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Au g u s t- S e p t e m b e r 2 0 0 9
TR IN I TY PRE S BY TER IA N C HURC H
RALLY SUNDAY
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Committees
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Speaking of Christian Education because the youth are becoming amazing lead-
ers in their own right or because of anything.
For those of you who know me well, you might
We must pull together to take our Christian
be surprised to hear that I recently have found
Education program higher. Better, we must pull
myself at a loss for words. Not tongue-tied,
together to take our idea of what Christian
but truly unable to find the right words to ex-
Education is to greater levels of participation,
press the depth of appreciation and the heights
deeper meaning, and even more thought-
of enthusiasm I feel at being blessed with the
provoking opportunities for learning, fun and
C
opportunity to serve Trinity as DCE.
fellowship.
Two things
Just as almost all
make it even
harder to ar-
hristian Education is not simply aspects of Trin-
ity’s life depends
ticulate exactly Sunday School or LOGOS for
on the commit-
how I feel:
children, but is a commitment of ment of volun-
first, I am
given the reins the whole congregation to the teers, Christian
Education has
of a Christian
whole congregation to learn, to study, to long been the
Education pro-
beneficiary of
gram that is in pray, to play, to be together.
many gifted and
tremendous
generous teach-
shape and has been guided by the heart and
ers, parent volunteers, mentors filling more
mind of one of our faith’s young saints, Car-
roles than can be enumerated here. And while
men Speich; second, I am honored that a
I pray these same said heroes will continue to
number of members of the congregation
do what they have always done to nurture the
(including the youth) apparently took it upon
faith lives of our children, I invite any one with
themselves to write letters in support of my ap-
an interest in working with our children to con-
plication.
tact me. Together we will prayerfully find a
I am humbled to follow Carmen in this position. way to utilize your gifts and fill your spirit.
She is a wonderful person, a committed Chris-
Volunteers and leaders are not just being
tian, and a gifted leader. I am further humbled
sought for working with our children, but all of
by the intense support and encouragement I
God’s children of all ages. Christian Education
have received from so many during the process
is not simply Sunday School or LOGOS for chil-
(and over the years I have been volunteering
dren, but is a commitment of the whole con-
as a CE leader). My commitment is to take the
gregation to the WHOLE congregation to learn,
program Carmen leaves behind and build upon
to study, to pray, to play, to be together. De-
the strides we have taken under her leadership
veloping an integrated CE program that starts
and to continue finding new and exciting ways
with our littlest treasures and goes all the way
to teach our faith.
to our eldest saints is something to which I am
As if one needed more motivation than loving deeply committed.
the children of God and wanting them to feel
Please, with any idea, comment, concern, edu-
God’s love in everything we do at Trinity. With-
cational interest or desire to volunteer, call me
out question one of the chief motivators for me
at the church or at home. Or email me if you
is to prove that all of those fine people who
like (but no Twitter, and please no texting,
supported me were right to do so.
that’s for the youth alone.) I can not wait for us
That said we have a big job ahead of us. to get going, to keep the conversation of our
We can not rest on our laurels because Sunday faith growing!
School is good, because LOGOS is energizing, Joe Pendal, Director of Christian Education
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2009 Page 5
NURSERY REVITALIZATION
With many years of use by tiny hands For the revitalization:
and feet the time has come for a Nurs-
5 gallons white, satin paint (to be colored sepa-
ery Revitalization! It has been several
rately for each room)
years since the nursery has been up-
dated and repainted. This will make 6 blank 12 x 12 canvas (so the youth can help
the nursery a more inviting place for decorate our nursery)
children and parents. The nursery is
5-10 8x10 frames
one of the first room one sees when
entering Trinity and is an important consideration for young 1- changing pad cover in a neutral color
families who may join the church. Our budget is small and Day to Day needs:
is used for essential needs like Kleenex, cleaner, and Gold
Fish. I am putting together a wish list of items that will Gold Fish
help bring our nursery up to date. Please consider donating Kleenex
items from this list to ensure our nursery remains an asset
(and not an eye sore) for Trinity. You can also donate to Clorox Sanitizing Spray
the nursery by placing your donation in the offering plate Dixie Cups
and putting "nursery" in the memo line. Please contact Tina
Hacker at 651-714-9671 or tinamhacker@hotmail.com if Play dough
you have any questions. Batteries (AA, AAA)
TRINITY bid a fond farewell to our seminary intern, Joa Sevlie, who finished her internship on
August 16, 2009. Thank you for your service to our congregation! We wish you much success
in all of your future ministries.
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2009 Page 7
STEWARDSHIP CORNER
We’ve been following summaries from a book entitled ―Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations‖
by Robert Schnase, a United Methodist minister. The five practices are: Radical Hospitality, Pas-
sionate Worship, Intentional Faith Development, Risk Taking Mission and Service, Extravagant
Generosity. The following is a short synopsis of the fourth practice. Stay tuned for the last topic
in this series in the next column.
Risk-Taking Mission and Service
Risk-Taking Mission and Service includes the projects, the efforts, and the work people do to
make a positive difference in the lives of others for the purposes of Christ, whether or not they
will ever be part of the community of faith. Some churches have after-school programs for at-
risk children, some send work teams across the state or across the world, some offer regular
ministries to the incarcerated.
Risk-Taking refers to the service we offer that stretches us out of our comfort zone and has us
engaging people and offering ourselves to ministries that we would never have done if not for
our desire to follow Christ. Risk-taking steps into great uncertainty, a higher possibility of dis-
comfort, resistance, or sacrifice. It pushes us beyond the circle of relationships that routinely de-
fine our church commitments. It changes the lives of the people who are served as well as the
lives of those who serve.
Jay Wilkinson, Stewardship and Finance Committee Chair
―For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one
does not have.‖ 2 Cor 8:12
Our sympathies to Jean Blanck, whose husband of 62 years Bob, passed away on June 26.
Also to Leslie VanderVeer, Bob’s daughter. A memorial service to celebrate Bob’s life was
held on August 7, officiated by Pastor Gary Hanson.
Our sympathies to Bette Sherburne, whose husband of 68 years Neil, passed away on July
15. A memorial service to celebrate Neil’s life was held on July 20, officiated by Pastor Gary
Hanson.
The Sacrament of Baptism was administered to Brynn Annetta Hacker on August 9.
Recently hospitalized was Harry Krueger.
The Blanck/VanderVeer family would like to thank their Trinity family for all the cards and
support they have received during their time of grieving in the loss of Bob. The genuine care
and concern we have felt is once again so typical of how our members come through when
needed. Your visits to Jean have been wonderful, and it truly makes her day to see you!
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
DEACON DISCURSION
“Oh no! There's my deacon! What do I do now?”
Not long ago, I was attending a wake in Northeast Minneapolis. I was speaking with an old ac-
quaintance, who suddenly exclaimed, ―Oh no! There's my deacon! I hope he doesn't see me.‖
Well, I learned two things. First, the Russian Orthodox church, like Presbyterian churches, has
deacons. I did not know that. Second, the title ―Deacon‖ apparently bestows on its holder a
mystical, perhaps dreadful power. Others see it, and I guess fear it. Or, they fear an obtru-
sive, meddlesome conversation. As you probably know, Trinity – and the Russians - assign
each church member to a deacon. Each deacon's group of parishioners is called a ―Kindred Spir-
its‖ group. There is no expectation that the people in each group will become best friends and
socialize together. Its just a way to ensure that the church, through the deacons, remains in
touch with every member. Not only are we all children of God, we are not forgotten. Now,
when a deacon approaches you, you might say to yourself, ―I bet she's checking up on me be-
cause that is her job.‖ You might be right, but if that deacon is me, I am approaching you be-
cause I want to know more about you, I want to understand life better and one way I can do
that is to talk with others, or I truly just want to say ―Hello‖ before I say ―Goodbye‖. The ―job‖
aspect of being a deacon, if I ever think about it, takes place at night away from Trinity when I
reflect on the day and missed opportunities. So, when you see your deacon, fear not. He or
she may simply be reveling in your Christian fellowship, not really aware that the conversation is
advancing the Deacon's cause of service to the church and congregation.
In next month's Discursion, I hope to address the connection between Trinity Presbyterian
Church, deacons, and amateur baseball. Until that time,
Garry Espe, Deacon Moderator
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
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COTTAGE GROVE, MN 55016
Almighty Sluggers 11
Additional parking is available in New Horizon’s parking lot
directly across from Trinity and by parking along one side
Deacon Discursion 11 of the driveway.