When we take the Gospels as a whole, Jesus speaks seven times from the cross. While Lent is the time that leads up to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, this Lent I want to explore how Jesus' words from the cross call us to grow in our faith. Each of these sayings become invitations to us to share with Christ in his suffering and is also an invitation into a fuller life with him. In a series entitled "Last Words," each week I will focus on one of "words" from the cross, and more specifically on one word from the passage. Since Lent has six weeks , the last "word" from the cross will be featured on Easter - along with the Easter story. I invite you begin each week by meditating on the word for the week.
February
29- First Sunday in Lent - Last
Words: Forgive
"Father,
forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." -
March
7- Second Sunday in Lent - Last
Words: Today
"Truly
I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise." -
March
14- Third Sunday in Lent - Last
Words: Behold
"Woman,
behold, your son!" -
March
21- Fourth Sunday in Lent - Last
Words: Why
"My
God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" -
March
28- Fifth Sunday in Lent - Last
Words: Thirsty
"I
am thirsty." -
April
4- Sixth Sunday in Lent/Palm Sunday
- Last Words: Your
"Father,
into your hands I commend my spirit." -
April
11- Easter Sunday - First Words: Finished
"It
is finished." -
The Adult Education Planning Team is sponsoring an adult education class discussing how using Lenten practices can enhance our spiritual lives, using as one tool Making All Things New by Henri Nouwen. The six-week class, beginning the first Sunday of Lent and ending on Palm Sunday, will be co-led by Linda Anderson-Little and Tina Newberry. Books will be provided or available for purchase. To indicate interest in class participation or to ask questions, call Tina Newberry (961-1931) or email tmnewberry@prodigy.net.
Lent affords a special opportunity to experience God's Open Door through prayer, meditation and reflection. With that in mind, Trinity's Prayer Group is planning several services and welcomes your participation.
On Tuesdays during Lent, between 7 and 8 pm, Weems Chapel will be open for informal and unstructured reflection and prayer. Participants can enter and leave at any time so as to move freely between the service in the Chapel and the Spirituality Center. The Center, available in the Dining Room on Ash Wednesday, will also be available on Tuesdays during Lent between 6:30 and 8:00 PM, to provide an inviting setting for quiet personal prayer interacting with tactile and visual materials.
For more information, please contact Dan Anderson-Little or Prayer Group members Stacy Shupe (chair), Betty Burnett, Lynn Reid, or Hu Walsh.
McLaren's "new kind of Christian" is tentative door-opener, rather than a swashbuckling Truth-pusher. No one knows - least of all New Kind - what this strange door will open onto; maybe it will be truth, or even Truth, but just as easily the sands could shift, the wind could reverse direction, and whoops! on go the postmodern funhouse lights.
Does that mean we have to be ready for anything? Sort of. It more likely means we will put our theologies in mothballs, become more dependent on our various communities of faith, and listen to our hearts.
McLaren uses a dialog between a burned-out evangelical preacher and a high school science teacher to explore his ideas about what being a Christian means today and what it will mean in the years ahead. It is possible that Christians can live their truth, rather than pontificate about it, igniting Roman candles to light the way to an earth-friendly, people-friendly style of living. Maybe it'll turn out that New Kind is really very, very old.
Diane O'Brien has been facilitating discussion of McLaren's ideas in Adult Education. The book is available at church. McLaren's newest book, The Story We Find Ourselves In: Further Adventures of a New Kind of Christian is waiting in the wings.
The format of this year's Session meetings allows time for Sharing what is going on in our lives and in the life of the church, Prayers, an Omni-motion in which we approve routine business of the Session, and time for Learning and Growth, and Sharing our Ministry. The majority of our time is allocated to Sharing our Ministry, when commission chairs share the work of their commissions - their vision, dreams, and need for support. The other major block of time is devoted to Learning and Growth. In our first two meetings we have explored: 1. How we can best implement our duty "to strengthen and nurture the faith and life of our congregation" and 2. Building a ministry team and effective leadership of teams.
This is my first term on the session. I have left each meeting energized and thankful for the unique gifts of our leaders and members. Dan Anderson-Little has devised a format where business is addressed in a timely manner and the focus of our discussions is on team building, listening, and support of the efforts and passions of members. It is evident that the Session is dedicated to exploring creative ways to work together in our continued efforts to grow as a community of faith. Indeed, "The answer to 'How?' is 'Yes'".
Interested in building connections among Trinity members and friends outside Sunday worship and adult education? Looking for ways to get to know people better?
Several new small groups are forming, and these, along with some existing Trinity groups, will participate in a Small Group Fair on Sunday, March 7, during the coffee hour following adult education. Here is a snapshot of some of the existing and planned groups:
Bible Study. This Tuesday night group grew from a class on spiritual gifts; it focuses on a desire to have a deeper awareness of those gifts, of our faith and each other, and to be united by a transforming Bible study. The group does not have a set curriculum and welcomes new participants. Topics have ranged from music to scripture and the disciples. Those looking for new ways to explore relationships, challenges and faith are invited to come on Tuesdays at 7 p.m., normally in the Youth Lounge. Contact Bob or Sue Parks (863-8415).
FEAST (Fellowship, Eating And Sharing Together). Formerly the Young Adult Fellowship, FEAST happens on the 2nd Saturday of each month, at 5:30 p.m. The gathering, involving a potluck dinner hosted in the home of a group member, provides time for socializing for adults in their 20s and 30s.The group is diverse - single and married, gay and straight, parents and non-parents who gather to know each other socially, support each other through joys and concerns and have meaningful conversations about spiritual matters. Participants are welcome as their schedule allows. For more information, contact Liz Nelson at 314-862-7466.
Presbyterian Women. This long-standing gathering of women meets on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. at the church for fellowship, prayer, sharing, writing and for special projects. All women are welcome to join this fellowship of caring. For more information, contact Genny Richmond.
Simpler Living. Not enough time, money, peace in your life? Can less reallybe more? What is the distinction between "I want" and "I need"? A study group is forming which will address the questions "What do we really want?" The group will use Simpler Living, Compassionate Life, which explores voluntary simplicity as a path to spiritual wholeness and abundance. The group, which will meet at 7 p.m. on Sunday evenings twice a month in Trinity's Youth Lounge, will also be encouraged to listen to one another's stories and discuss fundamental issues of life. The resource, intended to stimulate reflection about how much is enough and the value of sharing, is called a "gospel-based antidote" to our high-priced, high-stress American culture. For more information, contact co-facilitators Betty Burnett or Chris Schmidt.
Spiritual Autobiography. Telling your faith story, or hearing another's, can be a profound and enriching event. But many of us do not know where to begin or how to proceed in discovering the connections between our stories and the Story. Using as a resource Remembering Your Story: Creating Your Own Spiritual Autobiography by Richard L. Morgan, participants will be able to explore the meanings in their lives in a small group context. We hope that as we share our memories, family stories and life's transitions, we also will connect to what is universally bonding. The group will meet at 7 p.m. on Sunday evenings twice a month in a participant's home. For more information, contact co-facilitators Ann Fischer, Stacy Shupe or Cathy Smith.
Trinity Retirees. Celebrating life is the theme of this group that gathers on the 3rd Thursday of each month for fellowship, fun and outings. Lunch at new and interesting places often is on the menu, and all retirees are invited and encouraged to participate in the group's conversation, friendship and good humor. For more information, contact Hazel Edick or Genny Richmond.
Second Saturday. A time of fellowship and fun. Details are still being worked out, but for more information, contact Jim Person.
As is apparent, opportunities exist for adults of all ages and interests. Come check it out on March 7 during the coffee hour, or contact a facilitator, to connect with the group that is right for you!
It's not that we don't think about the pain and suffering of the rest of the world. We are bombarded daily by news organizations that bring these stories into our homes. Rather, we may feel that as individuals we cannot have an effect on these massive problems - war, famine, earthquakes, and more. We want to share our Christian love and resources, but will it matter, will it have an effect?
The answer, I think, is to support committed Presbyterians who, bolstered by the national church, give their time using their own and others' treasure to serve God and serve the people around the world.
The greatest example of a small contribution serving may is cited in John 6:9. Peter says to Jesus, "There is a boy here who has five small barley loaves and two fish, but how far will that go among many?" How far indeed! We know how many this meager food store served that day. Even more than our turkeys at Thanksgiving!
Through contributions to the "One Great Hour or Sharing" on April 4, our small gifts joined with thousands of others can perform miracles, large and small., for persons who have been displaced or are hungry or suffer a disaster in their lives. The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has its mission to help those thousands around the globe who have experienced such disasters. Last year in Liberia, in Malawi, in El Salvador, Louisiana, and Memphis, Tennessee, this organization supported by our denomination and ultimately by you and me brought solace to people suffering after a disaster.
In the coming weeks, we will hear about this and other organizations of our denomination supported by One Great Hour of Sharing. Last year Trinity responded generously to this appeal. The need is no less this year. Please support this important ministry of our church. It's remarkable what our gifts will do.
The peanut butter Souper Bowl Competition officially ended February 15, when Dr. Dan announced that the kids had "creamed and crunched" the adults with Peanut Butter. The final score was 134-58. Congratulations to Captain Shoemaker and her team of kids. Our food pantry clients will have peanut butter for the next 13 weeks because of your efforts.
Bonus challenge: Joanna Shoemaker did the math in a jiffy. Can you? If each jar of peanut butter makes 15 sandwiches, and each person eats two sandwiches, how many people have we fed?
Thank you to all who participated. It was fun, and look for a rematch!
Our weaving has found a home - in the Dining Room. When it was taken off the loom I'm not sure what I expected, but this limp, loose conglomeration of yarn was a bit of a surprise. What to do with it now?
After a few sleepless nights and much discussion, a plan emerged...It was backed with pellon. Kitty Underwood was persuaded to help sew on heavy romex wire. Harold Glad was persuaded to remove the old bulletin board and repair and paint the wall. Jan Hawks, Kitty Kirk, Kim Merritt were persuaded to hang it up.
Then I sat back and looked it over. I must say, it is absolutely COOL! Enjoy it. Touch it gently. Find your piece of yarn. Read the reflections in the scrapbook. And say "Wow! How blessed we are." Amen
As I looked around the sanctuary one Sunday morning during worship, I noticed that few of Trinity's youth were in attendance. That did not make sense to me. The sermons are enlightening and evocative. The music is varied in style and performed with polish and grace. Sunday morning worship is marvelous here! Why wouldn't all of our kids attend? Why would we not be drawing carloads of late teens and early twenty-somethings in to worship? Particularly when we are surrounded by college age students?
In reading about and discussing this phenomenon with others, I have found that many churches are "losing" their young adult membership or not attracting unchurched young adults to worship. How wonderful it would be to keep that group connected with the church.
In an effort to minister to the young adult membership at and around Trinity, I proposed to Dan an idea for an additional worship service that would incorporate popular music, dynamic imagery, modern technology, postmodern thought and reformed theology, all in an intimate setting conducive to discussion and sharing. The vision was to incorporate the elements of worship set forth in the Presbyterian Book of Order without losing spontaneity. I also asked Janet Mote for her input and her support by allowing me to begin this experiment with the Trinity Senior Highs. I have discussed the service with the Worship and Music Commission and received support of the Session, which called me into a Lay Pastor relationship with Trinity, allowing me to celebrate the Lord's Supper during the service.
With this support, we have begun a new worship service called The Gathering. We have met twice and plan to meet once a month for the next year, including the summer. We are meeting in homes of various members of the congregation, much as the emerging church did almost 2000 years ago as "they broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God." We spend about three hours together in worship, focusing on current movies, popular music, scripture, and God's place in our lives. Our discussions have been lively, meaningful, and prayerful. We have truly been blessed to share our time together, to draw parallels between psalms and modern poetry, and to recognize God's ever presence in a world that can sometimes seem un-Godly.
It is my prayer that, in offering an additional worship opportunity, more specifically geared toward the fast paced, multi-media, instant messaging, multi-tasking, ever questioning youth we can establish and/or maintain the importance of Worship and fellowship in their daily lives. For some, this will happen in Sunday morning worship. But for many others, we will need to present the timeless story of God's love in Jesus Christ in new ways.
On March 7, we will officially recognize this ministry during both our Sunday morning worship, and at The Gathering. I thank God for the opportunity to continue to expand and broaden the diversity of our community. And I thank God for the support of this community.
At the February Session meeting, elders' Commission assignments were finalized. I'd like to let the entire community know about the structure which embodies and carries out our life and missions together. I also want to extend a hearty invitation to any who is interested to consider joining a team! To do so, just speak with me or with the team/commission chair.
Rachel Bowell and Nancy Wagoner, Co-chairs
Brian Schroer, elder member
Youth Service Ministry Team
Paul Devine, Commissioned Lay Pastor
Usher Team
Luise Hoffman and Mike Krivonak, Coordinators
Liturgist Team
Rachel Bowell, Coordinator
Norma Vavra, Chair
Nursery & Preschool Team
PreK - 6th Grade Team (includes Workshop Rotation, VBS, Worship School, 1st-6th Grade Fellowship)
Youth Team (Confirmation and Senior Highs)
Adult Education
Tina Newberry, Coordinator
Small Group Ministry
David Hotaling, Coordinator
Liz Nelson, Bob and Sue Parks, Cathy Smith,
Betty Burnett and Chris Schmidt, and Jim Person, Group Leaders
Jane Gibbons, Chair
Beth David, Chair
Mary Nielsen, Chair
Local Mission Funding Team
Melissa Kreishman, elder member
Food Pantry Team
Sandy Norkaitis, Coordinator
Covenant Network
Dawn Mahoney, Moderator
Shut-in Team
Short-term Needs Team
Prayer Ministry Team
Keith Fischer, Chair
John Roman, Chair
Tom Wilhite, elder member
Janet Hoyne, Chair
Kitty Underwood, elder member
Cathy Smith, President
Clerk of Session - John Roman
Assistant Clerk of Session - Norma Vavra
President of the Corporation - Keith Fischer
Vice-President of the Corporation - Mary Nielsen
Nominating Committee Chair - Beth David
Nominating Committee Member - Rachel Bowell
Scholin-Weems Scholarship Committee Member - Kitty Underwood
Each spring, the Personnel Commission coordinates annual performance reviews for all church employees. The reviews include accomplishments over the past year, areas for growth, and goals for the coming year. We would welcome your input. The final evaluations need to reflect everyone's views, not a select few. Please either talk to a Personnel Commission member, put a note in our mailbox in the church office, and/or e-mail Janet Hoyne at jhoyne@charter.net .We need the information by April 1st. Thanks for participating in helping our church grow.