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:
​
"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
 

Opportunities for Prayer and Reflection
Pastor Tracey is offering opportunities for Christian prayer and reflection with scripture in two contexts:

• 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 missed the first one (from May 27), the video is still available on the Facebook page.  
• Just the Three of Us (connecting more deeply to God, ourselves, and others) also takes place on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in the church parking lot.  This begins with some study and discussion around a scripture, exploring how it helps us grow in our understanding of caring for others.  At 6:40, the parking lot discussion group will also conclude with prayer around the scripture, following the Facebook Live format referenced above. As with the prior parking lot group, 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 in the church parking lot to ensure safety and health. No preparation is needed for either group and each week is “independent.”  It is hoped that this will be an opportunity for spiritual and emotional self-care during this stressful time.

Sunday Prayer Gathering
Join us Sunday morning at 10 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. 
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87006129861?pwd=cXJuVzVsZks3Uk5RblFXSGh6eGMzZz09
Meeting ID: 870 0612 9861
Password: 618051
You may join by phone by dialing 1-312-626-6799

Please remember that when worship resumes on Sunday, June 14, the weekly prayer gathering on zoom will begin at 9:30 a.m. instead of 10. For more information on re-opening, visit http://www.trinitylafayette.org/back-together.html

If you have not yet had a chance to view the worship service provided by the conference, it is still available on the homepage (www.trinitylafayette.org). Pastor Tracey's sermon will be posted on the website on Sunday, May 31. 

Outreach Initiatives During COVID
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our outreach initiatives during the pandemic. We received $957.60 to provides meals for IU, Franciscan, and Family Promise. 

We are excited to share with you another outreach imitative taking place on June 23 at 6 p.m in the Trinity parking lot. As a part of the USDA Farmers to Families program Trinity United Methodist Church is partnering with Prairie Farms for a milk drive on June 23 at 6 o’clock.  All community members are welcome to pick up a gallon of milk (or two) from the TUMC parking lot.  

We will need three volunteers to help on June 23. If you are interested in helping with this event, please contact Pastor Tracey directly.

Dear Trinity Friend:
                
In this season of COVID-19, we want everyone to stay safe.  The decision has been made to suspend worship through Palm Sunday, April 5.  We will communicate in early April regarding Easter worship.  That will depend on where we are with this pandemic, CDC recommendations and government restrictions.  In addition, beginning March 23, the church office will be closed.  Staff will continue to check mail, print checks, etc. but will otherwise work remotely.
Remember that…

• You may still “receive” the Sunday sermons (text or audio) through the church website.  Simply click on the link to read or listen. We’re also working on You Tube and, once we’ve got that set up, another email will go out to let you know.  
• Please continue to view your weekly E-blast to “stay in touch” with your church family
• If you self-quarantine and do not have a friend or family member checking in with you daily, please notify the office.  A Trinity member will be happy to phone you regularly to make sure you are safe and well.  We will also gladly arrange someone to pick up weekly groceries or run errands for you if this is needed.
• If you are a regular church contributor, please keep in mind that Trinity’s monthly expenses will go on as usual.  Please continue your contributions through the mail or online by going to the church website www.trinitylafayette.org and clicking the upper right-hand button “Give”  This is a secure way to contribute.

Since care facilities are no longer accepting visitors, the pastors will stay in touch with our members in these facilities through calls and notes.  If you know a nursing home resident, please phone them or send a card.  They will likely feel very isolated during this time.  Clergy are still permitted to enter a care facility if it is an “end of life” situation.  Hopefully that won’t happen in the next few weeks.  I will also continue hospital calls and am happy to pray by phone or Zoom with individuals prior to a surgical procedure.  Please keep the office and clergy informed regarding your pastoral needs during this time.  Our voice over system allows us to receive email and office voice mails remotely so there will not be a gap in responding to any urgent needs.

Finally, as already mentioned, if you are aware of a church member who is homebound or self-quarantining, and who does not have someone checking in with them regularly, please take it upon yourself to contact them every couple of days or contact the church office.