Trinity Episcopal Church is blessed to have such active and vibrant diaconal ministries. There have been some big announcements lately as well as some new faces in the role of deacon. I wanted to share with the whole parish family some of the news.
First of all, The Rev. Alyce Jefferson has announced her retirement from active ministry at Trinity. She writes, “Twelve years ago, I was ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana and assigned to Trinity, New Orleans, by our Bishop. I am grateful to have served with so many wonderful people in leadership, in ministry and in the world. You have played a big part in forming who I am today and you will always hold a special place in my heart. Retiring from serving as your deacon does not mean I will leave our Trinity family. I will continue to worship with you and look forward to observing what God will do for, with and through us and others in the years ahead.” As Alyce steps back from her fruitful ministries at Trinity church it is important to celebrate and honor all that she has done among us. The lives she has touched especially organizing our Lay Eucharistic Visitors is a vital part of our community. Through her love she has connected us with those who are sick or unable to be with us in person. This is very life and mission if the church - to connect each person with God and each other in Christ. Many thanks for shining your light here with us.
The Rev. Jay Albert, who has been involved with Trinity for the last five years announced he is taking a much needed sabbatical for 6 months. Most of you know Jay from his time at the altar on Sundays. What you may not know is that Jay participates in many ministries on behalf of Trinity including: Bridge House, The Solomon Center, 12 Step coordinator for the Diocese of Louisiana as well as the ministries for HIV/AIDS, Suicide Prevention, and is currently working towards a certification in Ignition Spiritual Practice. On top of this he has been a steadfast contributor to online compline services that we offer. We wish Jay a blessed sabbatical and as the wonderful hymn Come Labor On closes we want to say, “Servant, well done.” Enjoy your well-deserved rest.
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As many of you know The Rev. Ben Nobles, ordained June 10th at the Cathedral in a small but special service, has been an active part of Trinity Church for some time. Ben has served people living HIV for 33 years in many capacities, on Community Planning Groups and including serving as a State wide board with State both Region 8 Health Department and Region 1. Ben has served on the Board with TLF, Served on the Vinson Memorial Board, but his greatest LOVE is Loving and Serving those living on the street. Ben has volunteered with Trinity loaves and fishes for over 9 years. Ben helped start the feeding ministries we serve with TLF, which includes Food for Friends, Project Lazarus, and Belle Reve before it closed. He currently serves as co-chair for the HIV ministry of The Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana.
Last, but certainly not least, The Rev. Carol Spencer, who was born and raised in New Orleans (St Martin’s Parish) and spent most of her adult life in Jackson MS. She was ordained a deacon in the Diocese of Mississippi in Jan 1997. She attended Centenary College of LA (BA in Economics) and received her Masters in Pastoral Studies from Loyola, New Orleans.
Most of her vocational ministry has been as a community organizer, working across racial, interfaith and socio-economic lines. She served on the MS diocesan staff under two bishops as the Assistant for Outreach and Mission, developing and coordinating diocesan ministries. After Katrina, she served as the Diocesan Coordinator for disaster response and recovery until her retirement in 2014. Carol is currently co-chair with The Rev John Pitzer on the Mission Commission of Trinity Church.
