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TRINITY NEWS

Volume XLVII, Issue 2 ~ February 28, 2024

The Pastor’s Paragraphs…

This year, I set a personal record for earliest emergence onto my balcony for morning prayers: Groundhog Day. Last weekend, I spent hours indulging in the serious spiritual business of “hanging out” in the sunshine, arms bared and face slathered with sunscreen. I watched sparrows, crows, starlings, robins, morning doves, and geese. I noticed earnest little snapdragons poking up in one of my pots. I even saw a wasp bouncing around the eaves, no doubt scouting for a place to set up shop for the summer.

It was just about the greatest May weekend I’ve ever spent. Too bad it’s still February. That makes me nervous. As pleasant as this weather has been, I think we all know it’s unseasonable. It’s enjoyable, but unsettling. What are we in for come summer if it’s 77 degrees on February 25?

We as a congregation are gaining momentum in our transitional process through our Lenten group discussions. This, too, is unsettling. Some of us wish we were moving faster toward answers and action. Others aren’t in any hurry to introduce more changes. Few, if any of us, are truly comfortable with unknowing. All of us have to choose between existential dread of what comes next and radical presence in the here and now.

Look around and live. Without minimizing the hazards of a warming planet, practice enjoying the early daffodils, the sparrows’ nest-building, the greening grasses, and the geese returning from down south. Let the sun’s good vitamin D in through your skin. Open the windows to clear out winter’s recirculated air. Take the walks you talk yourself out of taking when it’s cold outside. And without minimizing the tasks ahead of us as a congregation, practice enjoying the conversations, the music, the food, and the ministries we share. Say thanks to an elder, a deacon, a volunteer, an employee. Take time to pray for our mission delegation and ministry teams. Stroll around the property to rediscover the architecture and landscaping.

What’s important is to stick with it and stick together. Everything we’ve ever done brings us to this moment and now is always right on time.

TRANSITION REPORT

During this time of transition, we prepare for the next leg of our congregational journey alongside a new called pastor by:

  • Exploring deeply, seeing honestly, and accepting compassionately who we are as a congregation
  • Developing skills and practices to discern God’s desires
  • Evaluating our policies, procedures, programs, and decision-making infrastructure
  • Identifying and equipping spiritual leaders
  • Dreaming big, planning smart, and continuing to minister faithfully

Our progress so far:

  • In December, Session began discussing the Strategic Task Force report in depth. We intend to give the report the attention it is due, so these conversations will continue for several months.
  • In January, Session selected Rev. Joan S. Gray’s Sailboat Church: Helping Your Church Rethink Its Mission and Practice to guide congregation-wide discussion and our Lenten devotional practice. Two weeks into Lent, 40 members have joined the group discussion; most of them have attended both weeks. Pastor Macc is presenting a Lenten sermon series to tie in with the book.
  • The Board of Deacons has selected Sailboat Church as a devotional guide and training tool and will be receiving training on how to administer the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper to our homebound members
  • We have launched a new website and transitioned our newsletter format from print to digital
  • We have put the Saturday evening worship service on hold pending evaluation of needs and resources and prayerful discernment of what God requires of us now
  • Nine Trinity members are preparing to join an Our Sister Parish delegation on their first trip to El Salvador since June 2022
  • Wednesday evenings remain a vibrant time of food and fellowship (SWAT), Christian Education (MS-G1, CIA, and preschool-5th grade), music (Calvin Choristers, JAM, Bell Choir, and Chancel Choir), and ministry team meetings
  • Pastor Macc is attending as many ministry team meetings as possible in order to learn church operations and provide “outsider insight”

MARCH
BIRTHDAYS

3/10 Dru McLuen
3/13 Travis Pinamonte
3/16 Thomas Roush
3/16 Renee Little
3/16 Karen Weinman
3/17 Sam Weinman
3/17 Ashley Ackerson
3/19 Callen Kleene
3/20 Jayne Tabor Moline
3/21 Mickie Riebhoff
3/21 Jonah Sturtz
3/21 Joshua Blakely
3/21 Nicki Endriss
3/22 Dianne Richardson
3/23 Sarah Griffith
3/26 Joel Herr
3/26 Kelly Shaw
3/28 Brad Sturtz
3/28 Casey Coghlan
3/29 Abbi Henle
3/29 Hadley VanDam
3/29 Brett VanDam
3/30 Riley Pinamonte
3/30 Christy Tinder

IN OUR PRAYERS

The Newell family for the passing of Ken on February 11.

Kristine Nielsen who is recovering from back surgery.

Dawn Dixon for energy and strength.

John & Bev Anderson for strength and healing.

AREA CARE CENTERS

Westview Care Center

John & Bev Anderson

Sandy Newell

The Village Care Center

Dawn Dixon

CIA MARCH SCHEDULE
(CHRISTIANS IN ACTION)

March 6 – Discussion Night with Pajama Day – Wear your favorite pajamas and come enjoy the cereal bar for National Cereal Day! 🙂

March 13 – No CIA – Spring Break 🌷

March 20 – Serving SWAT (Supper Wednesdays at Trinity) – Need help from 4:30-7pm in the church kitchen. 12th graders bring 2 bags of lettuce salad, 11th graders bring 3 loaves of garlic bread, 10th & 9th graders bring dessert.

March 27 – Discussion Night

Questions/concerns, text VanDams at (515)689-2797.

“All things have been created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:16b

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Trinity Scholarships – Each year, two or more college scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors. Scholarship applications may be picked up in the atrium following worship or at the church office. The application form and your high school transcripts must be returned to the church office by Monday, April 1, 2024.

El Salvador Donations – If you’d like to help with items that the delegation will be taking to El Salvador, please see the list of items needed on the desk in the atrium. Donations can be put in the blue tub. Deadline for donations is March 3.  The delegation leaves March 14 and returns March 21. Thank you so much for your help!

Highlights from the January 24 Session Meeting

  1. Personnel reported that annual background checks are now required for all staff and staff reviews will be completed in March.
  2. Strategic Task Force review and discusstion.
  3. Sailboat Church: Helping Your Church Rethink It’s Mission and Practice will be used as a Lenten study. Pastor Macc will plan a sermon series and lead two discussion groups each week. All church members are encouraged to read and participate.
  4. Property will look for help with the livestream and IT issues we are having on Sunday mornings.
  5. Recognition of members Maurice Dyer for his message on Jan 21, Gary Richardson for providing music on Jan 21, Rachael & Paul Wilson for planning and preparing curriculum for the middle school youth summer retreat.

The Annual Congregational Meeting was held on January 28.

*  All reports were shared and received by the congregation.

Since 1949, Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God’s love with people experiencing need. Your gifts support ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance and resettlement, food for the hungry and community development to help people find safe refuge, start new lives and work together to strengthen their families and  communities. OGHS is the church saying, “We’re there when you need us.” Checks for OGHS can be dropped in the offering plate, mailed to the church (put OGHS on the memo line) or you can also give online through the Trinity website. Thank you for your generosity!

Sailboat Church: Helping Your Church Rethink Its Mission and Practice

DISCUSSION GROUPS OPEN TO ALL THROUGH LENT!

Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81293353561

Sundays, after worship next to the Fellowship Hall

Mondays at Koinonia, 3:30 p.m. in the SW room

Wednesdays, 5:45 p.m. in Pastor Macc’s office or TBD

Reading schedule

Week 3, 2/29-3/6: Chapters 6 and 7

Week 4, 3/7-3/13: Chapter 8

Week 5, 3/14-3/20: Chapter 9

Week 6, 3/21-3/27: Chapter 10, Conclusion

TRINITY STAFF

Transitional Pastor – Rev. Erica MacCreaigh

Office Administrator – Wendy Dowell
Children and Youth Director – Amy Fredricks
High School Youth Directors – Nick & Becca VanDam
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
Sunday Childcare Attendant – Glenda Richards
Financial Secretary – Betty Dyer

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Sunday - 9:30am

OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Friday
8:30am - 12:00pm
1:00pm - 3:00pm