Faith Story: Tom and Laura Spalla

Having kids changed our outlook on religion. Both of us growing up Catholic, the easy path would have been continuing the many generations of following the Catholic ways. We both felt we wanted something different. On our quest for a new faith tradition, we were seeking a place where the teachings were aligned with our beliefs. A place that had a strong sense of community, where integrity was a way of life and judgement wasn’t a by-product. We were looking for spirituality that would allow us to raise our children without hesitation of beliefs. A place to fully embrace, to be yourself or find yourself, characterized by compassion with a strong moral compass.

After visiting several churches on the north side, we eventually stumbled upon Holy Trinity. We were immediately struck by the inclusivity message as many are. It was also refreshing to see the commensurate partnership when it comes to leaders of the church, people of multiple genders equally taking part in the ceremony and duties. Everyone we met was genuine and welcoming. Sermons were thought provoking and relevant with an amazing choir and music unlike any church ceremonies either of us had experienced. It felt ‘right’ from the first visit. Somewhat like a successful first date, we knew we wanted to have a second, so we ended up attending the following Sundays. It didn’t take long to realize we found our place.

Holy Trinity has become an anchor within our lives. Youth activities including Sunday school and the youth group program have allowed our kids to be involved in something bigger than themselves, opening their minds and hearts. We have both taken on roles within Holy Trinity to get involved as much as we’re able, which is another great attribute within Holy Trinity. The unassuming nature of belonging and getting involved.

Holy Trinity is a special place with ineffable charm, genuine people with welcoming spirits, and talent among its members that has always awed us. We are proud to support Holy Trinity and its future and we are excited to see how it will continue to flourish with all it has to offer. We are proud to call Holy Trinity our spiritual home.

Faith Story: Jim and Kris Hiepler-Hartwig

Jim:     Hi, I’m Jim

Kris:    Hi, I’m Kris – Hiepler-

Jim:     Hartwig.  We are hyphenated,

Kris:    …and decaffeinated.

Jim:     We joined a year ago.

Kris:    Well I was here – you were sick so you joined via “picture on phone.”

Jim:     True enough.  So. About us - I was born in and grew up in the city of Chicago, population 2.7 million people.

Kris:    I was born in a farming community and grew up on a farm near my home town, Bellingham, 127 people.

Jim:     I was raised Missouri Synod Lutheran.

Kris:    I was raised Missouri Synod Lutheran.

Jim:     We were baptized Lutheran.

Kris:    We were confirmed Lutheran.

Jim:     And upon confirmation, we were considered “adults” so that meant…

Kris:  Ta dah!  Offering envelopes! We learned to tithe a portion of our allowance to put in the offering plate.  (mine was $.50 and Jim’s was a quarter😊)

Jim:     We mostly hung out with other Lutherans growing up and then again later when our own kids were involved in Lutheran youth groups.

Kris:    We actually met in a Lutheran church parking lot. That makes us “churchy” in some circles :--)

Jim:     We have spent our lives volunteering, working, and being a part of the church, mostly where everyone was pretty much like us

K/J:      And then we found Holy Trinity.

Jim:     There is a lot to be thankful for here –

Kris:    the welcome,

Jim:     the music,

Kris:    the sermons…

Jim:     But there is one thing that sort of found us. We joined the anti-racism team at Holy Trinity. We discovered something that we didn’t know we were missing and it has started something new that is growing within.

Kris:    We are learning about the systemic racism that resides within -  us, our families, our community, our country. We are starting to understand our role in the marginalization of people who are LGBTQIA, people of color, of disparate economic means or no means, or who face mental and physical challenges.

Jim:     We have rediscovered purpose in our “been-there-done-that,-have-the t-shirt gave-it-away lives” We’ll admit, we were kinda tired Lutherans.  We might have been looking for a place to “rest.”  But Holy Trinity is not a place you come to hide out.

Kris:    At Holy Trinity there is great leadership, and fabulous programming…and we are Lutheran – so we eat well here, right?

Jim:     We know that there are many ways to plug in to good community service. There are many ways to help a broken world financially. People don’t have to come to a church to do good in the world. Social media has made it possible to plug in to every possible good cause.

Kris:    We have chosen to support Holy Trinity with our resources, both time and financial, along with talents, because the work here inspires us.  At HT there is also a spiritual challenge to grow in our faith, and in the understanding that Jesus loves us. ALL; we come here to fill that well – we need it to walk in the world waiting outside those doors.

Jim:     Building good solid foundations and relationships takes time and energy – something that God renewed in us when we committed to being a part of community here. Holy Trinity is not just a plug and play energizer bunny.  It’s the conduit for the energy and inspiration that God is waiting to give each of us.

K/J:     We are thankful for Holy Trinity.

Faith Story: Jonas Ellison

Hi, I’m Jonas Ellison and my family and I‌ have been members of Holy Trinity for a little over a year now. I’m a first-year, full-time seminarian pursuing a master's of divinity at LSTC and discerning my call to ministry in the ELCA. To make the distinction, I’m not a MIC resident seminarian like Troy, Melissa, Sarah, or Reed. I’m a member who happens to be a seminarian. I start my MIC next year, but I‌ hate goodbyes, so I’ll save it for then:)

I was raised Roman Catholic (hands?). Later in life, I started to question my faith altogether. Was God really an abusive father who killed his only son because of us? Did God truly despise people of certain sexual orientations and religions (and those who didn’t identify with any religion)? Why couldn’t priests be female or married? How could God be so disgruntled by His own creation?

In my early 20s, I identified as spiritual-but-not-religious and did so for almost two decades. A couple years ago, I found myself drawn to three seemingly paradoxical things: progressive Christianity, orthodox Christianity, and contemplative/mystical Christianity. How and where in the world would I‌ find a faith community that embraces all three? 

Holy Trinity was and is that place: A sacred space that welcomes all to the table (even a heretic like me). One that embraces a progressive worldview while remaining rooted in ancient orthodox theology. One that provides that holy comma every week where I can rest my weary soul and allow God’s grace to swoop in and soften my heart. One that encourages my endless questions - and even doubts. 

This is a community that my wife and I feel safe raising our daughter in and it’s the reason that I enrolled in seminary and devoted my life to carrying on this tradition in whatever ways that I can. This is why we financially support Holy Trinity and our mission - to help make this the new norm in the Christian faith. It’s a bold endeavor, for sure - but one that we feel divinely privileged to be a part of. Thank you.  

Faith Story: Ayriole Frost

I didn’t grow up going to church. My grandfather on my father’s side was a Methodist minister and my mother was raised Catholic, but my family was much more interested in mysticism and spirituality rather than organized religion. I’ve since found out that had much to do with how my grandfather was treated by the Methodist church, but that’s a story for another day. I studied many different faith traditions, and considered myself pagan for a while; even now, some of my spiritual practices are rooted in the ancient practices of West Africa that I’ve learned from my father. I’ve always felt the presence of a higher power, but was resistant to organized religion. Suffice it to say, I read the bible, but it was more like the same way I read Lord of the Rings; a book of epic tales where I desperately searched for the voices of women and was sorely disappointed. I still love the stories and the world they create, but neither of these sagas pass the Bechdel test.

My introduction to church life was through being a musician. I participated in a Methodist choir in college and have always loved sacred music, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that when my college friend Sean Diller asked me to play here at Holy Trinity in 2012, I was blown away and never wanted to leave. We can all agree that the music here is on a level unparalleled; however, the music alone would not have convinced me to become a member of Holy Trinity or give financially. As a professional musician with 5 different jobs, my funds are limited; but my mother and I made the decision to give regularly and to contribute to the capital campaign.

What convinced me to do both of those things is what Holy Trinity stands for; radical inclusivity. While we still have our work cut out for us with our Anti-racism covenant and ministry, I’ve never encountered an institution of any kind, faith-based or not, that was willing to do the hard work of anti-racism and that truly wants to be a place that is inclusive of anyone who wants to be a part of it. A place that has been patient with me as I learned the meaning and significance of liturgy and the liturgical year in order to contribute more fully as a musician and staff member. A place that brings new meaning and perspective to the stories I read as a child. A place that truly wants to be welcoming of anyone who walks in the door, and is never finished with the work it requires to do so. I never imagined a place like Holy Trinity existed, and I’m happy to be a part of it.

Faith Story: eric bjorlin

I grew up in the church. From my earliest of days, I recall myself in a pew on the left side, a few rows back from the front (where I still attempt to sit today). I was involved high school youth group and very active in my college campus ministry. When I graduated, I could have continued to attend my college church, but in starting my journey as a young professional, I sought community and connection with others in a similar life position as I continued my faith journey. Holy Trinity was recommended as a possible good fit, and I've been a member (though not always a local one) ever since.

Holy Trinity pulls together all that I value in worship and has been a comfortable place for me to find my spiritual home. The liturgy, the gospel message, but perhaps above all the music. Music digs deeper than words and logic (my usual go-to's) and stirs my soul. Whether on Easter morning, All Saints Day, or just a green summer Sunday, I know I can count on worship at Holy Trinity to touch me down to my spiritual core.

As my life has ebbed and flowed—different addresses, partners, jobs—my connection to Holy Trinity has held steady. Though my specific time and financial commitments to Holy Trinity have changed, dictated by changes to my external life and income, pledging and providing support is an important part of my commitment to Holy Trinity. Like any institution, Holy Trinity needs resources to survive and continue to provide the many opportunities it supplies us, which is why it's important for all of us to commit and pledge to support Holy Trinity in the year ahead.

Perhaps what I most value about Holy Trinity is it's openness to the voice of the Spirit and an openness to change. Holy Trinity is not perfect, but instead of letting that be something to run from, Holy Trinity continues to discern ways to be more committed to the gospel message. It's been a joy to see the specific statements of radical inclusion and mission developed in recent years, and I'm beyond excited for the deepening of anti-racism work of our congregation, an issue extremely important for me.

Holy Trinity commits to its values of love, inclusion, and anti-oppression in all we do, and that's why I commit to Holy Trinity with my time, talents, and treasure.

Faith Story: Kurt Reichardt

This is an "end of life" story. Of course it has a beginning, too. Just as the "no one lighting a lamp puts it under a bushel" (Matt 5:15) doesn't start there, but rather with "You are the light of the world." WOW! In Baptism, marked with the Cross of Christ forever, be THAT!

Well then, the beginning is this: as with many of you, we came upon Holy Trinity with a relocation. However, it wasn't for the kids or the neighborhood, but for that final room to light our flickering lamp. We were looking for authentic, reverent liturgy, great music, preaching that was forward looking and theologically sound, people who valued diversity (we are a mixed race family) and yes, where social ministry outreach blossoms, the poor and anguished are fed, and where LGBTQIA+ and "straight folks" worship and work side by side. Moreover, we wanted to realize that "impossible dream" before my spouse would suffer the end ravages of Alzheimer’s Disease. Good luck.

But you are not surprised that we found that congregation, that staff, those welcoming people who understand that the charge to be "the light of the world" means "Us. Here. Now." We found it because our daughter and son-in-law met our skepticism with Philip’s advice to Nathanael: "Come and see!" Joyce joined the choir, I prepared the Altar and we began to repeat that invitation just as others here do. There isn’t a supplied Evangelism program here. People come because they are compelled to tell others what they have found – what we are privileged to experience. That is why we return thanksgiving not only in service, but by financial support of Holy Trinity’s Word and Sacrament gathered hospitality, service and outreach ministries.

Since our second location’s genesis in the South Loop, you will most likely find me there with my family worshiping late each Saturday afternoon along with 30-50 members and seekers, perhaps reading a lesson or sharing hospitality. Joyce was committed in burial there almost two years ago, as she was commended to Eternal Life in a full Eucharistic Choral Service at our Lakeview site three months later. I’m now one of our oldest members; that is why I said "This is an end of life story." For we came here committed to this being where we will light our lamps to shine along with yours in the Winter of our earthly lives. It is where I implore you to join me in affirming Isaiah’s call (Is. 60:1) in a musical cacophony: "Arise shine; for your light has come..." – as a first cadre in support of those next century Holy Trinitarians, witnessing that "the glory of the Lord has risen upon you." Come and See.