Dear Friends,
In July we've been celebrating a Month of Missions. As well as our mission box offerings, we have been generously receiving your in-kind gifts of flip flops and reusable tote bags. This week, we invite you to assist young mothers by bringing diapers for SWAG (Southwest Advocacy Group) Resource Center here in Gainesville.
Over the next three days, we are also sending out three different groups to participate in mission work by building relationships and homes. First, we have 16 middle school youth and adults going to Savannah to work with YouthWorks doing minor home repair and serving with the Salvation Army. We also have 40 high school youth and adults headed to Fentress County, TN to serve with the Appalachia Service Project in home construction and repair. Finally, we have about 25 adults flying out tomorrow for Guatemala to construct two homes for families living there. What a blessing this will be for those who will have homes which are warmer, safer, and drier at the end of these trips. And how wonderful it will be for the Trinity participants who will be blessed by the relationships they grow and the situations in which they find themselves. Please be in prayer for all these groups to share and experience God's love and grace.
July also seems to be a time of transition. Julie Mishoe, Trinity's Assistant Director of Youth Ministry, has submitted her resignation as she moves forward with furthering her education and moving toward her desired goal of serving youth and their families through counseling. Julie's last day of work will be August 4 at the end of Youth Week, and I invite you to join us in expressing your gratitude and appreciation to Julie for her many years of service with the youth ministry at Trinity. You can find her heartfelt letter to the congregation here.
Mark your calendars for noon on Sunday, July 30. During the Summer Sunday Lunch (Worship Center B), we'll be expressing our gratitude and celebrating the ministries of both Erin Cushing and Julie Mishoe. You won't want to miss it!
What's next? JJ Joseph, Trinity's Director of Youth Ministries, has already been working with the Pastors and Staff Parish Relations Team (similar to a personnel team) to develop an effective plan for moving forward, and we'll have some ministry job postings to share soon. Please keep JJ and our youth ministry in your prayers as we plan for the future of continuing to help kids and their families become devoted followers of Christ committed to making a difference in the world.
See you Sunday as we continue the "Unexpected Journey through Genesis" looking at the blessing and the birthright of Jacob and Esau.
Grace and Peace,
