Newsletter - November 2019

LEADERSHIP NEWS & NOTES ON TRINITY’S MISSION & VISION

The Mission of Trinity Lutheran Church:
Led by God, equipped as disciples through Word and Sacrament,
we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to reach out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all.
The Vision of Trinity:
Growing in God’s Word to Share Christ’s Love

Many of Trinity’s leaders, including Council members, Elders and Leaders of Ministry Teams, gathered on October 15 to review progress toward living out our Mission and Vision. The goals submitted in August and September include specific ways that each board and ministry will focus their work to support Trinity in Growing in God’s Word to Share Christ’s Love.

From improvement of physical spaces to developing spiritual disciplines and from special events for members to ministry among our community, steps have been taken to put us on the path toward reaching goals.

Christian Education and Hearts of Compassion Homeless Ministry coordinated to make the gathering area and classrooms more welcoming and inviting. The main gathering room has been cleared so that the focus for students is on the altar, Bible study and their Pathway to Confirmation. And Hearts of Compassion has organized the donations of clothing, hygiene materials and blankets in the room beyond the gym. This room has its own entrance making it more efficient for distributing resources and minimizing traffic through the building.

Engaging and involving members and visitors into the spiritual life of the congregation is part of Trinity’s Assimilation Ministry. Employing the data from Shepherd’s Staff, this team is contacting members and following up with guests. The goal is to ensure that those absent know they are missed and those attending worship are assisted in finding spiritual and fellowship opportunities that meet their needs. Ideas were shared from others about developing support information for young families such as childcare resources, CPR and first aid classes, and use of the building for social events. Pastor will be providing instruction in the faith for those interested in becoming members on the first three Saturdays of November.

Evangelism has upgraded the welcome table in the Narthex and provided pocket Bibles and A Simple Explanation of Christianity for distribution to the community through the Food Pantry, the Homeless Ministry, and at events such as the Fall Festival. One major goal is to better equip members for sharing their faith in Holy Conversations as they go about their daily lives. Pastor Victor Belton, a retired mission coordinator, has been invited to provide training for outreach to our members.

The Lizzie Comfort Dog Ministry is making more scheduled visits to care facilities and schools. After attending the Pastor’s Conference, Educators Conference and LWML Retreat in September, Lizzie has had many more invitations to partner in sharing the Gospel. It is important for all to know that Lizzie’s work is not only about petting a dog, but about the faith conversations, love sharing and prayer that God inspires while people are petting Lizzie. Lizzie will be submitting a grant request to the FL/GA LWML in 2020 to help in expanding ministry partnerships within the district.

LWML has an ambitious plan of action for the next several months. The 40th Novemberfest will raise money for local missions and gifts of love to members as well as support for Missionary Preuss in the Dominican Republic. LWML ladies will also sponsor some major learning events in 2020. Author Deb Burma will be at Trinity in January sharing how to live in the rich and endless supply of the grace that is ours because of Jesus, based on her book Living a Chocolate Life. In March, Apple of His Eye Ministry will share an educational Seder meal connecting how the Passover points to Christ.

The Prayer Team provides weekly updates to any who wish to be prayer warriors in their daily lives. Prayers submitted by members for their families, coworkers, and friends are sent by e-mail each week.

The Prayer Team will also be working to be more intentional in offering prayer as they interact with members and visitors on Sunday mornings, in support of our Outreach Ministries and by praying that God will work through each of us as we go about our daily lives.

The next major project for our physical property will be the facade of the Education Building. Cedar banding and stucco will be replaced. An opportunity to present a creative visual message to the community is part of the goal for this update. Ideas are welcome, so contact Mike Fajen.

Looking forward, the goal of providing and communicating opportunities for Growing in God’s Word will be a major focus. Pastor will be gathering small group Bible study leaders and those interested in new study opportunities to consider how all members at Trinity can have access to a group Bible study that will meet their needs and fit their schedule. Efforts will also be made to publish all opportunities, their locations, and who to contact if you are interested in participating. The next Leadership Meeting will be January 14 at 6:30 p.m.