Case Study
Trinity Episcopal Church in Mt. Airy, NC is located just south of the Virginia border and about 35 miles northwest of Winston-Salem. The church has long been involved in various forms of community outreach, boasting a decades-long food pantry and, more recently, a medical loan closet. About three years ago, Trinity started a youth group for at-risk youth—a program that grew out of after-school-tutoring during the pandemic. Additionally, the church began supporting an asylum seeker a few years ago. They provided financial support, helped getting work permits and more. Though not uncontroversial amongst this politically diverse community, this support was moving for all involved and opened the minds of several—most of the parish today thinks it would be good to do again in the future.
One of the major initiatives that Trinity undertook as a part of their work with TryTank involved the ways in which they utilized Facebook. Using targeted advertising, and simply attempting to be more intentional about how the church was using Facebook, they began to see growth and greater engagement from the broader community. One specific area where their Facebook use generated community notice involved the local LGBT Facebook group. Trinity was intentional about being an open and affirming church, clearly advertising itself as such. As a result, they became the local go-to for newly arrived LGBT people looking for a safe church environment. In addition to their relationship with the LGBT community, Trinity has also seen increased engagement with its Facebook posts. These posts often contain advertisements about upcoming events, Episcopal church memes, and messages about members of the community doing outstanding work in the world. The main Sunday service is| also livestreamed.
Beyond Facebook and their ongoing community work, Trinity has embraced more outwardfacing seasonal themes. This was the second year that they did a large Lenten cross outside the church, and their Easter cross remained outside the church for some time after Easter Day. Since the sanctuary is located adjacent to an important local thoroughfare, outdoor decorative pieces like these crosses garnered a great deal of attention. Furthermore, Trinity began a tradition of “Las Posadas” this year (Las Posadas is a display of Mary and Joseph in their search for an inn that rotates from one parishioner’s front yard to another) that was popular among parishioners and commented upon by other community members.
The choir began several community choral events connected to specific seasonal celebrations. Trinity hired a new choir director/organist who has worked with local groups to perform renditions of Handel’s Messiah during Christmastime and other significant seasonal arrangements. In large part due to this new and energetic hire, the choir grew significantly. Today, quality choral performances are now a parish norm.
With all these shifts over the past few years, Trinity has established a reputation in Mt. Airy—the parish’s ASA grew from the 50s to the 70s today. This timing coincides with the arrival of a new rector (the Rev. Sarah Morris), but church leadership reports that many of the newcomers have joined in response to Trinity’s increased outreach and community engagement, not simply because of a more stable leadership structure (of course, Sarah’s encouraging leadership is also not to be underestimated). Trinity’s community work, online engagement and in-person festivities all have a significant impact on the parish’s reputation in the wider community. Soon, this reputation may create new problems the parish must confront—a parish hall better suited for 20-30 people may require some updating!