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The Trinity Church e-Tower
for
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
July 5, 2026
8 AM and 10 AM Worship
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Dear Friends,
On Sunday in worship we will sing a piece of music attributed to Francis Hopkinson, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. A lawyer, jurist and founding father, he is considered America's first composer! The image shown here is of the piece he wrote, based on Psalm 148, which will be our song of praise, sung by our cantors that morning.
This is one of many ways that Trinity will remember and celebrate Independence Week during America's 250th birthday. (She's a mere child, that America. Trinity was already eligible for AARP by the time she came around!) Tomorrow our church bells will ring at noon alongside other churches in Newport to commemorate the holiday. An hour after the bells ring we'll celebrate a wedding in the church (not related to independence, but still worth a mention!)
On Tuesday, Trinity will participate in the Religious Freedom Day, where folks will be invited to tour houses of faith all over the city. On Friday, we will host the Semi-centennial on the Square, a Trinity300 event in collaboration with the Newport Restoration Foundation. Next Saturday, we will participate in the French in Newport event, planned by the Newport Historical Society and the Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail. Part of the day will include a wreath laying in the Trinity Cemetery at noon, and a performance by the French Military Band. Trinity will be one of many stops provided by a free trolley to key sites throughout the day.
It's a great week to celebrate the birth of our nation, and I'm grateful for the ways in which we can participate. As always, the piece that it the most exciting is the community partnerships and collaborations we share with other houses of worship and organizations doing incredible work in Newport. I hope that you'll participate in these events as much as you can. Your presence matters, and helps extend Trinity's life and welcome to friends and guests alike in our beautiful city.
It continues to astound me that Trinity Church became a spiritual center and house of worship in this city 78 years before our country claimed its independence, and the exact building we will worship in on Sunday stood its ground for fifty years prior - bearing witness to the revolution and the emergence of a new nation. I am reminded of one of my favorite prayers from Compline, which - I hope - exemplifies the still point that Trinity has been in this changing city:
Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Meaghan
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Outreach Effort:
Episcopal Relief and Development
Venezuelan Earthquakes
Recent severe earthquakes in Venezuela have had a devastating effect on the country and its people. Episcopal Relief and Development, the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States, is working with local partners to bring aid to the country in the wake of this terrible tragedy. ERD’s disaster team has been in contact with leadership in the Diocese of Venezuela and other impacted communities. In addition to accompanying their local partners on the ground, they have mobilized with their Canadian, New Zealand and Australian counterparts within the Anglican Alliance. Please consider making a donation to support relief efforts in Venezuela here.
Thank you!
Trinity Newport Outreach Team
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Organ Fundraising Update
We created this silly plea for "June gifts" for the organ via this parody video earlier this month, and you have responded! We are so grateful for your generosity and for your joy in engaging with this playful way of telling the story of the organ at Trinity Church.
We are very close to our fundraising goal to meet our July payment for the organ. Gifts made this week will still help us meet our July deadline! Every little bit helps.
THANK YOU!!!!
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"We Have a Tight Timeline"
parody video, based on the original song "Walking on Sunshine!"
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Friday, July 10
5:00 pm - 7:00 PM
Panel Discussion
Trinity Church in collaboration with the Newport Restoration Foundation invite you to a celebration of Queen Anne Square’s 50th anniversary.
Beginning in 1969, Trinity Church and the Newport Restoration Foundation worked closely with the Newport Redevelopment Agency to create a “square recalling the best of the nation’s colonial past for the inspiration of present and future generations.” The square was dedicated to the public in July of 1976 by Queen Elizabeth II and has remained an important communal space for public gathering and memory.
Join us in the church for a conversation with a panelist of historians, scholars, and preservation leaders to reflect on the legacy of Queen Anne Square and the impact of the mid-century preservation movement on the city of Newport—and the United States.
A reception will follow on the deck of the Glenn Family Center, with light refreshments and jazz music presented by Puddingstone featuring the Alan Bernstein Quartet will follow the discussion.
While this program is free and open to all, we ask that you kindly rsvp here. This program is part of Trinity Church’s 300th anniversary celebrations and is a Newport250 event, commemorating the story of our nation.
The panel includes:
Rebecca Bertrand, Executive Director of the Newport Historical Society
Trudy Coxe, CEO & Executive Director of the Preservation Society of Newport County
Keith Stokes, Rhode Island Historian Laureate
Moderated by Gina Tangorra, Director of Engagement at the Newport Restoration Foundation
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Our Legacy … The Pulpit
We know our pulpit is unique. We certainly know it is beautiful and makes manifest the finest of Colonial Georgian craftsmanship. It is the only one of its kind in the country. It was completed with the church building in 1726 and is the only remaining three-tiered, freestanding, central-aisle wineglass pulpit still in its original position in the United States. If we added the phrase, “in continuous use,” we would have a truly familiar Newport superlative … and we do! The fact is, this rare 18th-century architectural marvel has been in continual use for 300 years—proclaiming the Word of God—while steadfastly preserved and anchored in the place where master builder, Richard Munday, first envisioned it.
Because the pulpit is placed directly in the center aisle, it creates a sense of closeness and intimacy between the preacher and the congregation—allowing eye contact with both the floor box pews and the mezzanine balconies—while each one of the 10 steps in the staircase climbed intentionally representing a commandment. The upper level—the main pulpit, a polygonal box for preaching; the middle level—the reading desk for the lector and; the lower level—used by the parish clerk, in years long past, to lead responses to psalms, take attendance and ensure all box pew taxes were current! While many colonial churches in America, such as Boston’s Old North Church, had similar central pulpits, as research shows, all but ours have been removed or shifted to the sides to improve views of the altar. In past centuries, clearly Trinity rectors placed great emphasis on their sermons as they could last one hour … or several—making our “nodding rods” not just a novelty, but a necessity!
In the mid 19th century, the then 130 year-old church building must have seemed out of fashion and antiquated to the new rector, Reverend Alexander G. Mercer. From the time of his arrival at Trinity in 1855, he was uncomfortable preaching from the high pulpit with the massive sounding board suspended overhead. At first he had it raised and when this did nothing to relieve the “depressing effect” on him, he had it removed, to the consternation of many parishioners. In order to get it out of the building, it had to be sawed in two. After continued protest, he reluctantly restored it to its rightful place in 1859. He would leave his post—and the pulpit—the following year. Our pulpit and board have since remained … in place and in tact.
J. Clark, with J. Hattendorf
A Sentiment Shared Through Time?
| Meaghan's son Sam seems to agree with Reverand Mercer, as expressed in this artistic rendering when his mother first accepted the position here at Trinity. | | | | |
Choir School of Newport County Auditions
Do you know a child who loves to sing?
Over the next few weeks the Choir School of Newport County is auditioning new singers ages 8-12 for the 26-27 season.
Reach out to Kate Longo or Peter Berton for more information.
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Altar Flowers
Flowers were given to the glory of God and
in loving memory of Raymond F King Jr
By: his sister Sändra Opalenik.
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Saturday, July 4
1:30 p.m.- Wedding at Trinity
Sunday, July 5
8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. - Worship
9:00 a.m. - Bible Study in the Glenn Family Center
Monday, July 6
5:30 p.m.- Community Meal
Tuesday, July 7
Trinity participates in Independence Week Religious Freedom Day
Tours from 10am - 4pm
Wednesday, July 8
12:00 p.m.- Healing Service in the church
12:00 p.m.- Men's Bible Study on zoom
Friday, July 10
5:00-7:00 p.m.- Semicentennial on the Square
Saturday, July 11
Ceremonial wreath laying at Trinity's Cemetery as part of the French in Newport Celebration, 12pm
Sunday, July 12
8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. - Worship
9:00 a.m. - Bible Study in the Glenn Family Center
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Trinity Loves and Cares
Trinity Loves and Cares is a ministry of pastoral care of praying for and providing support to members of Trinity Church for July 2026, the TLC coordinator is
Kay Winston Click on her name and you can write her an email.
Prayer Shawl Group
This group meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month in the Hawes Room. All those who crochet or knit, experienced or inexperienced are welcomed to join. Please contact Pam Alexander for more information.
Community Meal
Join an amazing Newport community service and work with fun good-hearted people. You will go home knowing you made a difference in a person’s day. Please consider volunteering at the Community Meals, the 1st, 4th and 5th Monday of the month. You can sign up here:
Community Meal Calendar Sign Up.
Men's Bible Study Group
Wednesdays, 12 noon. Please Contact John Gilmartin if you are interested in Joining this special group who often meet by Zoom.
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We give thanks this month for the July birthdays of Geer Isdale, Campbell Carr, Michael Wilson, Larry Pulice, Wilma Simpson, Patricia Blakeley, Philip Ferzoco, Christine Cassels, Mary Sinnott, Heather de Pinho.
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Worship Participants
Sunday, July 5th
Preacher & Celebrant: The Rev. Noël Bailey Robinson
Acolyte & Crucifer: 8:00 am Donna Ellis; 10:00 am
Lectors & Intercessor: 8:00 am Terry Commodore; 10:00 am Robert Smith
Co-Director of Music & Organist: Michael Bahmann
Musicians: Alison Hosford, soprano; Dr. Kathryn Longo, alto
Andrew Boyacigiller, tenor; Bill Longo, bass
Sarah Jessen, trumpet
Ushers: Larry Pulice, Clark Royle, Bill Dowling
Altar Society: Mary Sinnott, Jeanne Kelley, Helen Brennan,
Candy Gilmartin, Nancy Murray, Brad Carter
Tour Guide: Pam & Ray Fisher
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