Trinity Newsletter for March 5, 2026
The Work of Your Church
From the Session
The Session met on February 15, 2026, in the Trinity room. The next meeting of Session will be March 15, 2026.
During these meetings, the Elders
Approved a change in the 2026 Budget to cover Rev. Alyssa Spradlin’s salary from part time to full-time. She will be the full-time Director of Communications and Administrative Ministries.
Approved two additions to the Administrative Manual of Operations under Personnel.
Updated the policy for pulpit supply and compensation.
Updated the policy on church-owned electronic devices and computers.
Approved a one-year extension renewal and notification to Brentwood (per required in our current lease agreement). Conversation will start this year for another contract.
Approved by email the statics reports to Presbytery and the General Assembly.
The following is a list of various committees’ activities.
Christian Ed. And Faith Formation: Mike Simpson (E)2026, Sarah Muegge (D), Sophia Platz, Amy Price, Brenda Williams, Rev. Willadsen, Rev. Laura Fleetwood, Rev. Jill Bryant, and Jan Redfern.
Rev. Dr. Tom Willadsen will lead a Lenten Bible Study and Brown Bag lunch February 24-March 31, from 12:00-1:30 p.m. in room 17.
Rev. Huffstetler will resume the weekly Bible study at 4:00-5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. All are welcome.
CE will work on a new CEFF manual.
Communications: Brenda Havens (E) 2026
Generosity and Engagement: Beth Kick (E and Trustee), Nancy Winchip (D) and Sue Reynolds (D).
Finance Committee: Larry Bledsoe (E, and Moderator), David Hart, Stephen Kane (assistant Treasurer), Bob Kick (Treasurer), Max Perrymen (E and Trustee), Jeanne Simpson, Rev. Tom Willadsen, Cindy Rodgers, and Ed Daniel.
The Finance Committee continues to monitor the church’s financial situation. We are still implementing the transition of bookkeeping to the accounting firm of NIppes &Associates. The church financial position for 2025 ended on a very positive note. The church is in a very strong position going forward into 2026.
Mission and Public Witness: Martha Sparrow (E), Marsha Landrith (E), Cynthia Oliver (D).
For the first meeting of the new year the committee spent time getting acquainted, reviewing the work of the Mission Committee and the budget.
Welcome and Fellowship: Kristin Butler (E) 2025 and 2026, Lois Zerrer (E and Trustee) and
Diane Meade (D), Sarah Muegge (D), Brenda Kane (D) 2026.
Welcome & Fellowship met Feb. 5 to review recent worship attendance notes and ensure that
all visitors have received personal follow-up contact. Ongoing business included recruitment of
volunteers to help tidy the coffee nook after worship, and Trinity’s next sponsored meal for
Ekklesia, the Campus Ministry at MSU.
The next Trinity Connects takes place on Sunday, Feb. 22 following worship. Anyone considering membership or simply wanting to learn more about the work and ministry of Trinity, may come enjoy a complimentary, casual meal with the pastor and a couple of church leaders. As Pastor Tom says, it’s a great opportunity — but certainly not the only one — to ask questions freely. RSVPs are appreciated but not required; call or text Kristin at 417-414-5544.
Please mark calendars for the Spring Potluck on Sunday, March 22!
Worship and Music: Martha Bledsoe, chair (E),Susan Uffmann, Kristin Butler (E),Cletus Johnson (D), Diane Meade (D), Carol Minton, Robert Reed, and Teresa Olson (E)
Worship & Music met Wednesday, Feb. 11 to continue the plans for Lent and the Easter season. Lenton booklets have been printed and stapled and are ready to be handed out on Ash Wednesday.
We continue to work to offer worship that is creative and meaningful! Trinity will celebrate communion on Sunday, March 1.
Personnel Committee: David Fleetwood (E), Bob Kick
Congregational Care: Colleen Lightwine (D), Marilyn Bell (D) 2026.
Clerk’s report: Patty Dunn, Clerk of Session
Our current membership is 211 including new member Sarah Tilley. The attendance for the in-person services hovers around 91 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.
Annual Meeting
The Session has scheduled the Annual Meeting for Sunday, March 22 following worship.
Monthly Curbside Food Drive
On the second Monday of every month, we host a food (and supply) drive for Crosslines Community Outreach, which offers assistance to our underserved neighbors. In addition to shelf-stable food items, we also collect paper products (toilet paper, paper towels) and personal hygiene items including feminine hygiene products and incontinence supplies. Crosslines will also accept clean plastic sacks from grocery and other retail stores to distribute fresh produce.
If the office is closed due to weather, the food drive will be rescheduled and a new date announced.
Daylight Savings Time Begins
Daylight Savings time begins this weekend. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour on Sunday morning.
Baptisms This Past Sunday
On Sunday, March 1 during morning worship, Trinity celebrated the baptism of Graham Sterling Butler and Henry Noble Thomas. Both are grandchildren of Ron and Kristin Butler.
Brown Bag Bible Exploration in Lent!
Starting Tuesday, February 24, and running until March 31, we will meet for Brown Bag Bible Exploration. We’ll meet in the Trinity Room from noon until 1:30 p.m. All you have to bring is your lunch, your curiosity and a Bible. We’ll read passages for future worship services out loud and talk about them and react to them. No prior Bible knowledge required. No preparation or homework. Just open hearts, open minds and open ears!
Here’s the schedule of readings:
March 10 - Deuteronomy 24:17-22 & Matthew 19:13-15
March 17 - John 7:53-8:11 & Matthew 23:13-23
March 24 - Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 & Mark 11:1-11
March 31 - Acts 10:34-40 & Luke 23:56-24:12
John Calvin Presbytery Toolbox Event
Embracing Change & Unleashing Potential
Saturday, March 21, 2026
9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Trinity Presbyterian Church
ToolBox is designed to explore the changing environment that all of our churches are encountering, and learn positive ways in which church members can both accept this change and identify future opportunities to grow and enhance their worship and ministries.
$50 registration includes continental breakfast, lunch and programs. To register click here: Embracing Change and Unleashing Potential
Pastor Tom's Birthday
Thank you very much for all the cards and silliness marking my birthday. You people are very well prepared to celebrate Pentecost—lots of red!
Pastor Tom
Usher Training (For New and Experienced)
Trinity is a place of welcome!
Sunday after Sunday, usher teams show the love of Jesus, setting a tone of love and belonging in this church.
Whether you have considered volunteering as an usher, are semi-new at it, or an “old pro,” please join Kristin Butler in the coffee nook after worship on March 8
We'll review basic usher duties (and a few things that have changed), and you'll have an opportunity to update me on your preferred “rhythm” of serving.
Church Directory Supplement
We are working on publishing a supplement to the 2024 Trinity Directory, in anticipation of printing a fully new directory once Trinity's new, settled pastor is in place.
Our intent is to publish information on Trinity members who have joined since Easter 2024, and updated information on Trinity families whose contact information has changed. We will also accept updated photographs. Please submit that information to the church office (office@trinityspringfieldpcusa.org) by March 1.
Trinity Book Club
Our group meets monthly to discuss books over delicious treats at Neighbors Mill at 9:00 a.m. Please note a few date changes for the schedule the next several months:
March 14-How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
April 11-Clear by Carys Davies
May 16- Horse by Geraldine Brooks
Please contact Daphne Anderson for information or to be included on our email list.
Join Trinity’s Congregational Care Committee
Trinity is known as a joyful, caring, and compassionate community. Do you want to help support our members as they experience times of joy, difficulty, or sorrow? We send flowers, birthday greetings, and get-well cards; organize receptions following funerals; and coordinate meal deliveries. Our homebound ministry provides important and regular connections with those unable to attend church. Please contact Colleen Lightwine (785-806-3567) for more information.
Welcome & Fellowship Committee
Can you spare 15 minutes after church, one Sunday a month?
We need a few volunteers to help your Welcome & Fellowship committee tidy the Coffee Nook, wipe tables and put away carafes on first or fourth Sundays. Please see Sarah Muegge or Kristin Butler.
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.
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.
Liturgists for March
We are grateful to the following people who are sharing their gifts with Trinity by serving as liturgists during the month of January.
March 8 - Sue Reynolds
March 15 - Patty Dunn
March 22 - Mike Simpson
March 29 - Sarah Muegge
If you would like to serve as liturgist, please contact Martha Bledsoe.
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:
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
Sunday School for Children resumes January 4th. We will study the New Testament and teachings of Jesus and his followers.
Adult Class- Room 17
We continue the study by Jill Duffield: Appreciate These Things; Eight Ways of Cultivating Compassion.
Based on Philippians 4:8
March 8 - Chapter 6: Appreciate Whatever is Commendable
March 15 - Chapter 7: Appreciate Whatever is Excellent
March 22 - Chapter 8: Appreciate Whatever is Praiseworthy
Our discussion-style class is open to all. Please contact Amy Price or Daphne Anderson with any questions.
Topical Discussions Class
Please join 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 March, our topics include:
March 8- Living the Resurrection - Thomas Bishop Tom Berlin…Marsha Landrith
March 15- Living the Resurrection - Emmaus Bishop Tom Berlin…….…..Jill Bryant
March 22- Living the Resurrection-Mary Magdalene Bishop Tom Berlin……..….Marilyn Bell
March 29- Living the Resurrection-Jesus Bishop Tom Berlin...Colleen Lightwine
Four and More Begins Again!
Rev. Jane Huffstetler has agreed to lead Bible study on Wednesday afternoons at 4:00 p.m. (thus the name). We meet both at the church and by Zoom if that is what works for you. If you want to be included in the weekly reminder that also includes the Zoom link, please send Jane an email. We will begin with Genesis and work our way through the Bible. No prior knowledge is needed, just a Bible and a desire to study with others.
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