The Carillon Nurture the Newsletter of Trinity United Methodist Church Serve
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Celebrate The Carillon Nurture The Newsletter of Trinity United Methodist Church Serve A Message from the Pastor "It takes a village to raise a child" is a Nigerian/African proverb which means that it takes the love and commitment of a whole community to care for and be a positive example to a child if he or she is to be raised in a good, safe and healthy environment. Trinity Church is a congregation Maybe you have heard it before. I have, and it always struck me as one of those pieces of ancient wisdom that would make a long- of The United Methodist awaited dream happen if we just knew how to really live into it. Church and is a Reconciling Congregation. Even without any explanation, I think the proverb makes a persuasive argument; one that, I believe, extends beyond raising children in healthy environments. This proverb could also apply to WHAT’S INSIDE communities who are interested in fostering an environment where all people can live in peace and love with each other; because, after all, it takes many people to make a dream happen. I Pastor’s Message 1 think it can apply to us, right now, as we begin to live into who and how we want to be after an awful pandemic that doesn't seem Christian Education, Music Ministries 2 to relent; but it will take each and every one of us to make it Introduction Continued, Theme & Ushers 3 happen. Bishop Devadhar, Theme, Scholarships, etc. 4 I probably do not need to repeat what you keep hearing in the Finance Message,, Birthdays & Anniversaries 5 news, but I’ll do it anyway: our country is experiencing deep Prayers, Thanks, & Announcements 6 divisions, politically, culturally and otherwise; and just in case you Camp 4 Everyone, Graduates, Rose Window 7 have not heard, the United Methodist Church as a whole is going through the same; but Trinity doesn’t have to. In fact, our work, as Leadership /Back Page Back 8 a congregation, should be the total opposite of that. We should do our best, every day, to intentionally create and nurture a community that cares and loves each other. Similar to one of John Wesley’s questions, “though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? I would rephrase it a little bit and say, we may not think alike or look alike, but can we find it in our hearts to love alike? I think that’s the place God wants to reimagine here at Trinity, a place for everyone; but it will take each and every one of us to make that dream happen. I am encouraged because Trinity has a long history of loving all of God’s children, and I believe we have it within ourselves to live into a new, more beautiful and wider dream, where no one feels left out. No one. However, as John Wesley also said, “we are on to perfection.” Some of us will need to change how we think about others and who we choose to care for. We will need to learn to hear beyond words and opinions and Trinity’s Staff Meetings Have understand one another, deeply. We will need to see the way God Changed from Tuesdays at sees us, with eyes of love. 9:30 a.m. to Wednesdays from 10:30-12 noon. Can you imagine it? A church where regardless of who you are or what you’ve been through, you will always be loved and find Please take note of the change forgiveness and love. That sounds more like heaven, but I hope we when contacting the church can start right here, right now. office. Pastor René Thank you. Christian Education/Formation & Music Ministries Announcement A Note from Christian Education & Formation Dear Trinity family, As I write this, Camp for Everyone hasn’t yet happened. We know it will be great, with about 25 children, youth, and adults registered. We’ve made great plans for a good safe week, mostly outdoors. By August 5 when it ends, we will have had outdoor worship with prayer stations, an art project, a scavenger hunt in Forest Park, a missions project, and a movie. Watch this space in the September Carillon for some highlights, thanks, and perhaps photos. Before you read this our committee will have welcomed our new Director of Family Ministries and Connections, Rob Powell, to his first meeting. In the meantime, a core group of this committee has been working very hard to create a new kind of children’s ministry. L.I.G.H.T. at 9 (Learning in God’s House Together at 9:00 a.m.) will begin on September 19 with three Sundays of welcome back activities—Bible stories, friends, music, games, a puppet show, and much more for children up through sixth grade. Upstairs, things will be different, too. Possibly grades 7-8 and grades 9-12 will meet together briefly for a video and then separate for discussion and activities. We’re not yet ready to announce the final form of that experience, but we’ll be ready to meet with our youth September 19. We’ve missed all of you—not only children and youth, but moms and dads and grandparents. We suspect you kids have grown a lot, and we know you’ll be two grades beyond where you were in March 2020. Wow! We can’t wait! Watch this space for the specifics of all our programs. It’s going to be exciting! Leslie Hastings Chair, Christian Education and Formation Committee Music Ministries Announcement Greetings, Trinity! As we begin a new program year, the excitement among musicians of all ages is increasing each week! Trinity’s Handbell and Vocal Choirs will once again begin in September. For those who are new to Trinity or looking for a dynamic and engaging ministry, I invite you to consider joining one of Trinity’s many choirs. Joining a choir has many benefits including learning inspiring music, having fun, serving the congregation, serving God and enjoying the many social aspects throughout the year. The Chancel Choir is a singing choir of adults and high school aged youth who rehearse once a week and provide music leadership for all Worship Services. The Choristers are a singing choir of children in grades 2-8 who rehearse once a week and sing at special services. The Chamberettes are a singing choir of young women in grades 7-12 who rehearse once a week and sing at special services. Trinity also has two Handbell choirs including Trinity Handbells and Youth Handbells (grades 7-12). The Jubilee Singers is a training choir ages 4 to grade 1 which will begin after the Boar’s Head Festival. For more information or to join one of our choirs, please contact Michael Carney at [email protected] or by calling the Church Office x210. I look forward to meeting new members and welcoming current members back to our choirs! Michael Carney 2 Bishop Devadhar, Worship Theme, Scholarships, Pictures Trinity Welcomes Bishop Devadhar On Sunday, August 22, 2021, Bishop Devadhar Surdarshana, Episcopal Leaders for the New England Conference will be preaching at Trinity during our worship service. Bishop Devadhar was assigned to the New England Conference in 2012, after serving 8 years as the episcopal leader of the New Jersey Annual Conference. “He enjoys spending time with his family. His wife, Prema, is his partner in ministry, and they are blessed with OUR TRANSFORMATION THEME a daughter Trina and three granddaughters. Bishop Devadhar enjoys reading and listening to devotional music. His key philosophies are to love For this year’s theme of “Transformation,” we’re everyone, that every human being is a child of looking for your stories. If you have a story, a God, enjoy God’s creation and make use of it thought, a dance, or an image you want to share, responsibly.” We are happy to have Bishop please send it to [email protected] or Devadhar share God’s word. We hope Trinity will get it to Vera or Nicole Baker or the church office by August 22. It can be written or drawn, video or offer him a warm Trinity welcome. audiotaped. We’ll compile them all in a video to ___________________________________________ share on Trinity Sunday. Tell us what “transformation” means to you! Also, be on the lookout for a butterfly in the mail! We’re sending butterfly cut-outs and asking you to color them in or write, draw, or collage on them and get them to Vera or Nicole. They will be displayed in the sanctuary on Trinity Sunday. Want to create several or didn’t get the mailing? There will be more available in the back of the Scholarship Committee News sanctuary. Thank you! The Scholarship Committee is happy to announce and congratulates Trinity’s recipients for this The Worship Committee year’s Fisher/Shadbegian/Chi Memorial Scholarship and Hays Fine Arts Scholarship: Anna-Lee Thomson Alex Adamo Leah Rosenman We are proud of you and wish the best. Pictures of the Recent Celebrations at Trinity Becky and Pastor Erin’s celebration pictures can Jean Chisholm be found on the website trinityspringfield.org under the Connect tab. There are also links to Steve Hays additional photos on the Trinity Photo Blog. Check back soon for pictures of this week’s Delight Prentice softball games. As we get back to our new Rev. Rene Perez normal, we will post pictures of Trinity events whenever possible. 3 Finance Committee Message, Birthdays & Anniversaries A Note from the Finance Committee Birthdays, Wedding Anniversaries (Italics), Staff - (S) Thanks to all of you who have been using electronic giving, either through deductions from your bank account or by using your credit card.