June 2009 Final

Pathways JUNE 2009 TR IN I TY PRE S BY TER IA N C HURC H

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN STAFF

Join Trinity for Camp E.D.G.E. Vacation Bible School to Experience and Discover God Everywhere.

Pastor Gary Hanson The day camps run June 22-25, Home: (651) 501-1820 2009 from 9 to 11:30 am. Cell: (651) 373-1821 [email protected] Taking inspiration from Psalm

118:14 “The LORD is my strength and my might,” this summer‟s Administrator/Pastoral curriculum will keep children from Care Coordinator age 4 through 6th grade active, Dee Lindblom Mon-Fri 8:30am-2:00pm engaged and learning about God. [email protected] Cell:(651) 353-6724

The camp features all new contemporary music, high energy recreational activities, fun and Christian Education challenging crafts, and daily Bible Director lessons. Some of the VBS modules Carmen Speich [email protected] teach about “Following God,” “Learning Jesus‟ Teachings,” and “Loving Cell: (715) 310-7006 God and Others.” Church Musician Joyce Piper Choir Director Neal Strand Seminary Intern Joa Sevlie Cell: (952) 303-2679 Child Care Providers Ali Peterson Nicole Rucker 2125 Tower Drive Woodbury MN 55125 Phone & Fax: (651) 738-0045

Parents can get a preview of the camp‟s activities, music and scripture lessons by visiting http://cokesburyvbs.com/camp-edge.php in your web browser. Registration forms are now available in the church office and one form per student should be completed. The cost is $25 for the first child, $15 for additional children, with a $50 per family maximum cost. Confidential scholarship assistance is available by contacting Carmen Spiech or Dee Lindblom through the church office. Adult volunteers are still welcome if you‟d like to contribute to making this summer‟s Camp E.D.G.E. experience the best it can be for Trinity‟s kids. Newsletter Deadline Changes for the Summer The June 15 deadline will cover news and information for July 1st through August 15th. The July 31 deadline will cover news and information for August 16th through September 30th.

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MUSINGS AND AMUSINGS FROM THE PASTOR… Pastor Hanson is on sabbatical leave until mid-July 2009.

PASTORAL CARE MESSAGE Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children...

We are encouraged to write a “living will” to express our wishes on end-of-life issues, and a “last will and testament” to ensure that our assets will be divided according to our wishes, but leaving a spiritual legacy to our children and grandchildren is just as important. Early rabbis encouraged men to “transmit the tradition‟s ethical teachings,” and the Old Testament contains the first written record of an “ethical will.” In Genesis 49:1-33, Jacob called his 12 sons to his deathbed to bless them and make pronouncements regarding each of them. Ethical wills were initially transmitted orally, but over time they evolved into written documents. These wills are not legally binding documents, but are a way to share values, blessings, life's lessons, hopes and dreams for those who come after us. Not long ago I attended a class about creating a “Spiritual Will,” a term the instructor preferred to the traditional term of ethical will. He noted that a spiritual will would pass on to the next generation what was most important to us—our faith traditions, spiritual values, and the principles upon which we lived. It might also contain family stories, poetry, parables and advice. These insights, words of wisdom, and hopes or dreams are of far greater value than money and possessions to those we love. I liked the idea of composing a spiritual will because sharing ones beliefs, values and important lessons learned can be as spiritually rewarding for ourselves as for those for whom we write them. It encourages us to think about our values and beliefs, and appraise whether or not we are living up to them. It gives us an opportunity to examine our spiritual roots and put into words why we embrace the faith we do. As I began this process, something my mother always said came to mind: “God helps those who help themselves.” Without being conscious of it, I realized that this adage has always been important for me as I faced obstacles and prayed for resolution. This saying reminded me that God is always present to support me, but that I am expected to work with God through my problem. “God helps those who help themselves” is a motto I want to pass on to my children and grandchildren. I have not completed my “spiritual will,” but I have at least started the process. I want to share information such as how God has worked in my life; what family traditions I treasure; my biggest mistake and what I learned from it; for what am I most grateful; and what I want most for my children and grandchildren. I think a spiritual will is one of the greatest gifts we can pass down to future generations. I encourage all of you to begin recording the reflections of your life wisdom, experiences and aspirations. Blessings, Dee Lindblom Attend our second International Dinner at Ewan and Joann Ha’s. The theme is Korean Bul-go-ghee (barbecue). Recipes will include various beef and pork barbecues. Please plan to attend on Saturday, June 20 at 6 pm. We will enjoy fellowship together along with Korean cuisine! The sign-up sheet and recipes are in the Welcome Room. If you have any questions, please contact Ewan and Joann anytime (393-2842). Address: 3546 Sunbury Drive, Woodbury.

JUNE 2009

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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Committees Adult Education Marnelle Anderson 7353287 Building & Grounds Greg VanderVeer 739-3032 Christian Education Kirk Breen 436-4212 Clerk of Session Pat Kimbrough 714-0704 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 Pat Channer 735-7741 Moderator of Deacons Cheri McCreary 735-9094 Newsletter Mark Allen 204-3188

[email protected]

Nominating Stacie Anderson 612-483-2630 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 Wilson Ekinde 501-3661 Special Events Barb Freeman 731-1220 Stewardship & Finance Jay Wilkinson 731-7607 Worship Ruth Bloom 739-0715

Hammock-A-Thon The Trinity Youth participated in the annual Hammock-AThon, raising money for their upcoming trip to Belize. As a part of this ritual, the youth spent the night sleeping in Mexican hammocks in the pre -school room. After a dinner of pizza, they were committed to spending the next 14 hours in the hammocks. This was quite successful, despite a few that sunk to the ground by the end of the event. Thank you to the generous sponsors, who helped raise nearly $600, and a big thanks to the youth that participated: Ateh Ekinde, Stephanie Schenck, Laura Behler, Sydney Johnson, Josh Anderson, Nick Behler and Kate Radzwill. Garage Sale Thank you to the many volunteers that made this years Trinity Garage Sale a success! Thanks goes especially to Gretchen White, who coordinated the event, and to Jane and Darryl Willison, who priced nearly every item. In total, $1700 was raised for youth missions. Congratulations Confirmands! Pictured L to R: Pastor Gary Hanson, Davis Johnson, Christian Finn, Erin Donnelley, Lars Espe, Nick Anderson, Josh Anderson, Joe Pendal and Carmen Speich

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CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2009! Stephanie Schenck will be graduating from Woodbury High School on June 6. She will be attending Drake University in the fall and majoring in Pharmacy.

Sean Finn will be graduating from Woodbury Senior High School on Sunday, June 7, 2009. Sean is planning to attend the University of Minnesota at Duluth next year with a focus on Business, and Pre-Law.

LONG RANGE PLANNING Purpose of the Long Range Planning Committee To develop a long range plan that will serve as a guide to help Trinity‟s decision-makers and members to develop and execute programs and practices that are consistent with, and can further, the church‟s stated mission. The goal of the committee is to establish a process that is as inclusive as possible and invites all members to provide input. Additionally, the committee will work in conjunction with Session and members to create a report that doesn‟t simply gather dust, but rather influences and guides the decisions made by the church. First Steps The committee will develop a questionnaire that will be used to lead small focus groups of congregational members in discussions of all aspects of the church‟s life, their individual and family interests, what they participate in, what they don‟t, why, what are we doing right, what needs work, what needs to be added, what needs to be discarded. The same questions will be asked of all focus group participants to better ensure comparisons based on comparable things. To increase the chance of greater participation, and to make every reasonable effort to include as many of the congregation in this process as possible, these focus groups will be held on several occasions. (Continued on page 6)

JUNE 2009

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STEWARDSHIP CORNER Last month I introduced you to a book entitled “Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations” by Robert Schnase, a United Methodist minister. The five practices are: 1. Radical Hospitality, 2. Passionate Worship, 3. Intentional Faith Development, 4. Risk Taking Mission and Service, 5. Extravagant Generosity. The following is a short synopsis of the second practice. Stay tuned for other topics in this series in future months of this column. Passionate Worship Worship describes those times we gather deliberately seeking an encounter with God in Christ. We cultivate our relationship with God and with one another as the people of God. God uses worship to transform lives, heal wounded souls, renew hope, shape decisions, provoke change, inspire compassion, and bind people to one another. Through worship, God actively seeks a relationship with us, pardons sins, restores relationships, and changes lives. Passionate describes an intense desire, an ardent spirit, strong feelings, and the sense of heightened importance. Passionate speaks of a connection that goes beyond intellectual consent. It connotes eagerness, anticipation, expectancy, deep commitment, and belief. Passionate Worship means worship that connects people to God, worship that people enter into with expectancy, and with the anticipation that God desires to speak to them and connect with them. Whether traditional, blended, or contemporary, Passionate Worship is authentic, connecting, and sustaining. Jay Wilkinson, Stewardship and Finance Committee Chair “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth. . .” Deut. 8:18

Financials Apr 2009

Month Actual

YTD Actual

Year Budget

Total Program Donations

$22,145.04

$80,587.07

$259,562.45

Total Program Expenditures

$19,581.48

$80,721.20

$259,520.38

Donations Less Expenses

$2,563.56

($134.13)

$42

Bldg Expansion Donations

$8,370.08

$22,286.74

Bldg Expansion Expenses

$7,053.00

$28,212.00

Mortgage Balance

$798,473.07

Please remember as summer begins and we head for the cabin or vacation, the church‟s financial responsibilities continue. If you could pay your summer pledge ahead or mail it to the church office, we would greatly appreciate it. Have a joyous summer!

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RECENTLY HOSPITALIZED: Harry Krueger, Bob Culver

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OUR SYMPATHIES ARE EXTENDED TO: Sam Harder and his family on the passing of Hazel Harder on May 13. A memorial service will be held at Trinity for Hazel on Saturday, June 6 at 11 am.

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A MEMORIAL SERVICE was held for Bob Craft, who passed away on November 26, 2008, on Saturday May 16.

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Una Craft extends her sincere thanks to Trinity‟s funeral committee and all who helped with Bob‟s service.

JUNE BIRTHDAYS 1

Bill Richards

2

11

Niall Finn

20

Carson Pawlyshyn

Una Craft

Emily Pawlyshyn

21

Chad Thuet

Dexter Johnson

Whitney Pawlyshyn

22

Sophia Carpentier

23

Nick Anderson

Jeff White

12

Madelyn Carpentier

3

Bob Blanck

13

Theo Andersen

5

Ava Hacker

Tina Hacker

24

Ella Markovitz

Evie Ryden

Aysia Williams

26

Tom Rooney

Cameron Jamison

29

Abigail Bensen

6

Wilson Ekinde

14

Madeline Upson

Katy Gavin

Judy Punt

7

Pat Channer

15

Davis Johnson

8

Marbury Johnson

Jack Mayfield

Kayla Sawyer

Ari Ryden

9

Sigrid Espe

19

Jason Zerbe

10

Barb Outcelt

20

Betty Lidell

Steve Werden 30

Virginia Geer

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

(Continued from page 4)

We are seeking the assistance of the Deacons by organizing our focus group meetings based on their Kindred Spirit groups. It is our hope that each Deacon will select a date in June or July and contact their group members to invite them to participate. Members of the LRP Committee will lead the discussions. The meetings will be posted to last 90 minutes, but the length will be determined by the participants. The committee hopes to hold one session for each Deacon group. Final Product The committee is hoping to have completed the focus group meetings by the end of July to be on track to complete a version of its report for presentation and consideration at the January 2010 Congregational Meeting. For more information please contact Darryl Willison (739-2674), LRP committee chair.

JUNE 2009

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HEALTHY MIND MATTERS DID YOU KNOW? Research has shown that PTSD changes the biology of the brain. People who have heart attacks or cancer sometimes develop PTSD.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a catastrophic, life-threatening event. PTSD is often associated with soldiers returning from military combat, but physical or sexual abuse, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness may trigger PTSD in anyone. Those with PTSD have persistent frightening thoughts and memories of their traumatic ordeal and may experience sleep problems, feel detached or numb, or be easily startled.

Children and adolescents are also susceptible to developing PTSD if they have witnessed or experienced a traumatic incident. According to the Soldiers involved in a American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, a child's risk of developing PTSD is related to the seriousness of the trauma, whether the war consistently trauma is repeated, the child's proximity to the trauma, and his/her relashow high rates of tionship to the victim(s). PTSD. Following the trauma, children may show intense fear, helplessness, anRESOURCES ger, sadness, horror or denial. Children with PTSD avoid situations or places that remind them of the ordeal, and often become less responsive American Academy emotionally, depressed, and more detached from their feelings. A child of Child and with PTSD may re-experience the traumatic event by having frequent Adolescent memories of the event, or in young children, play in which some or all of Psychiatry the trauma is repeated; having upsetting dreams; acting or feeling like www.aacap.org the experience is happening again; and developing repeated physical or emotional symptoms when reminded of the occurrence. National Institute Support from family, school, and peers is extremely important, with an of Mental Health emphasis on establishing a feeling of safety and security for a child exwww.nimh/nih/gov periencing PTSD. Child-focused treatments that have been successful include psychotherapy which allows the child to speak, draw, play, or write Mental Health about the event; behavior modification and cognitive therapy to help reAmerica duce fears and worries; and medication, if needed, to deal with agitation, www.nmha.org anxiety, or depression. Child and adolescent psychiatrists can be very helpful in diagnosing and treating children with PTSD. PTSD IN CHILDHOOD On Monday, June 22, at 6:30 pm, Trinity‟s Mental Health & Wellness Group will sponsor a presentation about PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) in children. We are fortunate to have two experienced practitioners from the Youth Service Bureau come to discuss symptoms of PTSD and to provide interventions and resources to aid families and teachers. Sarah Fuerst has a Masters in Counseling and Psychological Services and works as a Youth and Family Therapist to provide services for youth 4-18 years of age, as well as group and family services. Catherine Olson has a Masters in Social Work and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) who provides strength-based child-centered family and individual therapy; including play and art therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, attachment, reality therapy, and solutionfocused therapy. This program is free and open to the public as well as to Trinity members.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 46 COTTAGE GROVE, MN 55016 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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: June 15, 2009

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Pastoral Care Christian Education Congrats Class of „09 Stewardship Corner Birthdays and Events Healthy Mind Matters

ACTIVITIES AT TRINITY 2 3

Sunday Schedule Worship 10:00 am

Fellowship and Coffee 4 11:00 am

June Schedule June 7 Communion Class of 2009 Celebration June 14

-=5 Child care is available June 21 Father’s Day during worship June 28 6 service

Upcoming Events Korean International Dinner June 20, 6 pm (page 2) Childhood PTSD June 22, 6:30pm (page 7) Camp E.D.G.E. VBS June 22-25, 9-11:30am

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