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Tidings is the monthly newsletter of Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Collins, CO.
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January 2015 | Volume 18, Number 1
TRINITY
LUTHERAN
CHURCH
is a welcoming
faith community
living together
in God’s love
to share the joy
of Jesus Christ.
Welcome New Council Members!
Tidings
In This Issue From the Pastors’ Desk……………….…...3 Council Meeting Minutes………………......4 Budgeted Finances……………...…………5
Calendar of Events………………………6-7 Worship & Music…....……………...……...9 Photo Gallery………………………….…..11
FFH Needs Overnight Hosts the Week of Jan 11th
11“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some
as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12for the
equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure
of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”
-Ephesians 4:11-13
In his writings, Apostle Paul often refers to the Christian church as the “body of Christ” and calls for building that body.
As Christians, our responsibility is to build up each follower of Christ. In congregation-al terms, we build the body of Christ when we help our church to function properly.
As we transition into the new church year we thank the people who selflessly contribute their time and talents to Trinity for building the body of Christ.
In addition to the staff and many volunteers
Cont. on Pg. 5
By Dave Karst, Council President
Trinity has had tremendous volunteers for FFH overnight hosts, but it is time to reach
out and find MORE wonderful volunteers to give others a break and to increase the pool of those to choose from.
The overnight shift is 7:30 p.m. - 7:30 a.m. Families will be settling in when you arrive. We have two adults each evening and have two separate host sleeping rooms. We have couches and air mattresses to sleep on. In the morning, you will put out breakfast items and lunch items. Families must leave the church at 7:00 a.m. You will put food items away, lock the door to the families' rooms, and then leave.
Cont. on Pg. 8
The Faith Family Hospitality program continues to grow! Trinity partners with the Fort Collins Mennonite Fellowship, where FFH recently opened shower and laundry facilities for homeless families to use during the day.
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TLC Preschool By Brenda Harju, TLC Preschool Director
Kathryn and Greer Skelton Greer and I are excited to join Trinity Lutheran. We feel so at home here. I am married to Jason for 15 years and we have a son, Calvin, who is 13 years old. Calvin plays on a competitive baseball
team and played football for his middle school. Greer is 9 years old. Greer loves to read, create art, and most of all, she loves gymnastics. I have just completed my M.Ed. in Elementary Education and am a substitute teacher for Poudre School District. In our free time we love to spend time outdoors, watching football, and being together.
Katherine Benson I grew up in Colorado, but went away to college and have wanted to return ever since. Happy to be in CO now and a returning member of Trinity, where I was confirmed. Was a college professor for 32 years, but I am retired now. I want to develop a new career in art. My parents were longtime Trinity members Gerald and Gladys Benson.
Joleen and Bob Fairbairn Although born and raised in Bismarck, ND for Joleen and Boulder, CO for Bob,
God put us together in Northern Colorado where we’ve been long time residents. We have two wonderful children Alex (21) and Rachel (17). Bob works as a painter for Poudre Valley Hospital, employed there more than 20 years. Joleen manages her
Multiple Sclerosis after a 25-year career in healthcare; her hobbies include card making and art journaling. Bob has a basement to finish and an old dirt bike to
wrench on. We’re excited to join and serve such a welcoming faith community.
Trinity Lutheran New Members
Catholic Charities: What’s Happening in 2015?
Trinity volunteers will enjoy an expanded variety of opportunities to make a difference in the lives of the homeless in Fort Collins. We’ll be looking for more than just kitchen help! (Although it is
still a very big part of our ministry.)
Sunday, January 11
Please join us for a brief meeting following our 10 a.m. service, to learn more about
how you can support our growing homeless community with dignity and grace.
The TLC Preschoolers pulled off a couple of pretty cute Christmas programs for parents and grandparents. Even if the singing is minimal at times, they always manage to look completely adorable! With the hectic holiday season over now, preschool will be settling in to January by learning about snow, snowflakes and polar animals. We hope everyone had a blessed holiday season and are looking forward to a 2015 of hope and peace.
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Recently, we got an email from a friend who is spending her first winter in Alaska. At the time she emailed, she said, “Sunrise is around 10 a.m., but the sun itself doesn’t manage to scrape above the mountains until close to 11 or 12, depending on where you stand in town, and it sets at 3:30…everyone we talk to is struggling with the long dark.” Do we in the 21st century (and especially in Colorado!) take light for granted? We notice shorter days and early sunsets, but we’re very rarely without ready access to light: from lamps and fixtures, streetlights and screens.
The church season of Epiphany, from January 6 until mid-February, is known as the season of light—and of illumination. Epiphany was designated long ago, in a time when the winter darkness in the northern Hemisphere was acutely felt. Light, in a time of darkness, is a symbol of warmth and of clarity—a sign of life returning to the dormant earth. Too many bright lights, especially the artificial kind, can be overwhelming, creating in us a longing for the rest and peace of darkness. Life, and ministry, can be similar. Some of us seek to fill the hours with activities that bring meaning and “light up” long days. Others find our days so packed that days seem to race by without pause, and we long for a break.
In January, many of us take stock of the old year behind us and the new year ahead. What is the good news of the New Year? Not, we hope, a guilt-induced list of things to finally fix about ourselves or get right, but rather the gift of an “Epiphany,” an illumi-nating realization: that we are loved by a God who sent Jesus to bring us freedom from the lists, freedom from the pressure to meet arbitrary standards, freedom from the guilt and shame of the past, and freedom to remember that we are in Christ a new creation—and all we are ever called by God to be is who we truly are.
This January, we do invite you to recommit to worship and to participation in the life of
Cont. on Pg. 9
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 301 E. Stuart Street
Fort Collins, CO 80525 www.trinitylutheranfc.org
WORSHIP TIMES SATURDAY: 5 PM
SUNDAY: 8 & 10 AM (FELLOWSHIP: 8:45 & 11:30 AM)
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9 AM
Pastor Gabi Aelabouni [email protected]
Pastor Meghan Aelabouni [email protected]
Visitation Pastor Reverend Paul Schairer
Interim Church Musician Tamara Schmiege
Chancel Choir Director Murray Oliver
TLC Preschool Director Brenda Harju
Financial Secretary Debbie Schwartz
Office Administrator Deana Andrist
Director of Communications Tricia Howley
Church phone: (970) 482-1226 Church fax: (970) 482-0817
Email: [email protected] TLC Preschool: (970) 221-9852
OFFICE HOURS: 9 AM - 3 PM MON. - THU.
9 AM - 1 PM FRI.
Febrary 2015 Issue Deadline: January 16, 2015
From the Pastors’ Desk
Thank you, Trinity Lutheran
• Dale Lake from McBackpack (beneficiary of the
Nov. Food Bank drive) writes to the members of Trinity: “Thank you so much for your wonderful gift...it will be used in its entirety to purchase food for the children. In the past three years McBackpack has delivered over 25,000 food bags to children in Poudre School District. Please know you are welcome any Thursday morning to come pack with us at First Presbyterian at 7:30 a.m. We are a community-wide group of volunteers. We would love to have any of you join us.
• The Friday evening reception musician for the Peace by Piece Symposium, Sierra Fournier, writes: “Thank you for having me play piano and cello… everyone was so kind. I would also like to thank Trinity for letting the Northern Colorado Cello Choir use your building. We wouldn’t be here without you!”
Statement on Immigration from the ELCA Conference of Bishops
As people of faith and leaders of the church, we support public policy that protects children, reunites families, and cares for the most vulnerable, regardless of their place of birth.
The treatment of immigrants is a core religious value. To welcome
the stranger is to welcome a child of God. In the New Testament, Jesus tells us to welcome the stranger, for "just as you did it to one of the least of these...you did it to me." (Matthew 25:40)
Each day in our congregations and in our service to the community, we see the consequences of this broken immigration system: separated families,
Cont. on Pg. 5
4
Trinity Lutheran Church
Council Minutes Summary November 18, 2014
Following is a summary of the Congregation Council minutes which provides the highlights of discussions and actions taken by the
Council. Full copies of the minutes are available in the church office.
New Business/Action Items:
Continuing Resolution to the Constitution for Designated Gift Policy Referring to the constitution (C12.08, A14), a 2/3 majority vote from council members present is required to adopt the 2-page Desig-nated Gift Policy as a Continuing Resolution to Trinity’s Constitution. A notation of this change should be published in the Tidings and included in the Annual Report. December Meeting – Christmas Dinner In past years Council gathered at a restaurant for an annual Christmas dinner. A special evening will be planned at The Moot House restaurant in Fort Collins at 6:00 p.m. with a white elephant gift exchange. Spouses are invited, and meals will be paid for by coun-cil members. Announcement:
Kate Kling announced her resignation from Council due to health issues. She read her letter of resignation. Council recognizes the resignation. Kate has been a blessing to this ministry and we pray for her healing and strength Old Business/Updates:
Annual Congregation Meeting – November 23 Agenda Election of Council and Ministry positions Approval of the 2015 Budget – Jay will present the budget to the congregation at the Saturday evening service and 8:00 Sunday
morning service. Lana will present it at the 10:00 Sunday service. Audio/Visual Equipment – Copies of the Proposal will be available for the congregation and a vote will be taken to move for-
ward or not. Faith Formation Update – The search team has met. Our Saviour’s is most willing to share this ministry. Spirit of Joy and Shepherd of the Hills will hold off at this time. Next step is to form a joint Task Force with Our Saviour’s and consider starting with a contract length of time for the opportunity to build the model. Capital Campaign Proposal Update Next meeting is scheduled on November 19 at 9:00 a.m. in the Library. Paul Marsh, a Capital Campaign consultant with a history and experience in the Lutheran realm, will attend and present 10 steps to a successful campaign. An Endowment Fund may be included with the Capital Campaign. Steve Backsen has agreed to serve as Finance Chair and will be on Council. Audio/Visual Proposal Plan update Informational meetings were held on Saturday with 10 people in attendance, and again on Sunday with 12-15 people in attendance. The repeated question was who will operate the equipment. All were in favor of hiring a professional. Monte from First Presbyteri-an has volunteered to operate the equipment at the Saturday service. One more meeting is scheduled on Wednesday evening at 7:00. The A/V is to enhance the service and empower worship and ministry. Building Use Cost Update Steph worked with Donna Dauner and checked with other churches, banks, the library, school district, and American Legion to see how they get reimbursed for expenses of building use. After reviewing their data, they decided to base building use cost per square foot basis rather than a flat hourly rate. This item will remain on the agenda and continue to be researched. Peace by Piece Symposium – This was the first year for a symposium like this. It was very successful and passed our expectations. Seventy-five people attended the reception on Friday night, and 120 attended on Saturday. Good feedback was received. Time ran short to address a few small group questions. Discussions will be continued with a 3-person panel to work on questions and con-cerns. Evan’s keynote address is on the web site. Reuben Jackson spoke about his experiences in Liberia. This was all possible due to the generosity of Trinity and Thrivent. A Grant of $4,500 was received. Reports:
Financial Report: (Jay Garcia) – The financial report was presented for the period ending October 31. There is a shortfall of $13,785.
Pastors Report: Getting ready for Christmas and Advent midweek services. Steph is working on food for Wednesday services, not
soup this year. There will be special music. Three Christmas Eve services will be at 3:15, 5:15 and 9:00 p.m. Christmas Day service will be hosted by Our Saviour’s.
Thanksgiving service will be at 7:00 p.m. at Shepherd of the Hills on Tuesday, November 25th. A job description will be written for our next musician. Pastor Meghan will be gone Friday thru Sunday, being a keynote speaker at the high school gathering at Estes Park.
Steph reported there will be no more open flames in the Fellowship Hall and no more changing of the table decorations. Elaine Beckman is working on this. The meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer and adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jean Ferrin, Council Secretary
5
November Year-to-Date
Receipts
Building use/Interest 681 8,196
Offerings 29,508 342,936
Total Receipts 30,189 351,132
Disbursements
Operating and Support 22,612 249,583
Ministries 3,814 70,238
Mortgage 2,592 28,512
Benevolence/Gifts (Synod, Sky Ranch, etc.)
1,171 16,475
Turning Mortgage into Ministry
1,015 10,122
Overage (Shortage) for the month/year
(0) (13,676)
Total Disbursements 30,189 364,809
Budgeted Finances November 2014 and YTD as of November 30, 2014
Immigration, Cont. from Pg. 3
children returning home to find their parents have been deported, and the exploitation of undocumented workers.
By removing the threat of deportation for many people, we are showing compassion for people who have been here for years, working hard to provide for their families, obeying the law, and contributing to the fabric of our community.
While today's action addresses a pressing need, it does not provide a path to citizenship, establish policies that prioritize family unity, or create more efficient channels for entry of new migrant workers. Our hope is that congress will address these and related issues, including the practice of family detention, which undermines our values as a people of faith and a nation of welcome.
The Scriptures consistently show a significant concern for immigrants: When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 19:33-34) The positive role of immigrants in our history, economy and our community is unmistakable. We support this compassionate first step toward reforming an immigration system that is flawed and requires many of our neighbors to live in the shadows in fear.
New Council, Cont. from Pg. 1
who help the church function smoothly, our elected leaders fulfill the needs of the congregation, uphold the constitution and enable the church to perform its vision and mission.
Special thanks go out to those people who have agreed to serve in elected council positions as well as Nominating Committee, Preschool board, Finance Review, Trust Fund
Board and Synod Assembly Representatives. We also thank those coming off terms of leadership positions.
If you are not presently participating in a ministry or volunteer position, please prayerfully consider becoming involved to help build Trinity’s “body of Christ.”
Yours in Christ,
Dave Karst
2015 COUNCIL
Posi�on Newly Elected Coming off
Council President Dave Karst Nyla Anderson
Vice President Nyla Anderson (1 year term) Dave Karst
Finance Chair Steve Backsen Jay Garcia
Property Richard Morton (add’l term)
Worship & Music Rick Aust (1 year term) Kate Kling
FISH Brenda Fosse (1 year term) Nancy Harrison
Finance Review Richard Anderson Donna Dauner
Trust Fund Gary Schwartz Phil Chapman
Trust Fund Merry Hulse Andy Sprain
Preschool Board Sco.e Moore Gayle Currie
Preschool Board Ron Spli/gerber (add’l term)
Nomina1ng Commi/ee Clint Borkowski Esther Johnson
Nomina1ng Commi/ee Jeff Nosal Rick Walberg
Synod Assembly Terry and Renee Mize
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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
1 New Year’s Day
4 Epiphany
8 & 10 a.m. Worship
WA D. Wisner / L D. Wisner
H R. Knutson, 3 needed
5
930a Trinity Book Group
6p Property
6 Day of Epiphany
7:30a Men’s Breakfast @
The Egg & I, 2809 S. College
9a TLC Preschool
4:30p FISH
5:15p Social & Eco Justice
7p Worship & Music
7
9a TLC Preschool
530p Executive Council
6p Bells of Trinity
7:30p Chancel Choir
8
9a TLC Preschool
11 Baptism of Our Lord
8 & 10 a.m. Worship
9a Sunday School
9:15a Pray & Play
11:30a Catholic Charities Info
WA M. Blumhardt/ L K. Stieben
H D. Karst, S. Jorgensen, 2
needed
FFH Host Week Begins
12
9a TLC Preschool
9:30a Women of the ELCA:
Sarah Circle
13
9a TLC Preschool
2p Finance
7p Council
14
9a TLC Preschool
6p Bells of Trinity
7:15p Chancel Choir
15
9a TLC Preschool
10a Bible Study
6:30p Bible Study @
Mulligan’s, 2439 S. College
18
8 & 10 a.m. Worship
9a Sunday School
9:15a Pray & Play
WA M.A. Miller / L P. Schairer
H K. Teumer, T. Dolan, B.
Dugger, B. Nosal, C. Hopkins,
H. Knowles
19 Martin Luther King
Day
8:30-2 Retired Pastors
7p Men’s Group @
Mulligan’s, 2439 S. College
20
9a TLC Preschool
7p TLC Preschool Board
21
9a TLC Preschool
6p Bells of Trinity
7:15p Chancel Choir
22
9a TLC Preschool
10a Bible Study
6p Confirmation Workshop
“Parables of Jesus”
6:30p Bible Study @
Mulligan’s, 2439 S. College
25
8 & 10 a.m. Worship
9a Sunday School
9:15a Pray & Play
6:30p HS Pizza & Bowling
WA T. Borkowski / L D. Andrist
H S. Schilling, 3 needed
26
9a TLC Preschool
9:30a Women of the ELCA:
Anna Circle
27
9a TLC Preschool
28
9a TLC Preschool
6p Bells of Trinity
7:15p Chancel Choir
29
9a TLC Preschool
10a Bible Study
6:30p Bible Study @
Mulligan’s, 2439 S. College
January 2015 - Trinity Lutheran Church Calendar
Worship & Music Schedule
Abbreviation Guide:
WA - Worship Assistant L - Lector
C - Communion Prep & Serve S - Sound System
H - Hospitality Team
Church Office Closed
7
Marie Phillips 1/2 Lois Smith 1/2 Delores Wisner 1/3 Ardelle Kissler 1/4 Al Ekblad 1/5 Bethany Bailey 1/6 Kelli Karst 1/6 Vicky Splittgerber 1/6 Pat Jacob 1/7 Madelyn Moore 1/7 Ben LoRash-Neuenschwander 1/8 Roxanna Davis 1/9 Ron Splittgerber 1/9 Kim McMahon 1/10 Al Rohde 1/10 Greg Schairer 1/10 Don Weinmeister 1/10 Ryan Andrist 1/11 Cathy Thompson 1/12 Miles Blumhardt 1/13 Sara Flatley 1/13
Kurt Faulkner 1/16 Char Gaalswyk 1/16 Susan Lamb 1/16 Gary Anderson 1/17 Jean Ferrin 1/17 John Mulnix 1/17 Charlie Keller 1/18 Dick Anderson 1/19 Dean Gebhardt 1/19 Chris Fendler 1/22 Heidi LoRash-Neuenschwander 1/22 Steve Dugger 1/23 Chance Foster 1/23 Joe Jedrzejewski 1/23 Natalie Aelabouni 1/25 George Splittgerber 1/25 Brooke Fuchs 1/26 Peggy Lynch 1/26 Irene Ekblad 1/30 Esther Johnson 1/31
January Birthday Blessings
January Anniversary Blessings
Quinn & Carolyn Funk 1/5 Ron & Marilyn Bycroft 1/26
Andrew & Andrea Sauer 1/30
Fri Sat
2 3
5p Saturday Praise
WA M. Lundgren
9
9a TLC Preschool
630p TGIF @
Jon & Brenda Fosse’s,
1217 Buttonwood De.
10
5p Saturday Praise
WA K. Simske
Mulligan’s, 2439 S. College
16
9a TLC Preschool
Middle Schoolers leave for
Youth Gathering in Colo.
Springs
17
5p Saturday Praise
WA C. Dolan
Mulligan’s, 2439 S. College
23
9a TLC Preschool
10:30a Trinity @
Golden Peaks
24
8:30-10:30a / 11:30-1:30p
Trinity @ The Mission,
460 Linden Center Dr., FC
5p Saturday Praise
WA D. Simske
Mulligan’s, 2439 S. College
30
9a TLC Preschool
31
5p Saturday Praise
WA M. Burke
Trinity Lutheran Church Calendar
Church Office Closed
Reminder: Bible Study returns Jan. 15 Join us at 10 a.m. in Trinity’s Fireside
Room, or at 6:30 p.m. at Mulligans!
Youth and Families Upcoming Dates to Remember
• Jan. 11 Sunday School and Pray & Play restarts
• Jan. 16-18 Middle school Youth Gathering—Connecting with other youth across our synod! Bible study, service, and relationship
building are all key parts of this weekend.
• Jan 22 6 p.m. Confirmation Workshop: “The Parables of Jesus,” includes chili/cornbread supper. All ages are welcome!
Parents and youth are invited.
• Jan 25 6 p.m. High School Pizza & Bowling Nite
Please note: Confirmation courses for Jan. and Feb. have been posted online; register at focolu.org.
Women’s Retreat Update: The date originally planned for January
has been postponed. Please keep an eye out here for more details
on rescheduling later this year.
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Save the Date!
JOY Luncheon
Thursday, February 5,
11:30 a.m.
Lutherans Restoring Creation (LRC) is an exciting new initiative de-signed to encourage the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to incorporate care for creation into its full life and mission at all levels. LRC is inviting ELCA members to become partners in
these efforts at the congregational, synodical, seminary, and national church levels. For additional information please visit their website:
http://www.lutheransrestoringcreation.org/
Their goal is to incorporate a caring for creation ethic more fully into ELCA worship, educational programs, responsibility for buildings and grounds, lifestyle of members at home and work, and our public ministry, such that “earthkeeping” and justice for the whole Earth community becomes integral to the identity and purpose
Lutherans Restoring Creation and Reformation
of our church. They believe that God calls us to this work in this "kairos" moment of both crisis and opportunity.
On November 4, 2014, a group of scholars, teachers, and pastors wrote an open letter to ELCA Bishop Elizabeth Eaton supporting her public commitment to address climate change and other environmental issues and offering help in bringing about an eco-justice reforming movement in the church. Copies were sent to each ELCA bishop and to the members of the ELCA Coordinating Committee for the planning of the Observance of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation in 2017.
The mission of LRC can provide some focus for us at Trinity as we "engage with the need to work for the renewal of the whole creation" as stated in our Strategic Vision Plan. Please contact Wally Jacobson at 223-2276 or via email: [email protected] with any of your ideas for engagement.
Faith Family Hospitality, Cont. from Pg. 1
This is the longest shift, but the easiest shift as you get to sleep. We do a training with everyone and go over every-thing needed. When we all take a small task, it takes the burden off everyone. The biggest plus is knowing you are making a difference for these families. Thank you for con-sidering this opportunity! We would be glad to put you in contact with a "veteran" overnight host to ask questions and get their insight. If you think this may be something you could do in January (or one of the other 3 host weeks in 2015), please sign up online using our SignUpGenius page. Just visit our website at trinitylutheranfc.org and look for the FFH/Host Week link on the home page in the rotating slideshow. Questions? Contact Steph Dugger at 223-9119.
By Wally Jacobsen, Social & Eco Justice Ministry
Alternative Giving Raises $6,000 By Dawn Theis, Alternative Giving Fair Committee
Thank you to everyone who made the 2014 Trinity Alternative Giving Fair a success. Twelve organizations were represented and over $6,000 was raised to support those in need.
From local charities like Homelessness Prevention Initiative, to organizations striving to help communities throughout the world like Trees, Water & People, the fair was an opportunity to provide financial support, and to educate ourselves.
The Intermittent Stream Ranch brought their goat ambassadors to support Heifer International and Fiona's Finest provided delicious samples of goat cheese. The Women's Bean Project, Equal Exchange Coffee and the Trinity Youth brought some tasty treats that could be bravely topped with Sky Ranch hot sauce.
The Murulle Foundation and ELCA Good Gifts continue to provide opportunities for people to create businesses that help support themselves and their communities. HELP Uganda's Bigger Than Beads jewelry and accessories could brighten anyone's wardrobe.
Trinity Crafts, donated by several of our members provided great gifts for all ages on your shopping list.
Thanks to a sponsorship from Thrivent Financial, we had large outdoor banners that provided awareness for the fair this year, and can be used again in future years. Due to the generosity of the Trinity community and the work of these organizations our gifts are making a difference!
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We welcome Rick Aust as our new team chairperson. I have resigned as of Dec. 31 due to some serious health issues. I have truly loved working with this team, the church council, and the congregation at Trinity.
The vision process that all committees have been working on has been exciting and productive. However, without your willingness to take a risk now and then, it wouldn’t have gotten off the ground.
Even if you don’t realize it, YOU are an important part of this team, and I myself will not be far away...just in the background, without leadership responsibilities.
We were pleased to welcome Greg Schairer to represent our Wednesday evening services during Advent this past December. They were truly beautiful services; I hope you
had the chance to be touched and blessed by the experience.
The Worship & Music team is interested in building a good base of people who have any hidden talents to whom we may call on for help now and then: voices, actors, readers, dancers, artists, photographers, speakers and musicians. We would like to recognize your hidden talents!
If you can help by using your talents within and around our services and events—if you like to coordinate, that is also a talent we are looking for—we will find a place for you! Please consider volunteering to use your talents to touch the hearts of our worshipers, and help carry God’s story to others. Leave your name in the church office, or contact someone on the Worship & Music committee, or one of the pastors.
Blessings to you on behalf of Trinity’s Worship & Music team!
Worship & Music Report By Kate Kling, Worship & Music Ministry
Pastors’ Letter, Cont. from Pg. 3
Trinity’s community of faith—but NOT as a “resolution” born of a sense of obligation.
We invite you to join us for the gifts and epiphanies we receive as we come together to hear God’s word of grace and forgiveness, to be fed at the Communion table, to learn in Bible study or small groups, to serve our neighbors in the community, to be strengthened for the journey we take every day in our lives, to be re-centered and re-energized for each day with the strength and purpose of the Spirit. We invite you to join us as we remember, again and again, that in Christ we are made new.
In 2015, Trinity will also be made new in some new ways: as plans move forward to install screens and projectors in the sanctuary, as a search team considers applications for our new church musician/organist/handbell director, and as our faith formation team moves forward in plans to add staff in this area of ministry as well. We’ll do our best to keep information coming to the congregation, and ask that you look to our e-news, bulletin inserts, announcements, and other communications to stay abreast of the latest developments.
May the light of Christ brighten our lives, bring balance to our hours, and warm our hearts, both now and forever. Amen. -In Christ, Pastors Gabi and Meghan
Fellowship Ministry has big plans for the next two years, to fit our ministry into Trinity’s Strategic Vision Plan:
• Extend a deeper welcome by working with FISH Ministry to hand out guest treats again, invite someone to Fellowship after Sat/Sun services, Bible trivia games, and business cards to connect with oth-ers at worship (at Welcome Center this month)
• Craft worship that invites, involves and connects with communion bread baking (during lent) as a group, in conjunction with Social & Eco Justice Ministry to purchase and use recycled/compostable cups and plates and with fundraising for local charities
• Foster caring and healthy relationships as we connect individuals with like interests (wine tasting, biking groups, game night and 8 x 8 groups)
• Extend our Helping Hands ministry to become more than a meal for someone in need
• Nurture faith in children, youth and families (families of all ages) with classes in healthy cooking, cooking for one or two, kids in the kitchen, heart healthy & tasty meals, as well as whole-church service projects and Biblical crossword puzzles
• Cultivate growth in faith and understanding by implementing Peacekeeper Circles. With all the growth of our church will come some good discussions on difficult topics
• Go out in ministry and mission car window stickers, putting together a Fellowship booklet with ministry offerings, putting together a Thanksgiving meal for less fortunate, and empower and affirm gifts and talents of the congregation to follow through with ministry in and outside our church walls
You will see LOTS of changes in the next 2-3 years. Our goal is that we are not seen as just a ‘food ministry.’ Please join us as we walk the talk!
Fellowship to “Walk the Talk!” By Kate Kling, Worship & Music Ministry
10
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In this new year of 2015 we are looking forward to the be-ginning of a new semester! Please pray for students, faculty and staff this month as classes begin again.
You can be a part of our ministry by inviting young adults you know to join us. Then make sure and pass their info on to us so that we can invite them to join our community as
well. If you would like to refer a student or bring a meal this semester to feed students please contact us.
• Lutheran Episcopal Campus Ministry at UNC: Pastor Deb Abbott, [email protected].
• Lutheran Campus Ministry at CSU: Interim Pastor Chad Adamik at [email protected].
News from Campus Ministry
YOUR BUSINESS CARD
GOES HERE
$10/month members $15/month non-members
CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE 482-1226
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Trinity Lutheran Photo Gallery
Trinity’s Winter Bike to Work Day Station
Advent 2014
Homelessness Prevention—Youth
Sleepout
Advent Wednesday Taize Services
Sunday School Children’s Christmas Program
TLC Preschool Christmas Program
Alternative Giving Fair
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TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 301 E. Stuart St. Fort Collins, CO 80525 (970) 482-1226 www.trinitylutheranfc.org
Non-Profit Organization
US Postage Paid
Fort Collins, Colorado
Permit Number 38
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@TLCfortcollins
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