Trinity Episcopal’s new parish hall expanding the church’s outreach

JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

MARBLE FALLS — When members of Trinity Episcopal Church decided to build a new parish hall, they saw it as another opportunity to build stronger relationships, according to the Rev. David Sugeno.

“I believe fellowship space is vital to the body of Christ,” he said. “We also would like to be more involved in outreach activities in the community. And we didn’t have the facility to do that. We’ll have a space that will better enable us to be Jesus Christ’s hands … to the community of Marble Falls.”

A dedication ceremony is May 3 at the parish hall, 909 Ave. D. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. with baptisms, confirmations and receptions. Then, the Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, the bishop of Diocese of Texas who is the chief pastor for more than 78,000 Episcopalians, will bless and dedicate the parish hall.

The parish hall will include a kitchen, a large dining area and some classrooms, Sugeno said. In addition, the worship space also is expanding, but construction will be finished in a month.

Sugeno said church social events such as bridal or baby showers, meals and other activities were being held in a large entranceway in the church building. The area just wasn’t big enough to hold all the attendees.

In addition to being able to have more social events at the church, Sugeno said members have expressed a desire to help meet the needs of the community by using the parish hall to host Alcohol Anonymous meetings, fitness classes and other gatherings. At one time, the church building was the site of a class for parents of traumatized children taught by the Phoenix Center and Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center.

“It’s what we’re here for,” Sugeno said. “Jesus Christ so consistently reminded those who followed him that being his follower meant reaching out to the people who are in need and serving the marginalized and vulnerable. We believe that has to be an important component of who we are as a church.”

The parish hall also is a reflection of having faith that God provides, Sugeno said.

When he first came to the congregation, he saw it had debt that limited what members wanted to do. To their credit, he said, the congregation met that challenge through a debt campaign, then received some unexpected money from deceased members that allowed them to turn their vision of a fellowship hall into a reality.

Church member Mike Delamore served as the building committee chairman, and Grant Dean of Cactus Companies and also a church member, was the general contractor.

“We couldn’t have done it without (Delamore),” Sugeno said. “We’ve entrusted this work to someone (Dean) who cares deeply.”

Sugeno said that while Trinity Episcopal Church is entrusted with the parish hall, the members know it’s a facility that’s built to serve the community.

“You can’t build something just for fun,” he said. “Everything has a purpose. … It’s still amazing the way God blesses this church. We accept this blessing as a gift and as a responsibility. God doesn’t give you things to hoard them. God entrusts us with this to glorify Him.”

Call the church office at (830) 693-2822 for more information.

jfierro@thepicayune.com