Trinity Newsletter for March 19, 2026
The Work of Your Church
From the Session
The Session met on March 15, 2026, in the Trinity room. The next meeting of Session will be April 19, 2026.
During this meeting, the Elders, discussed bids for safety bars on all the exit doors, our financial activity, the 2025 annual report, and a PNC update.
Treasurer’s report: Cash flow for January and February
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.
· A registration form for children participating in Sunday School and Worship and Wonder has been developed and will be implemented soon.
· The committee is exploring theme and or topics for Adult Summer Sunday School which will start in June.
· CE will work on a new CEFF manual.
Communications: Brenda Havens (E) 2026 and Reverend Alyssa Spradlin
Communications efforts, January 1 to present
· The website has been updated with a photograph and information about lay leadership in 2026. Extra eyeballs noticing details that need to be updated or could be improved are much appreciated.
· Regular social media scheduling began with the Tuesday after the first Sunday in January. We began creating content for Mondays with the first Sunday in Lent. Music Mondays highlight the Prelude, Anthem and Offertory (and any other musical offerings). In addition to the regular Sunday promo posts for the website on Saturday nights and the Sunday morning email, we are creating a corresponding promotional post for social media on Saturday mornings. We have regained access to our Instagram account and scheduled our first post to drop on Sunday, March 15.
· We have spent time looking at the cameras in the sanctuary, considering the way they are utilized during morning worship and reflecting on ways to implement the recommendations of the safety committee. The title card created by Robert Reed for the Children's Moment with Sophia has been in place during the Moment itself since the beginning of the year. A/V volunteers have been asked to put the card up as soon as the accompanist starts playing "Jesus Loves Me;" Sophia has been asked to keep the children in the back of the sanctuary until the card goes up. We will continue to work on identifying appropriate camera sightlines and educating the congregation.
Ongoing projects:
· Regular Communications Committee meetings
· Monthly/90-day social media analytics
· Attendance spreadsheet, including social media engagement (formula needs to be updated)
· Updating, refreshing website
· Working through CCB tutorials; create how-to guide for tasks necessary/useful to the organization, management and administration of Trinity's efforts
· Maintaining skills, relevant knowledge related to social media trends, and optimizing scheduling and algorithms, etc.
Generosity and Engagement: Beth Kick (E and Trustee), Nancy Winchip (D) and Sue Reynolds (D). This committee will start meeting after Easter
Finance Committee: Larry Bledsoe(E)Chair, Ed Daniel, Cindy Rodgers, Jeanne Simpson, Max Perryman (E and Trustee), David Hart, Bob Kick (Treasurer), Stephen Kane (Assistant Treasurer), Rev. Tom Willadsen.
The Finance Committee continues to monitor Trinity’s financial position. The church ended 2025 and continues 2026 in a positive financial position. This includes the adjustment of Rev. Alyssa Spradlin’s employment from shared position to Trinity only position.
Mission and Public Witness: Martha Sparrow (E), Marsha Landrith (E), Cynthia Oliver (D).
The Mission and Public Witness Committee met and went over the budget. Trinity has the fourth Thursday of the month to deliver a meal for 40 people at Safe to Sleep. Sarah Circle is taking March.
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 was pleased to host inquirers at the Trinity Connects lunch on Feb. 22. Shepherds will be assigned to new members when they join the church. The committee will provide a sandwich meal on March 22 during the congregational meeting. We are grateful to congregants who have volunteered to help with weekly coffee clean-up after worship. Fourteen volunteers are needed to bring 3 dozen homemade cookies to church by Thursday, April 2; Welcome & Fellowship will pass them out to worshippers on Easter Sunday.
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, March 11 to plan creative worship for the coming weeks. Trinity will celebrate communion on Sunday, April 5.
Personnel Committee: David Fleetwood (E), Bob Kick-no report
Deacons report: Sarah Muegge (moderator)
The Deacons met March 8, 2026. The care groups reported on their contact with the congregation. They also discussed the Safe To Sleep dinners that take place on the fourth Thursday of each month. The next dinner is March 26.
Clerk’s report: Patty Dunn, Clerk of Session
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.
JCP Commissioner Report
John Calvin Presbytery held its 221st stated meeting at Willard-Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
Morning worship was led by the Rev. Barry Williams. His sermon, “The Right Questions,” challenged us to focus on the things that Jesus is concerned with — and to respond in ways that declare we trust God to lead us in right paths.
We commissioned Susan Murray as a CRE (Commissioned Ruling Elder) for First Presbyterian Church in Rolla and heard reports from leadership and committees of JCP and the Synod of Mid-America. Executive Presbyter Malinda Spencer reminded us that structure serves the church (it’s not the other way around), so recalibrate when necessary to ensure that faithful ministries are possible. We approved the temporary sharing of space at First Presbyterian, Joplin for a small congregation of the local Anglican Church. We took part in a game show-style Book of Order quiz led by our own Marsha Landrith. And we enthusiastically voted to enroll McKenzie Tuttle, sponsored by Ozark Presbyterian Church, as an Inquirer. This is McKenzie’s first step toward ordination as a teaching elder.
Respectfully submitted,
Kristin Butler, Commissioner
Save Your Stuff!
It’s time again for the
Two Congregation Church Garage Sale
April 23-25, 2026
We can begin collecting and sorting on
Sunday, April 19.
Details will be made available soon.
Sensory-Friendly Seating Now Available
Being an inclusive church requires us to engage with curiosity and open hearts and sometimes, it means trying something new! Based on valuable insights from Brentwood's neurodivergent support group, as well as experts in the field of inclusive worship, both congregations may now utilize a section that has sensory-friendly seating. We have bean bag chairs that can accommodate wiggly worshippers, weighted blankets, and sensory bags that can help keep hands busy so minds can focus more on worship.
This small step moves us closer to being a more inclusive church. If you or a loved one would like to utilize our new sensory-friendly seating, you can find it in front of the sound board on the right hand side of the sanctuary when you enter the room.
Save Your Stuff!
It’s time again for the
Two Congregation Church Garage Sale
April 23-25, 2026
We can begin collecting and sorting on Sunday, April 19.
Details will be made available soon.
Brown Bag Bible Exploration in Lent!
Every Tuesday until March 31, we will meet in the Trinity Room for Brown Bag Bible Exploration, 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 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
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.
HotHands Collection
We continue to collect Hot Hands through March 31. Collection tubs are across from the sanctuary. These are shared with our unhoused friends at various locations.
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 March and April.
March 22 - Mike Simpson
March 29 - Sarah Muegge and Eva Martin
April 5 - Jeanne Simpson
April 12 - Martha Bledsoe
April 19 - Lois Zerrer
April 26 - Brenda Sneed
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. 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.
SALT (Studying and Learning Together): Please join us for this discussion-style class in room 17.
We continue the study by Jill Duffield: Appreciate These Things; Eight Ways of Cultivating Compassion.
Based on Philippians 4:8
· March 22 - Chapter 8: Appreciate Whatever is Praiseworthy
· March 29 - We will use the Lenten devotional lesson for Palm Sunday from the booklet 'Tell Me Something Good' (copies available at the West entrance).
We will begin a new 6-week study after Easter!
· Easter Sunday, April 5 - no class
· April 12 through May 17: The Heart of the Psalms by James C. Howell. This study focuses on six psalms, each offering a unique glimpse into God’s heart: Psalm 8 (awe), Psalm 27 (beauty), Psalm 51 (mercy), Psalm 73 (surely), Psalm 90 (time), and Psalm 116 (love). This includes a study book and video.
Our discussion-style class is open to all, join us in person or virtually! 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 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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