Trinity Newsletter for November 13, 2025
2026 Pledge Update
Through November 8, the church has received 75 pledges for next year’s operating budget, totaling $377,454. Last year we received 70 pledges totaling $362,454. Thank you for your generous support and vote of confidence in Trinity!
Don't Get Hit
The driving area between the building and parking spots on the west side is not wide. Please pull all the way forward when utilizing those spaces. We have had a few near-miss moments in recent weeks, according the volunteers who staff the Welcome Desk.
Per Capita
The per capita assessment for 2026 will be $42.50. Per capita is the amount that churches pay to the Presbytery for each member to cover the cost of higher levels of church government. Members are encouraged to pay this amount, some see it as part of their annual pledge, while others make an added gift to the church.
Trinity gets a lot of return for the per capita we pay. The guidance our Pastoral Nominating Committee is receiving during the search process is paid for by per capita.
You can write a check to Trinity and put “per capita” on the memo line or make a one-time donation through the website. Every little bit helps.
Tidings of Comfort and Joy
A Concert of Carols from Ilace Mears
and David Wilson (and friends)
Sunday, December 7; 6:00 p.m.
Trinity/Brentwood sanctuary
In the midst of the Advent bustle, enjoy an evening of peace listening to beloved tunes of the season played on hammered dulcimer, mountain dulcimer, fiddle, mandolin, and, perhaps, other things with or without strings! Ilace and David, both National Dulcimer Champions, are teaming up again to create musical magic that is guaranteed to lower your blood pressure and raise your spirit. Sing along with your holiday favorites! This concert is a gift to the community. All are welcome! Bring a friend or two.
Dinner for Ekklesia
Trinity members recently provided dinner for MSU students at Ekklesia in the MultiCultural House on Cherry. Some of you may remember the Ecumenical Center at MSU and this is the new location and name for the ministry (it still comes up as United Ministries in Higher Education on Google maps). Our own Howard Cavner served as director for years and his administrative assistant was our own Betty Forrester, so we have strong ties to the organization. Betty was instrumental in setting up our first engagement with the students and was quite at home among them. PCUSA is one of the denominations associated with the ministry, so it is a natural fit for us. The next opportunity to provide a meal for the group will be next semester. Stay tuned and thank you to all who participated!
Mr. Rogers Sweater Drive
Beginning Sunday, November 1 there will be three plastic bins at the West entrance. This is the beginning of our Mr. Rogers Sweater Drive. However, this year we are asking for only new items for high school, middle school, and elementary children. All items will be donated to Care to Learn. We are asking for new hoodies, sweatshirts, gloves, hats, scarves, coats, and hygiene items. As the bins get full they will be taken to Care to Learn . The bins will be available through Saturday, December 7 at the Presbyterian Women Christmas brunch.
Care To Learn made an announcement in the News-Leader that they are in crisis for clothing items such as coats, sweaters, shoes, socks, and hygiene items. Please begin purchasing these items as soon as possible so we can help out Care to Learn and the children in our community. I am sure they would take a cash donation also if you want to drop one off. Care to Learn is located at 1047 South Glenstone.
HotHands Collection
We will be collecting HotHands throughout Cold Weather Shelter Season, which starts Saturday, Nov. 1 and runs through March 31. In recent years, different organizations have held big collection drives of HotHands, building up the stash available to help our unsheltered friends and neighbors. That has not happened this year and circumstances are all the more critical. You can drop off individual packs or whole cases in the Collections tub across from the Sanctuary. We will share them during our outreach dinners, through the shelter at the Fairbanks, and on occasions when we open our fellowship hall to be a Severe Weather Emergency Plan (SWEP) shelter during major winter weather events.
Liturgists for October
We are grateful to the following people who are sharing their gifts with Trinity by serving as liturgists during the month of October.
Nov. 16 - Bill Trotter
Nov. 23 - Theresa Olsen
Nov. 30 - Susan Uffmann
If you would like to serve as liturgist, please contact Martha Bledsoe.
Slides Before Worship Service
If your group would like to get slides in the pre-service announcement time, they need to email them to Robert Reed.
Prayer Chain
There are currently 16 people on Trinity’s Prayer Chain. Pray-ers receive text messages whenever someone requests prayer. Prayer requests can be as specific or general as the requester wants. Two people were added to the Prayer Chain after filling out Helping Hands at Trinity Connects on January 26. If you would like to be added to the Prayer Chain, please text Pastor Tom at 920-237-9840. If you would like to request prayer, please text Pastor Tom at 920-237-9840.
Contacting the Church Office
To reach Alyssa Spradlin, Director of Communication & Administrative Ministries, to communicate with the church office use this and only this email address:
Screen Time?
Our wonderful AV team would like to request that if you ever need anything put on the screens for any service that is held at Trinity, please let us know in advance so we can load things into the program properly. Sometimes it is very hard to load things moments before an event. Thank you for this consideration.
Lost and Found
Wondering where your pen, mug, charger, book, hat, sunglasses, or other elusive item is? Items turned into the church office will be placed in our new Lost & Found tubs, located on the shelf above the accessibility devices near the West entrance.
Wiggle Room
Everyone is welcome in the sanctuary. If you have a fussy child and would like to step out while continuing to participate in worship, please feel free to make use of our new Wiggle Room in Room 14. The room is outfitted with comfortable chairs, a changing table, a small bathroom, and a new (to us) television mounted on the wall, showing the livestream. Please note that children in the Wiggle Room must be accompanied by a grownup who brought them. Children three-and-under can be dropped off in the Nursery in Room 12.
Trinity Sunday School Classes
Sunday School opportunities for all ages. Please consider joining us in exploring our faith and learning from one another in spaces of grace and love. All classes begin at 10:15 a.m.
Children's Class
A broad overview of important Bible stories we plan to study this fall:
How the Bible came to us, the 2 stories of Creation, The Covenant with Noah, The Covenant with Abraham & Sarah, The Brothers Esau & Jacob, Joseph and his brothers, Moses and the Exodus. In December we will look at stories related to the birth of Jesus.
We hope to also schedule a fun event with children from Westminster, Bell Ringing during Worship Service and the chance to make Christmas Crafts and Cookies. Stay Tuned.
Adult Class- Room 17
Room 17 Adult Class Schedule:
Nov. 8-22: Light of the World by biblical scholar, author and professor Amy-Jill Levine. This book and video study explores the biblical texts surrounding the birth of Jesus by helping understand the historical context and insights into Jesus' religious tradition, Judaism.
Nov. 29- Dec. 20: Our class will again pair Advent study with materials from A Sanctified Art. Discussion will surround the visual art, poetry and music which will also be used in worship during the Advent season.
Our discussion-style class is open to all. Please contact Amy Price or Daphne Anderson with any questions.
Topical Discussions Class
Please join with us for Sunday School weekly in the Fellowship Hall. We enjoy good fellowship, hot coffee, and delicious treats as we discuss God’s presence in our daily lives.
In November, our topics include:
November 16 - Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus..………………..….Marsha Landrith
November 23 - Advent: Angel Gabriel & Zechariah- In the Presence of God...Bill Trotter
November 30 - No Class: Thanksgiving break
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