Tidings Newsletter - November 2026
Pastor's Corner
November: Calling all Leaders
November this year is an election month in our country. This year we call it the “midterms”, since it is an election year in-between the every-four-year election of a president. This year’s election has sent me back to the Bible to look at Israel’s experience of calling leaders.
I remember reading the stories about Israel’s kings in the books of I and II Kings, and something by its repetition got my attention for the first time. Each of the stories names a king, details some of the good and/or evil each of the kings did during their reigns, then reports their death and how long they had served, and then render an ultimate judgment on their reign.
The judgments fall into two categories. Either the king “did evil in the eyes of the Lord” or “did right in the sight of the Lord.” The judgment on each of the king’s reigns, I noticed, is presented from God’s perspective rather than from any human one. God alone defines and measures good and evil and renders a judgment on whether each king was more good or more evil. The divine judgment, in the Hebrew mind, is based on whether the kings were obedient to the revealed will of God in the Torah (or the Hebrew law set out in the first five books of the Bible), which mostly emphasize the love of God and neighbor and the need for righteousness and justice and mercy in one’s relationships with other human beings.
When you tabulate the details of all the king stories in I and II Kings, you discover that most of Israel’s kings were judged to be evil. Of the 39 kings judged, 31 (74%) were judged to be evil, while only 8 of 31 (26%) were judged to be good. Saul, David and Solomon were not included in the 39, but even among these Big 3 kings of Israel it is a mixed bag. Saul is judged negatively. David is judged mostly favorably. Solomon begins with a favorable judgment but ends with a negative judgment.
The judgment of Israel’s kings has great power to speak to future generations. After the king dies and a divine judgment of his reign is pronounced, a permanent historical judgment attaches to each king in the minds of future generations. Each king becomes for future generations either a role model for the people, an example of what a leader should do, or a negative example of what a leader should not do. The judgments on past kings are offered as a guide in calling future kings, though, sadly, even the most accurate national memory and written history cannot always stop Israel from calling another evil king.
I suppose every nation does this in one way or another. In every country past leaders are remembered and judged and rated and ranked against one another. Every nation has had some great leaders, some terrible ones, and many in-between. In the United States we are particularly fond of ranking our presidents over time from best to worst.
I and II Kings suggest that God always has the last word on a nation’s leaders, and God’s judgments are true and lasting, judgments that are sometimes affirming and at other times devastating. The stories make clear that if the kings did what was good in the sight of the Lord, the nation benefitted, but if they did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord, the nation suffered.
As we vote in this and future elections, as we call people to lead us in various ways, let us call those leaders most likely at the end of their reign to be affirmed as those who “did what was right in the sight of the Lord.”
—David Garnett
Transitional Pastor
Associate Pastor's Note
Just a quick — but heartfelt — note from me this month: Thank you!
Last month, as Tom Karvonen and Steve Culp reminded us, was “Pastor Appreciation Month,” which is a nice thing — but unnecessary at Trinity, as I feel appreciated all year long. Nevertheless, I do thank you for your generous gift, and I hope you feel appreciated by me as well!
Peace,
Dwight
Note to Writers for And on Earth Peace
Reminder: Devotions are due by Sunday, November 15; please send them to dwight@trinitypresnc.org. Thank you!
Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!
Presbyterian Women
On October 8th, Trinity Presbyterian Women hosted a Fall Gathering brunch.
The thirty-two attendees were treated to a delicious meal of assorted breakfast casseroles, fruits, and breads. The beautiful decorations were created by Kathy Steinbaugh.
The Fall Gathering highlights the PW Thank Offering, which is one of the PCUSA PW mission offerings. Sarah Thibodeau, TPC PW Missions Facilitator, lead a program about the nine 2026 PW Thank Offering Recipients who collectively received over $260,000. Following the presentation, participants were invited to contribute to the 2027 Thank Offering fund. (To date, over $1,000 has been contributed to the fund.)
Sarah Thibodeau then turned the program over to Susan Mangrum who introduced our local missions speaker, Lauren Wilkie, Executive Director of Safelight. Lauren presented an update of the many activities that Safelight coordinates as well as their numerous community partnerships that contribute to the successful delivery of services to Safelight's survivors and their families. Lauren spoke about a new wing recently added to their shelter. Trinity members were invited to help with the need for linens, especially towels for the new lodging. Not surprising to any of us, Trinity members were very generous, and Lauren was thrilled. For more information about Safelight, visit www.safelight family.org. Trinity supports Safelight through the Local Missions Ministry budget and the PW Missions budget.
I want to thank the three Trinity Circles, the PWCT, the church staff, and the members who supported the Fall Gathering in various ways. Your hard work and support made the event a success, and you helped to grow future missions.
—Esther Hider
Period Poverty and Project Dignity
Project Dignity (PD) is a local nonprofit dedicated to offering period products to individuals in need throughout Western North Carolina. The people served by Project Dignity include those who are homeless, low-income, or victims of domestic abuse. PD collects donations of period products from community organizations, individuals, and foundations. These products are then distributed to schools, public housing agencies, food pantries, and social services agencies on a consistent monthly schedule.
Trinity Presbyterian Women (TPW) will host their second Packing Party for Project Dignity on November 18th at 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. PD will supply the feminine hygiene products and boxes and will oversee the packing project. TPW encourages all TPC members, friends, and family to come help PACK.
Questions? Contact Sarah Thibodeau at sthibod567@aol.com or call 828-698-8679.
Subject: PWNC PW Fall Gathering
Nine Trinity women attended the Presbytery of WNC PW Fall Gathering at Tryon Presbyterian Church on September 26th. It was a time of fellowship and learning with sisters through our presbytery.
In addition to receiving information on PW mission projects, participants had an opportunity to attend one of the following workshops: What is a Presbytery? led by The Reverend Byron Wade; What's In a Name? News from Guatemala led by The Microloan Taskforce which includes Mary Louise Forsythe; The Woman Who Was Bent Over: Welcoming All, teaching about sensitivity to creating accessible spaces in our churches, led by Marilyn Huff; and United through Christ: Bound to Each Other, an introduction to the 2026-2027 Bible Study led by PWNC PW Moderator, Corise Gambrel.
-Esther Hider
Ministry of Hope
On September 22nd, a group from Trinity traveled to Montreat to attend a luncheon benefiting the Ministry of Hope. Ministry of Hope is a "safe space for all faiths at Western Correctional Center for Women". The program included inspirational messages from both the full and part-time chaplains, a current resident, and a former resident. One resident sang a moving praise solo while some other residents and staff presented a liturgical dance. The Assistant Warden addressed the group and read a letter from the Warden who was unable to attend. The Board Chair shared some visions for the future.
The program included the correctional center's focus on transforming residents through counselling, education, and self-reflection, with intentional importance given to preparing residents to successfully reenter life "outside the gates".
Ministry of Hope is supported financially by Trinity through the Local Missions Ministry budget and the Presbyterian Women's Missions budget. To learn more, visit www.MinistryofHopeWNC.org.
-Esther Hider
Finance & Stewardship Ministry
Living with purpose, giving with gratitude
Trinity's annual stewardship campaign officially concludes on Sunday, November 8th, although pledges will continue to be accepted afterward. Please prayerfully consider your gift of time, talents, and treasure in support of our church ministries. You may return your pledge card by mail, in person during worship on November 8th (or to the church office at any time), or online at trinitypresnc.org (click on "Giving Back," then "Donate").
Stewardship is, among other things, living with purpose and giving with gratitude. Your faithful contributions to Trinity – in any form or amount – will plant seeds to continue to grow the kingdom of God in ourselves, in our community, and around the world.
Thank you!
-Jeff Morris
Chair, Stewardship Ministry
Fellowship Ministry
Wednesday Night Live Programs for November
November's Wednesday Night Live programs will include on Wed., Nov. 11th a presentation from Camp Grier which will include some real life experiences from Trinity's youth that have attended. Then on Wed., Nov. 18th we will enjoy our pre-Thanksgiving feast and be entertained afterwards by Tom Fisch performing.
Look for the sign up sheets in the narthex. Come and enjoy some Trinity fellowship!
-Lorraine Talbot,
Fellowship Chair
Christian Nurture Ministry
2027 Women's Retreat: "Holy Encounters"
It’s time to think about joining us for the 2027 Women’s Retreat! We are going to Montreat once again, to share a weekend together for learning, resting, communing with each other and with nature, laughing, crying, shouting in joy and sharing hugs and friendship. Titled “Holy Encounters,” the retreat will focus on meeting ourselves and our Maker in scripture, conversations and our time set apart. Come and join us! Invite a friend! Scholarships are available, and all are welcome.
Our facilitator will be Margaret LaMotte Torrence, recently retired from her career of Presbyterian pastoral service. She has focused on Transitional Pastoring serving churches in Swannanoa, Black Mountain, New Jersey and Florida. She also served as Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care at First Presbyterian Church, Asheville, for eleven years. She has served on a number of Presbytery of WNC committees and as an instructor in the Presbytery’s Church Leadership School and School for the Laity. Rev. Torrence received her Masters in Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and her Bachelor of Arts from Davidson College. She lives nearby in Swannanoa
Register soon! We need a preliminary number of attendees to send to Montreat in early December. For now, we only need your registration form and a $50 deposit. The remainder will be due in mid February.
There is more information along with the registration forms in a folder pinned to the Christian Nurture bulletin board across the hall from the nursery. Contact any member of the planning team for more information or questions.
Norie Sanchez Carole Steele
Kris Grasse Molly Garnett
Kathy Steinbaugh Nancy Willard
Flora Hobson
Worship Ministry
How to Donate Flowers: Go to Trinity's website, www.trinitypresnc.org Click on the hash marks in upper right corner. On the next screen, choose "Sign ups" option. Scroll to "Donate Sunday Flowers." The online calendar will come up. Scroll to the date you want and provide your contact information. Then write your statement for the bulletin dedication, such as in memory of or to celebrate. In the column "I plan to," write "Take Home or Give to Church." If you Give to Church, we will use them for the enjoyment of those in our community - where ever there's a need. Please note if the EXACT date you want is not available, choose another. We cannot do TWO arrangements on the same Sunday. Note - The Flower Calendar only has two dates available in early December because we display poinsettias the rest of the month.
How to Pay: Cost is $60. You do not have to pay until the month of your donation!! Write the check to Trinity Presbyterian Church with FLOWERS in the memo line. Please don't forget the memo line. Then, put your check in the collection plate on Sunday or drop it off in church office. Questions? If you have questions, please contact me at mangrumsusan@bellsouth.net or 828-595-7466.
-Susan Mangrum
Library Notes: Advent Season is Near
Advent begins later this month. The library has several books on the subject which are located in the Cabinet in the Atrium. Feel free to check them out.
-Linda & Barry Stokes
Everyone is invited!
Special Event: "Make Your Own Greeting Card
There will be a "Make Your Own Greeting Card" event on Thursday, December 3rd at 1:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. All you need to bring are your favorite pair of scissors. All other supplies will be provided. Samples of several types of cards for all occasions will be provided, or create your own original. Finished cards can be donated to the Deacons or keep it for your own personal use. Just come and have fun! (Men are welcome too!) Remember, stickers are your friends! Please let me know if you are interested by November 15th at lpt211200@gmail.com
-Lorraine Talbot
Coming Soon!
Share the Warmth:
The Mitten Tree is Coming Back!
This holiday season, let's share the warmth of God's love, one mitten at a time!
Our annual Mitten Tree will soon be up and ready to be decorated with colorful hats, cozy scarfs and warm mittens generously donated by our Trinity Church Family. These gifts will then be donated to Interfaith Assistance Ministry (IAM) for children in our community, helping to keep little hands, heads, and hearts warm throughout the winter months.
As you do your Christmas shopping, please consider picking up an extra pair of mittens, a warm hat, or a cheerful scarf to place on our tree. Every donation, large or small, is a simple but meaningful way to share Christ's love and bring a little extra joy to a child this Christmas.
Let's fill our Mitten Tree with warmth, kindness, and the spirit of giving! And thank you for helping to make Christmas a little brighter for the children in our community!
-Kathy Steinbaugh
Matthew 25 Ministry & Deacons
PEAK WISDOM WORDS
"Santa is Coming and so are the Scammers!"
Let me introduce you to Peak Wisdom, Trinity’s new aging program. We are kicking off Peak Wisdom on November 8 during the learning hour for a talk we like to call “Santa is Coming and so are the Scammers." A police officer from Hendersonville will teach us about types of scams and how to defend ourselves against scams.
Every quarter we will be presenting a new topic related to aging. We will cover life choice documents in February 2027, including DNR, living wills, and more. During the 2nd quarter of 2027 we will be covering cognitive decline.
Stay tuned for more interesting discussions and activities, brought to you by Peak Wisdom.
You can find some books on aging in the atrium bookshelf, thanks to Barry and Linda Stokes. Three books we recommend:
1. The Gift of Years; Growing Older Gracefully by Joan Chittister, published by BlueRidge Books, 2008
2. Ageless Soul: the Lifelong Journey Toward Meaning and Joy by Thomas Moore, published by St. Martins Press, 2017
3. Don’t Call Me Old, I’m Just Awakening! Spiritual Encouragement for Later Life by Marsha Sinetar, published by Paulist Press, 2002.
Trinity Flag Schedule
During the Thanksgiving season, we will display the flag of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI)—one of three federally recognized Cherokee tribes based in western North Carolina.
—Jan Furr
Bread with a Passion
Some of you may have noticed a Baker’s Rack in the corner of the atrium where most Sunday’s delicious loaves of sourdough bread are delivered for purchase. This is a new adventure for us as a church (and me as a baker). I started baking bread about two years ago, and seriously in the last year. The bread is a labor of love, and the base recipe is uniquely mine. The loaves are a sandwich style, and the crumb is not widely open by design . . . Sophia is adamant that her grape jelly has an adequate surface for a non-drip delivery of deliciousness!
My goal with baking was to create something delicious. Most of the time that is achieved! I have many recipes that are perfected, but I also am willing to “experiment” and often find inspiration on the spice isle (parmesan pepper), the season (chocolate pumpkin), or sheer determination to make something spectacular (chocolate dessert bread).
So why the Baker’s Rack? This is a way for me to give back to the church two-fold. First of all, to provide an opportunity for people to have access to quality baked goods at a fair price. Second, to return to the various missions of the church money generated by this adventure. From the onset of this process, I decided any income beyond recovering costs would be donated to various missions, non-profits, or community projects. The response to the bread at church has been incredible, and I am very excited to let everyone know, 100% of the sales from church will be given back to missions of the church.
Donations of bread have also occurred with regularity. The Tuesday Circles program has requested and received loaves of bread to help with meals. Our church staff has received loaves as a way to say “thank you.” Requests have been made for people on our prayer list, or those who have experienced loss. I am more than happy to provide bread anytime as a way to share our love and support of each other. Please ask!
There is a lot to learn on both sides of this venture, so I ask for patience and communication as we move forward. If you want or need a specific flavor, please ask! You can reach out to me by text, phone, email, or write your request on the list located on the rack. I am capable of creating multiple loaves (Christmas is coming!) with a week’s notice. I will continue to bring a variety of flavors most weeks, and unless someone’s name is specifically noted on a loaf, you are encouraged and welcome to purchase anything available. Pricing will also be marked, with $5 for plain, whole wheat, and everything bagel flavors; the inclusion loaves marked at $10. I am working to find adequate packaging for half loaves of the inclusion varieties, and those will priced for $5.
Sourdough bread freezes amazingly well. One suggestion for keeping the bread is to slice the loaf and store it in the freezer. Not only is the temptation to eat the entire loaf somewhat removed, you can pull out what you need and toast it straight from the freezer. Amazon has some unique freezer options for sliced bread, and I have large freezer bags on the rack if you need one (reusable).
Thank you for receiving this outreach with such enthusiasm. Please ask questions, make requests, and provide feedback. This is truly a labor of love!
-Mary Haskins
October 2026 Session Notes
Here are highlights of major actions the Trinity Session took during its stated meeting of October 19, 2026:
Anne Davis was unanimously received into membership at Trinity. Please welcome and introduce yourself to Anne when you see her!
The Session called a congregational meeting for Sunday, November 15, at 11:00 a.m., in order to receive a report from the Pastor Nominating Committee. In order to accommodate the meeting, there will be a single worship service at 10:00 a.m.
The Session approved a motion from the Building and Grounds Ministry, brought by Wayne Youngdahl, to accept a bid of $13,698 from Nicholson Heating & Cooling to replace and upgrade the lower-level heating and air conditioning system, including the installation of a heat pump.
The Session approved a motion from the Endowment Fund Committee to establish the Christian Nurture Women’s Retreat Endowment, funded with an initial balance of $6,500 and held in one of Trinity’s New Covenant Funds accounts.
A search committee for a new church administrator was established: Diane Bowers, Enrique Sánchez, Joy Guenther, Tom Karvonen, Vickie Hugger, and Dwight Christenbury (ex officio). The committee is now actively at work.
Look who was spotted at Pisgah Legal's
15th Social Justice Forum!
Note from Pisgah Legal:
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Justice Forum Giving Challenge! We exceeded our $15,000 match, generously provided by Nancy Ackermann Cole & Don Cole, Lisa C., and Karen Ziff & Rich Wasch, raising more than $50,000 to support Pisgah Legal’s work for justice across WNC. Your generosity helps ensure that more people in our community can access the legal help they need to rebuild their lives.
Help Interfaith Assistance Ministry build HOPE in our community...because EVERYONE deserves a safe home! But housing is increasingly out of reach, even for households with two working incomes.
But you can help someone make a home when you DOUBLE your impact with a gift to Interfaith Assistance Ministry's "Building Hope" campaign. ALL donations up to $10,000 will be MATCHED through a grant from Trinity!
Celebrating Two of Our Favorites!
The NO KINGS Rally in Hendersonville
Interfaith Assistance Ministry
It's that meaningful time of year again when IAM asks for donations of holiday foods to help our neighbors enjoy a special meal at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Between now and December 11, IAM is running a special Holiday Food Drive.
Please help us ensure that our neighbors in need can prepare a warm holiday meal for their families. See the list below of seasonal food items that are requested and feel free to share this list with your friends, neighbors, and church members.
Beginning in mid-November, each household visiting IAM will be offered a special food box filled with traditional, culturally appropriate holiday foods. Boxes will be available to neighbors while supplies last from November 15 until December 23.
Also, cold weather is approaching and IAM's annual Winter Coat Drive will provide warm coats for our neighbors who need them. Between now and January 29, we are accepting donations of new and gently used coats and jackets that are washable, not dry-clean only.
Food and coat donations are accepted at IAM, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Please call 828-697-7029 for more information or to schedule a large pick-up.
November Birthdays
Trinity's Calendar
Check out what's happening this month on our web calendar
What do you love BEST about Trinity?
New neighbors and friends find out about Trinity through Google Reviews that members and friends like YOU write. If you'd like to share one of your favorite things about Trinity - a memory, a peaceful place on our grounds, a friendship, a mission, a concert, a class, a club, a meeting - something that brought you joy, we'd love to hear about your experiences.
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!)
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