Tidings Newsletter - December 2025
- Trinity Presbyterian
- Dec 1, 2025
- 12 min read
Updated: Jan 14
Transitional Pastor's Note
"…waiting, anticipating, expectant people of faith.”
On the church calendar in December of each year is the church season of Advent.
Advent comes from the Latin word “advenire”, meaning “to come” or “the coming.” For the Church, then, Advent is the time of year we focus on the coming of Christ into the world–past, present and future.
At Advent we remember Jesus coming into the world in the past the first time over 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem as a baby born to Mary and Joseph. The Church regards the coming of Christ into the world the first time as the great watershed event in human history. In most churches this coming of Jesus in the past gets by far the most attention at Advent.
But also at Advent we celebrate the different ways Jesus comes to us by the Spirit in the present. Jesus himself told us in Matthew 25 that when we serve the least, the last, the lost, the little, the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, the prisoner, we serve Jesus, who is mysteriously present in needy persons and in those moments when we move toward the needy in selfless service.
Finally at Advent we look forward in the future to Jesus’ second coming, referred to in Greek as the “Parousia” and known to most of us as the “Second Coming of Christ.” The Church has believed from the beginning of its existence that Christ will come again to set all things right and usher in the new heaven and the new earth that human beings have longed for.
It’s long been interesting to me that both Jewish people and Christian people find themselves waiting for Messiah to come, only Jews wait for Messiah to come the first time, while Christians wait for Messiah to come the second time. Both Jews and Christians are waiting, anticipating, expectant people of faith.
At Advent we are reminded that Christ’s coming, whether it be in the past, present or future, always brings renewal, transformation, truth, health, healing, love, peace, joy, more life-giving ways of being in the world. And that is why we set time aside each year to celebrate Christ’s coming and probe the deeper meaning of it.
—David Garnett
Associate Pastor's Note
“Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.”
The Advent season is well under way, and it’s probably clear enough what all of our various events and observances are about . . . except possibly for the service we’re calling In Thy Dark Streets.
The short answer is that In Thy Dark Streets is this year’s “Longest Night” or “Blue Christmas” service—that is, a seasonal worship service that acknowledges that for some of us, “the holidays” are a time of grief, sadness, and loss.
But you don’t have to be grieving or sad to attend In Thy Dark Streets. It’s a service for everyone, with a focus on healing and wholeness that we hope will be meaningful to you in whatever spiritual and emotional place that you find yourself this year. It’s a service of prayer, music, silence, light, and darkness, and it will be organized around the reading of a Christmas-night story I wrote some years ago called “Room.”
We hope you’ll make plans to join us for In Thy Dark Streets as we lift up our hurting world in prayer and reflect on the true meaning of Advent and Christmas.
Peace,
—Dwight Christenbury
Global Missions Ministry
The Trinity and Fuente de Vida Partnership
Scholarship Program
The partnership Trinity Presbyterian Church has with Fuente de Vida Iglesia Presbyteriano is a relationship based on love and mutual respect. Even though small in number, Fuente de Vida is a vital part of their local community and a beacon of God’s work in the world. It is our goal to support the Fuente de Vida congregation through prayer and cooperative programs.
The most significant and concrete way we can support the children and their families is the Scholarship Program. Even though education is universal and free in Guatemala, many children are unable to attend school due to miscellaneous costs that must be borne by the families, or in some cases when the children are expected to work to help the family get by.
At Fuente de Vida, the Scholarship Program is administered by the church’s Scholarship Committee and funded by Trinity Presbyterian. In addition to scholarships being granted to families within the church, the committee accepts applications from members of the local community. The final decision on who will receive scholarships and in what amount is made by the committee in Guatemala. Each year they present their selections to Trinity’s Global Mission Ministry, which determines the amount of funding for that year.
In 2025 there were 20 elementary through high school students, one university student, and two seminary students. The total amount of scholarships was $7,350. In 2026 there will be 30 students in elementary through high school, one university student studying nursing, and one trade school student studying computer technology. The total cost is $11,500.
In 2024 one of our scholarship students graduated from university with a Law Degree. She is currently in the process of setting up a practice. She is our first university graduate.
Probably the most significant aspect of the Scholarship Program is that it brings hope to a people whose prospects without an education are extremely limited. The partnership between Trinity and Fuente de Vida provides a way for them to more fully achieve their potential and lift themselves out of poverty. Global Mission Ministry wants to thank all of you for helping to make this program possible.
—Duane Johnson
Guatemala Partnership 30th Anniversary!
More than 30 years into the Presbytery’s Guatemala Partnership, Nov. 8 was a time to reflect, be inspired and equip the folks who make the partnership work today and into the future. More than 60 people attended the celebration at Waldensian Presbyterian Church with more than a dozen congregations represented.
The theme was “Inspire, Equip, Activate”, and the goal was for attendees to leave feeling: “I know how to talk about this, share it, and invite others in.” We reviewed the 4 major mission projects in Guatemala: Education, Health, Microloans, and Men In the Mirror.
Then, we broke into small groups to reflect on personal experiences and impacts the Guatemala Partnership has had on the participants. Each person was prompted to write their story. In large group discussion, we talked about the heart of the partnership and why it matters.
Then, participants were asked what they want others to know about the Partnership and what they would ask others to do to support the Partnership.
— Presbytery of Western North Carolina
Trinity was represented at the celebration by Carole Ball, Duane Johnson, and Bev Luzadder
Presbyterian Women
Will you wait with me?
Will you join us during Lent for a weekend of renewal, rest, laughter, learning, sharing and the Spirit? The 2026 Women’s Retreat at Montreat promises all of those experiences and more! This year’s facilitator is the Reverend Caroline Dennis, pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greenwood, SC.
Meet Caroline in her own words:
“Caroline Dennis. Child of God. Playmate of the Spirit. Disciple of Jesus Christ. Wife of one. Mother of three. Grandmama of Addie Lou. Ministry partner with the saints and sinners of Westminster Presbyterian Church Greenwood is eagerly awaiting her time with the ladies of Trinity Presbyterian.”
Caroline grew up in Atlanta and holds degrees from Davidson College, Oglethorpe University and Columbia Theological Seminary. She resides with her teacher/pastor husband Phillip in Greenwood, South Carolina and enjoys visiting her children and grandbaby in Columbia and Washington, DC, and her mother at Pawleys Island. Caroline has been an early childhood educator, stay at home mom, children and family pastor, and solo pastor. She loves to hear and to tell a good story, camp and hike, cook and converse. Wherever life and ministry have taken her, this lifelong Presbyterian has considered Montreat to be a spiritual home.
The 2026 Trinity Women’s Retreat will be March 13-15, 2026.
Registration forms, including answers to most questions, are on a table in the Narthex. Get your form in soon, as space is limited! Contact any member of the planning team for more information.
—Norie Sanchez, Molly Garnett, Flora Hobson, Kathy Steinbaugh, Kris Grasse and Carol Steele
Stewardship Ministry
It’s Advent. Jesus is coming; not just once a year but every day.
May you welcome and cherish God’s love being poured into you.
May you glimpse how delighted God is in you.
May God’s love so fill you that you increasingly love yourself.
And then, may God’s love overflow in a great stream so you are loving others.
May you be lovingly sharing your gifts of time, talent and treasure not just with friends and family but also with neighbors, strangers and even enemies.
Surely faith endures here. Merry Christmas
—Barb T.
Matthew 25 Ministry - Partner
Pisgah Legal Services
Standing with Immigrant Families Across WNC: Pisgah Legal Services stands in solidarity with immigrant families across Western North Carolina and throughout our state. We recognize that recent developments—particularly in the Charlotte area—have sparked fear, confusion, and uncertainty for many of our neighbors. Concerns about traveling to work, taking children to school, and simply engaging in daily life have become deeply unsettling under the threat of detention or family separation.
To our immigrant neighbors: you are not alone. You have rights under the law, and Pisgah Legal is here to help you understand and protect those rights.As part of our commitment to access to justice and making sure that people understand and exercise their legal rights, we have compiled a comprehensive set of resources to support
immigrant families. These resources are available in our Immigrant Rights & Resources sheet. (doc in Spanish & English)
Worship Ministry
Earth Care Ministry
“Hard to Recycle” Event: Sat, Dec 6, 10am-2pm
Have things that are not accepted at our great local Convenience Center and you don’t want them going to the landfill? Our Earth Caring Ministry has an answer for you!
Four times a year, the Asheville Greenworks hosts a Hard to Recycle event. The next one will be on Saturday, December 6th at T. C. Roberson high school 16 Miami Circle in Arden (just off Long Shoals Rd west of H’ville Rd.) from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Accepted items include:
small appliances
electronics
books
shredded paper
computers ($10 fee for monitors)
phones
personal care products
clean Styrofoam (no tape, stickers, or food)
art supplies
beauty products
fabric scraps
Not accepted include:
packing peanuts
candles
clothing
wooden items
VHS
cassette tapes
CDs, DVDs
light bulbs
paints
plastic clam shells
rigid plastics
There are too many items to list them all so check out the bulletin board in the narthex or go to https://www.ashevillegreenworks.org/hard2recycle#accepted-items
BONUS! The Earth Caring Ministry will be at Trinity’s back parking lot on 12/6 from 9:00 to 11:00 to accept your stuff that fits their requirements. We will then take it to the high school, saving you a
trip!
— Tom Karvonen
Presbyterians for Earth Care Advent Devotional
NOW AVAILABLE
New Daily Advent Devotions based on the Revised Common Lectionary texts from Creation Care Perspectives: We hope this devotional will help preachers, lectionary Bible study groups, families and individuals with new insights on these beloved texts during this special season. We hope the devotions will inspire more people help care for God's creation in these challenging times. Thank you to all of those who wrote and contributed to this year’s devotional!
Presbyterians for Earth Care has partnered with Red Presbiteriana Para el Cuidado de la Creación as a collaboration with both English and Spanish Advent Devotionals to share. Both translations are available on the PEC website. CLICK HERE to view or download your copies in both languages today.
Trinity Book Group
The Trinity Book Group will not meet in December. We’ll be back in January 2026!
We want to remind everyone that more readers are always welcome. Watch for updates in the new year.
Wishing everyone a Blessed Christmas and Healthy, Happy New Year!
— Angela Kuykendoll
Matthew 25 Ministry
Great Social Justice activities are occurring in our community. Hope folks were able to attend some that took place mid-November and can join others upcoming.
Color Beyond the Lines: Nov. 15, Grace Lutheran Church – A film by David Weintraub about the history of black education and desegregation in Henderson County and WNC.
Henderson County Social Justice Network: Nov. 18, Grace Lutheran Church or zoom
Immigration & Citizenship: Where We Are Now & How We Got Here: Nov 18, Henderson County Public Library presented by The Henderson County League of Women Voters.
Transgender Day of Remembrance: Thursday, Nov. 20 at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville. The Hendersonville Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil hosted this year by UUFH honoring all those in our country and around the world who have lost their lives to trans violence in the past 12 months.
Postcard Party: Friday, Nov. 21, Trailside Brewing for Affordable, Quality, Accessible Healthcare for All.
Between the Lines Book Club Meeting, Thursday, Dec.11, 11:00, Zoom Coming Up Short in America by Robert Reich, Chapters: The Batboy in Georgia through Home Again (pps 251 - 303 on Kindle)
Matthew 25 Ministry for Social Justice meeting, Sunday, Dec. 14, 12:15, Trinity Room
NAACP
Our local NAACP met MONDAY NOVEMBER 17 with guest speaker Mr. Williams Dickens from the American Descendants of Slavery (ADOS) Advocacy Foundation. They have launched their first annual NAACP Youth Poetry Competition. The contest is open for all youth ages 11 through 22. Spread the word! The deadline for submissions is December 16.
Circles, USA
Circles work continues with key steps underway.
Thanks to the hard work of Circles board members and legal advice from Pisgah Legal Services we have engaged Lin Johnson as our Circles “Project Coordinator”. This step adds key leadership as national membership and guidance becomes a reality. Welcome, Lin!
Also, an application has been submitted for a PW Thank Offering Grant which we are very hopeful of getting. We continue to explore avenues for additional funding.
Henderson County Circles just became a member of national CirclesUSA and as such is now receiving national support and guidance. Our folks are getting online assistance with startup training and regular zoom meetings.
Watch the calendar for continued Circles events and plan to join this exciting ministry.
—Joy Guenther
Library Notes
The library has recently received 2 donated books about Christmas:
The Golden Ring: A touching Christmas story by John Snyder.
A treasury of Christmas miracles: True stories of God’s presence today.
These are in the Library cabinet in the Atrium along with many other Advent and Christmas books for children and adults. Feel free to check out as many as you like!
—Linda & Barry Stokes
Fellowship Ministry
Wed Night Live Talent Show!
A few fun snapshots from our recent show. Take a peek at the rest!
Wed Night Live!
Our final Wednesday Night Live of 2025 is on December 3.
The program will be Musicke Antiqua. Musicke Antiqua performs music from the Medieval and Renaissance though the Baroque and Modern eras, in costume, on replicas of a wide variety of early music instruments, including recorders, double reed instruments, strings and percussion. We are so pleased to have us play for us again. They practice as Trinity Presbyterian, and we welcome them to share their music.
Please sign up in the narthex the Sunday prior to the WNL Fellowship or call the office no later than Monday prior by 9:30 a.m. We look forward to our fellowship time.
Please note: Starting in January the cost of WNL meals will be $12/adult. This reflects the recent price increases charged by our catering partners.
Presbyterian Women
Naomi Circle Tea Party@ “A Day in The Country”
Dec 16, 11:00 AM
Mark your calendars! Our next meeting of Naomi on December 16 will be at 11am because we have reservations for tea at 1 pm! We enjoyed our last lunch so much and many noticed the tea offering and it became by far and away the #1 choice for December! I’ve attached some pictures of what you might expect, although I’m sure the Christmas motif will be exquisite. Cost for the tea is $22….if that doesn’t fit your budget please reach out to me privately. I’ll send a request for RSVP a few days before and I do ask that you honor your commitment as this is a special event for them.
—Patti Shannon
Christian Nurture Ministry
A few fun shots from the recent Presbytery Youth Council Retreat at Camp Greer with Brandon Haskins, Dean Christenbury, and Dwight Christenbury.
Local Missions Ministry
Many thanks to all who stepped up their IAM Food Pantry donations. Food insecurity affects many in our community, esp those whose access to SNAP benefits may be changing. Proud of you, Trinitarians! (and thanks to our weekly pantry collector & dropper-offer, Andy Nissen!)
60th Anniversary Party!
David Garnett congratulates Neena Haskins, one of the charter members of Trinity, at our 60th Anniversary celebration. See the rest of our photos HERE
December Birthdays
Calendar
Check out what's happening this month on our web calendar
A couple highlights, but check the website for details and EVERYTHING!!!
Sat, Dec 6 - DROPOFF: “Hard to Recycle” Event (9-11 AM)
Tue, Dec 9 - PARTY: Deacons’ Christmas Party (3:30 PM)
Wed, Dec 10 - WORSHIP: “In Thy Dark Streets” Contemplative Service (5 PM)
Sun, Dec 14 - CONCERT: Blue Ridge Symphonic Brass (3 PM)
Wed, Dec 24 - WORSHIP: “Everlasting Light” Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Please note we will be closed during the day for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, though open for worship on Christmas Eve.
Social Media Nerd Moment:
If you’d like to see more of what YOU and your Trinity family are up to, you can FOLLOW US on Facebook. Yes, I know you can look us up, but if you want to be notified when we post something about all the good stuff YOU ALL are doing in the community, you can go to this link and click “follow”. (I won’t spam you, I promise 😘 - Come on, it’s ME!)
828.692.6114
900 Blythe St. Hendersonville, NC 28791
WORSHIP WITH US
Sundays at 8:30 & 11:00 or ONLINE! (at 11:00)
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