Jerry D.
Yelp
A welcoming space, full of loving and caring people, actively working on strengthening their relationship with God. This congregation welcomes EVERYONE, regardless of your gender, race, age, marital status, political beliefs, sexuality, denomination, or even religion! They host many ecumenical services throughout the year with various other local churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples, for various occasions. They tend to be more liberal than some Christian churches (they were one of the first congregations to perform same-sex marriages in Sacramento), but the sermons are all based on Scripture and with solid theological backing. The emphasis is mostly on God's love for all. The head Pastor of the Cathedral (called a "Dean" in the Episcopal Church) is Brian Baker (all the clergy here prefer to be addressed simply by their first names). Brian is one of the best preachers you will EVER hear...it is rare that one of his sermons does not touch me deeply to the core. He is an Army veteran, West Point graduate, married with kids, shaved head, rides a Harley, and was one of the most vocal supporters of same-sex marriage in all of California, and indeed in the whole Episcopal Church!
The choir is large, and very good. The organ is magnificent! Their music program is one of the best anywhere, and they frequently bring in outside musicians, ensembles and orchestras to add to the music during services. The music varies from one service to another on Sundays. The 7:30 service is more traditional, the 9:00 service is more contemporary, and the 11:15 service has the most music, usually traditional, with the full choir and organ. The 12:30 service is short, and has no music. The Sunday School program is very strong, and there is a nursery for infants and toddlers (they recently added a play area in one corner of the church itself for well-behaved infants and toddlers and their parents to sit and play together during services). The church and its connected buildings are all wheelchair accessible, and there is an elevator. They emphasize during communion that ALL are welcome to come and receive communion (even if you're not Christian!).
The congregation is very active, and there is some activity going on almost every day of the week, from noontime and evening services, to lectures, concerts, outside speakers, community dinners, etc. Trinity is very active in community service, with active outreach to the homeless, the ill, addicts/alcoholics, victims of domestic violence, the LGBT community, etc. They have many active ministries, some of which are led by clergy members, others by trained lay members. Their hospital chaplaincy program is top-notch (no Trinity member I know has ever been hospitalized and not had at least one or two visits by a Trinity member or clergy). They have a wonderful program called the Stephen's Ministry, which is where lay members who have undergone intensive training, act as active listeners for people who are going through any type of crisis in their lives. They are not professional therapists, but they can be very comforting during trying times in our lives when we feel there's no one we can turn to. You can ask to have a Stephen's minister assigned to you, and they will usually meet with you for an hour or so once a week (more or less frequently, as you feel you need), for as long as you need.
Their bookshop is open Sundays and weekdays, and is one of the largest and best-stocked church bookshops anywhere, with gifts, religious items, and books about all sorts of thought-provoking topics, both spiritual and secular.
