Welcome to the web edition of the Trinity Presbyterian Church annual report for the year 2002.

The web version of this report does not include dollar amounts. This information is publicly available (we printed a hundred copies for the Congregational meeting on January 19th), but we're not comfortable with publishing our financial data on the web right now - This whole internet thingy is still kind of new and mysterious. Please contact the church office for the full print version of this report.

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. - II Peter 3:18

Over my four years at Trinity, we have sought to be faithful to this congregation's long tradition of always seeking to grow in faith - or as the writer of II Peter says, to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." This process of growth has touched every area of church life - worship and music, education, fellowship, mission, and structure. At times our efforts at growth have not worked as well as we hoped or imagined; at other times, our attempts at growing in faith have exceeded our wildest imagination. One of the areas where we had particular success in 2002 and is now bearing fruit is the refocusing of the Board of Deacons. The 12 women and men who currently serve as Deacons have developed new ways to lead the congregation in its important ministry of compassion. The growth in the ministry of the Deacons is not theirs alone, but is built on the faithful work of generations of Deacons who preceded them and on the power of the Holy Spirit. It will be exciting to watch how the Deacons continue to grow this ministry in the years to come.

Other highlights of the past year that demonstrate our growth include:

• Maintaining my spiritual practice of retreat days.
• Beginning a small group ministry at Trinity. The Rev. Dick Meyer of The One Anothering Institute helped us move forward with this vital ministry.
• Guest preaching the Rev. Dr. Ella Mitchell in June. Dr. Mitchell is one of America's leading preachers and we were privileged to have her at Trinity.
• A 9/11 Service of Remembrance and Hope. Don and Ann Weems added their leadership to this important service.
• The rebirth of the kitchen and the addition of new fellowship opportunities.
• Sending Bob Wagoner to the Covenant Network Conference in November. Bob's excitement about what he learned is driving a new emphasis on our commitment to be a welcoming congregation.
• The growing number of participants in the Festival Choir
• Ongoing strength in our educational programs
• A wonderful celebration to bring our Jesse Tree tradition to a conclusion
• An always improving Trinity News (thanks Ann Fischer!)
• A wonderfully revamped website (thanks Brian Schroer!)
• Making Karon Bilbrey our Church Administrator

For me, an event that encapsulated the amount of growth that we have already experienced was World Communion Sunday. That Sunday was a rich mix of traditional Presbyterian worship and new cultural and faith elements: in worship we praised God with music from England, Germany, India, Argentina, the United States, and Thailand. The liturgy was adapted from the Church of South India; our preacher was from India; we celebrated the Lord 's Supper with breads around the world. There are not many Presbyterian churches that would attempt what we did on World Communion Sunday. And we not only tried; but we powerfully experienced God's presence. It was truly thrilling. It was a demonstration of this congregation growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

World Communion Sunday also served for me as a reminder that we still have room to grow. At the end of the service my thought was, "This was absolutely wonderful; I want to share it with more people!" One hundred and fifty in worship was a great start; but how many more people live right in our community who would have resonated both with the gospel that we were proclaiming and with the expressions in worship. Trinity Church has a powerful witness to the renewing love and amazing grace of God. And we are called, not to hide it under a bushel, but to let our light shine. Sometimes we are shy about sharing the good news; sometimes we are not sure how to do it in a way that is invitational and respectful of others. But we can learn this. God invites us always to grow in faith. And as we do learn, as we do grow, we will bring glory to Jesus Christ, both now and to the day of eternity! Amen.

It is hard to review all of the events of the past year, especially given how many, wonderful musical experiences we have shared. I can say, without a doubt, that this has been an extremely positive year for Trinity's music ministry, and I am thankful for the congregation's continued support and excitement!

About our ensembles:

• The Trinity Choir brought a wide variety of music to our weekly worship services. Some highlights included the Cantique de Jean Racine in March, the premiere of a new anthem in May, and a Bach Cantata with chamber orchestra this past November. Thanks go to the members of the choir and to our soloists, whose musical leadership and strong voices are a gift to us.
• The Parish Choir evolved into the Festival Choir and the result was an increase in numbers and spirit! The Festival Choir shared inspiring music on World Communion Sunday, All Saints Sunday and at the Jesse Tree Service.
• Our Children's Choirs continued to joyfully share their musical gifts with the congregation this past year. I am grateful for our accompanist, Roberta McBride, for Jenny Gordon, who has assisted me, and for all the parents who have provided support and encouragement.
• The Handbell Choir saw a decline in numbers this last year, but continued to bring music to worship regularly. The ringers also participated in our special Festival of Advent and Christmas Music.

Some exciting financial news:

• Last year's Psalm 150 Fund offering totaled almost (...80%...) more than the previous year! These funds provided a chamber orchestra for the Bach Cantata in November and will continue to provide for a variety of exciting musical experiences in the coming year.
• Thanks to a generous gift by the Endowment Board, we were able to purchase 50 new rehearsal chairs for the Choral Rehearsal Room and the Choir Loft. The new chairs look and feel wonderful, compared to the wooden and metal folding chairs that had been used for almost 25 years.
• The family of Jan Toenges made a ... bequest to Trinity, to be used specifically for the repair and upkeep of our pipe organ. The organ is in need of repairs and modifications in the coming years, and this gift is a wonderful start to our fundraising.

All this news, of course, is rather business-like and factual. As an antidote, I encourage you to think back to a time in the past year when the music you have heard has filled you with hope, given voice to something deep within your spirit, or just made you bubble over with joy. Then, thank God for the amazing gift of music, for the singers and instrumentalists who share their gifts with us each week, and the resources to see our ministry continue. Also, consider how you might participate this year - you are always most welcome to join us!

Most sincerely,

Paul M. Vasile
Minister of Music

This year has been one of transition and reflection for both me personally and for the ministry of Christian Education at Trinity.

In the past few years there have been quite a few changes to Christian Education. This fall I entered my fifth program year at Trinity and it has been wonderful to see how God has been working in and among us. It brings me such joy to walk into the Nursery and see the youngest of God's children in the loving arms of such wonderful volunteers under the supervision of Becca Courtney. Our preschoolers are making connections with each other and their teachers as they start their exploration of Bible stories and of living and playing in a community of faith together. As we entered our second year of "God's Creation" it is wonderful to see involvement of adults who otherwise would not regularly teach and the excitement on the children's faces each week. Worship School continues to offer an alternative worship place for our younger elementary children as they add to their experience of what is going on in worship and in Sunday school. It has been neat to watch the 5th & 6th graders as they transition and dig a little deeper into Old & New testaments and make more personal the stories they heard as a younger child. This year we added a fellowship aspect to the class which has deepened their sense of community with each other. The two year confirmation class has blossomed as our 7th & 8th graders enter a time of searching, questioning, learning, and really sifting through things to enter a point where they can truly call their faith their own! Senior High youth grow in faith as they integrate mission into their lives through mission trips and learn to negotiate through the ups and downs of faith as they grow into adulthood.

I thank each one of you who support the ministry of Christian Education whether through prayer or through teaching. We are blessed to have such a solid foundation for our children and youth.

My involvement with the implementation team, as well as personal Sabbath time each week, has been so very rewarding for me this year. It has helped me to open myself up and be in a place where I am listening to how God is calling us and in which direction God is leading us as a church. To take bold new steps in the directions of small group ministry, equipping families (singles, people without children, families with young children, families with grown children, etc. - all of us) to better talk about and share our faith - to tell our stories, to explore new directions in our worship and fellowship life together to make all that we do more accessible to those who are present. I have also been reminded that this is not always an easy place to be - to be open, to listen to God, to be led, to take bold steps in our faith.

I look forward to the coming year in ministry as we take the foundation we have and together as a community of God explore in what ways we are being called and what ways we are being led!

Peace of Christ,

Janet Mote
Director of Christian Education

I would like to thank Lane Woods for his 2^1/2 years of faithful service to Trinity Presbyterian Church.

There have been many major projects completed in 2002. The kitchen was completely renovated and therefore serves, once again, as the focal point for many fellowship events of the Church. Thanks to the kitchen task force, Sally Dunn, Do Kirk, Lester Bruns, Lane Woods & Birty Hodgson for a job well done.

The Apartment Building Task Force, Tom Wilhite, Jennifer Courtney, Doug Peden, completed the sale of the apartment building at 6808 Washington in record time. Our thanks to all of them.

A zoned air handling system has been installed on the boiler.

Glass block windows were installed in the Dining Room and the balusters have been repaired at the Kingsland entrance.

2003 will bring additional repairs to the building (23 stained glass windows are in the process of being repaired).

There is a committee discussing the renovation of the Women's Lounge as well as a committee to install a new sound system in the Sanctuary.

As I strive to serve God at Trinity, I look forward to your ideas, concerns, and suggestions.

The office is here to help meet the needs of the congregation. Please let us know if you have any needs or concerns or if we can be of any help at all.

Respectfully submitted

Karon Bilbrey
Church Administrator

Overview & Members

During the past year, the Christian Education Commission worked to fine-tune the "God's Creation" workshop rotation for children's education. Although teacher recruitment is a continuing challenge for this commission, may members of the congregation volunteered service as teachers, youth advisors, adult education and Worship School leaders. In the past year, this commission has encouraged parents to be faith teachers by providing opportunities and resources to extend Sunday school lessons at home.

Members of the Christian Education Commission in 2002 were: Jenni Holt, Michele Devine, Stacey Carmen, Darrell & Karen Maybery, Susan Rava. Janet Mote, Christian Education Director, continues to lead development of the children's and youth programs.

Adult Education Programming

Dr. Dan Anderson-Little developed fall program options with the assistance of the Christian Education commission. Often two options were offered for Bible study and spiritual development. Special thanks to all our visiting speakers and Trinity members who shared their talents and time.

Church School

"Gods Creation" continued to be a success this year as we fine-tuned. We extended our thanks to all teachers and volunteers with a "teacher appreciation night coffee". Valuable feedback and creative ideas were gathered and discussed.

Special Activities and Program Offerings

A church picnic was held at Heman Park and food was brought and enjoyed by all. Special thanks to Darrell & Karen Mayberry for all the organizing and for all those who helped prepare and bring food. June featuring a one-week Vacation Bible School for Trinity and community children. (theme of "God's Great Gallery"). Janet Mote and Stacey Carmen picked the curriculum, prepared many props, recruited teachers, and led the program. Many thanks to all who volunteered. Hanging of the Greens continued to be a highlight this year as parents created special ornaments with their children. An Advent Packet was created by this commission and gave families information and resources to teach faith at home.

The CE Commission thanks all volunteers who have brought their own talents and gifts to made teaching our faith to our children a joyous event.

Respectfully submitted,

Jenni Holt, Chair
Christian Education Commission

The Senior High Fellowship started off the new season with a fundraiser working toward the Summer Mission Trip. Together, they designed greeting cards to sell to the congregation in the weeks to come. These cards could be bought or dedicated with a monetary contribution. Each member of the Youth Group completed 30 hours of community service.

Suzanne Joyce, Rob Peglar, and Barb Rand taught Sunday school throughout the winter and spring, and were joined on occasion by Terry Woodford-Thomas. Subjects for Sunday school lessons included Prayer, Alcoholism, and what it means to be Presbyterian.

In June, 8 members of the Senior Highs and 3 adults drove in vans to Lansing, MI for this year's Mission Trip. There they worked with a Habitat for Humanity group, as well as the American Red Cross to assist the needy in the under-developed parts of Lansing.

Weekly youth fellowship meetings continued on Sunday nights, and were led by Mark Merritt, Janet Mote, and Barb Rand.

In fall, the new school year brought along many new, fun, and stimulating activities. The Senior Highs kicked off the New Year with the painting of the entryway into the Youth Lounge. This was an exciting and colorful project that added life to the Youth Lounge. They continued the tradition of making care-packages for the college students, and received many thank you letters back from them. One evening, the Senior Highs met up with the Youth Group from Bellville, IL at the Genesis House in the U-City Loop. This was a good opportunity to meet another Youth Group and share ideas about how to make meetings more fun and interesting.

A destination was chosen for next year's Mission Trip during the Fall Retreat which had a good turnout and allowed members of the group to do some team building and search for God in new ways. The group decided to travel to Charleston, SC where they will be involved in a number of different organizations, while working in a more urbanized setting. The group is very excited to bring their ministry to Charleston.

During the Christmas season, the Youth participated in sharing Faith Stories. They visited Bob and Sue Young at their home where He and Sue shared their stories, and the role that God and the Church play throughout their hard times. It was a wonderful experience, and gave the Senior Highs a chance to know the Young's in a different setting.

Respectfully submitted,

David Rand
Moderator of the Senior High Youth Council

Local and national outreach programs remain a prominent part of the ministry of Trinity Presbyterian Church. The Church and Community Commission ministers to those in need of financial and volunteer help throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. The members of the Commission in 2002 were Pat Gibbons, Joy Magisana, and Kirk Swearingen (chair). Peacemaking joined with Church and Community this year and was represented by Harold Glad.

Agency Allocations

As is done each year, we researched and reported back on local organizations and service agencies that we felt might benefit from financial support from Trinity. Commission members deliberated on these reports and made allocation recommendations, which were taken to the Session. (A full financial statement for the year may be seen below). As was the case in 2001, the Trinity Emergency Food Pantry did not have a budget surplus from donations, and so the work of the pantry required quite a bit of additional funding from the commission. This kept us from funding some agencies we have supported in past years.

Agencies or organizations supported in 2002 include Beyond Housing, CSC Charities, Doorways, Flynn Park School Friendship Enrichment, Lydia's House, Midland House, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), Our Little Haven, Prison Fellowship, RAVEN, Room at the Inn, the Women's Safe House, University City Medical Transportation, and the Janet Horner Fund of the First Presbyterian Church of University City (providing utility assistance to those in need).

Within the church, the commission also supported the Senior Minister's Discretionary Fund, the Senior High Mission Trip, and the Alternative Gift Market.

The members of the commission and the office staff are also producing the annual "A Church in Mission" booklet, detailing the agencies and organizations funded by Trinity and the many volunteer opportunities available to congregation members.

Trinity Emergency Food Pantry Becomes the Winger Food Pantry

The Trinity Emergency Food Pantry operated this year with a good deal of funding from the Church and Community Commission: the (...funds...) allocated to the purchase of groceries through the year represented nearly 20% of the 2002 commission budget.

Sandy Norkaitis graciously agreed this year to oversee the work of the food pantry, and the pantry was duly whipped into shape--with the help of many volunteers.

The food pantry continues to be open to clients each Wednesday from 1-4 P.M. Many volunteers allow this program to happen each week. Those who shopped for food and stocked the bagging room for a 3-month period were: Jane Gibbons, Stacey Carman, Jim O'Brien, and Robyn Peglar. Joy Magisana served as Bagger Coordinator, and the volunteers who bagged thefood each month were: Joanne Roman, Kim Merritt, Shobha Phillips, Karl Kramer, Polly Brown, Kitty Underwood, Joy Magisana, Tina Newberry, Mary Ellen Campbell, Christy Thompson, Emily Kelton, Michelle Devine, Norma Vavra, Wally Klein, and Emily Hoyne. The Wednesday workers were: Sally Dunn, Roberta Middelkamp, Sandy Norkaitis, and Jerry Royce. Harold Glad was always available--building shelves in the new location, painting, sorting food, picking up Boy Scout food, and whatever else was asked. These volunteers served 1,175 clients during the year. Our biggest Wednesday was in November, when, with the help of the Peacemakers, we were able to give away 28 turkeys / 8 chickens and side dishes for Thanksgiving, in addition to the regular food orders; 81 people were given food on "Turkey Day."

The highlight of the year was the naming and dedication of the Winger Food Pantry, which took place on October 27. The food pantry was named in memory of Bob and Phyllis Winger, two very dedicated early volunteers. Diane Winger, daughter of Bob and Phyllis, was able to be with us for the dedication, and she spoke about her mom and dad. A food pantry lunch of spaghetti, salad, canned fruit, and French bread followed the dedication. The congregation participated by donating food to fill the pantry.

The existence of the Trinity Emergency Food Pantry, as always, depends on the dedicated effort of those who volunteer to shop, sort, bag, and distribute the groceries to those in need.

A substantial amount of work was done by the commission this year. Although the recipients of the commission's help may never make direct contact with us, God's work is truly being done. On behalf of all of those individuals receiving assistance from Trinity this year, I would like to thank the members of the commission, all the Food Pantry volunteers, and our congregation as a whole for their generous gifts of money, time, and talent. The work accomplished is truly an expression of the spirit of our church.

Respectfully submitted,

Kirk Swearingen, Chair

There follows a full report on the allocations made during 2002. Allocations from 2000 and 2001 are included for comparison. (Dollar amounts are omitted from the web version of this report - Please contact the church office for the full report):

Agencies and Organizations Supported in 2002:

• Sr. Minister's Discretionary Fund
• Beyond Housing
• Cathedral Mission Society Child Care Center
• CSC Charities for Children
• Doorways
• Flynn Park Friendship Enrichment
• Genesis House
• Gibson Heights Presbyterian Summer Program
• Greeley Community Center
• Habitat for Humanity (Trinity)
• Interfaith Partnership
• Lydia's House
• Matthew 25 Fund
• Midland House
• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
• Our Little Haven
• Presbyterian Children's Services
• Prison Fellowship
• RAVEN
• Room At The Inn
• Senior High Mission Trip
• St. Martha's Hall
• St. Patrick Center (Mobile Outreach Unit)
• Trinity Alternative Gift Market
• Trinity Food Pantry
• University City Medical Transportation
• University City Residential Service
• Utility Assistance (First Presbyterian of U City)
• Women's Safe House
• Youth Emergency Service
• Lauren Herring, Catano, Puerto Rico
• Boeuff Presbyterian Church, Gerald, MO
• Kerala Ecumenical Prayer Group

(To Trinity members - from the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, Louisville, Kentucky: As our country stands poised on the brink of war, visible signs of hope and encouragement may be easily missed but they are present. In worship, prayer services, private discussions, public witnesses, shared meals and countless other ways, we experience Emmanuel: God-with us.

Moved by faith, Trinity's visible signs of hope...

• Worship that holds us to our task to be steadfastly faithful to the Prince of Peace who call us to work for justice and reconciliation. Thank you Dr. Dan and Paul Vasile.
• The peace candle that has been kept "shining through" to remind us that peacemaking is the very heartbeat of scripture.
• The printed materials, e-mails, and web sites that lift up ways of peace in a world overwhelmed with fear and greed, offered to the congregation to empower them to take a personal action. Thank you Betty Burnett, Do Kirk.
• The funds provided to the emergency food Thanksgiving dinner project (for all the extra trimmings). This year potatoes, fresh veggies, and rolls were added to the feast. Thank you Sally Dunn, Sandy Norkaitis.
• The dimes for Dresden collection continues every 2nd Sunday. We are almost there! We will have enough money to purchase a Trinity stone for the restoration of the Cathedral of Dresden, the Frauenkirche, in Dresden Germany. Thank you Beth Early.
• The second year of the World Market, offering us the opportunity to participate in gift giving that touches the whole world! This challenges the American myth that "more is better". Thank you Diane O'Brien, Jim Person, Betty Burnett, Carol & Cathy Kramer.
• Mosquito netting sewn for the women of the Congo. Thank you Kitty Underwood, Catherine Klostermeier, Margaret David, Susan Gallagher and Presbyterian Women.
• Children's summer bible school purchased desks and school kits for Afghan children then pushed the mission project forward to involve the congregation! Thank you Janet Mote, Stacey Carmen, Do Kirk.
• In the works - discussion of another Habitat project! Thank you Pat Gibbons, Doug Peden.
• Beginning efforts to become a member to he Covenant community and leading us to further embrace the diversity of all God's people. Thank you Bob Wagoner.

There is a new sense of empowerment "creeping" into our midst and much of it has nothing to do with a committee - it speaks to the very essence of peacemaking... not the peace of orderly, proper, and comfortable...not the peace of stillness and quiet...and not a piece of candy or cake...it is the passionate call for justice of our Lord Jesus Christ, and it is written on each one of our hearts.

Our New Year's Resolution - 2003

Let the "creeping peacemaking" of 2002 continue until it floods over us giving us courage and emboldening us.

Respectfully submitted,

Trinity Peacemakers

(Dollar amounts are omitted from the web version of this report - Please contact the church office for the full report):

The Corporate Affairs Commission is chartered to provide ongoing financial, budgetary, investment and general corporate guidance to the Session. To that end, the Commission presents its calendar year 2002 report and summary.

The church is in fair operating but very good non-operating financial health. During the year 2002, the church's sources of income and sources of expense in the operating domain were not balanced well within the budgeted deficit (...); the actual operating deficit was (...), mostly due to a lack of non-pledged income. For the coming year, to enable better planning, our reliance on deficit funding will decrease (...), obtained by a significant decrease in operating expenses, even while overcoming an ongoing reduction in both the number of pledge units and dollars represented by those pledges. The non-operating financial domain, or designated funds, did remarkably well during 2002 due to several significant bequests and conservative investment practices.

2003 Budget and 2002 Actual

Our 2003 budget reflects an overall operating decrease of 4.1 % relative to the 2002 budget. The following table compares the allocation of funds between the years 2002 and 2003 respectively. The table contains accurate but non-audited results. Per the Book of Order, an annual audit covering the year 2002 should be performed in the first quarter of 2003.

The following table compares the pledge unit analysis for the year 2003. The data is as of January 1, 2003.

Commentary and Highlights

1. The church sold the property at 6808 Washington during 2002 (...). Also, the church received several significant bequests during 2002 (...). The proceeds from the sale and bequests were invested in two excellent, yet conservative investment vehicles, the Vanguard Wellesey Income Fund and the New Covenant Income Fund. Both performed very well in 2002 relative to overall equity and financial market conditions, and are a significant contributor to the church's operating income. The church will have to determine optimal stewardship of these funds in 2003.
2. Our church computer systems, both hardware and software, were again improved during 2002 with the update of its server and four updated workstations to replace obsolete equipment. This has enabled our staff to be much more productive in their office tasks and preparation of church materials.
3. The Scholin-Weems scholarship fund performed quite well relative to the overall capital markets in 2002. The Commission was especially pleased to disburse (...) gifts to our 2002 Scholin-Weems recipients. The Scholin-Weems fund continues to grow despite market conditions seen in 2002.
4. The 2003 Stewardship Campaign, "Fifty Years of Joy - Fifty Years of Promise", was well received. Unfortunately, 17 pledge units from 2002 have not yet pledged for 2003, leaving the church in fair operating condition. Thankfully, the mean gift amount per increased pledge unit received (there were 46 such pledge units) increased by 17% over the 2002 campaign, for which we are very grateful.
5. The 2003 budget reflects the Session's continued commitment to an extraordinary level of mission giving per capita, increased music programming and ministry, increased evangelism and outreach efforts, and continuing emphasis on Christian Education and youth, while attempting to reduce overall operating and office expenditures.
6. The 2003 budget also reflects the unfortunate reality that the building maintenance reserve will not be able to be funded during 2003 due to the decrease in pledging units. While we are hopeful that during the first quarter of 2003, some (if not all) of the 17 units who pledged in 2002 but have not yet pledged for 2003 will be gratefully received, we must be good stewards and perform financial due diligence so as to not over-extend our capabilities. The congregation deserves nothing less.

The Corporate Affairs Commission extends its deep gratitude and special thanks to the members: Jennifer Courtney, Keith Fischer, John Merker, Mary Nielsen, Joanne Roman, and Rob Peglar. Also, the Commission extends heart-felt thanks to our office administrator, Karon Bilbrey, and especially our financial administrator, Linde Bachele. We also thank Dan Anderson-Little for his ongoing guidance and support. From a personal standpoint, I am taking a one-year leave from the Commission and I can only say that I leave it in wonderful hands as Keith Fischer has agreed to chair for 2003.

Respectfully submitted,

Rob Peglar
Chair, Corporate Affairs Commission

Evangelism continued a new tradition with our second annual "Sunday of Beginnings." This year we celebrated the new kitchen with a brunch that was attended by 130 people. Special thanks to Do Kirk and Sally Dunn for their hard work and leadership and to the many people who helped with food preparation.

Brian Schroer became our new Web Master and totally redesigned our web site to make it more interactive, informative and up-to-date. Special thanks to Brian for all his hard work in improving and maintaining our site.

Several Inquirer classes were held during the year and we welcomed 17 new members to our congregation, including two new members of the 2002 Confirmation Class. New member's receptions, brunches, and Trinity News articles to introduce our new members helped celebrate our joy in adding new members to our church family. Special thanks to Kitty Underwood for finding sponsors for our new members.

This year we undertook a much needed review of the church membership lists and sent letters to members who have not been active participants in recent years. This action resulted in several transfers of membership for people who were attending other churches, a few members who asked to be deleted from our rolls and more who were moved to inactive membership. This helped make our membership rolls more current. We also started the process of creating a new pictorial church directory which will be published in the New Year. Special thanks to Beth David for her leadership on this project and to Betty Burnett for her assistance with layout and design.

We continued the practice of delivering a small bag of information and goodies to first time visitors - often on the afternoon of the first Sunday they worshipped with us, if the visitor provides us with an address when signing the pew pad. This thank you for choosing to worship at Trinity then is followed by a welcome letter from Dr. Dan Anderson-Little, and an additional note from an Evangelism Commission member when the individual visits again.

We also continued our tradition of publishing colorful flyers detailing church activities prior to Easter and Christmas. These are mailed to individuals who have visited during the past year and given to members with encouragement to invite friends to worship with us during the holidays. We also advertise in the Southwestern Bell Yellow Pages, University City's Cityscape newspaper, Washington University's Student Life, and the issuance of several press releases about special church events. This year we also placed Christmas time ads with the St. Louis Post Dispatch and the Riverfront Times. Special thanks to Spirit Sorensen for representing Trinity at Washington University's orientation and distributing brochures on our College and Career Aged Fellowship.

These many activities and initiatives were the result of the dedication and gifts of Evangelism Commission members Beth David, Sally Dunn, Victoria Houseman, Do Kirk, Sandy Norkaitis, Shawn Nutter, Kitty Underwood, Nancy Wagner, Jan Schulte-Glad, and Cathy Smith as well as our Pastor, Dan Anderson-Little. My thanks to each of them!

Respectfully submitted,

Margy Brown, Chairperson

The Facilities Commission would like to thank Ric Rogers for his faithful service as chair of the commission through September of 2002.

This has been a very busy year for the facilities commission. The following are some of the projects completed in 2002:

• The apartment building at 6808 Washington was sold.
• The kitchen was renovated.
• A zoned air-handling system was installed on the boiler.
• A fire door was installed on the outside door to the boiler room.
• Air-handler and ductwork was removed from the room behind the food pantry storage room. This made way for a storage room for our custodian.
• Glass block windows were installed on the southwest wall of the Dining Room.
• Balusters at the Kingsland entrance were repaired & restored.

Jobs in progress are:

• Replacement of 2 doors in new custodial storage room. They will be replaced with metal doors.
• 23 stained glass windows on the lower level of the building are being cleaned, repaired, sealed, and painted. This is phase 2 of a project that began in 1997.
• A new sound system has been purchased. It will be installed early in the New Year.

Long-range major projects:

• Ceiling above the organ to be sealed to prevent tar from falling into organ pipes.
• Women's lounge to be renovated.
• Bathrooms in the back of the Creation Center to be renovated.

My thanks to all of the members of the Facilities commission for their faithful service.

Respectfully submitted

Karon Bilbrey
Church Administrator

Parish Life promotes fellowship within the congregation while providing hospitality events for visitors and guests. This year our commission was active with many annual traditional affairs plus more than a few welcome and farewell activities.

Sunday Morning Coffee Hour: Our commission happily served coffee, bagels and cream cheese with cookies for the youngsters throughout the year. It was the opinion of the commission that attendance was down because of lateness of coffee hour, being moved from just after church to after Sunday school. We would like to have some coffee hour's right after church because that is the time when everyone could come. We had one coffee hour at Genesis House this summer, which was quite well attended, and fun.

Sunday Morning Greeters: It would seem that the ushers are now serving as greeters also.

Special Receptions: Along with our recognition of the confirmation class we also had a coffee hour to celebrate all the musical groups of Trinity. We co-hosted a reception with two other churches after a concert that celebrated Trinity's fifty years.

Maundy Thursday Dinner: No kitchen, a catered meal! Easy for the commission and enjoyed by many.

Hanging of the Greens: A chili lunch was served to approximately seventy people, young and old.

Christmas Coffee Hour: A great success. Thanks to so many Trinity bakers.

Commission Members: Charlotte Landrum, Emily Kelton, David Hotaling, Melissa Kreishman, Corie Merker, Jerry Royce, Ether Scott, Jean Sallwasser, Jane Pisoni, Art Platt, and Jane Gibbons.

Respectfully submitted,

Jane Gibbons

Personnel Commission's main focus this year was on hiring a church administrator. After much deliberation we decided to expand Karon Bilbrey's position to fulltime Church Administrator. Karon was very enthusiastic about taking on additional responsibilities and began her new position September 1st.

Personnel Commission's other emphasis this year was on providing feedback to the church's staff. We continue to have a very strong, cohesive staff who works exceptionally well together. They all enrich the life of our church.

This fall we decided to meet with each staff member in a casual setting for the purpose of socializing and strengthening our relationship with staff. We had a potluck dinner at Paul Bregitzer's home in October with Janet Mote. We have a meal scheduled in January with Paul Vasile.

As we approach 2003 we will be reviewing and updating the Personnel Policy Manual. We will also be reviewing our staff evaluation forms and procedures.

As chair, I would like to thank the members of personnel for their caring, hard work, and support.

Paul Bregitzer
Tom Cobb
Terry Crow
Sandy Norkaitis
Tim Rand
Sheillah Rogers

Respectfully submitted,

Janet Hoyne, Chair
Personnel Commission

Because the Commission did not have an appointed chair, Paul Vasile and Dan Anderson-Little have prepared this report.

In 2002, Trinity built on its history of both experimenting with new elements in worship and maintaining important traditions. This is most evident in the selection of music used in worship. Music at Trinity covers many traditions and cultures: classical European and American hymns and anthems, African-American spirituals, gospel music, modern music, folk music, music from Peru, Africa, India, and other corners of the world. Two particular musical highlights of the year were the premiere a new anthem based on Psalm 148 by Paul Vasile, and the presentation of the Bach cantata "Wachet Auf."

Some of the new elements that we tried this year in worship were:

• In Lent, the installation of doors in worship and a more informal preaching style
• On the Sunday after Easter, combining communion and fellowship at the front of the sanctuary
• Starting a ritual to formally sending members who are relocating
• A youth service focusing on spirituality in the summer
• On World Communion Sunday the use of South Indian music and liturgy, breads from around the world, and guest preacher Dr. Thomas Thangaraj
• Faith sharing during the lighting of the Advent candles
• Sermons delivered by laypeople (Paul Devine and Bob Wagoner)

Worship planning at Trinity is an ongoing joy and challenge. It is a joy because members of this church appreciate a wide diversity of expressions in worship; there is an openness to trying new things and praising God in many ways. That appreciation of diversity is also poses a challenge: how do we meaningfully plan worship that meets such a wide a variety of needs on any given Sunday? Each week, the two of us seek to balance these various needs and preferences, always trying to be faithful to scripture and to our traditions. The ongoing feedback of the congregation is essential in doing this well.

In closing a few words of thanks: thanks to Ruth Cobb and Marge Plourde for overseeing the flowers each week; to Ruth Cobb for overseeing the hanging of the greens; to Suzanne Trotter for organizing communion servers; to Cathy Kramer for organizing the ushers and to everyone who did usher; to Tim and Barb Rand, Paul Devine, Rob Peglar, Roberta McBride, Ric Rogers, Norma Vavra, Ann Fischer, Chris Schmidt, Charley Royce, Larry Newberry, and Cathy Smith for serving as liturgists for the past year and a half; to Nancy Wagoner and Harold Glad for all their efforts in making the Jesse Tree service such a meaningful part of this congregation's life; to the Revs. Jody Robbins, Jane Rand, Tina Newberry, and Linda Anderson-Little for officiating at communion; to Birty Hodgson who always has us ready for worship; and to Karon Bilbrey who produces our many bulletins.

In the year to come, we invite you to expect the familiar, to expect the unexpected, and always to expect that in our worship we will give praise to our God.

For the Worship & Music Commission,

Dan Anderson-Little & Paul Vasile
Suzanne Trotter, Virginia Bregitzer, David Rand, Ruth Cobb, Nancy Wagoner, Joy Pipes, Brian Schroer, and Sarah Hotaling

The Trinity Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund was incorporated in 1959 for the purpose of receiving gifts, bequests, and memorial to be used to support and advance the religious work and objectives of the church.

The Endowment is managed by a board of thirteen directors divided into three classes of four directors each, with the Pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church being an ex officio member. Each class of director serves three year terms. The board elects officers at its first annual meeting each year. Officers serving 2002 were: Robert Klostermeier, President; Marge Versprille, Vice President; Keith Fischer, Secretary; and Treasurer.

Endowment Funds are managed by Fox Asset Management, Inc., of Little Silver, N.J. They are monitored by the Endowment Board aided by a local company, Fiduciary Consultants, Inc., which provides objective evaluation of Fox Asset Management's performance. Fox has been instructed to pursue a conservative, balanced (holding stocks, bonds, and cash) approach which it has pursued successfully, generating sufficient income and appreciation to allow the Endowment to meet its pledged and additional commitments to Trinity.

(Dollar amounts are omitted from the web version of this report - Please contact the church office for the full report)

The Endowment Fund received no contributions in 2002, but gratefully acknowledges the generous gifts and bequests which have been received in the past.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert S. Klostermeier, President

The deacons continued throughout 2002 to restructure and outline their duties within the church to better serve the needs of the congregation. There are now twelve active deacons on the board. Of the twelve, six members are in the Short Term Care group who has been helping by calling, visiting, and/or sending cards to members who are celebrating a birth or coping with divorce, hospitalization, job loss or other life-changing events. The Long-Term Care group made up and distributed advent bags which brought happiness not only to the home-bound and semi-home-bound people, but to the ones who distributed the bags. In the future, this group plans to distribute the Christmas and Easter flowers as well as ministering to the needs of the home-bound parishioners. The newest group or Special Group has one deacon involved with continuing a one-on-one friendship with a member who is traveling the last miles of his journey on earth. She is giving support to him and his wife as well. The other deacon is starting a telephone ministry. In this, the deacon will call a member of the congregation who lives alone or who hasn't a family close at hand. It will be with just a friendly check-in call, but will be done according to the time and needs defined by the church member. The hope here is that the ministry will expand across the congregation and not be done only by deacons.

It has been a year of trial and error; however, with the love and eagerness and new found direction that this board has to offer, I feel the coming year will bring growth in the board as individuals, knowledge of the needs within the church, and a real sense of community which everyone needs and desires.

Respectfully submitted

Cricket Gordon
Deacon chair

The Blessings continue! Thanks be to God for the privilege of getting together each month and enjoying that special camaraderie. And we are so fortunate to have our Pastor Dan; he drives the van, has so much patience, and takes such good care of us. Recently, some of our other gentlemen joined us and we are always grateful to have them present. We enjoy the tours, the scenery and the laughter that goes along with interesting conversations. Sometimes, when trips in the van are not feasible, we just meet at a convenient restaurant and that is enjoyable as well.

During the summer months, we are on hiatus, during which time we regroup and plan the coming year, and by fall everyone is anxious to resume these great get-togethers.

Some of the interesting places we were privileged to visit this year are as follows: St. Louis Post Dispatch, Historic Aircraft Museum, Weather Bureau at Weldon Springs, a tour to Augusta, MO, to see the Fall Colors, and our usual visit to the Missouri Botanical Garden to view the outstanding Christmas Display.

And, speaking of Restaurants, there were numerous suggestions and all of them were outstanding: Tucker's Place Downtown, Dierdorf & Hart's Restaurant, Madison's Restaurant on Highway 94, Schneithorst's, and Jimmy's On the Park, Ashley's Rose Restaurant in Augusta, MO, the Danielle Hotel in Clayton, and Zia's on the Hill.

Need I say more? We had a great year, and we hope more of the Trinity Retirees will become interested and will join us for a repeat performance in 2003! So, if you agree that it is a privilege and a blessing to participate in these outings on the third Thursday of each month, except for our summer hiatus, just let us know. When you see our announcements in Trinity News, just stop by or call the Church Office and your name will be added to the list. As a little reminder, we do have to know a little in advance of each trip, both for space in the van and luncheon reservations.

Hope you'll join in the FUN!

Respectfully submitted

Hazel Edick