Trinity Newsletter for November 17, 2022
From Pastor Chris
This coming Sunday is an important moment in the life of our church family. As we do every year, we will come together and dedicate our pledges of financial support for the coming year. While you are likely aware of the practical implications of your decision to pledge your support to Trinity, empowering us to do the work of Jesus Christ right here in Springfield, today I want to encourage you to consider the spiritual implications as well.
For me, it rests on a single question: where do you place your hope?
It is popular to believe that we can be totally self-reliant, able to provide for ourselves or our families while relying on no one else. Beyond the logistical challenges (I love cheese - I'm not sure I would love the process of trying to make cheese...), this mindset has another problem: it isn't the vision God has for humanity.
We are created to live in covenant relationship with the God who created each of us with a smile and the affirmation "It is good!" When we place our ultimate hope in anything aside from God (our own strength or intelligence, a political party or candidate, or even the love of a family member), we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. It's like the great hymn says, "on Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."
Now, I'm not saying that the only (or even best) way to demonstrate your hope is to make a giant pledge to Trinity. But I am suggesting that how we use the resources given to us by God, including our finances, expresses a great deal about where we place our hope.
Over the coming days, if you haven't already taken some time in prayer to consider how you might participate in the financial life of Trinity in this year to come would you please do so? You can learn more about our pledge campaign, and even make your pledge online on our website: https://trinityspringfieldpcusa.org/pledge
I am delighted you are part of the Trinity family. If you would ever like to get together for coffee or lunch or just to chat, please let me know!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Chris
Candidates for Church Officers
The Nominating Committee is pleased to introduce to the congregation our slate of officers in leadership roles for the following terms of office:
ELDER (2025) DEACON (2025)
Daphne Anderson Karen Cavicchia
Carrie Arquitt ELDER/TRUSTEE Barbara Highley
Ann Crites Edith Reed
Mike Wills Mike Simpson
ELDER (2024) DEACON (2024)
Mike White Jan Redfern
DEACON (2023)
David Conaway
NOMINATING COMMITTEE (2025)
Betty Forrester YOUTH DEACON (2023)
Brenda Sneed Ansley Arquitt
In the next few weeks, you will be introduced you to some of these candidates.
They were each asked to respond to these questions: Where are you from? What brought you to Trinity? How are you involved at Trinity? What are your hopes for Trinity?
Carrie Arquitt
I grew up in Florida and then, with college and jobs, lived in many different states including North Carolina, Tennessee and now Missouri! We moved to Springfield in the summer 2002. Work brought us here but we have enjoyed being a part of the community here. I grew up in the Catholic church and George grew up in a PCUSA church in Stillwater, Oklahoma. When we came to Springfield, we attended many different churches to find one that would feel comfortable to both of us and became members of First and Calvary. After the schism we chose to join Trinity to be a part of a church family that was interested in hearing all viewpoints. I have been involved in Sunday School (SALT), different committees, and the youth group. I hope that Trinity continues to be an inclusive community that focuses on service and community involvement, especially for the displaced and homeless.
Ansley Arquitt
I am from Springfield, Missouri and have lived here all my life. I love to travel and see new places and cultures.When Trinity formed, I was pretty young and my parents made the decision to join Trinity, but I am glad to be a part of a church that is so supportive of the youth. I always see a familiar face and feel very loved by our congregation. I am involved in the church youth and will be a youth deacon this year. I have been fortunate to participate in my confirmation at Trinity and visit church summer camps like Montreat and Triennium with my church friends. I would love to see the youth grow and have more younger and teen church members.
Annual Pie Supper
The Generosity and Engagement and the Welcome and Fellowship committees invite you to join our Pie Supper, Sunday, November 20 following the service. We are celebrating the generous stewardship that Trinity shows for our church family and the community beyond our doors. Let’s eat pie and enjoy each other!!
Presbyterian Women Christmas Brunch
Presbyterian Women are having a Christmas Brunch on Saturday morning, December 10, from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the downstairs Fellowship Hall. There will be food and Christmas caroling. Guests are asked to bring a pair of gloves, socks or hat to be donated to the homeless.
Welcome & Fellowship Committee Report
Here is a summary from the most recent meeting of the Welcome & Fellowship Committee:
Coffee is available in the foyer and we are looking for people to help with the coffee serving process. We are considering also serving coffee near the West entrance.
There is nasal Narcan in a cabinet in the old office area- training in how to use this, the AED, CPR and First-Aid refresher remains an open item.
We plan to hand out Christmas Eve cookie bags. Sign up for volunteers to make cookie bags will be Dec. 4 and 11.
We discussed hosting a “Chili after Church Pot Luck” on Jan. 15 as a way to kick off the new year.
Trinity/Brentwood Handbell Choir!
If you have ever been interested in ringing handbells, now is the time! We are forming a joint handbell choir with our friends from Brentwood. There is a sign-up sheet at church, but you can also contact Carla Wootton at carlaw@trinityspringfieldpcusa.org if you haven't signed up at church. Carla will be emailing folks in the next week or so about the best time to rehearse, etc. This can be all ages (middle school and older), and although it is helpful if you read music, we will teach you the basics if you can't. Illace Mears will also be helping direct our joint bell choir, so you know we're going to have fun when Ilace is there! Contact Carla for more information!
PW Circle Days/Times
Lydia Circle: 1st Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. at Trinity (Susan Uffmann, 417-827-2487)
(Note: September will be on Sept. 13)
Sarah Circle: 2nd Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. at Trinity (Brenda Kane, 417-773-5583)
Rachel Circle: 2nd Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. in homes (Cynthia Oliver, 417-719-8070)
Rebecca Circle: 2nd Tuesday, 2:30 p.m. at Trinity (Jan Redfern, 417-225-2435)
Esther Circle: 3rd Monday , 6:30 p.m. at Trinity (Kristin Butler, 417-268-8015)
Morning, afternoon, or evening – there is a time and place for you to join other women in fellowship, growth and friendship as we walk through studying the Bible together.
Trinity Sunday School Classes
There are Sunday School opportunities for all ages from Kindergarten on. 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.
Adult Class offerings:
Studying the Word- (formerly the Lectionary Class), meets in the Trinity Room. Participants can attend in person or by Zoom. Together we read scripture and apply its wisdom to our lives. We’d love for all interested in learning more about the Bible, one passage at a time, to join us. All our welcome! Contact person: Susan Holiday
Topical Discussions Fellowship- adult learners of all ages meet in the Fellowship Hall. With good coffee and fresh treats from the class members, we strive to discuss a variety of topics relevant to our religion in today’s society. Topics last year included: Immigration in the US, The Apostles’ Creed by Pastor Adam Hamilton, and Christmas in the Four Gospel Homes. We hope you will join us for fellowship and discussion. Contact: Dave Muegge
SALT - a casual class in a discussion format. Studies are chosen with a focus on material that can be engaged in with little preparation. We share in leading lessons based on participant comfort level. Come when you can, no experience required! SALT meets in Room 17. Contact: Amy Price
Four and More- this Bible Study has this name from meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays... presently by Zoom. We have been walking through the Bible together for four years and are presently studying the book of Romans. Anyone wanting to join can send their email address to leader, Jane Huffstetler. She will provide the Zoom link. huffstetlerjane48@gmail.com
Youth:
Lunch and Lessons - Middle and High School youth enjoy lunch the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month while exploring topics youth members select from our resources. We intend to have a safe space for open conversation in hopes of supporting independent thought while offering a faith-based perspective. Contact: Nissa Krier- nissakrier@gmail.com
Young Children- Ages Kindergarten through grade 5 meet in the Children's Room in the Southwest Corner of the building. The Bible we use is called Growing in God's Love. Classes include activities and crafts. Teachers, Sarah Muegge-(twin2_53@hotmail.com) and Jan Redfern- (jredfern1313@gmail.com) would be happy to see our Trinity kids and their friends.
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