Need some good news? Check out all the blessings that Trinity has experienced over the past few weeks:
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Trinity Transportation Ministry: Many thanks to those who contributed toward the Easter offering for Trinity’s “new” used bus.  We exceeded the amount our “donor match” was seeking!  Our contributions (including one large gift) to date are $23,140.  A team is assembling to sift through the current bus options to make the final decision for purchase.  If you have skills related to vehicles and mechanics and would be willing to assist the team, contact Trustee chair, Frank Cederquist at [email protected]

PPP Loan/Grant: Trinity was awarded a Payback Protection Payment Loan.  Susie Riley, Trinity’s Financial Secretary, and several Trinity board members worked on this process.  Please thank them for their work which is a tremendous help to our church in this difficult time. 

Connect Through Tech Grant: Trinity was awarded a Connect Through Tech Grant from Center for Congregations.  This grant has allowed us to purchase a video camera, tripod and accessories, a webcam, and an outdoor sound system and accessories.  These devices will help us in our ministry and outreach during COVID and into the future.  Thanks to Morris DuBose and Lisa Nielsen who provided assistance in the preparation of this grant.

Like Us On Facebook: Would you like to continue to invite others to Trinity during COVID?  Do you want to help our church grow?  Do you want to support those who are struggling?  Then, like us on Facebook and share the sermons, music, serving stories, and 20 at Twilight.  Many are struggling during this difficult time.  Provide a source of spiritual support by “liking” and “sharing” Trinity’s virtual and online resources.

Brickwork: While we were all away, Ziolkowski completed brickwork on the final side of our church building!  During worship on June 14 we will celebrate this wonderful accomplishment.  Please express thanks to:

• Kristi Evans and Frank Cederquist, Trustee chairpersons during this long process,
• Dr. Steve Ash, who wrote and submitted three successful grant applications, totaling $150,000.
• Susie Riley, who completed significant paperwork as part of the grant process

Pastoral News: Pastor Tracey will be interviewed on Business Talk Radio on Tuesday, June 30 at 12:28 p.m.  This is an online radio station.  To hear the interview, click here: https://businesstalkradio1.com/studio-two/

Welcome Associate Pastor Suzanne Clemenz: We are pleased to announce that, beginning July 1, Suzanne Clemenz will be appointed as associate pastor (one quarter time) to Trinity to focus on the ministry areas of shut-in visitation and caring ministries. Pastor Suzanne is a North Carolina native. She answered the call to ministry four years ago and previously served as associate pastor at St. Andrew's UMC. Suzanne is enrolled in the Indiana Local Pastors Course of Study. She has degrees in English and women's and gender studies and was a doctoral student in the humanities at Purdue. She works at the YWCA focusing on services to domestic violence survivors and has long been engaged in social justice issues. Suzanne and her husband, Brent, reside in Lafayette with their three sons.

Pastoral Schedule: Depending upon COVID, Pastor Tracey anticipates ocular reconstructive surgery to take place in early July.  If that surgery does take place as scheduled, preaching, pastoral and administrative duties will be covered by Melissa and Pastor Suzanne.  Please watch the weekly E-blasts for updates. 

While in-person worship is set to resume on June 14, we recognize that many people should not initially
return.  If you are elderly, immune-compromised, or have a medical condition that places you at increased risk, please continue to engage with Trinity virtually.  Although we miss being together, we want everyone to remain safe.  Therefore, remote and in-person opportunities will continue simultaneously for the next several months.
In-Person Opportunities

• Worship resumes in the sanctuary on June 14 at the regular time.
• Just the Three of Us (connecting more deeply to God, ourselves, and others) takes place each Wednesday at 6 p.m. on the South Lawn. It begins with some study and discussion around a scripture from the gospel of Mark, exploring how it helps us grow in our understanding of God and our care for others.  At 6:40, we’ll conclude with a prayer format centered on the scripture.  To insure safety for everyone, please let Pastor Tracey know if you plan to attend, please bring your own chair, and masks are encouraged.  We will socially distance our chairs on the lawn.  No preparation is needed and each week is “independent.”  It is hoped that this will be an opportunity for spiritual and emotional self-care during this stressful time.

Remote or Virtual Opportunities

• 20 at Twilight takes place on Wednesday evenings at 8:40 (ending at 9 p.m.) via Facebook Live on the church’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TrinityUMC509).  It includes an evening prayer, scripture, and an opportunity for guided reflection on the scripture.  This helps to conclude the day with a sense of connection to God in a peaceful format.  If you are not able to view on Wednesday evening, each week’s video is posted on the Facebook page.
• Sunday Prayer Zoom Gathering: Join us Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. on Zoom for a virtual prayer gathering. Pastor Tracey always allows time at the end for fellowship. If you are missing some Trinity faces, log on and join us! It is a wonderful time to connect. If you feel less than confident with Zoom, contact Pastor Tracey and she is happy to assist you.  Remember that video is optional so, if you want to stay in your pajamas, you can simply click off your camera.  If you do not have internet, a “dial in”/ telephone (landline or cell) option is listed below.
  • Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87006129861?pwd=cXJuVzVsZks3Uk5RblFXSGh6eGMzZz09
  • Meeting ID: 870 0612 9861
  • Password: 618051
  • You may join by phone by dialing 1-646-876-9923
• Sunday Worship:  Sermons and special music will continue to be available, prerecorded on YouTube and posted on the homepage of the church website and on the church’s Facebook page.  They are posted each Sunday morning and remain up throughout the week.
• Serving Stories – Check out Trinity Serving Stories on the Serve Page.  These video segments share the different ways Trinity is caring for one another and our community during this difficult time.  If you have a special way you’ve been serving during this pandemic, let Pastor Tracey know so we can video and share your story.

 

[Portions of this Pastor’s Word are adapted from a Taize service and reflection held at Our Lady of Grace Monastery and Benedict Inn in Indianapolis]

In Mark’s gospel, Jesus finds it continuously difficult to get away from the crowds clamoring for his help.  He is continuously pressed in upon, even while he tries to make some time and space for his own physical and spiritual well-being.

His public ministry begins in Capernaum where, on the first day, he cures many who are sick and casts out demons until late into the night.  He rises early the next morning to go into the wilderness, a deserted place, where he can have quiet time in prayer.  But the disciples track him down to tell him that everyone is looking for him, presumably because they want to be healed and helped.

When Jesus goes to his hometown the crowd is so persistent, he does not even have time to eat.  After an exhausting day of teaching, he tells his disciples, “Let us go across to the other side [of the sea].”  Exhausted, he falls asleep.  But when a storm arises, they awaken him in a panic.  Reaching the other side of the sea, he is greeted by a demoniac as soon as he steps out of the boat.  Crossing back again to the other side, a great crowd awaits him on the shoreline.  People grab at the hem of his robe in the crowds.  Wherever he goes, his arrival is anticipated, his presence is recognized, and people clamor after him.  How exhausted Jesus must have been!  Perhaps if Dr. Seuss were to write the gospel, he’d say:
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"Jesus cannot have quiet time on the boat;
nor in the crowds where they pull at his coat;
and he cannot have quiet in the remote.
The crowds await him on every shore,
they press and they holler “more, more, more.”

One can imagine that each time Jesus “crossed to the other side,” he hoped something more peaceful and restful might await him.

Can you relate?

Oh, how we would like to get to the other side of this summer:  to the other side of this virus, to the other side of our civil unrest, to the other side of our economic woes.  And yet, at each turn, we find more of the same… a frightened, hurting, desperate world in need.

I want to encourage you in this time to be true disciples of Jesus, learning to live like Jesus lived; seeking rest and prayer and balance, yet also being responsive to the needs of those around you.  Rest as you are able.  Pray!  But do not grow weary in doing good and serving those in need… even though it may be physically and spiritually exhausting at times.
And, as disciples, cling to the other lessons we have learned in this difficult season:

• That we are all connected; people of all races, cultures, colors, religions & nationalities.  What happens to one of us happens to all of us.
• Good things happen to bad people and even worse things happen to those who are poor and marginalized.  If we learn from Jesus, then we are responsible for the disenfranchised, the underprivileged and those who struggle.
• Businesses, large and small, are made up of our neighbors and friends who rely on them for their livelihoods.
• Heroes abound.  Some are well compensated and respected, others are low-income and not always appreciated: doctors, nurses, truck drivers, first responders, grocery workers, teachers, scientists and researchers.
• When times are difficult, we need each other.  We rely on a warm embrace, an intimate
• conversation, a gathering of bodies and souls to brighten our spirits.
• The Church is more than a building.  It really is a people!
• The human spirit can be strong and resilient.  Nothing should keep us from hope.  Nothing should dampen our charity.  Nothing should destroy our faith.

Keep the Faith!
Pastor Tracey