News
New Legislation for Charitable Donations to Trinity from your IRA!
December 22, 2015
Recent legislations extends the IRA Charitable rollover retroactively for 2015 and makes it permanent going forward.
Under this legislation, if you are 70 ½ or older, you will be allowed to make certain charitable contributions directly from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to an eligible charity such as Trinity, and the transferred assets will not be recognized as income for tax purposes.
As a rule, withdrawals from IRAs are taxed as income; you would receive a tax deduction for your donation, but other federal, and sometimes state, tax rules can prevent the deduction from fully offsetting taxable income.
The charitable IRA rollover, or qualified charitable distribution, makes it easier for you to use your IRA assets to make charitable gifts. It is a special provision that allows individuals age 70 1/2 or older to exclude from taxable income - and count toward their required minimum distribution.
To take advantage of the extension for 2015, donors need to arrange a direct transfer from their IRA to Trinity by December 31, 2015. Direct transfers from IRAs to Trinity made earlier in 2015 in anticipation of the IRA charitable rollover being extended will also count.
Making a donation under this provision is simple and straightforward. If you would like to make a contribution to Trinity from your Individual Retirement Account, please speak with your IRA administrator.
Listen to the Sermons!
December 22, 2015
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New Staff Appointments
December 15, 2015
Two new staff members have been hired at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. The first, Mrs. Victoria Harden, has been named interim Music Director. She will join the Cathedral staff on January 1, 2016. The second, Rev. Amber Carswell, will join the Cathedral staff as Associate Priest on April 4, 2016. A third, Rev. Susan Payne, will remain at Trinity as a volunteer Priest Associate.
Victoria Mathis Harden
Interim Music Director
Victoria Mathis Harden began studying piano at age 8 and organ at the age of 14, taking lessons from Fletcher Trotter at First Methodist Church, Camden, AR. Two years later she began her organ studies at Henderson State University with Robert Ellis where she continued until 1972 when she received her Bachelor of Music degree, graduating magna cum lauda with a concentration in organ performance. Harden then attended North Texas State University and Memphis State University to earn a Masters of Music in organ performance and a Masters of Art in musicology. During these years she served as organist-choirmaster at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Camden, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Hot Springs and associate organist at St. Michael’s and All Angels Episcopal Church, Dallas. Organ positions in Memphis included Barth house Episcopal Chaplaincy, Chirst Church Episcopal, and guest organist at St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral.
After moving to New York City in 1977, Harden played at St. Peter’s Church, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, and held the organist-choirmaster position at Bedford Park Presbyterian Church. While pursuing a doctoral pedagogy degree at Columbia University Teacher’s College, Harden was one of 35 professional choir members at St. Bartholomew’s Church where she met and married her husband, Shelton. Upon returning to Arkansas in the 1990s, Harden taught at Southern Arkansas University, Southern Arkansas University Technical Branch, and in 2001 became the music faculty at South Arkansas Community College. During these years she has served as organist-choirmaster of First Presbyterian Church and St. John’s Episcopal Church, Camden. The Very Rev. Dr. Christoph Keller, Dean and Rector of Trinity says of Victoria, “I am so pleased to welcome Victoria Harden to the Cathedral. She is a musician’s musician, known and admired as such throughout Arkansas and beyond, and also a warm, congregation and child-friendly worship leader.” She will begin her duties at the Cathedral on January 1, 2016, and they include beginning a children’s choir.
The Rev. Amber Carswell
Associate Priest
Amber Carswell grew up in Kansas and moved to Arkansas during her undergraduate years. She graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a BS in Information Science before moving to Alexandria, Virginia, where she received her Master of Divinity from the Virginia Theological Seminary in 2014. Rev. Carswell moves to Little Rock from Jonesboro, AR, where she has worked as curate at St. Mark's Episcopal Church since graduation from seminary. She is the oldest of four girls, is an avid runner and cyclist, and could talk to you all day about agrarianism and 1 Corinthians 15.
She will have general responsibilities for preaching, teaching and pastoral care as well as administrative oversight of young adult and outreach ministries. “The Rev. Amber Carswell is warm, spirited, and thoughtful. She brings youthful vitality and exceptional ability to our team of clergy and I can’t wait for her to get here,” says Dean Keller. Rev. Carswell will begin her duties at the Cathedral on April 4 and her first Sunday will be April 10.
Trinity is also delighted to announce that Rev. Susan Payne will remain at Trinity as a Children’s Catechist and volunteer Priest Associate. Mother Susan had already come out of retirement twice to assist at Trinity, most recently after Canon Paul McLain’s departure this September. With the arrival of the Rev. Dr. Russ Snapp as Sub-Dean in January, she will return to retirement—but not disappear! Said Dean Keller: “Susan has been a wonderful counselor, pastor and friend since I arrived at Trinity two years ago. I am grateful and happy that even in retirement she will remain visible in worship and the catechesis program, and all around the Cathedral block. She is a wise, warm, and loving presence in our midst."
New Sub Dean Announced!
December 15, 2015
The Rev. Dr. J. Russell Snapp has been named Sub Dean of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Little Rock. An Arkansas native, Snapp is a graduate from the University of the South (Sewanee). He received his Ph.D. in History from Harvard and his M.Div. from the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church.
Prior to becoming an Episcopal Priest, Snapp was an Associate Professor of History at Davidson College. He is also the author of John Stuart and the Struggle for Empire on the Southern Frontier (LSU Press 1996).
Snapp comes to the Cathedral from Grace-St. Luke’s in Memphis. He has also served as a priest in Siloam Springs, Newport and Helena. Also, Snapp served at Trinity Cathedral from February 2010 through December 2012.
As Sub-Dean, Snapp will have general responsibilities for preaching, teaching and pastoral care, administrative oversight of worship and pastoral care ministries, and will serve as the Chair of the Liturgy and Music Committee. "The Rev. Dr. Russ Snapp is a kind, scholarly priest in an Anglican mold that goes back to John Donne and George Herbert. He is brilliant, warm, and humble: a great teacher and loving pastor. He is also both a devoted Arkansan and sophisticated citizen of the world. We can’t wait to have him back at Trinity Cathedral,” says Dr. Chris Keller, Dean and Rector of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Of his appointment, Snapp says, "God is clearly calling Trinity Cathedral onward to be a center for prayer, learning, and mission for Arkansas and the larger Church. I am honored by Dean Keller's invitation to join in this ministry, and I eagerly look forward to returning there in the new year."
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral is a house of prayer for ALL people. Father Snapp will celebrate the Eucharist on January 10 and preach on January 17. As always, any and all are invited.
Trinity Member Peter Hartstein Reveals Holocaust Story in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
December 15, 2015
Peter Hartstein will be speaking on his experience during the Dean's Class and EYC in January. Stay tuned for more information!
This Sunday! 12/20/15
December 15, 2015
- The Dean's Class: "His and Hers: Questions from a Young Couple," is led by Dr. Keller. This week? "Hers: What do you do when you disagree with something within your religion or in the Bible?" We meet at 10:15 p.m. in Morrison Hall.
- Doctor Robert Johnston's "Living the Questions" will join the Dean's Class this Sunday.
Lessons and Carols
December 15, 2015
Join us for this beautiful service of readings and Christmas carols following the tradition established at King’s College, Cambridge, and one of the splendors of Anglican Church Music. More about the service can be found here.
2015 Advent and Christmas at the Cathedral
December 08, 2015
Sunday, November 29 - Advent I
Dr. Keller preaching
Sunday, December 6 - Advent II
Dr. Keller preaching
Sunday, December 13 - Advent III
Rev. Susan Payne preaching
Christmas Pageant at 5:00pm followed by Reception in Morrison Hall
Sunday, December 20 - Advent IV
Dr. Keller preaching
Christmas Lessons and Carols at 5:00pm
Thursday, December 24 - Christmas Eve
Holy Eucharist at 5:00pm
Bishop Benfield preaching and presiding
Concert by Trinity Choir at 10:30pm
Holy Eucharist 11:00pm
Bishop Benfield preaching and presiding
Friday, December 25 - Christmas Day
Holy Eucharist at 10:00am
Dr. Keller preaching
Sunday, December 27 - First Sunday After Christmas
Dr. Keller preaching
Sunday, January 24
Vestry elections (following all 4 services)
Sunday, January 31
Annual Parish Meeting at 10:15am
This Sunday! 12/13/15
December 08, 2015
- The Dean's Class: "His and Hers: Questions from a Young Couple," is led by Dr. Keller. This week? "His: What questions have you thought about the most? Have you been able to reach answers?" We meet at 10:15 p.m. in Morrison Hall.
- Doctor Robert Johnston's "Living the Questions" will join the Dean's Class this Sunday.