January 21, 2021
Dear Saints of Trinity,
It’s been an interesting week, hasn’t it? As I write this a new President is being sworn into office. Another has said goodbye from a military base as he heads to Florida. Last night, in case you missed it, was a beautiful tribute to the lives lost because of COVID-19. Four hundred luminaries placed perfectly on each side of the reflection pool as a part of the Lincoln Memorial. Each luminary representing a thousand lives lost. It was a touching reminder that we’re not done with what is needed to overcome this pandemic. That brings me to the next piece of this letter. Yesterday was another day of offering vaccinations via our parking lot. I continue to ask for patience in the midst of this. I thank God for the Tribe and their willingness to share, out of their abundance, available vaccines. I want to remind you, they didn’t need to do this. I’m grateful to them for their generosity. As far as I see it, it is for the greater good of the whole community. And by the way, thank you to all of those of you who have already volunteered. We have two more days of vaccinations and then a break. The break will probably be for a week depending on the availability of doses. We’ll keep you in the loop. Now, a couple of helpful pieces of information.
If you need to access the church during vaccination hours, here’s how to do it. First, you will be unable to reach the church if you come from Washington Ave and try to turn onto Blake. It will be closed. If, however, you go around to one of the main north-south roads, head north, and then turn onto Spruce or Alder or Fir and head toward Carrie Blake Park. Then turn south onto Blake toward the church. You will be stopped by a Volunteer Police person. Simply let them know you are trying to get to the church for a meeting, he will wave you on by. Turn into the north entrance, go ahead and drive by the skate park, and then go around the back of the church building. There will be parking available.
I also wanted to share that if you are a patient at the Jamestown Clinic, and have an appointment you may be able to get a vaccination at the time of your appointment. However, Jamestown Clinic is not able at this time to offer appointments specifically for the COVID-19 vaccination.
In addition, I will be asking Neighborhood Leaders to send out a note to all of you. What we would like to know is how many of you have received a vaccination, and how many have not. Some community authorities see the church as a kind of microcosm of the community. We’re looking for specific percentages around the vaccinations and the needs. Thanks in advance for your willingness to help. Also, I’m asking that if you have questions, comments, concerns, or criticisms, please don’t contact Jim Stoffer. In as much as he is our liaison with the vaccination efforts, he is already overwhelmed with emails. He and I are in constant contact. He is doing an incredible job of making sure the needs of the church, and the needs of those seeking help, have what they need. Also, please don’t call Marian with vaccination questions, as she is trying to get her other work done and has had to deal a lot with vaccination questions and concerns. There is complete information on the Jamestown clinic website: jamestownhealth.org. In as much as we all want to help, the information is already out there. Let’s take care of those on the front line, and allow ourselves to become our own advocates in seeking out the pertinent information. If you simply can’t find an answer, then let me know. I’ll do my best to help. Finally, thank you to our volunteers and to those coordinating volunteers here at the church. Please let Jan Kreidler or Gay Lyn Lillagore know if you would like to help with hospitality.
Friends, thank you for all you do. And please always remember that I thank God for you as I constantly remember you in my prayers. You are the best.
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.
Birthdays this week:
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.
COVID-19 Vaccinations Available
For Sequim area residents ages 70 and over. This is a drive-through process. People stay in their cars. Check-in is here at TUMC in the parking lot. After completing the paperwork, people are directed to Carrie Blake Park where they will receive their vaccination. This takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 9 am to 3 pm. However, people line up very early since this is a first-come, first-served process.
No vaccinations next week – January 26, 28, and 30.
For complete information about upcoming vaccination times you can go to the Jamestown Clinic website at https://jamestownhealth.org/
Access to the Church during the COVID-19 Vaccinations
You may come into the church from the north driveway (next to the skateboard park) and drive around the back of the church to the parking lot. Blake Avenue is blocked from the church to Washington Street so you will need to reach this driveway from the north. This is on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays before 9 am and until 2 pm. If you are stopped by the police, let them know that you have business at the church and are not here to get a vaccination.
Hosts needed
— to assist Covid vaccination volunteers with snacks and lunches in the fellowship hall on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 9 am to Noon and Noon to 3 pm. If you’d like to help, contact Gay Lyn Lillagore, 360-582-6192 or glillagore@yahoo.com.
Save the date for a Lenten study
“You Are Never Alone” by Max Lucado. This class will meet on Tuesdays from 1:00-2:00 p.m. for 6 weeks starting February 23 and ending March 30, 2021.
God’s presence and power are nearer than we think. Through studying the miracles of Jesus as told in the Gospel of John we find Jesus right here with us. We are stronger than we think because God is nearer than we know. We can learn to trust in the miracle of God’s presence and power. For more information and to sign up for this class, contact Kathleen Charters by emailing kcharters@mac.com or calling 240.463.7598.
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
Food needs continue to increase and the food distributions continue. The dates for the next few months are: Jan. 27, Feb. 10 and 24, and Mar. 10 and 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!