​August marked the one year anniversary of Trinity Fusion!  Fusion came about as a result of a conference Urban Transition Grant and was undergirded this first year by a grant from the Center for Congregations in Indianapolis.  Fusion involved a long process of research, conversations, prayer and discernment.  It is focused on narrative and the power of connecting the sacred story with our own personal stories. 

Fusion meets in the Great Room and seeks to cultivate a space where participants can connect, discover and grow.  It features a Bible story, a guest story teller, “table talk” discussion, and concludes with a free meal.  Our redesign of the youth room transformed it into an inviting space where Melissa and Jan provide an opportunity to connect, discover, and grow that is specially geared for the children (see green box about Fusion Kids). 

Fusion is Trinity’s primary community outreach.  It is designed to reach individuals who have a desire to connect with God and experience authentic community, but are not drawn to a traditional – or even contemporary – church worship experience.  Fusion is a unique experience of Christian community and welcomes people who may be skeptics or hold unique spiritual perspectives.

September’s story teller will be our own Morris DuBose who will focus on the power of narrative in our lives.  The vast majority of our bible is narrative and the story of God’s work in our lives and our world is ongoing.  Fusion’s narrative format provides a relational experience that fulfills Trinity’s Vision of “growing in love and service through relationships with God and community.” 

Have you invited someone outside our congregation to attend Fusion?  If not, September Fusion is an ideal opportunity.

The Living Stones leadership team met on August 14. It was a wonderful way to end my year-long Center for Congregations Resource Grant for several reasons, which encapsulate the successes of our work this year.

​Built to Last: Celebrating 150 years at Trinity: 2019 marks the 150th anniversary of Trinity’s historic church building.  After our successful February anniversary event, two anniversary events remain this fall.  Each event has a different character and has been geared to a different audience.

A vital  mission for Trinity is the Indiana United Methodist Children’s Home in Lebanon.  Early in the summer, several Trinity members attended the Children’s Home Auxiliary’s annual meeting on the Home’s campus.  Following the meeting and a delicious lunch, the members attended the  grand opening of two new additional homes.  Each of these homes houses 10 older teens who will be provided  independence outside the home while still working with their Family Teachers to learn positive behavioral skills, academic skills, and independent living skills.  The other four homes each house 8 youth bringing the total to 52 youth now residing on campus.

The unique design of the Lebanon campus is the Teaching Family homes, an open-campus group, where the children live in family-style, non-institutional  environments with live-in married couples as the Family Teachers. The Home serves youth ages 14-19 who have behavioral, emotional, and/or minor substance abuse issues. The students receive services based on their individual needs and may include individual counseling, family counseling, social skills training, psychiatric/psychological service, education on or off campus, post-secondary education assistance, community-based employment, spiritual development, recreational opportunities, community service opportunities, and exposure to cultural experiences.

Also, a small group from Trinity attended the June graduation and luncheon for the eight graduating seniors.  The Home has the James E. Davis School on site.  This years, for the first time, a graduating senior was awarded a scholarship for post graduation schooling.  This scholarship is possible from a generous donation of an Indiana couple.  It is planned that 2 scholarships will be given each year.  The Home has also recently seen a growth in the number of students wishing to be baptized.

FINALLY, TRINITY CONGREGATION, THANK YOU!!! FOR YOUR EASTER OFFERING OF $1,482 TO THE CHILDREN’S HOME AUXILIARY.  The funds received by the auxiliary are used to provide special activities or items for the students. It has recently funded a pottery project, tickets for a cultural event, a grief garden, and a large handmade dining table for one of the new homes. The Auxiliary is made up of individuals from all over the state. If you would like more information about the Home, contact Norma Singley (a past president of the Auxiliary for 6 years), Chris Lilly, Jane Nichols, or Kay Franscoviak (present scholarship committee member).  Tours of the homes, school, and chapel are available.