Pastoral Ministries

Trinity Lay Persons, called “Officiants, lead an Evening Prayer Service Monday through Friday at 5:30pm for the homeless or those in need, many of whom are part of the Lord of the Streets (LOTS) community.

This unique ministry falls under three categories actually. Outreach, because it is part of serving the LOTS community, Pastoral and Liturgical because of the role of officiating a special service.

Following the service, sandwich bags and water are distributed to the attendees by the Officiant. These sandwiches are made by the Sandwich Makers Ministry.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming involved in this vital ministry, please contact our office.

For many years, Trinity has had a Healing Prayer Team. The current members are very excited about where God continues to lead them. They are a group of individuals who want to stand with you in prayer through the Laying on of Hands. They offer themselves to be channels through which Divine Grace will flow into the life of another to give freedom and newness of life. Come before the side altar and lay your heart to God, and you will find Christ’s healing presence there.

We offer the Laying on of Hands at every 10:30 am Sunday service. If you attend the service you have probably seen two or three people in the side chapel area. At Communion, whether you receive the sacrament or not, you are invited to receive the Laying on of Hands. You may come for yourself; for any physical, mental or emotional need, or you may come seeking healing for someone else; a family member or a friend. If walking up for healing poses a physical difficulty, we will come to you. Just ask an usher or someone seated near you to let us know. If you would like to be a part of this very important ministry at Trinity, please contact the front office.

Pastoral Care at Trinity focuses on visiting parishioners who have become sick or have had an accident in the short term or due to age or illness in the long term are no longer able to come, worship, and pray with their Church community on a regular basis.

Pastoral Care Ministers bring the church community to them through supportive and practical ways such as visits, bringing communion, as well as supplying news of events and parish literature.

Pastoral care derives it name and nature from the meaning of shepherd and suggests the work of the shepherd with the flock. That is why Cannon Law speaks of Pastoral Care as a necessary service for parish life.

Because of the Right to Privacy laws, Trinity is not notified of parishioners who are hospitalized, homebound, or have entered a health care facility. We must hear from the parisioner, family member, or friend if they would like to be visited by a member of the pastoral care team. Please call the church office if you would like to join the Pastoral Care team.

The true purpose of praying for others is to offer ourselves as channels of God’s grace. When we act as intercessor we are forming a link in the link. We are offering our hearts as channels through which the healing love of God may be directed to those for whom we are praying.

An intercessory prayer chain, we are people who have been called to the ministry of praying for others on an ongoing basis. We have committed ourselves to pray regularly, confidentially and individually for the people and concerns that are requested of us. To become part of this wonderful pastoral ministry, contact the office. You can also submit a prayer request.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry members knit or crochet shawls that are given to persons who are ill, have suffered a loss, or are in the midst of a life crisis. The group currently meets at the church to work on shawls and pray for the recipients of their work. Check the schedule for the next date. You can join our Prayer Shawl Ministry by getting involved in making shawls with us or by requesting a shawl for a friend or loved one you know that is in need. If you wish to make a donation either for yarn or postage, we welcome your contribution.

Prayer Shawl Blessings

Loving God, as I create this shawl, may it be woven with love and compassion for __________ in her/his time of need. May it be a sign of hope and caring from our family of faith. Amen.

God of grace and God of glory, you alone know what ______ and his/her family need at this time. Surround them with your loving peace that they might find solace and comfort in you. Amen.

God of love, surround ________ with your tender mercy in this time of struggle and sorrow May this shawl be a source of comfort and the warmth of your love in the days ahead Amen.

Loving God, as I work to create this shawl, may it become a sign of your love and concern as _________ faces treatment in the days ahead. Amen.

God, we know that you are with us in the midst of the toils and struggles of our lives. May this shawl be a sign of that presence and a source of tender hope and peace for ______ in this time of need Amen.

As I create this shawl, may you guide my hands and my thoughts. I pray for _______ in her/his time of need, trusting that this gift will be a reminder to him/her of your love and concern which surrounds us all our days. Amen.

Loving God, may the rhythm of the rows and stitches all tied together be a sign to _______ of the tie that binds us all together – that of your love and mercy. Amen.

Directions for Making a Prayer Shawl

Yarn

You will need three skeins of Lion Brand Homespun yarn for either knit or crocheted shawls. This brand of yarn is suggested because of its soft texture and colors. The yarn is available at Wal-Mart, Michael’s or JoAnn’s Craft stores. If you have a local quilt or knit shop in your area contact them and perhaps it can be ordered locally. (Note: If you have yarn at home you would like to use, that’s okay too.)

Knitting Pattern

Use size 13 needles. These needles provide a loose weave and make the project go fast. Begin by casting on 57 stitches.

• Knit 3, purl 3, to the end of the row.
• Turn, and repeat the pattern.
• Each row will begin
  OR
• Cast on 60 stitches and just knit the entire 3 skeins.
• Fringe -Before you begin your third skein, set aside the yarn you will need for making the fringe for both ends of the shawl. Then, knit until you finish the yarn. Attach fringe to shawl. The fringe is made by cutting 130 lengths of yarn about 8 inches long. Hold two together and fold in half. This creates four ends. Pull through and knot.

Crocheting

• Use a 10 mm hook.
• Ch 53. Turn. SC for 3 rows. Turn.
• In the second sc from hook, *do 3 dc, sk 1st; sc in next st, sk 1 stitch; in next stitch, rep from* for width of shawl.
• Ch 2. Turn. (you should have 13 dc shells across.) Note that the 3 dc shells are done in the center of the dc group in the row below.
• Repeat this row until shawl is the desired length. End with 3 rows of sc.

A Gift of Love

There is really no right or wrong way to create these gifts of love and caring. The shawls do not all have to be alike. When you finish a shawl, it will be blessed and given to someone to whom it will become a very meaningful gift. If you are knitting with a recipient in mind, that will be extra special. There is no time limit to finish your shawl. Finished shawls may be brought to our Prayer Group meetings. For more information, contact the office.

The Hospitality Apartments provide free temporary housing in a welcoming and supportive environment for families who are in need while receiving medical treatment in or nearby the Texas Medical Center. Trinity is one of four area Episcopal parishes that take communion to guests at the Hospitality Apartments each Sunday afternoon. Contact: Joanne Starbuck at j[email protected]

Trained volunteers work with family members of the deceased to ensure that arrangements go smoothly before and during the funeral service. Rather than a traditional funeral service, families sometimes elect to hold a memorial service for their loved one. Arrangements may specify separate services at the Columbarium located on the church property. Contact the office for more info.

During the last Sunday before Christmas Day each year at 2:00 p.m. as we go caroling! We plan on visiting the homebound members of Trinity to spread the joy of the season. Please see the sign up sheet in the Fellowship Hall if you are interested. You can contact The Rev. Hannah Atkins for more information or 713-528-4100.

Also known as a “Blue Christmas” service we will hold a service of prayer and mindfulness of those dealing with loss of all kinds.

Blue? Yes, blue as in the blues. As in “I am feeling blue.” Not everyone is up and cheery for the Christmas holidays. Dealing with the death of a loved one, facing life after divorce or separation, coping with the loss of a job, living with cancer or some other dis-ease that puts a question mark over the future, and a number of other human situations make parties and joviality painful for many people in our congregations and communities. There is a growing attentiveness to the needs of people who are blue at Christmas. Increasing numbers of churches are creating sacred space for people living through dark times. Such services are reflective, accepting where we really are, and holding out healing and hope.

Some churches hold a service of worship on the longest night of the year, which falls on or about December 21st, the Winter Solstice. There is an interesting convergence for this day as it is also the traditional feast day for Saint Thomas the Apostle. This linkage invites making some connections between Thomas’s struggle to believe the tale of Jesus’ resurrection, the long nights just before Christmas, and the struggle with darkness and grief faced by those living with loss.

Contact the office for more information.