Weekly Newsletter 9/24/20
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Trinity Presbyterian Church PC(U.S.A.)
Welcoming you to share the joy of Christ
Worshiping Together | Serving Together | Caring Together
September 24, 2020
From Pastor Chris
For over two years now, Trinity has been working with our mission partners at Eden Village to help directly address the root causes of homelessness in Springfield. Thanks to your generosity, Trinity House at Eden Village was built, furnished, and landscaped. A brick walkway was added to make Trinity House more accessible, and we continue to provide financial support to cover the ongoing administrative costs of Trinity House. All of this has meant something simple, yet profound: an amazing lady named Marie has a home. She doesn't have to worry day by day where she will sleep or if she will be safe.
Today, I am delighted to share with you the next phase of our partnership with Eden Village! Earlier this year, construction began on Eden Village 2. Located on the site of a former mobile home park in NW Springfield, EV2 will eventually provide a permanent, safe home for 24 residents in a similar fashion to EV1. The first homes are on site along with the community center, and by the end of November the first four residents will have moved in. These four are current residents at EV1 and they will help new residents transition into Eden Village life. If all goes according to plan, by this time next year EV2 will have all 24 homes filled. There are currently over 160 individuals on the waiting list, so the need is great.
Here is where we come in! Trinity is partnering with our friends at Westminster Presbyterian Church to fund the Eden Village 2 Store. The store is an important part of the Eden Village model, according to Nate Schlutter, the Eden Village COO:
"Our residents are used to relying on handouts...if we just give them toilet paper or laundry detergent they never develop the skills to be self-reliant. However, many of them don't have the income right away to get food plus household necessities. The store lets them earn credit by doing volunteer work around the village to get necessities like toilet paper or soap."
The store is stocked with donations. Then, once a week, residents can fill out a supply request form for items in stock in the store. Help a neighbor mow their yard? That can help you get laundry detergent or paper towels. Community is built while helping residents regain agency and dignity.
Trinity and Westminster have each pledged $10,000 to cover the cost of the store, an extra-tiny home built as a backyard project by someone in Springfield -- too small for housing, but perfect to sort and prepare items for the store. If you would like to help Trinity meet our pledge for the store, or assist with our ongoing commitment to EV1, you may make a gift to our "Eden Village" designated fund.
We believe that Springfield can be a city where no one has to sleep outside and, home by home, we are making it a reality.
Peace,
Pastor Chris
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Peace and Global Witness Special Offering
Each year, Trinity works to support peacemaking in our community, region, and world through our support of the national Peace & Global Witness offering of the PC(USA). This offering supports peacemaking efforts here in Springfield, across our region, and around the world. 25% of the Peace & Global Witness offering stays right here at Trinity to support our own peacemaking efforts, 25% supports regional efforts through John Calvin Presbytery, and 50% supports our national and international work through the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
You can learn more here: https://trinityspringfieldpcusa.org/peace
In these days, it is even more important for each of us, as followers of Christ, to work for peace. Please consider making a gift today to the Peace & Global Witness offering. It's easy, here's how:
Make an immediate, secure gift online at: https://trinityspringfieldpcusa.org/give Click "Make a One Time Gift" and then select "Peace & Global Witness" from the designation drop-down
Mail your check to Trinity with "Peace & Global Witness" in the memo line. Trinity Presbyterian Church Attn: Steve Kane, Treasurer 1900 E Barataria St. Springfield, MO 65804
Thank you for your generous support of Trinity and the broader church.
Anti-Racism Book Study – Deadline Approaching
This October and November, Pastor Chris will be leading a Trinity-wide book study as part of our commitment to work for the dismantling of structural racism in our society. We will be reading together No Innocent Bystanders: Becoming an Ally in the Struggle for Justice by Shannon Craigo-Snell and Christopher J. Doucot. Together we will explore why we need to be allies and how we can work for justice.
We want everyone to take part in this study without any barriers. To help support that goal, our Mission & Public Witness Committee will be providing one complimentary copy of the book for every Trinity household.
If you want to receive your complimentary copy of the book, you don’t need to take any action. We know, however, that some households may not be able to participate or would prefer to purchase an electronic / Kindle version of the book. We also know that some would like to make a donation to cover the cost of their book, or might want to order a second (or third) copy for a friend or family member.
If you want to opt-out of receiving a copy of the book, make a donation to cover your copy, or order additional copies, please go here and complete the short form: http://bit.ly/TrinityNIB You may also email or call the church office.
All forms must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, September 27.
Once the books are delivered, there will be an opportunity for you to pick up your book and study guide at a "drive-through" event at church. More information will be sent after all orders are in.
Fellowship of Prayer
Please let me know if you are interested in the next week or so! Thanks!
This time of pandemic has been disruptive for each of us in so many ways, many of them unique and personal. However, one common theme I've found in my conversations with you all is this: the feeling of wanting to help, but not being sure how. Here is one way: a new group I'm forming, the Trinity Fellowship of Prayer.
The goal of this new group is to support our Deacons and Congregational Care team by having a group that will commit to holding our congregation, community, nation, and world in daily prayer. Each member will pray during a set time of the day, so all day long Trinity members will be lifting each other up in prayer. This group is specifically designed to operate from our individual homes, no meetings necessary, so anyone who feels led is able to participate.
Here is what is involved when you sign up:
You will choose an hour of the day (ex: 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.) and commit to pray daily during that hour. You don't need to pray for the whole hour, just at some point during the hour. We also know that things come up, so if you need to pray at a different time one day (or even miss an occasional day here and there) that is fine! The goal is simply to work toward a pattern.
I will provide you with a copy of the Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer to serve as a guide for your prayers, along with some suggestions from me. We have 30 copies available, thanks to the generous support of our national office.
If we have enough interest, you will be paired with a prayer partner during your hour. You can pray together over the phone, or just have someone to help keep you on track as you need. If you have someone in mind, let me know!
If you've been wondering how you can help serve during this time, maybe the Fellowship of Prayer is for you. If you're interested, or just want to learn more, please email or call. (cmiller@trinityspringfieldpcusa.org OR 816.805.2742) I would love to chat more about this opportunity, or anything else on your mind.
Pastor Chris
Worship With Trinity
Even though the pandemic means we aren't gathered together in the same physical space, we are still worshiping together at a church family. Find our latest worship service, plus weekly resources for families, devotional links, and much more on our worship page.
https://trinityspringfieldpcusa.org/worship
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Carla's Corner
Laughter! The last 2 Sundays we've had the youth over at our house for Youth Sunday. One thing my husband noticed was the laughter. We had snacks, including some birthday cupcakes made by Delicieux Bakery, tacos from Taco Bell, and then tons of prepackaged goodies. We then made plarn (plastic bag yarn) that we are using to crochet sleeping mats for our homeless neighbors who might need them this fall/winter. My favorite part was the conversations we were having while making the plarn. I laughed a lot! (Connor Holliday has a great country accent and kept me in stitches listening to him!) The kids played basketball and badminton, and we were even attempting to fly a kite. Lois Zerrer and her adorable dog Mr. Banks came as our +1 and helped with the plarn AND to be our additional adult to comply with our safe kids policy. (We always need 2 adults when doing in-person kid events.)
Plastic Bags Needed
If you have plastic bags you need to recycle, don't look any further! Send them to our Trinity Youth! You can drop them off at church or let Carla know and she'll come by your house and pick them up. Our friends at The Venues posted a video about making plastic mats for our homeless neighbors and requesting help doing this. What a great project for our Trinity Youth! We plan to work on this project anytime we are together. Also, if any of you, our Trinity family, might have some free time, you can make plarn for us and we will make the mats. It involves simple cutting of the plastic bags. Again, contact Carla if you are interested.
Would You Like to Be Trinity Youth's +1?
I'm so happy our children and youth can now meet, outside, distanced, but still do things together! Our Youth have had two Sunday night youth gatherings and our children will have their first TAK outing (Trinity's Awesome Kids) this Saturday. Whenever we have these events, we will always need 2 adults; me and someone else. Before Covid, that was Reed Dressler and me. But now Reed is in Utah! So, last Sunday night Lois Zerrer volunteered and it was so much fun! (Hopefully Lois felt the same!) If you would be willing to be our +1 for youth events, please let me know. We will run a simple background check on all who will volunteer. (It is super simple and user friendly.) Please email me (carlaw@trinityspringfieldpcusa.org) or call me (417-849-6865) if you are interested in being our +1 at youth/children events. And truly, all you have to do is show up, sit around and be with our Trinity kids. Nothing else is required! If you have something you want to share with our youth (a craft, a game, a devotion, etc.) we would love it, but we really just need YOU. It's very important our Trinity youth and adults get to know one another. The inter-generational element is very important!
Rare Breed Sack Meal Set for This Friday!
I’d like to give a big thank you to the Crites Family, Miller Family, Garvin Family, and Wootton Family who will be making 10 sack meals each for Carla to deliver to Rare Breed this Friday, September 25th. We already have 2 families signed up for our October date, but we will need 2 more. Let Carla know if you'd like to help in October! (Trinity Youth/Children furnish 40 sack meals to Rare Breed the 4th Friday of every month. Each family makes 10 sack meals and Carla picks them up and delivers to Rare Breed.)
Fall Gathering for SALT Class
Currently, Brenda Kane and Carla will be working on finding a good date in October for our SALT class to gather outside and have fellowship and a good time. Being together in a positive environment, with wonderful people, is ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT right now! Our Trinity family definitely meets that description!!!!
Goodbye, Marcie
Marcie Payne is moving to Oregon on Saturday, October 3, to be closer to her family. We'll miss you, Marcie, but we wish you all the best.
Thank You, From Grace Methodist Church
Thank you, Thank you.
Those of us who have been assisting Grace Methodist in their ministry to the homeless of our community are thrilled with the donations of personal hygiene items Trinity members made on our drive by collection event on Monday, September 14.
We exceeded our goals on baby wipes and combs, and got half way to our goal on hair brushes and three quarters to the goal on nail clippers. Way to go!
We will have a slightly different emphasis for our October drive by collections, so keep your eyes on the Newsletter.
Thanks again, Trinity members are awesome.
September Birthdays at Trinity
Take a moment to say a prayer of thanks for these members of our Trinity family this month!
Sept. 3 Katie Kull
Sept. 7 Randy Hoops
Sept. 9 Hope Trotter "60"
Sept. 9 Roger Schlemmer
Sept. 10 Susan Leonard
Sept. 11 Chris Plate
Sept. 14 Sue Woody
Sept. 14 Michael Howell
Sept. 15 Bill Trotter
Sept. 16 Jack Johnson "13"
Sept. 17 Liz Sweet
Sept. 17 Don Holliday
Sept. 17 Ann Hall
Sept. 17 Kathy Morriss
Sept. 19 Richard Miller
Sept. 21 Jane Huffstetler
Sept. 22 Sue Phillips
Sept. 23 Katherine Arquitt "17"
Sept. 28 Bill Havens
Sept. 28 Sandie Everett
Sept. 28 Marilyn Bell
If you would like to be included in our birthday list, please be sure to update your records with the church office before your birthday occurs. You may call or email your information.
Remaining Connected During Social Distancing
Even though we aren’t together for in-person worship, there is still a lot happening with your Trinity family right now. To see the latest, and how you can get involved in safe ways, visit our News & Updates page on the church website: https://trinityspringfieldpcusa.org/news
Sunday School Classes
The Fall 2020 schedule of classes can be found on the Trinity Website.
The Lectionary Class meets via Zoom at 9:30 a.m. on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month.
The Salt and Topical Discussion Class meet via Zoom from 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. on Sunday mornings.
The Topical Discussion Class is participating in a 7- part series from The Thoughtful Christian running September 20 through November 1. The theme is "The History of Religion and Politics in America", using contributions from various theologians and politicians. Discussion will be facilitated by various class members. Handouts are available on the Trinity Website.
Sept. 27: Session 2 - The History of Religion and Politics in America (Martha Bettis-Gee) - Dave Muegge
Oct. 4: Session 3- John Danforth on Religion and Politics -Rich Landrith
Oct. 11: Session 4- Ron Sider on Religion and Politics - Todd Morriss
Oct. 18: Session 5- Barack Obama on Religion and Politics- Eltjen Flikkema
Oct. 25: Session 6- Tony Campolo on Religion and Politics- Jim Stewart
Nov. 1: Session 7- Marian Wright Edelman on Religion and Politics-Carole Hudgings
Oct. 25- Session 6- Tony Campolo on Religion and Politics
Nov. 1- Session 7- Marian Wright Edelman on Religion and Politics
Resources
Contacting Pastor Chris
I want to be the best support I can for you. Here is how to get in touch:
The easiest way is by email: cmiller@trinityspringfieldpcusa.org
I am also available by phone or text at 816.805.2742
I am in the office most days, Monday through Thursday. I am currently holding personal meetings / counseling sessions outside under the covered Trinity entrance. Call or email to schedule a time for us to meet.
NOTE ABOUT FRIDAYS: I take Friday as my Sabbath day to focus on my family. I try to not reply to email, phone, or text. However, if there is an urgent pastoral issue, please contact Deacon Sharon Marsh at 417.880.5988/smarsh43@icloud.com or Deacon Greg Redfern at 417.225.2435/jredfern1313@gmail.com and they will make any necessary arrangements. If you have an immediate need to speak with a pastor and it is a Friday or Chris isn’t in town, you may call Rev. Bill Havens at 417.350.4507.
Prayer Concerns
If you or someone you love want to be included on the prayer list, please let the office know. (Always get permission before submitting information.) Also, when you want your name removed from the prayer list (or an update added), please let the office know at 417-450-2544 or office@trinityspringfieldpcusa.org.
Current
Ann Hall reports she is at home in a wheel chair and doing better in her recovery, but still asks for your prayers.
For David Bohnenkamper's aunt, Sharon, who has been diagnosed with bone cancer.
For the family and friends of Everett Evans at his death, especially his wife Janice and son Kyle, both of whom are Trinity members.
For friends of David and Susan Hart who have been diagnosed with cancer.
For Luke, nephew of Ron and Kristin Butler, who is receiving critical medical care, and for his family - parents Gretchen and Mark, and brother Jackson - as they navigate these challenges with him.
Brenda Havens continues to make progress on her recovery, and appreciates all the prayers.
For Lori Becker as she undergoes medical care.
Chris Plate and his family as he continues medical treatment.
Charlotte Dugan, as she receives medical care.
Michael Howell as he recovers from an auto accident.
QUICK NOTES
TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 3486, Springfield, MO 65808-3486 | 1900 E. Barataria Street | 417-450-2544 | office@trinityspringfieldpcusa.org
Learn more about Trinity Presbyterian Church at http://TrinitySpringfieldPCUSA.org
Be sure to follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/trinitypcusaspmo/
Learn more about the denomination at http://www.pcusa.org
