Something Old and Something New

by Pastor Tracey Leslie

On December 7, 2016, at a special Church Conference, Trinity members voted by an overwhelming majority to accept the Trustees’ recommendation to sell the Education Building. This will be a big change for Trinity and change can be hard. Anytime we are confronted by change, we wonder, “What’s next?”  Sometimes we ask “What’s next?” with trepidation and hesitation.  At other times we ask “What’s next?” with eagerness and anticipation. 
​
I want you to know that, in light of this big change, I ask “What’s next?” with eagerness and anticipation.  With the sale of the Education Building, we will have the opportunity to devote more resources (time, money and energy) to people.  I am excited for the future God has prepared for us and I hope you will join with me in celebrating some of the great joys and blessings of this past year:

• We continue to see the fruit of our decision to move our Children’s Ministry space into our church building.  Along with an increase in young families in worship, we’ve seen an increase of young adults engaging in discipleship groups and hands-on ministry.
• There was some concern in consolidating the positions of office administrator, youth and children into one new, full-time ministry position: Director of Congregational Ministries. Concerns were expressed about volunteer support.  But Melissa has done a wonderful job of recruiting, engaging and equipping volunteers; thus providing more adults in our congregation the opportunity to build relationships with our youth and children.
• We also had deep concern about the retirement of our long-time Maintenance person, Terry Jones.  But Mel Shoaf and Bob Lilly stepped up to share this responsibility as volunteers.  They are doing an excellent job and continue to seek additional volunteers to support them in this ministry. 
• Though our “official” United Methodist Women’s ministry came to an end, a new women’s ministry is growing.  Along with hosting a women’s group in her home, Kristi Evans and Kay Franscoviak organized a monthly “Ladies Night Out.”  It’s provided opportunities for fellowship among women ranging in age from their twenties to their nineties!  Through our fellowship we’ve learned more about one another and more about the ministries our church provides.  New volunteers have engaged in ministry as a result of these events.

Do you see a pattern emerging?  Our volunteer pool at Trinity is growing!  What a blessing that God is raising up servant leaders who are responding to God’s call.  It is hard to lose a building filled with many wonderful memories.  But the church is not a building; the church is a people.  I am eager and excited to see “what’s next” in 2017 for the people called Trinity.