The Newsletter of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

420 Main Street, PO Box 15, McAlisterville, PA 17049-0015

(717) 463-3428 · e-mail TLCHURCH17049@gmail.com

Trinity Lutheran Church is on Facebook

http://www.trinitymcalisterville.org/giving.html

TRINITY TIDINGS Partner Congregation: Reed Memorial Lutheran Church, Liberia

Staff

The Rev. Erin Bovendam, Pastor

Malea Haflett, Faith Connection

Coordinator

Jean Barnard, Choir Director

Doris Watts, Organist

Betty Lou Naylor,

Parish Secretary

Jessica Startzel, Assistant

Director, Sonbeam Early

Learning Center

(717) 463-9571

Officers

President, John Monteleone

Vice President, Charles Rishel

Secretary, Angela Monteleone

Cheryl Wilson, Treasurer

Betty Ryan, Asst. Treasurer

Congregation Council

Jean Barnard

Susan Hackenberger

Susan Leister

John Monteleone

Charles Rishel

Geroge Snyder

Matthew Snyder

Dorothy Spancake

Jerry Wagner

Proclaiming “Jesus is Lord,”

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran

Church, endeavors to grow and

build itself up in Christ’s love,

as each member, using God-given

talents and resources, works to

reflect God’s grace,

to each other and the world.

July 2020

The Council met Sunday, June 28th, at 4 PM by Zoom to make

plans for ministry going forward through COVID-19. They are

looking at several resources to help guide them, as well as listening to

your input:

Worship Location Plan for July-August 2020

July 5th – Lost Creek Park

July 12th – On Line Service

July 19th – Lost Creek Park

July 26th – Online service

Aug 2nd – Lost Creek Park

Aug 9th – Online Service

Aug 16th – Lost Creek Park

Aug 23rd – Online Service

Aug 30th – Lost Creek Park

For now, the church building continues to remain locked and

closed, except for paid staff. If you need help with something, please

contact your Shepherd Group Leader, a Council Member or the church

office at 717-463-3428. If no one is there, leave a message, and some-

one will return your call. Council members are listed on this page. If

you’re not sure who your Shepherd Group Leader is, contact the

church office.

PASTOR ERIN’S PAGE

Confirmation is a class that people can take to deepen their relationship with God and God’s people. During Con-

firmation, people intentionally focus on learning more about the Bible, the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the

Lord’s Prayer, Baptism and Communion, and Faithful Living. Our Confirmation Class consists of 6 youth, and at

least 3 adult mentors. We started meeting weekly this past Fall, and these 6 youth will complete their time of

Confirmation on Reformation Sunday, October 25, 2020. This Spring, after COVID-19, we met online over

Zoom. The past few weeks, we’ve been able to meet outside in St. Peter’s Grove behind our church playground.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been learning about the Apostle’s Creed, and what it means. After we studied

God the Creator, they were to go home, and with an adult family member, artistically show what it means when

we say “I believe in God the Father, Creator of Heaven and Earth,” based on Martin Luther’s explanation in

the Small Catechism. Martin Luther asks, “What is this?” Then he offers this explanation:

I believe that God created me together with all that exits. God has given me and still preserves my body and

soul: eyes, ears, and all limbs and senses; reason and all mental faculties.

In addition, God daily and abundantly provides shoes and clothing, food and drink, house and farm, spouse

and children, fields, livestock, and all property - along with all the necessities and nourishment for this body

and life. God protects me against all danger and shields and preserves me from all evil. And all this is done

out of pure, fatherly, and divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness of mine at all! For all

of this I owe it to God to thank and praise, serve and obey him. This is most certainly true. From "Luther's Small Catechism," Copyright ©2016 Augsburg Fortress

Here are some of the Confirmation Students’ Creations to show what it means when we say, “I believe in

God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth:”

Marley Wilson showed God’s protection, by lifting up a Bible passage:

“God protected the people of Israel from the Egyptians by dividing the Red Sea so

the people of Israel could cross it on dry land. Then he protected them again by

closing the Red Sea while the Egyptians were crossing.” (Exodus 14:15-30) Her

pizza represents that.

Lilia Haflett made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to remind us all that God,

our King, loves us all! “Taste and see that the Lord is good!”

Henry Mathiason made a shield out of pancakes to show God’s protection, and a

heart to show God’s love.

Cody Nipple made several creatures out of chocolate to show God’s creations, as well as visually showing the

earth and water.

Nate Freed made Earth Cupcakes to show that God created and provided for the earth.

Mike Prawdzik hasn’t been able to do his project yet, as he was out of town, but he has been an active part of

confirmation, as well.

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Gratitude Journal for Kids 9

July Calendar 13

Meet Trinity’s Confirmation Students 10, 11, 12

Pastor’s Erin’s Page 2

Schedule of Helpers 4

Stewardship Page 8

Trinity’s Birthdays 5

Upcoming Ministry 1

USS Ark 6

Volunteers Needed 5

Inside this issue:

Dear Trinity Lutheran Church Congregation,

We would like to thank you for your overwhelming

generosity in donating items for us to sell for our annual

Sonbeam benefit yard sale. We are happy to report we made just

over $800 in sales. These funds help us to get much-needed

supplies to help support the children and their

learning at Sonbeam.

We would also like to thank all of the church members that have so graciously

and generously donated to help the staff during this closure. We are also very

grateful for such a kind and caring congregation that you are. You have been

simply amazing through this time.

Thank you on behalf of the entire Sonbeam Team,

Jess Startzel

Sonbeam Director Team

ACOLYTES

July 05 Nate Freed

12 Henry Mathiason

19 Dex Haflett

26 Ben Mathiason

August 02 Lilia Haflett

09 Riley Naylor

16 Eric Nipple

23 Mike Prawdzik

30 Clara Ruff

WORSHIP ASSISTANTS

July 05 Ted Wilson

12 Katherine Kratzer

19 Kris Yetter

26 Susan Hackenberger

August 02 John Monteleone

09 Sharon Truitt

16 Peggy Nipple

23 Gary Barnard & Terri Leister

30 Marley Wilson

USHERS

July Raymond & Clarice Pellman, Valerie

Robinson & Geraldine Gerber

August Dane & Susan Hackenberger, Bob King

& Ruth Nace

ALTAR GUILD

July Joy Hulslander & Betty Lou Naylor

August Trudy Watts & Barnard Family

MEDICAL TEAM RESPONDERS

July 05 Laura Naylor

12 Laura Naylor

19

26

COMMUNION BREAD

July 05 Joy Hulslander

12

19

26

August 02

09

16

23

30

RECORDING THE WORSHIP SERVICE

July Dane Hackenberger

August Ernie King

SOCIAL TIME PROVIDERS

July 05 Peggy Nipple, Dawn Clouser &

Peggy Inch

12 Terri Leister, Phyllis Weller,

Bobbi Leister & Marah Erickson

19 Sharon Truitt, Kris Yetter, Steph

Wagner, Angela & John Monteleone

26 Sonya Nace, Renee Freed & Betty

Ryan

August 02 Patty Erickson & Lucille Aldinger

09 Clyde & Judy Kauffman, Chuck &

Mindy Rishel

16 Jean Barnard, Cathy Barnes &

Pam King

23 Clarice Pellman, Cheryl Wilson,

Hannah & Derek Shelley

30 Trudy Watts, Sue Leister,

Joy Hulslander & Betty Lou Naylor

July & August

Schedule of Helpers

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Trinity’s Birthday Calendars

TIDINGS contains calendars listing the birthdays of members of Trinity for

July & August. We hope that you will use this calendar to greet our

members as they celebrate another year of life.

July

09 Tiffany Rendall

09 Serina Spancake

12 Dolores White

13 Lloyd Schell

13 Betty Smith

17 Samantha Evanoski

17 Matt Snyder

17 Nancy Spade

19 Michelle Chubb

19 Allison Inch

19 Carly Inch

19 Jennifer Weiand

22 Susan Leister

23 Gannon Ryan

27 Malea Haflett

29 Maggie King

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August

02 Shara Evanoski

03 Donna Shelley

04 Stephanie Amtower

04 Jordan Burkepile

04 Dawn Clouser

10 Robert Kratzer, Jr.

11 Odon Aldinger

13 Clarice Pellman

16 Cheryl Wilson

24 Brady Hack

25 Jean Barnard

25 Laura Naylor

26 Betty Ryan

27 Corey Naylor

27 Elizabeth Long

28 Hannah Erickson

Trinity is asking for volunteers to serve on a safety team. Responsibilities would include keeping inventory of hand sanitizer, disposable masks, and cleaning sup-plies and to mark off the worship areas for indoor and outdoor worship during the Covid-19 pandemic. Please contact Dot Spancake if you would like to volunteer.

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Continued on next page...

USS ARK

News of God’s People in Action from the Upper

Susquehanna Synod, ELCA

June 2020 This is the text-only MS Word version. For the camera ready version, with photos and other graphics, please visit http://www.uss-elca.org/news/uss-ark. USS ARK is a publication of the Upper Susquehanna Synod, ELCA. Permission is granted to reproduce USS Ark for congrega-

tional communications. Send your mission stories and ministry ideas to Editor Chad Hershber-

ger at news@uss-elca.org.

Synod Office Status

Now that Union County has gone “green,” the synod staff and Synod Council’s Executive Committee are

reviewing procedures to be able to reopen the synod office. Stay tuned for announcements about when

the office will be open. In the meantime, synod staff are still available, and the bishop is meeting via

Zoom with rostered leaders to discuss current events during this pandemic.

Change is also upon us again as worshipping communities. The bishop wishes to extend thanks to all who

have and continue to follow the safety measures laid out in our guidelines. As congregations consider re-

suming in-person worship, know that following these safe measures is an expression of your love for each

other. For all that you are doing, thank you!

New Gift Planner in Synod

The ELCA Foundation, in partnership with Lutheran agencies, organizations and the synods of Allegheny,

Lower Susquehanna, and Upper Susquehanna, are happy to introduce you to Sister Marianne Brock, our

new Regional Gift Planner. The calling of the ELCA Foundation is to help “Congregations and individuals

make an impact on the world.” We believe that we are called to live out of abundance, and our calling is

to serve individuals and congregations in discovering their call to generosity. Sister Marianne knows that

the call to perform God’s work has been faithfully heeded for many years by the people of this region.

She has been called to help direct financial giving that it may produce the most fruit for the kingdom of

God and those ministries God has created.

It is estimated that only 30 percent of Lutherans have wills, and those who do, may not have had ample

opportunity to consider a comprehensive approach to leaving a legacy which would include their congre-

gation, and ministries they love. This results in an average of less than 10% of Lutherans leaving legacy

gifts for congregations or ministries they love. Many do not make these gifts simply out of fear they are

too complex or are unsure of where to begin. For both of those reasons, she is available, free of charge,

to assist in estate planning. In developing charitable estate plans Sister Marianne works to ensure indi-

viduals are able to support their family and the ministries that matter the most to them. Do you want to

make a current gift to one of the partners named above, but are unsure how much, which resources to

use or when is the best time to make the gift to benefit from tax breaks? She can help.

Does your congregation currently have an endowment? As the Gift Planner, she is available to assist any

congregation with establishing and growing its endowment and to strategize the long-term financing of its

mission. Does your congregation have a policy for receiving gifts in addition to its regular offerings? She

is available to provide sample policies and discuss the most appropriate tailoring of those policies for your

congregation and context.

http://www.uss-elca.org/news/uss-arkmailto:news@uss-elca.org

Sister Marianne most recently served a dual role as the Associate Executive Director of the Lutheran Camp-

ing Corporation of Central PA and Director of Camp Nawakwa in Arendtsville, PA. Prior to that time she

served in congregational settings in youth, children, and family ministries. Sister Marianne is a rostered

deacon in the ELCA and a member of the Deaconess Community of the ELCA, thus the title, “Sister.” She is a

2013 graduate of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, and her undergraduate work was com-

pleted at Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA. Marianne has interests in PA Lutheran history, travel in the

Holy Land, and collecting the stories of the people she encounters. She enjoys running and bicycling, dabbles

in cooking and bread baking, and loves the opportunity to visit a winery or brewery. Marianne and her hus-

band, The Rev. John Brock, reside in Mechanicsburg, PA. They have two adult sons, and two tremendous

dogs. Sister Marianne grew up in New Berlin and at First, Mifflinburg.

It’s important to her that one’s legacy is a reflection of the love and priorities of one’s life. If you want to

know more, call 717-574-9066 or e-mail her at Marianne.Brock@elca.org.

Christmas at Sea in July

If you are one of the hundreds of Christmas-at-Sea participants, please stay home and keep knitting. While

they can't mail out any satchels and are not able to accept any items mailed at this time, they encourage

you to knit or crochet hats and scarf's for seafarers.

You may have heard that in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, they continue their mission of hospitality by

temporarily making their guesthouse available to people in our community who are recuperating from the

virus. To that end, they have partnered with another not-for-profit agency that provides respite care for dis-

placed hospital patients. While they are there, they do not have access to our facility and cannot receive

mail.

At the same time, they continue to provide housing to seafarers and asylees, but in another location in Man-

hattan. Some detention centers are releasing asylum seekers, who are then at risk of facing homelessness.

With travel restrictions and mandatory quarantine, many seafarers are stranded not being able to fly to for-

eign ports to join their ships. Their “re-located SIH guesthouse” at a mid-town hotel ensures rooms for both

our asylees and seafarers during this time.

Many face-to-face ship visits are not being allowed now, but fortunately some port chaplains can continue

visiting ships, using PPE, to safely provide “gangway ministry”- meeting seafarers at the bottom of the gang-

way to hand up supplies and goods. When that is not possible online prayer and social media connect the

with our isolated seafarers. In addition, a hotline “chat with a chaplain” has also been established for seafar-

ers regardless of where they are in the world.

The organization will announce later this summer or early fall when they are ready to receive knitted items

and are able to mail satchels to fill as they continue the tradition of providing every mariner regardless of

their faith or nationality with their Christmas-at-Sea satchels containing warm clothing, sweets, and Holiday

greetings from YOU.

For detailed instructions, knitting patterns, to receive empty satchels later this year or to coordinate delivery

or pick up please contact:

Jeni Janis at jeni@sihnyc.org

Or check out www.sihnyc.org/christmas-at-sea

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USS ARK is a publication of the Upper Susquehanna Synod, ELCA. Permission is granted to repro-

duce USS Ark for congregational communications. Send your mission stories and ministry ideas to

Editor Chad Hershberger at news@uss-elca.org.

mailto:Marianne.Brock@elca.orgmailto:jeni@sihnyc.orgmailto:jeni@sihnyc.orghttp://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0017i6KfJJv71KtDpHxpoZskhoA2fgl0-6ubn-gUS_d27zb3asmKZb-w4C2bwR_eLsPlrR4qPVQaSWc2GbxfU8MmHyMjPssXEXWu-HrsnfqjG3lUsU4CQhcBTgkm7SAc65tCFgboeR9gAokOs3vD48nTIn9rEBj4MQ-&c=ZFiM1NG1OkbaX09Jh7I91o8NqTXj7Ia8g6999WcYopTg41InKEJbRw==&ch=QIMrqmailto:news@uss-elca.org

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Stewardship In Action The goal of our stewardship ministry is to help God’s people grow in their relationship with Jesus through the

use of the time, talents, and finances God has entrusted to them.

Charles “Chick” Lane, Author of Ask, Thank, Tell

“ Good things are happening because of your giving.”

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A Summer Full of Gratitude and Joy: All younger children (up to 6th

grade) received a book along with the following letter from our

Faith Connection Coordinator. If your child did not receive a book

and would like one, please contact Malea (717-953-2854).

Hello and happy summer!

I am giving you a special book called The 3 Minute Gratitude Journal

for Kids. This summer, your project is to fill out a page every day in

this journal. Doing so will help you think about all the ways God is

good to us.

You’ll write about the best part of your day, the people who bring

you joy, and things you are thankful for –these are all gifts from

God. When you finish with your page, remember to say a prayer to

thank God for these wonderful gifts. Give thanks to the Lord for

He is good! Have fun with your journal, and I hope you have a sum-

mer full of joy!

Love,

Malea Haflett

Faith Connection Coordinator

Trinity Lutheran Church

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Meet Trinity’s Confirmation Students

Meet Marley!

Marley is 13 years old and attends East Juniata

High School. She is involved in band, chorus, student

government, field hockey, and softball. She roots for the

Florida Gators and loves to play softball, pitch, and hang out

with her friends. Her favorite ice cream is mint chocolate

chip! Believing that her faith has grown through

confirmation, Marley has enjoyed learning what the Ten

Commandments really mean. The church member Marley

admires is Ruth Nace, noting, “She is really nice. She

always talks to me and is really talented musically.”

Meet Henry!

Henry is 12 years old and will be starting at

East Juniata High School in the fall. Henry

loves basketball, sports, fishing, and biking.

In addition to confirmation, his activities in-

clude soccer, basketball, baseball, band (he

plays the trumpet), and piano.

A surprising fact about Henry is that he likes

sour foods. His favorite ice cream flavor is

vanilla. He names Betty Lou Naylor as

someone he admires because she works

really hard for the church. Henry likes see-

ing friends at confirmation and says, “The

best thing I’ve done so far is learning stuff

with my mom.”

Henry (left) with his brother Benjamin

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Meet Lilia!

Lilia, 12 years old, attends Covenant Christian Academy

where she plays volleyball and basketball. She also sings

in the choir and plays violin in the orchestra. Some of her

favorite things to do are playing the piano, drawing, biking,

and hanging out with her family and friends. A surprising

fact about Lilia is that she is scared of butterflies. Her favor-

ite ice cream is cookies and cream. She enjoys the serving

aspect of being in confirmation. At church, Lilia admires

Allen and Joy Hulslander because they are outgoing and

kind to everyone. She also looks up to Ruth Schell, saying,

“She is extremely selfless and generous and welcomes

everyone.”

Meet Michael!

Michael is 14 years old and attends East Juniata High

School. He is involved in basketball, and he loves wood-

working. His favorite ice cream is cookie dough. In confirma-

tion, he enjoys being around other kids his age. When asked

whom he looks up to or admires in our church, he answered

Betty Lou Naylor because “she helps others.” Here’s some-

thing about Michael that may surprise you: he likes to cook!

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Meet Cody!

Cody, age 12, attends East Juniata High

School. He is involved in soccer, gaming, baseball,

basketball, and wrestling. He loves video games, sports,

riding four-wheeler, and fishing. His favorite kind of ice

cream is peanut butter! He says learning the Ten

Commandments is the best thing he has learned so far

in confirmation. He looks up to Matt Haflett because

“he is cool.”

Meet Nate!

Nate attends East Juniata High School and is 15 years old.

His activities include basketball and soccer. He loves to

play sports, hang out with friends, and play video games

with friends. His favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip.

Something you may find surprising is that he has never

been stung by a bee! Nate looks up to the older people in

the congregation because “they have been going there for

years and understand the things we talk about.” Nate says

about confirmation, “I like meeting with people and learning

about my faith.”

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