In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul underscores the importance of hearing as we grow in faith. Paul asks, "How are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?" For many years at Trinity we could have equally asked, "How are we to hear without an adequate sound system for those proclaiming him?" The old sound system at Trinity was comprised of components that stretch back to the 1950s. It served the church for many years but was no longer able to fill our various needs for amplification.
A couple of years ago, a small group that included Lester Bruns, Rick Hasler, Brian Schroer, Paul Vasile, Karon Bilbrey, and myself started talking about a major upgrade in our sound system. After a number of conversations, we purchased some of the equipment that we needed and started looking for a contractor to work with us. Due to a number of factors, the project then stalled. Then this past summer, we got back on track when we worked on the Trinity video. Chuck Stanton, the sound engineer with the production crew commented on our decrepit sound system and on the new equipment that we had purchased. He was deeply touched by the spirit and the ministry of Trinity Church and said he wanted to help us move ahead on installing our new sound system. So Chuck gathered some friends of his in the business, helped us get all of the components that we needed, and then he and his friends, at no charge to the church, installed all of the equipment. So not only do we have a top grade sound system, but we have a witness of God moving in our midst. I am deeply grateful to Chuck Stanton, Joe Pallazolo, and Roger Pallazolo for the generous gift of their time and expertise.The new sound system is great and now all of us can hear God's word when it is proclaimed!
I also want to give thanks to the Endowment Board for their generous support of this project. While the labor was donated, we did have to purchase all new equipment. The Endowment caught the vision (or in this case, I guess it would be correct to say, "they heard the call") and helped us move this important project forward. Vital ministry requires input from many quarters - and the Endowment Board was there when the congregation needed them. What a gift!
Bring the whole family to this Presbytery-wide event designed to help churches feel connected and share resources and ministries. Music, dance, exhibits, poetry, food, fun, AND MORE! - 9:00 opening with bagpipers and drums - worship celebration at 4:00.
A Trinity "booth" will highlight our video and other ministries. There will also be a presentation by the "Covenant Network / That All May Freely Serve / More Light Presbyterians" group from various churches that is chaired by Bob Wagoner.
This year's mission trip team, consisting of eight youth and three adults, will be commissioned in worship on June 6th. They leave on Saturday, June 12, and return on June 19th. They will travel by plane to El Paso, Texas, and then in mini-vans across the border to Juarez, Mexico. The trip is through Presbyterian Border Ministry, which matches Presbyterian churches of Mexico with Presbyterian churches in the USA for mission. The group will be staying at Verdad y Fe (Truth and Faith) Presbyterian Church of Mexico.
During the week the group will have two different mission projects. Mornings will be spent applying stucco and paint to a wall surrounding the church. Afternoons will be spent leading Vacation Bible School for neighborhood children, most of whom have never stepped foot inside the church. In addition to each team member's 30 hours of service over the the year, the group has been planning, learning about cultural differences and similarities, as well as practicing a bit of Spanish!
Please keep Ashley Bender, Kirsten Campbell, Porter Campbell, Griffin Devine, Sarah Grant, Claire Santoro, Maggie Schoeberlein, Kate Shoemaker, and Paul Devine, Diane O'Brien, and me in your prayers!
The recipients of the Scholin/Weems Scholarship Fund will be introduced during Worship on Sunday, June 6th. The Scholarship Fund, created in 1977, honors two of our beloved young parishioners, Jimmy Scholin and Todd Weems, whose untimely deaths were a loss to us all. The unselfish gifts of their parents, Ginny and Ray Scholin and Ann and Don Weems, and a host of friends have ensured their memory for generations to come in the form of college scholarships.
This year's awards will go to Porter Campbell, Katie Merritt, David Rand, Shanthi Philips, Shobha Philips, Julianne Campbell, Jennifer Gordon, Megan Merritt and Justin Thompson. We congratulate these fine young men and women as they continue their education, knowing that their church home treasures them even though they are far away.
Years ago there was a group at Trinity called the "Ladies of the Night," an extension of the Women's Association for women who could not meet during the day, but could during the evening.We loved the name, as it always brought a chuckle when we said it!
At one gathering near Christmas time we all brought white elephants as gifts to exchange along with the wonderful fellowship that we exchanged at each of our meetings. My gift to give to another friend was an elaborately wrapped package of stray socks. (You know the kind...the kind that you put in the washing machine and the dryer as a pair, but only come out as a single.) I had quite a collection of these, belonging to all members of our family. Why I kept them for years is anyone's guess, but they made quite a nice white elephant gift...maybe someone else would have the mate!
The "lucky" person who got my gift was Sue Young, who, unfortunately, did not have any of the mates! It did provide a good laugh, though, and as I recall, the evening was filled with love and laughter and fellowship.
The next year the "Ladies" gathered again for a holiday party and gift exchange. This time a beautifully wrapped gift had MY name on it... imagine that! With great anticipation I opened the package and found my old socks, now having been made into puppets by Sue and her nimble fingers and her wonderful imagination. We all had a wonderful time playing with them and in January they went to school with me and had a long life there with many children enjoying them on a regular basis in our puppet theater.
This all changed in July 2002 when a fire at school gutted my classroom and everything in it... teaching materials from 25 years and my set of beloved puppets from Sue. I was at a loss all last year, trying to create new units, getting used to new space and working harder than I ever had to make things normal. I learned a long time ago that "It's a mark of leadership to adjust" and adjust I had to.
But this story didn't end with the fire... the best was yet to come. I found great help from others, former teachers, students and parents. But everything came full circle the Sunday after Easter when Sue gave me a big shopping bag. It had all new puppets in it, this time not made from my old (Bob Young called them "dirty," but they just couldn't get spanking clean!) socks, but from her dear Bob's socks. His nickname for me had become "Socks," and I laughed at him each time he called me that. And now, his final love gift and that of Sue, was a new set of puppets for my children at school to enjoy. He is with me always and he must be smiling from above as he watches my kids make up silly stories with his socks on their arms!
"I will bless the Lord at all times; God's praise shall continually be in my mouth.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together."
There will be some wonderful opportunities to sing, ring, or play an instrument in our music ministry this summer.
On May 16, ten young people completed confirmation class and were confirmed as members of the church. They are introduced below by their elder advocates...
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Michael Cooper, the son of Kim Cooper, is an eighth grader at Crossroads School. He is a brother; he's new to confirmation class, but not new to Trinity; he is a fellow believer and follower of Christ The time that Michael and the class have spent together has been a wonderful walk. He came to confirmation class because he wanted to attend our outing to City Museum... but by some magic, maybe the Holy Spirit, he chose to continue to attend and participate in class. Michael is quiet, but always willing to share his thoughts, he is funny, independent and brave. I think it took a lot of courage to come into to a class not really knowing everyone, and not having been a part of the class for as long as some of the other kids. He has made this choice on his own, which I so admire... and he desires to become a member of Trinity... and we will be blessed to have him. Some of his feelings and thoughts about faith are awesome: "I believe in God because faith helps me live my life happily"... "The holy spirit is all around us"... I am not afraid to show my faith"... "Trinity church has touched me since I started coming"... "My faith has changed during this time." Welcome, Michael! - Kim Merritt
Blair Klostermeier is an 8th grader at Wydown Middle School in Clayton. She is the daughter of Catherine and Bob Klostermeier and the sister of Marin. She plays volleyball and softball. She enjoys vacations at the beach or snow skiing equally. Blair is a very thoughtful person. To find out how inventive and caring Blair is, just ask her mother about her Mother's Day gift this year. One of my favorite things about Blair is that she introduced me to Harry Potter years ago in Sunday School. - Sally Dunn
Kellie Jones, the daughter of Lori Luchtman-Jones and the sister of Noah Jones, is an eighth grader at Wydown Middle School. Before making the move to Clayton High School next September, she will have a busy summer - one which may include a trip to one of her favorites, Mound Ridge Camp, and to the Montreat National Presbyterian Youth Conference. Right away, Kellie and I discovered we had several things in common: prodigiously shedding cats; the German language; and a fling with flutes. As we got to know each other, I also discovered that Kellie is a very compassionate person who cares deeply about her family and friends. What impressed her about Confirmation Class? Kim and Mark! She really liked going to class. I join the entire congregation in welcoming Kellie and cheering her on in her faith journey. - Ann Fischer
James Kelton, the son of Ken and Emily Kelton of University City, attends eighth grade at Brittany Woods Middle School. He has really enjoyed the two-year communicants class with Kim and Mark, stressing how much fun it has been. When not thinking about confirmation class and his beliefs, James enjoys painting miniatures, which are small statuettes representing historical or fictional people and other beings. He certainly is an expert on the "Lord of the Rings" cycle! I have enjoyed the lunches and other activities that we have shared, and I wish James many blessings in his future. - Keith Fischer
Brian Min is the son of Linda Min and the grandson of Pamela and Charles Christopher. Brian is a student at St. Louis Charter School and will be attending St. University High School in the fall. He plays both indoor and outdoor soccer and additionally enjoys basketball when he is not maintaining a high grade point average. He was baptized at Trinity in 1990. His family has been involved with Trinity for many years with his grandparents being married in the church in 1960; his aunt Sharon Christopher is also a member of Trinity. - Jim Person
Liza Schmidt is the daughter of Sarah and Chris Schmidt, the sister of Henry and Peter. Liza is finishing up eighth grade at Wydown Middle School, where she is involved in theatre and many sports. Two of her favorite sports are soccer and basketball, which she plays outside of school as well. She devours books of all kinds and loves journaling about life. She is very artistic as well, which she incorporates into most of her writing. She looks forward to starting high school next year at Clayton High. - Stacy Shupe
I have been Laura Shoemaker's advocate this year. I feel very lucky that her advocate moved away last summer so that I had the chance to get to know her. Laura and I found out quickly that we have similar interests in music and sports. She sings in the choir at Wydown Middle School, where she is in the eighth grade. She also played four sports this year - track, basketball, soccer, and field hockey. Laura and I got to know each other better by having lunch together and attending confirmation activities. She is a very articulate and introspective young woman. She has made the decision to be baptized and join Trinity and has a real depth to her faith. Laura is looking forward to being an active member of Trinity, especially the Senior Highs. She is eager to be a part of the summer mission trip next year and may go to Montreat with the youth this summer. Congratulations, Laura! - Jenn Courtney
Zachary Roman, son of John and Joanne Roman, is a 14-year-old eighth grader at Brittany Woods School who will enter University City High School next fall. Zac will lay aside his jazz trumpet to concentrate on soccer, basketball and baseball. Generally an A-student, Zac enjoys math, but struggles a bit with Latin which has accounted for a few "B" grades. College is definitely in the future, but destination and major are undecided, although a small campus is preferred. The Roman family still lives in the Shaftesbury house where brothers Jeffery and Zachary were both born. Trinity Presbyterian Church has been a second home for the whole family. Completing the second and final year of the Confirmation Class is bittersweet for Zac who has enjoyed the zany antics of his classmates mixed with deep life experiences of Kim and Mark Merritt. Zac's most impressive activity of this year has been the consolidation of his own belief of God and Life. (Personal note: If I had a grandson I would be happy if he were just like Zac Roman.) - Tom Wilhite
Becky Serfass is an 8th grader at MICDS. She is daughter to Tom and Lynn Serfass, fairly new members to Trinity. Becky chose at the time of their joining to participate in confirmation class and explore her faith. Becky has been a vibrant member of the confirmation class, always willing to share her thoughts and feelings. She showed a lot of courage to join us half way through our two-year study, but watching her with the group, it feels as if she has been with us forever. Her enthusiasm and excitement to learn and discover her faith have been a joy to watch. She has felt very blessed to have found a "second home" here at Trinity and with joining, she is hoping to continue her faith exploration, along with being an active participant in the life of Trinity. In addition to becoming a member of Trinity and publicly declaring her faith, she also was baptized. Please welcome Becky as a partner in faith. - Kim Merritt
Nick Weible is the son of Ann and Greg Weible and grandson of Maxine Story. Nick will be a freshman at Pattonville Senior High in the Fall. He is an accomplished musician, playing the violin, guitar, piano, and recently joining Trinity's handbell choir. Nick's summer will be filled with many activities including a trip to France, and working-out in preparation for cross-country this Fall. - Bob Wagoner
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A NOTE FROM ANN WEIBLE: if you would like a CD of the pictures that I took from the choir loft during the Confirmation Sunday service, please email me at annybull@brick.net. I will make copies and then leave them in the Confirmation Room with the orderers' names on them. You could also call and leave a message with me or with Karon in the church office, although email works best. I thought some of the parents, advocates etc. would like some pictures. I won't be editing them for each group and you can pick which ones you want. You can take the CD to Walmart, Target, Walgreens etc. and have them printed there if you don't have a PC.
Mike wanted to share this story on May 9 when the congregation wished him farewell as he moves to Omaha.
A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed a suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer and he started his journey.
When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man. He was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie.
The man gratefully accepted it and smiled at the boy. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer. Again, he smiled. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.
As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old man, and gave him a hug. He gave him his biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?
He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? He's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"
Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, "Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?"
He replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." However, before his son responded, he added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally!
And .......Thanks for touching my life.
When you've been reaching through the air
and nearly grasped a rainbow,
felt its cool moistness on your hand,
bathed in its color, taken on its hues,
begun to shape yourself to arching hope -
quietly, the rainbow withdraws. But
you are not the same as you once were.
Your hand has been touched,
moved into curving over, reaching out,
carrying the memory and promise of hope
into the streets,
strewing essence of rainbow
as you meet your neighbor.
When hope wanes,
and courage crouches in a corner,
God be with us.
When voices whine or snarl or shout
especially when they are our own voices,
Emmanuel, be with us.
When life seems all uphill,
and no candles light the darkness,
God, be with us, ever.
God, be with us...
and bring us to others with your love;
for those who have been hurt can truly comfort.
Those who have struggled know best to lend a
hand.
Those having known loneliness may be most open
to loving.
Those who have lost hope best know
the joy of finding it once more.
Let the light of hope reach our lives;
Lord, take us,
Shake us up,
and scatter us abroad, in your name,
Emmanuel.
Heartland Home Health Care & Hospice is conducting a hospice volunteer training on Friday, June 25, 2004. It will begin at 9:00 a.m. with breakfast goodies and end at approximately 4:30 p.m. Lunch and all training materials will also be provided. For more information, or to RSVP for this event, please call 1-800-338-6667. Our program provides love and support to terminally ill patients and their families in your community. Please come be a part of caring and sharing with your neighbors.