Weekly Newsletter 2-25-21
Trinity Presbyterian Church PC(U.S.A.)
Welcoming you to share the joy of Christ
Worshiping Together | Serving Together | Caring Together
February 25, 2021
From Pastor Chris
In the early days of Trinity, the Session adopted a series of statements outlining our Mission, Vision, Values, and Beliefs. (You can read them here) In the years since, we have worked to live into these statements so they may be more than words on a page, and be sincere reflections of who our community is and seeks to be. We have taken concrete actions to join with others in this work as well, such as joining the Matthew 25 Initiative, working with Eden Village, and becoming certified as an Earth Care Congregation.
Last Sunday, the Session took another step in this process of putting our values into action. One of our Value Statements reads, in part, "We welcome and respect all people – including those of all gender identities [and] sexual orientations ... to worship, serve, and fellowship together." To help us fully embrace this value, Trinity has joined The Covenant Network of Presbyterians. Since 1997, The Covenant Network has worked for the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in the life and leadership of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), seeking to engage, educate, and equip congregations like ours as we strive to live into our values.
Trinity has, from our inception, been a congregation committed to generous hospitality and faithful justice. By joining The Covenant Network we not only join our commitment with that of hundreds of other congregations around the nation, but we also get access to resources to help us do this work more effectively. From help fostering meaningful dialogue around tough topics, to a deep archive of curriculum and study materials, we don't have to reinvent the wheel.
I am proud of Trinity for the work we have done, and will do, to fully embrace our values, not just in word, but in action. If you have questions, or would like to know more about how Trinity is working to live into our values, please reach out.
Peace,
Pastor Chris
Trinity Engagement Opportunity
Generosity and Engagement Committee
We have opportunities that you may want to explore!! The Generosity and Engagement committee would love to grow its members.
Our goals are to be good stewards of our congregation, community, and the earth. We organize an annual Engagement Fair and the fall pledge campaign. We also focus on Creation care, stewards of our Earthly gift from God.
No experience needed, just a heart to see Trinity continue to flourish serving God’s will. If you would like more information, you can contact any of our members: Patty Dunn, John Rush, Max Perryman, Lois Zerrer and Jim Eggers. My contact information is dunnhouse7201@att.net or 417-861-9382.
This committee meets monthly, but the focus is mainly a few months in the spring and a few months in the fall. We are a fun group so please consider joining us.
Thank you and blessings, your Elder Patty Dunn
Crosslines Food Drive Results
At our most recent Crosslines Food Drive, members of Trinity donated 848 lbs. of non-perishable food to help needy families in our community.
Carla's Corner
Here comes the sun! I am a sucker for the snow but I must admit this past week has been quite challenging, even for a cold-weather lover like myself. No school, no sun, no water for 1 day (yes, we did have a pipe burst), and still living with the pandemic. But we were not alone in the cold snap that greatly affected parts of our country. Thinking of all living things trying to navigate the sub-zero temps was very upsetting to me, but it helped knowing that our church and Brentwood is a shelter that accepts couples and their animals in conditions such as these. I'm actually very proud of all the mission work our church does. With all of the professing "Christians" in the city of Springfield, I'm really glad to be with those who truly believe in being the hands and feet of Jesus! I think we can probably say that Trinity might be a bright ray of sunlight in somebody's cold, sunless, challenging day too! Here comes the sun!
Virtual Youth Sunday Night: 1st & 3rd Sunday of the Month
This past Sunday was our first virtual Sunday since Reed left. I attended an APCE workshop about virtual youth time and I'm anxious to try some new things with our kiddos who like this type of connection. We had 5 kids attend and I was so happy to get to see their faces! We began with a little Ice Breaker called "Getting to Know You Better", which has each person share something others might not know about themselves, plus another little game involving 3 random objects. All I can say is, Ansley Arquitt has a future in "rapping" if she so chooses! We played a few games and had some laughs. We are always open to any youth (6th grade to 12th grade) who would like to join us! Here is our Zoom link: Meeting ID: 839 5703 1950. Password: Trinity
How It Works
This Sunday, one of our musical spots will be pics you have sent me set to music! This was inspired by Bill Havens texting me a pic last week which said "warm thoughts for a cold day." Have you ever wondered about the process behind our Sunday virtual service? Well, I'm gonna tell you! By Thursday of each week, Robert and I send our recorded files of musical selections to Pastor Chris. Pastor Chris then takes all of these files, plus what he has to create for the service, and puts them into an iMovie. He then uploads that to our YouTube channel. Depending on the length of the service and the wi-fi connection, this can take hours. When making a hymn, I record the organ/piano part and send it to Robert (or whoever else I can convince to sing our hymn) and they make an audio of their voice and send it back to me. I then put both recordings together, insert words, and tweak everything until I'm satisfied. It has been a steep learning curve. It literally takes hours making hymns and other recordings for our service. I have really enjoyed learning more "techie" things, but I will be glad when we can gather together again!
Music For This Sunday and Picture Request for March 7th
This Sunday we will have a guest vocalist, Jennifer Forni. Jenn is one of my good friends and many of you have heard her singing solo with the Springfield Symphony, as she is still singing professionally in the U.S. and world. Jenn is going to be singing a song entitled "Full of Grace." I had originally planned to include our pics with the theme "Warm thoughts for a cold day" but I decided this would work better next week. This also gives you more time to text or email me your pics that warm the heart. Kids, grandkids, flowers, nature, pets, and the list goes on..... I will need the pics by Wednesday, March 3. You can text them to me at 417-849-6865 or email them to me at carlaw@trinityspringfieldpcusa.org We will also hear the piano stylings of Sharon Reed this week for our offertory!
Thank You!
This week I would like to thank the Garvin, Arquitt, Miller and Companik families for helping with our Rare Breed sacked meals. I'm very excited that Kate Companik's grandson, Drew, has volunteered to help with our Rare Breed meals! Welcome aboard, Drew! The more the merrier! Our next Rare Breed sacked meal offering will be March 26.
A Very Special Gift!
I would like to thank Jan, Greg, and Spencer Redfern, who have donated a marvelous electronic baby grand piano in memory of Jerry. We will use this keyboard in the chapel, where our choir rehearsals will be held once we are back together again. It is a Kurzweil keyboard, which is one of the top brands! Jerry was such a great musician and friend to all of us at Trinity. This is a wonderful way to honor his memory as he will be greatly missed in our choir! Thank you to Jan, Greg, and Spencer!
Trinity Book Club
Do you love to read? Do you ever want to discuss books you have read? Do you need recommendations for future reading material? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you may enjoy the Trinity Book Club which meets (via Zoom for now) on the second Monday at 7:00.
Upcoming books:
March 8-Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe
If you are interested, contact Penni Groves at pennimarie@msn.com or 417-840-5264.
The Common Table Podcast
Each week Pastor Chris is joined by a guest to discuss life, faith, and where we are on the journey. From Trinity members and staff to local ministry leaders and community members, there's always room at The Common Table! Listen and learn more at: https://commontablepodcast.com
UPDATED: Volunteer Opportunity: Brentwood Emergency Cold Weather Shelter
Throughout the pandemic, Trinity has been working to help meet the emerging needs of our community. One of the most pressing needs is emergency shelter for those without a safe place to stay at night. Our facility partners at Brentwood have received authorization to open our Fellowship Hall as an Emergency Cold Weather Couple's Shelter. This is especially important, as shelter space for couples is almost non-existent.
Since our shelter is designated an "emergency cold weather shelter" that means we open on nights when the temperature is forecast to be below freezing for more than four hours. This is based on the guidelines from the City of Springfield for this kind of shelter.
UPDATED: There are now two ways to volunteer for the shelter: as an overnight volunteer OR as a cleaning volunteer. Overnight volunteers make sure needs are met while guests are at church and take a 1/2 night shift. Cleaning volunteers come in during the day to make sure Fellowship Hall is cleaned and ready for the next night. Additionally, Brentwood has put together an "Amazon Wishlist" for items and supplies used at the shelter; you may purchase directly from the wishlist and have them shipped to the church, or you may purchase comparable items locally and drop them off at the office.
Sign up to volunteer, or find the wishlist, at these links:
Cleaning Volunteers:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084fa5a82ca7fe3-brentwood
Overnight Volunteers:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d44acac22a7fece9-brentwood
Amazon Wishlist
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/20RX40LA4E2CG?ref_=wl_share
OR contact Pastor Emily with Brentwood to get more information. Her email address is: rev.emily.bowen@gmail.com
Worship With Trinity
Even though the pandemic means we aren't gathered together in the same physical space, we are still worshiping together at a church family. Find our latest worship service, plus weekly resources for families, devotional links, and much more on our worship page.
https://trinityspringfieldpcusa.org/worship
February & March Birthdays at Trinity
Take a moment to say a prayer of thanks for these members of our Trinity family this month
Feb 4 Daphne Anderson
Feb 7 Emmett Douglas
Feb 11 Ansley Arquitt
Feb 13 Ronora Correll
Feb 13 Connor Holliday
Feb 14 Barbara Highley
Feb 15 Reed Dressler
Feb 17 Brenda Williams
Feb 19 Caleb Conaway
Feb 19 Joshua Conaway
Feb 19 Pamela Schlemmer
Feb 23 Sarah Gugliotta
Feb 24 Cynthia Oliver
Feb 27 Betty Forrester
Feb 27 Susan Uffmann
March 10 Jake Crites 8
March 10 Gayleen Jones
March 10 Sharon Marsh
March 11 Brenda Kane
March 12 Katherine Miller 2
March 12 Grace Schroff
March 13 James Minton
March 15 Eric Havens
March 16 David Miller 5
March 17 Patricia Stone
March 18 Cletus Johnson
March 24 Mary Kay Hoops
March 24 Jerri Ilkiw
March 25 Walt Kernohan
March 25 Barbara Willett
March 26 Jo Ellen Willis
If you would like to be included in our birthday list, please be sure to update your records with the church office before your birthday occurs. You may call or email your information.
Remaining Connected During Social Distancing
Even though we aren’t together for in-person worship, there is still a lot happening with your Trinity family right now. To see the latest, and how you can get involved in safe ways, visit our News & Updates page on the church website: https://trinityspringfieldpcusa.org/news
Sunday School Classes
Topical Discussions Fellowship:
Three Week Study from the Thoughtful Christian - What Does the Lord Require?
Feb 28- Walk Humbly- Carole Hudgings facilitating
We encourage anyone who doesn’t have a Sunday school home to join us for fellowship, discussion, and new insights into our faith. Furthermore, with our Zoom format for a little bit longer, the coffee will always be ‘just the way you like it’.
The Lectionary Class meets via Zoom at 9:30 a.m. on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month.
The Salt and Topical Discussion Classes meet via Zoom from 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. on Sunday mornings.
Resources
Contacting Pastor Chris
I want to be the best support I can for you. Here is how to get in touch:
The easiest way is by email: cmiller@trinityspringfieldpcusa.org
I am also available by phone or text at 816.805.2742
I am in the office most days, Monday through Thursday. I am currently holding personal meetings / counseling sessions outside under the covered Trinity entrance. Call or email to schedule a time for us to meet.
NOTE ABOUT FRIDAYS: I take Friday as my Sabbath day to focus on my family. I try to not reply to email, phone, or text. However, if there is an urgent pastoral issue, please contact Deacon Sharon Marsh at 417.880.5988/smarsh43@icloud.com or Deacon Greg Redfern at 417.225.2435/jredfern1313@gmail.com and they will make any necessary arrangements. If you have an immediate need to speak with a pastor and it is a Friday or Chris isn’t in town, you may call Rev. Bill Havens at 417.350.4507.
Prayer Concerns
If you or someone you love want to be included on the prayer list, please let the office know. (Always get permission before submitting information.) Also, when you want your name removed from the prayer list (or an update added), please let the office know at 417-450-2544 or office@trinityspringfieldpcusa.org.
Greg Redfern is in the hospital recovering from surgery for colon cancer.
For Jeanne, Mary Erin Miller's mother, as she continues treatment and evaluation for pancreatic cancer.
For Teresa Olsen's brother, Craig, who lives in a care facility and has been diagnosed with Covid-19.
For friends of David and Susan Hart who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Brenda Havens continues to face health challenges and appreciates your continued prayers.
For Chris Plate and his family, as he continues medical treatment.
For Charlotte Dugan, as she receives medical care.
QUICK NOTES
TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 3486, Springfield, MO 65808-3486 | 1900 E. Barataria Street | 417-450-2544 | office@trinityspringfieldpcusa.org
Learn more about Trinity Presbyterian Church at http://TrinitySpringfieldPCUSA.org
Be sure to follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/trinitypcusaspmo/
Learn more about the denomination at http://www.pcusa.org
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Have something to add to our newsletter? Please send submissions to David Bohnenkamper at dabohnenkamper@gmail.com by Monday at 6:00 p.m.
