2026 Lenten Lecture Series

Why Church? Five Voices on Community, Hope, and Belonging

A Lenten lecture series exploring why Christian community still matters in an age of loneliness and “spiritual but not religious.”

In a time when many people describe themselves as “spiritual but not religious” and more and more of us feel isolated, it’s fair to ask a simple question: Why Church? Why gather with other people on purpose, week after week? What difference does Christian community really make in ordinary lives?

During Lent 2026, Trinity Episcopal Church will host a five-week lecture series called “Why Church? Five Voices on Community, Hope, and Belonging.” Each week, a different guest will speak from their own experience and field—mental health, theology, music, and community life—about why Church still matters today. There will be time for questions and conversation at each session.

The series is open to everyone: life-long church members, people who have drifted away, those who have been hurt by the Church, and anyone who’s simply curious. You do not have to be Episcopalian—or certain what you believe—to attend.

Format:
Each evening will include a brief welcome, a 30–45 minute presentation, and time for Q&A and discussion. A simple supper will be provided. There is no cost to attend; freewill offerings are welcome.

Planned topics

• Week 1 – 2/19/26 – Why Church at All? A Theological Starting Point
  Speaker: The Rev. Tommy Sheppard
  We begin with the basic question: what does the New Testament mean by “church”? Why is following Jesus something we do together and not just privately? We’ll look at images like the Body of Christ, the people of God, and a community shaped by common practices like prayer, Scripture, and shared meals.
• Week 2 – 2/26/26 – Church & Mental Health: Community in an Anxious Age
  Guest: Counselor / Social Worker
  A local mental health professional will speak about the epidemic of loneliness and anxiety, what healthy community looks like, and how churches can either support or harm emotional well-being. We’ll explore how congregations can become safer, more honest places for people who are not “fine.”
• Week 3 – 3/05/26 – Church & Doubt: Faith When You’re Not Sure What You Believe
  Guest: Pastor / Theologian / Spiritual Director
  Many faithful people wrestle with hard questions about God, the Bible, and the Church. A guest speaker will address doubt as a real part of Christian life—not a failure—and explore how the Church can hold space for questions, grief, and change without pushing people away.
• Week 4 – 3/12/26 – Church & Beauty: Why We Sing, Listen, and Create Together
  Guest: Musician / Choir Director
  Why does the Church insist on singing? What does beauty—music, art, and liturgy—do in worship that mere words can’t? A musician will reflect on how shared song and beauty help us pray, remember, and experience God’s presence together.
• Week 5 – 3/19/26 – Church & the Common Good: Why Congregations Still Matter in Our Towns
  Guest: Community Leader / Ecumenical Panel
  Finally, we’ll hear from local leaders about the ways churches contribute to the wider community: caring for the vulnerable, showing up in times of crisis, and building relationships across divides. We’ll ask honestly what our town would lose if its churches disappeared—and how congregations can show up even better for our neighbors.

Practical details:

• When: Each Thursday (Starting 2/19/26), Lent 2026, 5pm Light Supper, 6pm Speaker
• Where: Trinity Episcopal Church, 1 Oak Avenue, Moundsville, WV
• Cost: Free; all are welcome.
• Questions? Contact church office at 304-845-5982.

This Lenten season, we invite you to join us in engaging with this weighty and universal topic. Let us reflect, learn, and grow together as we prepare for the hope of Easter.

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Schedule of Speakers