Trinity Newsletter for March 6, 2025
Annual Congregational Meeting
The annual Congregational Meeting will be held immediately after worship on Sunday, March 16
Musings from John Calvin Presbytery
The 217th Stated Meeting of the JCP was held at First Presbyterian in Aurora, MO, on Saturday, February 22, 2025, with the theme of “How Are We?”. The morning worship sermon was given by The Rev. Dr. Tom Schacher from St. Andrew PC, Kimberling City, MO. Key components were whether we were in our comfort zone, stress zone, or stretch zone as we looked to our current and future within ourselves and our church as we decide our direction in following God’s calling as parts to the whole. The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Drywalt (read delightfully by members of the Mission and Nurture committee) helped to educate us further on this theme.
Committee report highlights:
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN (PW)
PW continues their mission to improve the visibility and purpose of PW in John Calvin Presbytery. Watch for a series in the JCP Notices.
MISSION AND NURTURE
Action Item: It was moved and approved that JCP acquire the Public Domain Hymn Project for our churches at a one-time cost of $500 from the Resource Center Equity Fund of JCP.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UQDPyZKS2xNBB6to6UoWnl-tR8JCOvSr/view
High School Youth: Presbyterian Church(USA) Youth Triennium –
July 28-31, 2025 in Louisville, KY. https://presbyterianyouthtriennium.org
Synod Youth Workshop– July 14-19, 2025 at Tulsa University. https://www.synodyouthworkshop.com
Living Water for the World: has just finished a repair and refresher training on a treatment system at a grade school, 2025.
ADMINISTRATIVE MINISTRIES (AMC)
Action Item: It was moved and approved to accept the sale of WOODLAND HEIGHTS PRESBYTERIAN, Springfield. Their last service was held on February 23, 2025, with closing scheduled for February 24, 2025.
First Presbyteria,Carthage: received an offer to sell their building.
AMC: accepted the Rev. Becky Schwandt’s resignation letter; interviewed and extended an offer for temporary part-time JCP Stated Clerk to the Rev. Bob Frasier, which he accepted.
COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY (COM)
Action Items: It was moved and approved for an Administrative Commission (AC) to be assigned to work with First Presbyterian, Carthage, and that Jim Holt, Bill Martin and Jane Huffstetler be appointed to the AC.
It was moved by the sub-committee on Preparation for Ministry and approved that Lori Williamson move from the Inquirer phase to the Candidacy phase in the preparation process.
Celebration: the Rev. Frank LeBlanc’s formal recognition of becoming Honorably Retired.
Proposed Amendments to the Book of Order from 226th General Assembly and an ecumenical Episcopal-Presbyterian Agreement:
The Stated Clerk of the General Assembly was instructed to send these items to the 167 presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church (USA) for their affirmative or negative votes.
Motion: Shall John Calvin Presbytery affirm the following Amendments to the Book of Order and the Episcopal-Presbyterian Agreement on Local Sharing of Ministries? All were affirmed, with only two with further discussion (24-A, 24-C).
Susan Uffmann
Commissioner
Trinity Presbyterian Church
Annual Garage Sale
It’s time again for the
Two Congregation Church Garage Sale
May 1-3, 2025
Save your stuff!
Details and volunteer sign-up sheets will be available in April
at the desk outside the Nave and at the West Door
Proceeds support Refugee Resettlement through the
International Institute of Southwest MO
Trinity/ Westminster Kids Night In
Save the Date for the
Trinity/ Westminster Kids Night In
Friday April 11, 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Trinity Fellowship Hall
Invite a friend
Dinner, crafts and games.
Prayer Chain
There are currently 11 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. Two people were added to the Prayer Chain after filling out Helping Hands at Trinity Connects on January 26. 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:
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.
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.
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.
Get More Each Week
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Care Groups are Coming!
Watch the mail for information about your Care Group. Each member and friend of Trinity is assigned to a Care Group, led by a Deacon and Elder. One of your Care Group leaders should be in touch with you soon, to get acquainted and check to see if the information we have about you and your family in the data base is current.
Monthly Curbside Food Drive
On the second Monday of every month, we host a food (and supply) drive for Crosslines, a ministry of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks that offers assistance to our underserved neighbors. In addition to shelf-stable food items, we also collect paper products (toilet paper, paper towels), 12-count egg cartons, and personal hygiene items including feminine hygiene products and incontinence supplies.
If the office is closed due to weather, the food drive will be rescheduled and a new date announced.
Change Your Clocks
Daylight Savings Time starts on Sunday, March 9. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead by 1 hour.
Lenten Bible Exploration
Starting Tuesday, March 11, Lenten Bible Exploration will meet in the Trinity Room, each Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Explorers should bring their Bibles, their lunches, and their curiosity. Each session we will read aloud and discuss lessons for future Sunday worship services.
Here’s the schedule for readings:
March 11 Isaiah 55:1-9, Psalm 63:1-8, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 and Luke 13:1-9
March 18 Joshua 5:9-12, Psalm 32, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15
March 25 Isaiah 43:16-21, Psalm 126, Philippians 3:4-14, John 12:1-8
April 1 Luke 19:28-44, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
April 8 Pastor Tom will be away, no meeting
April 15 Luke 24:13-49, Isaiah 25:6-9
Aging In Place Informational Meeting
Interested in learning about a novel healthcare option in Missouri? Plan to attend this informational session about PACE: Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, on Sunday, March 16, at 1:00 p.m. in the church fellowship hall, presented by one of our Brentwood friends, Dr. Elizabeth Lucore. Brentwood will be finishing their fellowship meal so please feel free to bring a sack lunch (something you can easily warm up) or to make a quick run to a nearby restaurant.
Newly available in our region, PACE is a hybrid insurance/healthcare model which seeks to support older adults who wish to age in place. With a combination of home- and clinic-based care, as well as a dedicated day center, this team-based approach aims to address the psychosocial, emotional, and physical well-being of each participant. This is not a sales pitch and nothing will be for sale. All ages are welcome.
Liturgists for March
Thank you to the following people for sharing their talents by serving as liturgist in the month of March.
March 2 - Lois Zerrer
March 9 - Bob Kick
March 16 - Patty Dunn
March 23 - Colene Hank
March 30 - Mary Kay Hoops
If you would like to volunteer for liturgist, please contact Martha Bledsoe
You've Got Mail . . . Maybe
Mailboxes have been added recently to the Redfern Library room. Items for the Clerk of Session, Treasurer, Choir Director, Music Coordinator, Assistant Youth Educator, Presiding Elder, members of Session, standing committees, and Presbyterian Women may be left in their respective boxes. Items for Pastor Tom and Rev. Alyssa can be left in the boxes outside their respective offices, directly across the hall from the Redfern Library.
Thank you to Bob Kick, for crafting the mailboxes.
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. This semester the Children's Sunday School will be studying the ministry of Jesus and stories of people he interacted with. We will have special lessons related to One Great Hour or Sharing and Easter too. The semester will conclude by learning stories about Paul and his travels.
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
Please join us in the Topical Discussions Fellowship for Sunday school. We meet 10:15-11:15 in Fellowship Hall, with good fellowship, coffee, and treats:.
The Message of Jesus: Words that Changed the World text and video by Pastor Adam Hamilton
March 2 The World’s Most Important Sermon: Pastor Jill Carr, facilitator
March 9 He Spoke to Them in Parables: Commissioned Ruling Elder Marsha Landrith, facilitator
March 16 Who Do YOU Say that I Am?: Dave Muegge, facilitator
March 23 Final Words: Dave Muegge, facilitator
March 30 TBA
January 26 through March 9, the adult class in room 17 (formerly SALT and Studying the Word) will be sharing a video and discussion series: Painting the Stars; Science, Religion and an Evolving Faith.
Celebrating the communion of science and faith, Painting the Stars explores the promise of evolutionary Christian spirituality. Featuring over a dozen leading theologians and progressive thinkers, the program includes video and guided discussion.
Video speakers include: Philip Clayton, Michael Dowd, Rachel Held Evans, Matthew Fox, Catherine Keller, Megan McKenna, Michael Morwood, Jan Phillips, Barbara Rossing, Bruce Sanguin, Bernard Brandon Scott, John Shelby Spong, Gretta Vosper.
Join us for any of our sessions. Participant reading guides will be provided.
Contact Amy Price with questions or to get a copy of the reading guide.
PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE FOR LOGIN INFORMATION for either class.
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
