TRINITY NEWS
Volume XLVIII, Issue 6 ~ June 24, 2025
The Pastor’s Paragraphs…
With the end of the church’s “high holy days” on Pentecost Sunday, things tend to slow down a bit for me. I’m noticing, though, that things don’t really slow down at Trinity. Sure, the choirs take a break, but Mark is as busy as always. Sure, Christian Ed classes for the kids and youth take the summer off, but the youth leaders are busy with worktrip and summer fun activities, and many volunteers make light work of Vacation Bible School. The Property Team goes into high gear getting deferred maintenance projects caught up and the finance and stewardship teams begin preparations for budget planning and fundraising. Over the course of the week, we still see the quilters and the men’s coffee klatch, as well as the outside groups that use our facilities, and the ministry teams continue their discernment and decision-making behind the scenes. And this year, we have a traveling art installation and the bustle of planning and packing for the latest delegation trip to El Salvador.
If only there was this much buzz around my tomato plants.
Pastor Macc
Adult Christian Formation ~ Sundays After Worship in the West Fellowship Hall
June 29 – Strengthening Christian Spirit: A Visit with Artist Jan Davison
This June, Trinity is hosting an art installation entitled “More Than We Can Imagine” by local artist and 2024 Synod School artist-in-residence, Jan Davison. On the heels of our conversations about spiritual gifts, Jan will share her thoughts about her paintings, which are based on specific gifts we receive from God, and the processes she used to create them.
July 13 – Informing Christian Ethics: St. Thomas Environmental Initiatives
Rita Bresnan started the St. Thomas Aquinas Creation Care Team after a study of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’ (Praise Be You), four years ago. Rita and her husband Ken will introduce the main points of Laudato Si’ and then share some of what the Creation Care Team has done. Rita says, “Our hope is that other churches will be inspired to energize their own teams or form new ones to carry on this important work.”
July 20 – Informing Christian Ethics: Connecting Faith and Climate
The Iowa Faith & Climate Network (iowafaithandclimate.org) nurtures environmental leadership by equipping individuals and communities with resources to take climate action. Join the conversation with Associate Director Tim Gossett, who will help us consider how we are called to work for climate justice, both individually and along with this faith community. In this interactive class, we’ll create and practice telling our own climate stories.
July 27, August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 – Building Theological Literacy: Grace and Gratitude
In this study, theologian Charles Wiley explores two important theological terms of Presbyterian identity and conviction: “Grace and Gratitude.” Per Wiley, the terms together are “our gift to the wider church.” Grace and gratitude energize us to receive and express God’s love continually in worship, work, and service to Jesus Christ. Explore the rich meanings of “Grace and Gratitude” and let the depth and power of this image shape your identity as a Presbyterian Christian every day! Participant books will be provided via the Adult Christian Education ministry budget.
JULY
BIRTHDAYS
7/1 Adrian Hutton
7/4 Katelyn Porter
7/5 Ruby Adamson
7/5 RJ Olsen
7/12 Matthew Henning
7/12 Martha Bivens
7/14 Jim Scheurenbrand
7/15 Scott Grissom
7/15 Aaron Tinder
7/17 Calvin Johnson
7/19 Cora Griffith
7/23 Jim Shanks
7/24 Reed Robbins
7/27 Mary Jack
7/27 DeVere Adamson
7/27 Joan Lucas
7/28 Kirk Waggie
7/30 Barb Yearous
IN OUR PRAYERS
John & Bev Anderson for strength and healing.
Lillian Williams for strength and healing.
Rod Hervey for strength and healing during his treatment for leukemia.
DeVere Adamson for the passing of his brother, Willie Adamson, on May 26.
Peggy Kruse’s granddaughter and Matt & Chari’s niece, Kaily DeFino, who passed away on May 28.
AREA CARE CENTERS
The Village Care Center
Betty Labertew, Lillian Williams
Westview Care Center
John & Bev Anderson, Sandy Newell
CIA SCHEDULE
(CHRISTIANS IN ACTION)
June 29 – Worktrip Sunday
August 2 – CIA Gathering (location TBD)
Please call or text Van Dams with any questions at (515)689-2797.
Please pray for our youth and their leaders who are on Worktrip this week in Little Rock, AR. Join us for worship on June 29 to hear about their trip!
Did you know that saving your local Indianola Hy-Vee receipts is an easy way to support our high school youth program? For every $100,000 of receipts we turn in, they will issue a check for $350 to the HSY group. There is a collection box on the table in the atrium and a jar in the mail/copy room of the PATH making it easy to drop off your receipts. Thank you so much for your support!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The church office will be closed on Friday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.
Wendy will be out of the office July 7-11. Office hours will vary during this time.
The next Trinity News deadline is Wednesday, July 16. 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.
Tom & Sue Kimball appreciated all of the wonderful expressions of love towards their celebrating 50 years of marriage. You have all been a special presence in our life journey together. Our Fellowship Hall, Kerry and Kim McKasson, and family & friends served us well! Thank you!
Directory Update – Betty Labertew has a new address and phone number. She is now at The Village, 1203 North E Street #1351. Her phone number is 515-210-3423. She would love to hear from you!
Congratulations to Maurice & Betty Dyer for the birth of their granddaughters! Marigold Betty Mae Dyer and Violet Jessica Norma Dyer came into this world on Monday, June 23 to join their mama Maryanne Dyer. Marigold weighed in at 5 lb 5 oz and is 17.5 in long. Violet weighed 4 lb 15 oz and is 18.25 in long. Everyone is doing great!
Hello! This Faith in Action segment is brought to you by the Trinity Tech Team! We are a group of (somewhat) tech savvy members who help bring Trinity’s worship to you …no matter where you are. Between PowerPoint presentations, the sound board, microphones, speakers, TV screens, online livestreams and videos…we do our best to make it happen.
Some fun facts: in May 2025, our livestream worship videos were watched by 161 people, on average 40.1 minutes, for a total of 2,406 minutes viewed. We have 92 YouTube subscribers, but noticed that 45% of our viewers are not subscribed. So, your homework for the week is to go to YouTube, search for “Indianola TUPC” in the search box and click on that subscribe button! It will also make it much easier for you to find our live streams because when you search in YouTube, it should pop up towards the top of your list as a subscriber.
Our viewers watch in many ways. 32.4% on their computer, 26.9% on a tablet, 22.7% on a TV and 18.0% with their phones. So far this year, we’ve had 1,049 views of Trinity’s livestream videos with the most popular being our “Welcome to Trinity” video, Easter Sunday and the DSM Presbytery meeting held here on February 22.
Since our livestream on YouTube started in 2017, Trinity has had over 6,000 views. Pretty amazing!
Our current team consists of: Heather Roush, Margaret Blair, Dave Grissom, John Sorensen, Juanita Ott, Paul Wilson and Laura, Ben and Greg Avitt. Each week, we are tasked with making PowerPoint presentations, running the slide show on Sunday, making sure the microphones and sound are in working order, running the video cameras, communicating with Pastor Macc, Mark, Wendy and the Worship Team and keeping the livestream up and going. Many hands make light work, so we could always use more help. Some are more comfortable with certain tasks than others, so we can use your talents to see what skills you would be best at. Whether it be running the sound board and video, clicking through a PowerPoint presentation, or making slides….if you have the will, we will find a way! We are honored to help enhance worship in any way we can both in the sanctuary and out in God’s world. No matter where you are. Thank you!
HEAL House Update – Did you know that since HEAL House has opened their doors, they have assisted:
- 18 families
- 31 children
- 174 individuals – ranging in age from newborn to mid-70s
- 45 individuals were housed in 2024 and 25 so far in 2025
We currently have 3 individuals staying at HEAL House. One young man came to us unemployed and no vehicle. He found a part-time job right away and began saving his money. HEAL House took him shopping for “business-casual” clothing and a haircut, and coached him on interviewing for the position he was interested in. This week, he was offered full-time employment. He bought a used car with the money he has been diligently saving (he has been walking/riding a bike to work). Hopefully in the next couple of months, I’ll be able to share that he has found permanent housing! Current Needs: toilet paper, paper towels, coffee pods, sugar packets for coffee, powdered creamer for coffee, paper 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 or 1 – 4 m. You may also contact Jo Byers at 515-975-3572 for pick up at church. Monetary donations are always welcome!
Important Dates:
Sunday, July 6 – Commissioning of 2025 Delegation during worship
Thursday, July 10 – Delegation departs for El Salvador
Thursday, July 17 – Delegation returns home
Sunday, July 27 – El Salvador Sunday during worship where the delegation members will share
Highlights from the May 28 Session Meeting
- Report on the May 20 Presbytery meeting. Rev Erica MacCreaigh has been extended a call to serve as the installed pastor at Trinity. Because she has been serving this congregation as interim, this requires a ¾ vote from presbytery. The vote was unanimous.
- Stewardship Task Force will be initiating conversations with the top 20% of givers who fund 51% of our annual budget. The task force is asking Session to help them articulate Trinity’s strengths and aspirations using the SNOW assessment (Strengths, Needs, Opportunities and Weaknesses).
- Session approval of serving of alcohol at Kimball’s anniversary party on May 31 in the Fellowship Hall.
- Recognition of members – Ron Albrecht, Tom Westbrook, Stacia Kleene, Michael Kleene, Laura Avitt and Grace Avitt for music during the celebration service on May 18.
Please welcome our newest members of Trinity!
Martha Bivens has lived at The Village for the past 12 years, moving from Connecticut. She is a retired teacher, CE Director and mental health counselor. She met her husband, Gordon, at The Village in 2013. Her hobbies are gardening, knitting and playing piano. Please add Martha & Gordon to your Membership Directory: 707 Robin Glen #118.
Christine Neumeier has lived in the community for six years, moving from Montana. She is an ESOL associate for Indianola Community School District. Her hobbies include music, handbells, gardening, reading and birds. Please add Christine to your Membership Directory: 411 North F St.
Join us for the next Trinity Tunes & Treats on Sunday, July 13
4:30 pm – Ice cream sundaes served by our middle school youth with funds going toward their youth trip.
5:00 pm – Free concert by Indianola Trombone Ensemble.
Bring your friends and neighbors! Everyone is welcome!
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
Sunday Childcare Attendant – Glenda Richards
Financial Secretary – Betty Dyer