Stewardship is not fund raising. As a Christian, I have to learn that anew each year. Fund raising is just that - raising money. Stewardship is an attitude with which Christians approach life stemming from their spiritual relationship with God.

God is the steward of our Earth, of its bounty, and of us. "The Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the World and those who dwell therein" (Psalm 24). God has given us life, a beautiful world to live in, and the tools and intelligence to make our way in it. We must share that bounty to be in a spiritual relationship with God.

As I read the Bible, I think the most provocative statement of what stewardship means is found in Matthew 6:19-21. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on Earth where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also". It is not only for others that we give and that we serve, it is for ourselves. We need to be in relationship to God, to come to God's house each Sunday, to learn, to grow spiritually. As part of our service to God, as part of our stewardship we support the Trinity with our treasure.

"For whom much is given, of them will much be required" (Luke 12:48). Much has been given us here at Trinity and we have shared this. Our stewardship builds houses, feeds people and through our mission giving, provides countless people with support and hope. Trinity also feeds and supports us, its Congregation. Both this outreach and "inreach" are very important. As we serve God and serve God's people we also meet our spiritual needs.

The contributions to the 2004 Trinity budget from the Endowment Fund ($80,000), loose offerings ($45,000), and interest from Church funds ($30,000), will be augmented this year with funds from the Apartment sale ($35,000 - approximately 10% of the sale proceeds). The total of these funds, $190,000, will pay for the operating expenses of the church (heat, light, etc.), office expenses (mailings, administrator's salary, etc.), and on-going facility needs. Your pledges will support the programs of the Church including Christian education, the Ministry of the Gospel, Worship and Music, and of course, Mission. Of these, Mission is infinitely expandable and we hope pledges will overflow so that Mission funds can likewise overflow.

This year as you consider your pledge, I hope you will consider pledging a percentage of what you earn. If we can think in these terms and increase that percentage each year with the ultimate goal of tithing we will more than meet this budget. "The point is this: they who sow sparingly will reap sparingly, and they who sow bountifully will also reap bountifully." (2 Corinthians 9:6).

Thanks be to God.

- Sandy Norkaitis

Once again this year Trinity would like to give turkeys, turkey breasts, or chickens to our Winger Food Pantry clients on November 19.

If you would like to donate a turkey, a turkey breast, or a chicken, please sign up in the dining room and have the donation at church on November 16. Most of the families who come to Food Pantry are small, so please consider turkeys between 9 and 14 pounds.

Dates:	November 9, 16, 23, 30
Time:	10:40 AM
Place:	Weems Chapel

A new look at how we gather our friends and families to honor our faith - traditions - gift-giving - age divisions - joy, laughter and fun!

A new look at all our "stuff," and gifts to a needy world!

Quote from a grandmother, "I want the children to come for Christmas because they want to!"

Quote from a mother, "All I do is shop and cook, I'll be so glad when the holidays are over."

Quote from the kids after the gifts are open, "I'm bored, do we have to stay all day?"

Quote from the Post Dispatch editorial page, "I Am, because I am, because I shop!" Oh my!!

Join this workshop

Dates - November 9, 16, 23, 30

Time - 10:40 a.m.

Location - Weems Chapel

Leaders - Do Kirk, Kim Merritt, Diane O'Brien

• Lots a smiles. . . No homework. . . No clean-up. . . No budgets. . . NO MEETINGS!
• Takes just 15 minutes more than you'd spend at church anyway for worship services.

If you can smile, hand people bulletins and walk 50 yards, YOU TOO CAN BE AN USHER! Remuneration includes opportunities to meet people, the satisfaction of providing an essential service, and the gratitude of those who get tapped for this job every week otherwise.

* * * RECRUITMENT BONUS: Bring a friend or spouse and receive extra gratitude and gold stars.

Call NOWand tell Karon Bilbrey (725-3840) which week of the month works best for you to help out.

- Diane O'Brien

Many of you are familiar with Alternative Gifts International, the non-profit interfaith agency that offers us the opportunity to send authentic, life-giving gifts to a needy world. For about the price of an evening movie, we can shelter a street child in India for two weeks, provide a night of shelter for a homeless American family, supply a month of physical therapy and counseling for a disabled child in the occupied West Bank, or purchase school supplies or chairs for boys and girls in Afghanistan. And these are just a few examples.

For the past two Novembers we've held festive markets in the dining room after services with food and booths set up to illustrate the wide variety of gifts available. This year we're trying a slightly different approach that we hope you'll find just as meaningful.

During Adult Education on November 23 we will present a short, original multi-media show, created by some of our own congregants, about the Alternative Gifts concept. Afterwards, shoppers may browse catalogues and order items, either through our committee, a toll-free call to AGI, or a visit to the AGI website.

In addition, throughout November, our Children's Sunday School classes will take part in "The Totally Excellent Chicken Mission." Brand new and unique to Trinity, this program will raise funds to purchase live chickens for Bolivia while introducing young members of our church family to the joys of reaching out to help their counterparts around the world.

Bolivia has the highest percentage of indigenous people of any country in Latin America. The majority of Bolivians live in an area where rural poverty is the most acute in South America. The average family income is only $11 per month - about the price of a pizza here. For a contribution of that same amount, however, we can provide a family with nearly a dozen chickens, which in turn provide much needed dietary protein, eggs, fertilizer for vegetable gardens, and a means to increase the family's income and self dignity.

The "Totally Excellent Chicken Mission" will be as fun for the kids as it is educational and philanthropic. We'll listen to Bolivian music and explore Andean culture. Children will vote to name a large wire chicken that will hold their donations and serve as a visual reminder of how even small contributions added together can make a big difference. And for each chicken purchased, the child will receive a chicken sticker to decorate, name and add to a barnyard mural.

We've been very happy so far with your response to the Alternative Christmas Gifts market, and we hope you'll continue to support the project and spread the word. We can build peace for our planet - one child, one family, one village at a time.

The Kingshighway reported that in November of 1953 members of the newly merged congregation were: Rehearsing for a production of the Christmas portion of Handel's Messiah. . . Organizing basketball teams. . . Participating in a Union Thanksgiving Service at First Congregational Church. . . Preparing for a Christmas Bazaar. . . And receiving a letter from the General Council of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. expressing concern about the threat of communism as well as about the House investigative committee's approach to it.

In addition, Miss Carol Oyer and Mr. Russell Kramer were united in marriage. [Congratulations on your anniversary Carol and Russ!]

- Sue Young

Our deepest feelings are the hardest to convey, but I would like to say thank you to everyone who has kept us in their prayers and visited Bob at the house and during his many trips to the hospital over the last few years. No words can express our appreciation for your friendships. So many times Bob expressed his amazement and gratitude for all the kindnesses which continually came our way. The memorial service was overwhelmingly attended: what a great blessing and support for our family. Thank you. God's grace to Dan and Don for sharing their faith journey with Bob and for all their spiritual guidance over the years. And to Dorene for her beautiful expressions of love. May faith be the hand you hold so that one day we may all take that wonderful walk with God.

- The Carter Family (owners of the Habitat House Trinity helped to build)

There are those who open their hearts to others...

who never think twice about giving of themselves.

They are the wonderful, warmhearted people who make all the difference in our lives.

Thank you for all the ways you give so much of yourself.

From: The Carter Family

2003

[owners of the Habitat House Trinity helped to build]