Tidings Newsletter - September 2026
- Trinity Presbyterian
- 1 day ago
- 17 min read
Pastor's Corner
The Interconnectedness of All Creation
September is “Season of Creation” month at Trinity!
Thinkers throughout history have asserted that everyone and everything in creation is connected. They ask us to imagine everyone and everything in creation are all in a big web together, so that if one person or thing disturbs the web in any way, the effects are felt in every other part of the web. The great naturalist, preservationist and environmentalist largely responsible for the setting aside of Yosemite as a national park, John Muir, once expressed this same idea in this way:
“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.”
Thousands of years before this modern age, the writers of the Bible already understood this interconnection between all persons and things in creation. The creation story in Genesis 1 tells us that God made human beings in his own image as the crown of creation and made them stewards of the whole creation, which meant that the destinies of human beings and the rest of creation are all tied up together and that the creation is at the mercy of human choices, and humans are at the mercy of creation. The Biblical writers were especially sensitive to the impact on the whole creation that comes from these human choices, both good and bad, and they make repeatedly clear that human righteousness (obedience to God’s revealed will) leads to the flourishing of the whole creation, while human disobedience takes a toll on the whole creation and takes a toll on human beings dependent on the creation for continued life and flourishing.
The book of Genesis is particularly attuned to this theme. In Genesis 1, Adam and Eve are created and made stewards of a flourishing creation, but by Genesis 3 they have disobeyed God and eaten the forbidden fruit, and as a result the ground that was once so productive is now cursed, thorns and thistles appear for the first time, and getting food from the ground becomes a lot more difficult for the humans.
In Genesis 4, the ground that Cain will till in the future is also cursed because he has killed his brother Abel.
Later, in Genesis 6, we learn that the world, over time, had become so full of violence that God decided to destroy much of creation through the flood, including almost all the people and animals.
As you continue to read through the Bible you discover pronouncements that continue to show the impact of human behavior on the creation. Individual and corporate obedience to God consistently leads to the flourishing of the creation (Leviticus 26:3-5; Deuteronomy 28:1-12; Psalm 67:3-7; 72:1-7; 85:10-13; 96:11-13; Isaiah 35:1-7; Jeremiah 33:10-140, while disobedience to God results in creation doing the opposite of flourishing, which threatens human existence (Isaiah 24:4-6; Jeremiah 12:4, 22-26; Hosea 4:1-3).
Secular thinkers and religious leaders do not always see eye to eye, but they are in agreement on at least one thing: the interconnectedness of all creation.
—David Garnett
Associate Pastor's Note
This month we join, once again, in celebrating the Season of Creation, a global ecumenical movement that reminds of our calling as Christians to care for the earth that God has shared with us.
From conversations with many of you over the years, and especially recently, I know that we share deep concerns about the health of the world around us. And given the accelerating pace of weather extremes that science has linked to climate change, it’s easy to lapse into hopelessness.
That’s partly why I find this year’s Season of Creation theme, Living Water, to be particularly apt. It connects the spiritual and the material by reminding us of the Living Water of eternal life offered by Jesus Christ and the importance of ordinary water in sustaining life on earth. The connection between the two is that they are both gifts: gifts that we’re called to receive with gratitude and with the determination to respond with care and generosity.
As we move into the beautiful season of fall in the mountains, I look forward to celebrating Living Water and all the other gifts of creation with you this month.
Peace,
—Dwight Christenbury
Worship Ministry
Sunday Schedule Reminder
As you know, we return to our “normal” Sunday morning schedule this month. Here’s a reminder of what Sunday mornings will look like beginning on September 13:
Sunday Schedule:
8:30 — Worship Service
9:45 — Learning Hour
Adult Classes:
Lectionary Class (Trinity Room)
Issues & Concerns (Room 207)
Hashing It Out (Lounge)
Youth & Children’s Classes:
Children (Room 203)
Youth (Youth Lounge — Room 106)
10:30 — Choir Rehearsal
11:00 — Worship Service
Of course, there are occasional variations in this schedule, and not every class meets every Sunday — check the Trinity website calendar for the latest information.
Finally, mark your calendars for the annual Church Picnic:
Sunday, October 4, on the church grounds, following a single 10:00 a.m. worship service.
ABOVE: Throwback - Barb & Norie having their own lovely little pic-a-nic!
The Season of Creation 2026: Living Water
Each year from September 1 to October 4, the global Christian family joins together for a worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home: a season in which we celebrate God as Creator and acknowledge Creation as the divine continuing act that summons us as collaborators to love and care for the gift of all that is created. As followers of Christ from around the globe, we share a common call to care for Creation. We are co-creatures and part of all that God has made. Our well-being is interwoven with the well-being of the Earth.
This year’s seasonal theme, Living Water, is inspired by Ezekiel 47:9, 12:
Wherever the river flows, every living thing that moves will thrive. There will be great schools of fish, because when these waters enter the sea, it will be fresh. Wherever the river flows, everything will live. . . . On both banks of the river will grow up all kinds of fruit-bearing trees. Their leaves won’t wither, and their fruitfulness won’t wane. They will produce fruit in every month, because their water comes from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for eating, their leaves for healing.
This passage is a powerful biblical vision of hope and ecological healing. Set amid exile and loss, the image of living water flowing from God’s sanctuary reveals divine healing that renews land, water, biodiversity, and human responsibility towards the whole creation.
We hope you’ll join us throughout the month as we celebrate the Season of Creation and reflect on the ways the Spirit calls us to sharing Living Water with the world.
Global Missions Ministry
Luopads for Malawi!
On Thursday, September 3rd from 1:00 to 3:00 PM, anyone interested in serving the girls and young women of Malawi will begin work in the Trinity sewing room, marking the beginning of our fifth year of making reusable feminine hygiene pads, called Luopads. (The word “Luo” means “freedom.”)
Moving forward, we will meet on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 1:00 to 3:00 PM in the sewing room to trace, cut, fold, sew, iron, and pack these products. The Presbytery’s mission team will then deliver them to schoolgirls, neighborhood clinics, and hospitals in Malawi.
The mission team recently shared the genuine joy and gratitude of the recipients. The girls expressed how these kits allow them to remain in school, and others noted that each kit actually helps two or three women because they share their kits with family members and friends. While it can be difficult to fully realize the limited access these women have to products we consider routine, they are deeply grateful for these resources and happily share what they receive.
Please join us, and feel free to bring a friend, on Thursday, September 3rd as we kick off a new season of Luopads for Malawi. Thank you for your continued and generous support of this Global Mission project.
Gratefully,
—Vickie Hugger
VIDEO BELOW: Another organization working to end period poverty for woman and girls in Malawi (with a fancier video production budget! 😉). Not OUR project, but a good explanation of the reasons WHY this is such an important ministry and WHOM it serves. Not JUST the girls. ALL society benefits when girls can get the best education possible.
TRINITY’S GLOBAL MISSION PROGRAM DURING A TIME OF CHANGE
In 2026 there have been significant changes in the Presbyterian Church (USA) foreign mission program. All Mission Co-Workers are no longer supported by the denomination. If eligible, they could retire. Otherwise, they could return to the United States to seek other employment. Those who desired to continue on their mission field would need to affiliate with another sending agency in order to receive the financial support they need.
The challenge for Trinity’s Global Mission Ministry has been to maintain communication with the Mission Co-Workers we have been supporting who desire to continue their mission work. By so doing, we have been able to better understand how the change in the PCUSA mission program has affected their ability to continue with their work and how we can continue to support them.
One of the consequences of these changes is that those continuing to serve have had a significant reduction in their financial support levels. In response, Trinity’s Global Mission Ministry has used some of our endowment funds to provide some extra support to the affected Mission Co-Workers.
As we move forward, we want to increase the amount of support we provide through the annual budget process. We are assisted in this effort by the decision previously made by Session to increase Trinity’s mission funding, both local and global, by 5% annually. As you consider the level of support you will provide to Trinity, please consider the impact that our increased mission budget will have on the church’s total needs.
—Duane Johnson
Chair, Global Missions Ministry
Read more about the the end of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
Local Missions Ministry
The 44th annual Hunger Walk is coming soon! It will again begin and end at Lennox Station on Whitted Street near the railroad tracks on Saturday, September 19th. There are posters on each side of the partition wall in the narthex with more information, including how to register for the walk. Be sure to indicate you are part of the Trinity team on the drop down menu.
Our table in the narthex will up by Sunday 8/30 and continue to be available at least through September 20th. Either Jocelyn, Esther, or I will be there to answer questions and accept your pledges and donations.
The 1 mile walk will be on the Ecusta Trail. The 3 mile walk will be on both the Ecusta Trail and city sidewalks.
Registration for those who do not register online at hendersoncountyhungercoalition.org or via the QR code on the poster can register at the walk beginning at 8:00. The walk will begin after a prayer at 8:30. Trinity folks should pose for a group picture before we begin.
Beginning on August 30th, a table will be in the narthex with walk info and envelopes for both those who will walk and those who will not walk but want to support the walkers with their donations.
Agency changes: Fishes and Loaves Pantry no longer needs our support but we have added the Boys & Girls Club and the Veterans Healing Farm, making the total 13 agencies supported by the Hunger Coalition.
To increase awareness about some of these agencies, last year we arranged group tours for members to learn more about the Storehouse and Calvary Episcopal’ s Food Pantry. Our members were very positive about their visits so we are repeating them this year. Esther Hider will lead a visit to the Veterans Healing Farm on Sept. 9th and I will lead one to the Food Connection on Sept. 16th. An eblast has been sent with more details.
Last year, Trinity raised $7035---the first time that we exceeded $4000! The Hunger Coalition was able to increase their agency grants by $15,000 to $135,000. Let’s see if we can set a new record this year!
Thank you so much for your support!
—Tom Karvonen
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!
Visit https://www.iam-hc.org/building-hope for more info and to donate, to make someone's dream of a safe and stable home come true. Learn how in the video below.
Trinity to host a Regional Watch Party for Pisgah Legal Services' 15th Annual Justice Forum on Thursday October 22, 2026.
The 15th Annual Justice Forum will be live at 7:00 PM Thursday, Oct 22 at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. The program will also be livestreamed at several Regional Watch Parties across WNC. Trinity is excited to be the location in Henderson County!
This year's keynote speaker is Pulitzer Prize winning American journalist and author, Brian Goldstone, whose work examines inequality, housing insecurity, and the lived realities of poverty in the United States. His acclaimed book, There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America, brings a deeply human lens to the economic systems shaping everyday life, with a focus on the growing number of working families who are nevertheless unhoused.
This is a great way to increase our support of Pisgah Legal and to welcome the whole community to visit Trinity.
For more information about the Forum and to register to attend the Trinity Watch Party or the live event, visit
—Leslie Nissen
Circles of Henderson County
Building Community to End...
I am learning how difficult it is to even say the word, …Poverty.
Poverty is ugly, poverty is depressing, and poverty stirs up feelings of helplessness and dread. As a Presbyterian Christian, I know I am supposed to do something about it. Yet, it is hard to hear about, and it is hard to know what to do about it, (remember Ebenezer Scrooge?), but it's even harder for those struggling to survive poverty, to live it. A majority of those living in poverty are women and children. In North Carolina, 45 out of every 100 people living in poverty are single mothers, trying to raise children alone. It is tempting to look away. If you are still reading this, thank you.
Circles of Henderson County is up and running. Our first cohort, which began in May, includes six adults and nine children. Many of them face extraordinary challenges. Over the years, most of us have had someone come to our aid when the storms of life left us in the dark and alone. The participants in our cohort, however, do not have many people to lean on.
In this program, the adult taking charge of their journey out of poverty is called a, "Circle Leader". Five of the six Circle Leaders in our current cohort are women. Twelve adults from Trinity have stepped up to be their Circle Ally, acting as intentional friends. Many other Trinity Presbyterians are supporting this venture behind the scenes with their time, money, or talent. Thank you to everyone who is already involved. (A Circle Leader may thank you, but will never ask you for money).
Despite this great outpouring of support, we still have pressing needs. Every Tuesday evening, we care for nine children: preschoolers who need nurture, school-age children who need supervision, and middle schoolers who need instruction.
We need a few more capable adult volunteers from Trinity to help teach the children, assist with serving or cleaning up the Tuesday night meals, or provide a warm welcome to our Circles families when they arrive. Folks outside of Trinity are welcome to volunteer, if they work with children, they will be vetted. Your presence can make a significant difference, even if you only volunteer one night a month.
To learn more about our Circles chapter, please visit CirclesHendersonCounty.org. To volunteer, contact Lin Johnson at (937) 380-5600 or via email at Lin@CirclesHendersonCounty.org. If you have questions, contact me, I'm ...
—Paul Hugger
Board Chair
Henderson Circles of Care, Inc.
900 Blythe Street, Suite 109
Hendersonville, NC 28791
(336) 902-6611 (Paul's Cell)
(973) 380-5600 (Circles Office)
"Building Community to End Poverty...So that all individuals live in equitable, thriving communities where poverty no longer exists."
Presbyterian Women
Every Trinity Woman is Invited
Jesus included women among his followers and gave them special roles in advancing his ministry. The Book of Acts describes women as being important in the early Christian Church and this has continued ever since. Yes, Trinity includes women in all areas of ministry and service in our activities. However, there is a special place, just for women known as PW. You are welcome to be part of this.
Already, 51 women who are members or friends of Trinity are enjoying participation in Presbyterian Women (PW). PW has three purposes: 1.) building friendships between women; 2.) supporting more than 10 mission projects mostly focused on helping women and children; and 3.) studying the Bible together.
building friendships between women
supporting more than 10 mission projects mostly focused on helping women and children
studying the Bible together
There are 3 PW Circles who meet monthly for sharing and caring and learning:
Deborah Circle – Contact Susan Mangrum (mangrumsusan@bellsouth.net or 828-595-7466) or Kathy Steinbaugh (kisintr@msn.com or 908-783-7414); meetings are 4th Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Esther Circle – Contact Mary Louise Forsythe (mlbforsythe@gmail.com or 828-684-0643) or Margaret Bolick (drmargaret@earthlink.net or 361-816-3273); meetings are 2nd Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.
Naomi Circle – Contact Jan Prichard (janicemp4@gmail.com or 828-243-7840) or Patti Shannon (pashannon228@gmail.com 912-996-4828); meetings are 3rd Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Both Naomi Circle and Esther Circle use the PW (USA) workbook to guide Bible Study. This year’s study is based on Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians and is entitled “United Through Christ, Bound to Each Other”. The Deborah Circle is studying “God Didn’t Make Us to Hate Us” by Rev. Lizzie McManus-Dail and they choose a new book to study each year.
If you just are not a meeting type of person, there are two other ways to participate:
Attend Fall and Spring Gathering events in the Trinity Fellowship Hall that provide for fellowship, refreshments and information that is often about one of our mission projects.
Financial donations to support our mission projects are gratefully received. Just send them to the Trinity Office or give them to one of the leaders identified above. Please clearly mark your check or envelope designating Presbyterian Women (PW).
—Esther Hider
Presbyterian Women's Fall Gathering:
Please join us for brunch on Oct 8 at 10:30am in the Fellowship Hall. Our program will be on Safelight.
A sign-up sheet will be on a table in the Narthex Sep 20 & 27.
—Pat Harter
Letters to the Trinity Family
Dear Trinity friends,
Please know how much I appreciated your dear cards & notes during my time in rehab & my recovery. They meant so very much to me during a stressful time.
With heartfelt thanks,
—Cynthia Moser
Dear Trinity Friends,
As you may know, my husband, Frank Burzio, passed back in February of this year at Pardee Hospital. Although it's been many months, I hope some of you will want to join me in honoring his memory at a gathering to be held at the community center at Plantation Walk on Saturday, September 26th from 2:00 to 5:00PM. Come for the afternoon or just stop in and say Hi. The address is 506 Belvidere Court, off of Blythe. We will have a buffet lunch and share memories with photos, music and stories.
Please RSVP if you can.
—Beth Ann Pensiero
Christian Nurture Ministry
Women of Trinity, put this on your calendar!
The 2027 Women’s Retreat will be March 12-14 at Montreat Conference Center.
On August 7th, the Trinity Women’s Retreat Planning committee met with the Rev. Margaret LaMotte Torrence, our worship leader for the 2027 retreat. Newly “retired”, Margaret most recently served as the transitional pastor at Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church. We discussed her outline for proposed activities, scripture, and themes for the weekend. Norie Sanchez, Kathy Steinbaugh, Kris Grasse, Flora Hobson, Molly Garnett and Nancy Williard were excited to hear Margaret’s leadership background and her suggestions for our retreat. Carol Steele was absent, but with us in spirit.
Titled “Holy Encounters”, the retreat will focus on meeting ourself and our Maker in scripture, conversations, and our time set apart. Scripture will once again focus on women of the Bible, such as the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-12). There will be time together for fellowship and learning, as well as time apart for contemplation and hikes!
The beautiful, historic area near Black Mountain was first envisioned as a retreat and conference center in 1897, Its lakes, woodlands and mountains offer a sermon of their own. Together with Montreat’s stone buildings, well-kept rooms for two and 4000 acres, this setting invites both spiritual and communal renewal. Come worship with us. All are welcome, whether you are a church member or a friend. A retreat is a meaningful way to observe Lent and “fill the well” of your spirit.
Our registration forms will soon be be posted. Stay tuned for details. Please contact any member of the committee with questions.
—Nancy Williard
TRINITY BOOK GROUP – SEPTEMBER 2026
Hello Readers,
TBG is back after our summer break. It’s never too late to join our Trinity Book Group. All are welcome.
Please read the book of the month and join us for our next Book Group meeting:
Date: Thursday, September 24, 1:30 pm at the Church
Book & Author: The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore
Discussion Leader: Group Discussion
Host: Billie Hicklin
If you have any questions, please contact Billie Hicklin or Angela Kuykendoll.
Happy Reading!
—Angela Kuykendoll
Stewardship Ministry
2026 Stewardship Snapshot: Offering Plate and Pledge Income
Your faithful generosity funds Trinity's annual budget for operating costs, staffing, ministries and missions. Thank you!
July 2026 YTD: | $315,454 |
Budget YTD: | $269,650 |
July 2025 YTD: | $310,267 |
Earth Care Ministry
An Invitation to Celebrate the Season of Creation
For the last eighteen years Trinity has joined the universal celebration of the Season of Creation, a multi-denominational movement that has dedicated the month of September to emphasize Christians’ mandate to care for the earth (Genesis 2:15). This year’s universal theme, Living Waters, challenges us to educate ourselves on the global water crisis and calls us into action.
You will see multiple, simple activities at Trinity during the month. We invite you to start by reading the article about The Global Water Crisis on the Trinity blog, to better understand the magnitude of the drinking water crisis and the multiple aspects related to it at all levels -- global, national, and locally. During all Sundays in September, notice the details in the liturgy -–prayers, confessions, songs, sermons. Every word matters. Every prayer matters. Look for and participate in the blessing of water bottles.
Be thankful for all the rain that we got in August, saving us from devastating fires like those on the West Coast, in Canada, Spain and other parts of the globe. Pray for the hundreds of thousands of humans and the eco-systems affected by those water-scarcity disasters. Visit the Earth Care table on the narthex, which has specific small actions that we all can take in the kitchen and in our daily life to help mitigate the crisis. Keep informed. Venture into advocacy, by choosing one or two "big actions" to advocate for in our community, region, nation, world. All actions matter – big and small.
We can also be good water stewards with our personal behavior:
Learn where your drinking water comes from
Reduce unnecessary water consumption
Protect local rivers and streams
Prevent pollution at the source
Report any anomalies to the right authorities or to advocate organizations
Support infrastructure and responsible regulation
Support watershed organizations
Let’s celebrate the gift of Living Waters that we have received from God.
—Enrique Sanchez
Registration is Open for this Special Program!
You're Invited: Climate Ambassador Training
Join us for free! We will host one-hour, virtual PC(USA) Climate Ambassador training sessions (over 5 total dates). Learn to talk about climate change with confidence, explore real solutions, and take action in your community. Please plan to attend all 5 of the sessions if possible; however, recordings will be available for any sessions you miss.
Dates: Sept. 27, Oct. 11, Oct. 25, Nov. 8, Nov. 15
Time: 7:00-8:00 pm Eastern (4:00-5:00 pm Pacific)
Facilitator: Jane Laping, PEC Member & Climate Ambassador
Matthew 25 Ministry
I hope you have seen the flags we have been flying in front of the church since the end of May. Someone recently asked me if we could let people know what flag is flying. Here is the schedule through the end of November.
MONTH | FLAG | REASON |
September | Earth Care | Season of Creation |
October (1st half) | Banned Books | Banned Book Week |
October (2nd half) | Vote | Midterm Elections |
November (1st half) | <open> | suggestions? |
November (2nd half) | Indigenous Peoples | Thanksgiving |
Matthew 25 Ministry is responsible for the flag schedule. It is also responsible for some of the flag choices. If you have ideas for what flags to post and when, see a Matthew 25 Ministry member. Better yet, join Matthew 25 Ministry and make your vote count. We are always looking for new members.
In Faith,
—Jan Furr
ELECTIONS INFO!!! (VOTE VOTE, go VOTE!)
Fellowship Ministry
SAVE THE DATES!!
Our first Wednesday Night Live for the Season will be a performance by Stephen Klein and Chris Stevens. It will be on Wed., September 23rd. Sign up sheet will be in the narthex. Hope to see you there.
TRINITY's PICNIC IS BACK! Get your potato salad and deviled egg recipes out. October 4th after 10:00am service. Mark your calendars!
Thanks
—Lorraine Talbot
September Birthdays!
Calendar
Check out what's happening this month on our web calendar
Highlights:
SHAMELESS PLUG!!! - Fri Sep 4, 6:30 - 8:30 PM: Buddy K Big Band at Apple Festival, featuring Katie Cilluffo (Hendersonville Historic Courthouse)
Mon Sep 7: Labor Day (Office Closed)
Sat Sep 19, 8:00 AM: 43rd Annual Hunger Walk
Wed Sep 23, 5:30 - 7:30: Wed Night Live w/ Stephen Klein & Chris Stevens
Sat Sep 26, 2:00 - 5:00 PM: Celebration of Life - Frank Burzio (Plantation Walk)
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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