TRINITY NEWS
Volume XLVIII, Issue 8 ~ August 26, 2025
The Pastor’s Paragraphs…
For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been reading Diana Butler Bass’s highly inspiring book, Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith; and Maryann McKibben Dana’s God, Improv, and the Art of Living, which is teaching me to think differently about unplanned, uncertain, and even undesired things that happen in life.
Both are timely reads. As I help my family navigate a completely unexpected turn in my brother’s health and living situation, Dana’s book is making me more aware of my tendency to “big sister” my way through other people’s crises with too-easy answers and frenetic action. More welcome than my brilliant plans to clean my parents’ basement and help my brother move has been my mere presence amid the family’s present struggles.
At the same time, as Trinity’s congregation and I settle into our long-term relationship, Bass chimes in with encouraging words about how churches like Trinity can bridge the yawning gap in our culture between a rigid, rule-bound, and exclusivist form of Christianity and a loosey-goosey anything-goes secularism.
The way forward is hazy, at best. But our real presence in our community (think Open Table, Meals on Wheels and Helping Hand), and our willingness to experiment with how we “do church” (think SWAT in its entirety: food, fellowship, Christian education and music) are already planting seeds of life and love in society that often seems bent on running itself into the ground.
Dana Butler Bass writes: “[The church as ‘a hospital for sinners’] does not emphasize personal salvation in terms of heaven and hell. Rather, this kind of church recognizes that all human beings are sickened by sin and need healing. Faith is a matter of trust in God; morality is enacting God’s justice; salvation is God’s wholeness or shalom.”
As we embark upon the new school year, stewardship season (reimagined as “generosity season”), a new Session and Board of Deacons, and several special worship services, I encourage you to pause often to appreciate the joy and energy of our congregation, the affection and imagination of our children’s teachers, the creativity and commitment of our musicians, and the faithfulness and attentiveness of those entrusted with the church’s property and finances. I believe the Spirit of God is moving in powerful ways here at Trinity and I can’t wait to discover where the Spirit is leading us.
Pastor Macc
Adult Christian Formation ~ Sundays After Worship in the West Fellowship Hall
Introduction to Ignatian Prayer ~ September 7
Centuries before Freud, St. Ignatius of Loyola developed a system of prayer based on deep self-analysis. Entitled The Spiritual Exercises, this system showed people how to teach themselves to pray. In this short introduction to the Spiritual Exercises, Pastor Macc will teach participants Ignatius’ preparatory prayer and praying with scripture. This class will meet in the PATH building.
Celebration of the Generations! ~ September 14
September 14 is GrandPEOPLE Day at Trinity! Join us after worship for fun activities for the whole family!
Generosity Series: Composing a Legacy ~ September 21
Too often we miss the chance to pass on our faith and values. Join us for a workshop on crafting and sharing your legacy. Consider what truly matters to you and learn how to turn intentions into impact through a bequest, donor advised fund, charitable trust or an endowment. Learn practical ways to bear witness to the presence of God in your life and empower your church to do the same. Taught by Rev. Kyle Nolan, Ministry Relations Officer with the Presbyterian Foundation.
Generosity Series: To Tithe or Not to Tithe ~ September 28
For most of us, tithing is a disciplined and achievable alternative to Jesus’ commandment “to sell what you have to give to the poor.” Rather than a strict percentage of income, tithing recalls the earliest faith offerings of the Hebrew people. Tithing is the only rigorous spiritual discipline Pastor Macc has practiced all her adult life. In this class, she will share the biblical basis of tithing, how and why she tithes, some of her experiences of tithing during income fluctuations and advice for aspiring tithers of all ages and incomes.
Come celebrate Trinity’s ongoing journey of FAITH IN ACTION!
SEPTEMBER
BIRTHDAYS
9/1 Mitch Cross
9/1 Chase Cross
9/1 Emma Damman
9/2 Bill Damman
9/3 Chloe Crain
9/3 Rodney Prickett
9/5 Elliott Johnson
9/5 Marlin Bollin
9/5 Juliana Van Dam
9/6 Stephanie Frerichs
9/8 John Sorensen
9/8 Marilyn Lawson
9/11 Sophie Waugh
9/16 Megann Grissom
9/16 Larry Lepper
9/16 Louis Nady
9/19 Kim Grissom
9/19 Carmen Hampton
9/19 Dick Tinder
9/21 Chari Kruse
9/26 Brian Anderson
9/26 Chelsea (Crain) Lensing
9/27 John Anderson
9/27 Robert Endriss
9/27 Elyse Shaw
9/28 Gary Richardson
9/30 Cheri Riebhoff
9/30 Jovanka Westbrook
IN OUR PRAYERS
John & Bev Anderson for strength and healing.
Lillian Williams for strength and healing.
AREA CARE CENTERS
The Village Care Center
Betty Labertew, Lillian Williams
Westview Care Center
John & Bev Anderson, Sandy Newell
CIA SEPTEMBER SCHEDULE
(CHRISTIANS IN ACTION)
9/3 – Discussion Night
9/10 – Serving SWAT (Worktrip Fundraiser or Silver Cord hours) We need youth help anytime between 4:30-7 pm. Youth please bring: Seniors – 3 loaves garlic bread, Juniors – 3 bags of salad lettuce, Sophomores – 2 dozen bars/cookies, Freshmen – 2 dozen bars/cookies.
9/17 – Outing Night. Meet at the church at 6 pm and we will carpool to A.H. Blank Golf Course for some mini golf. Bring $5 and money for your own snacks/drinks.
9/24 – See You at the Pole at the IHS flagpole at 7 am (a time of prayer for students, led by students). Meet at Many Hands Thrift Store at 7 pm (Silver Cord hours). Wear closed toe shoes!
To help with snacks, please use this link: CIA Snack Help
For questions/concerns text Van Dams at 515-689-2797.
“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The church office will be closed on Monday, September 1 in observance of Labor Day.
Preschool – 5th grade youth groups will begin on Wednesday, September 3. Classes will run from 6:15 – 7 pm in the PATH building.
SWAT (Supper Wednesdays at Trinity) is a vibrant, vital part of Trinity’s FAITH IN ACTION. Last year, our mid-week supper, music programs and Christian education classes drew more people to the building than Sunday morning worship. Up to half the people who come to SWAT are 18 or younger. Two-thirds of our staff are here most Wednesday evenings. And as the only strictly volunteer-led part of SWAT, supper depends entirely upon the congregation for its success! Committees, ministry teams, families and friend groups prepare and host supper each Wednesday from 5-6:30 pm. We receive freewill offerings each week that the host group can use to defray the costs of the meal or donate to a Trinity ministry. It’s a fun and impactful way to advance Trinity’s mission and we need YOUR PARTICIPATION! To sign your group up, go to SWAT Group Sign-up
A new Bible study is starting on Monday afternoons at 3:30 pm in the SW room of PATH and all are invited. Finding Resilience, Joy and Our Identity in Jesus Christ by Rhashell D. Hunter. Take this opportunity to become grounded, renew your faith and reconnect to Christ. Study time is 1 1/2 hours. Bring your favorite Bible.
Martha Morning Circle will begin another year of mission, study and Presbyterian Women fellowship on September 10 in the fellowship hall at 9:15 am. The Horizon Bible study for 2025-26 is Finding Resilience, Joy and Our Identity in Jesus Christ. Sue Kimball will lead lesson one and encourages reading it ahead of time. Carmen Hampton will serve refreshments. Newcomers are always welcome.
The next Trinity News deadline is Wednesday, September 17. Articles must be turned into the church office by 10:00 am. Please e-mail submissions to trinityupc@dwx.com. If you have any questions, please call Wendy at 515-961-6231.
HEAL House is currently home to 8 guests – 3 men, 3 women and 2 little girls (ages 18 months and newborn). Each of our guests applied for apartments in the Indianola area and are simply waiting for an opening. We are grateful to be a safe and supportive place for them during this transitional time. Current needs: coffee pods, powder creamer for coffee, paper plates and bowls, plastic silverware, liquid laundry detergent, dryer sheets, gift cards (grocery store, Wal-Mart, gas station, etc.). These items can be dropped off at HEAL House Monday – Friday from 9 am – noon and 1 pm – 4 pm. Or, contact Jo Byers at 515-975-3572 to deliver at church. Monetary donations are always welcome! Donate to HEAL House
Highlights from the July 29 Session Meeting
- Report from TEST – During the recent delegation trip, problems were discovered with the partnership Trinity has with Casa de Zacate and Casa de Zinc. Motion to terminate the covenants was approved with regret. The delegation was able to explore several new communities. Motion to pursue relationships with Loma Alta and Hacienda Nueva for possible partnerships was approved.
- Request from Paul Endriss to be removed the rolls was approved.
- Nominating Committee has completed their work. A congregational meeting following worship was approved for August 3.
- Service of Ordination & Installation for new elders and deacons was approved for September 7.
- Elder training is scheduled for September 20. Rev. Kyle Nolan, Ministry Relations Officer from the Presbyterian Foundation, will be in attendance for stewardship training. He will also be leading a CE class on September 21.
- A&F asked that ministry teams begin working on their 2026 budgets.
- Indianola Preschool 2025-2026 lease was approved.
- Session will not meet in August.
- Recognition of members – Dave Grissom for buffing the floors, Jim Coffey for help on property projects, Susan Tinder for work on comforters and making sure there are jobs for all volunteers, Renee Little for leading the El Salvador Delegation.
Service of Installation of Reverend Erica MacCreaigh to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament
Trinity United Presbyterian Church
3:00 pm on Sunday, October 19, 2025
Preacher: Reverend Nancy Tuma, Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, MO
Reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall
“Future Forward” Stewardship Campaign
Before Trinity called Pastor Macc to be our next pastor, the Pastor Nominating Committee and Administration & Finance Team met together in May. We noted that Trinity is at a crossroads. One road leads to austerity, significant staff and program reductions, and eventually a shared pastor with another Presbyterian church. None of us want to go down that road. The other road leads to vitality, continued fruitfulness, strengthening existing programs and following God’s lead in new directions.
We envision Trinity taking the other road, but needed help navigating the crossroads. So, Session approved the formation of a Generosity Task Force comprised of the five Interpretation & Stewardship Team members, three at-large members of the congregation and Pastor Macc. During meetings throughout the summer, we realized Trinity needed to run the annual stewardship campaign differently.
In the first phase of our “Future Forward Generosity Campaign” we met in person with several members, explaining our vision for Trinity and listening to their ideas and concerns. Their generosity of spirit and financial support has been breathtaking. The second phase of the campaign will run from September 21 (Generosity/Stewardship Sunday) through October 19 (Dedication Sunday). During that time, we will host small group suppers around which 6-8 members will discuss what a flourishing Trinity looks like and what flourishing might require of us. Rather than mail the typical stewardship letter and pledge card, we will distribute pledge cards at these gatherings. We look forward to interacting in small groups with you and we know this might not work for everyone. If you would prefer a one-on-one conversation with a task force member, please let me know.
In the coming weeks, look for additional information about gathering times, dates and locations. God has truly blessed the Trinity congregation and our community through our generous giving of time, treasure and talents. Our present task is discerning the voice and will of God through intelligent, imaginative and loving conversations and prayerful consideration of everyone’s place in what’s emerging at Trinity. We hope you all feel the same way.
God Bless,
Barb Yearous, Moderator for the Generosity Task Force
TRINITY STAFF
Transitional Pastor – Rev. Erica MacCreaigh
Office Administrator – Wendy Dowell
Children and Youth Director – Amy Fredricks
High School Youth Directors – Nick & Becca Van Dam
Middle School Youth Directors – Paul & Rachael Wilson
Minister of Music – Mark Koskamp
Chancel Bells & Calvin Choristers Director – Chari Kruse
Chancel Choir Accompanist – Anna Lackaff
Calvin Choristers Accompanist – Gary Richardson
Custodian – Kerry McKasson
Financial Secretary – Betty Dyer