The GFWC-MFWC Civic Woman’s Club will host the 19th annual Christmas Pilgrimage on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $10; tickets at the homes are $12 and are available at Checkered Lily, The Glass Porch or from CWC members.

The Pilgrimage will feature three homes and one local church which will include the homes of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Whitfield, Mr. and Mrs. Max Huey, and Reba Beebe; and Trinity United Methodist Church.

The first feature on the Christmas Pilgrimage will be the Trinity United Methodist Church, 3021 The Woods Road.

For more information, call Carolyn Huey at 601-798-8190 or Nancy Griffin at 601-798-8591.

A TRINITY CHRISTMAS

Trinity United Methodist Church is located in the Woods Subdivision at 3021 Woods Road. It had its beginnings in 2000 when a group of like-minded individuals saw the need for a new Methodist Church in this area, met in a home and organized. It began with ten acres of land that had been left forested on which sat a former lodge in a state of disrepair. Members, some with canes and walkers, toiled, painting and cleaning, and in weeks transformed it into a place of worship with a sanctuary, Sunday School rooms, kitchen and office. On August 13 of that same year, a group of more than 200 excited people met and officially chartered the new church. On this occasion, 142 adults and 20 children joined Trinity by transfer from other United Methodist Churches, 20 persons joined by transfer from other denominations and five presented themselves as candidates for baptism joining on profession of faith. At this same service, Mrs. Dell Moffat chartered the Trinity United Methodist Women’s group which continues to be an active and viable group within the church. With this remarkable beginning, Trinity embarked on its adventure in faith led by Rev. Curtis Moffat, its first pastor.

Shortly a building program for a new sanctuary was begun. On March 4, 2004, the beautiful new building was completed and consecrated. At that time the old building was remodeled to offer more Sunday School rooms and a new office complex. These are the precious memories of Trinity’s beginnings. So, it is in this beautiful setting that Trinity invites everyone to tour its facility and participate in the Civic Woman’s Club Christmas Pilgrimage.

Upon entering the parking lot off Woods Road, luminaries will light the way for visitors as they follow the sidewalk past the outdoor cross adorned with a gold wreath/crown, across the porte cochere, past the two tall decorated Christmas trees at the entrance and into the foyer area where is displayed a ceramic Nativity scene beautifully hand-crafted by Mrs. Pam Ward who gave it to her mother, Trinity’s Mrs. Hazel Pipkin, some years ago. Mother and daughter jointly presented it to the church as a gift to be enjoyed by the entire congregation during the Christmas season.

Once inside the sanctuary, the eye is drawn to the right and the giant 20-foot Chrismon tree adorned with the traditional white and gold Chrismon ornaments and topped with a gold thorn crown which matches that of the cross out front. The word “Chrismon” is derived from two words, “Christian Monogram.” Thus, the symbols used represent a variety of biblical concepts that are well known among believers. All chrismons are made in white and gold which represent the purity and majesty of the son of God. The evergreen tree symbolizes eternal life. Sitting in front of the tree is a large, elegant Nativity scene which blends with the symbols used on the tree.

The windows on the altar and across the front of the church are decorated with greenery covered crosses trimmed in white and red poinsettias. A highlight of the altar area is the historical antique pulpit which was first used for many years by the First Methodist Church of Carriere. When the church was disbanned in the 1950’s, the pulpit was moved to the Ozona Methodist Church where Rev. Eddie Starr was pastor. When the Ozona church was disbanned, Mrs. Arluin Miller took it to her home where it remained for several years. It was then moved to the home of her daughter, the late Mrs. Sherry Miller Lossett for safe keeping. After attending her first service at Trinity, Sherry Lossett felt that she had found a home for this historical pulpit and she and her mother officially presented it to Trinity in services on December 12,2004. Trinity’s Walter Powers lovingly restored it to pristine condition and Dennis Wise of Pasco, Washington, nephew of Ray Wise, inlaid the elegant stained glass on its front side. Also on the altar, new this Christmas season, is the beautifully crafted wood and brass Advent wreath made by Walter Powers. The wreath holds one candle for each week of Advent.

Arluin Miller took it to her home where it remained for several years. It was then moved to the home of her daughter, the late Mrs. Sherry Miller Lossett for safe keeping. After attending her first service at Trinity, Sherry Lossett felt that she had found a home for this historical pulpit, and she and her mother officially presented it to Trinity in services on December 12, 2004. Trinity’s Walter Powers lovingly restored it to pristine condition and Dennis Wise of Pasco, Washington, nephew of Ray Wise, inlaid the elegant stained glass on its front side. Also on the altar, new this Christmas season, is the beautifully crafted wood and brass Advent wreath made by Walter Powers. The wreath holds one candle for each week of Advent.

Each of the four side windows are covered with blue and white window scarves monogrammed with a gold cross decorated with red and white poinsettias and topped with nativity figurines along with globe/gold candles surrounded by holly berries and garland. The top of the four tall windows are trimmed with matching garland and feature an angel placed in the very top of each window overlooking and keeping watch over the sanctuary.

Visitors will exit the sanctuary on the north side through the exit door banked by twin stairways leading up to the balcony section of the church. The stair railings are trimmed with festive garland matching that of the side windows and the balcony railings feature three large lighted wreaths.

Leaving the sanctuary and entering the educational/office building, visitors will be greeted by Trinity members who will offer homemade cookies, punch and spiced tea from a beautifully appointed table decorated with a Christmas theme.

The staff, led by Rev. John McCay, III, pastor, and the congregation of Trinity United Methodist Church cordially welcome everyone to share with them their bountiful love and goodwill which exemplifies the true Spirit of Christmas.