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Quarterly Newsletter June 2013
Calendar of Events
Sandwiches on Sunday6/1
Guest Greg Love6/9
Last Day of School6/13
Father’s Day6/16
Lumina Concert6/20
Summer Choir Begins6/23
Hymnal Launch6/30
Independence Day7/4
Vital SignsBy Pastor Mary GravesI want to tell you about some of the things I am working on at Trinity these days that are filling me with joy and producing good fruit. We just celebrated Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit, and I can tell you that God’s quickening Spirit of new life and transforming love is definitely at work in our midst.
Grief GroupIt is becoming more and more apparent that our greatest growth in faith often comes during life’s big transitions (marriage, divorce, new job, job loss, new baby, death, graduation, a move). At the end of 2012 I noticed that we had an unusually large number of people grieving the loss of a loved one, and so Mary Kaufman and I gathered eight people for a monthly support group, using a curriculum called The Mourner’s Path. What an important time of honesty and healing!Interfaith Dialogue
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One of the best ways to learn more about what we believe as followers of Jesus is to be in conversation with those from a different faith tradition. For that reason a group of over twelve people purchased Brian McClaren’s book, Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road? Christian Identity in a Multi-faith World, and we are in the process of reading and discussing it and following the invitation to “cross the road” toward people of other faiths in a way that will strengthen our own faith while we listen respectfully to others. (See related article)
Preaching PartnersScripture comes alive when we can listen together to how it intersects with our lives. I have been finding random opportunities to bring Sunday’s scripture to individuals and groups in an informal and accessible way so that I can hear how it is coming across in real lives, real time, and what a huge help that has been to me in my preaching! I have emailed it to a few moms of young children to solicit feedback. I have dropped in on our Trinity Nursery School Board and asked them to listen to the passage and freely comment. I asked one couple to gather a few people from their neighborhood for dinner and we spent about twenty minutes after dinner listening and discussing the parable of the prodigal son. Besides helping my preaching, it is bringing the word more personally and powerfully into the lives of all who participate. Look for more of this in the future.
Lunches with “The Builders”One of the greatest treasures Trinity has is that host of long-time devoted servants of the church who have shaped us into the loving community we are today. I have been making lunch dates with them, one-on-one, just enjoying who they are and hearing more of their story. What a delight to spend time individually with our two charter members, Mary Marsden and Dorothy Baker (see related article). I look forward to many more of these sweet and holy conversations.
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Visioning UpdateSunday, June 23, 11:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room. Session is taking the information from the second Visioning Retreat and moving forward on two fronts: finalizing our Core Values and Mission Statement, forming metrics and actions items to match and a team to implement follow up. Please join us in Fireside Room on Sunday, June 23, when Session will give you a more detailed update.
The Cross Prayer Wall
Pastor Josh began a great tradition of collecting crosses from around the world and hanging them on his wall. We will continue the tradition with the same cross we gave to him as a farewell gift, and we will pray for him and for ourselves that we will “live a life worthy of our calling” as we follow the way of Jesus Christ. If you have a cross to contribute, please bring to Kristina in the office.
Mission NewsBy Kathy Kyne
Mission Trip GrantsThe Global Missions Team was pleased to approve grants this past spring from the “Hofer Frahm Mission Trip Fund” toward partial airfare support for three mission trip participants from Trinity:
Allison Kiefer, college youth who grew up in Trinity, participated in a mission trip to Ukraine from May 6-23, 2013. She traveled with Mercy Projects and worked with a small team of college youth to put on two Vacation Bible School camps in different locations for orphans and other local children. She will share her experience in church on June 2 during the service.
Mindy Pearce and Dave Gormley are looking forward to participating in a mission trip with GAIA to Malawi, Africa in July 2013. GAIA, Global Aids Interfaith Alliance, has a rich and informative itinerary planned. Mindy and Dave will bear witness to the wonderful work GAIA does with regards to supporting families impacted by AIDS and helping those stricken with AIDS as well as other diseases. Mindy and Dave will share about their experience at Trinity later this summer or early fall.
The Hofer Frahm Mission Trip Fund of $20,000 was formed from bequests from the Hofer and Frahm estates. Any Trinity members considering a mission trip should remember this fund is available. Grants are limited to support of airfare at a maximum of $1,500 per person or $3,000 to a mission team. A copy of the guidelines are available upon request from Kathy Kyne, Global Missions Team Leader, at [email protected]. Should members of the general Trinity community wish to contribute to this fund, please designate your gift as to the “Hofer Frahm Mission Trip Fund”.
Alongside Mark and Abi StoscherOn April 23, Trinity welcomed Mark Stoscher and his teen daughter Abi to an evening of fun and sharing about his ministry work in Albania with Alongside Ministries. Mark grew up at Trinity and became a missionary in Albania
soon after his college years. Through Alongside ministries, Mark runs a bible school for lay adults from all over the world wishing to delve more deeply into the word of God. In summers, Mark and his team also run camps for children and youth from all over Albania who come together to learn about God’s word and to have a camp experience.
The April 23 evening included a potluck dinner, slide show and presentation by Mark, and Albanian folk dancing lead by Abi. Those who attended had a wonderful evening and excitement was raised about a possible mission trip to Albania in the future to do hands on work on the new building Trinity recently helped Alongside purchase for the camps and school. This building was purchased through the Hofer Frahm bequests. Mark also looks forward to the time when a Trinity member feels called to attend Alongside’s Bible School in Albania!
World Vision Romania Child SponsorshipsThe family sponsor ship program in Cluj, Romania is ending but child sponsorships are ramping up. If anyone sponsoring a family in Romania has not been contacted by World Vision by phone or mailed letter, please let Kathy Kyne know at [email protected] or (650) 533-0580. We want to make sure you have the most current information and have the opportunity to sponsor a child. For anyone who was not sponsoring a family, we would welcome your participation to sponsor a child in Cluj, Romania through World Vision. The monthly donation is $35 and you will receive a photo and information about the child you sponsor.
Village Enterprise UpdateWatch for the date this summer when Patrick Brown, Trinity Elder and Village Enterprise Board member, will provide an update on the work of Village Enterprise in East Africa. Village Enterprise provides business and financial literacy training and seed grants to the rural ultra-poor in Kenya and Uganda, so they can raise their standard of living by starting and managing their own businesses. Trinity recently provided funds to start new businesses in the Eldoret region of Western Kenya; Pat visited this area in February and will show pictures and share stories.
SPECIAL GUESTGREG LOVE JUNE 9Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at San Francisco Theological Seminary
Trinity is very fortunate to have one of the most popular and brilliant seminary professors around to join Pastor Mary in worship on June 9 to preach on “The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge” and to teach afterward. Gregory Love's focus is the question of how God acts in the world. "If God is all-powerful and loves us like a parent loves her or his child, why do horrific things happen to us, to those we love, or to whole communities of peoples? How are we to talk intelligently about God acting in a world which science perceives is ruled by natural laws, chance, and human free will, and which is patently filled with tremendous suffering?" Questions of divine agency and human suffering are also present in his new book on Christology. In Love, Violence, and the Cross: How the Nonviolent God Saves Us through the Cross of Christ, Love brings the best of classical and Reformed theologies into conversation with recent feminist theologies. A demanding professor, Love's passionate teaching style and weekly "beer and theology" discussion groups earned him the SFTS Teacher Appreciation Award from the student body in 2008.
Interim Pastor SearchThe search for the Interim Associate Pastor has begun. The search team members are Glen Nissen, Scott McMullin, Julie Pope, Kristan Verveniotis, and Joel Van Hofwegan, and they are meeting regularly to move this search along.
The position is called Interim Associate Connections Pastor, and the duties and responsibilities will be different from those of Josh Rowley. There will be an emphasis on ministering to youth and families, complemented by the building of connections between these groups and the congregation and community.
The search team asks that you pray for them as they identify the person whom God has chosen to fill this new and exciting position.
Lumina is proud to present our Southern California Tour, June 13 to 18. June 13: We will sing at Casa Esperanza in Santa Barbara. Casa is a large Homeless Shelter in that serves thousands of people. Lumina will help serve dinner and give a concert afterwards. June 14: We continue our journey down the coast to Ventura, where we will performe at the Ventura Veteran's Home. Next, we will head down to the southern end of Los Angeles and perform a full concert in San Pedro at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish. June 15: We will head up to Azusa Pacific University for a Choral Clinic, and tour the campus. Later that day we will perform at the Los Angeles Mission, one of the largest homeless shelters in the state. June 16: We will be up early to sing at Glenkirk Presbyterian Church in Glendora. We will sing and lead worship at two Services. The rest of the day will be set aside for fun activities. June 17: We perform at Disneyland! June 18: On our way back to the Bay Area we will stop at Bakersfield ARC, a home for mentally disabled. Lumina has performed here many times, and it is a favorite location to sing at. Finally..... our Post-Tour Concert on June 20 at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Come and hear all the songs we performed on tour and support Youth Music at Trinity! Concert is at 7pm!
Save the Date!Women’s Retreat
October 25-27, 2013
Fulfill the Vow!Now is the time to Fulfill the Vow you take as part of this congregation. We promise to tell baptized children the Good News and help them know all that Christ Commands. A child needs the voices of many generations to strengthen the ties with the Family of God. Children's Ministry partners with parents as we follow Jesus. You are a part of that partnership. Fill out a Summer Teacher Request Card, find a Sign-up Sheet outside the classrooms or Send an Email to Kristan. Thanks for helping your children grow in faith!
New Child/Youth Safety Process and Policy
By Kristan VerveniotisGone are the days of thinking that misconduct could never happen at our church. Increasing reports and media attention of inappropriate actions involving those in serving positions has forced the church to ask new questions of staff, as well as volunteers. Unfortunately, there are those who are looking for easy access to vulnerable children, youth, seniors and people with disabilities.
Trinity’s Children and Youth Ministry is committed to providing a safe environment for our children and youth to experience the love of God and respect for one another. To that end, we have adopted a Background Screening Policy and procedure for all persons regularly working in programs. Often, just knowing that a screening process is in place protects those who may be vulnerable. Session has encouraged these steps and approved the process as we move toward an increased awareness on our campus. We researched several options, landing on a paper-less risk management tool that provides criminal and sex-offender reports to churches through a secure process. We
have already tested the ease and effectiveness of the system for the Mexico Mission Trip. All advisors were asked to provide personal information to an on-line electronic application system. It takes less than five minutes and the information is kept confidential. The information is not stored by Trinity, nor does Trinity have access to it. We’re now ready to implement the process for our Sunday school teachers in the fall.
Another benefit to this tool is that it also provides comprehensive child safety training options. Our volunteers will be asked to complete an on-line safety review on their home computer. This is an important step towards decreasing risks to them, as well as those under their care. It would be easy for us to overlook this important step in our ministry, or even to see it as a stumbling block for those who are eager to step up and serve. Yet, Acts 20: 28 says, “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.” Trinity has been charged with protecting those who come through our doors. It is our hope that our congregation will embrace this safety measure and feel even more confident about the serving opportunities we offer to our children and youth.
Children’s Ministries has moved!Kristan V’s office. is now located in the Youth Office, off the atrium
You will be able to choose if you want to have the hymnals in your hands or look up at the screens.
The hymnals will be given in memory of: Lois GrumanAlice BunkerBob Kuerst
Jo LaneMartha WhiteAndy Baker
Margaret MacKallorGeri McMullen
Bill BathWoodySquassoni
Jean KidderCharlie PigueTed MurdockMary Bock
Gwen Hofer
Lift Up Your Hearts: Trinity’s New HymnalBy Bill O’NeillWe all know that music is a very important part of our ministry at Trinity. It is my job to see that the music we sing as a congregation truly serves the needs of our community. When I arrived at Trinity it seemed that there was a big split in what people wanted to hear and sing. Some really wanted more of the traditional music, and some really wanted more of the contemporary music. So I searched for a way to bring all styles together using a new hymnal created by Faith Alive Resources. “Lift Up Your Hearts” is a Bi-Denominational hymnal (meaning it can be used in any Christian Denomination), that has done an amazing job of bringing together the old and the new, as well as many multi-cultural pieces. I discovered it while at the Calvin Symposium in Grand Rapids, MI back in January. I was immediately drawn to this new hymnal. It contained some of the beloved hymns that I grew up with, and have seen in other hymnals over my many years of working in churches. The committee that put this hymnal together looked at hymns from hundreds of hymnals over the years and tried to bring the best of all worlds together. They
wanted to make sure that all the hymns were singable by congregations, had well-crafted melodies, had well written theologically reformed texts, had gender-neutral and communal language, and were artfully written.
Many of the eight hundred-plus hymns you will find in here will be familiar to you. Either they will be hymns from the old hymnal sitting in our pews, or hymns we’ve done with only words on the screen. The new hymnal will also be in digital form, meaning the words and music will be on the screen as well.
Trinity’s Endowment FundBy Joel Van Hofwegan
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and on the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.
~ 1 Chronicles 29:11
The author of 1 Chronicles captures God’s love for all of us, the earth, stars, and every living thing. Love overflowing! Our commitment to follow Christ includes his mandate that we become good stewards of our resources, our neighbor’s well-being, and His creation.
One way we can do this together is to strengthen our congregation’s Endowment Fund. This will enable us to provide greater levels of funding for mission programs and agencies that express our love for God’s people and His universe.
If you haven’t updated your Will in a while, now might be a great time to review your estate plans. Please contact a member of our congregation’s Support and Endowment committee for assistance. We also encourage you to prayerfully consider leaving a percentage of your estate to Trinity’s Endowment Fund. Supporting the Endowment Fund can help you create a legacy of faith that will positively impact Trinity’s ministry long after your lifetime. Gifts through bequests and memorials, as well as donations of assets, can help our congregation support our mission in the world both today and for generations to come.
Thank you for helping us plant seeds today that will bear fruits of God’s love for future members of our faith community.
To learn more about including the church in your estate plans and how your legacy can supports its ministry, please contact Joel Van Hofwegen at [email protected].
Dorothy Baker, a charter member of Trinity, continues to be an active participant in the life of this church. She was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was an only child, and her parents had a large home which they opened to 33 people who were recuperating from Tuberculosis.
Dorothy graduated from high school at the age of 15 and went on to study at the University of Denver where she graduated with a BS degree in chemistry and physics. As she started her training in the laboratories after graduation, she realized that her eyesight was not strong enough to withstand the heavy use of microscopes. Wanting to use her chemistry training, she went to the University of Washington in Seattle where she enrolled in their culinary school.
Dorothy and her mother decided to open a tea room in their home in Colorado, so Dorothy moved back to the large family home, which now had several boarders living there as well. One of the boarders was Andy Baker who turned out to be the love of her life. The Bakers moved to California where they raised their three children - Susan, Terry, and Randy. Andy worked for Pan American Airways for 10 years and then at Varian for 35 years. Dorothy worked in the central office of the San Carlos School District for 17 years.
In 1954 the Bakers were members of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church when it was decided that there was a need for a Presbyterian church in the San Carlos area. They were on the committee that organized the new church – Trinity! Dorothy served on the first Board of Deacons and continues to serve and worship at Trinity.
Dorothy Baker, Pastor Mary Graves, Rob Holden and Allison Clark
Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road?
Boundary-crossing. Jesus was committed to it. So is his Spirit in the book of Acts. So is his Spirit in us in 2013. Author and theologian, Brian McClaren, insists that being in respectful conversation with other faiths does not require a weakening of your Christian commitment or conviction. There is a way to have a strong identity as a disciple of Jesus Christ and to express a benevolent and loving interest in other faith traditions.
Summer Series: “From Hostility to Hospitality”This summer Trinity will be looking at the doctrines of the Christian faith that historically have gotten in the way of that boundary-crossing, yet, properly understood, are an invitation toward it. The Interpretation of Scripture, The Doctrine of the Trinity, The Doctrine of Creation, The Doctrine of Original Sin, The Doctrine of Election, The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, Christology and the Atonement
Christian Identity in a Multi-faith WorldWe are surrounded by people from all over the world who worship God and believe differently. They have much to teach us about our true identity as followers of Jesus Christ, and so we will be pursuing respectful conversations on Sunday mornings with the following faith traditions: Islam, Hindu, Buddhist, and Jewish
If you have an interest in helping with one of these conversations, please contact Leslie Rose (474-2241), Cliff Kemper (591-1443), or Julie Haslam (591-8595).
Non-ProfitPostage Paid
Permit #54San Carlos, CA 94070
Trinity Presbyterian Church1106 Alameda de las Pulgas
Kitchen Update:
the kitchen remodel is now moving
forward…stay tuned for more info!
www.trinity-pres.org
