Trinity United Church of Christ

30 Erie Avenue

Gowanda, New York

716-532-3004

Growing together in Christ through Worship, service and study

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Introduction Ours is a small church in a small town, we are very dedicated and loyal church family, remarkable in the way the congregation works together. There is a spirit of joy, love and commitment in our involvement and contribution. We seek a pastoral leader who puts God first, one who is enthusiastic and a passionate love of Christ. We need a pastor who can keep momentum going in a strong community of faith and strong music tradition. We trust you will find the enclosed information helpful and look forward to receiving your response. Yours in Christ, The Trinity Search Committee Jodie Edington, Chairperson Robert Coudrey Alena Crosson Robert Dingman Wayne Lyon, Spiritual leader Lou Ann McMullen, Secretary Please direct all inquiries to: j.edington.trinityucc@gmail.com

Our History

The history of Trinity United Church of Christ is not only the past but our heritage on with which we can look and move to the future. The church began 126 years ago with the desire of twelve men who needed a church that would fulfill their spiritual needs and those of a new and growing community.

Trinity was founded by German immigrants and the church continues those German traditions today. Each Christmas Eve, a candlelight service is held and the Christmas carol “Silent Night” is sung in German.

Trinity Church began on June 12, 1887 in a small room in the business owned by Gustave Theon. Here twelve men met with Reverend John Heiniger of the Immanuel Lutheran Synod in Dunkirk, NY. These German immigrants were established members of the community with occupations that included wagon builders, carpenters, tanners, farmers and a Civil War veteran. They wanted to organize a Lutheran Church.

A service was held that day in the store and following the service a meeting was called. The first order of business was a motion that organized the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. The name adopted was Evangelical Trinity Lutheran Church, Evangelish Drienglishkiet Kriche.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the 1800’s made a promise to the churches that would establish that they would respect their language and their culture and preserve it. It was a perfect match for these immigrants.

On the following Sunday another meeting was held, and four additional men joined the congregation. There were now sixteen members.

On June 26, 1887, after a fine fest, for which Trinity continues to be recognized for even today, the constitution was accepted and signed. A call was extended to Reverend Frederick W. Possin and he became the first Pastor. In December, the church was incorporated. And the first communion was served December 18, 1887 with thirty-six people partaking.

By January of 1888, the congregation had grown to forty-five and it still did not have a permanent home. They were worshipping in churches throughout Gowanda. Spring of 1888 began the erection of the new church and the cornerstone was laid on June 3, 1888 on the corner of Park and Erie Avenue. The members were grateful to the community for all the materials, labor and assistance that was given to help erect this church. The first service was held on September 20, 1888 and where they continue to be held today. The dedication service was held on November 25, 1888 in both German and English.

With a growing community, the congregation also quickly grew and took a prominent place among the many churches in the community.

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It was soon after the dedication that a Sunday school was organized. Catechism and Bible stories were taught in German. In 1902, there were two Sunday schools, one in German and the other in English. In later years there was a union and only English Sunday school was taught. The Strong tradition of Christian Education continues today. Trinity Held the first Community Daily Vacation Bible School in Gowanda in 1926. It ran five days a week for three weeks and was open to all denominations.

The church building underwent a major renovation in 1922, the entire church and Sunday school were moved back 14 feet from Erie Avenue and a new basement excavated. A kitchen and heating system were installed. And a new entrance was made. Much of the excavation, some of the plumbing and all of the steam-fitting was accomplished by the industrious congregation.

Services continued in both English and German until 1935. In that year, the congregation voted that only the Easter and Christmas services would continue in both languages.

In the 1930’s Trinity merged with the German Reformed Church and Trinity became Trinity Evangelical and Reformed Church.

During World War II, Trinity faced many challenges that war brought to the community and its congregation. It supported the effort financially through the War Emergency Fund and throughout the members kept in touch with its soldiers. This service of helping support our troops is still a part of Trinity today. We held a fundraiser for the Blue Star Mothers Local Chapter #4 in 2017 and we will now include them in our yearly Endowment giving every year.

In 1944, a Christian flag and the United States flag were placed in the church as a symbol of our responsibility to both our Savior and our Nation.

Women have been an important place in the history of Trinity. In June 1888, a Ladies Aid Society of Trinity Church was formed. It later became the Women’s Guild. Their efforts supported spiritual life, missionary work, social service and stewardship. Women were first appointed to the Church Council in 1962, the Trinity’s 75th Anniversary year. Women in the church have actively participated in Church Women United and Women’s Weekend at Dunkirk Conference Center.

In 1957, Trinity would again undergo a merger. This time the merger was between the Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Congregational Christian Churches. Trinity Evangelical and Reformed Church would now take the name Trinity United Church of Christ. The congregation rejoiced over the merger and felt that “the merger would make us a more effective witness to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Through the 1960’s into the early 2000’s Trinity grew and prospered, celebrating its Centennial, one of our pastors stayed with us through most of that period retiring in 1991.

In 2009, our small community suffered through a “100 year flood”, our church basement was flooded and all of our records and well as offices, Sunday school room and kitchen were lost. With support from the community and the UCC we rebuilt and made improvements to the basement in hopes that we will be stronger if there is a next “100 year Flood”. In January of 2010, the parsonage located across from the church on Erie Avenue burned and had to be torn down, thankfully the house was empty and there was no loss of life or injuries. We lost more records and Trinity heirlooms that were in the house. Once again, Trinity picked up the pieces and moved forward. We have used that lot for parking and as the site of an epic yard sale.

From the waters and the ashes Trinity members have been strengthened and are committed to holding the past close but look forward to the future with what was left from the disasters. We have tried to rebuild our records and pictures through the generosity of our members past and present. We proved once again that we are a strong congregation with one foot in the past with our hearts and eyes on the future of our church.

We have several pastors that have made an impact on our membership, we have endured flood and fire, and we have come out a stronger, more committed congregation. We continue to use the events of our recent past to propel us into the future of serving our small community. We have shared our Worship services with many local people from the WNYDDSO (Western New York Developmental Disabilities State Operations Office) group homes. We have opened our doors for a meal once a month, free to the community members and shared fellowship and conversation to further our belief “we show the teachings of Jesus Christ, not with our words but with our actions as good, honest, caring human beings and Christians”.

Trinity is a congregation that is active in the community. Members have walked in Crop Walks, Walks for Life for Tri-County Crisis Pregnancy Center and Love, InC. We have participated in local parades and festivals. Trinity routinely collects non-perishable foods for the Gowanda Food Pantry, we put together Hurricane relief bags on

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several occasions and have a school supply drive every year to help our Gowanda students face the new school year with the needed supplies.

We have a Council of nine members of Trinity that get input from the committees that oversee the planning and execution of programs, in conjunction with the pastor. The attendance and feedback of members evaluate the ministries and programs. Sunday Worship is informal and varied, planned by the pastor. We look to our pastor for long range visionary planning, spiritual guidance, new ways to accomplish our mutual goals and a big presence in the community.

Trinity has remained a strong ecumenical voice in the community. Over many years Trinity United Church of Christ and the Gowanda Presbyterian Church have held joint summer services, Lenten and Thanksgiving services.

Trinity’s Mission statement: We put others needs before our own. Our doors are open to ALL, the poor and the wealthy, all races and

genders, the weary or the family looking for guidance. For when they enter, may we show the teachings of Jesus Christ, not with our words but with our actions as good, honest, caring human beings and Christians. We are small, but we are mighty with the Lord Jesus as our driving force and guide to a brighter future.

Trinity United Church of Christ continues to strive to live our Mission Statement in our actions and our words. Trinity’s plan for the future is to be even more involved with the community of Gowanda

Trinity has a proud history. As a congregation, we look to our fore bearers as an example of courage, determination and the love of Christ that will strengthen us in the years ahead.

Our Community

Gowanda is a unique community, it is divided into two counties by the Cattaraugus Creek, it also includes the Towns of Collins, Persia, Perrysburg and Dayton. We are bordered by the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation, Cattaraugus Creek and Zoar Valley. Gowanda is a Native American name meaning “Beautiful Valley between the hills”, it is a village of about 2,600 people. According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.6 square miles of which 0.02 square miles or 1.00%, is water.] Gowanda’s racial-ethnic mixture is 70% Caucasian, 25 % Native American, and 26% other, Latin American, African Americans and Asian. The village is split by Cattaraugus Creek, the dividing boundary between Erie and Cattaraugus counties, with the northern part of the village in Erie County and the southern in Cattaraugus. The village is located on U.S. Route 62 as well as County Road 4 (Broadway Road), NY Route 39, and NY Route 438. Seneca Transit System began serving the village in 2013 traveling from Steamburg to Irving daily. The New York and Lake Erie Railroad has a depot in Gowanda, from which it runs both freight and occasional passenger rail service. The Bank of Gowanda building and Gowanda Village Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The historic Hollywood Theatre is also located in Gowanda. The Cattaraugus Reservation is located to the northwest of the village. Beautiful Zoar Valley is known for hunting, hiking, and beauty. It is full of wildlife, including bald eagles. Running through it is the Cattaraugus Creek winding its way through our village on its way to Lake Erie. The creek is well known for its fishing of salmon and trout and white-water rafting. We are a safe village with a great police force and Gowanda Volunteer Fire Company, each is supported by other local agencies. The NYS Police have a barracks in Collins on Route 62, about 2 miles from the village. Each town and village has their own fire company but share services and manpower. The Village offers tennis courts, parks, playgrounds, a track, an athletic field and a gym. There are 3 quality golf courses only minutes away, Gowanda Country Club, Tri-County Country Club and Eden Country Club. The village also has several active organizations: The American Legion, the VFW, the Kiwanis, the Lions Club, the Masons, a Moose Club, the Shriners, and the Slovenian Club and they are all sponsor local events. There is the Gowanda Free Library in the village and the Collins Library located only a mile and a half away in Collins. There is a locally owned grocery store and 2 pharmacies, one of which locally owned and one chain store, we

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also have 2 banks, Community Bank, local to Cattaraugus County, and Gowanda Area Federal Credit Union. There are 2 small consignments shops, a locally owned clothing store, a gift shop full of local products, and many beauty salons and 2 barber shops. There is also a bowling alley under the grocery store that has been there for many generations. Gowanda has several restaurants and bars in the area, as well as many pizzerias and a Chinese restaurant. We also have several very good ice cream places, Scoops and Red’s Diner. Capozzi’s Pizzeria won best chicken finger sub in WNY and K & L lanes won best burger in WNY both in 2018. We are only a 15 minute drive to Springville, NY where there are many restaurants, motel, antique stores and grocery stores or a 25 minute drive to Fredonia or Hamburg where there are many amenities, including colleges. We are also very close to a few Amish families and a trip down Route 62 will put you in the heart of Leon and a very large Amish community where they have many shops and stands open year-round. South Dayton is just a 15 minute car ride through some Amish country and has a locally owned grocery store, small shops and 2 great restaurants. South Dayton Supermarket has 2018’s best donuts in WNY and are famous with the locals. The major employers in the area are New York State, with 3 correctional facilities where the old NYS Psychiatric hospital once was, Gowanda Central Schools and the Western New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office (WNYDDSO), with many homes, offices and day-habs in the community. Gowanda is located about an hour from Buffalo, Canalside, Theater District, New Era Stadium, Darien Lake Theme Park and Key Bank Arena. There are many great music venues and Canalside is very beautiful and active all throughout the year. There are several shopping malls in the area as well as Niagara Outlet Mall in Niagara Falls, NY, all less than an hour away. Buffalo is home to a great zoo, an art and a science museum, The Sabres (NHL), Bills (NFL) and the Bandits (lacrosse), Beauts (Women’s hockey, National Women's Hockey League) and the Bisons (Triple A Affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays) The Buffalo International Airport is also about an hour away, and with a short drive down the thruway (I-90), you can visit Rochester, the Finger Lakes, Erie PA, Cleveland, OH and Toronto Canada. There is also great skiing, Ellicottville, Kissing Bridge and Peak and Peak in Clymer. There is an abundance of different things about an hour away in any direction from Gowanda. There are also state parks in the area offering many outdoor activities year round.

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Gowanda Demographics

Information from NeighborhoodScout.com

$0 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000

Gowanda

US

Income of Gowanda vs United States

Median Household Income Per Capita Income

Employment Industries in Gowanda

Healthcare Public Service Manufacturing

Education Construction Retail

Accomodation Administration Transportation

Other

19.214.2

23.416.8

4.217.4

4.9

65 and over 55 to 64 35 to 64 25 to 34 18 to 24 5 to 17 under 5Age of People in Gowanda 19.2 14.2 23.4 16.8 4.2 17.4 4.9

AGE OF PEOPLE IN GOWANDA

Individuals below Poverty level 21%

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Information from TownCharts.com

Trinity UCC Demographics *Registered members: 46 Regular Attendees: 30

0 20 40 60 80 100

Attending College

High School Graduates

College Graduates

Education Levels in Gowanda

Education Levels in Gowanda

53 58 59 61 63 64 65 69

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Family Households

Families as % ofHouseholds

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1000

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Perrysburg Dayton Persia Gowanda Collins

Population of local communities

Population

Total Population: 2,636

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Active members Ages: Members in over 90 - 2 Members in their 80’s - 4 Members in their 70’s – 7 Members in their 60’s – 12 Members in their 50’s – 2 Members in their 40’s - 1

Members younger than 40 - 1

*Years Attending: 1 to 5 years- 5 11 to 15 years- 6 16-25 years- 1 26-29 years-5 40 to 80 years-9

*Members with Family History: 17

*includes those that have moved away but still support the church

Active Committees

28

73 1

05

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Collins

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Location of MembersNumber of…

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0-2 miles 3-5 miles 6-10 miles

How far is Trinity from your home

Miles

1

19

1 205

101520

Single Couple Couple withChildren

Widow

Family UnitsHistory of Membership

2017 2012 2007

Church membership* 39 64 70

Average attendance 30 40 35

Average youth in C.E. 1 5 17

Name Function No. of Members

Gathering Frequency

Planning responsibility

Council Governing 8 M L/P

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What Trinity Members expect from a new Pastor:

Leadership Expectations

The Search Committee canvassed the congregation, tallied the results and found the following to be important leadership expectations/qualities for the pastor we are seeking.

Christian Education Education 5 AN L/P

Worship Planning of Special times, dressing of the church 6 Q L/P

Trinity Care Reaching out to members, former members and others 5

Q L/P

Finance Budget 5 AN L

Trapp Memorial Fund Oversee Music Funds 3 AN

L

Legacy Memorial Administer Funds 6 AN

L

Property Maintenance/Repair 3 AN L

Kitchen 6 Q L

*W-Weekly M-Monthly Q-Quarterly

AN-As needed

**P-Pastor L-Laity

Energetic, Enthusiastic,

Effective Speaker

Inspirational, community

minded

Help members develop a

strong spiritual life

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We are seeking one who is an effective preacher and speaker, energetic and enthusiastic. We realize how important it is to communicate God’s word and relate it to our lives. We wish our pastor to be an inspirational motivator and to foster a love of God. This can be done with a biblically based sermon that clearly teaches us about God’s love and that shows us the Bible in our daily lives. We wish for our pastor to be ready to call on members in hospitals, nursing homes and the homebound. We desire our pastor to make house calls to church members, who are not able to get to church. And we want a pastor who will reach out to former members to bring them back to Trinity. We seek an effective teacher for ourselves and our youth, as well as a pastor who has a strong commitment to develop his entire congregation’s spiritual life. We wish to have someone who can counsel those in need and can build a sense of fellowship with whom they work. A good leader, who is not only an effective administrator, but upholds teamwork and togetherness to accomplish our shared goals. We value our pastor’s opinion and guidance in spiritual and business matters. We are a congregation who has its sights on continued growth and it is necessary to have a pastor who works regularly at bringing new members to the church. We need a pastor who lives in the community and is involved and recognizable at local events, games and concerts. Our pastor should work regularly in the community to enhance the image of Trinity. As a family, we at Trinity realize that a mature and secure leader is needed to steer us most easily in the right direction. We wish to secure a pastor with whom we can establish a relationship of mutual respect and approachability. We hope to thrive off each other’s ideas, enthusiasm and love of God.

Support for our Minister

We feel it is especially important to mention the other ways in which our congregation supports its minister. We are a supportive family to our pastor, we wish to establish a bond with a person who we feel we can back up not only professionally but also personally. We are asking someone to build a life here with us and that person deserves our respect for their involvement in our lives as well as their privacy. Our greatest desire is to work hard with this person and their family so that we may all know the benefit of God’s love.

Benefits

Salary* based on experience $ 40-60,000 Health Insurance** (Trinity will pay up to 50% of premiums if needed) $ Retirement Contributions** (customary % of salary) $ Travel expenses .50 per mile up to 15,000 miles Funds for continuing education, books and subscriptions, budgeted annually

We do not have a parsonage, we are not offering housing allowance.

*includes 1 week of paid vacation per calendar year, increased accordingly per yearly reviews and longevity. ** expenses are paid directly by Trinity

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Trinity Financial Condition 2017 2012 2007 Total Income 79,400 208,000 60,220 Total pledges 57,000 57,000 55,774 Budget for Offerings 58,000 60,000 Endowments 242,655 Yearly Expenses 68,000 71,938

We provide yearly Financial Support for: Gowanda Ambulance, Gowanda Fire, Blue Star Mothers Local Chapter #4, Love In The Name Of Christ of Gowanda, Backpacks for Kids Gowanda Central Schools, Local Salvation Army, Trinity Care Ministry, Gowanda Food Pantry, Dunkirk Conference Camp, Tri-County Pregnancy Crisis Center, Warm the Children through Love, InC, Gowanda Ministerium. Our church has no indebtedness or capital projects. Mission, education and scholarship expenses are financed by interest from an Endowment fund, established by the MacDonald and the Weyand families. Church operating expenses cannot be funded by this endowment interest. Music expenses are financed by an Endowment fun, established by the Trapp family.