January, 2003

The Sr. High Youth: TA DA!!!
[the WORD]

David Rand ("Little" Drummer Boy)-a musician to the core, all-suburban band member, jazz, special percussion aficionado, this Ladue senior covers our rhythmic disorders.

Sarah Grant (Spunky Monkey) - a sophomore @ Villa Duchesne, who has a strong passion for music (She has her OWN CD!). She also plays select soccer.

Porter Campbell (Spain Boy) - a U. City junior and our expert-o of life in Spain-o, tells of his travel overseas for a year's time and the perfection of his soccer skills.

Claire Santoro (Logic Lady) - A UC Lion sophomore, who plays field hockey, soccer, and tap dances, she's one smart cookie!

Kirsten Campbell (Glenda) - a freshman @ U. City, who plays volleyball and rows for SLRC, this dame has "talent" for nicknames!

Barb Rand (G. Ma)- the quirky firecracker, who proves that milk and cookies can take you anywhere!

Janet Mote (J~MO)- the leader of the pack, she always keeps us on the square!

Mark Merritt (Bob the Builder) - fantabulous singer in the Ambassadors of Harmony quartet, our regular Mr. Fix-It.

Jump Start Your Week!!!
[the WORD]

Too often in our busy lives, we have a lot of things to worry about. We have work deadlines, homework, putting kids to bed, making lunches, cleaning the house, doing laundry, or maybe it's catching up on television shows. Busy, busy, and more busy.

When does your week actually begin? For most people, the week starts at 6:00 a.m. on Monday mornings. We've had a nice long weekend to relax, or so we think. Most Sundays are hectic for us. It's our last chance to get things done before Monday morning. Too much to do! What's the answer? Change your frame of reference. Do it today! Right Now!

I challenge you to change your perspective of when your week actually begins. Do it by "Jump Starting" your week, with going to church on Sunday. My week begins with Sunday, not on Monday. It's by far the best solution to a prosperous week. I enjoy going to church. It renews me spiritually and charges me to start the week off fresh. Personally I am hooked on Sunday evening Youth Group as well.

So try getting hooked yourself. You'll be glad you did. I will be at church next Sunday. Will you be there?? Bring a friend or neighbor.

Please join us!!!
JUMP START YOUR WEEK!!!

Bahh!!!
[the WORD]
For those of you who don't know me, I've grown up at Trinity and have a passion for singing and music. I recently came out with my first CD entitled Bahh!!! featuring three songs. I debuted the first track on last year's senior high mission trip to Lansing, MI. The song is entitled My Chord and it has a very popular story that goes with it. When I first started playing guitar I couldn't play very many chords and one day I came across a very cool chord, which I called my chord. I would go around the house strumming this chord, singing "my chord is a very cool chord" and annoying my entire household. A year later I found another chord that fit perfectly with "my chord". The song then became the strumming of those two chords and singing "my chord has another cool chord". Then finally another year later I added more chords and actual lyrics having nothing to do with a chord, hence the name My Chord. Music is the outlet that let's me express my feelings about life and faith. I look forward to singing for the congregation some time.
Did You Know?
The Winger Food Pantry
[the WORD]
  • Trinity's food pantry has been in existence more than 30 years.
  • The Winger Food Pantry distributes food each Wednesday.
  • On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, when the pantry gave out turkeys, 81 people received food.
  • On average, a total of 25-35 people receive food each week from Trinity.
  • There are usually 2 to 3 people in each family that receives food from Trinity.
  • The oldest person to receive food from the food pantry was 93 years old; more than half are over 60 years old.
  • The Boy Scout Food Drive donated 64 cases of food to Trinity's food pantry.
  • Thanks to Jay Lawrence and Sally Dunn, Trinity's food pantry was featured in the news on Channel 5.
  • At one time, there were 116 jars of peanut butter in the pantry.
  • The pantry even contains one can of sliced bamboo shoots.
Keeping the Faith
[the WORD]

All he wanted was a basketball. Is that so much to ask? Well it wasn't exactly at the top of his family's list come Christmas time. Growing up during the depression wasn't easy, in fact, his mother waited until Christmas Eve to buy the Christmas tree. Even though he had to wait until the night before Christmas, he never lost faith that his mother, as well as the Christmas spirit would pull through. It is this faith that has brought Bob Young to where he is now. From losing a son to Cystic Fibrosis, to his recent and ongoing battle with cancer, Bob's faith in God and the Church is what keeps him going. At the end of the week when his batteries are low, Bob says that Church "recharges him", and leaves him ready to face anything. Bob has given his gift of dedication and compassion to this church since the merge with Kingshighway Presbyterian Church 50 years ago. One of his most special gifts is that he recognizes his talents and willingly gives of himself. Not afraid to speak his mind, our visit with Bob Young gave us wonderful insight into his mind and where he comes from. It was a true gift to have the opportunity to understand this pillar of our congregation, and that experience will always have a place in our hearts.

[As part of the Senior High Christmas party the group made gingerbread houses & brought one to Bob & Sue Young as they sang Christmas carols and sat and visited with the Youngs.]

"Spain-boy" returns to America
[the WORD]

Hello people. I am Porter Campbell, and I have recently returned from a life changing experience. In September of 2001 I embarked on a journey that has left an enormous impact on my life in almost every aspect. On September 7th of 2001, I left for a 10 month "safari" in the vast plains of Spain. I arrived in Spain as a foreign exchange student. When I returned in July, I had learned so much from this experience, I really surprised myself.

My motives for leaving this country were actually very few. I knew that this experience would be a great life changing opportunity. I would not only experience another culture, and learn another language, but also challenge myself to see how prepared I was to "live in the real world." I don't really know that I realized what I was actually getting into, until I stepped on board the plane to Spain, leaving my crying family behind. I remember being very excited to leave, but at the same time I kept turning back to see a last glimpse of my parents as I was walking down the tunnel, and staring out the window of the plane, hoping to see them standing at the terminal windows. However, once in flight, the excitement took its toll, and I don't think I slept a bit until I reached the hotel in Washington DC.

I arrived in Spain and met my loving host family. Like all families we had our tumultuous points, however overall my experience in the family was one of love and extreme laughter. Of my entire Spanish family, I had the best relationship with my "mom." She was a perfect role model for anyone as caring and hard working a person as you could ever find. The year absolutely flew by. Although I lived in a small, incredibly boring little town on the outskirts of Madrid (The largest city in Spain at 6.5 million inhabitants), time never seemed to go slow enough. I always seemed to be kept busy. Whether it was going to school, playing soccer, passing time with my family, or going out with friends, time always passed way too quickly. Before I knew it my year was almost over, it was time to go home. As quickly as I had come, it seemed I had to go.

As a person I grew amazingly. I truthfully cannot point out one specific area that I have specifically grown, but overall I just feel more experienced, more knowledgeable, more prepared to "live in the real world"

Mission Trip:
Where To Go? What To Do?
[the WORD]

Where to go, what work to do, who is going, how to prepare... these are all questions that the Senior High Fellowship work through each year as they plan for the annual Mission Trip. No, the leaders do not go behind closed doors, caucus, and then announce the who, what, where, and how's of the years Mission Trip to a group of Sr. Highs eating pizza and drinking coke. Trinity's process is inclusive, democratic and prayer centered.

Initially, the group is asked where they would like to go and 2-3 geographic preferences are chosen.

Janet then researches work opportunities in each of the selected areas by reading through the Presbyterian Mission Trip Book generated yearly by the National Volunteer Office.

Numerous phone calls follow through which more complete information is gathered such as whether work at that locale is still an open option, what dates are available, what type of work is involved, how many people are needed, will we be the only group and etc.

The viable options are then brought to the Fellowship Group either at a regular Sunday meeting or this year at the Fall Retreat. Usually the group is divided into three small groups with each one having the responsibility of reviewing, analyzing and presenting the data from their packet.

Once each group has presented the information about their potential Mission Trip site, a vote is taken. However, we do not rush into voting... we are first challenged to spend a few minutes in meditation and prayer asking for guidance. It would be easy to vote for the most fun location, the most exciting work, and the place where the most awesome "free day" activity is within an hour van ride. It is not so easy to choose the site God is calling us to if we do not find a way to "listen".

As a senior high advisor, I can witness to the Spirit being with us during these votes and to the groups total surprise at the outcome. I can also attest to the miracle of doing God's work with the right people at the right time in the right place.

Annual Reports Are Due Now
[Trinity]
If you were the chair of a commission or board of Trinity Presbyterian Church in the year 2002, your annual report is now due. If you have any questions, or need help with your report, please call the church office (725-3840). The deadline is Monday, January 13. No report will be received after that date.
January 12 Adult Education - Deacon Sunday
[Trinity]
During the worship service and the education hour, the Deacons will share with the congregation their plans for ministry for the coming year, and will get the congregation's input on how they can be more responsive to the needs of members.
Coming Up...
[Trinity]
  • Sunday, January 19: Congregational Meeting for the purpose of reviewing the 2003 budget
  • Sunday, January 19: The congregations of the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy are cordially invited to a Service of Worship Celebrating and Commemorating the life and ministry of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon at Third Presbyterian Church, 2426 Union Boulevard, St. Louis. A reception will follow.
  • Wednesday, January 22: Covenant Network discussion
Covenant Network Discussion - January 22
[Trinity]

A group of Trinity members and friends interested in further discussion on the Ministry of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians will be meeting Wednesday, January 22 at 7:30 pm in Weems Chapel. As this is the initial "get-together" for this group, some of the items to be discussed will be a review of the mission of the Covenant Network, discussion of how Trinity specifically might be involved, and what the goals for this particular group should be for the coming year. You may want to look at the Covenant Network web site and read or re-read Bob Wagnoner's report from the Covenant Conference prior to the meeting... "Toward a church as generous and just as God's grace" into the ministry of Trinity Presbyterian Church. All are welcome... and bring your friends.

Caregiver Resources for Elder Care
[Trinity]

Are you concerned and troubled after visiting your aging mother or father? Are you afraid to leave your spouse alone for even a little while? Are you worn out trying to meet the increasing needs of your elderly spouse? Do you keep your worries about an aging loved one to yourself, and don't know where to turn? Call for help: St Andrew's At-Home Services (314) 726-5766, or visit the St. Andrews At-Home Services web site (www.silverselect.com). No cost for services. Funded by the St. Louis Area Agency on Aging.

Sympathy...
[Trinity]

The sympathy of the congregation is expressed to...

  • Luise Hoffman, a frequent visitor at Trinity, at the death of her mother, Mary Jane Little Hoffman on November 28, 2002
  • Terry Woodford-Thomas and her family at the death of her mother, Phyllis Woodford, who died on December 11, 2002
  • Karen Coletti and her family at the death of her mother Ruth Burch Coletti, who died on December 24, 2002. Services were held on January 3, 2003 at Collegiate Presbyterian Church in Ames, Iowa
  • Polly Brown at the death of her husband James Brown, on January 5, 2003. A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 10, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. A reception will follow immediately after the service in the Dining Room