Get to know Trinity’s newest priest, the Rev. Megan Allen-Miller, who leads Invite, Welcome, Connect, helping to build meaningful connections throughout the community.
Q: For those who haven’t had a chance to meet you yet, what are a few things you’d like the congregation to know about you?
A: I’m someone who really values both creativity and collaboration. In my free time, I love to paint and experiment with different artistic mediums. It’s one of the ways I process and express what is meaningful to me. I was also a Division I athlete, which shaped a lot of how I approach life and ministry. It taught me about discipline, teamwork, and the importance of showing up for one another.
More recently, my wife and I just bought our first home, and we’ve been learning a lot, what we can do ourselves, when to ask for help, and what it means to create a space that truly feels like ours. It’s been both a challenge and a joy, and a meaningful process of building something together.
Q: What drew you to Trinity Cathedral and to this role when you first learned about it?
A: I was drawn to Trinity Cathedral because of its strong sense of community, its commitment to justice, and the care it shows for its neighbors. When I first read the job description for this position, it felt like it was written for me, a role that centers on connection. What excited me most was the opportunity to bridge care, hospitality, and outreach. From providing pastoral support to developing community partnerships, this role allows me to help people feel seen and valued while working together toward a common goal. It aligns closely with my own values and the way I hope to serve in my ministry.
Q: What does your role at Trinity look like day to day?
A: A typical week for me is varied and keeps me connected to many parts of Trinity. I serve as the staff liaison for both the Invite, Welcome, Connect mission team and the Community Partnerships and Outreach mission team, supporting programs and events while also brainstorming new ideas. I’m always looking for our next community partner, imagining possibilities, and reaching out to build relationships. I also have the privilege of helping systematize aspects of our common life together, from pastoral care and eucharistic visitors to creating ways to stay more connected with visitors and newcomers.
Each week includes regular meetings with staff, clergy, and the liturgy team. Some weeks are especially full, including sermon preparation for Sunday, leading Wednesday night Evensong, and leading Thursday’s Healing Eucharist, which I alternate weekly with Canon Adrienne. While my days include many different tasks, what I’m most passionate about is connecting with people, welcoming newcomers, nurturing relationships with community partners, supporting parishioners in their faith journeys, and helping people feel seen and valued.
Q: What is the purpose of the Invite, Welcome, Connect ministry?
A: The purpose of Invite, Welcome, Connect is exactly what it sounds like: to intentionally invite people into the life and work of our faith community, to warmly welcome them when they arrive, and to help them connect in meaningful ways. It’s about making sure no one feels like a stranger for long and that everyone has a clear path toward connection and belonging.
Q: Why is a team like Invite, Welcome, Connect so important for a church community today?
A: First, I want to say that the church is not dying; it is changing, and it is our responsibility to faithfully discern how we engage with those changes. Today, many people, for various reasons, are not necessarily looking to join a church; they are looking to express their faith or spirituality through movement or by participating in what we might call “good works.” And this is why a team like Invite, Welcome, Connect is so important. Because even if people are not looking for a church, they are still seeking belonging, connection, and a sense of purpose. This team helps guide us towards bridging that gap, by intentionally creating spaces of genuine hospitality, building relationships, and offering clear pathways into community.
Q: Are there any hopes you have for the Invite, Welcome, Connect ministry in the coming year?
A: One of our major hopes for the coming year is to use resources to focus on inviting by equipping our congregation with the skills and confidence to approach others and share their experiences of faith and spirituality. Many people find the word “evangelism” intimidating, associating it with proselytizing, but our goal is to help people discern when and how to speak about their faith naturally in everyday life. By focusing on practical conversation skills and comfort in sharing personal stories, we hope to make evangelism feel accessible and authentic for everyone in the community.
Q: How can members of the congregation help people feel welcome at Trinity?
A: The simplest way to help people feel welcome at Trinity is to wear your nametag and introduce yourself to anyone who is new, including our neighbors waiting for APATT or seeking shelter. You can sit near them during worship in case they have questions or invite them to join you at coffee hour. Make sure they receive a Newcomer Packet (red folder) with a welcome letter, the Trinity Visitors’ Guide, and a visitor card. If they come back, take the time to chat, get to know them, and build a relationship. You might discover shared interests and invite them to a Brownbag Concert, volunteer with APATT or Social Justice Rule of Life, or join a dinner group. Small gestures like these can make a big difference in helping someone feel part of our community.