Welcome the Rev. Yein Kim to Trinity

Dear members of the Trinity community,

I’m writing to introduce you to the newest member of Trinity’s clergy, the Rev. Yein Kim, who is joining us as Priest for Congregational Life. I also want to update you on the plans to resume our regular Sunday worship schedule at Trinity Church.

I’m very excited to welcome Mother Yein, who will be with us starting on Sunday, Feb. 6. Among her regular priestly and pastoral duties, Mother Yein will support the creative expansion of our growing young adult ministry, and its leaders, and collaborate with our clergy and staff educators to design and present Trinity’s semi-annual Foundations series for seekers and new members. 

As the Priest for Congregational Life, Mother Yein will work closely with Mother Beth Blunt (Priest and Director, Congregational Life, Liturgy, and the Arts) and the Congregational Council in identifying the needs of the parish, with a particular emphasis on developing and supporting new congregational small groups. Alongside the clergy and lay leadership of the parish, she will engage fully in Trinity’s increasing neighborhood compassion, justice, and advocacy efforts, while working to increase parishioner involvement in planning and participation.

Since 2020, Mother Yein has served as Rector of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church Westwood in Los Angeles. Prior to that, she was a Parish Associate at St. Athanasius Episcopal Church at the Cathedral Center of St. Paul in Los Angeles. She is the co-founder of The Gathering — a Space for Asian-American Spirituality, in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, and has served as Vice-Chair of the Worship Committee at the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church.  

Mother Yein’s deep faith, passion, and breadth of experience at the local, diocesan, and national level will be a great addition to our team.

Mother Yein received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Korea University in Seoul, and her M.Div. from Episcopal Divinity School. Mother Yein is married to the Rev. Nickolas Griffith, who serves as Rector of St. Andrew and Christ Episcopal Church in Torrance and Redondo Beach, CA.

As we prepare to welcome Mother Yein, I also want to thank you for your patience as we’ve navigated this latest phase of the pandemic together. The good news is that the case numbers are beginning to decline from their peak. That said, we want to wait a few more weeks before resuming our full schedule of Sunday services, so we can be certain the trends continue to go in the right direction. On Sunday, Feb. 20, we will resume full services at Trinity Church — 8 am, 9 am, 11:15 am, and Compline — as well as the 9:15 Family Service in the Parish Hall. Until then, please continue to join us at the 11:15 am service, either in person or online.

This comes with my continued prayers for all of you, and for our ministry together.

Faithfully,

The Rev. Michael A. Bird, Vicar