Tag: care

Thanksgiving Week

November 25, 2020

Saints of Trinity,

Thanksgiving looks a whole lot different this year. My hope is that Thanksgiving being different doesn’t stop us from being thankful. We have much for which we can be thankful. I sat with the music staff this morning and we looked ahead at the worship services that are ahead of us. It’s Advent, and tomorrow afternoon we record the service for the First Sunday of Advent. It starts us on a journey toward hope and light. If there was ever a year where we need hope and light this is it. As we talked, I began to feel the anticipation that is supposed to be felt in Advent. Advent is a step-by-step journey. It is a time of overwhelming anticipation. For us here at Trinity it will begin with an examination of the prophets and the hopes of two sets of God’s children. Each was desperately hoping for light in the darknesses of their lives. They carried all kinds of hopes for a hero that would come and save them. For most of them, their savior would be a warrior who would destroy their enemies. But, if this season reminds us of anything, it is that God’s plans are often very different from ours, and this time of Advent is the perfect example.

The following week we realize that God is moving in ways no one expected. The wrong person from the wrong place with the wrong personal history from the wrong family would be chosen to bring a savior into the world. Then, the next week we’ll realize that if that wasn’t enough, the wrong set of people received the message of where and how this hero was to be brought in to the world. And if that wasn’t enough, the next week, another set of inappropriate people were selected to follow their unusual beliefs, and that would lead them to this savior. They shouldn’t be in this story at all. And if that wasn’t enough, this savior was born in the wrong place, placed in the wrong kind of bed, and surrounded by the wrong kind of building. Everything seemed wrong. That is until we are able to see and hear the rest of the story. This savior was to be unlike any savior or hero before him. His saving role was also unlike any before him. Even his relationship with God was completely different.

All of that says a lot about us, or maybe it should. If this season reminds us of anything it is that we too can be people of hope and light. Like each step along this Advent journey, we are also called to be different. It’s this baby born of Mary, and laid in a manger that will grow up to teach us exactly what that means. So, like the previous sermon series on being stone-droppers, life-saving heroes, builders, miracle believers, and more, our ways are not the world’s ways. So, I invite you to join us on this journey through Advent, and may the light of Christ, and the hope of this eternal God of love become that much brighter for you and your family.

I’m so thankful for you; each of you, and pray that this season, beginning this Thanksgiving Thursday and moving through the rest of this year brings light and peace; hope, and joy to each one of you. Amen

Be at Peace! For unto us a child is born, and unto us a son is given!

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 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.

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.

You are invited to join Joy Fellowship

Joy Fellowship will start the Advent study by Adam Hamilton, Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas, on Thursday, December 3, 2020, at 2 p.m. on Zoom. Contact Kathleen Charters at kcharters@mac.com or call 240.463.7598 if you would like to purchase the book. Contact Linda Gordon at gordonlinda100@gmail.com for the Zoom invitation.

Correction: the Christian Mindfulness Group is not postponed; it is meeting on Zoom

The second small group book study: Right Here Right Now, The Practice of Christian Mindfulness, by Amy G. Oden begins on December 3rd. It will meet for six Thursdays at noon for one hour on Zoom.

The author of this book is a professor of Christianity and Theology and affiliated with The Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City.

This is a wonderful way to connect with others while deepening your sense of God’s presence in your life. While enhancing your spiritual life this calming practice also reduces stress and aids in providing resilience in this particularly challenging time. Your book can be ordered on www.Amazon.com. Or the church will have a few copies to deliver to your door.

You may contact Melody Romeo if you have any questions or to sign up. Melody is leading our group and can be reached at email: melodycoach@olypen.com or by cellphone: (360) 461-5595.

Postponed

The Women’s Bible Study and the Challenges and Comforts groups will not meet in person until the current COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

Additional volunteers still needed to help with the Sequim food box distribution

— for December 9th and 23rd from about 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Andra Smith (Sequim Food Bank Director) indicated that, even though CERT will not be involved those two months, volunteers still can be trained. If you are interested, contact Jan Kreidler at 681-5027 / janet2.kreidler@gmail.com.

Office hours note

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 Marian and she will let you in. It is best to call ahead so we are aware that you are coming.  Thanks so much for your patience!

Thankful for time, talents, gifts, service, and witness

October 15, 2020

Dear Saints of Trinity UMC,

Over this past week, I’ve been touched by any number of things.  My time with Carolee Dunn and her heart for Tim’s place (which I had not realized was named after her husband).  I was so impressed by her heart for this ministry; for the care with which she approached me after the article in the newsletter.  Her grace and her support of this ministry are not only heartfelt but important for any and all of us who have friends, family, parents, spouses, or others going through the challenges of memory issues.  I just wanted to thank her and thank Judy and Rhonda for heading up there with me, and for spending time helping me more fully understand the program, the priority, and the mission.  All in all, it was a wonderful morning. 

I wanted to thank Lynette Baughman for her follow up to last week’s sermon.  It’s not often that a pastor gets corrected by a parishioner, and even less often that a correction is as appropriate as the one I received this week.  What touched me most was the way Lynette approached this.  She is an author, you know.  She knows her stuff.  Last week I kept referring to Oprah, when in fact, it wasn’t Oprah.  The daughter-in-law of Naomi was Orpah.  And the only reason Oprah Winfrey is named Oprah was that her mom transposed two letters when sighing her birth certificate.  What Lynnette’s email told me is that she, and I know a lot of others, are paying attention to the messages; whether in written, video, or live forms.  It warms the heart of any pastor to know that what they’re trying to communicate is being heard and studied.  So, as I said at the recording on Wednesday, Lynnette gets a gold star and smiley face this week.

I wanted to thank the Trustees for their love and care of this facility.  It is obvious just how deeply they love and care about this facility.  It is in great condition and yes, like any building that is over a quarter of a century old, it has its challenges.  They are on top of them, studying them, making plans about what needs to be done and in what order.  And if that wasn’t enough, they are also concerned enough about Kathleen and me on Sunday mornings that they are going to construct an enclosure that will keep us warm and dry, and yet visible to those who attend the parking lot service.  I’ve gotta tell you that I’ve never had a group who cared that much; not only about the facility but about the pastors as they try and reach as many of our congregation as possible, even on cold Fall days while reading and preaching outdoors.  Thanks, guys!

I’m thankful for all of those who are preparing for the Harvest (Dessert).  Given the challenges of Covid, they have gotten really creative about how to distribute those desserts in a safe and practical way.  The distribution will be on Sunday after worship so come and pick up your dessert.  It appears as though there will be somewhere between 100 and 150 given out.  Way to go group.  You’ve taken the disappointment of not being able to provide the annual Harvest Dinner, thought of a way to make it a Harvest Dessert, and do it all within the protocols and guidelines we are seeking to follow.   And a big thank you to all of those who are serving as ushers for the parking lot service.  Remember to stay warm.  And for those providing music on Wednesdays and Sundays; I don’t know what we would do without you.  I huge thank you to Pam for all she does with the sound, for Chris and his help, Randy and his help, and for Curt who makes it all work in the video booth.  And none of it would be available if it wasn’t for Lawrence.  You’re the best and the work you’re doing is deeply appreciated.  

And finally, to you, the saints of Trinity, who continue to give of your time, your talents, your gifts, your service, and your witness.  Your generosity is overwhelming.  We are able to keep this staff because of you.  We are able to offer what we do because of you.  We are able to continue to be church because of you.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  

With Deep Appreciation,

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 throughout the political process
  • 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 continues at 10:00 am. You can still view our service online. Just go to our website, 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.

Our annual harvest dinner is the harvest dessert this year

The full dinner is not practical during the pandemic, so the dinner committee chose a dessert-only event.  If you made your reservations earlier this week, individual servings of apple crisp, from an original Harvest Dinner recipe, may be picked up after this Sunday’s service on October 18 (until 11:30 a.m.) via a drive-through setup (at the back of the church.)  The desserts are a thank you gift to our faithful, wonderful church family! Note: The dessert is being prepared and baked in individual-serving containers (with lids) in the church kitchen by committee members using precautions such as masks and gloves.

 A few more volunteers needed for food box distribution

— on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month in October, November, and December. Operations are 11 am-2 pm with some volunteers needed before and after these hours to help with set-up and clean-up. All positions require standing but people rotate for breaks.  Bottled water and snacks are provided.  If you would like to help, please contact the church office, 360-683-5367 or church@sequimtumc.org.

Support group for those experiencing loss

Becky Morgan and Kathleen Charters invite you to an in-person support meeting for those who grieve lost opportunities due to COVID-19, e.g., trips, celebrations, weddings, funerals, etc. In-person meetings are limited to 5 people so there are limited seats. Please contact Deacon Kathleen (240.463.7598 Mobile, 360.504.3150 Home, or Deacon Charters ) if you are interested in participating.

Topic: Challenges and Comfort

Dates/Time: Every week on Tuesdays, through December 15, 2-3:30 pm 

Upper Room daily devotionals

— for November/December are available for you to pick up at the church Monday-Friday from 9 am to 2 pm outside the main door by the office.

Office hours note

TUMC 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 Marian and she will let you in. It is best to call ahead so we are aware that you are coming.  Thanks so much for your patience!