TRINITY NEWS
Volume XLVIII, Issue 11 ~ November 23, 2025
The Pastor’s Paragraphs…
What is the secret of finding the Treasure? There isn’t one. The Treasure is everywhere. It is offered to us at every moment and wherever we find ourselves.
All creatures, friends or enemies, pour it out abundantly, and it courses through every fiber of our body and soul until it reaches the very core of our being. If we open our mouths they will be filled.
God’s activity runs through the entire universe. It wells up around and penetrates every created being. Wherever they are, it is there also. It runs ahead of them, it stays with them, and it follows after them. All they have to do is to allow its waves to sweep them forward, fulfill the simple duties of their religion and status in life, accept cheerfully all the difficulties they meet, and surrender to the will of God in all they have to do….
This is authentic spirituality, and it is valid for all time and for everyone. We could not choose to become good in a better, more miraculous, and yet easier way than by the simple use of the means offered us by God; the whole-hearted acceptance of everything that comes to us at every moment of our lives. ~ Jean Pierre de Caussade
Rejoice and practice your thanksgiving, everyone!
Pastor Macc
Adult Christian Formation ~ Sundays After Worship in the West Fellowship Hall
Building Biblical Literacy – Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph – November 30; December 7, 14, and 21
The story of Joseph provides a great example of following God’s lead even when we don’t understand; and faithfully moving forward in the strength that God provides. Exchange your doubt for courage this Advent and Christmas as we consider the life of a Biblical character who doesn’t speak a word, yet whose impact on human history was extraordinary. Cost of the book will be covered by the Christian Education Ministry Team. Please contact Pastor Macc or Wendy for a copy!
DECEMBER
BIRTHDAYS
12/1 Karigan Kleene
12/4 Betty Dyer
12/4 Staci Scheurenbrand
12/4 Madison McLey
12/5 Lora Jean Hervey
12/7 Ardie Carson
12/7 Nancy DeLay
12/8 Sarah Hunter
12/10 Camryn Overton
12/12 Frankii Van Dam
12/13 Barb Albrecht
12/13 Betty Labertew
12/13 Beth Leuwerke
12/13 Harriet Seehusen
12/14 Dewain Clausen
12/14 Julie Coffey
12/15 Susan Tinder
12/16 Theresa Dyer
12/17 Maurice Dyer
12/17 Phil Porter
12/17 Tom Kimball
12/22 Campbell Lanning
12/23 Carol Ford
12/24 Joe Weinman
12/27 Zachary Anderson
12/27 Rod Hervey
12/28 Paul Dalluge
12/30 Barb Moul
12/31 Al Wood
IN OUR PRAYERS
John & Bev Anderson for strength and healing.
Lillian Williams for strength and healing.
Jen Overton and her family following the passing of her mother, Cheryl Smith.
Jim Thorius for recovery from back surgery.
Sue Kimball following a bronchoscopy outpatient procedure.
AREA CARE CENTERS
The Village Care Center
Everett Brown, Betty Labertew
Westview Care Center
John & Bev Anderson, Sandy Newell
If you would like to provide a gift for a family in need this holiday season, please follow the link below to sign up. Wrap your gift and label it with age and gift item. Please have gifts to the church office by Friday, December 19. Gift cards are also welcome as this family will soon be moving into their own place. Thank you! Trinity Adopt A Family
CIA SCHEDULE
(CHRISTIANS IN ACTION)
12/1 – Putting up the church Christmas trees and supper 5:30-7 pm.
12/3 – Shop, Wrap & Food. Bring $5 to help with shopping for our adopted family. We’ll meet in the youth room and carpool to and from Wal-Mart. Snack – CIA
12/10 – Discussion Night. Snack – ?
12/14 – Worktrip Fundraiser Pancake Breakfast. Bring your assigned food/drink items and be to the church at 9 am to help.
12/17 – CIA Christmas Party. Bring a dish to share, a gift for the exchange and wear your favorite ugly sweater or pajamas.
12/24 – No Youth – Merry Christmas!
12/31 – No Youth – Happy New Year!
Please follow the link to help with snacks – https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0449A4AA22A7FC1-57639210-cia20252026
Upcoming Dates-
January ? – Worktrip Fundraiser – Congregational Meeting 9-11:30 am
February 13 – Worktrip Fundraiser – Sweethearts Dinner set-up 6-9 pm
February 14 – Worktrip Fundraiser – Sweethearts Dinner set-up 10 am-5 pm and serve & clean-up 5-10pm
Questions or concerns – text or call Van Dams at 515-689-2797.
We are looking for people who would like to share their faith journey or about a blessing (or two) in their life with the high school youth. We meet on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm and you could have 5-55 minutes to share with the youth. We feel it is important for the youth to hear about others walks and get to know some of the church family better.
We’ve had some amazing guests share with us and we feel so honored to have gotten the opportunity to spend time with you and hear your stories! Thank you to all who have taken the time to share! Please let Van Dams know if you would be interested in sharing your story with us!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The church office will be closed on Thursday, November 27 & Friday, November 28. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
The Peace & Global Witness Offering collection total for 2025 was $1,640. Thank you for your generosity!
Martha Morning PW Circle will meet at 9:15 am on December 10 in the Fellowship Hall. Ranae Fagan will present Lesson 4 from our study books, “The Prodigal Child, the Eldest Child and the Devoted Parent.” Cassandra Goble will provide refreshments. Please join us for Bible study, fellowship and a short business meeting. All are welcome.
Des Moines Concert Handbells will be here in our sanctuary on Saturday, December 14 at 3 pm. Join us in listening to some fabulous music by the very talented ringers from the Des Moines area. Bring your friends and neighbors – everyone is welcome. Let’s fill the sanctuary and enjoy the best music of the season! A free holiday concert right here at Trinity!
The next Trinity News deadline is Wednesday, December 17. Articles must be turned into the church office by 10 am. Please e-mail submissions to trinityupc@dwx.com. If you have any questions, please call Wendy at 515-961-6231.
Annual Report Deadline – To allow time for the preparation of the Annual Report for Trinity’s Annual Congregational Meeting, please plan on emailing all reports to the church office by Friday, December 5. If you have any questions, please call or email Wendy.
Winter address for Tom & Sue Kimball: 980 W. Camino Del Arrendajo, Green Valley AZ 85622.
Looking Ahead:
November 30 – 1st Sunday of Advent
December 7 – 2nd Sunday of Advent/Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata
December 14 – 3rd Sunday of Advent/Children’s Christmas Program & CIA Pancake Fundraiser
December 21 – 4th Sunday of Advent/Christmas Joy Offering
December 21 – Service of Light & Longing at 5 pm
December 24 – Christmas Eve Service at 7 pm
Highlights from the October 22 Session Meeting
- Approval to remove Randy Owen and Betty Crawford from the membership rolls.
- Discussion about creating an “Inactive Member” category for Trinity.
- Discussion about defining “Active Membership” at Trinity.
- Approval for Endowment Policy change.
- Approval to move all endowment funds to Edward Jones.
- Approval to close the Memorial Tru Bank account and move those funds to Peoples Bank.
- Approval to open a Venmo account for offerings and donations and close the Vanco account. This is a recommendation from the Generosity Task Force as the Vanco account charges higher fees.
- November meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 25 at 7:00 pm, and December meeting will be held on December 23 at 7:00 pm.
- Due to All Saints’ Day on November 2, Communion will move to November 9.
- Recognition of Members – Generosity Task Force for the soup suppers and their many hours of work since their formation. Greg & Laura Avitt for handling A/V for two services on October 16. Ron Albrecht for providing accompaniment with short notice for the Installation Service. Those who coordinated the reception following the Installation Service – Susan Tinder, Barb Moul and Kerry McKasson.
The Christmas Joy Offering has been a cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930s. The Offering distributes gifts equally to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and to Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. The Assistance Program provides critical financial support to church workers and their families. Presbyterian-related schools and colleges provide education and leadership development while nurturing racial and ethnic heritage. This has been a Presbyterian commitment for nearly 140 years. The Christmas Joy Offering will be collected during Advent – November 30 – December 21, 2025.
HEAL HOUSE OF IOWA
Update on the sewer work at HEAL House: Despite initial setbacks, our team rallied to find a creative solution, ensuring operations continued with minimal disruption. The guests shared the bathroom and shower in the pantry for approximately 5 days while the water was shut off. We didn’t hear one complaint from the guests. As one guest put it, “It’s better than trying to find a bathroom while I was living in my car.”
We currently have 6 guests – 2 men and 4 women (1 being 7 months pregnant). One of the women will be moving into her own apartment later this month, she is beyond excited!
Current needs: coffee pods, powder creamer, microwave meals/popcorn, Lysol disinfectant wipes.
Submitted by Jo Byers
TRINITY STAFF
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
Nursery Attendant – Juliana Van Dam