I have been trying to understand my relationship to Trinity Santa Barbara. Trinity is like my first love, except we never broke up. I just moved away and started dating new churches. I wonder if I will ever be able to commit to my new church as long as I love Trinity Episcopal. On Sunday, I attended my former church and I remembered why I loved it. Besides feeding my soul, Trinity touches all my senses.
I love how Trinity feels. From my favorite seat, I feel protected as I lean against the old wood and hug the pew. I snuggle my foot above the kneeling rail. I feel the tile floors. I even feel the air. The people at Trinity feel different too. When people greet each other, handshakes and hugs last longer. I have been loved and welcomed by other churches too, but there was something about those first hugs. Even now when I return and people welcome me... just because I am me. Amazing.
When I close my eyes, I hear Trinity. Many people are overwhelmed by the pipe organ and choir and soloists, and I have never been to a church with better music. But I have known many beautiful people, and I am not impressed with beauty. It is the subtly that I love. At Trinity, I hear voices echoing against the wall comforting me. I hear feet shuffling along the tile. I hear the large old wooden doors opening. I hear the people resting in the old pews. The ancient Nicene Creed and traditional liturgy sounds alive at Trinity... and the children's voices fit. Perfectly.
Trinity smells and tastes different. At Trinity, I learned one of my favorite church words: thurifer (the incense person.) Old hymnals; old pews; stone. Trinity's wafers and wine taste special too. After communion, I often keep the wafer or bread in my mouth and pray. Days later, I can still remember it.
Trinity looks unique too. When visiting Sunday, I took a few snapshots. From my pew, I see light, shape, line, color, and every element of design. After looking at the photos, I realized that sitting in my Trinity pew influenced my photography. I understand framing, light and shadow. I also understand how different lights emit different color. Some day, I will spend an entire day photographing the church, even at night when Trinity is just as alive.
Post Script: The second reading Sunday: Paul's letter to the Corinthians. Trinity is more than the five senses...as is love and life. But for now, that will do.
bf
Note to the photos: All of the inside photos are taken from "my pew." From my position, I could watch the sermon (my favorite part). I could see the sacrament prepared. I could look forward and pray (until the pews were slanted). I also included a photograph of my "confirmation sandals." I often wore shorts and sandals to church believing that I was helping newcomers feel welcomed. To show how I see Trinity, I really need more time with the building. The building is alive.
Trinity Santa Barbara - Images by bryan farley bf
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