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The Trinity Tower

2020 Volume 42 Number 9

September Newsletter

In This Issue

Page 1 From the Pastor Pastor Fred’s New Cell Number Trinity’s On-Going Ministries

Page 2 Christian Ed/ Faith Formation Trinity Talks info Zoom Meetings

Page 3 August Newsletter Correction Church Picnic Consistory August Meeting Summary

Page 4 Anniversaries Birthdays Church Pictorial News Coffee w/Friends Getting to Know Our Staff Lunch w/Friends Sympathy Thank you! Thoughts & Prayers

Page 5 Bazaar News Financial Stats Farmers Market Vouchers Newsletter Sponsors Summer Outreach Tafana’s Surgery

Page 6 Scriptures Lessons and Ways to Worship

I spent some time with the late Dr. Bill Herzog one Monday afternoon. Mary is getting ready to move, and invited me to look through his pastoral library before donating his books. As I sat looking at decades of ministry, I pulled an array of books off the shelves. Some had markings and notes throughout, while others looked new. They reminded me of how members of Consistory are trying their best to be educated about the virus still crippling our world. Some CDC reports and articles have been reviewed with a fine tooth comb, full of marks and notes in the margins. Please keep the Consistory in your prayers as they continue to keep everyone’s best interest in mind moving forward.

September is typically the month of renewal for ministry and programming of the church. Although it may seem we have nothing to return to, Trinity continues worship together, committees gather via zoom to converse and plan and the work of the church continues. I am so excited to be offering a Confirmation class this year and have reworked my program, A Ministry of Presence to fit online or in-person gatherings. Letters, including a sample of the program have been sent to eleven young people inviting each to begin this important faith journey. If you are interested, please contact the church office.

I hope you have been tuning in for our weekly Facebook live worship on Sunday mornings! Our new A/V system is outstanding and I hope you have noticed a difference in sound and picture. There still is a learning curve, but we are working out the kinks each week. Georgia Hollabaugh has been extremely dedicated to this system and is currently developing a handbook for anyone to be able to pick up and use. We need more folks to help run this system during worship. Although we might not be gathering in our

beautiful sanctuary for worship, we will be offering outdoor in-person worship on Sunday, August 30th and Sunday, September 27th at 5:30PM at the Lion’s pavilion in our community’s REC Park. We hope you join us!

I am so proud of Trinity! We remain connected and our worship serves to refresh and restore our souls, hopefully making each of us a bit less frazzled. As I sit in the sanctuary, I often think about what my conversations would have been like with many of our saints who’ve passed. Would they like our online presence? Might they be disappointed with the resources we spent to remain connected? What advice would they share? I bet Bill would have had a book for this! Blessings! Pastor Fred

PASTOR FRED’S NEW CELL NUMBER: 717-253-2214. Please removed the old number from your contacts.

DON’T FORGET TRINITY’S MUCH NEEDED ON-GOING MINISTRIES:

The Blessing Box is in desperate need of supplies; diapers for TenderCare; box tops and Summer Outreach for Hoffman Home; cancelled stamps for the Brethren Home; soda can tabs for Hershey Medical Center; and Source of Life Ministries for Tafana’s surgery.

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“Trinity Talks” Virtual Gathering Area! Zoom BI-WEEKLY Check-In and Prayer Time!

2nd & 4th THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH at 10:00AM!

Computer https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87699608322?pwd=VVcwUDFHZEZrMmwrejdjbS9RWFEyZz09

Meeting ID: 876 9960 8322 Password: 421225

OR

Dial by your location (Land Line or Cell Phone) Phone: 1-301-715-8592 US (Germantown)

Meeting ID: 876 9960 8322 Password: 421225

Faith Formation Newsletter Article - September 2020

Although we aren’t able to meet in person, there are still many ways to grow your faith and stay connected to Trinity. Adults may want to check out the weekly devotions that are posted on Trinity’s website. There are also biweekly Trinity Talks sessions on Zoom. Pastor Fred and Kara are also considering hosting small group discussions on their porch. Watch the bulletin and future newsletters to see what new opportunities are on the horizon. Pastor Fred has sent letters to eleven prospective confirmands. If you have someone in your family who is interested in this rite of passage, please contact Pastor Fred. Our younger children should be on the lookout for an activity packet that will arrive on doorsteps sometime in September. We are also hoping that families will share pictures of what they’ve been doing during this unusual summer. In the meantime, here are two riddles to think about:

It’s amazing what this person did With a pebble and a sling He got rid of a giant And eventually became king.

He is someone who Helped the blind to see He is also part Of the trinity

Here’s a reminder for Trinity’s teachers. Please take this time to update clearances. These are available at keepkidssafe.pa.gov. Check the volunteer portion for the requirements – a criminal background check from the PA State Police and a child abuse history clearance.

Joan Peck, Chair

Check out the Faith Formation link at www.gettysburgtrinityucc.org for Children & Adults.

Current ZOOM Meeting Schedules Our Consistory has been meeting via ZOOM quite successfully. A few other committees have also had wonderful conversations from the comfort of our homes:

DATE/TIME: COMMITTEE:

September 1 @ 2:00pm Bazaar

September 1 @ 6:45pm Consistory

September 10 @ 10:30am Trinity Talks

September 10 @ 7:00pm Social Concerns

September 14 @ 2:00pm Pastoral Relations

September 14 @ 7:00pm Personnel

September 15 @ 6:45pm Consistory

September 17 @ 6:30pm Spiritual Council (Elders)

September 23 @ 5:30pm Christian Education

September 23 @ 7:00pm Worship Committee

September 24 @ 10:00am Trinity Talks

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August Consistory Highlights August 18, 2020, Zoom Monthly Meeting of Consistory - the following items were discussed: • Loan Update: We are still waiting for the banks to begin accepting applications for loan forgiveness for the Small Business Administration forgivable loan Trinity received. • The Treasurer noted we are up to date with our financial commitments, including OCWM. Some off-budget expenditures,

such as the new AV system, have been paid using designated funds available for use. Memorial funds in the amount of $8,000 have been received.

• 2021 Budget is in preparation. A template was prepared and distributed by Terry Krietz. Consistory reps will take the

budget template to their committees for completion and will return the budget figures to Terry by September 25. • Pandemic and Steps to Normalcy – The action level was revised for the purpose of deciding whether to cancel any service

we have planned, based on guidance from a national resource. If the weekly number of new cases in Adams County exceeds 35 for the 7-day period ending each Thursday when the state report is issued, then any services planned that week will be cancelled, and members notified by email and website. Signage has been prepared for re-opening with focus on physical distancing, mask-wearing, COVID-19 symptoms, etc.; the infrared thermometer was received; spot dots for phys-ical distancing received. The issues of building water safety, with limited water system use was discussed, with no chang-es recommended by the Property Committee. Safety of our ventilation system, HVAC capability, and general improve-ment of air exchange rates in the building was discussed, with several questions referred to the Property Committee.

• Re-opening for in-person worship in the Sanctuary was deferred through the month of September, with two outdoor

Sunday worship services planned on August 30 and September 27 in the early evening at the Rec Park. Discussion touched on the continuing difficulty to begin in-person worship as long as the state mandates gatherings of 25 people or fewer. We have no allowance for overflow attendees; meanwhile, the staffing required, with the worship team, ushers, greeters, and AV operator(s), would be close to 10. School and College classes are getting started, and cases may swing upward; it was decided that we want to be assured of continued indoor services once we begin.

• A motion was approved to accept a contract to upgrade Wi-Fi signal strength and access throughout the building, to

improve operation of the AV system and Security cameras in the building, as well as provide for a future with increased electronic capability. Wi-Fi download and upload speed has been upgraded, through Comcast.

• Our building upper levels have had steam cleaning of carpets, pew cushions, and furniture upholstery. This may be a good

item for annual consideration. • Property Committee Chair, Jim Hoffman, reported on several projects for repair, replacement, and mitigation that are

moving forward. These include parsonage bathtub and painting/repair of enclosed porch, bat mitigation in the sanctuary attic, cleaning out of parsonage attic, HVAC system maintenance and lighting at the back of the church. Roofing repair/replacement and other major projects on our properties are being placed in a multi-year plan by priority, based on need.

• September Consistory: COVID Planning Meeting – Tuesday, September 1, @ 6:45pm; Regular Consistory meeting on

September 15, @ 6:45 pm.

Submitted by Rayna Cooper, Consistory Chair

August newsletter correction:

Please note that the article titled “New Initiative 20.20”

was written by Georgia Hollabaugh

(and not Rayna Cooper as was originally noted)

Outdoor Worship Service’s

Sunday, August 30th at 5:30pm

Sunday, September 27th at 5:30pm

Gettysburg Rec Park Lion’s Pavilion

Bring your own lawn chair.

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Coffee w/ Friends and Lunch w/Friends

Join us on 1st Fridays 10am

Ragged Edge Chambersburg Street for Coffee w/Friends.

Masks required when entering to order and pay but then we go to the garden which is lovely.

Join us on 3rd Fridays 11:30am

Friendly’s Steinwehr Avenue

for Lunch w/Friends. Masks are required when entering to order and pay.

Autumn Blevins September 26

Mary Brown September 29

George Christopher September 27

Martha Dehoff September 16

Richard Dodds September 8

Suzanne Miller September 3

The Dehoff’s Martha & Burnell

September 9

The Mummert’s Sara & Ken September 22

In our thoughts and prayers: Kara and Pastor Fred, Ashur Bowley, Darla Jean Christopher, Lois Grim, John Harrison Hoffman, Connie Howe, Donald Hubbard, Sr., Evelyn Kretz, MacKenzie Kretz, Charlie Krietz, Josh Langley, Mary Lovelace, Bob

Miller, Kathy Murphy, Loel Rosenberry, Casey Mullooly, Ashlee (Black) Pyne, Bonnie Smith, Tom Smith, Julie Strickland, Bill Swisher, Mary Timmins, Brea Thomas, Elizabeth & Sandy Topper, Mckenna Voss, Brenda Wagner, Teeyara Jo Weiant. (Please notify the office when a name can be removed from the list).

Our condolences to the family of G. Robert Hartman who passed away July 31st. Bob, who was along time member of Trinity moved to FL a number of years ago but continued to maintain his membership here.

Church Pictorial Update - Due to COVID -19 restrictions and the generous offer of Scott Wehler to compose and layout our church directory we are going to handle things ourselves. As a result we need the congregation’s help to complete the directory. We are asking each individual, couple, or family to supply a photograph that they would like to appear next to their address information in the directory. Specifications for photographs: Photos may be digital or hard copy. Hard copy photos will be scanned in and cropped to fit the space available. We also would like photos of any events in the life of Trinity that you would like to submit that may be used throughout the directory as well. Please submit photographs to: Sue Churchill, 355 Sachs Road Gettysburg, PA 17325 Email: henderson4546@yahoo.com

NEW Deadline to submit your photos is September 30th.

Getting to Know our Staff… 1. What is your full name? My name is Jane Eiker.

2. Where were you born? I was born in Gettysburg, PA.

3. What is your position with the church and how long have you worked at Trinity? I have been the organist at Trinity for 30 years, but I’ve been a lifelong member of the church.

4. What do you enjoy most about your job? I enjoy playing the organ. I took organ lessons in college, but then I began to study in earnest in 1990. At that time, it became a passion of mine, and still is. In all, I have had eleven years of organ study, including a degree with church music specialization.

5. Tell us about your family. My family consists of all of my cousins.

6. Do you have any pets? I have no pets.

7. What are some of your hobbies? I enjoy reading, jigsaw puzzles, and some sewing.

8. What is your favorite food? My favorite food is ice cream.

9. Tell us something about yourself that others might not know. I am the youngest of the 10 cousins in my father’s family.

10. What is on your bucket list? I don’t have a bucket list.

Thank you Trinity Church for the lovely centerpiece which was delivered to us in celebration of our 55th Wedding Anniversary on August 29th. Sandy & Ken Howe

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Farmers Market Nutrition Vouchers for Senior Citizens Available through the Adams County Office for Aging and Commonwealth of PA, Dept. of Agriculture

Vouchers are valid until November 30, 2020 Income guidelines apply: $23,606 for one person in household; $31,894 for two people in household.

Application forms are available in the Gathering Area (or church office) You may also contact the Office for Aging 717-334-9296 Julie Kim to have one mailed to you (which may take longer). They also put them outside the front of their building (318 W. Middle St., Gettysburg) every morning on top of the mail box for pick-up. The Office for Aging is closed to the public.

Tafana’s Surgery (Source of Life Ministries)

Trinity collected a total of $725 towards Tafana’s surgery. The surgery was done Thursday, August 6th. Pathology results probably will take a month to come back but she is recovering very well and is improving very quickly. When she awoke, she recognized her parents and spoke to them. She will need to have speech therapy but is able to move her left hand which is little improvement to pre-surgery. She was scheduled to be discharged 8/12 or 8/13.

The initial $5,000 covered the actual surgery but does not cover food for her and sheets for the hospital bed (the family buys the sheets, they are not provided by the hospital and are not washed, they are disposed of daily). The family pays a fee to the hospital daily for Tafana’s food and for the medication they must pick up at the pharmacy.

Continued donations are most welcomed to help cover her costs and recovery. If you would like to donate, please make your checks payable to Trinity United Church of Christ—memo line “Tafana’s Surgery”.

Thank you for your generous support!

Looking forward to the future: Please hold the dates for this year’s

POSSIBLE 42nd Trinity UCC Bazaar December 4, 5, & 6.

Join us for the first Bazaar Meeting TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1st AT 2:00PM

We will not be meeting in person. Contact information will be sent soon.

Suzy Miller, Bazaar Chair

Each Summer Trinity celebrates a 'Summer Outreach Program’

Summer Outreach will benefit The Hoffman Homes for Youth: This year due to COVID 19, we are not setting the table up for our gardner’s goodies, but we are still accepting monetary donations. Please make your checks out to Trinity and in the memo line: Summer Outreach. Thank you! Founded in 1910, in Littlestown as an orphanage, Hoffman Homes has evolved into a psychiatric residential treatment facility for children 6-17 years old. Corresponding with Alicia Stanley at Hoffman Homes she expressed a need for funds, faced by the on-site Hoffman Academy's school to satisfy new regulations going into effect because of COVID-19. Our help would be much appreciated. More information about Hoffman Homes for Youth can be found in the Gathering Area.

NEWSLETTER

SPONSORS NEEDED

September

October

November

December

The cost is $50 per month.

Call Deb if you are interested

in sponsoring a month.

Financial Status as of August 23, 2020

Envelope offering needed: $120,972.00 Envelope offering received to date:$115,724.21

Property Fund needed: $10,472.00 Property Fund received to date: $10,125.00

Worship Attendance

In-person Worship services are being live-streamed through our Facebook

page and are available on our web page for later viewing. Our live-stream has been between

100 - 300 views each week.

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To access our on-line worship feed,

please go to our website:

www.gettysburgtrinityucc.org

Or our Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/GettysburgTrinityUCC

Worship September 2020 - 10:30am

September 6 On-Line

Holy Communion Exodus 12:1-14 Psalm 149 Romans 13:8-14

Matthew 18:15-20

September 13 On-Line

Exodus 14:19-31 Psalm 114 Romans 14:1-12 Matthew 18:21-35

September 20

On-Line Exodus 16:2-15 Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 Philippians 1:21-30

Matthew 20:1-16

September 27 On-Line

Exodus 17:1-7 Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 Philippians 2:1-13 Matthew 21:23-32

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Outdoor Worship Service 5:30pm

Gettysburg Rec Park Lion’s Pavilion

Trinity United Church of Christ

60 E. High Street

Gettysburg, PA 17325—2319

(717) 334-7266

Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Gettysburg, PA 17325 Permit No. 199

Return Service Requested

Staff

Rev. Dr. Frederick A. Young, Pastor

Deb Guiher, Admin. Assistant Karen Lentz, Account/Payroll Mgr.

John McKay, Director Senior Choir Jane Eiker, Organist Audrey Blackstone, Asst. Organist

Lisa Reinoehl, Sexton

Rayna Cooper, Consistory Chair Joan Peck, Consistory Vice Chair

Trinity truly believes that whoever you are, and wherever you are on life’s journey,

you are welcome here!