One of the goals of the Staff-Parish committee is to
help members and friends of Trinity see and develop their spiritual gifts.
The spiritual gifts for many are an unknown. Ask yourself what are you
spiritual gifts? Ask yourself what abilities has God given you to help others.
You may be surprised what your spiritual gifts are. Watch, for there will
be emphasis on spiritual gifts in 2005.
Grand Team Gathering
January 10th - 7:00pm
On January 10th , the Council on Ministries, all their teams and
team members, (those included are: Education, Stewardship, Church &
Society, Worship, Nurture and Outreach, Missions, Staff-Parish, & Trustees)
will meet together.
Starting anew in 2005 with new people joining the teams and committees
and boards of the Trinity family. Each January, after elections at the Church
Conferences held November 28th, those elected take their position for their
term. On January 10th, all of the above teams/committees will meet except
the Administrative Board. There is a meeting of everyone together for a
sense of sharing the direction Trinity United Methodist is going. We share
a time of personal challenge for meeting the future ahead of us. The groups
then meet to update the new people as to what the team they were elected
to in fact does. Then they spend some time looking at the work yet to be
done.
One of the personal goals I have is to help bring some coordination between
the different teams. Not only at this meeting but through out the year.
In April or March there is a planned celebration of ministry event in which
Trinity teams, boards, and committees will bring their accomplishments together
for a sense of what this group called Trinity UMC does. This is a celebration
planned for there has been much done.
Happy New Year 2005
It is almost time
to say goodbye to yet another year.
Very soon 2004 will be history and a new year is about here.
Just because the mail did not bring a sweepstakes letter,
does not mean last year was not better.
A free gift brought in the mail does not guarantee to please.
But the gifts sent by God should put us down on our knees.
When we do not get an answer to prayer it is easy to think God does not care.
Just maybe it's time to look around to see how well others fare.
When looking through the window, seeing no leaves on the trees;
I think of the many people who are worse off than me.
Yes, today I forgot to thank God when we had our daily talk;
that the road which is a battle for life is not the trail I must walk.
This year I did not count all my blessings as down the highway of life I cruise.
But for one thing I am very thankful; I did not have to take a single
step in my neighbor's shoes.
|
(Richard E. Funnell, December 1998
(submitted by your Nurture and Outreach Team)
"Case for Christ"
by Lee Strobel
Is there believable evidence that Jesus of Nazareth
really is the Son of God?
Is there any reason to believe the resurrection was an actual event?
What will your verdict be in "The Case for Christ"?
A book study....read a chapter, mark up your book with questions...then
come on Wednesday nights at 7pm beginning January 5th for discussion or
just listening to others. Pastor Rich will lead us through the books discussion
questions. Come for this exciting and faith building opportunity. Call
early so we can have books available for you. Hope to see you there! This
study is open to everyone.
A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who helped prepare and serve the Sunday
Brunch
at the First Presbyterian Church on November 15th. Because of everyone's
help, we were able to raise $870.00.
Great teamwork, great fellowship and a good time was had by all.
Once again, thanks for all the help.
From Marion Strandberg
"Giving is Worship"
Years ago a young man knelt with his pastor as he committed
himself to give a tithe, or a tenth of what he earned to the Lord. His first
week's pay was $10 and the tenth was $1. As he grew older he became more
prosperous, and his tenth was $7.50 at week, then $10.00. He moved to another
city and soon his tenth was $100. Then it grew to $200 per week.
He sent for the pastor. When the pastor arrived at the man's beautiful
home they had a good time talking over old times. Finally, the man came
to the point. "You remember the promise of the tithe that I made years ago?
How can I be released from this promise?" When he first made the promise,
the man said, he only had to give a dollar. But now he had to give $500
per week and he couldn't afford to go around giving money away on that scale.
The old preacher looked at his friend and said, "I'm afraid we cannot
get a release from that promise but we can kneel here and ask God to shrink
your income so you can afford to give a dollar again."
Would God have to shrink your income to so that what you offer each time
you worship would be a tenth of your total income?
Be A Mentor...........
Gifts don't always have to be in the form of a present.
Numerous students in the Chippewa Area Public and Catholic schools await
someone who will become their mentor. Mentors visit a student during school
hours for a half hour, one day a week. Individuals who have the ability
to listen, encourage, cheer, guide, show concern and be a friend have what
it takes to be a mentor. We have a critical need for male mentors at this
time. During this holiday season, won't you consider giving a child the gift
of your presence? For more information or to apply to be a mentor, please
contact,
Janet Maier, Mentor Program Director at 726-2400 ext. 2474
or check out our website at cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us
A LOT OF
THANK YOU'S
Thanks to all the folks who made December a special
ministry time:
To the folks who organized and worked at the Cookie Walk.
To the parents and young people of Puppet Preachers and the Parade Float.
To the directors, Jennifer Christensen-Slota and Heather Dresel, Sunday
school teachers, parents and all the young people who participated in "Live
From the Streets of Bethlehem" Christmas Program on December 12th.
To all the musicians, actors for Music Sunday, Senior Choir, Bell Choir,
Kid's Choir, Puppet Preachers, Handchime Choir, and all the assorted musicians
who played in the Gathering Space and Great Hall between services.
To all the folks who ushered, read and did special music for the two Christmas
Eve Services.
THANKS TO ALL OF YOU....May God be truly glorified b all the
things you have done. May others see in the words and the music the glory
of God. May we in fact love God more by what you all have done.
Thanks You all Again.
5 Finger Prayer
-
Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin you
prayers by praying for those closest to you.
They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C.
S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty".
-
The next finger is the pointing finger.
Pray for those who teach, inst4uct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors,
and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right
direction. Keep them in your prayers.
-
The next finger is the tallest finger. It
reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and
industry and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public
opinion. They need God's guidance. Also include our servicemen and women
here and abroad who always stand tall in the duty of defending and protection
our nation. They need God's strength and comfort.
-
The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising
o many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher
will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble
or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much
for them.
-
And lastly comes our little finger, the smallest
finger of all. Which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God
and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you."
Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have
prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective
and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.
OUR INCREDIBLE YOUTH
Meet a few of our youth who will be confirmed in May.
They are working hard to accomplish their goals and we proud of them.
Others will be featured in the following months.
Tommy Harding:
Tommy is the son of Tom and Patty Harding. He likes to play footfall,
baseball, and basketball. He also said he likes to talk about God with his
mentor, Nancy Estrem-Fuller. Tommy's favorite team is the Green Bay Packers,
and he loved a family vacation at Flathead Lake in Montana. His best friend
is Matt. Tommy has four pets; a hamster, Max,
a bird, Spice, and two cats, Madison and Lilly.
Katie Estrem-Fuller:
Katie's parents are Pastor Rich and Nancy Estrem-Fuller. Katie is very
active in church, being in the Puppet Preachers, Signs of Grace, and all
youth activities. She also loves singing, swimming, and dancing. Her favorite
food is tacos and chicken fried rice; singer, Shania Twain - 'Who's Bed Have
Your Boots Been Under;' and her favorite vacation was to New Mexico, the
Grand Canyon, and Sedona. Best friends are Molly, Emily L. and Emily M. Katie
has a pet bird, Stephanie. Her confirmation mentor is Cindy Lee.
Molly Haferman:
Molly is Roger and Mary Haferman's daughter. She is in figure skating
and will be competing in the Spring. She is also in tap and ballet dancing.
Loves to go water skiing and tubing. Molly's favorite kind of music is country,
with Shania Twain, her favorite singer. She joins her family every summer
going to the Michigan Nascar Races. Her favorite food is tacos, and she
loves to read. Best friends are Katie, Emily L. and Emily M. Molly has
a tropical fish tank. Her confirmation mentor is Cindy Lee.
End of Tower
Finding a date in January-It's time to find the
date of your dreams!! Do you want romance? Do you want a giggle?
Do you want a person with a strong personality? To find a partner, go to
the Gathering Room Library.
You will find your dream date on the Library shelves. You will have a lot
of selection and no boring talk,
Make a date to read in January with fabulous people.
Where's the Fish? Are you reading books from our Church Library but not
filling out a fish for our pond?
You'll never have to have cold hands or feet this January. Our pond never
will freeze over. You'll never
have to chop ice to put a fish in our pond. When you read, take time to
release a fish to help other
readers to hook a good January read!
Thursday, January 6
10:30 Executive Officer Meeting
11:00 Unit Business Meeting with
Installation
of Officers
12:00 Lunch served by Priscilla and
Miriam Circles
1:00 Program
New officers for 2005-2006 will be installed as follows:
| Chair |
Marion Strandberg |
| Vice Chair |
Carole Frederick |
| Secretary |
Marge Bjork |
| Treasurer |
Glenda DeLaMater |
| Sec of Program Resources |
Ruth Ann Gilbertson |
| Nominations |
Arla Seyforth |
| Spiritual Growth |
Rita Meyers |
| Social Action |
Donna Kraemer |
| Education & Interpretation |
Judy Wilson |
| Membership Nurture |
Shirley Woodruff |
| Sunshine |
Dorothy Klatt |
Yvonne Brunstad, a talented Trinity member, will bring us the program
reading from her publication of prose and poetry, "It Could Be Verse".
Yvonne says, "It's in my genes." "Grandma instilled her love of 'portree'
to her children as she listened to poetry from her chair by the radio."
Yvonne's father wrote his first book when he was 75 and his second at 77.
An Uncle wrote a column for the Minneapolis Star. The contents of Yvonne's
book include happenings with the people in her life, her appreciation of
nature and her love of the seasons.
Trinity Women, come to our first meeting of the
new year.--- Have lunch, enjoy the fellowship and hear Yvonne Brunstad.
We are still Looking!
Looking!
Looking!
For one or two people to help keep our kitchen appliances clean.
We're looking for a couple of people to clean the oven and clean and wipe
out the refrigerator three times a year (possibly in January, April and September).
This would help to keep our appliances running properly, lasting longer,
and it would only take an hour or so of your time. If this is something
you would like to volunteer to do to help out your church, an easy but important
job, please contact the church office to let them know.
USHERS NEEDED
This is an opportunity for you to be of immediate service
to this congregation. Help serve as an usher to be a friendly face, a helping
hand with the bulletins, receiving the offering, assisting at communion services.
It is only a few times during the year, not much work involved, why not
help out. It's easy to do and it is important to those attending our worship
services. If you are willing, please help by signing up or calling the office.
If you have been looking for a way to get into being a part of the church
but just wanted to ease into it, this is the thing. You can also mention
it to our Usher Coordinators, Tom Sippel or Gaylord Oppegard.
REMINDER......
As always, the reminder is for people to call the church if someone you
know and love is in the hospital. Let the pastor know so reminders
of God's love can be brought to the bedside. It's a good feeling to
help bring God's love in trying times. We all need that reminder that
God is with us in good times and in bad.
Circuit Seven Report
Observations from the Discipline 2004 led by Don Frank and reflection
on the organization of churches. The structure hasn't changed much
from the Methodist church in 1956 and what has evolved today--but there
was a lot of confusion in the meantime. Official structure of the church
has been simplified.
Since 1996--- no Administrative Board, it is called Church Council now.
Minimum membership from 2000 is 11. It was 8 in 1996. UMW, UMM,
Youth were added as a mandate. Finance, Trustees, Staff-Parish Relations,
Lay Leadership are the required committees. Lay Leadership responsibilities
have been magnified--it is to develop, identify, and train leadership throughout
the year. Get the UM Guidelines --good materials for this purpose.
Three optional areas--not necessarily committees: Nurture, Outreach, Witness-
the "NOW" programs.
2000 par.246.s: when authorized by district superintendent charge conference
can provide for the sponsoring of satellite congregations. This is
the vision for the church and circuits. Campus ministry is a satellite
congregation.
