July 22, 2020
Dear Saints of Trinity,
I can’t believe that the summer is already half over. I can’t believe that we’ve been in the heaven that is Sequim for almost six weeks. I can’t believe that I have the privilege of being your lead pastor. I can’t believe how generous you are; how loving and gracious and even patient with this pastor who has yet to fully move into their home. But, you are…all of that and more.
I wanted to let you know that a group of us submitted our recommendations for reopening to the District and Conference offices. It is my hope that we hear of their approval of our plan sooner rather than later. Until we hear from them, we are still considered to be in Phase One. Moving into Phase Two will open up some additional possibilities like outdoor worship – maybe allowing camp chairs on a Sunday morning alongside the parking lot service. It will allow gatherings of ten which opens up the possibility of the neighborhood gatherings. It will open up the opportunity to meet here at the church. I’ll let you know as soon as we hear anything.
I also wanted to share that, beginning on August 2, I’ll be providing discussion questions with the message. My hope is to have those available on the website, in the bulletin, or the screens when we record on Wednesdays. This first set will be pretty simple. I’m asking questions like: what was your favorite picture of Jesus when you were a child? What is your favorite picture of Jesus today? How about your least favorite? What is your favorite Jesus story, or even your least favorite? This first week, beginning a week from Sunday, the questions are designed to allow you to get in the rhythm of discussing things with each other. It’s my hope that some will have small group discussions, while others may discuss as couples or families. Maybe some could do it on Zoom and others by email. The questions could be a part of our Neighborhood Ministry Groups, or could just be time with a friend over coffee or tea or lunch. I see this as an opportunity to expand community; to gather in whatever ways we can to love and support and explore together.
Finally, I want to say thank you for your faithful giving. I look at the financial reports and am deeply touched by your commitment to this church and the ministries we seek to provide. You are an inspiration and a blessing. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
With Love and Appreciation,
Pastor Brad
Some Concerns that we have:
- For our Friends at the Fifth Avenue Apartments – in lockdown due to COVID-19
- For Bill and Jenny Green as they travel to their new home in Maryville, TN
- For our new pastor Brad Beeman and his wife Dorothy at this time of transition
- For all those who are ill from the COVID-19 virus; for those families who have lost loved ones to the virus; and for all the first responders/essential workers
- For Katherine Parker, missionary to Nepal
Even though you can’t be with those having birthdays this week, sending emails or making phone calls are appreciated.
The parking lot service continues at 10:00 am. You can still view our service online. Just go to our website, https://www.sequimtumc.org for a link to the service.
We still ask that you mail your contributions in to the church and make sure to use our Post Office Box 3697 instead of our street address. We thank you for your continued support of our ministries here at Trinity.
UPCOMING ONLINE EVENT: Leadership Institute 2020 presented by The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas will be on September 24th and 25th. Because it is online this year, it will be open to anyone interested! Two groups from TUMC have attended in person in the past, and returned energized with new information to implement at TUMC to strengthen our church and its programs.
To learn about all the exciting presentations, you can go to https://li.cor.org. But, do not register yet.
More information about this will be sent out in a separate email next week. If you want to discuss anything about the Leadership Institute, Margaret Cox, Donna Grubbs, and Gay Lyn and Ken Lillagore, members of TUMC who attended previously, will be happy to talk to you.
Please help keep the church staff and visitors safe: Do you have extra hand sanitizer or Clorox wipes or Lysol wipes? The church is low on these supplies and is having trouble finding them in the stores. If you see them when you’re shopping, please pick up a couple for the church, submit your receipts and you will be reimbursed. Thanks so much!