Upcoming Trinity Adult Education Opportunity - February 25th and March 4th:
"What Is The Bible?"

This 2-week class will explore what is in the Bible and how it was put together, and is being taught by Dr. Dan Anderson-Little in preparation for Dr. Patterson's class. The class will be held in Weems Chapel.

Upcoming Trinity Adult Education Opportunity - March 11th and March 18th:
"Jesus, Mary, and Judas: New Gospel Discoveries (The Hope and the Hoopla)"

In these presentations, Dr. Steve Patterson, Professsor of New Testament at Eden Theological Seminary, will talk about non-canonical gospels, focusing especially on the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary, and the newly discovered Gospel of Judas. Why are these gospels not in our Bible? How were they discovered? What do they actually say? And do they tell us anything vital about Christian faith? Beyond the hoopla, is there anything to these new discoveries? Dr. Patterson is a former Contributing Editor to the Bible Review and a member of the Editorial Board for The Journal of Biblical Literature. He is also the Chair of the Jesus Seminar.  

The Deacons provide rides to church for worshippers who cannot otherwise attend. If you, or someone you know, needs a ride on a regular basis, please call Art Platt: 727-4374.

Please consider donating chancel flowers for a worship service. A sign-up sheet is in the Dining Room. Select an open Sunday and be sure to include your telephone number and dedication. Flowers cost approximately $50. If you have any questions please call Polly Brown.

...is here to help when there is a birth, death, marriage or illness in your family or circle of friends. Call us at 725-3840.

...is continuing and this is a great time to join our engaging study of the major themes of the Old Testament. This study is held in two location on alternating weeks. Our West County location is the home of John and Corie Merker at (14322 Millbriar Circle, Chesterfield, 63017); this class meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the week. We also hold the class at Trinity on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. The assignment for the next class in both locations is read Genesis 3 and Genesis 11: 1-9 . See you there.

 This year our Easter morning services will start at 9:00 am and 10:45 am. As usual, breakfast will be served. We will once again provide the chance for you to order flowers to decorate the Sanctuary and enhance your garden. This year we will simplify the offerings to include white Easter lilies and red and pink geraniums. If anyone feels led to spearhead a more comprehensive selection as in past years, please contact the church office at 725-3840.

St. Louis Women's Chorus celebrates Women's history month with a concert that relives history through telling of tales, sharing of stories and singing of songs. Missouri History Museum, March 18^th, 3 pm. All women interested in attending should RSVP to Sandy Norkaitis (863-7699) by March 4^th.

The Next Presbyterian Women's Friendship Salad Dinner will be held at 6 pm on Tuesday, February 27^th in the Dining Room. Bring a salad to share. Women of all ages are invited for this time of fellowship. Call Sandy Norkaitis if you need a ride (863-7699). Mark your calendars for future lunches: March 27^th, April 24^th and May 29^th (special event: Jane Rand quilt display)

...are available in the Dining Room. Those members who had envelopes last year and those who have asked to receive them are included. If you would like to begin using offering envelopes, please contact Linde Baechle in the church office (314-725-3840).

We will celebrate Mardi Gras immediately after worship this Sunday, February 18^th.

Let's gather in the Dining Room for beads, masks and red beans & rice!

Paul Vasile, Minister of Music

Next Friday, February 9 from 11-11:35 a.m., FredO, Christopher and I will be on 90.7 KWMU to talk about the African Highlife Mass. This is a great opportunity to share what we're doing with a wider audience in the city! What a joy!! Let your friends know and tune in.

If you missed it, you can listen to the show on the KWMU web site. [link]

• Citizen involvement in community issues
• Participatory and transparent government
• An informed citizenry

Fermentation [fur-men-tey-shuhn]: 1) The process of undergoing an effervescent change; 2) A state of agitation or excitement, as of the intellect or the feelings.

An apt description, and exactly what we hope we achieve on February 15, 2007, at 6:30 PM at Blueberry Hill in the Delmar Loop!

Please join us for an evening of agitation, excitement and effervescent change as we discuss a new topic on the third Thursday of each month over a little wine, beer or any other fermented beverage. (Even non-fermented beverages will work!) Everyone is invited to sit, eat, drink and mull over questions - some difficult, some with seemingly no answer, and some that spark great passion. Every age group is welcome, but, since this meeting will be in an establishment that caters to those over the age of 21, you may feel more comfortable leaving little ones at home.

We are providing the place, but each person is responsible for their own portion of the tab at the end of the evening.

So stop by Blueberry Hill on Thursday, February 15, 2007 at 6:30PM for a little Fermentation!

February's topic: Crime and Punishment: What Fits?

On Saturday, Feb. 17, the "Guitar Circus" concert previously scheduled for January 13 (canceled due to bad weather) will be presented at 7:30 p.m.

This captivating ensemble features electric guitars, tuba and percussion performing original compositions by members of the group. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind string extravaganza!

All members of Guitar Circus are active performers, composers and teachers whose collective styles and influences range from ethnic music to minimalism and classical music to rock.

Donate $10 or more towards the Senior High Montreat / Misson Trips, and we'll display a candy heart with your name on it on the home page of our web site all month long!

To order your heart, e-mail the "webservant" (brianschroer@gmail.com), and specify:

• your name and address
• the text you want displayed on the heart 
• your color preference: yellow, green, orange, pink, purple, white or blue

Don't wait for "snail mail"!

Read it on the web site, or click here to download in Adobe Reader (.pdf) format.

The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 21. Our service will be quiet and reflective and will be held in the Weems Chapel. Communion will be served and worshipers will have the option of receiving ashes on their forehead. This is a beautiful and meaningful way to begin our observance of Lent. The service will begin at 7:30 pm.

At 11:00 on Sundays, Chris Schmidt leads a study of Celebration of Discipline, by Richard J. Foster. This ground-breaking book, subtitled The Path to Spiritual Growth, explores Christian spiritual disciplines such as meditation and prayer, simplicity and service and worship of God, as opportunities for us to deepen our inner life with God. The author draws on wisdom from such spiritual sources as Francis of Assisi, Julian of Norwich, Thomas Merton and Quaker leader George Fox to overcome the superficial nature of our age and to allow our lives to be shaped by the Spirit. The class will continue as long as the group chooses to meet.

Also at 11:00 on Sundays, Pastor Daniel Anderson-Little leads discussion of Confessions of a Christian Humanist, by South African theologian John de Gruchy, one of the leading theological voices during the anti-apartheid movement. In this book, de Gruchy explores deep and rich connections that can be made between humanists of all religious and secular traditions.

Dan also continues to teach a Bible study focusing on five of the major themes of the Old Testament - Creation, Covenant, Exodus, Nation, and Exile. It is offered on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the home of John and Corie Merker, 14322 Millbriar Circle, Chesterfield, 63017. Call the Merkers for directions (314-434-8286). On the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., the class will meet at the church.

Paul Vasile

It may be cold outside, but three distinctive Reverberations programs can keep you warm this February:

• In the last years of the 16th century, composer Luzzasco Luzzaschi created a repertoire of Musica Secreta (secret music) for the private entertainment of Duke Alfonso II of Ferrara. Luzzachi's works featured the virtuosic singing of "The Three Ladies of Ferrara," Lucrezia Bendidio, Tarquinia Molza and Laura Peverara. Other composers followed suit; soon a rich repertoire of song for female voices was heard across northern Italy. This free concert on Saturday, February 3 at 7:30 p.m. draws from that literature.
• Trinity's Reverberations Concert Series presents a free World Music concert on Saturday, February 10 at 7:30 p.m. Fred Onovwerosuoke, the dynamic conductor of the St. Louis African Chorus who gave an African choral workshop at Trinity four years ago, has written an English setting of the Mass in (African) Highlife style. It's considered an African version of Gospel, blending traditional West African music with western jazz and pop. Not only will Trinity host the U.S. premiere of the piece, but a group of Trinity members and friends will be singing it!
  
  This project brings together people from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, including members of the St. Louis African Chorus and a largely African-American collegiate chorus from UMSL. We have the joy of presenting a unique piece of contemporary African music but we also hope that our collaboration is a model for positive interracial partnership. This is a concrete expression of our love and welcome to all of God's people.
  
  You can also hear the piece at the Missouri Botanical Garden on Sunday, February 11 at 3 p.m. We'll be performing as part of their annual Gospel Weekend.
• The Guitar Circus concert, which was cancelled on account of poor weather, has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m. This captivating ensemble features electric guitars, tuba and percussion performing original compositions by members of the group. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind string extravaganza!

Come watch the game while helping raise money towards the Senior High trip to Montreat and their Mission trip to South Dakota.

When: February 4th from 5:00 to end of game

Where: Trinity's Fellowship Hall

Donation: $5, adults; $2.50, kids under 12

• Food
• silent auction
• contests
• games and activities for kids
  

Sandy Norkaitis

We are in the process of collecting the annual offering for Matthew 25 Fund and the Winger Food Pantry. The Souper Bowl luncheon has been rescheduled for Feb. 25th at noon. It is not too late to participate in the Matthew 25 offering and the competition! Half of the offering stays at Trinity for the food pantry and the other half goes to the Presbytery Hunger Relief fund. Winger Food Pantry spends about $1,000/month so we really need and appreciate your help.

The competition between the kids and adults to see who can donate the most powdered milk also is in full swing. Please bring cartons of powdered milk. Lauren and Alec want you to bring so many cartons that the stack will reach the ceiling in the dining room. Adults - we have lost two years in a row. Now is our time to win. Bring milk to the dining room until February 4. Thanks very much.

Nancy Wagoner

Julie March, Minister of Equipping

There are many opportunities for ministry at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Invitations to join in particular ministries will run in each newsletter. To respond, or to list your own ministry invitations, please contact me at the church (725-3840) or email, juliammc@sbcglobal.net.

Ministry opportunities

• Making people feel welcomed and valued is one of the most essential ministries we practice. If you have the gift of welcoming and hospitality, and just like people, you are needed by the Evangelism Committee to sponsor new members and help with new member events. You won't need to attend Evangelism Commission meetings. To join this ministry email Kim Martin, martink@wudosis.wustl.org or call me.
• Most new members comment on how warm and welcoming our Church family is. Are you interested in helping Trinity become an even more welcoming place? Join the Welcoming Committee to share your ideas and help coordinate Sunday fellowship refreshments. Please contact Cheryl Evans (963-3152) or Dave Nelson (862-7466).
• The Winger Food Pantry needs food shoppers for July, August and September. Particularly helpful for this ministry are a big car and strong muscles. Substitute baggers are also needed to fill in when regular baggers are unable come. Call Sandy Norkaitis (863-7699) or me to join in.
• We have all enjoyed the new art gallery in the hallway outside the Weems Chapel. If you love beauty, have artistic talent, and like to create exhibits you are invited to help with exhibits in this busy area. Call me or Do Kirk (996-2680) to join in.
• The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit is coming to Kansas City February 8 through May 13. The exhibit includes documents never before seen in the United States, as well as artifacts from the ancient community of Qumran, near where the scrolls were discovered. Would you like to gather a group from Trinity Church to see this fascinating exhibit? Call me to join this ministry.

It's the YEAR OF THE PIG!!

Celebrate the Chinese New Year 4075 at

Trinity Presbyterian Church

With fortune cookies and a recital of art songs and arias by

Trinity member Victoria Carmichael, soprano and Nancy Mayo, piano

Sunday, February 18, 2007 at 3:00 p.m.

Admission is free!

Karen Coletti, Retiring Director of Christian Education

Remember Advent? The season of waiting, of anticipation, of getting ready? I often wonder what exactly is on the other side of all that preparation - what exactly is compelling us now through the winter months, which matches in fervor all our Christmas preparations.

Each Sunday in December, Trinity's children "came to the crche." One week they all made sheep (as well as various not-exactly-farm creatures) and suddenly the cradle was surrounded. Not one child said "I need to get ready" or "I'll practice this week and make a really good sheep next week." The crche was ready and waiting and the children responded with immediacy and enthusiasm.

Think about the Lord's choice to bring us a baby. There's no really being ready for a baby, is there? Even though longing and hoping may preceed one. The infant is both need and love in the clothing of NOW. And we just do it. We jump in and do our best. We are drawn out of ourselves and we instinctively put another's need ahead of whatever state of readiness defines us at the moment.

The needs in our broken world are as clear as that baby's. And those who most need us have no awareness of whether we are fully up to the challenge.

The baby's cry - the need in our world - calls us. We push away from the table of complacency and plenty because this need and love cannot be ignored.

And so our feast will not be the comforting rest and reward after efforts we were perfectly ready for. Our meat is the actual work of loving and healing and standing for justice. New Orleans and Our Little Haven and Clairvaux Farm and our Food Pantry will be our nurture, the real food for thought, and for preparation.

Getting ready for service and service happen all at once. Trinity Presbyterian Church has always lived in witness to the truth that even in our seasons of remembrance or anticipation, our brothers and sisters need us - NOW. We will keep on keeping on.

After Advent comes Christmas dinner; but dinner is not served.. Dinner is Service.

Keith Fischer, Chair, Corporate Affairs Commission

The goal for the Stewardship pledges this year was $330,000, itself a hoped-for increase over last year's amazing $324,000 in pledges. We exceeded our goal by $15,000, reaching a total pledge amount of $345,000 with 110 pledges, an increase of seven pledge units over last year. We are blessed!

We are blessed by having generous members willing to commit their financial resources to Trinity. They see, as I do, a dynamic church that is doing God's work in the world. We are also blessed to have creative and dedicated leaders, Do Kirk and Kim Merritt, who saw that a theme for stewardship could be formed around ice crystals, and they did it.

Ice crystals, each individual and unique, coming down from heaven. These crystals fall together, still individual but destined to blend and coalesce with other crystals to form drifts and even structures like the igloo that represented Trinity's budget. Trinity is a group of God's creatures who blend their resources, their talents, and their passions to form a congregation. Just as ice melts and flows away from the center, so we leave the church and work in the world doing our corporate and individual missions to God's world. We now have the responsibility to put these resources to work for good. Even funds used on elevator repairs do God's work by serving individuals who might otherwise not be able to join our worship and church life. I have every confidence that we all - staff, Session, commissions and congregation - recognize our responsibility. It's going to be a good year at Trinity!

Dan will be at a Covenant Network meeting in Chicago on 2/5 and visiting his mother in Madison on 2/6. Paul will be attending a conference in New York 2/20-2/27. He will be back in the office 2/28.

Lisa Bernhard

Last fall, four Trinity representatives attended an Equipping Summit in Loveland, Colorado. They share below some reflections about their experiences.

Give me an "E." Give me a "Q." Give me an "U." Give me an "I." Give me a "P." Give me another "P." Give me an "I." Give me a "N." Give me a "G." "What are we here to learn?" EQUIPPING!! "I didn't hear you. What are we here to learn?" EQUIPPING!!! Fortunately the leaders of the Equipping Summit in Colorado did not kick off the conference with cheerleader-like rah rah's. I have to say though that I walked into the room with at least a small measure of trepidation anyway. What would this summit be like? Would I be exhorted to get out there and equip my congregation? Would I be expected to lead equipping rallies? I wasn't even entirely certain what equipping was all about, and my style of persuasion is more the behind-the-scenes, slow and steady sort. I know that cheerleaders and pastors are really nice people, but I really hoped I wasn't going to be asked to be one of them. Thankfully over the course of the next five days, I not only became much more knowledgeable about equipping but learned in short order that I did not need to convince or exhort anyone.

Equipping, as it turns out, is probably the furthest thing from talking other people into something they are not really sure they want. It is also not about someone who is really smart or really learned or a recent attendee of an equipping summit going around showing everyone else how to be a better church member or how to be holier than they used to be. I gradually came to understand that the goal of becoming an equipping church is to provide everyone with whatever tools and support they need to understand how to identify their God-given gifts, talents, and passions and how to use them in a way that breathes meaning and life into all that they do. Sometimes this will mean finding the right role within the walls of the church. Sometimes this will mean doing the work of the church in the broader community. Sometimes this will mean realizing that the work one does for a living or for a civic organization is also the work of the church. Sometimes this will mean knowing that being a good parent, spouse, or child is also the work of the church. Sometimes this will mean knowing it is okay to take time off from being a helper and even okay to accept help, love, and support.

I was pleased and honored to be asked to attend the Equipping Summit along with Dan, Julie, and Liz, and even though, I am by nature a more restrained type (ask Dan what my behavioral style is), I am indeed pretty darn excited about the possibilities for transformation in the Trinity community that can be brought about by embracing equipping principles. I look forward to my work on the Equipping Ministry Core Team and welcome any and all questions or suggestions from members of the congregation.

Dr. Daniel Anderson-Little, Pastor

Last fall, four Trinity representatives attended an Equipping Summit in Loveland, Colorado. They share below some reflections about their experiences.

While describing what an equipping church can look like, one of the presenters at the Equipping Summit in Loveland, Colorado related a story of an equipping church she knew. She told about how members were discovering their callings, discerning their spiritual gifts, and finding meaningful places to serve, not only in the church, but in their homes, their places of work, and their communities. She then went on to describe the pastor of that church. What struck me about her description of the pastor was the phrase that the pastor used to describe himself when introducing himself to visitors: "At this church, I am just the pastor." Just the pastor. My first thought in hearing this was, "Hey, I went to a lot of trouble - seminary, ordination exams, etc. - to be 'just the pastor'" But as I continued to listen to the description of that pastor and as I went through the week-long Equipping Summit, I concluded that I, too, would like to be known as "just the pastor."

What did that pastor mean by being "just the pastor"? He meant that while the pastor is important, at times even central, to the life of a congregation, the pastor in an equipping church leads not only by being out in front of the congregation (through preaching, teaching, vision casting), but by supporting members and coming along side them as they seek to fulfill their callings. Ephesians 4:11 talks about the role of a pastor: "The gifts he gave were that some would be pastors to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." This describes an important role for pastors (evangelists, prophets, apostles, and teachers are also a part of that list); but the role is lived out, not by doing ministry for others, but by equipping them to do the ministry to which they are called.

That comment, "I am just the pastor" reminds me of when the Apostle Paul calls the church "the Body of Christ." Even when we embrace that image, we are still tempted to think in terms of hierarchy - pastors are at the top of the body, then elders, then deacons, then those who are "just members." But Paul reminds us that every part of the body is essential and that no one in the church is the head - it is Jesus Christ who is the head and gives the body its direction. So, am I just the pastor? You bet I am!

Liz Nelson

Last fall, four Trinity representatives attended an Equipping Summit in Loveland, Colorado. They share below some reflections about their experiences.

This was a phrase I heard numerous times during the "Building an Equipping Church" summit in Colorado. The trainers challenged us to take the Biblical imperatives, equipping principles, and church examples they shared and apply them to the unique culture and staffing at Trinity. "So what will you do with this information at your church?" and "Now what do you have to do next to make it happen?" I worked beside laity and staff from huge non-denominational congregations (isn't 10,000 a small town and not a congregation?!) and small and mid-sized Protestant churches as we shared our struggles, successes and dreams. I was excited to see how equipping is working in churches of all sizes and theologies. I was grounded by the study of the Biblical reasons why Trinity is being called to build disciples... (Remember when we read Ephesians 4 as the scripture reading for a whole month last year?) This is not a new-fangled "program" - this is going back to the most fundamental message and charge of the early church. I was relieved to be given tools to build the systems needed to help harness the energy and gifts of the congregation, to increase their own spirituality and to help congregation members explore their spiritual gifts and gain support as they put those gifts into action in big and small ways (public and private; inside the church and beyond its walls). And I was proud to have Dan with us at the summit. We are further along than many churches because we have a minister dedicated to equipping. So many participants were bemoaning the fact that they were going to have to go home and convince their pastor to buy into the equipping focus or were concerned because they had been sent by their church to learn how to "recruit more volunteers." Equipping IS NOT about putting more people on committees! Our equipping ministry program is about helping each person live into the unique part of the body of Christ that they are.

Julie March, Minister of Equipping

Last fall, four Trinity representatives attended an Equipping Summit in Loveland, Colorado. They share below some reflections about their experiences.

As many of you already know, Dan, Liz Nelson, Lisa Bernhard and I recently traveled a long 19 hours together in a van to Loveland, Colorado, for the Equipping Church Summit. We experienced five days of intensive training experience in building an equipping church. Being the new kid on the block here at Trinity, I learned a tremendous amount about equipping ministry. The dynamic leaders threw many catchy phrases at us like "What gets you up in the morning?", "What melts your butter?" and "What perks your coffee?" which describe the exciting nature of the equipped church, where every member finds excitement and fulfillment in his or her own particular ministry. Trinity Church's prior preparation in building an equipping church surprised and delighted me. Almost all of the other participants were just beginning the process, and we learned that we are way ahead of the game. The pastor's support is especially crucial in this effort, and you all know that Dan has been the driving force behind moving Trinity Church towards a place where ministry opportunities abound. As the Associate Pastor for Equipping, I am building on an already strong foundation.

I also realize how very fortunate I am to come to a church where the Equipping Core Team is already in place and well versed in the concepts of equipping ministry. I'm excited by the prospect of immediately implementing some of the innovative exercises we learned at the training session, including especially a wonderful exercise called "gifts bombardment". It is just as energizing and inspiring as it sounds, and is a wonderful tool for enabling people to recognize and embrace their gifts for ministry. Other exercises assist in learning and community building, as well as building a church wide gift-based team ministry. All these and more enhance our effort, as Paul describes so well in his letter to Ephesians, "To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ."

Members and friends of Trinity Presbyterian Church are invited to an informational meeting on Monday, February 12 to learn about a new effort to combat drug and alcohol abuse in our community. This effort is sponsored by Missouri Substance Abuse Prevention Resources Network and the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. The Network is forming community teams called C-2000 teams which are designed to work on issues and problems unique to its local community.

A University City team's focus would depend on who was involved with it and on the problem or issue they identify. If Trinity becomes part of a C-2000 team, a member of the Network would work with us to establish the needs of the community, and help in designing service projects or community events that address alcohol, tobacco, and other drug awareness. If you would like to learn more about this ministry opportunity, please come to an informational meeting at Trinity at 7 p.m. on Monday, February 12. The presenter will be Emily Ehrhart, a Prevention Specialist with the Network. (Emily is also engaged to Trinity member Brian Jeter.) If you plan to attend, please RSVP to the church office, 314-725-3840.

Paul Vasile, Minister of Music

The return of the refurbished pipe organ has provided occasions for public celebration and we have truly enjoyed the instrument's sound and presence after months without it. I have also been witness to some quieter, humbler moments that have reminded me of the ways that this instrument is touching the lives of many individuals in our community.

About a week before the rededicatory recital on December 9, I was practicing Bach in the choir loft when I caught a figure out of the corner of my eye. A young mother and her two children (a three-year old and a newborn) were sitting in the front pew listening attentively. I stopped and talked with them briefly to find that they had heard the organ while walking down the sidewalk next to the church. The woman's son expressed a curiosity about what was making the sound, so they came in. I invited them up to the console and helped her son up to the bench, where he got to play some of the keys while I pulled stops. His eyes and his laughter betrayed his utter delight at all the shiny buttons and knobs. As they were leaving, his mother said a friend had recently been to Trinity and mentioned the warm, inclusive spirit of the congregation. If there was any church she would think of attending in the area, she said, Trinity would be it. I invited her to worship with us and can only hope that our small interaction will encourage her to return. The organ as a tool for evangelism? I never imagined.

I got a phone call about three weeks before the rededicatory recital from Barry Hufker, one of the finest recording engineers in the city. Over the past two years, he has been part of a number of recording projects in our Sanctuary. You may not know that we usually don't charge musicians who use our space for recordings and recitals, but instead ask that they compensate us by sharing their gifts in worship. This explains some of the marvelous musicians who offer special music from time to time. In thanks for the church's generosity, he offered to record the rededicatory recital free of charge. He was there that evening and, thanks to him, we have an excellent quality recording of the recital that will be duplicated and shared in the coming months.

Shortly after the rededicatory recital, I received a call from Tom Pearce, a veteran church musician in the city who now serves as a music editor at Morningstar Music Publishers. Tom's wife Emily has also sung with the choir and they have been supportive friends and colleagues over the past years. Tom asked if he and his daughter Sarah, a violinist, could play an extended prelude for our Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols Service. Those who attended that evening heard a beautiful range of selections which added much beauty and joy to the service. It was also a treat for me to sit back and just listen to the instrument. What a wonderful Christmas gift!

These three "God-sightings" give witness to the spirit and energy that infused the organ renovation project. We certainly served as good stewards by repairing and improving the instrument but we have also provided a way for others in our community to connect to Trinity. Keep praying for more of these marvelous relationships - that the instrument will continue to give witness to our generous, gracious, welcoming God and draw many others to see and hear the Good News!

Joy Pipes

Thank You for the beautiful Advent bag. What fun it was opening a gift every day! - Joy Pipes

Liz Nelson, Church Administrator

Birty Heads Outside. Don't be surprised if you see custodian Birty Hodgson outside more often in 2007. The Church is reassigning outside maintenance duties (lawn care, leaf removal, etc.) from contract worker Jeff Baechle to Birty. Jeff has done a wonderful job of preparing the exterior for Sunday mornings, but in an effort to save money, Birty will be asked to add external maintenance activities to his schedule, which also includes room set-up for all community and church activities, building cleaning, basic maintenance, work with our contractors on building renovation and repair, and the ever-present "other duties as assigned!" Due to Birty's Sunday-through-Thursday schedule, outside preparation will be done by Thursday (earlier if poor weather threatens) rather than on Saturdays. This change in duties also creates the opportunity for all church groups that use building space to make a greater effort to clean up after themselves in the kitchen and make their own coffee and tea.

Trinity Opens Its Doors. One look at the large magnetic calendar outside the Church office shows how our building is being used by the larger community. Along with our commission meetings, rehearsals, Presbyterian Women's gathering, and food pantry, lots happens in our halls from Monday through Thursday.

Music: Community Music School lessons for piano, bassoon, cello, violin, and voice and Kindermusik classes. Vicki's voice lessons. OASIS Concert Band, Small Wind Ensemble, Advanced Guitar rehearsals, and Jazz Ensemble Techniques class. Our sanctuary is used almost monthly for recitals.

Care: Care and Counseling individual therapy and bi-weekly widow/widowers grief support group.

Learning: University City Great Books.

We have received wonderful feedback about our space, donations of money to our food pantry and donations of musical performance during worship, as well as great appreciation for our willingness to share it with groups and individuals who want to explore their passions, develop relationships and gain support during personal challenges.

Office Angels. Thank you to the Trinity members who have come forward to help in the "ministry of office administration" (and, believe me, it is a ministry to prepare all of the communication tools we use to share information with the congregation, gathering data, and archive information). Thanks to: Joy Pipes and Janet Guenther ("J Squared") for weekly assistance with the database, mailings and bulletin, Kitty Underwood for providing transportation for helpers, Luise Hoffman for help with newsletter mailings, Catherine Klostermeier for data entry, and Do Kirk for help with miscellaneous projects. Much work goes into weekly and monthly activities behind the scenes. Thanks to you all!

This is a list of Trinity Members who need our prayers. If you would like to be added to the prayer list or know of a member in need of prayer, please call the church office, 314-725-3840.