Thank you to everyone who made the Souper Bowl of Caring a success on Sunday! We raised over $300 for the food pantry!

The missions team was proud to partner with our youth group for the Souper Bowl of Caring. It is a simple and meaningful way to unite communities around important issues, such as hunger, poverty and homelessness. Souper Bowl of Caring empowers young people to lead the movement in their local community, believing that no one is too young to make a difference. This national movement is transforming the weekend of the Big Game into the nation’s largest youth-inspired weekend of giving and serving.

By Pastor Tracey Leslie

This past fall, a small, diverse group of laity met together to begin to brainstorm ideas for how we might build stronger relationships with our neighborhood.  On Sunday, February 12, they will share their ideas at an event I’ve dubbed “Community Dream Day.”

In January, 2015, Trinity developed the Vision Statement: “Growing in love and service through relationships with God and community.”  From time to time Trinity members have asked me if the “community” in our vision statement is our congregation or our surrounding neighborhood.  And the answer is BOTH!  When I arrived at Trinity, members talked to me about the need for our congregation to have more frequent opportunities for fellowship.  Research has revealed that, in recent years, a sense of community and the building of relationships has become the number one thing people are seeking when they look for a church.  Relationships transform our lives; relationships – with God and our community – are how we grow.     

“So,” you might be wondering, “what will happen at Community Dream Day?”

“Community Dream Day” is an event designed to discern effective new initiatives for building deeper relationships with our neighborhood.  The event will involve prayer, discussion, brain storming, and of course food! 

Here’s what it will look like…

Immediately following worship on Sunday, Feb. 12, we’ll gather in the basement Friendship Room.  We’ll begin our time together with lunch.  Sandwiches and beverage will be provided.  You are encouraged to bring a side dish, dessert or snack.  After we eat, you’ll hear from members of the Dream Team as they share some of the ideas we generated together last fall.  Next, at each round table the various ideas will be discussed, challenged, clarified, developed, and refined with input from YOU.  A facilitator will guide the conversation at each table.  You’ll have several minutes at one table.  Then, a bell will sound, and you’ll be encouraged to switch tables.  It will be a little like speed dating!
As you move from table to table, you’ll be encouraged to let the facilitator know if you:
· would like to be involved in fleshing out this new initiative
· would like to participate in implementing the new initiative
· have a particular skill or talent you can and will contribute 

Here’s one of the best parts:  In addition to discussing the ideas already generated, there will be a table where you can share your ideas and dreams.  They need only meet one criterion: to align with our Vision Statement by focusing, specifically, on building ongoing relationships with our surrounding community.  

“What will happen after Dream Day?” you may ask.

Based on ideas, interest and feedback, we can then discern what dreams for our community should be planned and implemented over the coming year.  

Your input is needed!  So come and be a part of “Community Dream Day.”  

by Pastor Tracey Leslie

On December 7, 2016, at a special Church Conference, Trinity members voted by an overwhelming majority to accept the Trustees’ recommendation to sell the Education Building. This will be a big change for Trinity and change can be hard. Anytime we are confronted by change, we wonder, “What’s next?”  Sometimes we ask “What’s next?” with trepidation and hesitation.  At other times we ask “What’s next?” with eagerness and anticipation. 
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I want you to know that, in light of this big change, I ask “What’s next?” with eagerness and anticipation.  With the sale of the Education Building, we will have the opportunity to devote more resources (time, money and energy) to people.  I am excited for the future God has prepared for us and I hope you will join with me in celebrating some of the great joys and blessings of this past year:

• We continue to see the fruit of our decision to move our Children’s Ministry space into our church building.  Along with an increase in young families in worship, we’ve seen an increase of young adults engaging in discipleship groups and hands-on ministry.
• There was some concern in consolidating the positions of office administrator, youth and children into one new, full-time ministry position: Director of Congregational Ministries. Concerns were expressed about volunteer support.  But Melissa has done a wonderful job of recruiting, engaging and equipping volunteers; thus providing more adults in our congregation the opportunity to build relationships with our youth and children.
• We also had deep concern about the retirement of our long-time Maintenance person, Terry Jones.  But Mel Shoaf and Bob Lilly stepped up to share this responsibility as volunteers.  They are doing an excellent job and continue to seek additional volunteers to support them in this ministry. 
• Though our “official” United Methodist Women’s ministry came to an end, a new women’s ministry is growing.  Along with hosting a women’s group in her home, Kristi Evans and Kay Franscoviak organized a monthly “Ladies Night Out.”  It’s provided opportunities for fellowship among women ranging in age from their twenties to their nineties!  Through our fellowship we’ve learned more about one another and more about the ministries our church provides.  New volunteers have engaged in ministry as a result of these events.

Do you see a pattern emerging?  Our volunteer pool at Trinity is growing!  What a blessing that God is raising up servant leaders who are responding to God’s call.  It is hard to lose a building filled with many wonderful memories.  But the church is not a building; the church is a people.  I am eager and excited to see “what’s next” in 2017 for the people called Trinity.