Trinity Newsletter for November 20, 2025
The Work of Your Church
From the Session
The Session met on October 19, 2025 in room 17 and November 16. 2025 in the Trinity room at Trinity Church. The next meeting of Session will be December 21,2025.
During these meetings, the Elders
Approved an amendment to Pastor Tom Willadsen’s 2026 Transitional Pastor terms of call which includes a 10% reduction in salary in lieu of 5 additional consecutive weeks (sabbatical of sorts) of time off for the purposes of rest, renewal, and continuing spiritual and professional growth. This motion was recommended by the Personnel committee and after discussion, passed unanimously.
The congregation approved the slate of Elders, Deacons and at large Nominating Committee members on November 9, 2025, in the Sanctuary of Trinity Presbyterian Church PC(USA) presented by David Fleetwood as the Chair of the Nominating Committee. The approved slate is as follows:
Elders for the class of 2028: Mike Simpson, Martha Bledsoe, Brenda Havens and Lois Zerrer (Also to be a Trustee).
Elder for the class of 2027: Larry Bledsoe to serve a two-year term.
Deacon for the class of 2028: Bruce Bryant, Sue Reynolds and Harvey Hank
Deacon for the class of 2026: Betty Forrester to serve a one-year term.
At Large Members for the Nominating committee: Amy Price and Carol Minton
The following is a list of various committees’ activities and their chairperson.
Christian Ed. And Faith Formation: Daphne Anderson 2025
The CE committee encourages adults and children of Trinity to engage with one of our Sunday school classes to enjoy learning and exploring our faith together! The committee is exploring a confirmation class and ways to reach the unchurched in our community.
Communications: Marsha Landrith 2025, No meeting
Generosity and Engagement: Bill Trotter (E) and Nancy Winchip (D).
This committee wrote thank you notes to the people who pledged for the 2026 budget year.
Finance Committee: David Hart 2025,
The Finance Committee continues to monitor the church’s financial situation and to work toward developing a balanced budget for 2026. The committee collected and tallied the fall pledges with 75 giving units and a total of $377,454.00 so far.
Mission and Public Witness: Teresa Olsen (E), Mike Simpson (D)
Trinity provided a meal for Safe To Sleep on September 30. The committee plans to continue this mission in 2026. If you are interested in helping or learning more please contact a member of the committee. They are also preparing and serving a holiday meal at Harmony House on Tuesday, November 18 at 4:00 with turkey, ham and all the traditional sides.This committee made an invitation to the congregation to provide funds for groceries to replace lost SNAP benefits to the refugee families.
Welcome and Fellowship: Kristin Butler 2025
This committee is looking forward to Soup, Bread and Carols following the Christmas Cantata on
December 21. They will share cookies with those who worship with us on Christmas eve.
Worship and Music: Teresa Olsen and Kristen Butler, Elders and Co-chairs
They are grateful for God’s movement in our vibrant worshipping community. The committee met November 12 to prepare for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. Trinity will celebrate communion on Sunday, Dec. 7 and on Wednesday, Dec 24. They also discussed budget needs for 2026.
Anyone interested in serving as an usher, liturgist or communion server may contact Kristin Butler, Martha Bledsoe or Teresa Olsen!
Personnel Committee: No report.
Clerk’s report: Our current membership is 208 including new members Colene and Harvey Hank, David and Christine Horst, and Scot McLaughlin. The attendance for the in-person services
hovers around 95 in the sanctuary. This does not include online participation.
For questions regarding the work of the Session, you may contact Patty Dunn, Clerk of Session.
Advent at Trinity
Calling All Kids - November 23
During Sunday School we’ve spent the month of November learning about Moses. This week as children leave for Worship and Wonder, all are welcome to gather to watch the PG rated movie- “The Prince of Egypt”. This is an academy award nominated, PG rated film that lasts 1 hour and 37 minutes. Kids will enjoy a pizza lunch and may be picked up at 2:00 p.m. at the West Door. This invitation is also extended to grandchildren and friends too.
RSVP to Sarah Muegge helpful, but not required
Desserts Needed for Special Meal
Mission and Public Witness committee is serving a meal to 175 unhoused individuals on Tuesday, November 25. We need cookies, brownies, etc for the meal. If you can help meet this need, you may bring the desserts next Sunday, November 23 or before noon on Tuesday. Please label your donation for Trinity meal 11/25. They may be left in the kitchen. Questions-- contact Brenda Havens.
Thank You From CSG
THANK YOU!
On behalf of the Community Sponsorship Group and our two refugee families, THANK YOU for your generous outpouring of support during the lapse and change in SNAP funds. You donated $2,085 which will help both families through at least the next two months. They received partial SNAP funds in mid-November but expect the cessation of funds soon. We will let you know when additional help is needed, but—THANKS TO YOU!--there is currently plenty of grocery money for both families.
Creation Care News
Tips to Reduce Food Waste
At the grocery store or when eating out
Preplan and write your shopping list before going to the grocery store. As you write your list, think about what meals you will be preparing the following week, and check your fridge to see what items you already have.
When at the store, buy only what you need and stick to your shopping list. Be careful when buying in bulk, especially with items that have a limited shelf life.
If available, purchase “ugly” fruits or vegetables that often get left behind at the grocery store but are safe to eat. “Ugly” produce has physical imperfections but are not damaged or rotten. “Ugly” fruits and vegetables are safe and nutritious and can sometimes be found at discounted prices.
When eating out, ask for smaller portions to prevent plate waste and keep you from overeating. You can also request a take-away box to take leftovers home instead of leaving food on your plate.
From the FDA Fact Sheet
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.
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. 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 23 - Advent: Angel Gabriel & Zechariah- In the Presence of God...Bill Trotter
November 30 - No Class: Thanksgiving break
Get More Each Week
Our weekly email newsletter contains more updates than we include on the website. Get our monthly birthday updates, prayer requests, and more by signing up to get the newsletter delivered to your inbox each Thursday morning. Tap the button below to sign up now.
