TRINITY NEWS
Volume XLVIII, Issue 5 ~ May 27, 2025
The Pastor’s Paragraphs…
Every month since I started as your transitional pastor in late November 2023, Wendy has had to patiently – and doggedly – remind me to submit my pastor’s article for the newsletter. I have no excuse for never remembering the third Wednesday of the month. It’s on my calendar in my phone, replete with a couple of reminders starting the week prior to deadline. Nevertheless, newsletter day never fails to catch me empty-handed of article and usually empty-minded of ideas about what to write.
Not so this month. In fact, I’m casting ahead to next month’s article. By the time Wendy must remind me again, I will finally be an Indianola resident, not to mention your next called (if not yet installed) pastor.
I began looking for a suitable place to live in Indianola in September of 2023 right after my interview with the Session for the transitional pastor position. Even after I relocated to Norwalk, I checked listings obsessively and wondered why God hadn’t greased the wheels to get my residence a little closer to work. Only with the passing of our dear Owen Duncan and his family’s sudden need to either sell his home or find a renter did the pieces finally fall into place so neatly it made my head spin a little.
I’m not one of those who believes that God “has a plan” about anything – let alone everything – plotted out in advance. For me, that notion puts God in the role of Grand Puppetmaster, not loving Parent, gracious Savior, and ever-present Help. I’m vastly more comforted by the idea that God knows what’s bound to happen, but God doesn’t make things happen. This does leave me with no choice but to accept random events and the vagaries of human free will as inescapable parts of life. But I still take comfort in knowing that God is present amid all things. Even if God is not controlling or directing everything, God remains the still small voice helping me to make meaning of seemingly senseless, sometimes disastrous, and occasionally coincidental events in my life.
Commuting from Norwalk for the last 18 months hasn’t exactly been great in terms of my carbon footprint. But the geographic distance between Norwalk and Indianola was symbolic of the gentle “arm’s length” I had to keep from you as your transitional pastor. On June 15, you will vote on the PNC’s motion to call me as your next installed pastor. On June 16, I will move my household to Indianola, into the former home of a beloved departed friend and member of our congregation. Just in time to undertake a new role and a new direction in our relationship.
Around 597 BCE, in a letter to the recently exiled royal family of Judah, the prophet Jeremiah wrote these words:
Build homes and plan to stay. Plant gardens and eat the food they produce…Work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I send you…Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare…For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. (Jeremiah 29:5-7, 11-12)
Again, I don’t believe that God orders events. But it’s impossible for me to disbelieve that God has not been present and active at every stage and phase of our transitional sojourn and I do believe we are standing together upon a threshold of some kind. God knows what’s next and God will be with us as we step into it. In the meantime, I’m so very grateful for so very many blessings. I am grateful for God’s presence with me and Trinity these last 18 months: for the leadership and learning of our Session; the big-heartedness and generosity of our Deacons; the faithfulness, skill, and love of our staff and many volunteers; the so, so many wonderful SWAT dinners; and the sacred music that enriches our souls every Sunday. I’m grateful that, except for the biggest raccoon that ever ended up roadkill, all the woodland creatures along County Road 63 avoided my lead foot during several hundred commutes between Norwalk and Indianola. And I’m grateful for the presence of God in Wendy as she patiently reminds me month after month to write this article for you. Until we meet here again,
Pastor Macc
Adult Christian Formation ~ Sundays After Worship in the West Fellowship Hall
June 1 – Informing Christian Ethics: A Visit with the Iowa Honey Queen
Join the Green Team in welcoming a royal visit of the Iowa Honey Queen and a presentation on honey-producing pollinators.
June 8 – Informing Christian Ethics: Mexico Border Ministries
Presbyterians from across Iowa are forming a mission delegation to the U.S.-Mexico border this November, hosted by Frontera de Cristo, one of four Presbyterian Borderlands Ministries. Learn about this immersive ministry opportunity from two delegates from the most recent mission: Mary Kleis and Marcia McAdoo. Think you might be up for this year’s trip to experience real life along our southern border? Come with your curiosity and questions!
June 15 & 22 – Strengthening Christian Spirit: Appreciating Spiritual Gifts
If you think spiritual giftedness is for saints and clergy alone, this class is for you! Come explore common misperceptions about spiritual gifts and discuss why it’s so easy to resist and deny our own spiritual giftedness. Using a spiritual gifts assessment tool, we will discuss the spiritual gifts best represented in at Trinity and ponder what our particular congregational giftedness might suggest about God’s intentions for Trinity’s ministries.
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: A Visit with Tim Gossett
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.
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
6/29 Andrew Weinman
6/30 Maxine Blazek
IN OUR PRAYERS
John & Bev Anderson for strength and healing.
AREA CARE CENTERS
Westview Care Center
John & Bev Anderson
Sandy Newell
CIA SCHEDULE
(CHRISTIANS IN ACTION)
June 21-27 – Mission Trip to Little Rock, AR
June 29 – Mission Trip Sunday
August 2 – CIA Gathering (location TBD)
Please call or text Van Dams with any questions at (515)689-2797.
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
Congratulations to Ella Jack who received a $1,000 Trinity college scholarship.
June 8 is Pentecost Sunday. We encourage you to wear red to symbolize the fire of God’s Spirit.
One Great Hour of Sharing collection total for 2025 was $4,395.53. Thank you for your generous contributions!
Wendy will be out of the office June 9-13. Office hours will vary during this time.
HEAL House Update – Success! HEAL House has been working with a mother and her 13 year old daughter for the past several months. With sheer determination, they’ve accomplished their ultimate goal and secured an apartment in Indianola, close to the daughter’s school and mom’s place of employment. This goal was reached by mom finding full-time employment, paying off her car and learning to budget and save money. They occupied the Trinity room for most of their stay with HEAL House, and are so appreciative of the opportunity they were given to have a safe space while they worked toward their goals. They move to their new home at the end of May, and we couldn’t be happier for them! 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, Lysol disinfectant spray, gift cards (grocery store, Wal-Mart, gas station, etc.). Items can be dropped off at HEAL House Monday – Friday from 9 am – noon & 1 – 4 pm, or contact Jo Byers at 515-975-3572 to deliver at church. Monetary donations are always welcome!
Indianola Concert Association presents Anna Lackaff and Friends Piano, Vocal and Ensemble on March 15, 2026 at 3 pm. Concert will be held at the Indianola high school auditorium (1304 E. 1st Ave.) Join Anna for a celebration of musical theatre, jazz, classical and original music. Purchase season tickets before July 1, 2025 for a discount.
Trinity’s El Salvador Team would like to invite you to help with the next delegation by donating items for them to take with them. They will be visiting the Our Sister Parish El Salvador Mission in Berlín, Usulután, El Salvador – 11 individuals have committed to traveling July 10-17, 2025, to once again visit our families in our sister communities of Casa de Zinc and Casa de Zacate. Here is the list of items that they would like to take with them for our families: Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Tums (antacids), Antibiotic cream, Anti-itch cream, Cold medicine, Rolls of strong twine, Tylenol (acetaminophen), Crayons – pack of 16 (Crayola brand that won’t melt), Notepads (small & medium-sized), Spiral notebooks w/lined paper, Click ink pens (none with caps), Markers – box of 8, Pencils – to be sharpened, Small pencil sharpeners, Colored pencils, Ball caps – gently used, Bandanas, Reuseable grocery bags. There is a box in the atrium where you can leave items. All items will need to be collected before June 30 so that they can be packed. Thank you so much for your help with this! Your prayers will be greatly appreciated as they plan for and travel on this trip. Thank you for your support!
TEST (Trinity’s El Salvador Team) & our delegation members: David Arentson, Grace Avitt, Brett Henle, Laird Jack, Owen Jack, Melina Kingkade, Tammy Kingkade, Michael Kleene, Andrew Little, Ross Pinamonte and Renee Little, delegation leader.
Highlights from the April 23 Session Meeting
- Executive Presbyter, Ian McMullen, gave a PowerPoint presentation on the advantages of narrative budgets.
- Approval of baptism for Isabella Patton on April 20 given by email on April 16 and approval for baptism of Kayce Wilson on June 15.
- Report from PNC – An offer was accepted from Rev. Erica MacCreaigh to be nominated as Trinity’s next called pastor. Updated terms of the transitional contract will be voted on at the May 20 Presbytery meeting. A Congregational Meeting is scheduled for June 15 for Trinity members to vote on the nomination and terms.
- Stewardship Task Force was formed – Maurice Dyer, Robert Endriss, Tom Westbrook, Al Wood, Barb Yearous.
- Report from Scholarship Committee – Ella Jack will receive a $1,000 college scholarship.
- Recognition of Members – Pastor Macc for her thoughtful and caring messages, services and guidance. Ron Albrecht for his dedication to Meals from the Heartland. Thank you to Session members for hosting a recent SWAT dinner.
Trinity United Presbyterian Church Class of 2025
Mariska Burgess – Granddaughter of Juanita Ott.
James Damman – Son of Bill & Lisa Damman. He plans on attending University of Iowa.
Kylee Frye – Daughter of Jessica Frye. She plans on attending DMACC for crime scene investigation/forensic psychology with an extra major in athletics and coaching.
Wyatt Grissom – Son of Megann Grissom and Randall Grissom. He plans on joining the US Navy.
Abbi Henle – Daughter of Cindy Henle and Jason Henle. She plans to work and raise a family.
Maya Henning – Daughter of Matt & Anna Henning. She is working at Good Samaritan Society.
Ella Jack – Daughter of Laird & Mary Jack. She plans on attending University of Iowa and getting a degree in secondary education.
Kolten Mealey – Son of Matt & Kayla Mealey and Steph & Andy Lohr. He plans to join the union.
Camryn Overton – Daughter of Derek & Jen Overton. She plans on attending University of St. Thomas to continue her academic and volleyball career while majoring in biology.
MacDuff Bird Walk 2025
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