Tag: Bible study

July 29, 2021

Notes from the Lay Leader

Greetings Church Family and Friends,

Though most probably have heard or least have seen me out and about, I thought it best to provide a brief update of the happenings of our Church. While Pastor Brad is on vacation our Church continues in our mission and outreach both inside the Church and in our Community.

So, who is “in Charge?” I, as your Lay Leader, am responsible for the day-to-day operations that can be handled by lay leadership. Margaret Cox, our Ad Council Chair, provides guidance to the Ad Council; Andy Pitts, our Trustee Chair, oversees the management of the Church Building and property items; and Patricia Guthrie, our SPRC Chair, has the helm of all personnel issues. The four of us are in daily contact, either by phone or email; we can be reached via our contact info as listed in the Leadership Directory; mine is also listed below. While on vacation, Brad is the Pastor of Record, Rev. Joey Olson, with assistance from Kathleen Charters, our Parish Nurse, will be covering pastoral care. Any emergency while Brad or Joey are away, then our District Superintendent, Mark Galang, will be contacted. Other than mailed cards, Patricia will be the only one communicating with Pastor Brad via email or phone while he is on vacation.

Please know, Church family and friends, that our committees are meeting and are hard at work; soon the Nomination Committee will complete their recommendations for Church Leadership, Trustees have been holding their TLC Work Parties, Ad Council, Finance, Mission, Membership, Sight & Sound, Decorating, even the Kitchen Committee. I thank all these good stewards of Trinity who are keeping us focused on our mission as Trinity United Methodist Church of Sequim.

COVID-19 Update – There has been a significant spike in COVID-19 Cases in our community and across the state. With love and care for all our members and with an abundance of caution with our Community of Sequim, TUMC COVID protocols remain as before. I have 3 asks as we continue to navigate through the complexity of COVID; I ask these not only for the health and safety of our Church, but also in collaboration and partnership with our Community of Sequim. Our Choir Members will Mask-up when not actually singing. Others with speaking parts during the Service will also Mask-up when not speaking; and here is a big ask – because we as a Church Family have a strong desire to clump together and share our love, please observe social distancing protocols as much as possible, and when asked to move about, please do so. I myself will wear my mask in public for three reasons even though I am fully vaccinated: 1. Humility; I don’t know if I have COVID as it is clear that people can spread the disease before they have symptoms. 2. Kindness; I don’t know if the person I am near has a child battling cancer, or cares for their elderly parents or neighbors. While I might be fine, they might not be. 3. Community; I want my community, my church, to thrive, businesses to stay open, employees to stay healthy, schools to open, our kids to be safe. Keeping a lid on COVID helps us all! Thank you for your grace, patience, and understanding.

Lastly, I want to thank Fr. Bob Rhoads for his message last week on the “Prodigal Brother” and thank you again for joining us today.

Prayer – Loving God, we look to you each day for your unfailing strength, love, and grace. In all circumstances, your presence is our blessing, your strength, our salvation. Thank you, Lord, Amen.

TUMC Lay Leader Jim Stoffer

jamesstoffer@wavecacble.com

This Sunday we again welcome Father Bob Rhoads as guest preacher. He was ordained in 1979 and served parishes in California and Washington. He was the Rector of St Luke’s Episcopal Church in Sequim for 17 years. And he has been a member of a Franciscan community, the community of Francis and Clare, since 2014. He is married with three daughters and seven grandchildren.

We thank Father Bob for sharing the message with us this Sunday.

Some Concerns that we have:

• Pastor Brad and Dorothy for Brad’s health issues.
• For those who continue to go through physical struggles, those who are dealing with cancer, or other health situations. For those who are emotionally feeling lost and alone.
• For those who haven’t been vaccinated yet; for all those who are ill from the Covid-19 virus; for those families who have lost loved ones to the virus; and for essential workers.
• For peace in our country.
• For Katherine Parker, missionary to Nepal.

Even though you can’t be with those having birthdays this week, emails or phone calls are appreciated.

Upcoming memorial services

We celebrate the lives of Mark and Pat Lewis on Friday, August 6, 1 pm here at Trinity United Methodist Church.

A memorial for Florence Berneking will be held on Saturday, August 7, 3 pm at Peninsula Evangelical Friends Church, 1291 N. Barr Road (on Old Olympic Highway in Agnew).

Sunday In-Person Services

Sunday services are now being held in the church at 10 am. (For Sunday Services Covid safety guidelines will be followed: wear masks; sign in when you arrive; and practice social distancing.)

Online Recorded Services

The Sunday service is being filmed and available online the next day, Monday.

Printed Sermons

Printed sermons are not available while Pastor Brad is on vacation.

Disciple Bible Study

Are you interested in a Bible study that offers more than “bring your own Bible?”

Retired Pastor Joey Olson is offering a course for beginners and “old-timers” alike. Disciple Bible Study is designed for those who want a small-group experience with a chance to delve into the text. Resource materials include a study book and a video to supplement your learning. Those who wish they knew more about the Bible will find a friend in this course. The cost of the book (from Cokesbury) is $32. I also found it from Amazon for about $10. (Scholarships available for the book.) The class will be “Into the Word, Into the World” which will cover Genesis/Exodus and Luke/Acts. The beginning session (day and time to be decided) will be 8 weeks. Please email Joey at joeywolson@gmail.com for questions or concerns. I will be holding a meeting for inquirers about the class immediately after church on August 22nd. If you are not sure the class is for you, this meeting might help.

Summer Lunch Program

Team TUMC is back in action this week, August 2-6. Please contact Jim Stoffer at 360.775.9356 or jamesstoffer@wavecable.com if you have any questions.

Back to School Supplies

Stuff the Bus is scheduled for this coming Friday, August 6th, 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Sequim Office Depot. If you would like to donate supplies, you may drop them off at Stuff the Bus or at one of several collection bins located around town, including at the Boys & Girls Club.

Home Maintenance Funds Available

TUMC Missions Ministry has limited funds available to help folks at church and others in our community with necessary home maintenance projects. This might include basic home repairs, yard cleanup, ramps, grab bars and other in-home needs. One household could receive one grant per year with a maximum limit of up to $500. Confidential requests will go through Lois’s Legacy. Contact Senior Ministries Office 360-683-4307 for further information.

Do you have compassion for families that have lost loved ones?

The Memorial Committee needs help decorating the fellowship hall before a memorial service, help preparing plates of food (when we can have food), cookie bakers, and help returning tablecloths to storage.

Email Diane Davis at 03merlot194@gmail.com or call at 360-461-6833 to volunteer.

Finance Committee Request

As the song goes, “Summertime, and the livin’ is easy . . .” but your church doesn’t take a vacation! For the first time this year, the Finance Committee is a bit concerned about TUMC’s financial health. If you have been away, or have forgotten about your monthly contribution, it would be appreciated if you can put it in the collection plate at the back of the sanctuary during the worship service, mail your check to the church, or drop your offering by the church during office hours. You are a blessing!

Opportunity to Serve!

We would like to invite anyone interested in serving TUMC by joining us in the kitchen. As we open and expand our Sunday morning service, we will also be adding refreshments after the service. We are in need of helpers as we have lost several this past year due to many different circumstances.

If you have questions or would like to sign up, please contact Eva Lundstrom, 360-797-1613 or Cyd Savoy, 360-681-3977. Training will be provided.

Upcoming Bible Study: Elijah: Spiritual Stamina in Every Season, by Melissa Spoelstra.

Trinity UMC has the student books and the DVD, so there is no additional expense. The Bible Study begins on August 3, 2021, on Zoom, every Tuesday from 1:00-2:30 p.m. for 7 weeks (the last session will be held on September 14, 2021). Contact Kathleen Charters to get the Zoom information or if you have questions, 240-463-7598 or KCharters@mac com.

2021 Back to School Fair – August 28th

This event will take place on Saturday, August 28th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. School supplies will be pre-packaged and distributed in a drive-through format which will begin at the high school stadium parking lot on West Fir St. Volunteers are needed to help direct traffic, backpack distribution, supply sack preparation, supply sack distribution, registration, “other” or “wherever needed”. You can choose time slots that work best for you. Several people from Trinity UMC have helped with this event in the past. If you would like to volunteer this year, you can register by going online to: https://forms.gle/8MGWRyAxbwtiPCah8 .

Free Youth Mental Health First Aid Classes for Clallam County Residents

Youth Mental Health First Aid is a nationally recognized certification course that will teach you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness, substance abuse disorders, and challenges that youth face in our community. Classes were made possible through grant funding from Clallam County Health and Human Services.

Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainings: 9:00 am-2:30 pm, Aug. 31, Sept. 18, or Nov. 17

2.0 hrs. of online pre-work must be completed before the 4.5 hr. in-person training date.

An excellent program for parents, grandparents, and people who work with youth.

Space is limited! Reserve a seat today! 
Contact Kathy Hansen at 360-457-0431 x 531139, Peninsula Behavioral Health.

Virtual Adult Mental Health First Aid Training

Peninsula Behavioral Health has been awarded a grant from Clallam County Health and Human Services to offer the training free to participants that live or work in Clallam County.

If you live or work outside of Clallam County, the cost for the training is $75.00 per person; credit cards are accepted. Training is October 13, 2021 @9:00am – 4:00pm (PST)

Please register by contacting Kathy Hansen, email (kathyh@peninsulabehavioral.org) or phone (360) 457-0431, ext. 139

Take a course. Save a life…Strengthen your Community.

Let’s give Trinity some TLC!

Come on out to Trinity TLC where we do light maintenance around the Church while sharing in fellowship. We meet every two weeks, and our next meeting is Friday, August 6 at 9:30 AM for a couple hours. We will be cutting grass, doing light maintenance and upkeep, some summertime work, and of course having a cup of coffee and light eats. All are welcome! For more info, call Andy Pitts at 804-724-3401.

Recycle Empty Inkjet and Laser Printer Cartridges

The recycle container for empty inkjet and laser printer cartridges and used cell phones is now in the church office. Besides helping the environment by recycling, the church is paid for every item donated. Thanks so much for your continued (or new) participation in this program!

Office Hours

TUMC Office hours are 9 am-2 pm Monday through Friday. 
Remember to follow COVID-19 protocols: wear masks; sign in when you arrive; and practice social distancing.