Serve

At Trinity Episcopal Church, every member is invited to share their gifts in the life and ministry of the congregation.
Whether through worship leadership, governance, hospitality, music, or service to others, there are many meaningful ways to contribute. Serving is one of the primary ways we live out our baptismal covenant—offering our time and talents so that the whole body of Christ is strengthened and the Gospel is shared.

Explore the opportunities below and find a place where your gifts can help Trinity flourish.

Clergy

Clergy at Trinity Episcopal Church are ordained or licensed ministers, pastors, priests, or other spiritual leaders who are called to serve God and His people. They lead worship, preach and teach the Word of God, provide pastoral care, administer sacraments (such as baptism and communion), offer spiritual guidance, and help equip the congregation for ministry and mission in the world.

Purpose

The primary purpose of our clergy is to faithfully shepherd the flock of God, pointing people to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in faith, love, and service. Clergy serve as bridges between God and His people—proclaiming the Gospel, fostering Christian community, caring for the hurting, celebrating life’s milestones, and guiding the church in its witness to the surrounding community. They work in partnership with lay leaders and the entire congregation to fulfill the Great Commission: making disciples of all nations.

A Brief History

The role of clergy has deep biblical roots. In the Old Testament, God set apart priests from the tribe of Levi to lead worship, offer sacrifices, and teach the Law. In the New Testament, Jesus appointed the apostles, and the early church recognized pastors, elders, and deacons to lead local congregations (see Ephesians 4:11-12 and 1 Timothy 3).

Throughout Christian history, ordained clergy have preserved the faith, reformed the church when needed, and carried the message of Christ across cultures and centuries. At Trinity Church, our clergy stand in this long tradition, serving in a local context while connected to the broader Body of Christ.

Why Serve as Clergy?

Many people sense a divine calling to ordained ministry—a deep conviction that God is inviting them to set aside their lives in a special way to serve the church full-time or in a significant leadership capacity.

People often feel drawn to clergy service because:

• They have a passionate love for God’s Word and a desire to teach and preach it effectively.
• They find deep joy in walking alongside people through life’s joys and sorrows—celebrating births and weddings, comforting the grieving, and helping individuals grow in their faith.
• They long to see lives transformed by the Gospel and communities renewed by God’s love and justice.
• They are gifted in leadership, shepherding, counseling, or administration and want to use those gifts for the Kingdom of God.
• They feel compelled to answer Christ’s call: “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17).

Serving as clergy is both a great privilege and a significant responsibility. It requires personal holiness, lifelong learning, humility, and resilience. Those who answer this call often describe it as the most fulfilling vocation imaginable—knowing they are investing in what lasts for eternity.

Interested in Exploring a Call to Ministry?

If you sense God may be calling you to ordained ministry or want to learn more about how our clergy serve, we would love to talk with you. Please contact our senior pastor or the church office to begin a conversation. We offer discernment opportunities, mentoring, and support for those exploring vocational ministry.

“And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” — Jeremiah 3:15

Worship Team

This Team serves alongside the rector to help plan, support, and reflect on the worship life of the parish. Their work is not about preference or performance; it is about helping the whole congregation pray with depth, reverence, and joy.

They bring together aspects of our ministries that make worship flow—Altar Guild, Acolytes, Lectors, Ushers, Eucharistic Ministers, and Choir —ensuring that each part of our common prayer is offered with care.

After major services, they gather again to reflect: What helped people pray? What felt meaningful? What might we strengthen next time? Their posture is always one of humility, curiosity, and service.

Just as importantly, they keep before us the pastoral heart of worship. They attend to the experience of newcomers, children, elders, and those with accessibility needs; and help us remember that worship is not a performance but a shared offering—something we create together, week by week, as the people of God.

Current Trinity Worship Team Members

Alyce Carraway

Tommy Palmer

Charlie McNew

Jessi Green

Merry Tom Dorris

Faron Wilson

Sammye Owen

Vestry

The Vestry is the elected lay leadership body of Trinity Episcopal Church. Working in partnership with the Rector, it provides oversight for the temporal (practical and business) affairs of the parish while supporting its spiritual mission and ministry.

Purpose and Responsibilities

According to the Canons of The Episcopal Church, the Vestry serves as the agents and legal representatives of the parish in all matters concerning its corporate property and the parish’s relationship with its clergy.

Its core responsibilities include:

• Helping define, articulate, and advance the mission of the congregation
• Supporting the church’s mission through word and action
• Managing the parish’s financial resources and ensuring sound stewardship
• Overseeing the care, maintenance, and use of church property and buildings
• Ensuring effective organization, planning, and governance
• Calling a new Rector when the position becomes vacant (with the advice of the Bishop)

The Rector typically presides at Vestry meetings and holds primary responsibility for the spiritual life, worship, and pastoral care of the parish. The Vestry and Rector together share leadership of the congregation’s common life.

Structure and Officers

Vestry members are elected by the congregation at the Annual Parish Meeting. The size of the Vestry and the length of terms vary by parish (commonly three-year staggered terms). Members are confirmed adult communicants in good standing.

Officers usually include:

• Senior Warden — Provides support to the Rector, often serves as a key liaison with the congregation, and helps lead the parish during a clergy transition
• Junior Warden — Frequently oversees buildings, grounds, and property matters
• Treasurer and Clerk (or Secretary) — These roles may be held by Vestry members or other qualified parishioners

A Brief History

The term “vestry” originally referred to the room in a church where clergy put on their vestments. In England and the American colonies, the group of parishioners who met there gradually became known as the Vestry.

In colonial Virginia, large parishes made open meetings of all male parishioners impractical. By the 1630s, a “closed” Vestry of elected representatives serving longer terms had developed. This colonial model shaped the modern Vestry in The Episcopal Church: a body of elected lay leaders who share responsibility for the parish’s temporal affairs with the clergy.

Today the Vestry remains a distinctive feature of Episcopal polity—an expression of shared leadership between clergy and laity rooted in representative governance.

This section is written in a clear, welcoming tone suitable for a church website. It draws primarily from the official Episcopal Church glossary and standard canons. You can easily adapt the wording to note your parish’s specific number of members, term lengths, meeting schedule, or current officers if desired.

Click here for current members of Trinity's Vestry.

Choir

Trinity Episcopal Church Choir

The Choir at Trinity Episcopal Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas,
is an integral part of the church's worship and community life.
Often referred to as the Chancel Choir, it contributes to the
spiritual and musical heritage of one of Arkansas' oldest Episcopal congregations.
There is no formal "chapter" designation for the choir;
it operates as the primary musical ensemble within the church.

History

The choir's history dates back at least to the early 20th century. Records from 1901 mention efforts to enlarge the vestry to accommodate a large surplice choir, indicating an established musical tradition even then. Over the decades, the choir has played a key role in the church's services and special events, including the installation of a notable altar in 1929. The church celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2009 with services that harkened back to its founding era, featuring choral music as a central element.

Current Choir Information

The choir is active under the leadership of Organist/Choirmaster Faron Wilson. Weekly Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. feature choral anthems and hymns, with recent examples including "I Give to You a New Commandment" by Peter Nardone and settings by William Mathias. The choir also performs in special concerts, such as the annual Christmas Eve concert preceded by a performance with instrumentalists. Services are live-streamed, allowing broader participation in choral performances. For involvement or more details, contact the church at 703 West 3rd Ave., Pine Bluff, AR 71601, or via phone at 8705343832. The choir welcomes new members and continues to be a cornerstone of Trinity's ministry, with opportunities for participation in rehearsals and events.

Current Trinity Choir Members:

Faron Wilson, Organist/Choirmaster

Altar Guild

Trinity Episcopal Church Altar Guild

The Altar Guild of Trinity Episcopal Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, is a dedicated ministry group responsible for the care and preparation of the church's sacred spaces.
As part of one of Arkansas's oldest Episcopal congregations,
the Altar Guild plays a vital role in supporting worship services and maintaining the sanctity of the altar.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Trinity Episcopal Church Altar Guild is to prepare and maintain the altar and surrounding areas for worship services, ensuring everything is in place for the celebration of the Eucharist and other liturgies. This includes caring for sacred vessels, vestments, linens, and floral arrangements. The guild's work is often described as a "ministry of beauty and holiness," performed quietly and humbly to enhance the spiritual experience of the congregation. In the context of Trinity Church, the Altar Guild provides "humble service at The Lord's Table," typically carried out by dedicated women of the parish. This aligns with broader Episcopal practices where the guild operates under the direction of the rector, focusing on the community's worship life in the Anglican tradition. The guild helps refocus the congregation on God through meticulous preparation, contributing to the church's mission of experiencing and sharing God's love.

Current Altar Guild Information

The guild collaborates with other ministries, including the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) and the Daughters of the King (DOK) Trinity Chapter. Current activities include supporting weekly services: Holy Eucharist Rite II on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. (also livestreamed on Facebook) and midweek services on Wednesdays. The guild assists with altar preparations for these, including flower arrangement. For involvement or inquiries, contact the church office at 8705343832 or office@trinitychurchpb.org. If you are interested in joining the Altar Guild or learning more, please reach out to the church directly.

Current Trinity Altar Guild Members:

Alyce Carraway, Altar Guild Leader
Donna Coker
Merry Tom Dorris
Jamie Green
Christine McKissack
Michelle Johnson

Acolytes

Acolytes play a vital role in the worship life of Trinity Episcopal Church, assisting the clergy during services and helping to ensure that the liturgy flows with reverence and order.

In the Episcopal tradition, acolytes (often including youth and adults) serve as torchbearers, crucifers, thurifers, and altar servers. They carry the processional cross, light candles, assist with the preparation of the altar, and support other elements of the Holy Eucharist.

At Trinity, this ministry welcomes participants of various ages and provides an excellent opportunity for spiritual growth, learning about Episcopal worship, and active involvement in the life of the parish. The church has a long history of dedicated service in this area, with past members like Pine Bluff Business owner, Tommy Palmer, having served as Acolyte Master.

If you are interested in joining the acolytes or have a child who would like to participate, contact the church office at 8705343832 or office@trinitychurchpb.org for more information and training opportunities.

Lay Readers

Lay Readers (also known as Lectors) at Trinity Episcopal Church in Pine Bluff play a vital role in worship by proclaiming the Holy Scriptures during services. Trained and licensed laypeople, they read the appointed Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons, as well as lead the Psalms.

This ministry embodies the Episcopal tradition of active lay participation in the life of the church. Lay Readers help the congregation hear God's Word clearly and meaningfully each Sunday at the 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist.

Serving as a Lay Reader at Trinity is both a privilege and a form of spiritual leadership open to committed members of the parish. Those interested in this ministry typically receive training and guidance from the clergy.

For more information about joining this or other lay ministries at Trinity Episcopal Church, contact the church office at 8705343832 or office@trinitychurchpb.org.

Eucharistic Ministers

Eucharistic Ministers are licensed lay members of Trinity Episcopal Church who assist the clergy in administering Holy Communion during worship.

Under the direction of a deacon or the priest, they help distribute the consecrated bread and wine to the congregation, embodying our shared calling as the Body of Christ.

This ministry is open to confirmed communicants in good standing who are active in the parish. Candidates are selected and trained by the clergy, then licensed by the bishop. Training typically covers the theology and practice of the Eucharist, the liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer, and the practical aspects of serving at the altar with reverence and care.

Eucharistic Ministers may also assist with other aspects of the service as needed, such as helping prepare the table. (Those called to take Communion to the homebound or hospitalized serve in the related ministry of Eucharistic Visitors.)

If you feel drawn to this ministry of hospitality and service at God’s table, please speak with the clergy. We welcome your gifts in this important work of the church.

Eucharistic Visitors

Eucharistic Visitors are licensed lay members of Trinity Episcopal Church who extend the sacrament of Holy Communion beyond our Sunday gatherings. After a Celebration of the Eucharist, they carry the consecrated bread and wine to parishioners who are unable to attend because of illness, infirmity, or other circumstances that keep them from worship.

This ministry ensures that those who are homebound, in hospitals, or in care facilities remain connected to the parish family and to Christ’s presence in the sacrament. Eucharistic Visitors serve under the direction of the clergy and are trained in the theology of the Eucharist, pastoral sensitivity, and the proper care of the consecrated elements.

Licensed by the bishop, Eucharistic Visitors are confirmed communicants in good standing who feel called to this ministry of presence and care.

If you are interested in serving in this way, or if you or a loved one would like to receive Communion at home, please contact the clergy. We are grateful for those who help bring the Church’s table to those who cannot come to us.

If you are interested in donating your time, skills or knowledge to the church, please use the contact form below to let us know.