Weekly Newsletter - April 30, 2020
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From Pastor Chris
For over a month now I've been sharing in the work of the "Have Faith Initiative" here in Springfield. Each week, faith leaders from across denominations and traditions come together on a Zoom call to hear updates from our civic leaders and public health officials. We then work together to coordinate our responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am proud to be pastor of a church willing to work with others to serve our community.
During our calls we have been hearing from the staff of several of our local food pantries. They have shared how the need for their services continues to rise, week on week, while their ability to access items through their normal supply lines is still challenging. Additionally, a few weeks ago we learned that the "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive (usually run each spring by the postal service) has been canceled for this year. To put that in perspective, the letter carriers' drive alone supplies four of the largest pantries in Springfield (Crosslines, Victory Mission, Salvation Army, and Grand Oaks) with over 250,000 lbs of donated food. It would cost almost $500,000 to purchase that amount.
That is why it is so important for us to keep working to collect items for Crosslines. Every pound of food we collect is a pound they don't have to buy, especially when supply chains are still strained. Yes, financial donations help too - and that is why Trinity continues to provide financial support in addition to our supply donations. With the combination of donated items and financial help, we can help make sure the most vulnerable in our community don't go hungry.
Please know how proud I am of Trinity.
Peace,
Pastor Chris
How YOU Can Help Make a Difference This Week:
Crosslines Supply Drive
Our Easter Weekend Supply Drive for Crosslines was a HUGE success, so we want to do another! We will again be collecting donations at Trinity to take to Crosslines and help make sure no family goes hungry. Here's how to help:
Gather items from the list below. PLEASE only donate unopened, non-expired items and items NOT in glass jars. Crosslines cannot use open, expired (even recently expired) items or items in glass jars.
Once you have gathered your supplies, bring them to the church on Monday, May 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Come to the West / Trinity entrance and pull up to the covered entrance. Someone will meet you at your car to bring your donation inside. Please wait in your car until the person ahead of you has unloaded.
We will then make one delivery to Crosslines.
NOTE: If you are unable to deliver your donation to church from 10:00-1:00 on Monday please contact Penni Groves or Sharon Marsh; one of our volunteer team will be happy to pick up your donation from your home.
Here are the items most in need this week:
Jelly or Jam in Plastic Jars
Canned Soup
Canned Tuna or Chicken
Other items always in need:
Peanut Butter
Canned Veggies & Fruit
Boxed Items (esp Cereal and Mac & Cheese)
Spices (esp Salt & Pepper)
Aluminum Foil
Plastic Wrap
Sandwich Bags
Pet Food
What if I can't make it to the store?
No worries! There will be more opportunities in the weeks to come. Additionally, financial assistance is always helpful. You can make a gift right now via our church website: https://trinityspringfieldpcusa.org/give (there is also information there on how/where to mail a check if you prefer that route). Gifts designated "COVID-19 Relief" will go to support local and immediate needs for relief.
Work of the Church: April, 2020
The Deacons met via video-conference on Sunday, April 19, 2020. The next meeting of the Deacons is to be determined.
The Deacons’ April report: The Deacons continue to work with the Elders to check in with all members of the church to see how they are navigating the new world of COVID-19, lend a friendly ear, and identify any needs. They spent time reviewing the status of that work. The Deacons have also begun contacting members with birthday wishes. If you would like to be included but are not sure we have your birthday, you may contact your Deacon or the church office.
Debbie Cron is the Chair of Deacons, and David Bohnenkamper is Clerk of Deacons.
The Session met via video-conference on Sunday, April 19, 2020. The next scheduled meeting of the Session is Sunday, May 17, 2020.
During April, the Session:
Voted to increase the budget of the Mission and Public Witness committee by $26,000 to address critical community needs in this time of crisis.
Checked in with one another and reported on congregation contacts.
For questions regarding the work of the Session, you may contact Anita Dixon, Clerk of Session.
Treasurer’s Report
Total Income
3/1-3/31/2020: $43,308.58 YTD (1/1-3/31/2020): $136,081.58
Total Expenses
3/1-3/31/2020: $31,432.74 YTD (1/1-3/31/2020): $90,763.07
Operating Budget Account Balance as of 3/31/20: $42,795.85
ICS (Insured Cash Sweep -- also known as “Trinity Funds for the Future”) Account Balance as of 3/31/20: $650,948.13
Questions about the Treasurer’s Report may be directed to the Treasurer, Stephen Kane.
The following is a list of the various committees and organizations of Trinity, along with their leadership teams. While we are unable to meet in person, most of the focus of the work of the church has been on mission outreach.
Christian Education and Faith Formation (Leadership Team: David Bohnenkamper (D), and Randy Hoops (E), Martha Sparrow (E))
Communications Task Force (Leadership Team: Kristin Butler (D), Debbie Cron (D), and Jim Stewart (E))
Finance (Leadership Team: Randy Hoops (E), Trace Johnson (E), and Colleen Laas (D))
Generosity and Engagement (Leadership Team: Patty Dunn (E) and Max Perryman (D)): The Generosity and Engagement Committee met via Zoom to discuss strategies and new avenues for giving during the pandemic. A three-letter/email program over Pastor Chris’s signature emphasizing the need for continued giving during this time was designed. In early April, Patty Dunn, Max Perryman, and Pastor Chris attended a Presbytery Zoom seminar on the importance of giving during these troubling times and heard about various options/methods of giving. These ideas are being shared with the congregation through Chris’s letters and the Trinity Newsletter.
Mission and Public Witness (Leadership Team: Debbie Cron (D), Penni Groves (E), and Vernon Mears (E)): April's committee meeting focused on:
Continued planning for provision of sack meals for the homeless at Grace Methodist Church.
Discussion for preparation of Sack Meals for Rare Breed and Eden Village.
Discussion of financial support for emergency grants.
Discussion of COVID-19 fund; a designated fund set up at Trinity for COVID-19 assistance.
Personnel (Leadership Team: Jim Stewart (E) and Brenda Williams (E))
Welcome and Fellowship (Leadership Team: Patty Dunn (E), Mary Kay Hoops (D), and Cletus Johnson (E))
Worship and Music (Leadership Team: Katherine Arquitt (YD), Kristin Butler (D), Nia Howard (E), and Brenda Williams (E))
Please Note: (E) designates Elder, (D) designates Deacon, and (YD) designates Youth Deacon.
Carla's Corner
Trinity Graduating Seniors
This week I would like to highlight our Trinity Seniors who will be graduating in May. We want to shower them with as many cards, well-wishes and Graduation traditions as we can, as this will be the most non-traditional Graduation experienced by our youth. Our goal is to make them feel as special as we can, as Covid19 has drastically changed one of the most special moments and traditions most kids and their families anticipate. Graduation is a big deal. Let's see if we, their Trinity family, can help them feel the big deal in all they have accomplished!
Sophia Gentle
Sophia is graduating from Central HS, where she has been all 4 years ... This was her 3rd year as a Kiltie - this year as Assistant Majorette. She has loved every minute of it! Kilties and school work were pretty all-consuming for her. She loves art and will be receiving the certificate in International Baccalaureate Art at graduation. Unfortunately, her senior art show was canceled with the shut down.
She had a goal this year to complete over 100 hours of tutoring for the A+ program (only 50 hours are required by the schools) but that was cut short - she really enjoyed working with elementary students in math at Sunshine Elementary this year.
She has done well in school and, with her high ACT score, was awarded partial scholarships at all the colleges she applied to. All things considered (distance, opportunities, cost/scholarships, etc) she will be attending Missouri State University with plans to live on campus (we feel sorry for her so we are going to help pay for that -argh!!). She loves art but is undecided about her future course of study - she has expressed interest in being a speech therapist but is not sure where her interests will lead her. I don't know that this is how she would describe herself, but she loves to bake & eat (she likes to cook fancy but also has a deep love for fast food), sleep and thrift store shop. Exploring thrift stores for vintage clothing is one of her favorite things.
Daniel Bohnenkamper
Daniel was born on May 30, 1997 at 4:22 p.m. at St. John’s (now Mercy) hospital in Springfield. He attended Pipkin Middle School, participating in the Pre-I.B. program, and then progressed to Central High School from which he was graduated magna cum laud with an International Baccalaureate diploma in 2015. At the age of 6, Daniel joined the Boy Scouts of America as a Tiger Cub and remained active in Scouting through the end of high school, eventually becoming a second generation Eagle Scout. One of the merit badges he earned in Boy Scouts was the Aviation badge, which sparked his interest in the
field. As a result, he chose to attend the Wichita State University College of Engineering majoring in Aerospace Engineering. While attending WSU he has been a member of the Honors College, Sigma Gamma Tau National Honor Society in Aerospace Engineering, Engineers Without Borders, and WSU Rocket Club. On May 16, 2020, Daniel will be graduated from Wichita State University as an Honors College graduate, cum laud, with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering degree. Due to the spread of COVID-19, he will not walk in commencement until the December 13 graduation.
May Day Project!
On Wednesday, supplies were dropped off at homes for our May Day Project. Many of our youth, children and parents decorated pots and planted flowers PLUS made cards for those in care facilities (where outside deliveries like plants aren't currently allowed.) This is our way of continuing the Trinity May Day tradition to members of our congregation who have dealt with health issues, loss of a loved one, or special circumstances. We will have many pictures on our Facebook page and in our newsletter next week. To be continued.......
Mother's Day
We have a little something special for our Trinity children (elementary & Pre-K) that I'm going to be delivering to their doorsteps next week, before Mother's Day. Julie Thomas, one of our crafty friends, is providing the fixins' and a "how to" video for a really neat napkin holder. This might be fun for the kids to make for their mom's or grandma's for a Mother's Day meal. More information next week!
Trinity Youth Connecting
Wednesday nights, beginning at 7:30 p.m., our youth gather via Zoom. We have been having a lot of fun playing "blank slate" and might even try a little trivia! Contact Carla if you need information.
Sunday Youth Nights begin at 5:30. Reed is our leader as we play some fun games thru Discord and Jackbox.tv. A lot of laughing happens in the span of a couple of hours!
In-Person Activity Suspension
All in-person activities of Trinity have been suspended through and including Sunday, May 10, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes all gatherings such as worship, social events, studies, and meetings. Under our current suspension the first possible date for in-person church activities is Monday, May 11, 2020. We will review the public health situation and current guidance as the end of April approaches and communicate any updates.
We strongly encourage all members and friends of Trinity to follow the COVID-19 mitigation measures being recommended by our public health officials. These steps are essential to slowing the spread and will save lives.
Each year at Easter we collect the One Great Hour of Sharing special offering. This offering is the single biggest way Presbyterians around the nation gather together to fund three critical denominational programs: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People. These three programs are on the front lines of providing relief and recovery, and our support is needed now more than ever in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. If you are in a position to do so, please consider supporting this special offering today.
Instructions on how to give via check or online are available here: https://trinityspringfieldpcusa.org/give
May Birthdays at Trinity
Take a moment to say a prayer of thanks for these members of our Trinity family this month!
May 1 Debbie Cron
May 1 Carla Wootton
May 5 Debbie Stewart
May 6 Trace Johnson
May 7 Elijah Conaway
May 10 Robert Reed
May 13 Zion Howard
May 14 Hazel Amos
May 19 David Fleetwood
May 29 Wayne Highley
May 30 Daniel Bohnenkamper
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
For the latest update on staying connected, check out this post by Pastor Chris.
https://trinityspringfieldpcusa.org/news/remaining-connected-april-27-2020
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
For the family and friends of Carolyn Hart, widow of the late Rev. Dr. Jack Hart, at her death on Wednesday, April 29,2020.
Strength and comfort for Jerry Redfern and his family.
The families of Frances Reynolds, Pat Lockhart, and 'Lyn Meyer (friends from First & Calvary) who have recently passed on to the church triumphant.
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.
Tom Cavicchia and family, for strength and comfort.
