Trinity Lutheran Church sits on Washington Avenue in Enumclaw, the White River valley town at the foot of Mount Rainier. The congregation has gathered in this corner of King County for more than a century, organized in 1904 under the name Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Free Church of Enumclaw, with services first held in Norwegian. The current church building was dedicated in 1947 and still serves as the gathering place for two Sunday services and a steady calendar of Bible studies.
An ELCA congregation shaped by grace
Trinity is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in the Southwestern Washington Synod. The parish describes itself as a Christian community that worships the Trinity (God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), centered on the crucified and risen Jesus. Trinity teaches that grace is a free gift, and that the Spirit then sends believers out to be grace for others. Where the original congregation was largely limited to one ethnic expression, Trinity today strives to be an inclusive community with room for a wide range of backgrounds.
Two Sunday services, one fourfold shape
Both Sunday services move through four movements: Gathering, Proclamation of the Word, Meal, and Sending. The 8:30 am Traditional service sets the words to a more classic musical style, while the 10:30 am Contemporary service uses a contemporary worship band led by Contemporary Worship Director Elizabeth Scott and Church Musician Angela Wentz. Holy Communion is shared at both services, and Trinity is explicit that all are welcome at the table: Christ is the host, and he invites us all to come and eat. During the contemporary service, children are invited forward for their own time of biblical learning, and instruments are handed out for a joyful Sending song. Nursery care is available during the contemporary service.
Children, youth, and family
Children and young people have a steady place in the life of the parish. Colleen Michael coordinates Children and Young Adult Ministry, with Julia Michael leading Children's Church. Deacon Tammy Rismiller serves as Youth and Family Director. Sermon recordings are posted on Trinity's YouTube channel, and Sunday readings are available through a WordPress blog.
Wednesday afternoons and Tuesday evenings of study
Adult education runs through the week. Pastor Eric Wooldridge leads a Wednesday afternoon Bible study at 1:00 pm in the church basement. Pastor Doug Bursch, the assistant pastor, teaches Sunday morning Bible studies after each service, with childcare at the later hour. A women's Bible study meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 pm in the upstairs youth room, and a book study led by Pastor Nina Body meets on the other Tuesdays from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, leaving the third Tuesday free for the Koinonia group.
Music, leaders, and a Church Council
Music is a particular strength. Elizabeth Scott directs the contemporary band, Angela Wentz serves as church musician, and the congregation prints both a traditional bulletin and a contemporary bulletin each week. The Music and Worship Committee is co-chaired by Sue White and Jaymes Toycen. Trinity is governed by a Church Council led by President Julie Iunker, with Roy Brooks as Vice President and Doug Weeks as Treasurer, alongside members covering Faith Sharing, Youth and Family, Social Concerns, and Secretary.
An active online presence
Trinity is active online. The church app is available through Aware3, sermons are livestreamed and archived on YouTube, and giving is accepted online through Vanco. Visitors can sign up for the email newsletter and follow the congregation on Facebook.