Remaining Connected - April 20, 2020

Have I said lately how proud I am of our Trinity family?  Because of how last week you all showed up big and helped collect over half a TON of food and supplies for Crosslines?  Because every day you are calling and texting and checking in on each other?  Well, I've got another reason today.

Yesterday, the Trinity Session met via Zoom for our monthly meeting.  After we checked in with one another and talked about how to best care for our congregation, we voted on one item of business -- our budget.  I have to be honest, these are scary times for lots of churches.  In a "normal" month the majority of our giving comes through the offering plate in worship, but the Trinity family knows how to adapt.  You all are mailing checks and rocking online giving.  That, paired with your generosity in the past, made this an easy decision:

We have increased our Mission & Public Witness budget by $26,000.

This means that our Mission budget is now $100,000.  All of these additional funds will be used to work with our mission partners to meet the extraordinary needs from the COVID-19 pandemic.  Everywhere we look there are increased needs, and we will continue to express the radical generosity of God in our own actions.  I want to be clear, we are NOT cutting other areas of our budget.  We remain committed to the full work of the church and to meeting our obligations to our staff, mission, and facility partners.

Trinity has been blessed by the generosity of our congregation, and we have a vital role to play in serving our community during this crisis.  In the weeks to come I look forward to sharing with you the ways we are playing our part in serving the most vulnerable in this unprecedented time.  I thank you especially for your continued prayers, both for our community and world, but also our church as we seek to be faithful servants of Christ.


Another Way to Connect...

On another front, I am excited to share a new way of connecting that I'm starting today.  Social Media Scripture.  Each day I'll be sharing, via our social media channels, a verse or two of scripture from the daily lectionary along with a one or two sentence reflection.  These aren't sermons, just a quick mid-day reflection on God's Word.  I hope you'll hop on Facebook, Twitter (@trinitysgfpcusa), or Instagram (@trinitysgfpcusa) and check out the posts, join the conversation, and share with your friends and family.


Here are the ways you can connect with your Trinity family this week on Zoom:

Coffee & Conversation - Tuesday from 2pm to 3pm
Join me for a time of conversation and checking in at our virtual coffee shop. We will gather via Zoom (from the comfort of our own home) to chat and check in with one another.  Bring your questions, prayer concerns, and more!  If you've not come before, why not give it a try this week?

• Join by computer/smartphone/tablet at this link: https://zoom.us/j/609200160

• Join by phone by calling +1 312 626 6799 and entering, when prompted:
  Meeting ID: 609 200 160
  Password: [Check Email or Contact Office]

Thursday Study Group - Thursdays from 4pm to 5pm
Each week I'll be leading a discussion / study group via Zoom where we discuss a weekly topic or article.  I'm listing the topic in this email each week; you don't have to show up every week -- come when the topic is interesting to you!  This week we are reading a wonderful article on God's Grace (click the link for the article).

• Join by computer/smartphone/tablet at this link: https://zoom.us/j/93525254436

• Join by phone by calling +1 312 626 6799 and entering, when prompted:
  Meeting ID: 935 2525 4436
  Password: [Check Email or Contact Office]

Sunday Morning Social Hour & Sunday School - Sunday from 10:00am to 11:30am
Join your Trinity family for a time of conversation this Sunday.  We will gather as a large group briefly at 10:00 and then into smaller groups for our Sunday School classes, plus a general space for those who just want to chat (or check out this whole Zoom thing).

• Join by computer/smartphone/tablet at this link: https://zoom.us/j/928867456

• Join by phone by calling  +1 312 626 6799 and entering, when prompted:
  Meeting ID: 928 867 456
  Password: [Check Email or Contact Office]

Check out our Zoom help guide here: https://trinityspringfieldpcusa.org/zoom

Thanks for being part of the Trinity family.  If there is a way I can be a good support to you and your family in these hard days, please let me know.

Peace,
Pastor Chris
Trinity Presbyterian
Springfield, MO