August 2009 Pathways

Pathways 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

TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN STAFF Pastor Gary Hanson Home: (651) 501-1820 Cell: (651) 373-1821 [email protected] Administrator/Pastoral Care Coordinator Dee Lindblom Mon-Fri 8:30am-2:00pm [email protected] Cell:(651) 353-6724 Christian Education Director Joe Pendal [email protected] (651) 436-3435 Church Musician Joyce Piper (651) 458-0341 Choir Director Neal Strand (651) 501-8225 Child Care Attendants Nichole Rucker Amanda Ulrich 2125 Tower Drive Woodbury MN 55125 Phone & Fax: (651) 738-0045

Join us for a fun-filled morning of faith and fellowship as Trinity Presbyterian gathers for Rally Sunday, September 13, 2009 the official beginning of our Christian Education year. There will be music, skits, games, food and opportunities for children and parents to meet our 2009-2010 Sunday School teachers. It all begins at 9:00 am, followed by worship at 10:00.

RALLY SUNDAY POTLUCK Join us for a Rally Sunday potluck lunch following service on Sunday, September 13. We need volunteers to help with set up and/or clean up. If you’re interested, contact Jodi Campbell at 651-738-1410 or [email protected]. If your last name begins with… Then, please bring... A-F

Dessert

G-L

Side

M-R

Main

S-Z

Salad/Bread

NURSERY NEW HIRE: Please welcome Amanda Ulrich as our new nursery attendant. Amanda starts August 30 and will be assigned to the infant nursery. Her experience and education are impressive and Trinity is lucky to have such an asset in the nursery. Currently she is employed as a Special Needs Paraprofessional in the Oakdale School District and as a Camp Counselor at St. Thomas. She holds an A.A.S. in Early Childhood Development from Rochester Community and Technical College. Stop by the nursery to welcome Amanda to Trinity.

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MUSINGS AND AMUSINGS FROM THE PASTOR… During my one week Writing Festival workshop in Iowa City this past June, we performed many exercises in our class time and daily homework. Our assignments included short stories, early memories, news briefs and poems. One of the new poetic forms I learned is called a ―villanelle.‖ A villanelle has only 2 rhyme sounds. The first and 3rd lines of the first stanza are rhyming refrains that alternate as the 3rd line in each successive stanza, and form a couplet at the end. Sound confusing? Actually, it is quite simple and better known than we might think. Dylan Thomas’ ―Do not go gentle into that good night / Rage, rage against the dying of the light‖ is probably the best known villanelle. That particular poem is an encouragement for his father to fight death, or, as has recently been suggested, it is a battle against his father’s imminent blindness. Late one evening, I gave this new form (at least to me) a chance. What follows is my first attempt at villanelle. It was fun to create. The truth is never fully mine, When troubles appear doubts arise, To err is human, to forgive divine. All we’re seeing is a sign, Yet what results are many whys The truth is never fully mine. Some seek answers through wealth and wine Short term pleasure never satisfies To err is human, to forgive divine. So oft we beg for precious more time Grace within us lives and dies The truth is never fully mine. Eventually, the sun will shine Still guilt will never sympathize To err is human, to forgive divine. Who absolves from this perilous bind? God alone has the size The truth is never fully mine, To err is human, to forgive divine. All right, so some of the rhymes were a bit of a stretch. However, I believed that the content was more important than the style. The next day, our professor rewarded my work with a terse notation saying, ―Good job!‖ Then he said in class that he thought this work might show up in a church newsletter some day. He was right. Gary

FALL BONFIRE, OCTOBER 10: SAVE THE DATE The Stewardship and Finance committee is hosting a Fall bonfire on Saturday, October 10 as a kick-off to the annual stewardship campaign. Hot dogs and s'mores are on the menu! More details to come.

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2009

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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Committees Building & Grounds Mike Schenck 739-3727 Christian Education Kirk Breen 436-4212 Gretchen White 337-0159 Clerk of Session Marnelle Andersen 735-3287 Communications Susan Jamison 578-7100 Long Range Planning Darryl Willison 739-2674 Mental Health Group Dee Lindblom 738-0045 or 353-6724 [email protected] Mission & Action Joan Nichols 714-8314 Moderator of Deacons Garry Espe 730-6805 Newsletter Mark Allen 204-3188 [email protected] Nominating Wilson Ekinde 501-3661 Nursery Coordinator Tina Hacker 714-9671 Pastoral Care Gary Hanson 738-0045 Personnel Steve Theiss 578-9348 Prayer Chain Dee Lindblom 738-0045 or 353-6724 [email protected] Shared Ministry Marnelle Andersen 735-3287 Special Events Barb Freeman 731-1220 Stewardship & Finance John Upson 730-9690 Worship Kara Klink 735-0866

A Final Farewell As I write this it is hard to believe that nearly two years have passed since my start here at Trinity Presbyterian. My official last day will be Sunday, August 30, as I prepare for my wedding on September 6. As I reflect on my time here at Trinity, it becomes quite clear to me that the people of this church have blessed me more than I reciprocated, and more than I could ever have imagined. The warmth of your welcome and your friendship along the way has made an everlasting impression on me. I will cherish the memories of working with the children and youth of this church. I have enjoyed watching the children grow as they attend Sunday School and LOGOS, and have felt privileged to be a part of the lives of the youth as we grew together through Sunday School, Youth Group, lock-ins and mission trips. The support I received while being the Director of Christian Education is perhaps the greatest blessing of being a part of this ministry. Thank you to all of the volunteers that have been a part of Sunday School, LOGOS, Vacation Bible School, Junior Church and Youth Group. These programs are a success only because of your hard work and dedication. I do hope to continue to be a part of your lives, even as I move away and start a new chapter of my life. I will try to visit Trinity as often as I can, and will continue to do ministry as I work with Thirst Missions. My job will consist of recruiting teams of people to participate in short term mission trips to Belize, Kentucky and London, England. I will lead trips, mostly in the summer, and be a part of what is a growing team of people from all over the U.S. I will be living in Spooner, WI with my (soon to be) husband, Mark Halvorson, and a Springer Spaniel puppy named Ole. We have recently become new homeowners and our new address will be: W7334 Miller Road Spooner, WI 54018 For the time being at least, I will continue to have the same telephone number of 715 310 7006. My new email address will be [email protected]. I would like to congratulate Joe Pendal in his recent hiring as the new CE Director. I can think of no one that is more deserving, more qualified or more fit for this role. Thank you Trinity for all of the love you have blessed me with. I will be forever grateful. Yours sincerely, Carmen Speich

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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION because the youth are becoming amazing leaders 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 exEducation is to greater levels of participation, press the depth of appreciation and the heights deeper meaning, and even more thoughtof enthusiasm I feel at being blessed with the provoking opportunities for learning, fun and opportunity to serve Trinity as DCE. fellowship. Two things Just as almost all make it even hristian Education is not simply aspects of Trinharder to arity’s life depends Sunday School or LOGOS for ticulate exactly on the commithow I feel: children, but is a commitment of ment of volunfirst, I am teers, Christian the whole congregation to the given the reins Education has of a Christian whole congregation to learn, to study, to long been the Education probeneficiary of gram that is in pray, to play, to be together. many gifted and tremendous generous teachshape and has been guided by the heart and ers, parent volunteers, mentors filling more mind of one of our faith’s young saints, Carroles 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 apan interest in working with our children to conplication. 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 ChrisVolunteers 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 conas 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. Dethe 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, eduGod’s love in everything we do at Trinity. Withcational 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! Speaking of Christian Education

C

School is good, because LOGOS is energizing,

Joe Pendal, Director of Christian Education

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2009

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MISSION AND ACTION NEWS Peacemaking Sunday – October 4 ―The second half of Psalm 85 provides a vision of what God’s peace on earth will look like when people are centered in God’s ways. Words like prosperity, abundance, and good fortune rest next to words like salvation, truth, love, peace, and justice. In times of great economic turmoil like these, such a vision seems far removed, impossible. The temptation is to look only to ourselves and our own families. And yet, it remains God’s intention for us to live and work for this vision of peace. We are to recognize and speak the truth, love others, and ensure justice for all, especially those who usually experience injustice, so that we may all live in true peace.‖ (Mission Interpretation Brochure) The Presbyterian Peacemaking Offering supports the efforts of Presbyterians to work for justice and peace through their congregations, presbyteries, synods and the General Assembly. Every gift is welcome! Watch for news about the Christian education opportunities on that morning, as well as the local project our church will be supporting this year. Presbyterian Women’s Fall Gathering - October 10 Join women from some of the 70 congregations in our presbytery for a day of inspiration, challenge and fellowship. The Presbyterian Women’s (PW) Fall Gathering is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 10th. Workshop leaders and guest speakers will include those representing Beyond Borders, Presbyterian mission work in Niger, the Immigrant Law Center, and local, Presbyterian immigrant women themselves. Watch for registration forms in September. For more information contact Joan Nichols. Extra Innings Anniversary Celebration – October 11 It’s time to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Extra Innings program! Throughout the morning, there will be opportunities to learn more about, and celebrate the good work that this program provides. If you have been involved in Extra Innings during these years and/or are interested in helping with this celebration, please contact Bob Anderson, Barb Outcelt or Joan Nichols. Guest Missionary Speaker – October 18 Kara Vandercamp will be with us for the education hour and our worship time. Kara has served as a PC(USA) missionary in Niger , working to support the educational efforts of Christians in that West African country. There will be opportunities for all ages to learn and be inspired. Follow-up to Trinity’s “Bread for the World Sunday” More than 60 representatives have already signed on as cosponsors of bipartisan legislation that Bread for the World (BFW) helped formulate. Securing more cosponsors will help move the bill out of committee. Please write or call your member of Congress in the House of Representatives. Urge him or her to cosponsor H.R. 2139, the Initiating Foreign Assistance Reform Act of 2009. By taking just a few minutes, you can help us secure at least 100 cosponsors. For more information, visit www.bread.org. You may receive the BFW on-line newsletter by contacting [email protected]. ATTENTION SINGERS: Trinity’s choir is coming off its summer hiatus. If you enjoy singing, please join us for our first rehearsal of the fall on Wednesday, September 2 at 7:30 pm. Rehearsals last until approximately 8:45 pm. Contact Neal Strand for more information.

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SCHOOL TOOLS DRIVE Help Extra Innings students have the tools they need to succeed this school year! We are collecting new school supplies for our Landfall friends through Sunday, August 23. Please place items in the bins in the Welcome Room. Needed Supplies:



Elmer's white school glue

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Crayola crayons (24 count)

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Fiskars scissors

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Crayola colored pencils

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Crayola markers (washable)

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Crayola watercolors

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Sturdy backpacks (for boys and girls)

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Composition books

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Glue sticks

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Large pink erasers

Pencils (no mechanical)

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Highlighters

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Rulers (with inch and metric markings)

Pens (black, blue, and red)

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Kleenex tissues

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Dry erase markers

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Post it notes

Texas Instrument-108 Calculator

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Spiral notebooks (wide-ruled)

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1-inch 3 ring binders

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Pocket folders

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4x6 notecards

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Wide-ruled loose leaf paper

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3x5 notecards

NURSERY REVITALIZATION With many years of use by tiny hands and feet the time has come for a Nursery Revitalization! It has been several years since the nursery has been updated and repainted. This will make the nursery a more inviting place for children and parents. The nursery is one of the first room one sees when entering Trinity and is an important consideration for young families who may join the church. Our budget is small and is used for essential needs like Kleenex, cleaner, and Gold Fish. I am putting together a wish list of items that will help bring our nursery up to date. Please consider donating items from this list to ensure our nursery remains an asset (and not an eye sore) for Trinity. You can also donate to the nursery by placing your donation in the offering plate and putting "nursery" in the memo line. Please contact Tina Hacker at 651-714-9671 or [email protected] if you have any questions.

For the revitalization: 

5 gallons white, satin paint (to be colored separately for each room)

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6 blank 12 x 12 canvas (so the youth can help decorate our nursery)

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5-10 8x10 frames

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1- changing pad cover in a neutral color

Day to Day needs: 

Gold Fish

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Kleenex

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Clorox Sanitizing Spray

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Dixie Cups

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Play dough

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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

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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, Passionate 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 atrisk 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 discomfort, resistance, or sacrifice. It pushes us beyond the circle of relationships that routinely define 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

Financials July 2009

Month Actual

YTD Actual

Year Budget

Total Program Donations

$18,864.71

$137,315.10

$259,562.45

Total Program Expenditures

$16,243,47

$139,149.32

$259,520.38

Donations Less Expenses

$2,621.24

(1,834.22)

$42

Bldg Expansion Donations

$4,748.22

$37,736.92

Bldg Expansion Expenses

$7,053.00

$49,371.00

Mortgage Balance

$789,883,89

Study of The Beatitudes begins September 11 Men and Women Welcome! Trinity’s Friday study group has been chosen along with other groups around the country to field test a new series for The Beatitudes. We’ll be providing feedback for Horizon, the official producer of curriculum for the Presbyterian Church. Plan to attend as often as you’re able throughout the fall on Fridays from 10:00 – 11:30 AM at the church beginning September 11. Questions call Beth (651.501.1820) or email [email protected]. At this time, we don’t know if there will be a cost. If interested, childcare can be provided with advance notification.

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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.

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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.

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The Sacrament of Baptism was administered to Brynn Annetta Hacker on August 9.

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Recently hospitalized was Harry Krueger.

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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 AUGUST

Brad Wright

17

Katharine Upson

5

Robyn Gizzi

19

Agnes Kim Koehn

6

Lori Anderson

Leah Peterson

9

Bennett Carpentier

Marnelle Andersen

10

Kelsey Campbell

Ryann Roberts

11

Bruce Hafemeyer

20 21

Silva Theiss

24

Phil Stevens

25

Adam Johnson

26

Caroline Ellis

16

Jodi Campbell

Pat Kimbrough

17

Harry Krueger

27

Stephanie Schenck

18

Libby Hanson

29

Stephanie Hoekstra

20

Devin Campbell

Bill Sharp

21

Shu-Mei Hwang

30

Neal Strand

26

Bob Drehmel

31

Cathy Markovitz

27

Laura Behler

Carly Rosen 12

Beau Hafemeyer Steve Sawyer

SEPTEMBER

Anna Eger

1

Jack McKenzie

28

Stuart Ellis

2

Bob Culver

29

Breeya Channer

4

Teresa Thuet

We regret if we missed your birthday; if we have, please phone the office! 738-0045

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2009

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HEALTHY MIND MATTERS IS HUMOR A NATURAL ANTIDOTE FOR DEPRESSION? Research shows that a healthy sense of humor helps reduce depression and boosts mental and physical health. Do you have to suffer from depression or be stressed out to benefit from humor? No, not at all--you can enjoy the benefits of humor anytime. Trinity’s Mental Health and Wellness Group invites you to view the DVD ―A Piece of My Mind,‖ on Monday, August 24, at 6:30 pm. Christian comedienne Chonda Pierce entertains with real-life topics like dieting and the differences between how men and women view their world—and she openly discusses her struggle with depression and how God helped her through it. ―I found myself in one of the toughest places I’ve ever been in my life,‖ she said. ―I want families and friends to know that depression is real.‖ Come laugh at Chonda’s stories, and leave with the message that no matter how deep our personal pain, Jesus is there to bring us back to life. Invite your friends and family to this free event! “KEEPING UP IN A DOWN ECONOMY” On Thursday, September 10, Trinity will host the quarterly luncheon gathering of the Interfaith Network on Mental Illness (INMH), from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm. Shelley White, Associate Director of NAMI-MN, will be the featured speaker. All are invited, and are asked to RSVP (including vegetarian meal requests) to Dee Lindblom ([email protected] or 651.459.6724) by September 8. A $5 donation for lunch is suggested. WHY WALK THE 2009 NAMI WALK? The pervasive stigma of mental illness prevents individuals from seeking treatment for an average of 10 years. Can you imagine if someone with diabetes or heart disease waited that long? Too many people silently suffer alone. Hope and recovery is possible with medical treatment and family or peer support. NAMI seeks to break down the myths of mental illness, erase stigma and offer hope for recovery. NAMIWALKS is the largest anti-stigma event in Minnesota. This year’s goal is 2,000 walkers and $250,000 raised. Walk with us to help reach that goal, or sponsor someone who is! Look for materials by the Mental Health bulletin board, or contact Dee Lindblom at 651.738.0045. WHEN: Saturday, September 26 WHERE: Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis TIME: 1:00 pm – meet at Trinity at 12:15 to carpool “WHAT’S UP WITH THIS KID?” Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in America; they affect as many as one in 10 young people. Unfortunately, these disorders are often difficult to recognize and many kids go without treatment. Suzette Scheele, the Director of Children’s Programs for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-MN), will discuss common anxiety disorders, including obsessive compulsive disorder, effective treatment options and resources for families and young adults on Monday, September 28, from 6:30 – 8 pm. Suzette is a member of the Local Advisory Council for Children’s Mental Health, a member of the Metro Crisis Planning Team and has served on the juvenile justice coalition. She also has three children who are affected by mental illness and has advocated for children with mental health needs for over 15 years. This event is free and open to the public.

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PASTORAL CARE MESSAGE One of the perks of working at Trinity, in addition to serving all of you wonderful people, is that I receive continuing education dollars. In mid-July, I used some of those funds to attend a twoday seminar at Luther Seminary entitled ―Prayer, Presence and Ritual: Creating Holy Time and Space in Everyday Ministry.‖ We covered a lot of ground in those two days, and one of the most enriching parts for me was the focus on rituals and how they remind us that all of life is in God’s care and that we are profoundly loved. People generally think of ritual in terms of a prescribed order of a religious ceremony to celebrate a wedding or a baptism, but ritual is really just stopping to notice God at work in our everyday lives. In groups, we shared rituals that are important to us personally and generated ways we could help members of our congregations create rituals from daily life events to enrich their relationship with God and with the people God has made present in our lives. One pastor shared that he lit a votive candle for each of his children before leaving in the morning, and when they got up and saw the flickering light, the children knew they had been prayed for. There was a woman who celebrated her 65th birthday by gathering together special women in her life, and asking each to bring something to be put in her memory book: a prayer, a poem, or a special memory. Friends blessed a pregnant woman soon to give birth, and a young couple acknowledged each month’s anniversary of losing their baby as a way to thank God for the friends and family who had supported them. And those of you with teenage girls might like this one: a father accompanied his daughter and the boy she was dating for the first time out to his car—and blessed it! The events of our daily life, big or small, joyful or sorrowful, can be enriched by creating a ritual around it to praise and give God thanks. Blessings, Dee Lindblom

GOLF/SILENT AUCTION FUNDRAISER The Session and Youth Group are co-sponsoring its first ever Trinity Golf Tournament on Friday, September 18 (sign in at 4 pm), and Dinner/Silent Auction on Saturday, September 19, at 6 pm. The tournament will be held at Eagle Valley Golf Course in Woodbury and the Dinner and Silent Auction will be in the fellowship hall the following evening. The costs for the golf tournament are $60 per golfer ($7 for optional meal) and $15 per person for dinner ($5 for children 12 and under). Tournament Sponsorship: We are seeking sponsors for 9 greens and 9 tee boxes. For a $60 sponsorship, the sponsor’s name will be displayed as golfers approach the sponsored tee box and green. Businesses, organizations, families, or individuals are all encouraged to become a sponsor. We would like to ask each family in the congregation to donate an item for the silent auction or prizes for the tournament, such as gift cards/certificates, baskets of golf gear or even donate cash (no amount too small). Forms to register for the golf tournament, sponsorships and/or the dinner are on the church's website and are due by Wednesday September 9. Checks can be made out to Trinity Presbyterian and placed in the offering plate; please write ―Golf/Dinner Fundraiser‖ on the memo line. Please bring all donated items for the silent auction and/or prizes to the church by Friday, September 11. Call Kirk Breen (651) 402-7292 if you have any questions or want to help with the fundraiser. Thank you!

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2009

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THE ALMIGHTY SLUGGERS The Almighty Sluggers church softball team played its final game on July 27th, a 10-3 loss, capping a soso season. It celebrated its magnificent mediocrity the day after at the home of ever faithful pitcher Tom Rooney. Three "Rookies of the Year" awards were given: Lee Houck, the elder rookie, Jay Gizzi, the middle rookie, and Sean Finn, the kid rookie. The "Silver Slugger" award went to Gary Hanson, the "Gold Glove" to Ryan Schenck, the ―Outrageous Catch‖ to Craig Hanson, and the "Player of the Year" to Don Breckle. Nils Espe received the coveted perfect attendance certificate.

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 acquaintance, 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 obtrusive, 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 Spirits‖ 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 because that is her job.‖ You might be right, but if that deacon is me, I am approaching you because 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

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The newsletter is also available on the church website: http://www.trinitywoodbury.org

Trinity Presbyterian Church 2125 Tower Dr Woodbury MN 55125 651-731-0038 [email protected]

Next Newsletter Deadline: September 15, 2009

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Pastor’s Column Christian Education Mission News

ACTIVITIES AT TRINITY 2 3-4

Sunday Schedule Worship 10:00 am

Fellowship and Coffee 5 11:00 am

August/ September Schedule August 16 August 23

School Tools Drive

August 31 Education Hour 6 begins September 13 September 6 9:00 am Communion

Stewardship Corner

7 -=-

Birthdays

8

Healthy Mind Matters

9

Pastoral Care

10

Almighty Sluggers

11

Deacon Discursion

11

Child care is available during worship service

September 13 Rally Sunday September 20 September 27

Upcoming Events August 24 Chonda Pierce DVD (page 9) September 11 Fall Study Group begins September 13 Rally Sunday & Potluck (front cover) September 18/19 Golf Tournament/Dinner Fundraiser (page 10) September 26 NAMIWALK (page 9) September 28 ―What’s Up With This Kid?‖ (page 9)

Additional parking is available in New Horizon’s parking lot directly across from Trinity and by parking along one side of the driveway.