TRINITY NEWS
Volume XLVII, Issue 5 ~ May 17, 2024
The Pastor’s Paragraphs…
As Christians go, Presbyterians have notoriously “low Christology,” which is to say that we tend to relegate Jesus to Sunday school classes for children and get a little squirmy when he’s brought up in adult conversation. I came of age in a Pentecostal church where Jesus and the Holy Spirit shared center stage. From what I’ve observed of the Catholic faith, Jesus is truly at the top of the bill and on the tip of everyone’s tongue.
As much as I love Presbyterianism’ intellectual approach to faith, I sometimes miss sharing the experience of Christ, not as a point of doctrine or a rallying cry, or a divine tooth fairy to “believe in,” but as a real person, the living God, someone who loves us completely and who needs our love in return.
I just returned from eight days of silent Ignatian prayer at a Catholic retreat center. The Jesus-encounters I experience on retreat nourish me emotionally, calm my over-analytical and overactive mind, exercise my body, and soothe me socially. They give me new appreciation for Christ’s Church – not as an institution, but as a unique relationship with God. They give me hope for the future as I experience another Christian tradition’s welcome and hospitality. Perhaps most importantly for me, an introvert who spends way to much time in her own head, they give me the companionship of other seekers and lovers of Christ, most of whose voices and stories I’ll never get to hear, but whose faithfulness to God I get to witness for a week and draw strength from indefinitely
I can’t emphasize enough how healing and rejuvenating a spiritual retreat of even two or three days can be. If you’re interested in diving deeper into your own relationship with God, come talk to me or do some research online. Different options and opportunities abound year-round. I pray, as we continue in this time of transition and growth, that you will come to know Christ more intimately, experience God’s love more fully, and learn to sense the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life and in the life of our congregation.
See also:
Synod of Lakes and Prairies Synod School 2024: https://www.lakesandprairies.org/synod-school
Prairiewoods: https://pw.retreatportal.com/events/f?p=EVENTS:1
Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat Center: https://goodcounselretreat.org
Cloisters on the Platte: https://cloistersontheplatte.com
Lakeshore Center at Okoboji: https://www.lakeshorecenteratokoboji.org
Camp Wesley Woods: https://wesleywoodsiowa.org/retreats-events
TRANSITION REPORT
Session has received approval from the Presbytery Commission on Ministry to form a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC). That responsibility now lies with our regular Nominating Committee, who also will be placing candidates for all the usual positions at the same time. We expect to hold the annual meeting to affirm nominees in late July or early August, in keeping with routine operating procedures at Trinity. Their commissioning will happen later in August when we ordain/install the incoming elders and deacons.
Here’s what else is happening:
- Session has begun a series of weekly “extracurricular” meetings to give proper attention to the Strategic Task Force report. Our first four meetings will be devoted to discussion and discernment about the following:
o Cultivating a culture of prayer
o “Congregational Life Cycle”
o Characteristics of congregational vitality
o Ministry for/with children, young families, and the LGBTQ+ community
- Several members interested in rebooting adult Christian Education at Trinity met on April 21 and 28 to discuss learning styles and preferences (basing some of this on the Strategic Task Force report and Sailboat discussions). A tentative plan for adult classes has been sketched out through July.
JUNE
BIRTHDAYS
6/2 Ashley Brown
6/2 Aubrey Edgington
6/3 Andrew Little
6/4 Noah Kruse
6/6 Bill Hopkins
6/7 Karla Hansen
6/8 Addison McCombs
6/8 Glenda Richards
6/10 Rev. Erica MacCreaigh
6/13 Ranae Fagan
6/14 Everett Dyer
6/14 Cynthia Tracy
6/15 Jeanne Noble
6/17 Emerson Black
6/18 Mayli McConnell
6/18 DeVerne Dixon
6/18 Mark Koskamp
6/22 Blane Sturtz
6/22 Denise Core
6/23 Jo Byers
6/23 Haley New
6/28 Jon Vernon
6/28 Wendy Dowell
6/29 Andrew Weinman
6/30 Maxine Blazek
IN OUR PRAYERS
Brad Eveland for the passing of his mother.
Dawn Dixon for energy and strength.
John & Bev Anderson for strength and healing.
AREA CARE CENTERS
Westview Care Center
John & Bev Anderson
Sandy Newell
Joan Lucas
The Village Care Center
Dawn Dixon
CIA SUMMER SCHEDULE
(CHRISTIANS IN ACTION)
Remember, we don’t ‘finish’ our faith for the summer! We keep living and walking it! Get involved when you can!
* Volunteer at VBS June 2-5 from 6-7:45 pm
* Attend Trinity Tunes & Treats at 4:30 pm on 6/16, 7/21, 8/18
*Worktrip to Tulsa, OK June 15-21
*Worktrip Sunday/Worktrip Closing Lunch on June 23
*Summer Closing Gathering on August 3 from 3-7 pm at Van Dams
*CIA Kick-off on August 28 from 6:30-8 pm
Questions- call/text Van Dams (515)689-2797
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congratulations to Stephanie (Little) & Cameron Loew on the birth of their son, Colter Todd Loew, on May 13. He weighed 6lb 90z. Mom & baby are doing well.
Wendy is out of the office May 20-27, 2024. Office hours will vary during this time.
May 19 is Pentecost Sunday. We encourage you to wear red to symbolize the fire of God’s Spirit. It is also Teacher Appreciation Sunday. Please join us for worship as we recognize and thank all who volunteered their time to teach at Trinity!
The 2024 Baccalaureate for Indianola High School will be held on May 22 at 7 pm at Indianola First United Methodist Church. Pastor Macc is preaching, Autumn Campbell is leading the call to worship and Grace Avitt is singing.
Highlights from the April 24 Session Meeting
- Request was sent to the Commission on Ministry for approval to begin the process to form a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC). It will be discussed at their May 2 meeting.
- Strategic Task Force special meetings are scheduled for May 16, May 23, May 30 and June 6 at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
- Grace Avitt and Autumn Campbell were chosen to receive senior scholarships. The amount was increased to $1,000 each.
- A request was received from TEST to fundraise during the summer. More discussion is needed.
- Communion service will be held on May 15 with the high school and middle school youth as they finish the year.
- Recognition of Member Barb Yearous for extra duties she has taken on. Thank you cards were sent to volunteers who taught Wednesday evening classes this year.
Adult Christian Formation
Sundays after worship in the West Fellowship Hall
Contemplating Our Christian Response
5/19 – Crisis in Gaza; Part 1 of documentary film: “The Law and the Prophets”
5/26 – Crisis in Gaza; Part 2 of documentary film: “The Law and the Prophets”
6/2 – Crisis in Gaza; Guest speaker Doug Olsen shares his observations and experiences as a Presbyterian mission delegate to Palestine
6/9 – Crisis in Gaza; Jewish perspective or Biblical/theological “spin” on geopolitics in the modern Middle East
Nourishing Our Christian Spirit
6/16 – Prayer Practicum
Developing Our Biblical Literacy
6/23 – Sunday School for Grownups: He Said, She Said (Genesis 2-3)
6/30 – Sunday School for Grownups: Sin Lurks (Genesis 3-4)
7/7 – Sunday School for Grownups: The Flood…and Then What Happened (Genesis 6-9)
7/14 – Sunday School for Grownups: Ancient Animosities (Genesis 11)
VBS June 2-5 – Each night Preschool – 5th graders (grade just completed) will gather from 6:10-7:45 pm at the PATH building of the church. The youth will rotate through the following fun-filled stations each night: story, music, craft, games and snack. On June 5, we’ll end in the Fellowship Hall with a brief concert of the songs they learned. There are outside activities going on at this time, if your child needs to leave early, or come late, that’s not a problem. Friends are always welcome, but everyone needs to register in advance so Amy can have contact information. Registration link is below:
https://vbsmate.com/TrinityTUPC
VBS Volunteers are needed! It takes approximately 15 volunteers each night to run VBS and many hands make light work. If you’re not available all week, that’s fine, you can sign up for one night. All genders are eligible to assist and this is encouraged as we have all genders of kids attending. Sign-uplink is below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0544AAA92EA5FA7-49459369-2024
If you have ANY questions or need clarification about anything just let Amy know. Everything is planned out for each night and the supplies are set up ahead of time. Amy just needs adults to help lead and assist the kids. For the storyteller, the lesson is provided, and Amy can get the stories and activities to you ahead of time to review – it’s a lot easier than you think!
Trinity Tunes & Treats Summer 2024
Free concerts at 5 pm – June 16 DM Metro Opera Soloist – July 21 Indianola Trombone Quartet – August 18 Greater DM Community Band.
Ice cream sundaes will be served by Trinity middle school youth at 4:30 pm (free will offering).
Everyone is welcome so bring your friends and neighbors! June & July concerts will be held inside and August concert will be held outside in the shade.
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