May 2017 Newsletter

A Letter from the Pastor

From the Desk of Rev. Brian Carr

My Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Welcome to the May edition of our Trinity newsletter. Once again I stagger that we are already approaching the midpoint of 2017. Can that be possible? Are we making the most of our time? Are we being dragged along by the pace and current of life rather than by the Holy Spirit? I find that far too often I get caught up in the rat race and try to keep up with everyone and everything as culture dictates. The speed of technology seems to encourage that mad race and pace. And yet, when I take a moment in the midst of this furious race, I find that it is far too easy to lose myself in the hurry.

I realized pretty much at the last minute that I had not written this article yet and began to immediately feel the pressure, even though no one had reminded me that I was late (which I deeply appreciate but sometimes I need that oh-so-subtle and gentle kick in the pants). Anyway, I began to consider all of the urgent things I should write about as we do live in a complicated and urgent time but my mind kept coming back to the biblical rhythm of remembrance. Many of the Psalmists and Prophets and Priests and Leaders of Israel throughout her history would regularly call the nation to a time of remembrance - to intentionally stop and remember all that GOD had done for them. Inherent in those holy memories was the powerful idea that, if GOD had acted in Israel's behalf before that, GOD would once again act on her behalf in similar ways, for GOD can be counted on.

As I stopped to think about GOD's faithfulness in my own life and our life as the people of GOD at Trinity UMC, I began to think about the month of May. May is a month of memory. We begin May as we begin every month with Holy Communion when we remember the depths of Christ's love for us by the breaking of the bread and the sharing of the cup, remembering how He loves us and also remembering that we are called and sent forward to love in that same way. On the second Sunday of May we stop to remember and honor our Mothers and all Women. This year we plan on honoring the wonderful women in our lives with a Chocolate Buffet between our two worship services so please make plans now to come and bring those wonderful women with you!

On the third Sunday of May we once again remember the importance of our children and specifically ministry to, for and through our children as we are led in worship by our Music Makers which is always a glorious day for our church and I believe, the Kingdom of GOD. I urge you to begin praying now about who you can invite and bring with you to Music Maker Sunday on May 21st. We end the month appropriately enough on Memorial Day Sunday. As our nation pauses to remember all of those who have given their lives in service to our country, we pause to remember those near and dear to us who have made that sacrifice. We will take a look at our heroes in a special way on May 28th. May is the month of memory. In the midst of that month, may we intentionally and purposefully remember who we are, whose we are, all that GOD has done for us and all that GOD will continue to do for us and through us. I look forward to remembering with you.

May GOD richly bless you as you richly bless all those around you by loving, living and leading like Jesus.

Pastor Brian

Sermon Series for May

May 7th	The Character of a Methodist
May 14th	The Character of a Methodist
May 21st	Music Makers' Sunday
May 28th	May 28th- Heros of the Faith

The History of Mother's Day

Yes, it was two West Virginia mothers!

The celebration of Mother's Day can be traced back to ancient Greece, but the mother of Mother's Day in the United States was Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis, a Methodist from West Virginia.

Her daughter, Anna, led a successful campaign in the early 1900s to have Mother's Day recognized as a national holiday. Anna was not quite two years old when her family moved to Grafton, four miles south of Webster, W.Va. According to historical records, Anna heard her mother express hope that a memorial would be established for all mothers, living and dead. After the death of her father in 1902, Anna - along with her mother and sister, Lillie - moved to Philadelphia to reside with her brother, Claude. After Ann's death on May 9, 1905, Anna began an intense campaign to fulfill the wish of her mother.

On May 10, 1908, the third anniversary of Ann's death, a program was held at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton and in Philadelphia, launching the observance of a general memorial day for all mothers. Subsequently, the church observed Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May each year, making Andrews the mother church of Mother's Day. The church, no longer an active Methodist congregation, was incorporated as an international shrine in 1962 and is open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each weekday between April 15 and Oct. 15. Click here to read the rest of the story.

Graduate Recognition Sunday

Honoring the leaders and caretakers of our future

We will recognize all graduates on Sunday, May 7th during both worship services. If you know of anyone that attends Trinity and is graduating from high school, receiving a post-secondary certificate or college degree, please contact Lori Hansard by calling the church or emailing her at [email protected].

Update from the Trustees

The Trustees hope that everyone had a wonderful and blessed Easter. A big Thank You to the members and leaders of Trinity's own Boy Scout Troop # 599 for the great job they did clearing the land and preparing the prayer trail for our Stations of the Cross activity on Good Friday. It was very moving and inspirational.

Security cameras have been installed and are up and running. Two additional cameras will be installed soon. Monitoring and recording is now being done, which has given staff and lay members who frequently come into the building alone and during off-hours an added sense of security and comfort.

Thank you to our Youth and everyone else who helped out to dispose of surplus items from the Trinity Learning Center.The Portico on the south-end of the building was recently modified to accommodate school buses that drop-off/pick-up students from the new Easter Seals Charter School and we will be installing new plumbing and wiring to meet the school's needs.

The two res trooms near the Fellowship Hall have been given a small facelift (note the word lift) and the church bus will be getting some needed repairs soon. Also the Parsonage is getting some minor repairs after the recent walk-through inspection.

Charlie Daniels, chair

To My Trinity Family,

On behalf of my sister Sharon, brother-in-law Bill and myself, I would like to thank you for all of the phone calls, personal visits, the wonderful meals, flowers and the heartfelt prayers and concerns that have been sent my way.

I am on the mend from my fall and hope to be back to somewhat normal soon. Please keep those prayers coming! Your support and love are extraordinary!

Love and blessings to all of you,

Jane Presson

Human Trafficking Awareness

Join the H.O.P.E. Team to hear Bikers Against Trafficking speakers Dienna Cannavino and Doc Nave, both trafficking survivors, at the next meeting on Monday, May 1, at 6:30 p.m. at Emmaus Lutheran Church, 2500 S. Volusia Ave, Orange City. H.O.P.E. Team meetings are open to the public. For more information, contact Lana Saxon.

Facts about the Fresh Expressions network in the Florida Conference

Evangelism

Fresh Expressions: Engaging New People in New Places and in New Ways

In April 2014, conversations of Fresh Expressions began to take root in the Florida United Methodist Conference and now, just a few short years later, the concept has taken off across the Conference. There are currently around 60 Fresh Expressions of church that vary from gatherings around a community garden to a group that meets in a pub each week. These expressions of church look very different in different gathering places, but the heart of each group is to reach new people, in new ways and in new places. Here is an article on five ways churches can address and embrace changes that will move your congregation toward a more "mission-minded" body. Open this link to read Five Streams of Missional Congregational Multiplication.

As we look into the future of what church looks like, we believe that it will be a mixed economy of both traditional churches and fresh expressions. These two forms of church must exist together as we seek to reach people with the Gospel. To learn more about how to start a fresh expression of church, email Matt Harrell at [email protected] .

June Everhardt Shearin

You go nowhere by accident,

Wherever you go, God is sending you.

Wherever you are, God has put you there.

(Celtic proverb)

When June's children were in their teens, she decided to go back to school to see if she was college material. Deciding to take the hardest course possible, she signed up for Chemistry. On her first day of class, one of her classmates said, "This is Chemistry for Nurses." With this class, June's career path was set - Nursing. God placed this lady, with such a caring, loving heart, in just the right place.

To read more, click here.

Trinity Administrative Council

Faith Partners' Ministry of DeLand

At the last Council meeting, we reluctantly approved a motion to close our Faith Partner's Ministry (walk-in) program started over 20 years ago by Eva Jerome. Over the last five years, Steve and Karin Roland, Susan Largen, Melissa Fuller and other volunteers have faithfully served our church and community through this outreach program. We want to thank them for their selfless service and dedication to helping the less fortunate. Below is a letter from Steve to help you understand why this decision was made.

John Campbell, chair

________________________________________________________________________________

Faith Partners' Ministry of DeLand: An Open Letter to Members and Friends of Trinity

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On behalf of Karin and myself, our years of working with the new

Faith Partners' Ministry of DeLand (FPM) and all its prior forms (Walk-In Ministry, Food Pantry, etc.) have been very rewarding. Last year, we received enough food from Second Harvest Food Bank to make over 52,000 meals, praise God!

Admittedly, however, there have been some disappointments along the way. Our biggest disappointment was that we were unable to bring area churches together to work collaboratively for a common cause: serving the neediest of our community.

To read more, click here.

Unity in the Community Day

Saturday, April 29th at Earl Brown Park

The City of DeLand and the Color Line Roundtable, along with a number of local non-profit groups, churches and businesses - all about as religiously, socially, economically and politically diverse as it gets - came together last Saturday to put on this highly successful event. Years ago, the event coordinator, Don Kerr, had a vision of this day... a day where we all stopped talking about issues of race, poverty and police-involved shootings and banded together to have fun, to share, to laugh, to compete in games and to build bridges.

Trinity UMC was there and our crew played a big part in ensuring that DeLand's first Unity in the Community Day went smoothly, as planned. A BIG and VERY DESERVING thanks goes out to Lori Hansard, Brian Fuller, Frank Gagnier, Pastor Carr and his entire family, and members of Trinity Youth for all that they did to make it happen that day. Our cadre of volunteers coordinated a number of activities and events, including the Volunteer Check-In process, the Sack Race games, and the Tug-of-War games. It really was a team effort and the members of our church should be very proud. Next time you run into a Trinity Youth teen or one of the adults that helped with that activity, take a moment to let them know how much you appreciated their participation! Here are some pics for you to enjoy seeing: Click HERE!

The Editor

United Methodist Judicial Council

and the Commission on a Way Forward

*On April 28, 2017, the Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church made a decision on a petition requesting a declaratory decision on the election, consecration, and assignment of Karen Oliveto as a bishop in the Western Jurisdiction.

The Judicial Council decision in regard to the petition submitted about the election, consecration, and assignment of Karen Oliveto is summarized as follows: The Judicial Council ruled that the consecration of a gay bishop violates church law but also said Karen Oliveto "remains in good standing," until an administrative or judicial process is completed. The decision goes on to describe the required disciplinary process by which a bishop's ministerial office is to be reviewed. The Council's decision concluded with a reminder that a bishop's constitutional right to fair and due process must be protected and reiterated that until an administrative or judicial process is completed, the bishop remains in good standing.

To read more, click here.

Getting outside the church walls and into the school doors

Developing our school-church partnerships

"Without change, we are stuck in the status quo. Without continuity, we are disoriented, in chaos. Without change, we live in a stagnant pool of water. Without continuity, we are in permanent white water, without a paddle or a raft." - Bishop Ken Carter, Florida Conference.

Bishop Carter has established three "signature" initiatives for 2017, one of which is clearly in the hearts of many Trinity members, The School/Church Connection introduces us to at-risk children in the schools nearest to our local churches; the Nehemiah/Legacy Project helps us to come alongside local churches which have become disconnected from their neighborhoods and communities, and Fresh Expressions of church take place outside the walls of our church buildings. In each instance, the initiative is a bridge toward new people, new places and a new future.

Trinity has an established school-church partnership with Citrus Grove Elementary and we are ready to begin working on another with Starke Elementary. Both schools, their students, their families, their faculty and staff have many, many needs, yet we have barely scratched the surface in our mission to show the love of Christ by helping and loving our neighbors. Where do we begin? Well, it begins with you and your willingness to take the first step.

If you are interested in working inside the schools and with children, you must first be approved by Volusia County Schools. To get approved, visit the county Volunteers In Schools (VIS) page on the district website located at http://myvolusiaschools.org/volunteer-partnership/. Complete the online application process then contact Pastor Brian about your interest and willingness to serve.

There are so many needs: from summer reading and feeding programs to trips to the library and art museum, there are tons of ways to inspire and mentor to children who need it most. Won't you step up and help Trinity build THE VERY BEST SCHOOL/CHURCH CONNECTION PROGRAM for the next generation?

Pastor Brian

Starke Elementary 60th Anniversary Dinner

May 20th - 6 pm - Rinker Field House

Starke Elementary will be holding a fundraising dinner and silent auction to celebrate its 60th Anniversary. The public is invited to attend. Tickets are $25 which includes dinner. If you would like to attend and sit with other Trinity folks, contact Pastor Brian and we'll save you a seat! To learn more about the event, email Anita Campbell at [email protected].

Music Makers Sunday

The Tale of Three Trees

Conya Hartman and her team of dedicated helpers have been busy preparing and rehearsing children in our after-school music ministry program Music Makers. The musical "The Tale of Three Trees" will be held on Sunday, May 21st at the 8:30 a.m. service and repeated again at the 11 o'clock service.

This delightful, two-act musical features witty dialogue and fun music. The three trees with big dreams learn, through a series of life lessons, exactly what God's plan is for them. F ollow the adventures of Annabelle, who dreams of holding great treasure, Bud, who longs to become a mighty ship, and Gabrielle, who just wants to stay in the forest and point people toward God.

Through the eyes of Woody the woodcutter, Stump, who is rooted in puns, and Woodsworth, the tree of knowledge, we are reminded that even when we can't see the forest for the trees, there is no prayer that is too small for God.

Plan to arrive early to get a good seat! And be sure to save time to meet/greet the parents of the remarkable and talented children you will see and hear. We want them to know how much we appreciate them for letting their child(ren) participate in Music Makers!

Run 4 Life event on May 20th

Calling All Trinity Runners and Walkers!

The 7th Annual Run 4 Life 4 Miler for Suicide Prevention will be held on Saturday, May 20th beginning at 7:00 a.m. The distance is four miles and the run begins and ends on the campus of the Florida United Methodist Children's Home in historic Enterprise. The 4-mile course is on magnificent oak canopy roads along the shore of Lake Monroe. It is one of the most uniquely beautiful areas and race courses in Central Florida.

The goal of this race is to bring awareness to mental health/depression issues and to raise funds for programs providing support to those in need. It is also in remembrance of those who were overwhelmed by their struggles and felt suicide was their only option. All race proceeds will go to the Children's Home and other local suicide prevention programs.

For more information, see Kitwana and Andrea McTyer, Children's Home representatives.

Susanna Circle News

Saying goodbye is never easy

Members of Susanna Circle will gather on Monday evening, May 8th to break bread and share dinner with our sister, Carla Rhoderick, who will soon be moving out of the area. The potluck salad dinner will begin at 6 p.m. Other circle members are invited to attend. RSVP to Anita Campbell by calling (386) 734-9224.

Following the dinner, our guest speaker, Janet Argenbright of Lake Helen United Methodist, will present a brief video and program on Kiva (pronounced kee'-vuh.). This innovative, world-wide ministry makes micro-loans to help support women in third world countries to start small businesses, go to school, become leaders in their community, and build strong families. On average women reinvest 80% of their income in the wellbeing of their children.

To learn more, visit https://www.kiva.org/ . The women of Lake Helen United Methodist have been supporting this ministry for years and are very proud of the number of loans that they have successfully made (and the payments they have received back so they can make more loans!) Make plans to join us by calling Anita or Lana Saxon.

Cinco de Mayo

Join us on May 9th for good food, fun and mariachi music!

The UMW of Trinity will host a fundraising dinner on Tuesday, May 9th from 5-7 p.m. to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday commemorating the date of the Mexican army's 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. A relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage through parades, parties, folk dancing, mariachi music and more.

Know a neighbor or friend who is of Mexican descent? Bring them along and we'll all celebrate! Cost is by donation. Proceeds from the dinner will go to the UMW Memorial Scholarship Fund. Later this year, the funds will be distributed to graduating high school seniors and college graduates. For more information, contact Melissa Fuller, UMW Leader.

Mother's Day

May 14th

A special day is being planned to celebrate all mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, step-mothers, surrogate mothers, old mothers, young mothers, new mothers and mothers of every shape, size and color! A brunch will be prepared and served by the men of our church during the 9:30-10:30 a.m. Fellowship Hour.

Our Puppetual Motion Puppetry Team will perform a vignette during both worship services, so make your plans now to come and enjoy a little TLC (Trinity Loving Care) on this noteworthy occasion. Bring your family and have your picture taken in our photo booth to keep as a memento. There will be other gifts and fun activities to make your day extra special, so save the date!

Hospice Grief Support Group

Thursday, May 11

Halifax Hospice has joined with Trinity Angels and Stephen Ministry to host monthly grief support groups at Trinity. Know of someone who has recently lost a loved one due to death? Perhaps it's you or someone you know that may not be a member of Trinity. This support group could be an answer to prayer.

Groups are held on the second Thursday of every month from 3-4 p.m. in the Wesley Room. H alifax Health Hospice provides the services of Gina Francolino, a grief specialist with years of experience in leading support groups. For more information, contact Francolino at 386-425-9889 or email her at [email protected] . Pastor Carr also can be reached at 386-734-4425.

So long for now

Saying goodbye is never easy

We have sold our home and will be closing on it May 26. We will be dividing our time between our homes in New Mexico (where Lynn's family lives) and Kentucky (where my family lives).

Lynn will fly to New Mexico May 6. He will be staying with his youngest daughter, a psychologist, and her husband in Albuquerque until I arrive. She will schedule appointments for him with doctors who specialize in dementia disease. We are hoping to find medicines that will not only combat his dementia, but also relieve the dizziness caused by vertigo.

To read more, click here.