John & Anne Kress: A Network of Faith & Support
John and Anne began attending Holy Trinity in the summer of 1967, nearly 60 years ago. We had the pleasure of sitting down with John and Anne in their apartment at Goodwin House in Alexandria, VA as they reminisced about the past and the important role Holy Trinity has played in their lives.
When did you start attending Holy Trinity?
John: We started attending Holy Trinity in the summer of 1967.
Anne: John was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health Service and he was called to active duty in Arlington, VA so we moved here from our home in the Bronx. We were expecting our first child later that year.
John: Anne and I had been lifelong members of St. Paul’s Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Bronx attending from church school, confirmation, Luther League and for our marriage.
Anne: It was a very close-knit, ethnic congregation and we always felt as if we were part of a larger family. We wanted to find a church home here with that same family atmosphere. We discovered there were quite a number of Lutheran churches withing 20 minutes’ drive from our apartment and decided to look at all of them starting with the closest: Holy Trinity. We attended one service at Holy Trinity and never went anywhere else.
John: We liked it because the Pastor was wonderful, the congregation was welcoming, and the activities and programs were numerous and outstanding.
Anne: There were also a lot of people our own age with children and it was just a very comfortable fit for us. That was our first and final choice.
Anne: Two things I recall. St. Paul’s was an LCA congregation and Holy Trinity was ALC. We noted Pastor Neis didn’t wear a clerical collar. That struck us as odd in that our pastors wore clerical garments in the European tradition. We signed the visitor’s book that first Sunday and wouldn’t you know, during the week, there’s a knock on my door. And who is it? Pastor Niece! I was expecting the exterminator. I was impressed that he came to visit us so soon.
How did Holy Trinity fit into your life?
John: We hoped for three things in our church home: pastors who preached from the lessons of the day and preached well; a nurturing congregation of Christians to walk with us on our faith journey and many opportunities where we could be of service within the congregation and beyond. That certainly was and is the case at Holy Trinity.
Over the years we participated in many HT activities including, served as church school teachers: I was on the Church Council and represented HT at several synodical meetings. We participated in bible studies, attended retreats at Caroline Furnace and Rehoboth. Our sons went to summer camps at Caroline Furnace.
Anne: I served on the Altar Guild for many years working with Maria, Genie, and others. I also volunteered with other HT members feeding the homeless at Miriam’s kitchen. In winter we often went into DC to take clothes and food to the homeless living on the grates.
John: We were impressed early on with HT’s sponsorship and support of the Rothenbergs, Herbert, Maria and family. HT nurtured their assimilation into the U.S. from Germany. Holy Trinity was always a supporter of the National Lutheran Home in Rockville. I served on the board and several committees of the NLH for 8 years.
Can you share one of your favorite memories of Holy Trinity?
John: I’ve always been impressed by the varied talents of HT’s clergy and how our pastors played a role in helping fellow pastors who needed a place to learn and/or hone their skills or have a temporary resting place on their pastoral journeys. I think we’ve had 6 full-time Pastors and many associate and assistant pastors. We have hosted numerous seminary students for their experiential learning time and supported a number of our parish members to attend seminary. They all brought interesting reflections in their Gospel preaching and teaching and we appreciated hearing them all.
Anne: One of my favorite activities was the Couples Club. On one occasion we held a crepes dinner. The Assistant Pastor’s wife and I must have made 300 crepes! Other guests brought appetizers, entrees, and desserts which became the filling for the crepes.
John: We also had Bible Study groups consisting of 4 couples. We would meet at each couple’s house on a rotating basis. In addition to scriptural analysis, it was a nice way to meet people in their own home and get to know the people sitting 3 pews behind you each Sunday.
Anne: We had an annual church picnic at one of the parks in Fairfax County. We’d have a church service there along with a picnic lunch and game activities afterward.
How has your life been impacted by Holy Trinity?
John: We pray that the Spirit will help us live a Christ-filled life. It’s very hard to do that without a supportive Christian community surrounding you on your faith journey. We’ve always found Holy Trinity’s congregation has been very nurturing for us. We’ve always been comfortable in their company. By words and example, they remind us that Christ is with us through the good times and the bad times. We always feel His presence. Being at Holy Trinity is a way to have that human support in addition to the support of the Holy Spirit.
Anne: I’ve always enjoyed going to church here. Everyone was so friendly at Holy Trinity. It didn’t matter where you sat or how long you stayed, there was always someone who came up to you and said “Hello, how are you?....Where do you live?” I think that was important.
John: I’ve had a number of hospital episodes in the past year and people call us wondering how we are doing. We care, and they care, and that’s what matters.
How has Holy Trinity impacted the local community over the past 75 years?
John: I think they’ve had a great impact. I sat down and tried to recall community outreach activities. They included: work with the Graham Road Elementary School, sharing our parsonages for use by the battered women’s shelter, breakfast with Santa, supporting food trucks and the food program at Knox Presbyterian, allowing the Vietnamese congregation to use our building for worship, supporting the child daycare program in our church building, supporting the Vietnamese congregation so they have a place to worship, hosting the homeless during hypothermia week, supporting the Merrifield ministry, supporting the work of a missionary in Central America, volunteering with vision programs in Central America, and supporting countless others. HT people have always sought out ways in which they could help others. It’s really good to be part of a congregation that operates that way. We’re happy that our congregation is a welcoming congregation. Our orthodoxy is one of inclusion not exclusion.
What makes Holy Trinity different from other churches?
John: 3 P’s: pastors’ preaching, the people, and the programs. We have all 3 in abundance in all the years we’ve been members at Holy Trinity. I think that’s what distinguishes us. We’ve drawn people from throughout Fairfax County, Arlington, and the whole of Northern Virginia. Many people have driven long distances and spent a lot of time on the road because of the unique and wonderful nature of Holy Trinity. That’s a testament to how good Holy Trinity has been and continues to be.
Anne: I like how beautiful the church sanctuary is!
What is your favorite part of Holy Trinity in 2024?
John: Zoom! We haven’t been able to attend church in person very often since the beginning of COVID. Zoom has been a godsend for us, especially during COVID. The Church leadership developed the technology needed for us to attend church at a distance. During COVID the breakout groups after the church service were very helpful to us. Also, the Tuesday night Zoom sessions with Pastor sharing life with Covid issues was very helpful to us especially as we had more restrictions than those living in their homes in that we resided in a CCRC.
Is there anything you feel that Holy Trinity should begin or continue doing in the future?
John: Keep listening for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and follow that direction.
Anne: I think our Pastor has been very devoted and energetic, and I really appreciate and support him.