January 7, 2021
Thank you for your faithfulness; what a gift you are. Here are but a few examples of what I mean. I want to thank Melody Romeo as she has stepped in to help me with what, originally, was an overwhelming project; to get to know you, particularly your hopes and dreams, the direction we need to head, and how leadership in the church has worked over these past few years. Even with that, she is not done. I’ve asked that she serve in a kind of consultant role as I am looking for more information as we get more serious about our future as a church. For instance, Melody will be calling many of the leaders as we seek more specifics on how they see their role in the church. She has a list of questions she’ll ask each leader, and then she and I will sit and disseminate the information leaders and staff have shared. As she does that work, I’m going back through your surveys, now looking at your individual hopes and dreams for the church. Once I have that, we’ll then put together a team to more formally look ahead in regard to mission and vision. Melody has done an exquisite job of helping me. You will be hearing a lot more about what we find as we look at fulfilling our mission and vision as a church.
I want to say thank you to Lou O’Hara. She has provided significant leadership in our explorations around Senior Ministries here at Trinity. She has helped me as I’ve tried to get a handle on how it all works; what it means for us today, and particularly what it can mean as we look ahead and explore how the programs represented in Senior Ministries help to define our mission in and beyond the church. Her faith, her experience, her ability to take complex issues and turn them into understandable models, her heart for prayer, and her grace have all come together as we look ahead. Thank you, Lou!
I want to say thank you to Marian Warning for her faithfulness and dedication to Lois’ Legacy. She stepped in at a time when she was needed, and continued on through all the shifts and changes that have come over these past few months. She has worked alongside Pauline in some truly remarkable ways. Marian, you are a blessing, and you are appreciated on so many levels.
Finally, I want to say thank you to Sue Ninemires. Sue has faithfully led the bell choir for years. She is a true teacher while being a wonderful director. She has played bells in worship, been a part of the bell choir and chancel choir, and has dedicated her life to providing quality music here at Trinity. Sue called me last week and has asked me to retire. With great hesitation, I’ve accepted that resignation. She will continue to be a part of the church and for that, we are additionally grateful.
It’s a new year and we’re looking ahead. It doesn’t mean we are ignoring what is going on around us right now. At the same time, we are being asked to become more than we could ever ask or imagine. Last week I talked about disaster preparedness, and now, out of that, has come an invitation to be a staging area for the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. I said yes. Much like the COVID food distribution every other Wednesday, those offering the vaccines will use the parking lot to stage people for a drive-through vaccination program. We will be following both State and National guidelines, but it’s one more place where we have become a part of a community partnership that will both change and save lives. And it’s because of all of you that we’ve been able to do that. Thank you, Melody, Lou, Marian, and Sue for your dedicated leadership. Thank you Trinity for your dedication to being the hands and feet of Christ in this community and the world. You are a blessing, and it is a humbling privilege to serve as one of your pastors.
Pastor Brad
Some Concerns that we have:
- For those who continue to go through physical struggles, those who are dealing with cancer, or other health situations. Prayers for those who are emotionally feeling lost and alone.
- 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 peace in our country.
- For smooth delivery of the vaccine.
- For Katherine Parker, missionary to Nepal.
Even though you can’t be with those having birthdays this week, emails or phone calls are appreciated.
Parking Lot service is taking a break for winter
You can view our service online. Just go to our webpage, sequimtumc.org for a link to the service, or to YouTube, where you then type in Sequim Trinity United Methodist Church in the search bar.
We thank you for your continued support of our ministries here at Trinity and ask that you mail your contributions in to the church. Make sure to use our Post Office Box 3697 instead of our street address.
In case you didn’t open the attachment last week: A thank you from the worship team!
During Advent, there have been a lot of folks working hard so that our worship services via recordings provide a worthwhile experience. I just want to take a few moments to say thank you to everyone who helped with the Advent series. A special thank you for the following:
- Pastor Brad – his leadership, humor and inspirational sermons.
- Kathleen Charters – Such a beautiful job with her prayers each week.
- Lawrence Charters – his hours devoted to editing and setting up each week’s service online.
- Sight & Sound Team: Curt Alexander and Pam Bennett – their many hours spent so that our services are seen and heard by all who tune in.
- The Music Team: Jerry, Donna, Pauline, and Terry – their efforts to present not only special music for each service but also a hymn leader each week.
- There is also an “unofficial” member of this team that has added so much to our services – Randy Grubbs who provided recordings for the special music, worked to get our announcements displayed, took photos of the Christmas season, and (with Donna) captured many folks on video so we can have some time together to say hello via the marvels of technology.
- The Drama Team headed by Margaret Cox – her time spent writing our dramas each week and organizing and working with the drama participants.
- Patty Davis – her help with all the costumes needed for the actors providing the period appropriate dress for all of us.
- The Cast and Crew – About 36 people helped with these weekly services – Advent Candle Lighters, Scripture Readers, Narrators, and Actors. Everyone did such a wonderful job and honored the “stay safe” rules.
- Andy Pitts and Ken Lillagore for putting up the stable.
- Marian for all her help and for allowing us to utilize office items when needed for the services.
Please know that we appreciate everyone who helped us make this Covid19 Advent season so inspirational and uplifting.
Gay Lyn Lillagore, Worship Chairperson
Note: for the complete thank-you from Gay Lyn, you can go to the sequimtumc.org website and go to blogs or click on this link: https://www.sequimtumc.org/2020/12/30/thank-you/
Noisy Can Offering for Katherine Parker – January 31
Katherine is a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of the UMC and serves as a Health and Community Transformation Advisor with the United Mission to Nepal (UMN). For several years Trinity UMC has supported (and continues to support) Katherine via a Covenant Relationship, which means we annually send $1,000 towards her salary. (Any funds donated above and beyond her salary will be used to help provide medical care for COVID-19 patients in Nepal.) Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Checks may be issued to TUMC, indicating January NCO in the memo section.
Update on Sequim Food Distribution
At our briefing before the December 23 distribution, there were two announcements: 1) Between June 3rd and the end of December, the Sequim Food Bank distributed 350,000 tons of food (equal to about 500,000 meals). 2) There still is a great need. The food distributions will continue in 2021 on these dates: Jan. 13 & 27, Feb. 10 and 24, and Mar. 10 & 24. Hours for the volunteers are 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. If you would like to help, contact Jan Kreidler (360-681-5027 or janet2.kreidler@gmail.com).
Another opportunity to serve: CERT
CERT has contacted Trinity UMC to ask if any of us would be interested in volunteering to “staff” one of CERT’s two field/portable kitchens in the event of a natural disaster. This kitchen would be deployed in eastern Clallam County, where food would be provided and served. Training would be required. If you are interested, contact Jan Kreidler at 360-681-5027 or janet2.kreidler@gmail.com.
Office Hours
Trinity United Methodist Church office hours are 9 am-2 pm Monday through Friday. However, due to limited access to the building during this phase of opening, we are keeping the doors locked. There is a doorbell to the right of the main door (by the office) that you need to ring to alert the office and you will be let in. It is best to call ahead so we are aware that you are coming. Thanks so much for your patience and remember when in the building to be sure and wear your mask!