WELCOME FROM THE RECTOR


I was in a place of worship that was unfamiliar, new, indeed a bit threatening. As a life long Episcopalian I had not often been a participant of a Jewish service of worship—even though we Episcopalians value our Judeo-Christian heritage. I was there to be a part of one of our day school student’s Bar Mitzvah. It was a joyous occasion, but I felt unfamiliar with the setting and with the worship that was about to happen. I turned to their book worship and the Meditation that you see below were the words that greeted me. These words not only gave me comfort; they provided a deep and genuine sense of welcome. I hope that you may share some of that same experience if you find your way to Trinity Church, Spruce Pine.

On any given day or time we may find ourselves full of gratitude and joy just as we may find our hearts troubled and disquieted. Wherever you in fact you may find yourself, whatever part of your spiritual journey you are currently traveling, it is our hope that you will not only find you way to Trinity, but, moreover, upon arrival you will discover a place of genuine hospitality and refreshment. You will see on this site not only our mission statement but pictures and events that reflect some of the life and substance of our parish community. We invite you to come and be a part of our sacramental life and ministry that is given to us as a gift of God’s grace in Christ.

The Reverend G. LaRue Downing

 

Meditation *

Each of us enters this sanctuary with a different need.

Some hearts are full of gratitude and joy:
They are overflowing with the happiness of love and the joy of life;
They are eager to confront the day, to make the world more fair; they
Are recovering from illness or have escaped misfortune.
And we rejoice with them.

Some hearts ache with sorrow:
Disappointments weigh heavily upon them, and they have tasted despair;
families have been broken; loved ones lie on a bed of pain;
death has taken those whom they cherished.
May our presence and sympathy bring them comfort.

Some hearts are embittered:
They have sought answers in vain; ideals are mocked and betrayed;
life has lost its meaning and value.
May the knowledge that we too are searching, restore their hope and
give them courage to believe that not all is emptiness.

Some spirits hunger:
They long for friendship; they crave understanding; they yearn for warmth.

May we in our common need and striving gain strength from one another, as we
share our joys, lighten each other's burdens, and pray for the welfare of our community.

* Taken from the Gates of Prayer for Shabbat and Weekdays
Chaim Stern, Editor
Central Conference of American Rabbis