Newcomer Welcome

Dear friends,

My name is Elizabeth Patterson. My husband Tom and I joined Trinity during Advent last year. We recently moved to Santa Barbara from Los Angeles, where I grew up and lived most of my life. I was deeply involved in my Episcopal church there for over 25 years. As soon as we moved, we embarked on a deliberate church shopping expedition, visiting several congregations several times on Sundays spanning a couple of months.

We are so thrilled to have discovered Trinity and chose to join this thriving community. We were sold on this beautiful sanctuary, the gorgeous music, the warm and diverse people here, the inspirational, provocative, and intelligent preaching and, truly, the fun and humor that permeates this place.

A final selling point was the result of a Google search I did on Trinity which led to a Yelp review of the church. I know…who gives a Yelp review of a church? One review gave Trinity one star out of a possible five. The reviewer mentioned the dazzling space and friendly people but was turned off by the “folksy turn” the service took during the passing of the peace. How horrifying that the clergy walks down the aisle and that parishioners “share laughs” midway through the service! How chaotic and irreverent! Sold! Trinity is our new church home.

I met with Elizabeth for coffee and described our church hunt and why we landed at Trinity. A few months later, she let me know that my interests and experience led her to call me to help with the Greeting and Welcome & Inclusion ministry here at Trinity. So here I am.

I am overjoyed to be here. I wholeheartedly believe that others who encounter this parish will be drawn here in the same way that we were. I am excited to welcome seekers and church-shoppers and, importantly, to engage them in participation in ministry here. It is vital to welcome visitors and seekers who cross our path. It is equally important to listen to newcomers and learn how they can become integrated into the embrace of this community. Also, let us be open to ways that Trinity might grow and become enhanced thanks to new energy brought to us through new members.

The relaxing of COVID restrictions allows us to resume cherished gatherings that have been so sorely missed. The break has graced us with the opportunity to review our offerings and refresh historic traditions while also opening new options. Our vestry’s initiative has been a vital step in considering our priorities and identity now and setting the course toward our next chapter. Is this “chaotic and irreverent’? I hope so.

By reviewing what feels true to the mission and values of this place, we will inevitably evolve and grow and expand as a result.

Thank you for being the dynamic, welcoming parish that you are. Thank you for so graciously welcoming Tom and me into the Trinity family. We look forward to joining with all of you in extending that embrace more widely.

Elizabeth Patterson
Trinity Episcopal Church