Trinity Newsletter for October 10, 2024
Did You Know?
You Are Already Helping Another Refugee Family!
The Mission & Public Witness Committee approved funds so that Trinity's Community Support Group could assist another refugee family. Here is how this came about: When our current family came from Africa, we needed a culturally appropriate meal to feed them. The International Institute of Southwest Missouri arranged for us to hire a young Somalian woman to prepare the meal. In getting to know her, we found a delightful person who was parenting two kids and pregnant with a third, whose husband had not yet arrived in the U.S. We saw needs and responded unofficially to them. Eventually, we petitioned the Mission Committee for funds and the International Institute of Southwest Missouri for approval to officially assist this family. Both requests were approved.
The young mother, Fardowsa Hassan, arrived in Springfield in May. Her mother and a brother have since arrived. They share a house near Boyd Elementary School. Fadowsa has a 3 year old son and a 21 month old daughter, in addition to a daughter who was born last Friday. Fardowsa speaks English, bu sometimes appreciates a Somali translator. (Sudi, the mother of our first Somalian family, has helped in this regard. She spent one of the nights with Fardowsa at the hospital after the baby arrived.) Fardowsa's brother, Guled, and mother, Idman, know some English. Guled is currently working for the post office, and Idman is studying English at OTC. Fardowsa's husband is in Ethiopia.
Thus far, Trinity has profided a table, a TV and antenna (helpful in learning English), fans toys, an appropriate car seat for each of the older children,coats, and baby formula. Through Brenda & Bill Havens, Newborns in Need provided clothing for all the children, a double stroller and a baby bed. The Community Partnership of the Ozarks provided an infant car seat and a "pack and play" (aka a play pen). Crosslines has provided food and diapers. As you've heard, it takes a village to raise a child - and to settle a new family too.
Our role as a Community Support Group is cultural mentoring and helping the family ease into life in our English-speaking culture. Thank you for making it possible to helpt them! We'll keep you posted if needs arise outside of the Mission Committee budget. Gift cards to Walmart are always welcome - as are prayers as they continue to make the many adjustments their new life requires.
Martha Sparrow
Community Support Group
P.S. You may have met some of the members of our first Somali family, Sudi and daughters Nasib & Sundus (Shu'ayb was working and their son was ill), at the church picnic. We didn't invite our second family because their newest member was just born on Friday.
Lost and Found
Wondering where your pen, mug, charger, book, hat, sunglasses, or other elusive item is? Items turned into the church office will be placed in our new Lost & Found tubs, located on the shelf above the accessibility devices near the West entrance.
New Office Volunteer Sign-ups are Available
Can 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. Volunteer shifts are usually 9:00 a.m. to Noon or Noon to 3:00 p.m. You do not need to be tech-savvy to volunteer.
The primary responsibilities are to answer the main Trinity and Brentwood phones and assist callers with grace; assist with basic office tasks, such as folding and stuffing bulletins or mailings; and – most importantly – to be a friendly, welcoming face for anyone who comes to our doors.
You can sign up for one shift a week, one shift a month or anything in between. There are available dates through Nov. 4, with more dates added each week. 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!
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!
Rebecca Circle Helps With Disaster Assistance
The Rebecca Circle of Trinity Presbyterian Women filled 30 buckets with cleaning supplies for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. The contents of the buckets included KN95 face masks, concentrated cleaning solution, dish soap, laundry detergent, Handi-wipes, sponges, scrub brushes, scouring pads, work gloves, latex cleaning gloves, trash bags, clothes line and clothes pins.
L-R: Martha Sparrow, Kate Companik, Brenda Havens, Beth Kick, and Jane Huffstetler fill buckets for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
All Saints’ Remembrance
On Sunday, November 3 we will pause during worship for a time of remembrance for those in our congregation and beyond who have entered the Church Triumphant at their death. As each name is read aloud a bell will ring, echoing our prayers of thanks for the "ordinary, holy lives of believers in this and every age."
Trinity's All Saints remembrance is not limited to members of this congregation. To request that a loved one's name be included, please contact Kristin Butler, 417-414-5544 by Oct. 31.
Screen Time?
Our wonderful AV team would like to request that if you ever need anything put on the screens for any service that is held at Trinity, please let us know in advance so we can load things into the program properly. Sometimes it is very hard to load things moments before an event. Thank you for this consideration.
Upcoming Pulpit Supply
With grateful hearts, we should all feel the joy that we at Trinity have in our church family. What resources we each have and we can ALL share our gifts with each other! The Worship and Music committee is grateful for those who have helped in “filling our pulpit” at this time of change until a Transitional Pastor is called to serve with us here at Trinity.
October 13 Barry Williams
October 20 Howard Cavner
October 27 Bill Havens
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 Sunday School: We meet from 10:15-11:15 in room 10. In October we will study Joshua, in November we will study lessons about David, and December lessons will be related to Adventure.
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
Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit
The combined SALT/Studying the Word class is excited to be utilizing the book Tending the Wild Garden by Eugenia Gamble. The PCUSA store states: "In a world fixated on outward appearances, discover the joy of cultivating an inward relationship with the Spirit, where virtues like love, joy, and self-control blossom naturally."
We welcome all to come when you can during this 10-week study (Schedule below). There are books still available.
Please join us in Room 17 at 10:15 a.m. as we continue our Faith Journey.
Sept. 29: Love Nov.3: Goodness
Oct. 6: Joy Nov. 10: Faithfulness
Oct. 13: Peace Nov. 17: Gentleness
Oct. 20: Patience Nov. 24: Self-Control and conclusion
Oct. 27: Kindness
Contact Amy Price if you have any questions
Topical Discussions Fellowship: Topical Discussion Fellowship resumes on September 8 with coffee, treats, and class sharing time. Our initial Sunday school series will be led by Laura Fleetwood, starting September 15, as described below:
INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF FIVE MAJOR RELIGIONS
September 15 – October 13
In our pluralistic society, we live among people of many cultures. It is important that we understand and respect others’ beliefs and ways of worshipping God. In this 5-week series on five of the major world religions, we will explore the basics of Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. Let’s open our hearts and minds to participate in a world in which we can all love one another without distinction or discrimination.
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
Get More Each Week
Our weekly email newsletter contains more updates than we include on the website. Get our monthly birthday updates, prayer requests, and more by signing up to get the newsletter delivered to your inbox each Thursday morning. Tap the button below to sign up now.
