Trinity Newsletter for July 18, 2024
Update from the CSG (Community Support Group)
Our family of five from Ghana arrived Thursday, July 11, tired but smiling from ear to ear and greeting us with hugs at the airport. Dad and Mom have a 10 year old son and 8 and 9 year old daughters.
Dad has always dreamed of living in America. He and his wife, refugees from Somalia, have lived in Ghana for 11 years, where their three children were born. The entire family is fluent in English and happy to finally be here.
The International Institute of Southwest Missouri found a home for the family to rent in the Grant Beach neighborhood of Springfield, a few blocks from Weaver Elementary School. The CSG worked diligently last week to clean and prepare the home to welcome this family. In addition to the funds you supplied through the Mission Committee, individuals within the church and the community donated a TV, a china cabinet, a computer, bedding, and a multitude of supplies. The CSG picked up the family at the airport last Thursday and delivered them to their home, then paid for another refugee to prepare a culturally appropriate meal for them. Their adventures in Springfield have begun!
As we get to know the family, the CSG will step in to facilitate their smooth transition to life in Springfield, to a job for Dad, to useful connections for Mom as a homemaker, and to school for the children. We will let you know of needs as they arise. In the meantime, your support in the form of gift cards would be much appreciated. (Price Cutter is the nearest grocery store, but Walmart and Target cards are also very useful.)
Your love and support are so very appreciated by this refugee family. We, your CSG, are blessed to share your generosity with these new neighbors.
Martha Sparrow
CSG Leader
Volunteer Need: Trinity Welcome Desk
Could you give three hours a month to help Trinity be a more welcoming place? We are looking for some friendly folks to help staff our volunteer Welcome Desk during the week, and I would like you to consider trying it out. Our goal is, between Brentwood and Trinity, to have at least one volunteer at the desk during office hours (Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.), with each volunteer taking either a morning (9:00 a.m. - Noon) or afternoon (Noon - 3:00 p.m.) shift.
Alyssa will train all volunteers, but the basic duties are:
Be a friendly, welcoming face for any visitors to the church.
Answer the main Trinity and Brentwood phones and assist callers with grace. Take messages or transfer calls as needed.
Assist with basic office tasks, such as folding and stuffing bulletins or mailings.
Have fun!
We know that committing to a long-term role is sometimes hard, so we want to invite you to choose a time that works for you and try a single shift to see if it's a good fit. If you enjoy it, consider returning once a month, once a week, or simply whenever fits into your schedule. We have volunteer slots currently available through August 1, with more coming soon.
To sign up, simply follow the link below, choose an open time slot(s), and enter your name, email, and phone number. There is no login or password needed. SIGN UP HERE.
Thank you in advance for helping make Trinity a more welcoming place!
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.
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
Faith like a River
Spend time with friends this summer learning and discussing together what contributes to our experience of faith. Many streams may contribute to the flow of faith, some similar for us all, and some that may vary. Sunday School for all adults this summer is designed as lesson topics that are related but also stand alone, so anyone can come to any session as you are able.
Faith Like A River-Resources Mentioned in July 7 Class
During this past week’s class, Coleen Hank shared her website, www.devotionalembers.com, with the class. It is a collection of her writings and books, for you to enjoy and share with others.
The devotional resources Daphne mentioned include www.d365.org, PCUSA Daily Prayer App, Pray as You Go App, and the Washingtion National Cathedral YouTube channel.
We hope you will find one that helps you navigate your spiritual journey.
July: Tributaries – How does faith grow over time?
July 21 Reaching out to others through Service (Martha Sparrow). How does our involvement with those who are experiencing need affect our own faith? (may also include a segment on Psalms)
July 28 (NEW Topic) We Gather with Joy!, with Brenda Williams. What does it mean to bring yourself as an instrument in worship with others? In the words of a recent Presbyterian Outlook article, “When we gather, pray, and sing together, we embody the reality that we are not alone. We are the body of Christ. Our worship is a collective effervescence of the faithful.”* Come to listen, explore, and perhaps think differently about how our faith grows through worship as experienced in music and joyful participation!
*Katherine M. Douglass, Pub Choir: Simply the Best, in Presbyterian Outlook, July-August, 2024, p. 13.
August: Deserts, swamps, and floods: How do challenges affect our faith, and what are possible responses?
August 4 The once and future church (Malinda Spencer) The church cannot be the same over centuries and even over decades! How can the church adapt and stay healthy, even if it might look very different? Also, hear a brief update about actions of General Assembly.
August 11 What is the current challenge of politics and Christian Nationalism? (Jane H) As we have seen, in recent years many have tried to meld religion into public life in ways that challenge our faith. How can we engage in ways that foster dialog and understanding across differences?
August 18 Working with challenges (Barry Williams) Churches have periods of challenge and sometimes great conflict. What are ways we can learn from tension, acknowledge pain, work together through changes, and find energy for the future?
*August 25: Summary and potluck breakfast*
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.
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!
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