Our Mission
Trinity Towson is a caring and diverse, Christ-centered community called to create and share opportunities for all people to worship God, serve others, and grow in faith as we travel together on our spiritual journey.
We pursue this mission through Trinity Episcopal Church, Trinity Episcopal Preschool, and the Surprise Shop.
We strive to be a welcoming and inclusive community that encourages all people to love God and one another.
About Us
Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, we invite you to make a deeper connection with God at Trinity Episcopal Church. Experience the Spirit of love and acceptance as we share our gifts in this Christ-centered community.
There are many opportunities for worship, education, service and fellowship within a Christian community at Trinity. Here are a few tips to help you find your way around.
Parking: You may find parking in the small church lot, but it may be full when you arrive. Please, park in the parking garage directly across Allegheny Avenue. Parking is free in the garage on Sunday.
Hearing devices are available as you enter the church. Please, ask one of the hosts for a hearing device to use during the worship service.
Children are always welcome in worship. Some parents have found the Children’s Worship Bulletins, a coloring sheet based on the Gospel of the day, helpful in keeping children occupied during the worship service.
Weekdays — The Office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. If you would like to speak with the parish administrator, please call or visit during these hours. All of the staff have voice mail at the office and you may leave a message for them if they are not available when you call.
Words from the Pews – The Voices of Trinity Parishioners

I came to Trinity for the first time six years ago. The Ayotte family invited us to come to Family Service and attend Second Sunday Breakfast. We spent previous years attending Grace Fellowship in Timonium, but it just wasn’t home for us. The reason I love Trinity is because of its community. It is like home for me; most parishioners know my name. I’m not just a face at Trinity.
Big churches with lots of people are amazing, but my experience was that the community isn’t as strong in there. At Trinity our relationships and bonds with one another make this church special. We work hard and volunteer our time to help reach each other and those in the community. My J2A group and my youth leaders are so special to me. I really enjoy spending time helping out in the church’s kitchen, and I love that when there is a new face in the community, you will always see people introducing themselves and making the new person feel welcome.
My school, Calvert Hall College High School, has a yearly theme. This year’s theme, “Many Paths, One Brotherhood” fits Trinity so well. We all come from different backgrounds, but whether you grew up in this church, came from a different church, or have never attended church before, you will find community and a place to call home at Trinity. I’ve been a part of the youth community for several years now and I’ve built an unbreakable bond with my peers that is very rare. Overall, the community at Trinity is one of the most loving, accepting, and hard-working communities I’ve ever encountered and it is why I call Trinity home.

Dolores and I first came to Trinity in 1958. We have been here with five rectors, two interims, and numerous assistant rectors and deacons. Trinity helped us raise three children each of whom became active members of other Episcopal parishes as adults. The priests and lay people have helped us through a few difficult times and have rejoiced with us in the good times. What do we love about Trinity? What’s not to love?
Support for Trinity has been a gradual consciousness raising for us. As you may know, from the time that Trinity was founded in 1858 through the early 20th century, financial support for the church came primarily from Pew Rents. Parishioners paid these fees for their family to sit in a specific pew each Sunday. Pew Rents were phased out after WW II, but the mindset persisted that giving to the church was a sort of dues-paying for membership in the Episcopal Club.
Sometime in the 1970’s, the Rev. Ray Averette gave a series of workshops at Trinity on Stewardship. He explained that giving money to our church was sacramental, giving back a portion of what God had given us: a thank offering, not a membership fee. This led Dolores and me to give more thought to our annual commitment. Some years we were sure we were promising more than we could deliver, but God always seemed to provide for our thank offering with enough left over for our family.
Trinity is not the only recipient of our gifts, but it is the most important, because we trust that the Vestry and staff of Trinity Church are good stewards of what we give. They use this money as efficiently as possible to do God’s work, and we are glad to be a part of that.

As many of you know, I have worked for 36 years raising funds for non-profit organizations that address serious problems and serve people in grave circumstances. It is rewarding to make a difference in my small way, but there are days when the enormity of people’s suffering shakes me to my core. So I turn to my faith and faith community to give me hope and help me overcome my fears and feelings that I’m not doing enough. My spiritual family at Trinity is such an important part of my life and I can’t imagine being without you.
I support many important causes with my time, talent, and treasure, but the greatest of these is Trinity. To some people this may seem less important than finding a cure for a terrible disease. Lifting someone from poverty seems worthier than paying the electric bill or staff salaries, but to me, it’s never about the budget. Each offering fuels the mission of the church, God’s mission. It funds the community we have created and allows each of us to thrive no matter our challenges. It gives us peace and stability in a world that is filled with chaos and uncertainty.
I can’t do what I do every day without having God’s guidance in my life. Trinity is so important to me that I have chosen the church for my final resting place. This is where I belong today and many, many years from now; this is the place I call my home. My heart and my soul are connected here and I want more than ever for this spiritual community to be more vibrant and engaged than ever. That is why I make my offerings and I encourage you to do the same

In the Gospel of Luke 10:25-37, Jesus Christ tells a story about a traveler who is stripped of clothing, beaten, and left half dead alongside the road. First a Jerusalem Priest and then a Levite come by, but both avoided the injured man. Finally, a Samaritan happens upon the traveler. Although Samaritans and Jews despised each other, the Samaritan does not stop to wonder who or what the man is, but immediately helps him. The story is Jesus’ answer to the question “who is my neighbor?” What does this story tell us about community and our neighbors?
The answer I see at Trinity Episcopal Church is that our neighbors and our community extend far beyond the walls of our church. Trinity supports a variety of charities such as (ACTC) – Assistance Center of Towson Churches, (MCVET) –Maryland Center for Veterans Educational and Training, Pleasant Plains Elementary School, Towson University, Seafarers and Other non-profits. Through the outreach ministries here at Trinity, we get to see more clearly that people who are struggling outside the walls of our homes and neighborhoods are also our community.
On this Sunday of All Saints and All Souls we remember that our community also goes beyond the limits of our lifetime. All those we love who have passed on are still with us. Our spiritual ancestors who loved God and believed in Jesus Christ are a part of our community of saints who encourage us to keep praying and keep loving each other. Their memory is part of the Gift of Community that helps us to do more.
When we gather as Church, the Fruits of the Spirit take over. Some come in Love, some in peace, some in patience, some in kindness, some in goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23). Those gifts multiply when we come together so that we are able to achieve that which is impossible. This is the Gift of Community, that no matter what the world tells us about the future of the Church, with God’s help we will continue our gather for worship, love each other, and love a bigger and bigger circle of neighbors as ourselves. “With God’s Help We Can”! Support Trinity Episcopal Church in Towson! We can do it!

Since my baptism as a baby at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Parish, Hancock, MD, church has been a part of my life. My parents were adamant that Sunday worship and being part of a church community are essential. I remember hearing them say, “That is what you are supposed to do” as they put their envelope in the collection plate, but with all the many ways they participated in church, they showed me that we give because we are part of something bigger, a community that needs us to be “all in.”
When my daughters and I arrived at Trinity, we felt deeply at home. They found new friends, and I rediscovered my spiritual roots. We were “all in.” Since then I have given of my time and talent in many ways from music to fund raising to coffee hour. The largest part of my time I devoted to the mission of the Surprise Shop. I love this special part of our church community and the fact that it touches those beyond Trinity.
In recent years I have made a conscious effort to increase my pledge. I do this in part because I feel concern when I see in the “Bell Tower” that our income does not always meet our expenses, but mostly because the Trinity Community is my church home and I remain “all in”. Please join me as I continue to give of my time, talent, and treasure to help it thrive. I pray it will be so for years to come.

This is Jesus’s mandate from his last dinner party with his friends.
Mark and I have been attending Trinity since 1986, when we moved to town. As we got settled, we looked for a new church home and found our way to Trinity. We were delighted that there was a worship service that welcomed our two little ones. In fact, there was no nursery to park them in. Within a year, we brought our third child to church; she’s been worshiping since she was two weeks old.
When I think about what I love about Trinity, I think of community: “Love one another as I have loved you”. Over the years, we have given our time serving as Sunday school and youth leaders, handbell ringers, choir members, Vestry, Warden, altar guild members, altar servers, Surprise Shop volunteer, and many other volunteer activities. Don’t worry! This we did this over the course of 30 years. We didn’t do them all at the same time.
As a result of giving our time and talents, we got to know, care for, and love other Trinity people. We gave and received support as we went through the trials and tribulations of life. Because we became so invested in the community, we also contributed financially as we have been able Just a bit when we were young parents with little kids, living paycheck to paycheck. More, as we’ve gotten older with an empty nest. It may go down again as we age and live on a fixed income.
As you discern this “stewardship season”, think about Jesus’s mandate. “Love one another as I have loved you”. Invest in community.

The gift of Love is something God gave us for free. We can choose to make full use of love by sharing it with others or place huge barriers around love, with excuses. Waking up in the morning with a “Thank You God!” starts the day well. Another day to share the gift of Love as we live out the mission God sent us on earth to do. Smiling with a slight nod to the people around us, showing acknowledgments of existence.
The fragrance of nature reminds us that we are not alone. The sight of our environment connects us to our togetherness, the love of nature. Feeling the warmth, the air flow, the regulations of the body to stay healthy. The gift of Love from God is in play. Worshiping together as a community and feasting at the altar with a clear mind of faithfulness and thankfulness. We know not what our neighbor is going through, but we can share the gift of Love with them through inclusion.
Stewardship and the gift of Love both go hand in hand, in our commitment to something bigger than ourselves. We
unselfishly give back our tithes and offerings to the church to share the gift of Love. We can find many reasons why we cannot attend church, will not talk to our neighbors, or cannot at this time give nor increase our offering. It is not all about the money, but about how we make our time valuable towards God and how we use of the gift of Love we personally hold.
Friends – we have work to do — let’s put our love into action!

A Spiritual Home, by Jenny Powers
Trinity has been a spiritual home for me throughout my life. I spent my childhood here learning about God and began getting to know Jesus through bible stories. While my growth in faith has included times of questioning, of drifting away from church, I have repeatedly felt welcomed “back home”.
- As a teen I felt accepted and received spiritual guidance and connection
- In my 20s as a young mother, children began to be fully welcomed and embraced inside the church for worship (this was new at the time)
- Currently we choose to attend Church services and activities, such as Small Group because the love of the Gospel is palpable in the honest sharing our stories of God at Work in our lives
God has given us so many blessings through Trinity and one way we can give back is by offering financial support via our financial pledge, as well as giving of our time in various ways.
When I was a child in Hebrew School, our Rabbi gave us each a little cardboard box with a slot on top so we could start to practice tzedakah, the virtue of righteous giving. We would decide as a class where to give the money when our boxes were full. It was more than charity, we learned. Tzedakah is a necessary response to God’s goodness and an act of faith that we work in partnership with God to make a better world. Practicing tzedakah has always strengthened my faith and helped me to feel closer to God.
When I think of God’s hand guiding me on my life’s journey, I imagine myself floating in his arms. When you learn to float in a pool, you often start out by sinking. You may be scared, fear drowning, and be uncomfortable with the feeling of letting go. Only when you learn to trust that the water will hold you up, can you successfully float on top. In the same way, we can float free and feel safe when we truly have faith in God.
We can easily pretend faith is immaterial or money unspiritual, but our faith and our resources are deeply connected, and stewardship of our time and money is in fact quite spiritual. It how we grow our faith, spreading the love of God, and growing God’s Kingdom through generosity. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21). Rhetta tells me that Matthew’s Gospel is the one most reflective of Jesus’ native Judaism. This teaching of Jesus certainly rings true to me.
Stewardship requires a great deal of faith from us. When you donate your money or time to your church or a charity, you must have faith that your resources will be spent wisely and make a difference in the world. At Trinity, your Vestry and staff have done a remarkable job of being good stewards of your resources.
I have worked at Trinity for 3 years now, and my primary mission has been to be a protective guardian of your resources. I have more faith in you now, as devoted members of Trinity and followers of Christ, in your clergy and lay leadership, and in God to guide us through, than I ever have. God bless you all and please continue to share your faith, love, and generosity with Trinity!
In 1959, when our parents brought us to Trinity Episcopal Church, the Rev. Christian Roberts and the Rev. P. Kingsley Smith were our rectors. That first visit changed our lives, and we knew we had found our spiritual home.
Every Sunday, our parents brought us to Trinity. Our Sunday School worship leader was Mr. Richard Patterson. After the service, we gathered in various classrooms where, for a while, Mr. Jack Gillett was our Sunday School teacher. To this day we cannot call him Jack! Rev. Kingsley Smith was our mentor and leader (and task master) for confirmation, but also a welcome visitor at our door on Saturday afternoons to discuss our service to Trinity and to pray with us. You see: we found our spiritual home.
As we grew, my sister and I served as Sunday School and Bible School teachers. While teaching we met some of the most beloved people in our lives, including Pat Shaw whose beautiful children we taught in Sunday School, baby sat for, and maintained lifelong friendships with. We continue to serve old friends and new through Eucharistic Visitation and the Altar Guild. All because we chose to make Trinity our spiritual home.
My sister and I were each married at Trinity. Our children were baptized and confirmed here, attended Sunday School, and served as acolytes. Our grandchildren were baptized here, and their names ripple on the blue and white ribbons by the baptismal font. Our dear parents were memorialized in death here and Claire’s beloved husband rests in our beautiful columbarium. One day, we will also rest there. Trinity will always be our spiritual home.
We are blessed that we have been able to increase our pledges from our young newlywed days to our glorious retirement today. We ask that you consider your commitment to Trinity as a spiritual home. Reflect on what God has given you through this church and what support you can give back. Join us in saying “Thank you, Trinity,” for providing the perfect spiritual home.