TRINITY NEWS
Volume XLVIII, Issue 9 ~ September 23, 2025
The Pastor’s Paragraphs…
“Imagine a religious community that begins its stewardship conversations not with next year’s budget, and not even with an inspiring vision of the individual’s need to give, but rather with an exuberant and biblical picture of the generosity of God” (Karl B. Travis, The Generosity of God, p.15).
What has God done for you lately?
To answer this question, I find a meditation exercise helpful called “the one smallest thing.” I recall one small, relatively insignificant thing in my day. Then I consider how that thing communicates the generosity of God. Earlier this week, it was a spider who’d strung a web across my back door. It reminded me that God lets me share the neighborhood with so many living things, even very strange ones. I came away with assurance that I am never alone – God has given me a home within a vibrant community of plants and animals and neighbors and friends.
As we enter our Future Forward Generosity Campaign season, I encourage you to look for small, seemingly insignificant things at Trinity that speak to the generosity of God. Will it be the smudge on the Fellowship Hall carpet, proof of the presence of dozens of young ones in worship one Sunday? Maybe it’s the clunker note hit by two choir members during rehearsal and the thought that God blesses the joyful, faithful efforts of our perfectly imperfect human selves. Or maybe it’s the tiny flower blooming on the weed poking out of the grass in front of the church, and noting how God’s lavish ordering of life sometimes disrupts our limiting order.
We so often look for extravagant proof of God’s generosity, we forget the thousand cumulative proofs in the small stuff. So, this month, I encourage you to look for the God whose giving knows no ending in the minutiae and the mundane. I promise you will find what you are looking for.
Pastor Macc
Adult Christian Formation ~ Sundays After Worship in the West Fellowship Hall
Strengthening Christian Spirit: Composing a Legacy ~ September 21
Too often we miss the chance to pass on our faith and values. Join us for a workshop on crafting and sharing your legacy. Consider what truly matters to you and learn how to turn intentions into impact through a bequest, donor advised fund, charitable trust or an endowment. Learn practical ways to bear witness to the presence of God in your life and empower your church to do the same. Taught by Rev. Kyle Nolan, Ministry Relations Officer with the Presbyterian Foundation.
Strengthening Christian Spirit: To Tithe or Not to Tithe ~ September 28
Rather than a strict percentage of income, tithing recalls the “first fruits” offerings of the Hebrew people. Tithing is the only rigorous spiritual discipline Pastor Macc has practiced all her adult life. In this class, she will share the biblical basis of tithing, how and why she tithes, some of her experiences of tithing during income fluctuations and advice for aspiring tithers of all ages and incomes.
Strengthening Christian Spirit: From Offering to Ministry – A Discussion About the Values and Vision Reflected in Trinity’s Budgets ~ October 5
“A church budget is a theological document.” Join Church Treasurer Robert Endriss (CPA) and Pastor Macc to discuss Trinity’s own budget. After introducing Trinity’s funding sources, we will explore how our budget supports our understanding of what we want (and what we believe God expects) Trinity to be and will consider the importance of allocating our offerings in a manner consistent with our shared values and vision. We will also engage in an “imagination-storming” exercise to draw out your dreams for what Trinity could become.
Strengthening Christian Spirit: Lessons From the Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference ~ October 12
Join Barb Yearous and Pastor Macc as they reflect on lessons learned about creative, effective and faithful approaches to present-day church finance at the annual Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference.
OCTOBER
BIRTHDAYS
10/1 Ron Leuwerke
10/2 Loren Bartlett
10/2 Bob Lester
10/3 Wyatt Dyer
10/3 Annabelle Endriss
10/3 Lucy Endriss
10/3 Jennifer Overton
10/5 Kathie Farris
10/8 Susan Lathrop
10/8 Vernal McClymond
10/8 Ross Pinamonte
10/10 Pat Wilson
10/11 Steve Sayler
10/13 Lisa Damman
10/13 Matt Kruse
10/14 Rachel Riebhoff
10/15 Jay Claerhout
10/15 Janella Guilford
10/17 Michelle Cross
10/19 Becca Van Dam
10/21 Peggy Kruse
10/25 Laurie Bowers
10/27 Kyle Coghlan
10/27 Amanda McCombs
10/28 Linda Davey
10/29 Dawn Ackerson
10/29 Elena Grissom
10/30 Dave Grissom
10/31 James Damman
IN OUR PRAYERS
John & Bev Anderson for strength and healing.
Lillian Williams for strength and healing.
The family of Jenny Darland who passed away on August 25.
The family of Gloria Elmore who passed away on September 7.
AREA CARE CENTERS
The Village Care Center
Everett Brown, Betty Labertew, Lillian Williams
Westview Care Center
John & Bev Anderson, Sandy Newell
CIA OCTOBER SCHEDULE
(CHRISTIANS IN ACTION)
10/1 – Discussion Night (talking about Noah’s Ark)
10/8 – Hoping to help at Meals from the Heartland Annual Des Moines Hunger Fight
10/15 – Movie Night
10/18 – Discussion Night (David & Goliath)
10/19 – Pancakes with Van Dam
10/29 – Halloween Fun
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Future Forward Generosity Campaign Update – As we begin the second phase of the Future Forward Generosity Campaign, we happily report the successful completion of phase one. The generosity of time, input and financial support already applied to this campaign has been inspiring and energizing, and we look forward to what God has in store next. During phase two, members of the Generosity Campaign Task Force will host several small-group soup suppers. During these gatherings, we will spend time in fellowship and exchange ideas about where we’re at and what Trinity’s future looks like. The Task Force hopes to provide (at least a dozen) opportunities to gather at church and in members’ homes between September 21 and October 19. The Deacons’ mini-parish lists will assist us in ensuring that all our regular givers and attendees receive invitations to these over-supper conversations. All suppers will be hosted from 5-6:30 pm. Dates and locations tbd.
Peace & Global Witness Offering – A gift to the Peace & Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of conflict and injustice across the world. Individual congregations are encouraged to utilize up to 25% of this offering to connect with the global witness of Christ’s peace. Mid councils retain an additional 25% for ministries of peace and reconciliation. The remaining 50% is used by the Presbyterian Mission Agency to advocate for peace and justice in cultures of violence, including our own, through collaborative projects of education and Christian witness. Trinity will receive the Peace & Global Witness Offering on World Communion Sunday, October 5. Thank you for your generosity.
The next Trinity News deadline is Wednesday, October 15. 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.
Join us for the Service of Installation of Reverend Erica MacCreaigh to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament on Sunday, October 19 at 3 pm. Reverend Nancy Tuma from Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, MO will preach. Reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.
Directory Updates:
Everett Brown*- 1203 North E St. #1109 Indianola, IA 50125
Open Table Update – At Open Table we, along with our Methodist partners, continue to strive to provide nutritious meals for a growing number of members of the community whose resources are being stretched thin. In the months of June, July and August Trinity served 255, 288 and 285 meals respectively on our Open Table Tuesdays.
Dear TUPC Mission Team – Thank you for your $1,000 donation to WeLIFT Job Search Center. We sincerely appreciate your generosity and continued support towards our mission to better serve the community.
Operation Christmas needs volunteers to help applicants fill out forms for assistance. If you are interested in more information about a 2-hour session in October, contact Margaret Vernon at 515-343-7090.
HEAL House of Iowa
Shout-out to the awesome preschool – 5th grade church school classes! As Karigan said, we went on a “church field trip” to the HEAL House during class time on Wednesday, September 18. They showed up in the best way – pizza and pop was delivered for our guests AND they dropped off their first round of donations. These big hearts in little packages are already making a huge difference and we couldn’t be more thankful! Current Needs: microwave popcorn, coffee pods, powder creamer for coffee, paper plates and bowls, plastic silverware, laundry detergent, gift cards (grocery store, Wal-Mart, gas station, etc.). Please contact Jo Byers at 515-975-3572 or drop off at HEAL House Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9 am – noon & 1 – 4 pm, Wednesday 1 pm – 4 pm or Friday 9 am – noon. Monetary donations are always welcome! https://www.healhouseofiowa.org/donate/
Our Sister Parish, Inc. Presents a Family-Friendly Event ~ BINGO Bonanza!
Sunday, November 9 from 2- 4 pm
Heartland Presbyterian Church (14300 Hickman Rd in Clive)
Raising funds for January 2026 Medical Delegation to Berlin, El Salvador
BINGO ~ Prizes ~ Silents Auction ~ Treats
$20 Entrance Fee ~ $50 Families – Bring the kids!
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
Financial Secretary – Betty Dyer