TRINITY NEWS
Volume XLIX , Issue 10 ~ October 27, 2026
Rev’s Reflections…
What are YOU going to be for Halloween? was always one of my favorite questions growing up. Uniquely gifted with an imaginative, resourceful mother with machine-sewing skills, my brother and I routinely wore the best costumes in our classes. Mom’s masterpiece may have been the full-body ET costume she made for Curt, although my personal favorite was my first-grade “original” Princess Leia costume replete with fist-sized braided black yarn buns hand-sewn firmly to a black pantyhose cap.
Why is it such a joy for some of us to don costumes and inhabit other identities? For me, I think it’s about momentarily believing that somewhere within me, deeply buried under the manners and masks, overcompensation for my flaws, and my pitiable desire to please others, I am actually braver, smarter, stronger, and, oddly, realer than I usually let on. How strange that socially condoned masquerade allows me to feel more myself?
Scripture assures us that God sees past everything that obscures who we really are – the true self in each of us which Fr. Richard Rohr calls imago dei, image of God. For example:
Matthew 10:30: “Even the number of hairs of your head are known to God.”
Hebrews 4:13a: Before God, no creature is out of sight; all are as they were when they were born.
I John 3:20b: God is greater than our hearts and God knows everything about us.
I pray you continue to grow in knowledge and acceptance of who you truly are in the sight of God, knowing that nothing in life or in death – not even our best disguises – can separate us from the love of God in Christ our Lord.
~ Pastor Macc
Adult Christian Education at Trinity
Building Biblical Literacy
Think you can’t make it through reading the Bible? Think again!
“The Undisputed Letters of Paul, John, and Revelation in 78 days”
Read one – or read them all!
Attend one group – or attend them all!
Saturdays 9:30-10:30 am online at https://bit.ly/TUPCgospels06
Saturdays 11:00-noon in the SW Room in the PATH building
Sundays 8:15-9:15 am in the SW Room in the PATH building
Even if you haven’t read every word, COME – YOU BELONG!
Informing Christian Ethics
The Phoenix Affirmations: A New Vision for the Future of Christianity
By CrossWalk America founder, Rev. Eric Elnes
A conversation for disillusioned, doubtful, curious, and “at sea” Christians – and those who love them! We will explore twelve tenets of “emerging Christianity” which seeks, as Jesus did, to recommit to what’s best about our religious tradition, while also radically challenging the status quo. Together, we will practice deep listening and speaking our truths with grace.
Books are available on Amazon.com or in the church office.
Sundays 11:00 am in West Fellowship Hall
NOVEMBER
BIRTHDAYS
11/1 Jim Carson
11/1 Robert Brown
11/2 Wyatt Grissom
11/7 Julia Thorius
11/8 Patty DeHeer
11/10 Jodi Anderson
11/13 Sally Johnson
11/13 Barbara Overton
11/14 Stacia Kleene
11/15 Joan Claerhout
11/17 Ron Albrecht
11/17 Katie New
11/17 Chelsea Sunken
11/18 Lochlan Lanning
11/18 Nicole Coghlan
11/19 Heather Chadwick
11/21 Abby Anderson
11/22 Katie Black
11/23 Sarah Kruse
11/24 Marilyn Kroll
11/27 Kylie Hervey
11/28 Arlette Kuehl
11/29 Laird Jack
IN OUR PRAYERS
Geri Bartletts’s son, Shawn, for strength and healing.
John & Bev Anderson for strength and healing.
TUPC Friends – Thank you so very much for the beautiful lamp and for always being a light along our journey! Thank you for the party/celebration – it was so fun celebrating with so many of you! Thank you for all of the support, guidance, kindness, love, help, prayers, etc all these years! We’re so proud to be a part of this amazing family! We love you all bunches! Many blessings! Nick, Becca & Family
AREA CARE CENTERS
The Village Care Center
Everett Brown, Betty Labertew
Westview Care Center
John & Bev Anderson, Sandy Newell
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pictorial Directory – Did you miss the opportunity to have our picture taken during our scheduled photo sessions? There’s still time to be included in our new pictorial directory! We invite you to submit a recent photo of yourself or family. Please have photos to the church office by Friday, October 30.
All Saints’ Day – Please plan to attend this special day of remembrance on Sunday, November 1. During this service, we dedicate memorial gifts that were purchased, and remember members and friends of Trinity who have died since the preceding All Saints’ Day. Invite your family and friends.
Daylight Saving Time ends November 1. Remember to turn your clocks back one hour.
Martha Morning Circle will meet Wednesday, November 11 in the Fellowship Hall at 9:15 am. Jeanenne Glascock will be the Hostess and Marilyn Lawson will present Lesson 3, “Freedom in Christ.” Plan to join us for fellowship, Bible study and a short business meeting. All are welcome.
The next Trinity News deadline is Wednesday, November 18. 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.
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 4. If you have any questions, please call or email Wendy.
- Trinity United Presbyterian Church – Here you can find the link to worship every Sunday and a lot of important information (please like or join).
- Friends of Trinity – Here you can find a lot of information from members – anyone can post to this page (please join).
- Our Sister Parish – Here you can see what’s going on with our El Salvador mission (please like or join).
- Don Justo Coffee with Dignity – Here you can see what’s happening with the El Salvador coffee mission (please like or join).
Generosity Team Update – During the month of October, 2027 pledge cards were distributed. If you did not receive one, either in person or via mail, please reach out to the church office. If you were not able to return your card on Dedication Sunday, we ask that you return your card to the church office as quickly as possible to facilitate the completion of the 2027 budget.
We also would like to encourage everyone to use the ACH option when considering your contributions. It does not cost you or Trinity to exercise this option. A reminder that if you change your pledge, we do require a new ACH form to be completed.
In closing, I will leave you with a few verses from 2 Corinthians 9:6-8… “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
Trinity is truly blessed, not only with your financial contributions, but also the volunteer hours, and the sharing of all of your talents. The Generosity Team as well as many other ministry teams can use your help, so if you feel you would like to make a contribution of your time and talent, we would love to have you join us. God Bless, Barb Yearous
Highlights from the September 23 Session Meeting
- Approval of updated Scholarship Policy.
- Annual Report Deadline is set for Friday, December 4.
- Budget Request Deadline is set for Wednesday, October 21.
- After discussion there be no Thanksgiving Dinner this year.
- Discussion on hiring procedures and state compliance payroll procedures.
- Discussion of water leaking into the furnace room of the church basement. Property Committee will get three estimates.
First Annual Chili Cookoff and Bingo Bash – November 7 at 5 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Think your chili has what it takes to be crowned the Chili Champion? Bring your favorite recipe, fire up your crockpots and let the friendly competition begin! Whether your chili is spicy, smoky, sweet or a famous secret recipe – we want to try it! Not a chili chef? No problem! We still need you! You can bring a delicious dessert or a batch of warm, fluffy rolls to complete the feast. Sign up using the link below. Come hungry, bring your best and let’s make it a CHILI-bration! For more information, contact Sarah Gautama at sgriffith1128@gmail.com.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044AABAC2EA2F94-66896783-chili
Open-House QUILT-ATHON! November 13, 14 & 15 from 1-3 pm in the PATH multipurpose room. Trinity El Salvador Team and Quilters Ministry have teamed up to make 44 lap blankets for our Salvadoran sister parishes. Join us for light snacks and a hands-on experience turning fabric and thread into “hugs we send around the world!” Our quilters have tasks for all ages, abilities and skill-levels. Contact Susan Tinder or Pastor Macc for more information.
TRINITY STAFF
Pastor – Rev. Erica MacCreaigh
Office Administrator – Wendy Dowell
Minister of Music – Mark Koskamp
Chancel Bells & Calvin Choristers Director – Chari Kruse
Chancel Choir Accompanist – Anna Lackaff
Calvin Choristers Accompanist – Christine Neumeier
Children and Youth Director – Amy Fredricks
Middle School Youth Directors – Paul & Rachael Wilson
High School Youth Director – Sarah Gautama
Custodian – Chris Robins
Financial Secretary – Betty Dyer
Nursery Attendant – Juliana VanDam