Newsletter
Dear Friends,
A few months ago, before the summer heat, Stephen and I met for our usual, weekly coffee on the Upper West Side and began speaking about what might lie ahead for Trinity Heights Church. We talked about the importance of church community in an age of rampant isolation and loneliness. We spoke about people’s maxed out schedules and we discussed the specific way Jesus’ ministry placed the greatest emphasis on a handful of meaningful relationships.
This conversation continued over several months and came to a decisive moment when Stephen brought up a quote from John Mark Comer, “The future of the church is smaller, not bigger, it’s around tables, not stages.”
And, with those words we both paused for a moment before saying, “Let’s do that.”
So, long story short, that’s exactly what we’ve decided to do.
As we shared during our last Sunday service in June, this coming Fall we will be shifting our emphasis to a new model which will include a combination of Conversation Groups and Sunday services. Each Conversation Group will be made up of five to six people, including Stephen and I as hosts. Additionally, we will continue to gather for corporate worship on the last Sunday of each month, giving us the opportunity to bring the groups together, share communion and hear a message from scripture. Our hope is that this combination of Sunday gatherings and Conversation Groups will give us even more opportunity to learn together, serve together and grow together.
Of course, all of this wouldn’t be happening without the enthusiastic support of each of you. In recent weeks, we’ve had some encouraging encounters with a number of Trinity Heights friends. Many of you have spoken about craving more conversation and we’ve heard both Christians and Skeptics alike mention the desire to have deeper discussion. We’ve heard stories about times when you’ve felt the most shaped and changed by the community of Trinity Heights which has almost always taken place in the context of regular, ongoing dialogue.
In addition to all of this, a few months ago we spent some time exploring the mystery of the Trinity and one of the big takeaways was the idea that God himself, within himself is a loving community. We feel that this new format sets us up as a church community to reflect the relational image of God. Understanding that relationships are part of the fabric of the universe, that God is the source of all love and that every square inch of his creation is steeped in his communal nature.
Blessings,
Eric & Stephen
P.S. To find out more about our new Conversation Group Model, check out the recent reflection below.
Summer Schedule
During the summer season, as a church, we deliberately pause in order to rest and recuperate, understanding that many folks will be traveling and spending precious time with family.
This season, even as our Sunday services are on hold, our Summer Schedule will include two brunches in July.
The month of August will be completely off and we look forward to seeing you all in early September. In the meantime feel free to sign up to our Weekly Email if you’d like to receive up-to-date information and event details throughout the summer.
New Model: Conversation Groups
Come early Fall, we will be launching an ongoing series of Conversation Groups, each made up of five to six people, a total number that will always include Stephen and Eric. The frequency, times and places of each gathering will be tailored to the needs of each group and each conversation will be designed to naturally orbit around our core concept - A Community of Christians and Skeptics Exploring the Biblical Narrative Together
This next season we will also be exploring the question, “What would it mean to let the Biblical narrative become the lens through which we view our reality?”
What about Sunday service? This new model will include a traditional worship gathering on the last Sunday of each month.
Our hope is that this combination of Sunday services and Conversation Groups will give us even more opportunity to learn together, serve together and grow together.
Check out the recent reflection Tables Not Stages to find out more about our new Conversation Group Model.
To sign up for a Conversation Group, please click the button below.
New Location: Riverside Church
We are pleased to announce that starting in September, the last Sunday of each month will be dedicated to meeting at our new location in the bell tower of Riverside Church - Room 10T - entrance at 91 Claremont Avenue, for our usual brunch, followed by worship, a brief reflection and a time of discussion and prayer.
Well, not quite our ‘new’ location. If you’ve been attending Trinity Heights for a while now you’ll know that Riverside Church has been a kind host to us since 2017 and we’re grateful to be back in the bell tower as they accommodate us each month moving forward in the Fall.
Children’s Ministry
As we move into our new rhythm, Trinity Heights Church will continue to serve the youngest members of our community.
On the last Sunday of each month, children aged ten and under will be invited to meet on the ninth floor of the bell tower during the reflection portion of the service, spending time in scripture, storytelling and arts & crafts.
Saying Goodbye
Recently we said goodbye to our sweet friends Sarabeth and Jesse and celebrated their move with a farewell lunch hosted at the church. Please join us in praying for their smooth transition as they leave the city and enter into their new chapter in Seattle.
The Trinity: Community of God
In a recent reflection series we explored how oftentimes, contemporary Christians and Skeptics alike view the concept of the Trinity as a kind of Christian mythology, a strange part of the Biblical story, mysterious and nebulous. And yet, early Christians and theologians alike, saw the Trinity as the foundational element of the universe. They embraced the idea of God as three distinct entities, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and understood that God, in the form of the Trinity, is within himself, a loving community.
Check out our three part trilogy below titled The Trinity: Community of God as we explore the doctrine of one God in three parts.
Feel free to share these podcast episodes with anyone you know who might be interested in Trinity Heights Church or who may be exploring, deconstructing, or questioning.
Serving Opportunities
As a church community, we continue to work on behalf of others. We partner with Team TLC, LILY and Do for One. If you are looking for ways to serve at Trinity Heights Church or through any of these organizations, you can find out more below.
Giving
At Trinity Heights Church, we don’t pass an offering plate and this is deliberate. As a community of Christians and Skeptics, we never want there to be the underlying subtext that to be a meaningful part of our community you absolutely must give. That’s just not what we’re about.
That being said, Trinity Heights Church is looking to settle into new levels of financial sustainability and that’s where you come in. If you feel that the inclusive posture of our community is important, and you would like to contribute to the ongoing work of Trinity Heights Church, please consider partnering with us financially below.
Your generosity is greatly appreciated.