January 27, 2008 sermon by the Rev. Kim Skilling.

All retirees are invited to a Valentine's Day visit to the beautiful and historic St. Stanislaus Church, February 14th at 11:00 am, with lunch at the Schlafly Tap Room after.

The group will meet at the church at 10 am and car pool. Contact Genny Richmond or the Church office (725-3840) by Tuesday Feb. 12th noon for reservations.

...on Tuesday, February 5th at 11:30 am. We will meet in the Chapel because the Dining Room will be used as a voting location all day. Please bring a salad to share for this time of fellowship.

In 2007, the "Three Amigos" (George Sallwasser, Bob Little and Tom Wilhite) spent nine months and multiple visits crawling into nooks and crannies, taking pictures and notes, deciphering ancient architectural drawings and dodging icky stuff (don't ask what's in that bell tower!) to create a professional and comprehensive "state of the building" report on the interior, exterior and bell tower. They have provided the Church with an incredible gift - information about the health of the building so we can be proactive and wise in our prioritization of projects and development of a long-range plan for the care of the building.

Their report can be viewed at http://www.trinityucity.org/RepairRecommendations.html.

If there's a job in the list that you're skilled to help with, please contact the Church Office.

Please contact Linda Min at linmim3@yahoo.comm. 16 ushers are needed a month-that's 192 ushers a year! You can usher on a regular basis or periodically.

All current elders and deacons, as well as those who have just rotated off the boards, are invited to attend the Officer Retreat on Sunday, January 27^th, at the Independence Center (4245 Forest Park Avenue (between Boyle and Sarah), from noon-5pm.

Someone left a non-digital camera at the picnic last summer. The developed film shows pictures of a blue Volvo with New York plates and various bumper stickers (rowing, Oxford-I think, etc.). Is it yours? Please call Liz at 725-3840 to claim it.

Pat Courtney and Bob and Nancy Wagoner are preparing to leave for Antigua, Guatemala for a mission work "build" with the God's Child Project. If you would like to contribute new (or gently used) infants or children's clothing, shoes, underwear, personal health care items, suitcases, or even a cash donation to be converted to local currency (to purchase food, pillows and blankets or toys for the family whose house they will build), please bring items to the church by February 3rd. There will be a basket in the dining room for your donations beginning January 27^th, and we will be in the dining room after worship on the third to collect any donations.

...will be held at Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church (9450 Clayton Rd.) at 4pm January 20th. The service will be led by Marsha Snulligan Haney, PhD, Professor of Missiology & Religions of the World at Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA. Music by a joint choir of Ladue Chapel and Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Churches and reception to follow.

Click here to see a few pictures from some of our activities this winter.

In November, we celebrated Dylan's 16th birthday at Karen Coletti's home and we had a fundraiser at the Cold Stone Creamery in Brentwood.

We had our December Gathering at the Nelson's.

Please attend the annual meeting on Sunday, January 20^th, following worship. We will receive the annual report and budget, approve the pastors' terms of call and elect an elder. It will be a fun time-a celebration and sharing of stories of God's power in our midst. Food and childcare will be provided.

Come watch the big game while helping raise money towards the Senior High trip to Montreat and their mission trip to Alabama.

When: February 3^rd, 2008 from 5:00-end of game

Where: Trinity's Fellowship Hall

Donation: $5 for adults & $2.50 for kids under 12

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

During the 9:30 education hour, Adult Education offerings will focus on January as "Family Wellness Month." Each class/discussion will be led by Debra Pearl of Care and Counseling. The following topics, pertinent to all families, will be addressed:

• ­ January 6 - Dealing with anxiety and depression in the family: how to recognize anxiety and depression; some ways to cope.
• ­ January 20 - Conflict Resolution: improving communication can help resolve conflict.
• ­ January 27 - Grief and Loss: what is grief, and how do we grieve.

Debbie Pearl is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Board Certified Diplomate from the American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work. She has extensive experience in treating children, adolescents, and adults in individual, couple, and family therapy. Some of her areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, loss and grief, domestic violence, parents of adult children, senior adults, teen issues/problems, parenting issues, communication, relationship issues, sexuality and sexual issues.

- Rhonda Dunbar, Youth Leader

The Senior High Youth's primary fundraiser again this year is a silent auction of items and services and a Family Football Night. The auction consists of items donated by YOU the members of Trinity Presbyterian Church. Yet again, we are overwhelmed by the generosity of Trinity members, but we can still use more. If you have a talent, a service, or an item you would be willing to put up for bid, please contact me as soon as possible (rhobear3@hotmail.com). Please include a brief description, your contact information (phone and email please), and if you want a minimum bid (not necessary for most items, but helpful for some). The auction will begin Sunday, February 3^rd so we need your items by January 27th. Thanks so much - and please bid on the items as well. Bidding starts after worship on Sunday, February 3rd and will be open until after fellowship on February 10th. This fundraiser supports the Youth Mission Trip to Mobile, Alabama, and the youth trip to Montreat, NC.

- Paul Vasile, Minister of Music

I am excited to share that I will be co-teaching a course at Eden Theological Seminary this January term. Titled "Lift Every Voice and Sing: Music Leadership for Participatory Worship," Professor Christopher Grundy and I will help seminarians to learn some of the underlying theory and practical skills needed to help congregations find their voice and return to the joy of singing together. We will discuss issues and strategies related to congregational song, but we'll also practice some of the skills needed to lead congregations in singing.

I will not be in the office as much as usual during the month as classes will meet daily. However, I can always be reached by email or voicemail. I am excited to share my gifts in this context and appreciate the support and prayers of the congregation as I embark on this exciting opportunity!

Brian Muegge is from Springfield, Missouri, and grew up in First and Calvary Presbyterian Church with Kurt and Julie March. He went to Princeton University for his undergraduate education. In 2005, Brian returned to Missouri to begin his studies in the MD-PhD program at Washington University. He has finished two years of the medical curriculum and has just started his thesis research in microbiology and genomics.

Caroline Muegge grew up in North Carolina (Raleigh area) and went to Davidson College for her undergraduate education. She moved to St. Louis two years ago to begin a graduate program in Germanic Literature and Language at Washington University. She took her MA exam in the spring and is now working towards her PhD. In her free time, she loves going to her ballet class at COCA. Brian and Carrie met in the fall of 2005 at a party hosted by a mutual friend. They were married in July at Davidson College Presbyterian Church, and now reside in the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood of St. Louis. They have been attending Trinity Presbyterian Church for more than a year and look forward to growing in faith as members.

-Vicki Carmichael

A Huge Thank You to all who helped make the first-ever "Trim the Trin-i-tree" Chili Cook-Off a success. Thanks to all members of the congregation who built trees, hung wreaths, decorated wreaths, carted ladders, and decorated the sanctuary on December 2^nd. Special thanks to: Birtie for all his help in getting things organized and ready to go; George Sallwasser and Pat Courtney for staying until the last wreath was hung; Liz Nelson for her fantastic organization and for purchasing wreaths; Roberta McBride for keeping our Christmas spirits high by playing carols for us to decorate by; all who manned the kitchen that day; Dave Nelson, Genny Richmond and Jim Person for judging the submitted pots of chili; the members of the decor committee, without whom nothing would have happened - Diana Gray, Elaine Pontious, Kim Martin, Kathie Cahoon, Jean Sallwasser, Luise Hoffman. You are all much appreciated.

- Suzanne Doyle, BJC Bereavement Specialist

For more than a year on many Tuesday evenings, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., Trinity has generously hosted a support group for young widows and widowers, aged about 30 to 60. The group is called Threshold to describe the members' difficult transition from their past lives as spouses into almost unimaginable futures. Although the program is sponsored by BJC Hospice, participation is open to other young widows and widowers interested in seeking solace among grieving companions and the safety to explore both predictable and unexpected challenges of mourning while working, maintaining households, and, often, parenting.

The group is small enough - usually fewer than 12- to encourage thoughtful, candid conversation and to consider issues that often arise along the grief journey toward hope; all meetings are facilitated by trained, caring bereavement specialists. The Threshold program consists of two phases. During the first, the Core community, new members meet together for four Tuesday evening sessions; this phase is offered about three times a year. At these meetings participants tell stories of their relationships and losses, and begin to look at both the changes and the possibilities in their lives. Then these participants are invited to join the on-going group, which meets on the second Tuesday of each month; members may continue to attend year-round for as long as they choose.

For more information about the Threshold program and the process of joining, please call me at 314-953-1806. The next Core group will begin in February 2008.

- Linda Min

A year ago I was asked to coordinate the usher schedule for Sunday morning worship. I was not exactly sure what this would entail. While apprehensive (mainly because I am somewhat shy and reserved and did not know many members well), I accepted this task, and took it on as a challenge to become more social and to put names with faces. Through this experience I have become more invested in Trinity and the people; I feel more firmly rooted in my place here, and for this I am grateful.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who volunteered in 2007 - you made my task much easier by saying yes! - and to give special thanks to my ushering hall-of-famers, who never minded being called upon, happily filled in whenever needed, and who have ushered at least five times this year: Jane and Pat Gibbons (15), Sandy Norkaitis (12), Cathy Smith (9), Catherine Klostermeier (8), Dave Nelson (6),Corie Merker (5), Bill Cahoon (5), Lori Lutchman-Jones Family (5), Dayna Early (5), Rhonda Dunbar (5). Heartfelt thanks to all who volunteered in 2007, no matter your number.

In addition to expressing my thanks, I would like to submit a shameless plea (you knew this was coming!) for usher volunteers for 2008!! We need 16 ushers a month, or 192 volunteers a year. I am working on the usher calendar for 2008, and would love to pre-fill some of the slots. If you don't mind ushering on a regular basis, please call or e-mail me (linmin3@yahoo.com). If you prefer to usher only once in awhile, please let me know that; I will add you to my e-mail or call list, and contact you as needed.

In closing, serving as an usher is an easy yet meaningful way to participate in the service. It does not require a huge time commitment; training is available and very simple. In addition to passing the offering plate (important in and of itself), ushering provides an opportunity for any of us to be an ambassador of Trinity; to represent what is best about our congregation with a warm smile and a genuine welcome to visitors and members alike, right at the moment they walk through our doors. What an opportunity! Do you feel called?

Please pick up your directory (one per family) in the Narthex-names are on the back of each directory. The directory includes frequent, active visitors to Trinity, as well, so be sure to claim your copy! Directories will be mailed shortly to out of town members.