Print this page

June Newsletter

Newsletter Contents

Calendar of Campaign Events

Children’s Prayer Event
Friday, June 5 from 5:00-8:00 pm
Youth Prayer Event
Friday, June 5 from 7:30-9:00 pm
Congregational Prayer Event
Saturday, June 6 from 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Celebration Sunday
Sunday, June 7 – One worship service at 10:00 am followed by a congregational picnic
First Fruit Sunday
June 28th

Back to Table of Contents

Porch Visits and Leadership Challenge Home Meetings

On a very rainy Sunday afternoon on May 3, sixteen teams of Trinity folks dispersed all over the region to make “Porch Visits” to all of Trinity. If you were home, they presented a Porch Visit bag to you in person, talked to you about the Renewing for Genera†ions Campaign, and answered any questions you may have had. If you were away, they left a bag of items telling about the campaign. The bags contained a prayer reflection booklet written by Trinity members, a campaign brochure, a Bible study booklet, a seed packet, and a Trinity brochure. Thanks to Rich and Cristina Griffin for enlisting all of the visitor teams and organizing all of the visiting assignments. If we missed anybody, please let the church office know by contacting the office.

During the following week, Trinity leadership, and anyone who had indicated they wanted to attend, met in other members’ homes to discuss the campaign. Called “Leadership Challenge Home Meetings,” these gatherings were an opportunity to begin thinking and praying about our financial commitments to the Renewing for Genera†ions Campaign. A video made by Greg Fitzwilliam was presented at each meeting. Members of the Renewing for Genera†ions Steering Committee gave presentations about what it is that Trinity is trying to build and what Phases 1-3 entail. Other Steering Committee members shared their faith stories and how they were each going to make sacrifices in their lives to contribute to the campaign. One of Trinity’s pastors was at each of these meetings as well, and our pastors shared how they were going to prepare their hearts to make a gift to the Renewing for Genera†ions Campaign. Many thanks to John and Lee Ann Weir, Tom Kern and Sarah Morrison, John and Jeanine Balbach, and Greg and Margaret Fitzwilliam for hosting these meetings.
- Miriam Mendenhall

Back to Table of Contents

Of Prayer and Pledge Cards…

In my sermon on May 10, I said that “the most important work of the Renewing for Generations campaign is not work that we do at all. It is the work of the Holy Spirit within us.” I’m sticking with that message and I urge you to give the Spirit the time and the space to get to work in your heart. How might you do that? With prayer. Pray for the growth of your own faith, for Trinity Lutheran Church, for this campaign, for what it can mean in your life, and for God’s guidance for your heart as you prepare to fill out a pledge card for the Renewing for Genera†ions campaign.

When and where will we get these pledge cards?

There are three different ways in which pledge cards are available. First, those members who decided to make an advance commitment to the campaign have already received and returned their pledge cards. Second, pledge cards will be distributed and collected during the worship service at the Celebration Sunday worship service on Sunday, June 7th. Finally, if you would like to have a little more time to fill out and pray over your pledge card before the worship service on June 7th, pledge cards are available in the prayer space, in the Social Hall and from the church office.

Too often, we forget that pledge and prayer really ought to go together. Lots of people don’t really like hearing about money in church, but it is a topic about which Jesus had almost more to say than he did about any other topic. Whether we like it or not, Jesus knew that “where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also.” Money does matter. And money matters can and should be spiritual, stewardship matters as well. As we’ve been saying all along, this is a faith-raising campaign and not just a fund-raising campaign.

Making a financial sacrifice for the sake of our faith is a very concrete way of putting our trust in God and in the work that God is doing in this place. It is a challenge and a stretch to give over and above our regular giving - a stretch for our family budgets and a stretch for our faith.

And much like exercise, the stretching may hurt a bit. It’s not without price, but it strengthens you in the long run. I think that becoming good stewards of the gifts that God has given us works in much the same way. You push yourself a bit beyond what is easy and comfortable. There may be some sacrifice, some skimping or reordering of priorities, but you do it prayerfully, trusting that God will make it possible and knowing that it is for the good of the ministry and outreach of this congregation. And gradually, beginning to trust God with our financial treasures helps us to trust God with our hearts and our prayers and the rest of our lives as well. Here is my prayer for you and for this congregation in the days ahead:

God of hope and renewal, inspire in Trinity congregation and in each of its members, a renewed sense of call, a joyful commitment to serve, and the desire to generously share the gifts you have given each one of us. Help us to listen, to pray, and to pay attention as your Spirit works within us to give us hope, to challenge us to use our gifts in new ways, and to seek out opportunities to share the good news of your love and grace in the world through our words and deeds. In the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord we pray. Amen.


Praying with you,
Pastor Kari Parsons

Back to Table of Contents

Celebration Sunday – June 7! The Big Event! Be There!

June 7, 2009, marks a very important milestone in the history of Trinity Lutheran Church. On that day, we will take the first steps toward Renewing for Genera†ions by offering our gifts to God.

Our Celebration begins with the whole congregation together for a single worship service at 10:00 am. This will be a joyful celebration of our renewal and intergenerational strength featuring special music, a procession of the children, anthems of praise, and words of thanks and inspiration. It will also be the time to celebrate our wonderful teachers and musicians who help make Trinity special!

The Celebration continues with a festive congregational picnic immediately following the service, providing an afternoon of food, fellowship, and fun! Participate in activities for all ages. Be on the lookout for a few surprises!

  • EAT: Barbeque pork and chicken, macaroni & cheese, coleslaw, and the SIDES you bring!
  • BRING: A SIDE dish to share... For fun, since we are celebrating generations past, present, and future, why not make an old favorite family recipe, like Aunt Sally’s Potato Salad, Grandma’s Apple Pie, or Lutheran Ladies’ Jello? Then, label it with whose recipe it is!
  • EXPERIENCE: The magic of Peter Wood and Shazam Magic! And live music!
  • WHAT ELSE!?! Games, Face painting, Competitions, and more!
  • WHEN is it, again? Sunday, June 7, 10:00 am – Single Worship Service And Celebration picnic right after the service!
  • WHERE? At Trinity!
  • WHO? The whole Trinity family!
  • ATTIRE? Picnic-casual – all day!

Mark your calendars now and plan to attend this festive and important event! It will be a day you will not want to miss! Please note that child care will also be provided.

Questions? Want to help? Contact Nancy Jacobson

Back to Table of Contents

Giving Above And Beyond…

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably asking, “how can I possibly make a commitment to give any more than I am already giving?” The Scottish lecturer and writer George MacDonald had this to say: “’But how can God bring this about in me?’ – Let Him do it and perhaps you will know.” The answer to giving above and beyond is not found within ourselves, but begins with turning to God, the one from whom all blessings flow.

Although the process of making a three-year commitment begins, continues and ends with prayer, it also includes some very practical focal points:

  • Reassess lifestyle
  • Rearrange priorities
  • Reallocate resources

These three points provide the foundation for successful stewardship. The following seven steps are ways in which people have implemented these points in other churches’ campaigns:

  1. Practice priority budgeting – This could mean postponing major purchases such as buying a new car.
  2. Redirect present expenditures – If you are currently paying toward something (college, for example) and you know the expense will soon disappear, you could redirect this money toward the campaign.
  3. Increase giving with increased income – Think about committing a recently received salary increase or a bonus to the campaign.
  4. Give from your excess – Perhaps you’ve been saving money for a large project and instead you commit to giving this money to the campaign.
  5. Commit unexpected cash – This could be the result of an unexpected inheritance or another financial windfall.
  6. Sacrifice your extra time – Some people have decided to go back to work in order to help finance their church’s capital campaign.
  7. Donate appreciated assets – By transferring ownership of an asset to the church, you avoid capital gains taxes on the sale of the asset. The giver then receives an income tax charitable deduction for the full market value of the asset. If you decide to invest in this way, it is important to consult with your CPA, tax attorney or financial advisor to clarify the tax implications of such a gift.

Note that you do not have to give in equal increments over the course of the campaign. For example, you may be able to give more in the third year than in the first and second years. In addition, it is crucial to think about your commitment and ability to give not just at this point in time, but also in the future.

These seven steps are only suggestions – the ways to give are numerous. As we pray and examine our lives and finances, I look forward to seeing what God is doing in the hearts of Trinity’s members.

Blessings on the journey,
Annabelle Peake

Back to Table of Contents

The Importance of Prayer

As a reminder, Trinity has dedicated Prayer Oasis spaces both inside and outside of the sanctuary. You might take a moment to pray before or shortly after a meeting or activity at church. You might explore the Oasis in preparation for or following worship by just sitting and praying for a few minutes or so. You might stop by the church during the day just to rest in the Prayer Oasis or have the larger Sanctuary to yourself to inspire your prayer.

Whether you use the prayer oasis at Trinity or make a place or time for prayer wherever you are, we encourage you to be renewed in prayer. To assist you in your journey, Trinity will be offering multiple opportunities to gather together for prayer:

  • Friday, June 5th, 5:00-8:00 pm (families with young children encouraged – light supper and indoor labyrinth walks)
  • Friday, June 5th, 7:30-9:00 pm (youth encouraged – indoor labyrinth at night with candles and meditative music)
  • Saturday, June 6th, 9:00 am-12:00 pm (mini prayer retreat for adults and youth featuring quiet time for personal prayer and reflection, labyrinth walks on the hour, and guided prayer and meditation in the Prayer Oasis)

A labyrinth is a helpful tool for prayer. It offers a safe place in which to journey spiritually – a path with no wrong turns. Like our life’s journey, the labyrinth has many turns that seem to go back over the way we have come, all the while leading us forward in time and space to our final resting place with God. The labyrinth is a tool and aid for prayer that holds a unique experience for every pilgrim and a different insight each and every time one enters the path. As Christ journeys with us and intercedes for us, our prayer changes and we learn to be good stewards of our whole lives, our time, as well as the talents and treasures entrusted to us. May we be renewed in our prayerful journey – together.

In Christ,
Pat Freitag

Back to Table of Contents

Renewing for Genera†ions Q&A Corner

The following question was asked at a Campaign Challenge Meeting:

Is the plan outlined in the Campaign Brochure “written in stone” and are we sure that investing significant funds in the existing building is the right answer?

As discussed at the May 3 Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting, nothing is written in stone. All projects will come back to the Congregation for approval. The plan included in the brochure was the best approach to trying to size different project priorities. However, our greatest challenge with the project has been what the Congregation’s financial capacity for a major building project is. The Renewing for Genera†ions Campaign will be the key factor in determining our financial capacity. Our financial capabilities will have a direct impact on how we approach our priorities from a building project perspective. We do know what our priorities are:

  • Providing the infrastructure necessary to support a safe and effective education wing
  • Provide additional space to address space needs, create a more effective flow and provide more flexible space for sharing. (For example moving the nursery, replacing the bathroom facilities, creating a smaller gathering space, separate entrance, etc.)
  • Provide additional space to create a multipurpose space large enough to accommodate the entire Congregation and serve other needs in our outreach efforts.
  • Additional parking

Back to Table of Contents


: 
You are here: Home >> Renewal Campaign >> June Newsletter