JANUARY 2015 ISSUE 1| VOLUME XXIV

TRINITY ON MISSION

Helping to make God’s love visible in Atlanta, throughout the United States, and around the world.

PAGE 1 MISSIONS: JOINING IN GOD’S TRANSFORMATIVE WORK

How have you engaged in Mission at Trinity Church over the past year? Have you found yourself swinging a hammer in the fall on a Habitat build? Maybe you enjoy being a homework buddy in D building at Trinity with the Agape children? Have you spent an hour or so delivering meals to frail or homebound seniors? Perhaps you’ve had an opportunity to journey to Haiti or Cuba? We have a rich tradition of ministry at Trinity Church, and powerful mission continues to take place in and through you—the PEOPLE who are Trinity Church. Building on the strength and legacy of Mission Ministries here at Trinity, our goal is to engage every member in an activity that brings fullness to their lives while helping to Make God’s Love Visible in our community and beyond.

Because of our desire to increase our impact in the world while faithfully being good stewards our resources, the Mission Council decided to reexamine our ministry model. One of the major themes we noticed was that our budget drove our ministry, in many respects, rather than our ministry shaping the budget. We spent a great deal of time discussing, debating, and praying about the mission budget. Our funding last year supported forty-four organizations; while each of these organizations does wonderful work, the practical side of supporting forty- four organizations means a lot of paperwork, checks, and balances—not the best use of our resources! It’s also too many relationships to effectively maintain, which we believe is key to good mission work.

As a result of this reexamination, we began an infrastructure assessment that led to a ministry re-ordering of sorts. During this sixteen-month redevelopment period, we discerned the need to put our ministries in a stronger position to shape our priorities—particularly through the cultivation of deeper and more effective partner relationships and the creation of more For more information about meaningful engagement opportunities for our members. We also discerned a need to mission ministries, please communicate more effectively to the congregation. contact: the Rev. Matthew Ruffner, Associate Pastor for To help us meet these goals, the Mission Council has identified five main mission initiatives. We Mission Ministries will invest a large portion of our budget, time, and relationship-building energy in these mission partnerships. These initiatives for 2015 are: 404-495-8423 •Cuba; [email protected] •Agape;

•Church of the 21st Century;

•Advocacy Gun Violence Faith Values; and

•Haiti.

Each initiative has a ministry team that will work to develop its vision and ministry. These teams exist to deepen our partnerships with these organizations AND to develop ways for you to more fully engage in mission.

These main initiatives by no means mean we will neglect all other missions. We will continue to make an impact through a wide variety of engagement opportunities at Trinity, including building our fall Habitat for Humanity house, delivering Meals on Wheels five days a week, preparing and serving a meal at Journey Night shelter, and volunteering at BCM, to name a few.

With all of these exciting ways to engage in the life and ministry of Trinity Church, you can see why Mission is enthusiastic about what is to come in 2015, including our new Mission Momentum night coming later in January! Stay tuned to find out how you can get involved in this exciting new chapter of the Mission Ministry at Trinity Church! PAGE 2 UPCOMING MISSION OPPORTUNITIES RHINO January 26 – 31 Trinity has participated with St. Charles Ave. Presbyterian Church, in New Orleans since 2006 helping to Rebuild Hope In New Orleans. Since opening their doors in October 2005, RHINO has welcomed over 6,000 volunteers and built over 34 homes through New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, as well as partnered with The New Orleans Mission, Second Harvest Food Bank, Magnolia Community Services, and Parkway Partners to rebuild hope in many different ways all over New Orleans! Trinity will journey again to New Orleans and participate in a Habitat for Humanity build with RHINO. If you are interested in participating in this Spirit-filled mission you can sign up on the website, http://www.trinityatlanta.org/register-now/.

If you have questions, please contact John Shepard or Matthew Ruffner.

JOURNEY SHELTER January 22, February 26, March 26, April 30, and May 28 Join in God’s transformative work through Journey by preparing a meal for thirty men prior to arrriving at Journey Night Shelter and then serving the meal. Afterward, grab a plate and join in fellowship for the evening. All ages are welcome to serve! Volunteers should arrive at Journey (Druid Hills Presbyterian Church) at 6:45 p.m. in order to prepare dinner at 7 p.m. Please contact Lisa Carson at [email protected] to sign-up for an evening.

PAGE 3 MISSIONS: HOW DO I FIT IN?

2015 Mission Focus Areas

Advocacy Local Community Global Missions

Ministry Teams: Ministry Team: Ministry Teams: Gun Violence Faith Values Agape Cuba, Haiti

Chair: Jamie Brownlee Chair: Peter Barratt Co-Chairs: [email protected] [email protected] Steven Darst [email protected] Andie Goodrich [email protected]

Denominational Sustainability Engagement

Ministry Team: Ministry Team: Ministry Teams: Church of the 21st Century Sustainability will work with all focus Habitat, BCM, Journey, areas including committees outside of Meals on Wheels, Earth Day Co-Chairs: Mission. Joe Brown Contact: Lisa Carson [email protected] Chair: [email protected] Peggy Shepard John Hitchins [email protected] [email protected]

Cultivation Teams Those ministries that have not been identified as Mission Council Ministry Teams are encouraged to continue to meet and develop their ministries. The cultivation teams will coordinate with Matthew Ruffner, Rebekah Groover, Chair Associate Pastor for Mission Ministries, and may become focuses in years Peter Barratt, Vice Chair to come. Joe Brown

David Carr

Information For more information on opportunities to join in God’s Frank Fuerst transformative work at Trinity, visit http://www.trinityatlanta.org/serve or email Lisa Carson at [email protected]. John Hitchins Hanna Hope

Julie Hope serve. belong. believe. Shirley Mills Charlie Sides

Matthew Ruffner, Associate Pator for Mission Ministries

PAGE 4 CLERK’S CORNER

The paradox of Advent is that it is both tiring and exhilarating at the same time. We get a rush from doing so much, but get exhausted at the same time.

Special thanks to our pastoral and support staff at TPC for making this time inspiring and reminding us always of “the reason for the season.” What was your favorite part? The sermon series on “Watching”? The splendid music? The Christmas Market? The Advent Workshop? Personally, I loved the Advent Devotional. Each day’s reading was a gift. I enjoyed guessing the name of the author and loved learning more about the people with whom I worship by reading their stories. The ancient tradition of storytelling is, after all, how we learn about each other. It is also how we learned about our Savior.

As I write this, the new year approaches. It is time to put away the decorations. The house is less festive and a little bare. We all assume our regular routines and there is less anticipation in the air. How can we keep that Christmas spirit year- long? Charles Dickens wrote, “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” What a great idea! On the same topic, President Calvin Coolidge said, “Christmas is not a time nor a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” Laurie Coleman,

As we turn the calendars to a new year, I am filled with gratitude to Session, the TPC Clerk of Session pastors and staff and our volunteers for their unending dedication. I am grateful that since we instituted new security measures, we have not experienced any more car break-ins. The new signage is great and helps visitors feel welcome. Please know that hospitality will always be a priority at Trinity.

I am also filled with excitement as Mission Council kicks off a new year and as the Strategic Planning Committee and Session prepare to announce and implement the strategic plan. All of the TPC committees submitted their Big Dreams to the Strategic Planning Committee. To fulfill these dreams, we will need to meet our commitment campaign goal. If you have not made a pledge for 2015, please do so right away. 2015 will be a significant year for TPC and volunteers will play a big role. Keep that generous and kind Christmas spirit so we can accomplish great things together.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the passing of our beloved founding pastor Allison Williams on December 13. His service was held December 17. The sanctuary was filled to capacity and the chapel was available for overflow. His contributions to Trinity were great and he is already missed deeply.

Laurie Coleman Clerk of Session

P.S. Mark your calendars for our congregational meeting on January 11 following the 11 a.m. service.

PAGE 5 SPIRITUAL FORMATION

New Class Offerings for 2015 Winter Term

Among the over thirty offerings at Trinity this winter/spring, there are also four new offerings. Find class descriptions and informaton on how to register below. To learn more about on-going groups and classes, go to www.trinityatlanta.org, click “connect” and then “spiritual formation.” Printed catalogues are also available in the kiosk outside of Williams Hall.

The Spirituality of Aging: Bearing Fruit in All Seasons - III Leader: Jeannie DuBose Thursday mornings, 10-noon January 29; February 5, 12, 19, and 26 Room: B100

Whether you consider yourself young, old, or somewhere in-between, join us for a series of five conversations which will invite you to consider the concept of your elderhood. Let’s face it--there are things about getting older that are downright lousy. The good news is that our faith tradition offers both mirror and guiding light as we journey through the struggles and epiphanies of the aging process. This interactive, experiential series will use the teachings of Kathleen O’Connor, Old Testament scholar, and Eugene Bianchi, former professor of religion at Emory, and draw on laments, thanksgiving, and praise from the Psalms. This class will be buttressed by a small nucleus of members who have been discussing this topic for the past year. Newcomers are welcome! To register, contact Lisa Carson at [email protected] or at 404-495-8428.

NEW: Intergenerational Devotional for Women: Special Focus on Topics Pertinent to Mothers of Young Children

Leader: Jeannie DuBose Weekly, Monday mornings, 9:30-11 January 26; February 2, 9, 16, and 23 Room: B108

A new devotional will begin in January in response to young mothers at Trinity voicing a desire to grow spiritually, deepen relationships, and benefit from the wisdom of older Trinity women who have journeyed through the delights and trials of young adulthood, marriage, and raising a family – all while listening for the voice of their most authentic self. This time will be an invitation for all participants to benefit from the trust that emerges when a group commits to the communion of honest conversation about the reality of our lives – where we find the holy – and where we do not. Our time will be grounded in prayer and Scripture, with many portals offered to reflect on our spiritual journey. There will be ample time for sharing; each devotional will also include the opportunity for participants to consider how they want to put the “ah-has” from their reflection and sharing into action in their daily lives. You are invited to come as you are – casual or dressy – with make-up or without! This series will focus on issues pertinent to young mothers, seeded with stories and reflections from women 50+ in our congregation . If you are a mother of young children, or once were a mother to young children (!), and want to register for this devotional series, contact Lisa Carson at [email protected] or at 404-495-8428. Childcare will be available if requested – please communicate that need and ages of your children at the time of registration.

PAGE 6 NEW Engaging the Enneagram as Spiritual Practice Leader: Todd Evans Mondays from 1:30- 3:30: January 26; February 2, 9, 16, 23; March 2 Room: B110 (Old Fellowship Hall) Cost $90 for six meetings ($15 per meeting)

What is the Enneagram? Seen through a Christian lens, the Enneagram offers a centuries-old framework which invites us into fuller consciousness of our God- created self and also helps us identify the ways in which we hide from God, from others and from our own selves. The tools of the Enneagram offer us insight into how our greatest strengths, as well as our most humbling weaknesses, through God’s loving transformation, can empower us to live a more abundant, compassionate life. Each session will begin with a meditation, followed by a teaching that extends our understanding of the Enneagram. Next, in groups of two or three we will explore our experience in light of the teaching. And finally, we will come back together to share insights, observations, and questions that have come up for us. Our goals are to learn about the Enneagram, to explore our experience, and to support others in their explorations. To register, contact Lisa Carson at [email protected] or at 404-495-8428. If the cost is prohibitive for you, mention this to Lisa; scholarships are available.

About the leader: Todd Evans, a retired businessman, attorney, state senator, For more information about newspaper publisher, and ethics teacher, has sustained an interest in theology spiritual formation, please throughout his adult life and is a frequent church school teacher at Central contact: Jeannie DuBose, Presbyterian where he and his wife Dorothy are members. He has participated in the Director of Spiritual Diamond Heart School -- a spiritual school which studies the Enneagram -- for the last Formation. 14 years and led multiple groups in Enneagram exploration over the years. Todd and Dorothy have five children and nine grandchildren. His formal education includes a 404-495-8429 B.A. from Princeton and law and business degrees from Stanford. [email protected]

NEW Living with Loss Leaders: The Rev. Lynnsay Buehler and Doyle Hamilton, D.Min, LMFT Saturday, January 24, 10am-3pm Room: B110 (Old Fellowship Hall) Cost: $10 for Lunch

Living with loss can be an enormous burden to bear -- be it the death of a loved one, the failed expectation of yourself or others, the decline of physical capacity, or the struggle that occurs as professional and/or family dynamics change. This one day workshop will include information on the process and tasks of grief and mourning, as well as ample time for reflection and sharing. Our day will conclude with communion and worship.

About Our Leaders: Lynnsay Buehler is an Assisting Priest at St. Bede’s Episcopal Church where she directs the Julian of Norwich Center. In that capacity Lynnsay serves as a spiritual director for people of many denominations from all across the state. She lives in Decatur with her husband and son who will graduate from high school in May.

Doyle Hamilton is a pastoral counselor and licensed marriage and family therapist with The Care and Counseling Center of Georgia. He works out of two offices with that organization at First Baptist Church of Roswell as well as The Cathedral of St. Philip in Buckhead. He lives in Marietta with his wife and they have one adult daughter who lives in Valdosta.

PAGE 7 ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY MORNINGS, 9:45-10:45 Trinity has a long tradition of outstanding elective classes. The Adult Education Committee offers a lively mix of courses in each of seven areas: Bible; Christian and Religious History; Christian Living and Spiritual Practices; Contemporary Issues and Action: The Church and the World; Mission: Our Life in the World; Perspectives on Literature, Arts, Science, and Faith; and Theology and Ethics. You are encouraged to choose classes that interest you, challenge you, and provide a balanced “educational diet” over time, enabling you to grow in your faith and life. This session of classes is from January 4 to February 8.

NEW MEMBER CLASSES Coordinator: Gay Gunter Chapel Parlor 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Offered three times during the year, these classes are a series that introduce those interested in joining Trinity to the life of this congregation. The winter classes are scheduled for January 25 and February 1, 8, and 15.

BIBLE Forgiveness

Leaders: Nancy Purdon and Dr. David Bartlett Coordinator: Bettye Sue Wright Room: B104 - B106

Among the most difficult injunctions of the New Testament is the command to love our enemies. Almost as hard is the requirement that we forgive our debtors or those who trespass against us as what seems to be a condition for God’s forgiveness of us--in the Lord’s Prayer. Do we ponder this demand only because it is a demand, or are there also ways in which the life of reconciliation and forgiveness liberates both the forgiven and the one who forgives?

We will be using the study book Forgiveness by Marjorie J. Thompson. Class sessions will alternate between discussion of the Thompson book accompanied by appropriate scripture on the one hand, and discussion of an appropriate short story, on the other. The study book includes a section of study exercises which help us set the agenda for each Sunday.

David Bartlett is Theologian in Residence at Trinity and Emeritus Professor at Columbia Seminary and Yale Divinity School.

Trinity member Nancy Purdon has taught literature courses at Emory’s Lifelong Learning Center.

CHRISTIAN LIVING AND SPIRITUAL PRACTICES Through the Portals of Scripture and Deep Reading

Leader: David Bartlett, Jeannie DuBose, Craig Goodrich, Bill Brown, Don Saliers Coordinators: June Bishop, Charlotte Lee Room: B108

This course will dig deep into the theological foundations of Spiritual Formation with a focus on reading Scripture and other writ- ten texts in ways that move us along our own spiritual development and out into the community to engage with others.

Trinity’s own David Bartlett, Jeannie DuBose, and Craig Goodrich will be joined by Dr. Don E.Saliers, the William R. Cannon Distinguished Professor of Theology and Worship, Emeritus of the Candler School of Theology, and Dr. William P. Brown, William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary, in an exploration of how we are formed and reformed by Spirit. Expect prob- ing lectures leavened with some experiential learning, as introduction to spiritual practices of long-honored tradition.

PAGE 8 PERSPECTIVES ON LITERATURE, ART & SCIENCE Tennessee Williams’ Night of the Iguana: Stage Play Into Film

Leader: Lewis Wilson Coordinator: Albert Anderson Room: B112

Tennessee Williams’ great play was made into an equally great movie starring Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, Sue Lyon, and Deborah Kerr. While essentially similar to the play, the film version has some interesting changes and additions, some of which were written by Williams himself when he was with John Huston’s group in the tropics south of Puerto Vallarta for the making of the movie. We’ll explore these differences between the stage and screen versions of Night of the Iguana as we read the play and watch the movie, and we’ll explore the great themes bodied forth in both.

At the heart of the drama, defrocked minister, the Reverend T. Lawrence Shannon, struggles for his soul with the Church, temp- tation, God, and “the Spook.” In addition to Shannon, the play is brimming with memorable characters, including Hannah Jelks, granddaughter of the oldest practicing poet, who nurtures Shannon through his walpurgisnnacht, and Maxine Faulk, sultry owner of the hotel on the beach near Puerto Vallarta where the play takes place. Night of the Iguana is often regarded as Williams’ darkest play, yet on the other side of its deep probe into the dark heart of man, his most redemptive. Dr. Wilson will use the New Directions paper back edition of the play (copies will be available at Lisa Carson’s office, at the 1st class Jan 4, and from Barnes and Noble).

Dr. Wilson, a long time Trinity Member, has a Ph.D. in English, has taught English at Emory University and the Lovett School, and has headed The Walker School Upper School. For most of his adult life he was an investment portfolio manager, having been one of the owners at Montag & Caldwell, Inc., where he headed the endowment management group.

ROOTS Trending Ministry: Changes that are Reshaping the 21st Century Church

Leader: Mark Douglas, Columbia Theological Seminary Coordinators: Krysia Waldron & Dale Hair Room: A116 CLASS WILL BEGIN JANUARY 11

Nothing can live in a vacuum--including the church. So as the church pursues its ministries, how will it understand and respond to the large changes that are reshaping society? What will it do with:

• the explosion of social media in an information age? • increasingly multicultural societies surrounding monocultural communities? • growing economic disparities and the global expansion of capitalism? • demographic shifts associated with age and religious engagement? • environmental change?

Each week, we’ll take up one of these topics and think through its implications for the 21st century church.

Mark Douglas is Professor of Christian Ethics at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA, where he teaches a wide variety of classes and directs the Masters of Divinity degree program. He is also the founding editor of @ this point: theological reflections on church and culture, the seminary’s online journal. He holds degrees from Colorado College (B.A.), Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div., Th.M.), and The University of Virginia (Ph.D.). He is an ordained Presbyterian minister and is married to Lindsay Armstrong, who is also a Presbyterian minis- ter. They have one child, their daughter, Logan. His most recent book is Believing Aloud: Reflections on Being Religious in the Public Sphere (Cascade, 2010). He is currently working on a book about the impact of climate change on war.

Additional listing on page 10.

PAGE 9 ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY MORNINGS, 9:45-10:45

Listing continued from pages 8 and 9.

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND ACTION Hot Spots Around the World

Leader: Stephen Bartlett Coordinators: Sally Hawkins and Crystal Allen Room: Williams Hall C

This series will explore the history behind some of the current global “hot zones” around the world. The topics covered each week will be driven by world events, but we will begin with a look at the cornerstone of modern conflict--nationalism. Further topics may include the dawn of a Third Intifada in Israel, the struggle for Kashmir, the reemergence of the Cold War in the Ukraine, the touchstone of Taiwan, ISIS and extremism, and violence and hope in Africa.

Stephen Bartlett graduated from Georgia State University with a B.A. in history and from Clemson University with a M.A. in European history. He is currently finishing his Ph.D. in Early Modern European History at St. Louis University. His area of research broadly includes Late Medieval and Renaissance religious history with a focus upon the papacy and popular piety. His dissertation, A Tale of Two Intellects: the Libraries of the Della Rovere Popes, explores the shift in intellectual pursuits from scholasticim to humanism as illustrated by the two Renaissance popes of the Della Rovere family. Stephen teaches courses on world history, religious history, and European history at Kennesaw State University. In addition to his teaching duties, he also serves as Coordinator of Part-time Faculty, Coordinator of Distance Learning, and Co-Director of Study Abroad programs in Montepulciano, Italy and Istanbul, Turkey.

SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY

Millennium Gate Museum Wednesday, January 28 9:30 a.m.

Please join us as we travel to the Millennium Gate Museum at Atlantic Station on Wednesday, January 28. We will be leaving from Trinity at 9:30 a.m. Please make your reservation by sending your check for $15 to Nancy Ireland, Trinity’s receptionist. Make checks payable to Trinity Presbyterian, and note in the memo line that the check is for the “Senior Outing.” If you have any questions, please contact Crystal Allen at 404- 355-6688 or [email protected].

PAGE 10 TRIENNIAL CHURCH- WIDE EVENING BENEFITTING OUR YOUTH Saturday, February 21, 2015 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Trinity School

Please join us for a fun evening of dinner and fellowship to enhance our growing youth program. Throughout the year, the youth of Trinity Church travel with their youth advisors on fellowship and service trips. Last summer, our youth traveled to Philadelphia, PA, Asheville, NC, and even as far as Belize to put their faith into action as they served those less fortunate. Next summer, mission trips to Raleigh, NC, and the Appalachia Mountains are planned. The annual trip to Montreat, NC, always provides spiritual growth for our youth and develops a strong camaraderie. These trips help each of our youth participants better understand the power of God and shine the light on the joys of being a Christian. Individual families are responsible for the majority of the costs of these trips. However, the proceeds from this triennial benefit provide the youth program with supplemental funds to reduce the rising costs. So, please join us as we help LIGHT THE WAY for our youth on their faith journeys.

Tickets will go on sale in January. If you have any questions or would like to help with this event, please contact Co-Chairs Rush Levitt ([email protected]) or Susan Mangum ([email protected]).

PAGE 11 TRINITY EXPLORES!

THURSDAY EVENINGS (2ND, 4TH, AND 5TH THURSDAYS), 7:00 P.M.

Coordinator: Lewis Wilson B104 - 106

Trinity Explores! seeks to nurture the intellectual and spiritual lives of adults both in the Trinity congregation and in the broader community through providing a series of courses of the highest quality designed to enrich the experience of faith and to sup- port Trinity’s larger mission of “encouraging that continual exploration and insight which keeps us open to the new world God is always creating.” Trinity Explores! classes may be similar to Sunday morning adult education classes or may range somewhat farther afield. Classes are typically offered on the second and fourth Thursday evenings, September through May. Class topics may vary widely. Recent subjects have included in-depth study of biblical or theological issues, astrophysics, modern poetry, economics, education, parenting issues, violence in society, stress relief, and career counseling.

January 22 THE KING OF INSTRUMENTS: AN INSIDER’S GUIDE, PART II

Leader: Norman MacKenzie Trinity Sanctuary

Come and join in an exploration of the many musical and mechanical facets of Trinity’s wonderful sanctuary organ. Along the way, we will continue the brief history of the pipe organ that we began in the chapel last year, and compare and contrast Trinity’s two spectacular instruments. Exciting works by Cesar Franck, Charles-Marie Widor and other important French composers will be our guide into this colorful and dramatic world of sound.

Norman Mackenzie is Trinity’s Director of Music and Fine Arts and serves on the conducting staff of the Atlanta Symphony as Director of Choruses.

January 29 and February 12 THE LEMON TREE

Leaders: Rev. Joe Sandifer and Kathryn Sandifer B 104-106

Sandy Tolan’s The Lemon Tree came alive recently at North Decatur Church when Rev. Joe Sandifer and his wife Kathryn took on the roles of the Jewish Dalia and Palestinian Bashir. Importantly, in this fascinating work, both sides get equal time. The Sandifers have agreed to reprise their performance for us at Trinity through Trinity Explores!

Both Joe and Kathryn Sandifer are natives of North Carolina. Joe has degrees from Davidson College, Union Presbyterian Seminary and Yale Divinity School. He has served churches in Virginia and Georgia, retiring in 2001 from the Pilgrimage Church in Lilburn. Currently he serves as Pastor-to-Pastor for Greater Atlanta Presbytery. Kathryn graduated from Queens College, Presbyterian School of Christian Education and Columbia Seminary. She worked as a pastoral counselor on the staff of the Georgia Association for Pastoral Care, also retiring in 2001.

In retirement, the Sandifers enjoy their 6 in-town grandchildren along with activities at the North Decatur church. Joe has visited Palestine/ Israel and participated in the leadership of the Kairos USA class at North Decatur. Both led the “The Lemon Tree” study there in the fall of 2014. (Neither has acted before!)

PAGE 12 WESTMINSTER COLLEGE CHOIR

Trinity Sanctuary Monday, January 5 7:00 p.m.

On Monday, January 5, Trinity will host the Concert Choir from Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA. Westminster is a Presbyterian-related college located between Pittsburgh and Erie. The Concert Choir will be on their winter tour and will be performing a concert at Trinity on Monday, January 5 at 7:00 p.m. Drive

Host Homes Needed

We will have a guest choir coming on Monday, January 5 and need a few host families for that night. The choir, about 35 voices, will need housing for Monday night after their concert at Trinity. If you would be willing to host two or three college students, provide them breakfast, and return them to the church on Tuesday morning, we would be grateful. To volunteer, please email John Ryan at jryan@trinityatlanta. org or call him at 404-788-1356.

Please join us for a congregational meeting immediately CONGREGATIONAL following 11:00 a.m. worship on Sunday, January 11, to elect the Nominating Committee who will nominate our MEETING next class of Elders.

PAGE 13 COLLEGE MINISTRY

On December 21, Trinity college students gathered in the Youth Lounge to catch-up with each other and their friends still in the youth group. Please keep these young adults in your thoughts and prayers as they work hard in school and continue to find their paths in life. PASTORAL CARE

OUR SYMPATHY TO: STEPHEN MINISTRY the family of Linton Bishop Trinity’s Stephen Ministry offers confidential, one-to-one the family of Allison Williams Christian care to those who are experiencing difficult life the family of Patricia Williams circumstances. Stephen Ministers are available in Williams Hall following the worship service. Contact: Meredith Daniel at [email protected] or 404- 869-0025, or Marc Krause at [email protected] or 404-713- CONTACT: 0629. To notify the church of illness, hospitalization, birth, death, or prayer request, contact Veronica Ridenhour at 404-495-8440, or COUNSELING [email protected]. If you need pastoral care after Counseling services at Trinity are available by appointment church hours, page the pastor on call by dialing 404-237- with Mary Lisa Henry, Ph.D., LCSW. Dr. Henry may be reached 6491. through her confidential voice mail at 404-869-3707 Allison Flint Williams, Minister Emeritus of Atlanta’s Trinity White House Leadership Conference, and in the Aspen Presbyterian Church, died December 13, 2014. A native of Institute Executive Seminar. Allison provided leadership Atlanta, Allison was born February 27, 1923, the son of Livsey in the establishment of Trinity School where he remained Earle and Julia Flint Williams. He attended Rock Springs on the Board until his death, and in the establishment of Elementary, O’Kee Middle School and Atlanta Boys’ High Northwest Presbyterian Church and other Presbyterian School, receiving the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2004. churches. He served as Moderator of Atlanta Presbytery After graduating with a BA degree from Emory University and served in various capacities in the Atlanta Presbytery, where he was president of the SAE fraternity, Allison the Synod of Georgia, the General Assembly Committee of received postgraduate degrees from Princeton Theological the Presbyterian Church, and the Greater Atlanta Council of Seminary (M.Div.), and Union Theological Seminary (Th.M.) Churches. in Richmond, VA. He received an honorary D.D. degree from Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC and an honorary LHD degree from Hastings College in Hastings, NE. Allison Among his involvement in community affairs, he was a completed special graduate study at the Institute of Pastoral founding Trustee/Director of Annandale at Suwanee, Good Care at the Massachusetts General Hospital. During World Government Atlanta, the Georgia Association of Pastoral War II he served in the U.S. Navy and was commissioned Lt. Care now known as The Care and Counseling Center of jg Chaplain in the USNR. From 1947-1949 he was school Georgia, and the George West Mental Health Foundation- pastor and faculty member of the School of the Ozarks, Point Skyland Trail. He was an Emeritus Trustee of The Westminster Lookout, MO. During that time he was Moderator of the Schools, and served as Trustee of the Family Service Society, Lafayette Presbytery. the Community Council of Atlanta, the Georgia Conservancy, the Council for International Visitors, Rabun-Gap Nacoochee School, and the Board of Visitors of the Interdenominational Allison was called to be the founding minister of Atlanta’s Theological Center where he received the Outstanding Trinity Presbyterian Church in 1949, where he served as Service Award in 1990. Allison was one of eighty signers of Senior Minister for forty years. During those forty years the Manifesto on Racial Beliefs in 1957. He was inducted into Trinity established a reputation of working for unity and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse inclusion while respecting diversity of opinions and beliefs. College in 2007. He was a delegate to the Atlanta United He was named one of Atlanta’s 100 most influential young Way, was on the advisory board for Hospice of the South, men in 1950. Allison’s pursuit of knowledge continued and participated in the Atlanta Bar Association Committee as he participated as a Tower Scholar at Union Seminary, on Family Law. in the Graduate Ethics Seminar at Union Seminary, in the Presbyterian Institute of Industrial Relations, in the Continued on page 16. Ecumenical Institute at Chateau de Bossey, Celigny, Switzerland, in a study tour of NATO capitals, in the PAGE 15 ALLISON WILLIAMS 1923-2014 TRINITY’S FOUNDING PASTOR

Continued from page 15.

After his retirement in 1989, he enjoyed his association as a volunteer and trustee with the John H. and Wilhelmina D. Harland Charitable Foundation. Allison’s appreciation of the importance of childhood was evident in his ever-filled pockets of balloons and candy, his trips to Blood Mountain with the ROMG and Bare Bear trips. A voracious reader, his varied interests included music, tennis, swimming, fishing, traveling, mountain hiking and philosophizing with young and old. His greatest joy was his five grandchildren. The love and antics he shared with them brought much happiness and laughter! All who knew and loved Allison will remember him for his penetrating wit, strong convictions, and prodding leadership. A portion of a poem dedicated to Allison at Trinity School reads: “as man walks through the sands of time, patterns remain behind. Long after his presence ceases to be, that which is real and good lives on. A man who stands for integrity and strength, A man who is loved and admired, A man who knows how to give and receive, A man who is a guiding light, a founding father.”

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Josephine Culp Williams, his children, Hadyn Williams Culbertson (Mike), Brice Barnes Williams (Anne), grandchildren, Tyler Hudgins, Allyson Hudgins, Hayes Culbertson, Mac Williams and Hayden Williams, sister, Elizabeth Williams Henry, niece Margaret Dugan, nephew Chip Henry (Mary), great niece Julia Rooks and great nephews Will Rooks (Mareasa), Robert Henry and Liam Henry. The family is extremely grateful for the compassionate care given to him by Michelle Cooper.