Welcome to the web edition of the Trinity Presbyterian Church annual report for the year 2009.

The web version of this report does not include financial information. Please contact the church office for the full print version of this report.

*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.

Juanita Bruns

Barbara Isaac

Lance LeLoup

Curtis March

Colleen Osborn

Barbara Robinson

As I look back over 2009, I am struck by God's faithfulness in the midst of challenge and change. This past year started off with me being on a leave of absence as I was coming off of a year in which my mother died, Linda was treated for breast cancer, and my father was diagnosed with fatal brain cancer (the leave started just before Thanksgiving in 2008 and concluded in mid-January). Those seven weeks off gave me a much needed sabbath to rediscover God's abiding grace for me and all of us. One of the most significant aspects of the grace that I so profoundly experienced was the Trinity congregation itself. Your willingness to find an arrangement with me that would enable my health and recovery was a gift beyond compare. I can never thank you all enough for being such powerful vessels of God's love and grace. 2009 also saw the death of my father after a long struggle with cancer, and multiple surgeries and broken bones in my immediate family. A number of times, people asked me how I kept going through that. The only answer I could give at the time and can give now, is that God sustained me through that time. Isaiah 40 says, "those that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Now, I must admit, that I am an impatient person and do not readily "wait on the Lord." But God has a way of faithfully sticking around--giving strength and endurance in those moments when we let God in.

2009 also presented challenges for the Trinity congregation. As we come to terms with an unsupportable budget, we have had to make difficult and painful cuts. This past Spring, in order to save funds, we had to say good-bye to our talented and faithful paid soloists. Many of us worried about the negative impact that this move would have on the choir. But through this process an amazing thing happened. The choir grew. Trinity members who have a gift of singing, but weren't in the choir saw the need and stepped up. One of our soloists not only stayed on in an unpaid capacity, but his wife continued to sing with us and they brought three friends. We had to make an significant change in order to be financially prudent--and God was faithful to the wonderful music ministry that Trinity has had for decades. In the Fall, again, responding to budgetary constraints, we made some additional staff cuts. These are the most painful decisions that I have been part of in my eleven years at Trinity. These cuts are not just numbers on a page, but are people whom we know and value and love--and who are now getting less pay (and in Julie March's case will conclude employment with us in 2010). While the cuts are necessary at this time, I also hear the Session saying that they are committed to doing what they can to lead the congregation to the place where we can add hours back and increase pay. Due to the falling stock market, for the first time ever, the Trinity Endowment went underwater (that means that it's value was less than the sum of all the gifts to it). Such an event could have caused tremendous anxiety in the Endowment Board and congregation. But through steady, wise leadership provided by the Board, we stayed on track for the year and both the congregation and the Endowment finished the year in decent shape. In each of these times, we have been challenged by circumstances, and in each time, God has, in the words of the Apostle Paul "fully satisfied every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

We witnessed God's faithfulness in 2009, not only in God's sustenance through challenge and difficulty, but in new beginnings. This past year we started up new small groups of prayer and sharing called B&Bs (Bridging and Bonding). And these groups did just that. Members not only had the opportunity to get to know each other, but to grow in faith. Leading up to Christmas, we had Prayer Partner groups. Nearly 40 members committed themselves to prayer and we all grew in faith because of it. 2009 saw the beginning of a new worship service The Commons @ The Loop. This was an important experiment in discovering new ways to worship so that we might attract new members to the church who do not connect with more traditional worship. The Commons was very much a collaborative, lay-driven enterprise, with each person bringing passion and gifts to the service.

Finally, we witnessed God's faithfulness in 2009 through our discernment process. Throughout the Spring, we met, we ate together, we prayed together, we discussed always asking, "God, what would you have Trinity be about." And three words came back to us: mission, mission, mission. Trinity members, who value thoughtful and beautiful worship, who enjoy warm fellowship with each other, who seek to grow in faith through education, hear God calling us to value mission above all else. 2009 saw some new and continuing mission initiatives: Winger Food Pantry, God's Child, SHED (Safe Housing for the Elderly and Disabled), Habitat for Humanity, CROP, and our glorious cookie give-away right before Christmas. As 2010 begins, we God opening up even more opportunities for mission: God's Child goes to Guatemala in February, we are building a partnership with the Children's Foundation of Mid-America, and growing program to work with and support the U City Schools (watch for more information in how to get involved with all of these mission projects).

It is not easy to be the Church of the Jesus Christ in the 21st Century. Old ways of doing things no longer work like they once did. The public at large rarely looks to the church as a source of truth, beauty or justice. We are having to learn again for the first time what it means to be church together and in and for the world. It stretches and challenges us. But God is faithful still. God gives us the grace to rise each day and dream powerful dreams of a world where all have their needs met and are given the dignity that all of us deserve. God gives us all of the gifts (spiritual, physical, mental and financial) that we need to fulfill our calling. So it seems to me that the question for 2010 is not "what can we do?" but rather the question is "what can't we do?"

Dan Anderson-Little

We would like to write our report backwards-not that you have to use a mirror to read it, but we would like to begin with a look to our future and an invitation to join us in 2010 and then show you how this ministry has already grown during 2009.

In a piece that Vicki was asked to write for the Trinity News this fall, she described her vision for Trinity as we grow into the next decade focusing not on the things we could do but rather on who we could be together. The strength of the music ministry in 2010 will continue to be our openness to all who wish to participate and our ability to see those places where an individual talent, passion and calling can contribute. We grow in love and mission as we increase our capacity for relationship. Music is about relationship-its essence is the relationship of sound and time. We make our music in worship by singing and playing together. The whole idea of worship, and of music in worship, is corporate prayer and praise. If God is calling you to participate in our music ministry at Trinity, please speak with us. There is a place at the table for you (including the bell table), and in the choir, and on the piano bench! Let us help you find your place in this meaningful ministry.

To show you how we are already growing in this way, here are some highlights/ accomplishments from Trinity's music ministry. In 2009, we:

• Continued to provide consistent, meaningful worship leadership through music
• Increased regular participation in the music ministry by 30% over the last two years
• Successfully began navigating the change to a committed, all-volunteer choir in August 2009
• Increased collaboration between choirs (both internally among the Trinity Choir and Bell Choir, Festival Choir, various children's groups; and in the greater community with shared services with First Presbyterian Church and a combined choir with singers from Zion U.C.C. for our fall cantata)

Given the increased participation it would take many pages to properly thank everyone for everything, so . . . Thank you to all those who faithfully participated in the music ministry in 2009 as singers, ringers, other instrumentalists and percussionists, soloists, accompanists, composers, conductors, cantors, chanters, librarians, furniture movers, tech support, and wardrobe crew-hopefully, you know who you are. In addition to this anonymous list, we would like to specifically thank the following people:

• Jack Biggs (trumpet/sound board)
• Brian Schroer (guitar, harmonica, recording, web maintenance, and more!)
• Jim Shoemaker (composed our fall cantata)
• Sue Young (alteration of choir robe)
• Michael Wysession (recorders, wind controller, percussion)
• Sarah Hotaling (flute)
• George Van Hare (guitar, bass guitar)
• Tom Sitzler (piano)
• Karen Coletti (small ensemble leadership, musical arrangement, cantata rehearsal conductor)
• Cricket Gordon (music library)
• Liz Nelson (communication, PR, and administrative genius)
• Birty Hodgson (set-ups and maintenance, persistent teasing)

Respectfully submitted in love and service,
Vicki Carmichael, Minister of Music - Choir Director
Bill Wade, Minister of Music - Organist

Our year has been full of challenges and achievements in connecting Trinity members to the ministries they find fulfilling, as we have continued to interview, and we continue to put great emphasis on the qualities of connection and hospitality. Team member Lisa Bernhard retired this year from the Equipping Ministry Team after 4 years of dedication and hard work. Norma Vavra also left the Team, after she and her husband Wally moved to a retirement home in Illinois. Norma's efforts in planning and carrying out many Ministry Discovery interviews enabled the team to move forward in connecting with our members, both new and old, and to strengthen Trinity's mission outreach. Current team members are Dave Nelson, John Merker and Rick Jeter. Rev. Julie March continues to work this team to move forward in Equipping Ministry at Trinity Presbyterian Church. The following efforts are ongoing projects of the Equipping Ministry Team:

• The Ministry Discovery Team continues to connect with new members and those already part of the Trinity membership for friendly conversations about these member's gifts and passions for ministry in the church and community. Eight team members have conducted over 60 interviews. The information received from the interviews is vital in connecting members to ministries that meet their interests and needs.
• The Trinity Welcoming Team is now an all-church group of members who offer hospitality at church events and welcome new and returning members as well as recording information about visitors and relaying the information to the church office. Team members also have gift bags ready every Sunday to give to those who are visiting and are considering Trinity as their new church home.
• Mission Outreach has become a greater emphasis on the part of the Equipping Team this year, as we connect members with such organizations as the Trinity Food Pantry, Habitat for Humanity, Crop Walk for Church World Service, and the annual One Great Hour of Sharing. We have been actively involved in the formation of the new SHED organization, a community based volunteer service that helps with home repair, Meals on Wheels, and yard assistance for lower income residents of University City.
• Bonding and Bridging groups have been the main focus of the Equipping Team, as we organized and brought together B&B groups of Trinity members and friends for study, fellowship and prayer. These groups have been well attended, and two more sessions are planned for the first half of 2010.

The Equipping Ministry Team of Trinity Presbyterian Church stands ready to meet with new and current members and others who are seeking their call to ministry. 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.

Rev. Julie March
Associate Pastor of Equipping Ministry

2009 was a great year for children and youth spiritual growth at Trinity.

For Lent, Stacy Shupe and I created a spirituality center called "A Place Apart" with 15 unique prayer stations plus a labyrinth. The children and youth were given time during Sunday School to journey quietly through the different prayers including centering prayer, lectio divina, and praying through the Psalms.

In May, four eighth graders were confirmed. These confirmands are Daniel Anderson-Little, Adam Hotaling, Max Nutter, and Shane Devine. Dave Nelson, with assistance from Cathy Smith, Jim Persons, and Cheryl Evans, provided the wonderful food for the confirmation reception after the service. Jim Persons, Dave Nelson, Brian Muegge, and Jean Merson are the sponsors of the confirmands.

The confirmands wrote their own statement of faith, and entitled it "The Trinity of our Faith."

We believe in God, Maker of heaven and earth, Almighty Father and Sender of our Savior. He revealed our imperfection as sinners and showed our need for Jesus.

We believe in Jesus, fully human, fully God. The Perfect Savior, Prince of Peace, The Lord of lords, the King of kings, the Great I AM. While on earth, Jesus taught us to pray. He died for our sins. Because of Him, we have the possibility of eternal salvation.

We believe that the Holy Spirit is one with God and Jesus. The Holy Spirit is within us, surrounds us, and watches over us.

We changed the format of the confirmation program this year to include nine sessions taking place the second Saturday evening of each month plus a few outside activities including a lock-in and a trip to Six Flags. We also delivered cookies during the holidays to homebound persons, bagged food in the Winger Food Pantry, and took a field trip to a different church's worship service. This new confirmation format has been a huge success as session attendance has been at 75-100 percent. A website was created for the confirmation program (www.trinityyouthonline.com). The 2009-2010 school year has 15 youth in its confirmation class, including two ninth graders, three eighth graders, and 10 seventh graders.

Confirmation Class of 2010

• Laura Biggs
• McCoy Edmonds
• Clayton Higgenbotham
• James Kerr
• Carl Sechrist

Confirmation Class of 2011

• Jacob Anderson-Little
• MaryAnn Cahoon
• Maggie Carman
• Noah Dukesherer
• John Howard
• Megan Kerr
• Hayden O'Bryan
• Peter Schmidt
• Charlotte Sechrist
• Anna Thompson

Two youth from the senior high participated in the summer Presbyterian youth conference, Montreat, in North Carolina. These youth are J.B. Higgenbotham and Daniel Anderson-Little. This summer also included a week long intergenerational evening program with First Presbyterian Church, centered around the theme of Simplicity. Thanks to Stacy Shupe, Blair Klostermeier, Mary McKown, Diane O'Brien, Jim Persons, and Stacey Carman for teaching at this joint event.

The Scholin-Weems scholarship committee included George Philips, Stacy Shupe, Deborah Henry, Darrell Mayberry, and myself. Scholarships were awarded to the following recipients for the 2009-2010 school year. Included is their name, school, and anticipated graduation year.

I have a great vantage point: this year I have really seen a movement forward by all of us as we continue discerning God's vision for our future and I am happy to have a role in helping preparing Trinity to be a church for the 21^st century-physically, through programming, and in mission.

This has not been a year of innovation in the office as much as one of responding to emerging projects and patterns. I am encouraged by what I see around me week in and week out from members, staff and even the community members who use our building. It takes energy, involvement, risk and guts to make necessary decisions, especially during these challenging economic times.

Although I see my main role as the communication hub so the congregation and the community can clearly hear and see our "story," and as someone who connects people with opportunities, my most significant work this year concentrated on coordinating the possible (at this writing) elevator renovation. This project is 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. All parts of the project will help us be a welcoming, accessible and safe building.

Some accomplishments this year:

• Finished up the third year offering staff direction and support for the planning of our Elevator renovation project;
• Worked closely with Facilities to manage emerging building repair issues. No floods or broken A/C this year, but aggressively began to implement the long range plan for building maintenance and repair suggested in our building "physical" and energy audit. This included exploring "green" options based on our energy audit recommendations (thanks, Lois!);
• Coordinated member volunteer coverage during Birty's 3-month injury recovery and, coming full circle, have now begun putting procedures in place to make it even easier for members to assist in areas of church life on Sundays and other days ("how to" binder, central location of needed supplies), now that Birty's hours have moved away from Sundays;
• Helped manage the transitions related to changing staffing hours and configurations;
• Cut back on office paper use and increased internet communication of events;
• Renegotiated CMS contract, increased fees for building use, and continued managing the building use by 13+ community groups;
• A little bit of this...a little bit of that....a little bit more of this....

Thank You's:

To all of you, who pitched in while Birty was injured, to the amazing staff with whom I work, to the people I talk to weekly-Luise, Elaine, Genny, Joy, Janet, Stacey, Reed, Mark-to keep this place running, to Brian for managing the website so well, to Sue and Carol for updating the magnetic calendar, and Luise, Catherine, Joy and others who help with projects and the newsletter so that information can be shared quickly.

Want to Help?

Let me know how. I can use: mailing preparation, help with making magnets for the calendar, updating the networking nook area, help managing the computer calendar for community building use, basic office projects, and help following up with building contractors (keeping tabs on the status of maintenance and repair projects).

In Peace,
Liz Nelson, LCSW
Church 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 2009 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 2009, including the following:

• Ten Commandments
• Life Transitions
• Healthcare from a Christian Perspective
• Stewardship
• Consumerism and Faith
• Stained Glass Art
• Evangelism and Church Growth

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 2009 Adult Spiritual Growth Planning Team consisted of George Philips, Karen Mayberry, Darrell Mayberry, George Sallwasser, Dawn Fleishman, Rick Hasler, Linda Peterson, Larry Pontious, Chris Schmidt and Dr. Dan Anderson-Little. Our thanks to all those who helped in the planning and teaching of classes during 2009.

A number of exciting classes are planned for 2010. We invite all Trinity members who are interested in adult spiritual growth to consider joining the Planning Team.

Respectfully submitted,
George Philips

With the help of many Trinity friends who contributed cash, baby clothes, personal hygiene supplies, school supplies and yarn and needles, a group of 6 Trinity members traveled to Antigua, Guatemala for the third year to participate in the building of two simple, yet adequate, houses for two impoverished families. We dug a foundation, sifted sand so we could mix concrete, laid re-bar to aid in earthquake stability, framed and added the walls, nailed on a corrugated roof with one plexiglass sheet for a skylight and installed guttering. The "house" has one door and one window and a triple-decker bunk bed, complete with mattresses, sheets, blankets and a pillow. While we might call this "camping", the family for whom we build calls it a warm and cozy home, built with love, replacing a sugar cane stalk shack with a dirt floor. While the bright "Guatemalan blue" color we paint the house may seem a bit garish, it is a sign of pride for its new occupants, and it is a real thrill to look up the hillsides of Antigua and see the God's Child blue homes! We partnered with 7 members of Webster Groves Congregational Church and one member from Webster Presbyterian forming two work teams. In addition to the homes we built, we also spent time at the new Malnutrition Center, helped serve dinner at the homeless shelter and participated in a clothing distribution at a nearby school.

For those who participated in the trip, lifelong memories are created and new friendships are formed. The smiles and tears of gratitude from the families we help make this mission a heartwarming experience. Those from Trinity who went in 2009 were Patrick Courtney, Dayna Early, Alice and Shanthi Phillips, and Bob and Nancy Wagoner. Four of these people will return in 2010 as we travel again from February 23 - March 4, and we will miss the enthusiastic participation of Shanthi, who continues her mission work with the Peace Corps in Africa.

Nancy Wagoner, Trinity Member

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.

Trinity separately funds three of Trinity's core missions - the Senior Minister's Discretionary Fund, the Winger Food Pantry, and the Senior High Mission Trip. Along with those missions, we also donated $$$ to the following local organization:

• Diversity Awareness Partnership
• International Institute
• Hi-Tech Charities
• Interfaith Partnership
• Presbyterian Covenant Network
• St. Vincent Home
• Faith Aloud
• The Singer Institute's Senior Connections program
• RHINO -Restoring Hope in New Orleans
• Presbyterian Children's Home
• RAVEN
• DOORWAYS
• Beyond Housing
• Care & Counseling
• Hi -Tech Charities
• Independence Center

This year the pantry:

• fed 1716 people from 781 families
• gave out 89 turkeys, 65 boxes of stuffing, 55 cans of cranberry sauce and 44 bags of food during the annual turkey giveaway for Thanksgiving
• handed out Church's Fried Chicken vouchers good for a dinner for a family of four. Vouchers were distributed through the St. Louis Area Food Bank.

Our many thanks go out to our wonderful volunteers. The success of the food pantry is a direct result of the many outstanding volunteers who give generously of their time, talents and money. These volunteers staff the pantry on Wednesdays, shop for food, stock the shelves, separate boy scout food, bag food, pick up bread from St. Louis Bread Company and bag it and donate turkeys and/or money to purchase turkeys. Thanks also, to Birty for his endless trips up and down the back steps with his dolly and all the additional help he provides.

This year the food pantry is especially proud of the generosity of the Trinity congregation for their support, especially when asked to give donations for the turkeys. We gave out a record number this year and it ended up being the perfect amount.

Currently we are considering adjusting the operating hours of the food pantry from three hours to two with the new time being from 1:00 to 3:00. Starting on the first Wednesday in January, we began polling our clients to see if the time change would impact them. We will continue the poll through the end of January. The time change is looking very likely. If it happens, we will spend the month of February updating our clients to the change. We will switch to 1:00 to 3:00 beginning in March.

Many people say that volunteering for the Food Pantry is one of the most rewarding experiences they have been a part of. It is a terrific feeling to help these people in need.

We can always use additional people to help staff the pantry on Wednesdays (meet and greet), shop, pick up Boy Scout food, stock shelves, bag food, pick up St. Louis Bread Co. bread, bag bead or give monetary donations.

Stacey and Chris Carman

As in previous years, a group of Trinity members attended the 2009 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 or speak with George Phillips. If anyone feels called to help Trinity increase its focus on interfaith dialogue, please also speak with George or with Liz Nelson in the office.

Accomplishments:

• Thoughtful and serious discussion with recommendations and actions regarding the budget, capital campaign, and the church's finances;
• New procedure for signing bank checks, which provides greater oversight and consistency.

Thank you to:

• Thank you to the commission members who spent time and effort providing oversight to the church's finances and working toward a more financially secure future for Trinity;
• Thank you to the church staff who once again came in under budget in 2009 by $$$.

Looking Ahead to 2010:

• Budget cuts made in 2009 for the 2010 budget will show greater reductions in expenses in 2011. While these reductions will help to reduce the deficit, more work still needs to be done;
• 2010 will be another important year at Trinity as challenges remain with the budget, a capital campaign, and the church's finances. Work still needs to be done to get Trinity where it needs to be financially. If you are interested in joining the Corporate Affairs Commission and lending your talents, please let me know.

Provided by Matt Schindler
Chair, Corporate Affairs

Accomplishments:

• Hosted three inquiry classes and welcomed in membership four Confirmation Class members and three additional groups of members/affiliates (eight adults, four children), all of whom have become active in the life of the congregation
• Walked in the June PrideFest parade, with a number of members wearing "follow me to Trinity" purple t-shirts and giving out lollipops with a flyer attached, inviting people to become part of Trinity's diverse, caring community
• Publicized Trinity's August 23 after-church ice cream social (hosted by one of the Bible study small groups), creating and posting colorful flyers at area universities and other public spots
• Sponsored (in conjunction with Spiritual Growth) a multi-generational special guest Sunday in October, encouraging members and friends of all ages to bring a friend to Trinity
• Hosted and provided treats for weekly after-church fellowship time, including a special send-off for Norma and Wally Klein
• Welcomed first time visitors each week with a sack of information about Trinity (plus some candy), encouraging them to return to worship with us whenever able
• Updated nametags on boards posted in the Narthex and encouraged members to wear them, to continue to build community and help newer members (and long-time ones, too) become more familiar with names.

Sincere appreciation to faithful team members Sharon Christopher, Beth David, Cheryl Evans, Dave Nelson, Sandy Norkaitis and Jan Schulte-Glad, with the support of Jane and Pat Gibbons (usher coordinators), Jim Person (food preparer extraordinaire) and Brian Schroer (web servant). Dan Anderson-Little, Julie March and Liz Nelson provide consistent staff support and outreach to visitors through letters, calls and get-togethers.

A special thank you to Sharon Christopher who freely shared her design talents throughout 2009 to make our flyers and other materials both eye-catching and welcoming! We also very much appreciate everyone who extends a warm greeting to visitors and those who have helped us introduce new members to the congregation through articles written for the bulletin which are reprinted in Trinity News.

The expanding area of social media (Facebook, blogs, YouTube, etc.) offers key opportunities to supplement our Internet presence as we continue to spread the word about our faith community. At year-end, Dan also began reaching out to and meeting with recent visitors in their homes as a way of quickly begin to build a relationship that is so key to our continued growth. Trinity has much to offer, and we need to consistently look for new and additional ways to tell our story and share the Good News! If this is a ministry that speaks to you, you'd be welcome to join the team!

Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Smith, Chair

Facilities accomplishments for 2009:

• Spent numerous hours on the planning, design and contractor proposal for elevator project
• Completed tower inspection
• Prioritized building repair and renovation needs for future action
• Instituted member "Work Days" in the building
• Painted and repaired front doors
• Tuck pointed chimney

Special thanks go out to Jim Person and his idea for Work Day and his help orchestrating the work. Thank you to all who came out and helped on Work Day. We had fun and accomplished much. Let's do it again this year once our weather breaks. Jim helps in so many ways, not the least of which is just being a good guy.

Thanks to Birty who always provides so much insight and knowledge of the building and its personality. It has helped me get to know the old girl better.

Special thanks to Mark O'Bryan, Bob Little and Lois Sechrist for all of their amazing talent and intelligence that was key to creating the ideas and design for the elevator project.

• Mark provided a great set of drawings which are so essential in getting an accurate bid from the general contractors. His knowledge and contacts made things move smoothly in what normally can be complicated and time consuming. Nice job Mark!
• Bob's wealth of experience was apparent through his insightful comments as the process moved along. What a comfort knowing he was there to share ideas and concerns with Mark and Lois during the planning phase.
• Lois contributed so much in the way of design and her passion for green building where ever possible. She completed a team of professionals that would make any architectural firm proud.

And of course there was Liz--the inspiration for us all and the glue that holds it all together. She is the driving force and the reason for much of the Commission's success.

The entire committee would agree that the elevator project planning was our greatest single accomplishment for the year. Second would have to be our information gathered to address other needs. We are prepared for the future and the many on-going issues our building has.

2010 presents new challenges for the Facilities Commission. First and foremost is making our building's well-being part of our welcoming statement and culture. There is a great story to go along with the life of this building. It is a part of the neighborhood and the city. It is well worth saving for future generations of Trinity church members.

Finally, there is much to be experienced and enjoyed as part of the Facilities Commission. If you have experience in construction, architectural design or just like taking care of old things, this may be a great way for you to contribute to our church and share your specific talents with a small group of energetic and creative individuals.

Thanks for listening,

Reed Evans, Facilities Chair

This year was a year of many challenges for the Personnel Commission. Unfortunately, our year was not defined by accomplishments, but rather the work of our commission focused on bringing the staffing requirements of the Church in-line with the constraints imposed by the budget. In 2009 we were asked by the Session to examine the Church's personnel needs and to make recommendations regarding how to significantly reduce the personnel budget. Members of our commission looked at every staff position, considered its current impact, and weighed it against our fiscal reality. After much consideration and careful deliberation, we made recommendations to allow the contract with our Associate Pastor for Equipping to expire and to reduce the hours of the Custodian and the Financial Administrator. We also recommended that staff salaries remain at 2009 levels. These recommendations were adopted by the Session.

I dreaded writing this report because of the difficult decisions we faced during the year. We were asked to make recommendations that will negatively impact our talented and committed staff -- people who are vital members of our church family. That said, I would like to thank the very dedicated members of the Personnel Commission for their hard work and devotion: Margy Brown, Pat Gibbons, John Merker, and Bonnie Roy. I would also like to thank Dan Anderson-Little for his thoughtful insights and leadership.

The Personnel Commission faces new challenges in 2010. We are concerned about what impact the decisions of the past year will have on our faithful and valued employees. We will also be monitoring whether the needs of the Church are being met with a reduced staff. Implementing the changes will not be easy, but it is the hope of the Personnel Commission and Session that they will enable Trinity to move forward in the direction that God is calling us without damaging our current ministry. The Personnel Commission will continue its efforts to help guide the Church to a future with expanding opportunities to share our faith and ministry with each other and with the larger community.

Lynn Evans
Chair, Personnel Commission

It has been another exciting year of trying new ideas and reusing some of the old.

~Serving communion in meaningful ways has been a topic we've worked with all year.

• We've had feasts. An elegant feast with candles and white linens.
• An Epiphany communion feast ushered in by the three wise men and the choir
• On Maundy Thursday, we broke bread at the beginning of the meal and had wine and/or grape juice during the meal.
• On World Communion Sunday, we served flat bread and juice at the door of the sanctuary for the congregation to take as they walked out and we held communion on the steps

The newer methods of communion alternated with services where intinction was used or where the communion elements were served.

~Reaching out to those whom Dr. Dan calls the "over-churched, un-churched, and ...."

• In response to that, the Commons in the Loop began this spring. Meeting on Saturday in the dining room, it is a hands-on, interactive of service.

Other highlights of the year include:

~Good Friday was celebrated with a beautifully meaningful Tenebrae service.

~On Easter Sunday, we had a joyful parade.

~The choir presented the cantata, Promises of God written by choir member Jim Shoemaker.

~During Advent, the gradual addition of lights throughout the sanctuary demonstrated the coming out of darkness into the light of hope and promise in Jesus Christ.

~For the Hanging of the Greens, new swags were purchased and were placed between the windows, adding elegance and color to the sanctuary.

~The AIDS Quilt panels were displayed in the back of the sanctuary during December.

Given the variety of services held over this past year, we have a number of people to thank for their loving contributions. Special thanks go to:

• Lisa Bernard, Paul Devine, Daniel Anderson-Little, the Jeters, Connie Toretta, Karen Coletti, Vicki Carmichael and Bill Wade for their work with the Commons in the Loop.
• Luise Hoffman, whose love for hospitality has blessed us with beautiful and meaningful communion services. We also wish to thank her for her untiring efforts as coordinator of the Green Team/Alter Flower sub-committee;
• Karen and Kathy Kramer, for their devotion and dedication in baking the bread we serve at communion;
• Nancy Wagoner, whose eye for detail and generous spirit have contributed greatly to our worship services, often at the very last minute;
• Jim Person, whose unwavering readiness to assist has earned him the title of W&M's Go-To Guy.
•  Elaine Pontious, for gracefully taking over the chairmanship while Cricket was out of the country and for her gracious organization of the communion services.

There were so many good things that happened this past year. The variety of ways communion has been offered is one. The new service on Saturday is another. In both instances, it is the hope of bringing meaning to God's teaching that is so vital.

The focus of the commission is to enhance the congregation's worship experience through appealing visuals, moving music, and providing inviting communal/fellowship opportunities. What would someone accomplish if they joined the commission? A chance to contribute thoughts and ideas for the composition of the Sunday services as well as being a part of leading the church into the future.

Respectfully submitted,

Cricket Gordon
Elaine Pontious

Thank you to the wonderful men and women who served on the Board of Deacons for 2009. A special thank you to those who are going off the board - Karen& Darrell Mayberry and Cricket Gordon. It has been my pleasure to chair the meetings with such a great group of thoughtful, caring people.

Accomplishments for this year:

• Establishment of the Deacon liaison program to enable the board to have a specific Deacon assigned to an identified person needing care and/or additional contact.
• Conversion of the Advent booklet to electronic format. This saved on printing and mailing costs and helped deliver each Advent message directly to individual's email address for daily reading.
• More use of electronic options for prayer list, concerns, etc.

Focus and direction:

• Further development of communication tools for alerting Deacons to joys and concerns of the congregation and friends.
• As always, continued efforts to give support to those in need.

The Board of Deacons has developed a wonderful feeling of community with each other. Please consider joining the group next year when the Nominating Committee is looking for candidates to be elected.

- Joanne Roman, Deacon Chair 2009

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, which are greatly appreciated. We held monthly Presbyterian Women's Friendship Salad lunches and dinners in 2009. All ages of women are invited to gather and share fellowship with each other.

- Genny Richmond - Presbyterian Women's member

Tom Wilhite describes this group 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.

A weekly parent group started in October, meeting during adult spiritual growth time. It is comforting to have a relaxed place to talk about the joys and challenges of parenting. Dr. Dan currently coordinates the gathering, where parent of children of all ages can share their experiences and hear from others who are raising kids in our fast-paced, over-scheduled society. Topics are determined by the group. You are invited to join us whenever you can-it'll be even better than heading to Bread Co. for coffee!

Wild with Words meets 2 times a month. No writing experience is needed, and ALL are welcome to join this spontaneous, interactive spiritual writing group where we will write, relinquish and remember, prompted by words, readings and Scripture to explore God's presence and action within our souls.

- Rev. Julie March

See the Associate Minister of Equipping's report above for details about the The B&B (Bonding & Bridging) small group ministry. An additional B & B small group for 3rd-6th graders also began meeting after worship 3 times a month, run by Vicki Carmichael and Karen Coletti. Kids spent time together creating art, stories and music, playing games together, doing a mission project, and making friends.