Welcome to the web edition of the Trinity Presbyterian Church annual report for the year 2008.
The web version of this report does not include financial information. Please contact the church office for the full print version of this report.
Active Membership, December 31, 2007: 381
Members received: 8
Members transferred by letter: 10
Members deleted by Session: 2
Members moved to Inactive status: 36*
Deaths: 3
Baptisms: 5
Weddings: 2
Active Membership, December 31, 2008: 338
Affiliate members: 3
*by act of Session every few years
"I Am The Resurrection And the Life"
O Lord, support us all the day long,
until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes,
and the busy world is hushed, and
the fever of life is over...
and our work is done.
Then in your mercy...
Grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Ethel Scott
Virginia Parks
Margaret Smith
"Well, it's been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon, my home town." So begins Garrison Keillor's weekly monologue on A Prairie Home Companion. I wish I could say it was a quiet year at Trinity, my home church, but alas, that is not how the year worked out. My family began 2008 in crisis mode. My mother had died just three months before and Linda had just started 6 months of punishing chemotherapy after being diagnosed and having surgery for breast cancer. For my family, 2008 began with fear and hardship. But even as the year got harder as time went by (my Dad was diagnosed and treated for aggressive brain cancer in April), the year ends for me on a positive note. On November 16, the Trinity congregation granted me six weeks of leave time so I could have a time for Sabbath rest and a time to regain my energy and focus. This vote was but one instance of the graciousness and compassion extended from the Trinity congregation to me and my family during this year. Throughout 2008, you prayed for us, did our laundry, made us meals, sent us cards, asked how we were doing, shared your hugs and love. Each time, we lifted a little bit more; each time, we found the healing we needed and we discovered anew God's grace. While I never want to have a repeat of this past year, without it I wouldn't have so powerfully learned the depth of faith and love that resides in this congregation, and the generosity of spirit that permeates our life together. I am so grateful for all of you and grateful to God that God has allowed me to be your pastor for the past decade. Thanks be to God!
2008 was an important year for our ministry at Trinity. We undertook a major review of our equipping ministry. We learned in that review that the equipping ministry has laid down some important foundations and that it has touched many people in the congregation. It is also apparent that we still have much to do, so I expect that equipping will make great strides in 2009. The Session committed the congregation to a season of discernment for the coming years--with the assurance that as we listen for God's call to us, we will discover a future that is both vital and sustainable. I invite everyone to take advantage of opportunities in the coming year to pray together, hope together and dream together.
2008 was also a year of great transition. We sent Paul Vasile, our Minister of Music to a new adventure in his ministry. While we miss Paul greatly, we are greatly blessed to have Vicki Carmichael and Bill Wade serve as our Interim Minister of Music team. They bring excellence in musicality and depth of spirit to their work at Trinity. We said goodbye to Susan Hayes our Interim Minister of Spiritual Growth; Susan saw us through a time of transition. And now we welcome Dawn Fleishman and her gifts for ministry and her vibrant faith to our church. We also said goodbye to many families and individuals who relocated to other parts of the country. It is always hard to send disciples from Trinity to new places of ministry, but when we do it, the scope of our ministry widens and we see our calling as being truly global.
So, what of 2009? I am looking forward to reengaging in our ministry when I return from leave on January 12. But I know that the church will not be waiting for me to get started again; for our common energy, our common vision, our common ministry is God's gift to all of us. I anticipate that I will have to run to catch up to all of you--and I gladly look forward to doing that! 2009 promises to be a year when we hear God's voice with new clarity, when we see new vistas of the future, when we discover again how important our ministry is, not only to ourselves but to the world.
God is doing great things in our midst--and Trinity has the faith, the compassion, and the passion to do great things with and for God!
Dan Anderson-Little
Interim Minister of Music-Choir Director
2008 was an exciting and emotional year for Trinity's music ministry. After seven years of his faithful service, we said goodbye to Minister of Music Paul Vasile. While this was a bittersweet moment, as many of our "sending" moments are, we were excited for Paul to follow the Spirit on the next leg of his musical faith journey. In his annual report for 2007 Paul wrote about an experience he had when he came to worship the Sunday following a trip to the Covenant Network conference in Atlanta. Since he arrived back in town late on Saturday night, many members of the congregation and choir had pitched in to create the worship music for the next morning. He wrote, "For the first time since I have served at Trinity, I had the opportunity to sing in the choir and stand with the congregation to sing hymns. It was a joy to see that the music ministry could function wonderfully without me and that ministry was being done by the people of God in this place."
When I re-read that report this December, I was struck by the loving faithfulness of our God. God absolutely NEVER fails to provide abundantly what we truly need. Paul had that experience many months before God revealed to him that he would be called to leave Trinity. Karen Coletti, Bill Wade and I took leadership roles that day to help out. This Christmas Eve in Trinity's Candelight Service, we find ourselves right where God has not only called us, but also equipped us-I'll be leading the choir, Bill will be at the organ, and Karen Coletti will lead the choir in a beautiful piece she wrote to a poem of Ann Weems'. It is amazing to me that God knows just how insecure and doubtful we humans can be sometimes, and so gave us a chance (several chances, actually) to "practice" the service God would later call us to on a larger scale.
It is truly a wonderful and holy thing that God calls all of the members and friends of this congregation to deep, active service here. As the session moves forward with the congregation into a time of intentional discernment of God's call for us as a faith community, we find ourselves temporarily without two of our most called-upon leaders, Dr. Dan and Birty. Is it possible that God is calling each one of us to a deeper commitment to each other, to this body of faithful people and to finding and implementing God's solutions for the challenges facing our community and our world? Where is God calling you? How has God provided you with exactly the gifts you need to follow that call?
It can be unsettling when we cannot see more than one step ahead on the path our lives take, but it can also be exciting. When I look back and see that God "had us covered" the whole time and was preparing us for opportunities in service and in worship that we could not anticipate, I experience great joy and a profound sense of peace. As the search committee discerns the next step toward new leadership for the music ministry, I invite you to share in this joy and peace. God does and will provide abundantly.
Respectfully submitted in love and service,
Vicki Carmichael
Interim Minister of Music - Organist
The Instrumental responsibilities of the minister of music were assumed by me on a part-time basis in May when Paul Vasile resigned. Since that time, I have been privileged to provide music for worship services, weddings, funerals, ensemble rehearsals, leadership for the handbell choir and reorganization of the recorder ensemble. I have also had the wonderful opportunity to work with my counterpart, Vicki Carmichael, in collaboration and presentation of choral works, a Bach Cantata, preparation of vocal soloists, worship planning, weekly hymn selection, musical integration of special services, coordination of concert programming, a choir retreat, a congregational music needs assessment, participation on the worship and music committee, and weekly staff meetings and staff enrichment.
Based upon the responses we received from the congregational music needs assessment, I have attempted to include a wide variety of service and instrumental music in the worship planning process. Selection of the service music has included music of many styles and periods from jazz to classical, both formal and informal, gospel, contemporary, traditional, secular, and original. I believe it is important for the instrumental music to augment the worship service and not become a spectacle unto itself. To that end, I am respectful of the need to maintain what I perceive as the vertical component of God>Worshipper and Worshipper>God as well as the human>human component of music in worship. In the interest of maintaining that relationship, both Vicki and I have worked closely with the pastor and guest speakers to coordinate the musical offerings with the message and the scriptures of each service.
We have chosen many of the "great old hymns of the church" as well as newer settings of familiar words and hymns with new words to familiar tunes. Keeping the musical component of worship fresh and engaging is an ongoing goal as we build on the historical musical traditions and expand the scope and vision of the musical program into the future. It has been a terrific pleasure to work at Trinity over the past year and experience the growth of the congregation and the music ministry.
Bill Wade
Another year has flown by with the Trinity Equipping Ministry Team deeply involved in the life of the Church. Team members Dave Nelson, Lisa Bernhard, Rick Jeter, Norma Vavra, John Merker, and Associate Pastor Julie March have worked together to continue ongoing projects and discern what new efforts might be important for the future. The following teams are currently functioning as part of the Equipping Ministry emphasis:
A committee of 6 church members conducted an extensive review of Equipping Ministry this past summer and recommended to the Trinity Session that Equipping Ministry be approved for another two years. The session voted to approve the Equipping Ministry Review Team report on July 2, 2008.
The Equipping Team has worked hard for more than two years to put in place all that is necessary to implement this lay ministry, so that we all may serve together in the "priesthood of all believers." Equipping Ministry is essentially a disciple building ministry in the Church. As we focus on our particular God-given spiritual gifts, we may discern how God is calling us to ministry in every phase of our lives. As parents, teachers, doctors, and helpers, as those who pray for others, those who serve in the Food Pantry, Habitat for Humanity or in Hurricane Relief ministry, as those who serve as deacons or elders, and all the commissions of Trinity Presbyterian Church - all of us are called to ministry and find joy and fulfillment in serving God through our ministry. The Equipping Ministry Team will be available to meet with new members, current members, and others who are seeking their call to ministry, to explore gifts, talents and needs. Building disciples at Trinity enables each person to find this joy and fulfillment in service, whatever that service might be, as we all follow the call of Jesus Christ.
The Peace of Christ be with you,
Julie March
Green Team Report -- The "Green Team" was created two years ago out of an equipping model. Members in 2008, Diana Gray, Luise Hoffman, Julie March, Bonnie Roy and Elaine Pontious, came together with a desire to do more than provide beautiful visuals in the chancel and sanctuary each week. The team's objective has been to integrate the vision of this committee with the church's greater mission and with the liturgical (and Trinity's) calendar. The team wished to continue the option of individual families or groups of members ordering flowers or plants for specific Sundays to celebrate events or individuals. In addition, the team has utilized live plants that can be donated to members or to charitable organizations as much as possible. The team has also tried when possible to utilize sources for plants that are known to operate consistent with a "green" model, meaning that their practices are ecologically sound.
The specific accomplishments of the Green Team for the past year as outlined as follows:
The Green Team sponsored a fall work day to clean up the gardens on the east side of the church this fall. For approximately 2 hours after church one fall Sunday, Bonnie and Brad Roy, Diana Gray, and Harold Glad weeded and trimmed in the garden plots. This was in preparation for new plantings in the gardens next spring. Bonnie is a landscape architect, and she has drafted new plans for the Trinity gardens.
Plans and desires for next year: We welcome the input and assistance of other Trinity members in fulfilling the vision and mission of the Green Team. Our goal is to maintain the excellence in floral displays whether from Schnucks or for special occasions such as Easter and Advent. We also hope to enhance our outdoor spaces with new landscaping for the gardens. Join us!
Respectfully Submitted through God's grace,
Diana L. Gray
For our Sunday Spiritual Growth program for children, we continued to use the Seasons of the Spirit curriculum following the lectionary text also used in Worship. The confirmation class and high school class studied unique curriculum provided by the class teachers. All five children and youth classes (K-12) focused on building relationships using the small group model. Teachers committed to lead their class for at least one semester. Teachers include Dave Nelson (K-1), Christy Thompson & Jane Howard (2-4), Diane O'Brian (5-6), John Pfifer & Mary McKown (confirmation, 7-8), and Brian & Carrie Muegge (high school, 9-12). Each small group is working toward participating in service projects and fellowship outside of the Sunday class.
Adult Spiritual Growth continues to be led by George Philips, Karen & Daryl Newberry, Rick Hasler, and other dedicated adults. Becca Courtney continues to lovingly care for the babies and coordinate volunteers to help her in the nursery. Christy Schindler has coordinated the rotating teachers for the preschool class.
A retreat took place at Mound Ridge in September. It was a great time of fellowship.
Stacy Shupe provided leadership for the Spiritual Growth Commission as Elder. She also provided creative direction and vision during the five months the Minister of Spiritual Growth position was vacant. (Rev. Susan Hayes, Interim Minister, left in May and Dawn Fleishman was hired in October.)
The Spiritual Growth Commission changed our name from the Christian Education Commission, intentionally, with a desire to broaden Trinity's support of all aspects of spiritual growth, not only those that occur on Sunday morning. For many people, worship and the "Christian Education" hour on Sunday morning are only one aspect of their spiritual lives - they may be involved in small groups, prayer services, individual prayer and Bible study, or any number of other activities throughout the week.
2009 will be a year of creating opportunities for spiritual growth for all of us. Our hope is to be a church where we all see our lives as a journey towards a deeper understanding and relationship with God, and where we can share in this journey together in different ways.
Respectfully submitted,
Dawn Fleishman
Elevators, basement floods, mailings, ringing phones, coordinating events, more ringing phones!, who needs air conditioning?, supporting ministries, 60 hours of music lessons to manage. A lot goes into providing support to the different Trinity ministries and to communicating information between the office, various teams, the rest of the congregation and the larger community.
A huge thank you to the "angels" who help manage the website, various calendars, office projects and the newsletter so that information can be shared quickly; especially those who are called to weekly and monthly volunteering. And a thank you to all the people who answered the request for extra help while Dan and Birty were gone.
As the Building Manager, I would say that the building really showed its age this year. Building & Grounds Caretaker, Birty, the Facilities Commission and I spent much of the year balancing between responding to immediate needs (air conditioning failure, roof leaks, flood repair) and beginning to implement the long range plan for building maintenance and repair suggested in our building "physical" (thanks Tom Wilhite, Bob Little and George Sallwasser). Building issues will be an even larger concern in 2009. This year was the second year of exploring in detail aspects of a planned elevator renovation, needed to keep us in line not only with safety codes, but with our statement of welcome, where we claim we are open to people of all abilities.
Due to our budget deficit this year and projected for 2009, the staff and I worked to cut administrative costs and will continue to do so next year in paper, postage, technology and other areas. We will add these savings to ones we hope to make related to the building.
I continue to coordinate building use for a growing list of community groups. Trinity has earned a reputation as a House of God that opens its doors to the larger community. We support activities-Trinity's and those of community groups--almost every day of the week. Groups include: OASIS older adult music groups; 62 hours of lessons for the Community Music School of Webster University; Fair Shares; Citywide University Gospel Ministries; Care and Counseling sessions; BJC Hospice widow/widowers support groups; St. Louis Squares gay square dancing group; La Leche League; U City Great Books; and U City Summer Band. Throughout the year, various groups also use our space for meetings, recitals, concerts and recordings. In many cases, these groups and our community partners donate money or goods to our food pantry or other ministries and consistently comment on how welcome they feel and how grateful they are to be a part of the Trinity community.
My hope for next year is that we will experiment, gain momentum, and continue to build programs, events, ministries, and communication tools to the point that I am so buried behind my desk and overwhelmed with the level of activity and energy that I am begging for people to be equipped to help manage the growth!
In Christ,
Liz Nelson
I guess I have moved up in the financial world with two new offices this year. I hope to call this one "home" for a while.
In today's financial turmoil, I must stay focused on our mission outreach and our routine expenses. Trinity is truly blessed with the continued gifts from our congregation.
Additional financial reporting is always available upon request. I'd be happy to help any member with their contribution account or commission budget.
For the "Signers" and the "Counters"-as always, your help is greatly appreciated. I'd also like to thank Sandy Norkaitis for her faithful charge to the Winger Food Pantry and Stacy Carman and family for the new command. Both have worked and supported the budget at this time of the greatest need.
Respectfully submitted,
Linde Baechle
Financial Administrator
The purpose of the Adult Spiritual Growth Planning Team is to support Trinity's mission to develop faith in the lives of adults through programs that foster teaching and learning. The 2008 adult education offerings planned and sponsored by the Adult Spiritual Growth Planning Team reflected these goals.
A variety of spiritual growth opportunities were offered during 2008. These included:
Family wellness programs
Seasons of the spirit
Discussion on childrearing issues
Art and spirituality series
Saving Jesus -- A DVD based series
Because adults are lifetime learners and want to be responsible for their own learning process, we invite all interested members and friends of Trinity to contribute to the Adult Spiritual Growth Team's plans and when possible, to serve on the team. We seek to create a learning environment that is affirming and inclusive, where various methods of interactive teaching are used, and a variety of curriculum choices are provided.
The 2008 Adult Spiritual Growth Planning Team consisted of George Philips, Karen Mayberry, Darrell Mayberry, George Sallwasser, Susan Hayes, Dawn Fleishman, Rick Hasler, Linda Peterson and Dr. Dan Anderson-Little.
Respectfully submitted,
George Philips
Trinity Presbyterian Church members have generously supported the mission of the God's Child Project, an organization based in Bismarck, ND, and devoted to directing Service Teams from around the world who build homes, clinics and schools for the poor in Guatemala, Africa, and El Salvador. Three members from Trinity, Patrick Courtney, and Bob and Nancy Wagoner traveled to Antigua, Guatemala last February and were joined by 14 other people from various churches in the St. Louis area. In addition to building three 12' x 18' houses, each with a cinder block foundation, a concrete floor, strong walls, and a roof that doesn't leak with a gutter and downspout, we worked at an orphanage for a day and served dinner at a homeless shelter one evening. Our work is exhausting and exhilarating, and the appreciation of the family we work with is so genuine. I wish everyone could see the faces of the families when we turn over to them their new living quarters, which also include bunk beds, made up with new sheets, blankets and pillows, food for several weeks and some clothes and toys for the children. It's like Christmas in February and we are Santa Claus! This has been a heartwarming experience, and the 10 days we spend there living with local families broadens our relationships with members of God's family in another country. We will travel again to Antigua from March 3rd through 12th in 2009 knowing your support and prayers will be with us.
Nancy Wagoner, Trinity Member
In 2008, we continued meeting on a weekly basis on Sundays. We met once a month for house worship, "The Gathering", led by Paul Devine. This year the youth and other adults in our congregation continued to volunteer to lead discussion during "The Gathering". We explored such topics as the environment and what it means to seek justice. On other weeks we met to explore our beliefs and those of other groups, participated in fellowship activities, and completed service projects. Some of the fellowship activities included game nights, put-put, movie nights, and picnics. Service projects this year have included working in the food pantry for the month of February and sorting donated Boy Scout food.
In February, we held our Family Football Night and Silent Auction for the second year in a row. The fellowship night and silent auction raised over $1,800 toward mission trip and Montreat.
In May, our group had the first of our many farewells of the summer as we said goodbye to Dan Tilden. In June, we went on a mission trip to Urban Mission Camps through Government Street Presbyterian Church in Mobile, Alabama. During our trip we explored what it meant to "do" mission as we shared stories with people from many different backgrounds. We ended our week with late night affirmations while overlooking the bay and once again said goodbye to new and old friends. In July, we attended Montreat Youth Conference in Montreat, North Carolina. We explored our faith through the topic "Throw Open the Door". The week ended bittersweet, as we once again said goodbye to new and old friends and sent off our graduating seniors.
None of this would have been possible without all the support of both the congregation and staff at Trinity. Thank you!
Rhonda Dunbar
Local Mission Funding Team Report
The Local Mission Team helps to implement a small part of Trinity's commitment to helping others. As the name implies, the Local Mission Team focuses on allocating funding to charitable causes and agencies in the St. Louis region. In 2008, the church members assisting with this effort included Pat Gibbons, Dayna Early, Bob Wagner, and Melissa Kreishman, Chair.
A restructuring in 2007 established separate funding allocations for three of Trinity's core missions - the Senior Minister's Discretionary Fund, the Winger Food Pantry, and the Senior High Mission Trip. Thus in 2008, the Local Mission Team's budgeted allocation was $18,000.
Within that budget, the Local Mission Team recommended to Session, and Session approved, continued support for several organizations that Trinity has supported for many years. Those included Beyond Housing, Care & Counseling, Doorways, Interfaith Partnership, International Institute, Presbyterian Covenant Network and St. Vincent Home. Many of these organizations also are blessed with the active participation and volunteer efforts of other Trinity members.
Toward the end of the year, there was a significant increase in need for support of the Winger Food Pantry and $7,500 of the Local Mission Team's remaining allocation was dedicated to that cause.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melissa Kreishman
Winger Food Pantry at Trinity Presbyterian Church
This was an extremely busy year for the Winger Food Pantry. The year started off with the search for the new food pantry coordinator(s). In January 50 cases of canned food from the Boy Scout's Scouting for Food Drive was picked up and delivered by Vickie and Rick Jeter. This food is an important supplement to our pantry because it is free. The Souper Bowl luncheon to benefit the Matthew 25 Fund for the Presbytery was not held this February. By March, Chris and Stacey Carman had agreed to take on the challenge of food pantry coordinators.
During April we received personal care items from the Girl Scouts which were bagged by Meleia Carther, Dayna Early Lauren, Alec and the twins. Unfortunately, we received fewer items than in the past, but Dayna Early has been able to supplement our personal care supply with items she receives at work such as tissues, soap and hand sanitizer.
The pantry has experienced an increasing stream of people throughout the year. Our biggest day was November 19th when we provided over 80 turkeys and/or bagged food to 90 families which helped feed 117 people. Our annual turkey give-away was again made possible by the many generous donations from the Trinity Congregation. Approximately $1,100 was donated to purchase turkeys. Thanks to the many who donated and to Jane Gibbons, Nancy Wagoner, Harold Glad, Birty Hodgson and Chris and Stacey Carman for helping man the food pantry on this day.
The increase during the year was most evident during the months of October through December. The pantry served 1,881 people from 840 families. Based on economic conditions, we expect the need to continue to increase well into 2009.
The food pantry could not continue to serve our many clients without the dedication of so many dedicated volunteers. The shoppers this year were Jane Gibbons, Stacey Carman, Vickie Jeter and Sally Dunn. The baggers who filled the bags each week were many. Some signed on for a whole month, while others filled in when needed. The baggers included Joanne Roman, Emily Kelton, Kim Behrend, Polly Brown, Elaine Pontious, Anna Gardner-Andrews, Larry, Tina, Joanna and Issac Newberry, Norma Vavra, Wally Klein, Luise Hoffman, Christy Thompson, Beth Martin, Laura Brady, Dawn Fleishman, and Chris, Stacey, Eleanor and Maggie Carman. The Wednesday volunteers who meet and greet our clients are Jane Gibbons, Nancy Wagoner, Jerry Royce, Sally Dunn, Birty Hodgson and Sandy Norkaitis.
The food pantry is only as good as its volunteers. No wonder it is an amazing place!
Respectfully submitted by
Stacey Carman
Interfaith Partnership
As in previous years, a group of Trinity members attended the 2008 dinner of the Interfaith Partnership of Metropolitan St. Louis in October. The Interfaith Partnership promotes peace, respect and understanding among people of all faiths. We hope to participate in this meeting on an annual basis. Those interested in more information about this organization can go to the website, www.interfaithpartnership.org. Trinity Also held a 4-part summer series on interfaith dialogue, challenging members to consider their thoughts on truth, faith, Jesus and the Bible as they prepare to have meaningful and open conversations with those of other faiths.
Trinity, in its varied ministries, provides us all with many opportunities to be missionaries in Christ. May our congregation continue to grow in love and in service.
Respectfully submitted,
George Phillips
Agencies Funded by Trinity Local Mission Funds in 2008
Beyond Housing provides decent, secure housing, as well as a supportive environment to low-income families in order to maximize their potential for improved family life. This year their focus was on community building in Pagedale, and other communities, bringing new hope to declining neighborhoods with new construction and rehabilitation of older homes. In September members of Trinity joined 300 other volunteers for a day of Build-a-Playground sponsored by Beyond Housing.
Care and Counseling is a pastoral care agency that partners with clergy, teachers, physicians and other professionals to make mental health services accessible to people of all walks of life. 40% of the agency's client base is at or below the poverty line. Care and Counseling maintains a satellite office at Trinity. The current counselor there is Dale Chavis, Trinity member., and Ann Fisher serves on the Board.
The Diversity Awareness Partnership (DAP) is dedicated to promoting diversity in the St. Louis region around issues of race, religion, sexual orientation, and disability. This is done through collaborative community and school-based education and awareness efforts. Themed Make a Difference By Accepting Everyone Else's , the DAP has become a replicable model for communities across the nation in advancing public acceptance of diversity.
Doorways is an interfaith program that provides housing options in the St. Louis area for people living with HIV/AIDS related illness. The Residential Program and the Own Home program support those with financial hardship, and the Supportive Housing Facility provides for those unable to live independently. Trinity member Terry Crowe currently serves as the Board Chair.
Interfaith Partnership is made up of denominations, congregations, and individuals from thirty faith communities. The mission of Interfaith Partnership is to "promote peace, respect and understanding among people of all faiths" through dialogue, education, and social outreach programs. George Philips coordinates our participation with this interfaith group.
Hi -Tech Charities continues to fill a critical niche for inner city young adults who have "missed the boat" for career opportunities, preparatory for today's economic challenges. Each year they graduate 50-60 students with new employable levels of computer skills and business entrepreneurship. Their impressive staff devotes their lives to serving these left behind youths. This year HTC has made progress in rehabbing and reusing a 100-year old building on MLK Blvd in St. Louis to expand their programs. They have started a search for a Registered Nurse/Administrator to launch a professional nursing curriculum and to oversee students' clinical experience. -Bob Wagner
The International Institute of Saint Louis, a member of the United Way of Greater St. Louis, has provided a broad array of social services for new Americans since 1919. Its programs, including teaching English, finding jobs, and providing adjustment services to help newcomers overcome language and cultural barriers, are designed to move refugees and immigrants quickly from overwhelming dependence to productivity and self- sufficiency. Trinity member Matt Schindler is employed with the Institute.
Minister's Discretionary Fund allows Pastor Dan to respond to individual requests for emergency financial assistance. This has been identified as one of Trinity's Core Missions.
Presbyterian Covenant Network is a national organization that works for the full inclusion of all people in all offices of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The organization provides educational conferences and materials, judicial services, and advocacy at the regional and national level. Dan Anderson-Little is a member of the Network's Board of Directors.
St. Vincent Home for Children is a residential treatment center that provides care (housing, meals, clothing, and therapy) for abused and neglected children, ages six through thirteen, with moderate to severe emotional problems, behavior disorders, and/or learning disabilities. Trinity member John Merker has worked with this organization for many years.
Senior Connections, a Singer Institute program, trains older adult volunteers to be companions to isolated elderly without visitors in long term care facilities. Funding from Trinity was to be used to support and expand the number of volunteers serving in nursing homes - making connections. Currently almost eighty volunteers visit residents in 20 local long term care facilities in the St. Louis area.
Trinity (Winger) Food Pantry stocks non-perishable food for those in need, and provides four days worth of food each visit. The pantry is staffed by Trinity volunteers and funded by our local mission funds, donations from the congregation, food drives sponsored by the Boy Scouts or schools, and on occasion low-cost purchases made at the St. Louis Area Food Bank. In addition, Trinity members donate turkeys and chickens for the Food Pantry to distribute at Thanksgiving. Sandy Norkaitis manages the pantry at Trinity.
Trinity Senior High Youth Mission Trip
In 2008, the "welcoming team" which grew from Equipping Ministry initiatives and the long-standing Evangelism Commission joined together in recognition of our sometimes overlapping responsibilities and, more importantly, to benefit from the wealth of gifts represented by the combined group. Although all who invite neighbors to Trinity gatherings, welcome guests or offer hospitality are evangelists in the truest sense of the word, those formally volunteering to support this ministry were Sharon Christopher, Beth David, Cheryl Evans, Linda Min, Dave Nelson, Sandy Norkaitis, Jim Person, Jan Schulte-Glad and Cathy Smith, with ad hoc contributions by Sally Dunn, Ann Fischer, Jane and Pat Gibbons and Brian Schroer. Dan Anderson-Little, Julie March and Liz Nelson provided key staff support.
Thanking visitors for worshipping with us and providing them with information about Trinity took a new form this year as we rotated joining the ministers at the end of the service at the Narthex door. First-time visitors were provided a gift bag containing Trinity information and a few treats. Sharon Christopher created several pieces to include in the visitor bags, and also designed a new interlocking circles logo for Trinity that now is being used on church stationery and in other ways.
We hosted several membership inquiry classes and welcomed two groups of new members, then introduced them to the congregation through brief biographies in the Sunday bulletin, later reprinted with photos in Trinity News. We also continue to make the community aware of activities through press releases and listings on various websites.
Recruiting ushers for each Sunday's service and providing treats in the Narthex or in other locations at the end of each Sunday's service continued to build our fellowship and focus on being a welcoming place. At the end of the year, we assumed responsibility for coordinating the annual Christmas candlelight coffee hour as well.
Thanks to Liz Nelson's negotiating skills, Trinity's listings in the 2008-2009 Yellow Pages reduces our spending significantly while maintaining our visibility, with emphasis on our website www.trinityucity.org as a more comprehensive source of information.
Several exciting new initiatives under way will spill over into the coming year including advertising on a Washington Univeristy new student T-shirt, creating an Internet-based forum for creative expressions that represent the thoughtfulness and diversity of our congregation, and publishing testimonials from Trinity members describing what makes our church special for them.
Trinity is blessed with many visitors, both regular and one-time, and we encourage all to reach out to these important additions to the rich fabric of our worship life.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Smith, Chair
The Old Testament has numerous mentions of house or storeroom. We look at Trinity as our house of worship. The building called Trinity Presbyterian Church "houses" ministries of music, outreach, compassion, education, stewardship and more.
Nehemiah 10: 39 says, "The people of Israel, including the Levites, are to bring their contributions of grain, new wine and oil to the storerooms where the articles for the sanctuary are kept and where the ministering priests, the gatekeepers and the singers stay. 'We will not neglect the house of our God.'"
2008 brought new opportunities for Trinity to minister through the building and facilities.
Our commitment to stewardship of Trinity's resources and our environment supported the investment in the energy audit. The audit identified stewardship opportunity as well as new avenues to include the congregations' participation conserving our valuable natural resources. The flexibility and skill of the staff allowed Trinity to meet it's commitments to the community during the repair of the sanctuary cooling system during the summer. In addition, this winter, we the church minister to "ministering priests, the gatekeepers" during Dan and Birty's leaves of absence.
In 2008, Trinity can claim, "We did not neglect the house of our God". Our ministry goes beyond the facility. We provide a facility from which to minister to our priests, gatekeepers, singers, and the community.
Rick Jeter
Chair
The Personnel Commission was actively involved with the Corporate Affairs Commission and the Session in the budget process for 2009. We also recommended a change in health insurance policies in response to rising premium rates. We completed the Pastor's evaluation and had input into the evaluations of other staff members. The Commission conducted exit interviews with Paul Vasile and with Susan Hayes when they resigned. We also helped facilitate a music ministry needs assessment and provided consultation on the recommendation for leave time for the Pastor. Many thanks to members John Merker, Lynn Reid, Pat Gibbons, and Kitty Underwood for their thoughtful work throughout the year.
Margy Brown,
Chair
Members of the Commission included Luise Hoffman, Elaine Pontious, Diana Gray, Nancy Wagoner, Vicki Carmichael, and Dan Anderson-Little. Bill Wade and Cricket Gordon joined mid-year.
2008 was an exciting and emotional year for Trinity's music ministry. After seven years of his faithful service, we said goodbye to Minister of Music Paul Vasile. While this was a bittersweet moment, as many of our "sending" moments are, we were excited for Paul to follow the Spirit on the next leg of his musical faith journey. In his annual report for 2007 Paul wrote about an experience he had when he came to worship the Sunday following a trip to the Covenant Network conference in Atlanta. Since he arrived back in town late on Saturday night, many members of the congregation and choir had pitched in to create the worship music for the next morning. He wrote, "For the first time since I have served at Trinity, I had the opportunity to sing in the choir and stand with the congregation to sing hymns. It was a joy to see that the music ministry could function wonderfully without me and that ministry was being done by the people of God in this place."
When I re-read that report this December, I was struck by the loving faithfulness of our God. God absolutely NEVER fails to provide abundantly what we truly need. Paul had that experience many months before God revealed to him that he would be called to leave Trinity. Karen Coletti, Bill Wade and I took leadership roles that day to help out. This Christmas Eve in Trinity's Candelight Service, we find ourselves right where God has not only called us, but also equipped us-I'll be leading the choir, Bill will be at the organ, and Karen Coletti will lead the choir in a beautiful piece she wrote to a poem of Ann Weems'. It is amazing to me that God knows just how insecure and doubtful we humans can be sometimes, and so gave us a chance (several chances, actually) to "practice" the service God would later call us to on a larger scale.
It is truly a wonderful and holy thing that God calls all of the members and friends of this congregation to deep, active service here. As the session moves forward with the congregation into a time of intentional discernment of God's call for us as a faith community, we find ourselves temporarily without two of our most called upon leaders, Dr. Dan and Birtie. Is it possible that God is calling each one of us to a deeper commitment to each other, to this body of faithful people and to finding and implementing God's solutions for the challenges facing our community and our world? Where is God calling you? How has God provided you with exactly the gifts you need to follow that call?
It can be unsettling when we cannot see more than one step ahead on the path our lives take, but it can also be exciting. When I look back and see that God "had us covered" the whole time and was preparing us for opportunities in service and in worship that we could not anticipate, I experience great joy and a profound sense of peace. As the search committee discerns the next step toward new leadership for the music ministry, I invite you to share in this joy and peace. God does and will provide abundantly.
Respectfully submitted in love and service,
Vicki Carmichael
Interim Minister of Music-Choir Director
Addendum:
The only things I will add to Vicki's beautifully written report are the following:
After Vicki assumed the position of Interim Minister of Music, I became the chair of the commission. I learned that over the past year there had been many discussions about the service of communion. We continued that conversation, and in doing so, found several ways to make communion services more meaningful for the congregation. The first idea was set forth and implemented by Luise Hoffman. For that Communion Sunday at the end of summer, she organized an elegant Moving Feast. The second idea was a plan for World Communion Sunday. Nancy Wagoner asked ten parishioners from various ethnic backgrounds to share a story of their communion experience and share the type of bread that would be typically found in their particular culture. Both communion services successfully reached out to the congregation; we heard many positive comments. As a result, Vicki and I will present a Moravian Love Fest to celebrate communion in February.
Though I have only been in this position for less than half a year, I feel secure in the knowledge that I am working with a wonderful group of people who not only are brimming with exciting new ideas, but are also willing and able to implement these ideas. Not only that, but they are patient with me as I learn all the facets of my job.
We are indeed thankful for the people who volunteer their time to help make each Sunday's service run smoothly. We especially wish to thank Brian Schroer and Jack Biggs for their work with the sound equipment. Brian helps in countless behind-the-scenes kinds of work, including the Trinity website, and for all that we are very grateful.
I am looking forward to another richly fulfilling year for our congregation.
Respectfully and lovingly submitted,
Cricket Gordon
Chair of the Worship and Music Commission
History
Trinity's Endowment Fund was created in the mid-1950s to provide fiscal support for Trinity Presbyterian Church and to help the church meet its responsibilities and new challenges in an ever-changing world. This purpose has remained constant throughout the years.
2008 Results and Activities
As of October 24, 2008, the latest date through which we have received a report, the value of the Endowment Fund stood at $1,318,967. This total represents a 19% decrease from approximately the same time last year and includes the effect of investment losses and distributions, offset by a $135,000 gift received in the third quarter of 2008. During 2008, the Endowment Fund has suffered investment losses consistent with other conservatively managed portfolios of long term capital.
During 2008, the Endowment Fund took the following actions:
1) Through a combination of internal meetings and meetings with Dan Anderson-Little and the Corporate Affairs Committee of the Session, clarified the Endowments role in funding projects and other activities vis-à-vis the church's operating funds and church savings;
2) Reflected this new understanding by unanimously adopting a revised program description and procedure for making funding requests to the Endowment Board. Please refer to Trinity Vitality and Capital Grant Program Criteria and Process which is attached below;
3) Approved $80,000 towards Trinity's operating budget; and,
4) Approved $5,000 request for an energy audit for the church by Energy Solutions, Inc.
The Board gratefully acknowledges the generosity of those who have given gifts this year and throughout its history.
Organization and Governance
The Endowment Board is overseen by a board of up to thirteen directors, including four from each of three annual classes and the Pastor, Doctor Dan Anderson-Little, who serves as an ex-officio member of the Board.
Current Board officers are Henry Edmonds - President; George Sallwasser - Vice President; Keith Fischer - Treasurer; and Terry Crow - Secretary.
At the November 16, 2008 meeting of the Endowment with the full church, the church membership elected the following members to the Endowment Board to serve a three-year term ending in December 2011:
Term ends December 2011:
Henry Edmonds (elected to a new term), Chris Schmidt, Tom Wilhite and Rich Jeter
Other Endowment Board members:
Term ends December 2010:
Terry Crow, Kathy Kramer, Susan Rava, Barbara Santoro
Term ends December 2009:
Beth David, Keith Fischer, George Phillips, George Sallwasser;
Investment Management
The assets of the Endowment Fund are professionally managed by Fox Asset Management Inc. of Little Silver, New Jersey, which has been instructed to pursue a conservative balanced investment approach, investing in a mix of stocks, bonds and cash. The Board is assisted by a St. Louis company, Fiduciary Consultants Inc., which provides regular evaluations of Fox Asset Management's performance. Fox Asset Management has successfully met its objectives over the years, generating an above average return on investments compared to other funds with similar investment objectives.
Respectfully submitted,
Henry M. Edmonds, President
Trinity Vitality and Capital Grant Program
Grant Criteria and Process
August 26, 2008
This memorandum details Trinity's Endowment Board's (the "Board") criteria for evaluating a grant and the process for requesting grants.
1. Two types of projects will be considered: 1) Vitality Grants, defined as requests to fund programs that are expected to lead to the growth, vitality and enthusiasm of the Trinity congregation (e.g. Reverberations concert series, Equipping ministry position); and 2) Capital Expenditure Grants: requests for capital improvements that are beyond the scope of the Church's operating budget (e.g. refurbishing of the church's organ).
2. Grant requests may be submitted by any Trinity organization or ad hoc groups. Requests must be for projects needing a minimum of $5,000.
3. All grant requests must first be submitted to the Corporate Affairs Committee of the Session (the "CAC"). The CAC will make a recommendation to the Session regarding the source of funding (e.g. special fund-raising, current year operating budget surplus, Church savings, Endowment, other). Only those requests approved by the Session as appropriate for Endowment will be consideration by the Board. The CAC will be responsible for conveying the decision and the grant request to the Endowment Board.
4. For Vitality Grants, the Board's focus will be upon sustainable, longer-term growth, rather than short-term programs and fixes. The Board wants to encourage Trinity organizations and ad hoc groups to consider what might be and work out a plan to get there. Larger, more meaningful grants are encouraged, rather than modest grants that are unlikely to have a lasting impact.
5. For Capital Expenditure Grants, the Board will focus on whether the proposed project is central to allowing the Church to continue in its mission and/or will allow the Church to broaden that mission. The project should a have meaningful impact, not just be a "nice to have".
6. Grant requests will need to include a proposed budget with sufficient detail so that the Board can understand exactly how the money is to be used and determine that the proposed level of funding is prudent and reasonable. The funding explanation will need to include why the proposal cannot be funded out of the church budget. Conceivably, a grant could include a matching funding arrangement (e.g., part church budget, part Endowment Fund grant). Grant funding might also be in stages as various milestones are achieved.
7. The grant request will need to include an explanation of how the project will be implemented, including who has committed to take actions with respect to the project, anticipated follow-up, and anticipated results.
8. The group receiving a grant will be expected to provide a follow-up report after the grant.
9. A group's track record in executing grants will be factor in determining if it is awarded future grant requests.
10. Grants requests will be reviewed quarterly by the Endowment Board. Rush requests are not expected to be considered under this program.
The ministry of the Deacons in the Presbyterian Church and particularly at Trinity is one of compassion and care, particularly for those with special needs.
The year we continued to reach out to others, to identify needs and to provide "sympathy, witness and service after the example of Jesus Christ," as outlined in The Book of Order.
Those serving as active Deacons in 2008 were Doyin Afuwape, Cricket Gordon, Jennifer Higginbotham, Nancy Lang, Darrell and Karen Mayberry, Corie and John Merker, Art Platt, Joanne Roman, Cathy Smith and Sue Young. We also are blessed at Trinity with many others who regularly reach out in love and support, serving as "informal" but no less valued Deacons.
Areas of activity for the Board of Deacons in 2008 have included:
Prayer Ministry - We help maintain, with the support of church administrator Liz Nelson, equipping minister Julie March and pastor Dan Anderson-Little, lists of members with joys and concerns to be lifted up in prayer. This information is shared, as appropriate, with the congregation through the Sunday bulletin, the Trinity website and Trinity News. Thanks to Cathy Smith for coordinating this.
Visits and Notes to Homebound Members - Deacons periodically visit homebound members, including accompanying the pastor to assist in serving Communion - thanks to Doyin, Sue, Cricket, Darrell and Karen for assisting Dan with these visits. The Deacons also send notes and birthday cards, supplementing the faithful note-writing ministry of the Presbyterian Women. Cricket Gordon headed up these efforts.
Meals - Deacons often volunteer to bring meals to members experiencing challenging situations, including changes in family situation such as births or deaths. A few frozen dinners typically are kept on hand at the church, and other members of the congregation are invited to help provide meals as needed. Mary McKown has volunteered to add to this ministry in coordinating meals for members with new babies.
Transportation - Information is published regularly in the Sunday bulletin and in Trinity News, encouraging those needing transportation to/from worship to let us know. Many deacons provided rides for various members to Sunday church service, special events and Presbyterian Women's quarterly salad dinners.
Advent Booklet - In 2008 the Deacons again took responsibility for soliciting Trinity members to contribute their reflections for the yearly Advent Booklet, and the booklets were collated and labeled for mailing at the November Deacon's meeting.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Board of Deacons,
Joanne Roman, Chair
FEAST (Fellowship, Eating and Sharing Together), a fellowship group of Trinity's 20- and 30-somethings, found it challenging to gather in 2008, especially after a few key organizing members moved away. We moved our meetings from participants' homes to Trinity and offered childcare, allowing the parents in the group to fully participate in discussions. We shared potluck meals and held game nights. We encourage anyone of FEAST age looking for a small group community to talk with Liz Nelson, especially if you have suggestions for how FEAST might grow to more fully meet your needs in the coming year.
Respectfully submitted,
Liz Nelson
The Presbyterian Women of Trinity brown bag it each Tuesday at 11 o'clock for prayer, sharing concerns of our church, family, friends and our community. We write notes and send cards to our homebound and sick people the second Tuesday of each month. We held a few Presbyterian Women's Friendship Salad lunches and dinners in 2008. All ages of women are invited to gather and share fellowship with each other.
The Retirees are gathering again for fun and fellowship. We had a lovely trip to see the fall colors and are looking for fun ideas for next year! Please join us.
Looking For A Name...
Tom Wilhite helps head up the Retired Men's "Lunch Bunch" (or is it "The Geezers?") He describes it as, "casual. No set programs, no protocol, no officers, no fees, no nothin' except eating together." He and others felt they were missing opportunities for friendship and conversation. The group of retired men (currently 15 on the list) try to gather monthly for lunch out together, dutch treat. Contact Tom, Jerry Royce or Art Platt to increase the Bunch's numbers.
Respectfully submitted,
Genny Richmond & Liz Nelson