Faith, Heart, and Christian Community at Work at Trinity Episcopal-Junction
Small Church Steering Committee members Chris Moseley (St. Paul’s, Brady, Northern Convocation) and Bruce Seibert (Messiah, Gonzales, Northeastern Convocation) teamed up with Debra Mudge of Trinity, Junction, to write up this feature of the annual Ladies’ Night Out program hosted by the Women’s Guild at Trinity.
by Ms. Debra Mudge, Dr. Christine Moseley, and Mr. Bruce Siebert
Have you ever felt so blessed for living in your community that you want to give back to your neighbors and friends?
So asked Debra Mudge, a longtime member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Junction. What does “give back” actually mean? Why does one small church in a rural community within the Diocese of West Texas, one that has struggled for generations to overcome adversities, feel compelled and motivated to give back to their community? Giving back means investing in the people, places, and systems in our communities that have shaped our lives or organizations. At its simplest, giving back means using what skills, time, talents, and resources we have to support the people around us. Members of Trinity would probably answer the question on why they want to give back to their community because loving God and sharing that love with their neighbors are priorities in their personal and spiritual lives. They want to give back because it is simply the right thing to do, and they have been doing so for over 135 years.
In 2021, the members of Trinity’s Women’s Guild noticed an increasing desire in the community for events that offered both spiritual enrichment and practical learning. Conversations during informal gatherings revealed that many women were seeking deeper connections with their faith and one another. Recognizing this need, Guild members began brainstorming ways to combine inspiring messages with hands-on experiences that would appeal to women of all ages and backgrounds. Their shared vision was to create a welcoming space where participants could explore new interests while strengthening their spiritual foundation and sense of community. Thus, the Ladies Night Out Program was born.
Rachel Norris of Joy Pottery from Bryan was the guest speaker for the initial event. It was held on a weekday evening in the parish hall followed by a reception. As Rachel created a pitcher on the potter’s wheel, she shared her testimony of God’s grace, mercy and redeeming love through Jesus Christ. Using her spinning wheel and a lump of clay, she demonstrated how the Potter (symbolizing God) molds the clay (symbolizing us), carefully guiding, shaping, and making it into a raw, beautiful, but unfinished piece. As Rachel created a pot, she explained:
Like a potter with wet clay, God can decide to smash us down, recycle us, and start anew with a completely different, beautiful plan for us. So, He starts the process molding us. Then, the Potter will let the piece sit, until it is completely dry and ready to put into the fire. Just like us, if a Potter puts a piece into the kiln (fire) before it is completely dry (or ready), once it hits the fire, it will explode into a million pieces. Just like us, God knows His perfect timing to throw us into the thick of things. He never promised that our life would be easy or that it would come without complication, but he does have a plan for us, and if we’ll let him, we’ll be molded into a beautiful work of art, ready to trust and serve Him.
Through Rachel’s demonstration, attendees were invited to witness the artistry of pottery and reflect on their personal journeys of faith. The tangible process of shaping clay became a metaphor for spiritual transformation. It encouraged the women to embrace change, trust in God’s timing, and find beauty in every stage of life’s development. The evening fostered a sense of openness and vulnerability, strengthening the bonds of friendship and faith within the group.
The standing room only program (over 100 women) was so successful that the Guild committed to hosting at least one program annually. In 2022, the Guild hosted Dr. Christine Moseley of Brady who presented a hands-on program entitled Fairies, Gardens and God, Oh My! Cultivating a connection between gardening and faith, each attendee created a fairy garden, learning that what plants need to survive is similar to what our faith needs to grow. The primary purpose of a fairy garden is to foster imagination which visualizes what faith knows to be true, to see the unseeable. Hebrews 11:1 says Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Creation of the fairy gardens fostered an atmosphere of creativity and connections between gardening and faith.
Two bookmarks were distributed to attendees, demonstrating the similarities between the needs of plants and faith to grow. The FAITH Needs Bookmark highlights principles of faith that nourish spiritual growth and resilience. Just as the FAITH Needs Bookmark supports spiritual growth, the PLANTS Needs Bookmark lists essential needs for healthy plants. By connecting the care of living things with the nurturing of faith, participants were encouraged to see growth as a process requiring attention and trust, both in the garden and in their spiritual lives. By equipping attendees with these small but meaningful tools, the Guild hoped to encourage daily prayer and a renewed inspiration for spiritual journeys.
Honoring Pearl Harbor Day, on December 7, 2023, Julia Garrett of Houston and Caroline Parks of Brady presented Quiet Hero of WWII Decoder. They shared the story of their mother, Elizabeth King Beard, who joined the Navy while a university student in North Carolina majoring in Mathematics. During basic training, she was selected to serve as a Code Girl in the War Department for the European Theater during WWII. The Code Girls were instrumental in breaking enemy codes and providing vital intelligence that significantly aided the Allied forces. They worked in secrecy, often in high-pressure environments, to decipher messages from the Axis powers. Each decoder had to take an oath of secrecy for the work they performed, and for 70 years, faced with criminal punishment as harsh as death, Code Girls remained silent. Julia and Caroline believed all through their childhood that their mother had served as a secretary at the Pentagon during the war. Ms. Beard died at the age of 80 and never shared her sworn secret of serving as a code breaker with them. It was only when a trunk containing her uniform, discharged papers, photos and other documents were found in her attic after her death that her secret was revealed.
The story captivated attendees, highlighting the strength and intelligence required for such secretive and critical work and the personal sacrifices made by women during wartime. The program inspired deep reflection on courage, service, and the often-unseen roles that shape history. This event provided both a tribute to faith in God and an educational experience, enriching the spiritual and communal bonds among those present.
In 2024, the Ladies Night Out Program hosted Rudi Rodriquez, President and Founder of Texas Tejano. Based out of San Antonio, it is an organization whose mission is to create awareness and education about the contributions of early Tejano pioneers, the descendants of the first Spanish, Mexican and Indigenous families of the Texas frontier. Rudi shared powerful stories about Tejano pioneers who helped shape the history of Texas, including his great-great grandfather, Jose’ Policarpio Rodriquez (1829-1914), who founded the town of Polly, TX in the 1850’s in Bandera County. Attendees were deeply moved by the stories of perseverance, cultural heritage, and the importance of remembering and honoring those who came before us. The program encouraged participants to reflect on their own family histories and celebrate the diversity within their communities. This further strengthened the sense of unity and purpose among the women of Trinity and the community of Junction.
The Ladies Night Out program continues. Courtney Mudge and Annie Bekarian from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin will share the Center’s mission of inspiring the conservation of native plants in November of this year. As said by Lady Bird Johnson, Our Center works for more than the lovely blossoms in our open spaces. We are concerned for all North America’s native plants, from the smallest sprout to the tallest tree. This event promises to blend environmental education with spiritual reflection. Attendees can look forward to discovering how the conservation efforts at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center preserves botanical heritage and serves as a testament to the beauty and diversity of God’s creation.
The Ladies Night Out Program offers opportunities for learning and fellowship and builds lasting bonds among participants through shared experiences. The success of these programs highlights the importance of nurturing community ties. Through hands-on activities and engaging presentations—from pottery and gardening workshops to historical tributes and cultural storytelling—attendees have been encouraged to nurture their spiritual growth and reflect on personal and communal histories. Though few in number yet mighty in their impact in Kimble County, members of Trinity continue to foster fellowship and spiritual connections while providing services to their neighbors.
Learning about all the programs and outreach Trinity has done through the years and how they work to give back demonstrates the positive impact of giving back and how small churches are integral to their communities.
