In this time of social distancing, your Trinity staff is doing our best to carry out our vision of “growing in love and service through relationships with God and community.”  It’s more important than ever for us to remain connected to Christ and one another.  We’ve taken four special steps to keep our connections strong.

• Special outreach is planned for Trinity’s homebound members.
• Our Trinity Advent “Booklet” features devotions, memories, prayers and hopes… all written by members of your church family.  Along with celebrating this holy season, we’ll grow closer to one another through the stories, prayers and memories shared.  This collection will be emailed and posted to the church website and Facebook page.  New reflections by your Trinity sisters and brothers will be available each Sunday (beginning Nov. 29), Monday, Wednesday and Friday throughout Advent, as well as a final devotional on Christmas Eve.  The Advent Booklet is being mailed to members without digital access.  If you are on social media, please share these reflections so that friends, relatives and members of our community can also be blessed by them.
• This year the Advent candles will be lit by Trinity folks who have been isolating during this pandemic.  We have missed being with them!  But you will have an opportunity to see their faces and hear their voices each week as the candles are lit and the readings shared.  This will take place in the Sunday morning 9:30 a.m. Zoom and will also be posted to the church website each week.
• During the 9:30 Sunday morning Zoom gatherings on December 13, 20, and 27, the usual time of prayer and worship will be followed by a carol sing.  Do you have a favorite carol you’d like to sing?  Requests will be taken.  Many of you have expressed how much you have missed singing together.  What a wonderful time of celebration it will be!

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.

 

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.