Trinity Newsletter for August 21
10th Anniversary Plans
We’ve got so many terrific things planned for our 10th Anniversary Celebration, August 24.
A slideshow of Trinity pictures from the past ten years will be shown just before church. Slides will start at 11:15, so plan on coming and getting seated a little early that day. We’ll be joined in worship by video messages from former Pastor Chris Miller, former interim pastor Mary Wright, and former Executive Presbyter Melana Scruggs. We’ll have dignitaries bringing greetings from Presbytery, Brentwood, and Westminster, our initial nesting location.
We’ll present Bibles to our young people—and they come with a guarantee!
Following a brief congregational meeting to elect the Pastoral Nominating Committee, we’ll enjoy a potluck luncheon in Fellowship Hall. There will be cake.
Pennies From Heaven - Update
This Sunday we will have our final Pennies from Heaven collection.
Someone suggested people check their vacuum cleaners for stray coins. That's dedication!
There have been some questions about the coins—here are answers:
Lois Zerrer and Pastor Tom go through the coins each week. They pull out the foreign coins, the non-coins, and coins that are worth more than face value, for example wheat pennies, pre-1964 quarters and dimes. When the drive is finished, those coins will be taken to a coin dealer in Springfield and sold. All the other coins are deposited at the church's bank.
Through 8/17 you've donated 92 pounds of coins!
Trinity Book Club
This month we are reading The Deepest Belonging by Kara Root, which explores how “we belong to God and we belong to each other.” Our gathering will be at Neighbor’s Mill, 1435 E. Independence, from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Future dates are October 18 and November 15. All are invited to join this group of readers.
Did You Lose Something?
Lost and found items will be on a table in the Coffee Nook through August.
Please claim what is yours.
On September 1 they will be donated to good homes.
Join Our A/V Team and Help Our Ministry Shine!
Do you use a computer or text on your phone? If so, you already have the essential skills to become a vital part of Trinity's Audio/Visual (A/V) volunteer team! Our online ministry is a lifeline for many, bringing our Sunday services to members who can't be with us in person. The A/V team works behind the scenes every Sunday to make this possible. They ensure we see hymns, scripture, and all other elements of our service, and, most importantly, they enable our entire online presence. Without them, countless members would miss out on connecting with our church community from home. This crucial ministry relies on dedicated volunteers, and we need you!
Whether you can commit weekly, monthly, or just occasionally, your help makes a significant difference.
Curious to Learn More?
If you're interested but would like to see what it's all about before committing, you're welcome to sit in the back with our A/V team and observe during any service.
If you feel called to help, please contact me, Carla, directly. We'll be happy to meet with you and teach you everything you need to know.
Carla's email: carlaw@trinityspringfieldpcusa.org
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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Nominating Committee Report
Here are the people who the Nominating Committee will nominate to serve on the Pastoral Nominating Committee.
Session representatives: Max Perryman and Kristin Butler
Deacon representative: Diane Meade
At-large members: Bob Kick, Bob Bell, Eltjen Fikkema & Carrie Arquitt
Nominations from floor are permitted.
The election will be this Sunday, August 24, following worship.
Change in Alyssa’s Office Hours
Rev. Alyssa Spradlin, our Director of Communication and Administrative Ministries, will be teaching a class on Monday and Wednesday mornings at Ozarks Tech - Richwood Valley starting August 18. Sophia Platz, our Coordinator of Children and Youth, will staff the welcome desk in the West Lobby on Mondays, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Our regular volunteers will staff the welcome desk on Wednesdays. If you need to speak with Alyssa directly, please email office@trinityspringfieldpcusa.org or text/call (417) 590-8141.
Refugee Update for the Congregation
The summer has been busy with activities to help our refugee families, ranging from support for summer school to transportation for English literacy classes, medical appointments, and the Crosslines food pantry. Brentwood has provided food from their garden. Preparing for school to start has required numerous trips to procure clothes and supplies, as well as to communicate with the schools. One of our families includes children in three different schools. We include their neighbors (who are their same-language community here) as often as possible. We’ve transported our middle-schooler to her volleyball practice for the last week and taught her to ride the city bus home. There have been “Meet-the-Teacher” events for everyone. As you know, classes started this week! Please keep them in prayer as everyone adjusts to their new schedules and improves their English skills.
You’ve been concerned about how federal actions impact our families. We’ve been told that federal money for SNAP (food assistance for needy families) has been discontinued. However, since SNAP is administered by the states, our families continue to receive this help. We expect it to end abruptly, but don’t know when. In addition, Medicaid health insurance is supposed to end for refugees October 1 of next year (2026). At this point the International Institute of Southwest Missouri (IISMO) has funds to provide emergency support to refugee families, thanks in large part to donations from organizations like Trinity and individuals in the Springfield community. IISMO is NOT requesting additional financial assistance at this time. However, they have an ongoing need for volunteers, particularly as English tutors (which they train). Contact Beth Kick or any member of the CSG for more details.
Liturgists for August
We are grateful to the following people who are sharing their gifts with Trinity by serving as liturgists during the month of June.
August 24 - no need for a liturgist - our celebration
August 31 - Amy Price
If you would like to serve as liturgist, please contact Martha Bledsoe.
Slides Before Worship Service
If your group would like to get slides in the pre-service announcement time, they need to email them to Robert Reed.
Prayer Chain
There are currently 16 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.
Trinity Sunday School Classes
This past Sunday during the Sunday School hour Brian Fogle spoke on “Our Church, Our Community “ and reviewed salient topics of the Community Focus Report. He has kindly provided these links for our benefit. Much to ponder as we explore how Trinity connects with our community. Thank you, Brian!
https://springfieldcommunityfocus.org/
https://1drv.ms/p/c/86b3ba5fe2f5868b/ESVlBjJMiYBLkFka85x6Ww0BLSoGd0R-EzblbXefF1TGww
Mark your calendars for the start of the 2025/2026 Sunday School year. Classes begin September 7!
Adult Class- Room 17
Anyone is welcome to join us as we explore our faith together. September 7 will include an introduction to the study and short video segment.
Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi
In this Bible study based on her Short Stories by Jesus, Amy-Jill Levine analyzes these "problems with parables" taking readers back in time to understand how their original Jewish audience understood them. With this revitalized understanding, she interprets these moving stories for the contemporary reader, showing how the parables are not just about Jesus, but are also about us—and when read rightly, still challenge and provoke us two thousand years later.
This study includes a participant guide and videos. Please contact Amy Price (630-234-6562) or Daphne Anderson with questions, or if you'd like a participant guide.
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.
