August 5, 2020
Dear Saints of Trinity,
August is upon us and it is unlike any August in recent memory. Gone are the overflowing campgrounds, or those huge parties at the surrounding beaches. Gone are the indoor or even outdoor events we’ve grown to love. They have been replaced by mask-wearing and social-distancing warnings that create anxiety, frustration, even fear. The connections that had become so important to us seem to be distant memories, and the longings we feel for returning to some sense of normal have often become overwhelming. My heavens, we’re not even able to sing in church, particularly here in a church so well known for its choir and its singing. I realized this morning that I have yet to worship with you, this congregation, in the sanctuary; and I’m still not sure when that will happen. So, what do we do about any or all of it? I believe we have some answers.
As I say in my sermon for Sunday, there is a very real risk of moving into a time of deep depression, even loneliness. We all need connection and we’re in a time when the connections we are used to having are no longer available. That said, there are some connections we can create that will fill at least some of that need. The first is the refocusing of our neighborhood groups. You will hear over the next few weeks, opportunities to meet with me on Zoom, or yes, even in person. We have parameters we need to follow even in Phase II, but in-person gatherings are now possible. We are not allowed to meet with more than five people. So, in my own neighborhood group of Dungeness Meadows, I hope to meet face to face, mask to mask, with four of our eight folks, somewhere around the pond, or under the huge maple, or at the picnic table. Yes, we’ll social distance and we’ll wear masks, but we will be able to meet face to face if the desire is there. In other groups, we could do the same, meet in groups of no more than five at some of the beautiful places that surround us. So, there is one way we connect.
Let’s stay with the neighborhood groups for a minute. The groups could also go deeper with each other. They could share prayer needs, do the weekly sermon study questions together, share a few driveway picnics, seek to meet others they may not know as well, and build the potential connections in those geographic locations. It could also be a time of inviting a few other neighbors into the connection and allow them to get to know this amazing church we call home. Even beyond that, we’ve been thinking that the choir could so some of the same kinds of things. Maybe the section leaders could invite a few folks to meet at the church, at the park, or in other places and talk about their favorite music, or even what they hope to sing once the choir is back together. I know Joy Fellowship and the men’s breakfast group continue to meet. I’m glad to hear that. Maybe it’s time to create some additional groups that share interests.
This is a time ripe with possibilities. It will take creativity. It will take patience. It will take suggestions but it is all possible. With all of that said, there are those for whom this time is just tough. Let’s make sure we reach out to them, engage them, pray with and for them, and help them to know that they are still a part of this loving family. You’ve already done that for us and let’s keep doing that for those around us. I’ve grown to love and admire you. I hope you know that.
With Appreciation,
Pastor Brad
Some Concerns that we have:
- · For all recovering from surgery
- 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
- People of Beruit who were affected by the chemical fire/explosion
- For Katherine Parker, missionary to Nepal
A Celebration – For our Friends at the Fifth Avenue Apartments – no longer in lockdown
Even though you can’t be with those having birthdays this week, sending emails or making phone calls are appreciated.
Parking lot service continues at 10:00 am. You can still view our service on line. Just go to our webpage 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.
Small Groups Opportunity
Trinity UMC has permission to go to phase 2. This presents the opportunity to have groups of no more than five people meet outdoors, as long as each person maintains social distancing (staying 6 feet apart) and wears a mask. We would like to provide opportunities for getting together in inspirational locations. We will post a map on the Trinity website with suggestions for places to meet. Groups may be formed by neighborhoods. If you would like to participate in a small group, or to coordinate a small group meeting based on your neighborhood, please let your Neighborhood Leader know. Groups may be formed according to common interests, such as music. If you are interested in participating in a group based on an interest in music, please let Donna Grubbs know.
Neighborhood – Neighborhood Leader
Sequim Bay / Diamond Point – Linda and Mark Gordon
Sunland – JoAnn Sahs-Cavin
Dungeness – Catherine & Russell (Cathy & Russ) McKenna
Sherwood North – Janet Albrich and Cyd Savoy
Sherwood South – Marian Warning and Marilyn Derau
Spruce West – Gary & Lelia Nichols
Spruce East – (need a leader for this neighborhood)
Bell Hill – Diane Davis and Gloria Mittelstadt
Silberhorn/Dungeness Meadows – Rae Walz
Parkwood/Carlsborg – Judy & Dave Croonquist
Kitchen Dick / Monterra – Lynnette Baughman
Inspirational places to meet
John Wayne Marina
Railroad Bridge Park
Three Crabs Area
Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge
Pioneer Memorial Park https://www.sequimwa.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Pioneer-Park-6
Carrie Blake Park https://www.sequimwa.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/2
Whimsy Park
Sequim Bay State Park
—Kathleen Deacon, Trinity United Methodist Church
Hold the date: Beginning the week after Labor Day, Becky Morgan and Kathleen Charters will start a support group for people experiencing loss due to COVID-19. This includes missed social opportunities, traveling, special events and more.
August Noisy Can offering: Last week we shared information about how Education and Missions are sharing part of their budgets to support a Sequim school grant request through the Sequim Education Foundation. We are asking for donations to cover the balance of that grant and stated that any funds that came in that were “left over” would be used for the Boys and Girls Club’s Back to School Fair. Updated info on the Back to School Fair: it has been scheduled for Saturday, August 29th and it will be a drive-through event. Because of COVID-19, we are asking for monetary donations only instead of asking people to shop for supplies. CHECKS PLEASE – NO COINS THIS TIME. Your ongoing support is always appreciated! (If you have questions, contact Jan Kreidler at janet2.kreidler@gmail.com or 360-681-5027.)
A Thank You: Trinity received the following response to our donation that provided a Sequim teacher scholarship:
Wow! Thank you so much, we are very excited to partner with Trinity United Methodist Church. We will be sure and include your organization in our press release. Your community support is so appreciated. —Merissa Koller Williams, Sequim Education Foundation Executive Director (https://www.sequimeducationfoundation.org/)