 2 new workers each Sunday. We now offer a class for 5-10 year olds during the 10:15 service on the 1st and 3rd Sunday each month. They have a bible lesson to talk about and activity time.

EYC, led by David Sharp is offered the 1st and 3rd Sunday at 5:30 pm. This is open for all kids ages 10 – graduation and includes a meal, activity and spiritual opportunities. Our goal for this year is to also have a Youth Led Sunday!

Flower Guild

It is the Flower Guild’s absolute honor to arrange fresh flowers or greenery for Christ’s table for every Sunday service, except during Lent. We also create arrangements for baptisms, confirmations, weddings, the Bishop’s visit, as well as greater church adornment for the fall season, Turkey Dinner, Easter, and Christmas. In 2025, the Guild arranged for 1Bishop’s visit (that celebrated 17 confirmations, 2 receptions, and 5 reaffirmations), 4 baptisms, 5 funerals, and other special receptions. There were no weddings in 2025.

This year, we welcomed two new members, Alice Hebler and Evelyn Martin. Currently, the Flower Guild consists of 6 teams: Team 1: Joy Mihalyka, Juanita Flanders, Carol McMillin, Virginia Burrell, Evelyn Martin; Team 2: Dorothy Burgos and Virginia Thames; Team 3: Ruth and Richard Wilkerson; Team 4: Vicki Abraham, Ruth Anne Bottin, Beverly Rice; Team 5: Donna Saunders, Pam Smith, Cody McElwain; Team 6: Debbie Felt, Nancy Gates, Alice Hebler.

In May, Joy and Carol – the third Flower Guild leadership team in our church’s history – turned over responsibilities to Ruth and Richard. We join the entire congregation in appreciation for their 10+ years of service sharing their time and extensive talents to the Glory of God! Thankfully, both Joy and Carol remain active members! Ruth and Richard have assumed their duties: scheduling, accepting donations, tracking reservations, record keeping, planning decorations (with input from other members), monitoring inventory, ordering supplies, polishing & organizing/cleaning flower room/refrigerator/utensils/ buckets, coordinating for special requests and events, planning/placing large plant/flower orders with vendors, updating handbook, planning meetings, creating docs for Katie and Guild information while staying in constant contact for changes, as well as creating notices to congregation. We also serve as treasurers for the Guild, keeping the checking account records. Pam Smith has backup check signing permission and Dorothy Wallace (church treasurer) has view of all records through QuickBooks.

The biggest change made this year was moving to a pre-paid reservation system, meaning a completed donation form and full payment is required before flower reservations are finalized. This has freed the Guild’s leadership and Katie from hours of burdensome record keeping and uncomfortable collection conversations – and we greatly appreciate everyone jumping on board with that so quickly. The Flower Guild’s 2026 calendar is posted outside the Flower Room door where you can easily check available dates. Instructions, forms, and envelopes are found there too. When we receive your form and check, we then mark that slot “reserved” on the calendar and notify you that your donation has been received. The Guild met in September to review the new handbook, discuss National Altar Guild and Washington National Cathedral Altar Guild guidelines, review our duties, welcome new members, and share ideas and techniques.

In December, member Virginia Thames (and Lee) graciously invited the entire Guild and spouses into their home for a fabulously fun Christmas party!

Parishioners and others are invited to donate flowers to the Glory of God, In thanksgiving, and to honor, memorialize, and celebrate loved ones. Donation amounts remain as follows: Altar – $100 Dent Table – $50 Baptismal Table/Font – $50 First Sunday of Advent evergreens – $100 Paschal candle – $25 (when available) Christmas Poinsettias – varies $20-$25 Easter Hydrangeas/Lilies – varies $30-$35 Funeral flowers are placed at no charge to the family as a part of our ministry to the church. Wedding flower prices vary and are listed in the church’s Wedding Application Packet.

 Reservations are not accepted during Lent and Advent, but we gratefully accept any donations throughout the year to help offset additional expenses such as repair costs, larger seasonal displays, and emergencies.

The entire Flower Guild is immensely grateful for your continued support! This effort would not be possible without your donations, and thank you for all your kind, encouraging words. Anyone interested in joining the Flower Guild should contact Ruth or Richard. New members are always welcome!

Acolytes:

This year we had 6 devoted acolytes serving faithfully. Holy Trinity is very fortunate to have these young people being eager and willing to serve, but we need new recruits!

Being an acolyte in the Episcopal Church is such an important part of our liturgy and offers a special way for our young people to develop their faith. All children and young people who are interested in serving as acolytes are encouraged to do so, beginning at age 7 or whenever they are able to carry the necessary holy objects. I hope all of you enjoy watching our children and young adults grow and serve. Please reach out to either of us if your child would like to participate!