Living Our Vision

“Growing in love and service through relationships with God and community” is Trinity’s Vision statement.  Pastor Tracey used Trinity’s Vision Statement as the foundation for her Lilly clergy renewal grant.  Pastor Tracey’s various sabbatical activities are designed to deepen relationships with:

• God – through intensive times of silent retreat
• Religious communities – Retreats at Benedict Inn (south of Indianapolis), Great Vow Zen Buddhist Monastery in Oregon, Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky, and a Bruderhof Community in East Sussex, UK.
• Friends and family – through trips to visit family in Pennsylvania, time with friends in Indy and Cincinnati, a trip to Portland with Britt, and a Route 66 vacation with my sister, Vicki.

While Pastor Tracey is living out our vision, Trinity will be diving deep into our vision as well.  Among other activities, May 17-18, Rev. Dr. John Whitaker, from Shiloh United Methodist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio will facilitate a retreat for our congregation.  This retreat is open to everyone who is a part of Trinity.  It is not limited to leadership.  It is not limited to “official” members.  If you engage with Trinity, you are welcomed and encouraged to participate!

The title of the retreat is The Choice for Community.  The retreat will feature learning and discussion around such things as:

• Definitions of community, obstacles to community, community strengths and weaknesses, foundations of community and inclusive community
• How our cultural values (such as individualism, equality, independence and freedom) impact our understanding and experience of community
• How our personal understanding of Jesus and our interpretation of scripture impact our understanding of Christian community
• Spiritual practices that sustain and strengthen community, such as gratitude, commitment, truthfulness, and hospitality 

The retreat will begin at 5:30 on Friday evening, May 17, in the Great Room with dinner prepared by Julieann Davis, and will conclude at 8:30.  It will resume Saturday morning at 9 a.m. (pastries, fruit and coffee will be available) and conclude at noon.

Rev. Whitaker is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and a certified spiritual director.  He completed his Doctorate in Ministry at United Theological Seminary. Understanding and constructing healthy Christian community within American culture was the topic of Rev. Whitaker’s doctoral dissertation.  Rev. Whitaker and Pastor Tracey served on staff together for four years at Church of the Cross United Methodist in Dayton, Ohio.  You will find that Rev. Whitaker’s teaching is well-aligned with our congregational vision and values. Rev. Whitaker will also bring the morning message on Sunday morning, May 19.