Trinity Newsletter for July 14, 2022
From Pastor Chris
Every two years, the Presbyterian Church (USA) gathers for General Assembly. Representatives from every presbytery, synod, and denominational agency come together to worship, pray, study, and discern how we can best serve Christ. This year marked the 225th time presbyterians in the United States have gathered to do this work, while also being the first ever "hybrid" assembly, with a mixture of in-person and online events over the course of nearly four weeks.
To give a scope of the work, this year's GA had 18 committees considering 232 items of business (termed "overtures") along with several dozen reports and task force updates. Each overture is assigned to the relevant committee. The committee is then responsible for reading all the supporting materials and hearing presentations from the referring presbytery, committee, or agency. After all the information has been gathered, the committee (usually of about 35-40 commissioners) holds deliberations on how best to respond. Their recommendation is then sent to the full assembly for a final vote.
If approved, some overtures take effect right away, like an overture calling for GA to make public comment on a current issue. Others require a majority of presbyteries to concur before it becomes official; this is almost always in the case of amendments to the Constitution of the PC(USA), like changes to the Book of Order. In either case, for an overture to be approved by the full assembly means it has been discussed and voted on by at least four different church bodies (the originally referring presbytery, at least one concurring presbytery (usually many more), the GA committee, and the GA full assembly) - nothing is decided that hasn't been through much discernment, prayer, and study.
TAP HERE FOR A SUMMARY OF THE 225TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The document linked above gives a roundup of some of the biggest issues considered by this year's assembly, from statements on Israel/Palestine and reproductive justice to concrete work we are undertaking to make our denomination more open and equitable. Tap the link to open the file and then use the orange text to link to more information about any of the included topics.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Chris
Summer Series: Embracing Vitality In Our Common Life
Sunday Morning Study - Sundays at 10:15 a.m. in Fellowship Hall and on Zoom
Join Pastor Chris as he leads a summer long study series on the Seven Marks of Vitality and how they apply to Trinity.
Sunday Morning Worship - Sundays at 11:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary
Our worship services over the summer will reflect on our themes of vitality as together we sing, pray, and hear scripture on God's call to our community.
Thursday Afternoon Discussion Group - Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. in Room 17
We will gather each week for a less structured time of discussion around topics of vitality and discernment. This is independent of the Sunday class. You don't need to attend the class to fully participate in the discussion group, but those who attend the class might find this a good chance to go deeper on the topic of the week.
VBS Says Thank You
It’s hard to tell who had more fun at Vacation Bible School, the kids or the adults! Although it was a really hot week, and we asked the kids to mask when we were inside, we think they all had fun, made new friends and grew in their faith. Our theme was The Power of Water so we had lots of games and crafts that involved a water theme (including a water slide that looked like a ship) and also learned familiar Bible stories where water played a significant part of the story. Twenty-four children from three congregations (Trinity, Westminster and Brentwood) participated in VBS.
Trinity members who assisted in various ways include Mary Kay Hoops, Brenda Havens, Sydney English, Dave Hart, Susan Hart, Paula Tindell, Jan Renfern, Mike Simpson, Nissa Krier, Caleb Conaway, Carla Wootton, Katherine Arquitt, Dave Muegge and Sarah Muegge.
A short video presentation of what the kids experienced this week is in the works and should be available soon. Again, thank you for supporting this important ministry for children.
Story Corps Interview with Afghan Refugee
This summer KSMU, our local National Public Radio station, sponsored a visit by Story Corps, a program which allows ordinary people to interview someone important to them and have the interview archived in the Library of Congress. On June 29, KSMU aired an interview between Martha Sparrow (Trinity Mission Committee) and Hamid Safi, the first Afghan refugee sponsored by Trinity. Tap Here to listen to an excerpt from that interview.
Transportation Volunteers Needed
From time to time we have members of the Trinity family who would like to attend in-person worship or events but don’t have transportation. If you would be willing to help drive someone to church, please contact June in the church office (417-450-2544) so we can connect you with opportunities to help.
CURRENT NEED: Two individuals will need a ride for 2 or 3 weeks in August while their usual ride is out of town. They live near Fremont and Republic and one uses a walker, so the vehicle will need enough space for the walker.
Presbyterian Women Luncheon
Presbyterian Women will be having a luncheon on Friday, July 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Ocean Zen The cost is $21 per person, and the meal will be buffet style all you can eat. Please RSVP and pay as soon as possible. Checks should be made payable to Presbyterian Women and be given to our treasurer, Gail Tombleson or me.
Thank you very much,
Brenda Kane
Called To Care
Called to Care is a special program of Trinity Church. It was created to
Affirm our members in their individual mission outreach in the community.
Support a broad range of helping agencies making a positive difference in the community.
Called to Care is a grant program open to any Trinity member who volunteers through a non-profit agency which may have special projects or unique opportunities arise.
Applications are available on the church’s website or by contacting any member of the leadership team of the Mission and Public Witness Committee: Bob Bell (E) Joan Menchetti (E) David Connaway (D). The Committee receives, screens, and approves grants and welcomes applications from our members at any time.
Trinity Church is represented throughout the community by our members who invest their time, energy, and resources in a diverse range of offerings the community provides. Trinity Church is invested in mission—individually and corporately—serving the needs of all God’s children. How can the church come alongside you to undergird your mission?
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