Trinity Newsletter for May 23, 2024
From Pastor Chris
Hopefully by now you've had the opportunity to read the letter I sent to the congregation on Monday of this week. If not, you can TAP HERE to read this important update. In short, I have accepted the call to serve as the next Senior Pastor and Head of Staff at Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, MO. This is certainly a bittersweet time for our family as we prepare to leave this community we so dearly love.
Today I want to share a few details about this upcoming time of transition. First, please know that the Session of Trinity has called a Congregational Meeting to take place following morning worship on Sunday, June 2, 2024. This meeting will address issues around the transition process, specifically the approval of the Terms of Dissolution between Trinity and myself. Whether you are a voting member of Trinity or not, please plan to attend this meeting.
Second, I want to share with you my last worship and study focus for Trinity: building and maintaining healthy relationships. One of our great strengths as a congregation is our desire to build strong and lasting relationships. Over the coming weeks we will be exploring this topic in more depth both in worship, in a mid-week study group, and with at-home resources. You can read more on this below.
My hope is that in my closing weeks together we will be able to share moments of joy, laughter, and fellowship. I hope we will be able to learn and grow together, and I hope we will be able to place our trust in the God that calls us to service -- even when that service takes us to places far from those whom we have come to love.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Chris
Trinity Session Works of the Church
Finance Committee:
The Finance committee continues to monitor the church finances every month with our Treasurer, and to date our financial position is very good. We are also continuing the process to find a new treasurer, since Steve Kane will be leaving this position at the end of 2024. Please contact a member of the Finance Committee with any suggestions for a replacement. This individual should have an accounting background.
Congregational Care Committee:
The Trinity Congregational Care Committee met on May 5 to discuss congregational care concerns for prayer over the coming weeks.
Personnel Committee:
The Personnel Committee approved the Draft Racial Equity Policy, which was prepared as required by the revised Book of Order.
Mission and Public Witness Committee:
Grace Methodist will no longer host evening meals for those in need, therefore Trinity will not be providing The Fifth Wednesday Meal. The committee discussed other opportunities and on May 28 we will be hosting a community meal at Eden Village I.
The CSG has been meeting to prepare for a new refugee family which should be arriving later this month.
Welcome and Fellowship committee:
We hosted a Brunch on Easter and distributed Easter Cookie bags following morning worship. We look forward to an outing to Fire House Pottery April 22. A Trinity Connects gathering will be held April 28 immediately after morning worship for those who want to know more about Trinity.
Christian Education Committee:
Vacation Bible School: This joint program will involve Trinity and Westminster Presbyterian churches. The event is free and will be held May 28-31 10:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Ages are 4 years-old through grade 5. Please contact Sarah Muegge, 417-882-2471, with questions.
Summer Adult Sunday School Combined Class: The theme will be Faith Like a River, with topics addressing faith formation, spiritual practices, and lots more! This combined class will meet in the Fellowship Hall, from 10:15-11:15 a.m. The classes will occur June 2 through August 25. Coffee will be served.
The Redfern Memorial Children and Youth Library: Is now open for use in Room 21.
Please visit this lovely library and check-out books for your children and youth.
New Refugee Family Coming Soon!
On behalf of the congregation and the Mission & Public Witness Committee, Trinity’s “Community Support Group” (CSG) will soon welcome a family of three from Somalia. The Mohamed family is expected to arrive in Springfield later this month!
These refugees fled the civil war in Somalia and traveled to the Dadaab Refugee Complex in Kenya. After leaving the complex, the father established a successful business as a tailor in Kenya. He is 30 years old, completed a primary education, and speaks no English. However, his 23-year-old wife completed high school in Kenya and reads, writes, and speaks English. As a homemaker, she takes care of their 2-1/2-year-old son. The family is Muslim and eats according to the standards of halal.
The International Institute of Southwest Missouri is working to secure a rental home for this family. The CSG has collected furniture and household items for them. This endeavor is possible because of your response of love and generosity, the support of the Mission Committee, and the work of the International Institute of Southwest Missouri.
Contact Martha Sparrow if you want to participate in this effort of welcome.
Please hold the Mohamed family in prayer as they make the long journey from Kenya to Springfield.
Thank you, and may God bless us and this family as we work together to secure their happiness and safety.
Martha Sparrow
Moderator of Community Sponsorship Group
I've Been Meaning to Ask...
a series for curiosity, courage, & connection
Often in worship and study here at Trinity we reflect on the fact that we are living in a very divided society. Across all social groups people report feeling more disconnected and lonely than nearly any point in recent memory, yet we don't know what to do about it.
During the month of June, Pastor Chris will be leading us through a series of events focused on addressing this pressing question in our society and church. During this series, our leading question, "I've been meaning to ask... "conveys intentionality, warmth, curiosity, and consideration. In essence, this question also implies the following statements: "I've been thinking about you and I've been wanting to check in... You've been on my mind... I haven't known how to have this conversation, but I'm getting started with a question." The ellipses symbolize the main objective of this series: to cultivate courageous conversations-- and to keep having them, even if we need to pause. Our weekly sub-themes provide a trajectory for going deeper. These questions aren't surface level; they invite us to share our pain and seek ways to care for one another. We pray that through vulnerability and authenticity these conversations lead us to glimpse hope, joy, and beauty.
There will be several ways for you to take part:
Weekly Worship: Each of the first four weeks of June will focus on this series.
Mid-week Discussion Group: Each Wednesday in June Pastor Chris will lead a discussion group at 10:30am. (See the article below for more details)
Self-Guided Resources: We will have both a study guide and discussion prompts for everyone to use at home starting the first Sunday in June.
A Joy for the Trinity Family
Congratulations to Zion Howard, recent graduate of OTC with a Certificate of Achievement in Welding Technology : Structural Welding.
Volunteers Needed for Safe To Sleep
Dear Friends,
Safe to Sleep has an immediate need for more volunteers to support our mission of providing emergency shelter for women in our community.
On June 3rd from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., we are opening our doors to anyone who is interested in volunteering to learn more and see the shelter as it is operating.
Anyone who is interested in attending can RSVP to jluraas@ccozarks or contact our office at (417) 862-3586 ext. 119.
Thank you for your dedication to our shared mission!
Sincerely,
Jessica Luraas
Assistant Director
Safe to Sleep
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.
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 classes have been cancelled for Sunday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day weekend. Sunday school classes will resume on June 2; the adult classes will combine for the summer, meeting in the fellowship hall.
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