The Bible describes the office of deacon and the qualities deacons should possess. PCA congregations elect deacons to a life-long office of sympathy and service. Deacons manage the material needs of members and administer the church budget. The profiles below list each deacon's specific duties (note: some are inactive or on sabbatical) and contact information.
Join a small group of Trinity's women on Tuesday mornings for a time of fellowship and prayer. We meet online every week at 5:30 AM during the school year and 6:00 AM during the summer. For details, contact Lauren Everhart.
Being a mother is a difficult, all-encompassing calling. We have many families at Trinity, particularly families with young children. As such, we started Moms Coffee + Conversation (MC2) as a forum where moms can be in fellowship and discuss (or not discuss) the challenges that they face and receive spiritual counsel and encouragement.
MC2 happens every other month, hosted by a Trinity family generous enough to open up their home to the mothers of the church. Some snacks and drinks are provided, though we often ask attendees to bring refreshments to add to the spread. The goal is create an atmosphere where our mothers can enjoy rich fellowship, ask hard questions, and receive loving support from their sisters in Christ.
We occasionally have a program -- a guest speaker or one of our members speaking to a specific topic (educational choices, parenting techniques, and more). These topics can be helpful and stimulate conversation, but we encourage mothers to come with fellowship and rest in mind.
While location and timing varies, these events usually occur from 7-9 PM. For news of the next MC2, check our events or calendar page.
Join us September 19-21* for a weekend of study, song and fellowship! *Option to arrive on Thursday, September 18, for added time of rest and fellowship.
This year, Allison Clapp will be leading us through Richard Sibbes's "The Bruised Reed." In it, Sibbes expounds on Isaiah's prophecy about Jesus, the Servant of the Lord, showing how he provides tender care for those who are weak and struggling. We'll be dipping our toes into the Puritans with this short and beautiful book. It's available in a modern English version to make it more accessible.
Isaiah 42:3 "A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice."
Cost:
$200/person for 2 nights in a double room
$280/person for 2 nights in a single room
$315/person for 3 nights in a double room
$425/person for 3 nights in a single room
Meals Included:
Thursday: Lunch and Dinner (for 3 Night Option)
Friday: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Saturday: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Sunday: Hot Breakfast at 8 a.m.
Location: Shrine Mont Conference & Retreat Center (Shenandoah County, Va.)
Invitees: All Trinity women age 16 and older; friends of TPC welcome as space allows. Infants under six months old are welcome but note that no formal childcare will be provided. If you need help finding coverage for infants older than six months, please let us know.
Registration: Registration for Trinity women will open on June 1; registration for friends of Trinity will open on July 1. Registration for everyone closes on July 15.
Schedule: Check-in begins at 4 pm on either Thursday or Friday, but feel free to come early to enjoy lunch at 12:30 p.m. Program will begin Friday evening and conclude on Saturday evening. There will be no formal retreat activities on Thursday or Sunday.
Contact Lauren Everhart with any questions or request for scholarship funds.
Women's Fellowship Nights are informal times of fellowship that occur every other month, hosted in homes by women of the church. Some snacks and drinks are provided, though we often ask attendees to bring refreshments to add to the spread. The goal is to create an atmosphere where women can have true community among Christian sisters, knowing their days can be spiritually and physically challenging, as well as emotionally draining.
These evening events are child-free.
We recognize that our men are called to serve God, the church, and their family. As leaders in their household and in the church, men frequently shoulder burdens on behalf of others. As a result, our men need rest, while others need encouragement. Some may need advice, or simply an opportunity to engage with other men familiar with their circumstances. At Men's Fellowship Night, we aim to provide all of these things.
Men's Fellowship Night happens on a monthly basis, hosted by a Trinity family generous enough to open up their home to the men of the church. Some snacks and drinks are provided, though we encourage men to contribute beverages (alcoholic beverages are generally welcome) to share. When the weather permits, there may be a bonfire as well as cigars. The goal is create an atmosphere where men can have true community among Christian brothers.
We occasionally have a program -- a guest speaker or one of our members teaching a lesson. These are usually only a portion of the evening, as we want to stress building friendship and brotherhood at these events more than any particular doctrine.
While location and timing varies, these events usually begin around 8 pm and continue late to the evening. Men should come prepared to be outdoors, particularly if the weather is reasonably good. For news of the next Men's Fellowship Night, check our events or calendar page.
The sheets below give information on 4s-1st and 2nd-5th Sunday School classes, along with the memory verses and catechism questions/answers for the month. The current month is bolded, but we maintain an archive of past sheets for reference as well. The Sunday School teachers also distribute these sheets to students each month.
To encourage our children to hide God’s Word in their hearts and learn the tenets of our Reformed faith, we maintain a Memory Prize System that rewards children who can recite verses and catechism answers at church on a weekly basis.
Any child up through 5th grade can participate in the prize box system. Participation is not mandatory, but all children through 5th grade are welcome.
Points each month can be earned by:
Each verse, catechism, and sermon page for the month will be worth 1 point (9 or 10 points possible per month). Students will receive a sticker each Sunday that they recite their verse/catechism or turn in their sermon sheet.
Alexis Zintak and Esther Doolan will be taking turns with this responsibility. Every month we will send out an email with the catechisms and memory verses and also note who will be handling prizes that month.
Students can receive stickers for reciting verses/catechisms and turning in sermon sheets to Alexis or Esther:
On the last Sunday of the month only, students will be able to turn in their points for prizes. Students are also welcome to save their points to earn a larger prize the next month.
TPC provides Young Worshipper in Training (YWIT) twice a month during a portion of the worship service. While many churches offer a full service for children each week, we want children worshipping with their families routinely. Families are not required to use YWIT, and we do not view children as a nuisance in the service. On the contrary, we value children (even infants) participating simply by being exposed to corporate worship with their families.
YWIT is currently offered on the first and third Sundays of each month. YWIT is intended for children at least 3 years old but not yet 6. After the children's message, parents should quietly escort their children to the 4s–1st grade Sunday School classroom. YWIT volunteers will return children to the sanctuary after the sermon. Parents should tell children to find their seats quietly.
The primary purpose of YWIT is to train children to worship well and understand our liturgical practices. While children benefit from worshiping alongside their parents, YWIT provides an opportunity to engage children with tailored material that increases their understanding of our spiritual practices. The YWIT liturgy mirrors the adult service, including children’s hymns, Scripture memorization, a catechism, and a Bible lesson. YWIT volunteers lead children through this material, teaching them what these activities signify and why we do them.
YWIT also provides an opportunity to engage our children in a manner that increases multi-generational interaction. Members who teach YWIT are helping raise the next generation of Christians in accordance with their membership vows, and for some, this is an excellent introduction to spiritual instruction or a model for family worship with children.
Assignments: Mercy & Congregation Care, Administration & Budget
Brad Tatum has been a member of Trinity since its inception in 2014 and has served as a deacon since 2022. Professionally, he has extensive experience as a music educator and performer, which he brings to his role with diligence and care. He and his wife Julie have three children.
A verse that informs his understanding of service is Mark 10:45, which affirms our calling to serve others selflessly just as Christ gave his life for us.
Assignments: Communion, Administration & Budget, and Logistics & Transportation
Head of Diaconate
Logan has been a member of Trinity since 2014 and has served as a deacon since 2015. Professionally, he has experience in construction and engineering, which he brings to his role with diligence and care. He and his wife Kait have four children.
A verse that informs his understanding of service is 1 Peter 4:10-11, which affirms the believer’s call to serve one another to glorify God through Jesus Christ.
Assignments: Logistics & Transportation
David was a founding member of Trinity and was elected to the diaconate in 2015.
Assignments: Mercy & Congregational Care, Technology & Communication
Jesse has been a member and deacon of Trinity since it's inception. He enjoys serving the body of believers and spending time with his wife and family.
A verse that informs his understanding of service is Colossians 3:17 -- "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Assignments: Technology & Communication, Fellowship & Outreach
Ben has been a member of Trinity since 2015 and was elected to the diaconate in 2016.
Assignments: Mercy & Congregational Care (Chair), Communion, Fellowship & Outreach
Joshua has been a member of Trinity since 2017 and has served as a deacon since 2022. Professionally, he has experience in teaching students in Special Education which he brings to his role with diligence and care. He and his wife, Bridget, have two children.
A verse that informs his understanding of service is Philippians 2: 1-11, which points towards the servant nature of Christ and calls us to serve others in view of His perfect example.
Assignments: Mercy & Congregational Care, Administration & Budget
Matthew has been a member of Trinity since 2015 and has served as a deacon since 2022. Professionally, he has experience in Data Science and numbers, which he brings to his role with diligence and care. He and his wife Amanda have one child.
A verse that informs his understanding of service is John 21:15-19, which affirms to love Christ is to love his Church.
Wes was a founding member of Trinity and was elected to the diaconate in 2017.
Kendrick was a founding member of Trinity and was elected to the diaconate in 2019.
All members and their families are assigned to a deacon that who oversees their material care. If you have a specific need, your deacon is a good place to start. If you don't know who your deacon is, please contact your elder or Logan Putnam (the current head of the diaconate) to find out. You can also raise concerns with your elder or any deacon -- they will be quick to pass on your need to your deacon. If you have general questions for the diaconate, or wish to bring a need from another member to their attention, please reach out to your deacon or Logan Putnam.
The deacons meet monthly to discuss business and ensure member needs are met. The diaconate has several areas of responsibility, noted below.
The office of deacon is set forth in the Scriptures as ordinary and perpetual in the Church. The office is one of sympathy and service, after the example of the Lord Jesus; it expresses also the communion of saints, especially in their helping one another in time of need.
It is the duty of the deacons to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress. It is their duty also to develop the grace of liberality in the members of the church, to devise effective methods of collecting the gifts of the people, and to distribute these gifts among the objects to which they are contributed.
Scripture provides clear justification for the office of deacon as well as qualifications for those who serve as deacons. These men must be upright, mature believers whose faith has been proven.
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
— 1 Timothy 3:1–2 (ESV)
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them."
— Acts 6:1–6 (ESV)
These passages remind us that deacons are ordained to a necessary and honorable office that requires compassion, wisdom, and diligence.