Trinity Newsletter for May 9, 2024
From Pastor Chris
Unless you've found a way to avoid all marketing and commercials for the past month or so, you are beyond aware that this Sunday is Mother's Day. You may have also noticed a newer trend over the past few years from some online retailers: emails a month or so before Mother's (and later, Father's) Day offering to allow you to "opt-out" of marketing communications about these parental holidays. So, why are some retailers doing the unimaginable -- letting people opt-out of advertising?
Whether it is explicitly stated or not, these businesses are responding to the reality that those of us in ministry have been navigating for some time now: Mother's (and Father's) Day is a complicated holiday for lots of people. For some, these days remind them of challenging, or even broken, relationships with their own parent or parents. For others, it brings up complex feelings of grief or loss around issues of infertility, miscarriage, or the death of a child. For yet others, these holidays are deeply joy-filled, even if complex. Maybe for you it is a mixture of some of all of these emotions and others.
Simply put, any time we use parental language it presents challenges. For many of us, using images of God as mother or father is deeply reassuring and comforting; after all, Jesus calls God "father" multiple times. Yet, we also know that these images come with baggage -- both joy - and pain-filled. It leaves the church in a challenging position: how do we rightfully acknowledge the beauty and joy that is parenthood while also naming the ways that parenting and family relationships can be painful and broken?
As usual, I don't know that I have a great answer for you, other than to help name the challenge. I would encourage you to offer prayers in the coming days for the many ways those in our congregation will experience Mother's Day -- for the moments of joy and connection, and the moments of grief and loss, and everything in between and beyond. I would also encourage you, especially if you find yourself feeling more painful than joyful emotions these days, to seek out the love and care of the community of Jesus all around you. I would be happy to spend time with you in conversation, and I know many others in our congregation would be as well.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Chris
Curbside Food Drive - Monday, May 13
Our monthly curbside food drive will take place this coming Monday, May 13, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Thank you for bringing your donations of non-perishable food, household necessities, and personal hygiene items. Simply pull up to the west entryway at church and our volunteers will help unload your donations. All donations support our mission partners at Crosslines Food Pantry.
Need ideas for your donations this month? The following are always in need:
Toilet paper
Body wash / bar soap, shampoo, and deodorant
Canned protein (chicken and tuna especially)
Boxed dinner kits (chicken / tuna "helper" kits especially)
Birthday cake mix and frosting
Canned fruits and vegetables
Pentecost Prayerful Coloring: May 15
Next week I hope you'll join me for a relaxed time of coloring and creativity. We will be hosting a Pentecost Prayerful Coloring event at Trinity on Wednesday, May 15 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Plan to join me in room 17, with overflow space in the foyer outside the sanctuary. If you have your own markers or colored pencils, you are invited to bring them along, but we will have some on hand as well. Pentecost themed coloring pages will be available, along with some Celtic-inspired designs.
No matter your age or artistic ability you are most welcome as we enjoy fellowship and creativity together!
Another Successful Garage Sale
Thanks to those who contributed, shopped and worked to make this sale successful. $8226.30 was raised to offset costs of electrical upgrade and remodel of the west side entrance and center hall floor and painting. It was a wonderful opportunity to get to know Brentwood folks a little better.
Trinity members who staffed the sale include:
Jerri Ilkiw, Gail Tombleson, Becky Wessel, Paula Tindell, Theresa Olsen, Jeanne and Mike Simpson, Mary Kay Hoops, Sarah Kapp, Sophia Platz, Kathy and David Bohnenkamper, Jan Redfern, Martha Bledsoe, Daphne Anderson, Brenda Williams, Brenda Havens, Susie Dollar, Melissa Hutton, Cindy Rodgers, Laura Fleetwood, Sydney English, Ilace Mears, Sarah and Dave Muegge.
* Apologies to any who helped that did not sign the volunteer book- it’s a hectic few days and we don’t mean to leave you out.
Unsold items were donated to the Fair Grove Band to use for their upcoming Garage Sale.
Tonight! Opportunity to Learn about Faith in the Ozarks
Community Partnership of the Ozarks and the Have Faith Initiative are hosting two upcoming community conversations working to increase understanding of the diverse faith groups in our community. Both events are on the MSU campus and are free (including free parking) and open to the public. Pastor Chris will be representing Trinity at the second session on May 9 at 7:00 p.m. See the flyer below for more information and the full list of panelists:
Presbyterian Women Update
Spring is here!
So PW gals will:
Smile
Protect
Reach out
Include
Never give up
Gather
We work to make our local mission as successful as the missions of PW worldwide.
Keep springing into action!!
(Courtesy of Linda Jackson, Co-Moderator of PWJCP)
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
PW in the PC(USA): Triennial CHURCHWIDE GATHERING
St. Louis, MO
“Do Everything in Love”
Thursday, August 8 - Sunday, August 11, 2024
Join women from all over the World!
(Visit presbyterianwomen.org/gathering for information and registration)
PW at Trinity:Summer Luncheon
Trinity Presbyterian, Springfield, MO
Saturday, July 13, 2024
1:30 p.m.
Join new and old friends as we gather to celebrate our past, present and future!
(More information to come)
We hope to see everyone at one, two, or all three exciting events!
AND DON’T FORGET -
Send your contributions to Trinity’s PW today to continue our exciting work together!!
Mail to: Gail Tombleson
2717 W Trevor Trail
Ozark, MO 65721
Do You Worship with Trinity Online?
Each week in the Sanctuary we pass our Fellowship Pads and Visitor Cards. We now have a digital Connection Card for all our friends who worship with us online! If you are a regular (or semi-regular) online worshiper, please consider using our mobile-friendly Connection Card the next time you join us for worship.
Simply follow this link to note your participation in worship, share a prayer request, and more: https://bit.ly/trinitysgfconnect
Thanks for helping us better connect with our Trinity family!
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.
Young Children: Ages Kindergarten through grade 5 meet in the Children's Room in the southwest corner of the building. The Bible we use is called Growing in God's Love. Classes include activities and crafts. Teachers Sarah Muegge and Jan Redfern would be happy to see our Trinity kids and their friends.
Youth-Opportunities to Connect: In the planning stages for this year! Friends are welcome to join in activities and events as we connect with each other in and outside of Trinity.
Adult Class Offerings
Room 17 Adult Class: Starting April 14 the Room 17 Adult class will begin the study series: Reading the Bible for Understanding:
This study introduces important means to consider when interpreting different parts of the Bible: narratives, poetry and wisdom, and letters. It also reviews what Reformed and Presbyterian Christians believe about the nature of the Bible, and texts and translations that are available to us. There will be an extra classroom copy of the participant book for anyone who wishes to drop in and join us during the six-week study. This will take us through the end of the Sunday School year in May. Through the summer, participants will be able to join in the combined adult Sunday School beginning June 2.
Topical Discussions Fellowship: Adult learners of all ages meet in the Fellowship Hall. With good coffee and fresh treats from the class members, we strive to discuss a variety of topics relevant to our religion in today's society. We hope you will join us for fellowship and discussion. Contact: Dave Muegge.
Four and More: This Bible study derives its name from meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays (presently meeting in person in room 17 at Trinity, and by Zoom). Anyone wanting to join can send their email address to the study leader Jane Huffstetler, and she will provide the Zoom link.
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