"Call unto Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." - Jeremiah 33:3 NIV ‌ ‌ ‌

A NOTE FROM OUR PASTOR

Greetings! An Integrity of Faith and a Clarity of Witness: Can the U.S. Church Rediscover its Voice and Honor its Lord? This is the title of Bishop Ken Carter’s recent blog and I encourage everyone to use the link below to review his entire letter. Let me give you a bit of a snippet: Bishop Carter acknowledged the United Methodist Church has experienced an “impasse created by anxiety about the future.” He also addressed the “predatory sexual behavior both in the Roman Catholic Church, as well as Willow Creek Community Church, that has weakened the overall Christian Church.“ He articulated the deep political division within our country that has impacted folks in our church. “In a culture that is divided in toxic and severe ways, we need to discover what we share in common within the church and beyond.” Also, “The church must acknowledge its complicity in the harm done to women in their spiritual leaders, colleagues and congregants.” “There is one Lord, Jesus Christ. In obedience to Him we place all other leaders under His name, in the church and in the nation.”  I have only opened the window on one of the best written letters I have ever read. It is my hope you will follow the link below to read Bishop Carter’s full letter that acknowledges the pain we have experienced and the hope we hold dear in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior!  If you cannot open this link and want to receive a copy of his letter either by email or snail mail, please call the church office and we will arrange to send it however you prefer. https://www.flumc.org/blogdetail/an-integrity-of-faith-and-a-clarity-of-witness-can-the-u-s-church-rediscover-its-voice-and-honor-its-lord-11668999 Pastor Dale

Join Our Community Get Involved

THE CROSS AND THE FLAME: CONVERSATIONS WITH BISHOP CARTER A group of Trinity members are making plans to join Bishop Carter at the fall regional gathering at First UMC of Winter Park on Monday, September 17th at 6:30 p.m. These events are open to all and there will be an opportunity to submit questions in advance for Bishop Carter to answer during the gathering. Together, as the body of Christ, we will reflect on the future of our church and how we can best focus on our mission. For full details, to register and to submit questions, click here. If you want to join us, see Pastor Dale to confirm your seat on the bus. Attendees must pre-register with the Conference. To register, please visit flumc.org/bishopconversation.

SERMONS FOR THE MONTH

"Oh, Grow Up!" July 8-September 16 Series: My very good friend, singing Evangelist, Rev. Tom Kraeuter, wrote Oh, Grow Up! The Everyday Miracle of Becoming More Like Jesus . His book of wit and wisdom is an inspiration for a hurting and often out-of-control world. Rules do not change the character of the human heart. Tom helps us to reflect the character of God. Oh, Grow Up! leaves no doubt that, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 1:6) Let me be clear: I don’t want to preach about the lack of “Christ-like behavior such as gentleness, kindness, truthfulness, and humility in the church". I want to preach on these subjects because I want to grow in Christ and improve my character. I invite you to join me in God’s sanctifying grace that has no bounds. September 2 - The Honor of Humility 1 Peter 5:5b-7    Our church defines leadership as one who serves first and leads second. A pastor who does not serve the people humbly is not worth following. The gospel gives us plenty of examples of the honor of humbly serving others. Even Jesus found himself humbled to God while on earth. September 9 - Grace Makes All the Difference 2 Peter 1:2-3, 8-10    Will being filled up with God lead us to the “fullness” of God? God’s grace makes all the difference. The good news is that we do not have to hit bottom in order to be filled with the grace of Jesus Christ! Of course this means that we cannot be so full of self that there is no room for God. New series: What Do We Believe, as United Methodists? September 16-November 25 In a world of confusion, violence, misunderstanding and division, the Christian voices of United Methodists have never been more needed than today. I would have never preached this series when I was a young pastor; however, with seasoning, I realize this teaching is exactly what we need. It gives us a way of sharing our beliefs with others. Bishop William Willimon, in his book United Methodist Beliefs shares simple truths about how we can live out our faith such as…   “’Follow me!’ Jesus did not say, “believe the following six things about me” or “Follow these ten truths.” Jesus calls people to a journey with him, not a seminar about him.” Journey with Bishop Willimon and me as we explore our United Methodist faith traditions.   September 16 - We Believe in the Triune God Gen 1:1-5, 26 and John 1:1-5, 14    During the sermon I will also be using John 10:30, Luke 1:35, Matthew 28:19 and closing with 2 Corinthians 13:14. “Thinking about God in a way that is fully open to the possibility that God may be a living, sovereign, free and active reality beyond the bounds of human construction and imagination.”   September 23 - Mission Outreach Sunday Cindy Fox and members of our Mission Outreach Team will each be presenting five-minute testimonies on the important outreach ministries of this church. The purpose of Trinity’s Missions & Outreach Ministry is to spread the love of Christ by connecting our congregation with opportunities to serve our community, both locally and globally. Come and learn how our members are actively engaged and involved in ministry (and how you can get involved too!) September 30 - We Believe in Salvation Through Jesus Christ In 1738, John Wesley was brief on faith, “Original sin, justification by faith alone and holiness of heart and life.” We did not turn out as the caretakers of God’s garden, but rather exiled as sinners and even killing by Genesis 4. By Gen 6:6, God grieved our creation. Our only hope was from God’s Lamb, our Savior, Jesus the Christ.

MOST WORSHIP SERVICES ARE NOW BEING VIDEO RECORDED AND POSTED TO YOUTUBE . PLEASE VISIT AND SUBSCRIBE TO TRINITY'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL TO CATCH UP ON THOSE SERVICES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED. TO LEARN MORE, CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE.

September Events Click here to view/print the Church Calendar for any event (past, present or future) in any given month!

BIRTHDAYS  2 Betty Cunningham 3 Ann Anderson 3 Vincetta Ford 3 Ann Oliver 6 Dennis Kletzing 6 Anne Sollien 8 Glenn Thompson 9 Mitch Donaldson 9 Mirabella Gagnier 9 Valerie Hencinski 11 Marty Atkinson 11 Lyn Thompson 11 Carly West 11 Dorothy West 12 Bethany Smith 13 Jane Messersmith 16 Loron Donaldson 20 William Adams 20 Becky Kellogg 20 Amy Williams 21 Sandy Allinson 21 Cindy Hunt 21 Charlie Yocum 22 Don Taylor 23 Noah Nemecek 23 Vanessa Vergara 24 Jennifer Griffis 24 Vernon Linder 25 John Rooney,Jr. 26 Melissa Palmer 26 Betty Schuetz 26 Chuck Temperly 29 Paul Ebanks  STAY IN TOUCH WITH US! If your contact information (name, mailing address, telephone number, email address) has recently changed, please notify the church. You can call the office at (386) 734-4425 or email Lori Jones at officemgr@trinitydeland.org. To call, write or send a member a card or email, contact the church office to request an updated "People Directory."

ANNIVERSARIES  06 George & Ann Jenkins 43 yrs 14 Charles & Judy McLaughlin 44 yrs 15 Frank & Kathleen Gagnier 17 yrs 18 Tom & Betty Cunningham 59 yrs 24 Bill & Judy Ward 41 yrs 26 Edward & Carol Plummer 42 yrs 27 Chuck & Teresa Temperly 21 yrs  The church Calendar of Events is always available for viewing and can be accessed anytime - 24/7. Simply visit http://www.trinitydeland.org/events to view and print. To submit corrections, changes or new entries, send the information to Lori Jones in the church office. Trinity Today, our monthly newsletter, is distributed electronically by email. Current and older issues can be viewed on the church website http://www.trinitydeland.org/newsletter. Printed copies are available for pickup in the Narthex. If you need to have a newsletter mailed to you, contact Lori Jones in the church office. Like getting our weekly PhoneVite calls? We hope you do! If you are not getting them, call the church office and we can check the list to ensure your number is correct.

IN MEMORIAM Bernice Fishpaw - January 2018 Hank Kobler - January 2018 Ann Husfeld - January 2018 Hubert Talton - January 2018 Marjorie Humston - February 2018 Louise Pennington - February 2018 Jean Clayton - March 2018 David Churms - April 2018 Jerrie Shepard - June 2018 Carolyn Szell - August 2018

POV (POINT OF VIEW) CONVERSATIONS TO BE HELD AT TRINITY Members and friends of Trinity are cordially invited to experience something different. Different because it's not common. Different because it's counter-cultural. It's called POV (Point of View).   POV is a three-week experience that makes space for engaging difficult conversations through the lens of empathy, context and mission. It’s a space where you can bring your thoughts, questions, emotions, and heart without the fear of being judged or coerced.   It’s uncommon because, in our polarized world, there are not many spaces left that don’t have dividing lines. It’s counter-cultural because often we are sold a false narrative of in or out, us or them, black or white. At POV, we are all in, we are all us, and our ideas are expressed in a spectrum of culture and color.   We listen, we share, we reflect, we engage. So, if you want to come to an uncommon experience and grow in empathy, come to the first ever POV series at Trinity. Our conversations will be centered around “Preparing the Way Forward.” This experience has been designed with help from the Florida Annual Conference and is meant to help prepare for the ongoing work and conversation around the Way Forward. You can learn more about the Way Forward at www.umc.org/wayforward. We hope you will consider joining us and contributing your POV. We would love to hear it. POV sessions will be held on Wednesdays in the Fellowship Hall (with coffee and sweets provided). We are offering both morning and evening sessions, which should make your attendance possible:   Session 1 September 5th          9:00am-10:30am             September 5th          5:30pm-7:00pm             Session 2  September 12th         9:00am-10:30am               September 12th         5:30pm-7:00pm             Session 3 September 19th         9:00am-10:30am               September 19th         5:30pm-7:00pm     We hope you will join us for some insightful experiences, fellowship, and genuine and respectful conversation around issues we face as United Methodists.   In Christ,   Your POV Committee (For more information, contact Karen Averill)

GETTING READY FOR THE BIG MOVE!

TRINITY BUILDING COMMITTEE An Important Update from Pastor Dale I greet you all through the love and grace of our Lord Christ Jesus. This week I have been in contact with Mr. Andy Craske, from the Florida United Methodist Foundation (the entity from which we would secure funding), and have set up a meeting for Thursday, September 6th, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone is encouraged to attend. It has been about two years since we have conversed with the Foundation and, I believe, it would be prudent for us to review our financial and spiritual status, as they pertain to our new church facility. As we all know, we are getting closer to breaking ground, but what does that mean? Are adjustments in order as we move forward? What do our numbers tell us? Are we all looking at the renderings in the same way? What can we afford? How much risk is comfortable and necessary? Many of us have questions and desire a clearer picture of the future. This forum will give us an opportunity to ask our questions, which will then enable us to move forward. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or any member of the Trustees, Building, or Finance committees. Pastor Dale Golden

MISSIONS AND OUTREACH

OUR PURPOSE To spread the love of Christ and connect our congregation with opportunities to serve our community, both locally and globally. Want to know more about the many activities, events and ministries in which Trinity is involved? Make plans to join us on Sunday, September 23rd for MISSIONS SUNDAY. During both services, members of the Mission & Outreach Team will share our purpose, vision and information about the various ministries - both locally and globally - that Trinity members support with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness. We hope to see you there! For more information, contact me via email or catch me at church. I would love to tell you all about it! Cindy Fox, Team Leader

THE PODS ARE COMING!!! The PODS, our storage facility for treasures of all kinds for Fall Festival, will arrive on September 5th. Please bring any items for the festival on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays from 3-5 p.m. or Sundays from 9-11a.m., and we'll store them until Set-Up Day. Time for clutter control!! Need more information? Contact Melissa Fuller by email.

BREAKFAST AT TRINITY Breakfast at Trinity continues throughout the hot months of fall too. Many of our regular volunteers are still on vacation, however; so we are in need of YOU to step in and help. The jobs are ones you can do easily: pour drinks, wash dishes, serve food, give out crackers when they leave, or talk to those eating with us. Want to learn how to talk with someone about their faith? Volunteering at our monthly breakfast is the perfect way to learn how to witness to others. (It will deepen your faith, as well, I guarantee.) Breakfast at Trinity is always held on the fourth Friday of every month from 9:30 – 11:15 a.m. Come join us! For more info, call me at (386) 736-1008 or click here to send me an email. Lana Saxon, Breakfast Coordinator

HOSPITALITY TEAM UPDATE This month, we have several openings for folks to monitor our Welcome Table at both the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services. All materials to give out will be on hand and our umbrella table will be set up. All we need is you! Call or email us - anytime! Judy Ross and Ann Jenkins, co-leaders

SCHOOL-CHURCH PARTNERSHIP: IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL TIME! Whether you're part of a congregation of 50 or 5,000, you can reach out to children and families as a new academic year begins. In Pensacola, Florida, for example, Warrington United Methodist Church is in ministry with Warrington Elementary School, less than a mile away. The congregation focuses on saying "Great job!" to the teachers and staff who strive to make a difference in the young lives they encounter daily. Here are a dozen more ideas from United Methodist churches across the connection that are working with local schools. (Click HERE to read the entire article.) Anita Campbell reports that Citrus Grove has a tremendous need for volunteers to help in both the library and Parent Resource Center (PRC). The center is located inside the library; this is the group that is responsible for distributing the shoes and socks that we are contributing, so it's a "perfect fit" for us and the children we are helping. If you are interested and can help, email her or call her at 386-734-9224. Leslie LaRue, Partnership Leader

SNEAKERS & SOCKS FOR KIDS Many, many thanks for all the donations of socks for the children in need at Citrus Grove Elementary School. In early December, we will ask teachers to make a list of the children needing new sneakers. After measuring, shopping, and some swapping occurs, the children finally (and proudly!) wear their new sneakers and socks. Some of you also gave money to help purchase the sneakers. Over $1000 came in - WOW! Thanks so very much. Your generosity is overwhelming! Our December "buy" is funded. Praise God! The teachers and support staff at Citrus Grove are so appreciative of all Trinity does to help their students. The kids like their new sneakers too. Their self-esteem increases as they no longer wear ill-fitting, smelly, torn-up sneakers. We hope this translates into better grades and relationships also. Lana Saxon, Sneakers for Kids Coordinator

INTERFAITH KITCHEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Trinity has agreed to provide a dinner once a month to the homeless and destitute of our community through the Interfaith Kitchen, located at 1st UMC. Our regular monthly date is the third Tuesday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Think about this: Serving just two hours a month of your time could (and does) positively impact someone else's life - possibly forever. Email me, using this email address link, or see me at church on Sunday to learn more or to volunteer. Melissa Fuller, Interfaith Coordinator

NURTURING & WITNESS MINISTRIES

PRAYER CORNER Andrew Brunson has been in the national news lately. He is a 50-year-old evangelical preacher, who is at the center of a dispute between Ankara, Turkey, and Washington, D.C. Trinity’s Prayer Team began praying for him in October 2016 when he was arrested, but the time has come for all of us to know his story and bathe him in prayer. Twenty years ago, Andrew, born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, and his wife, Noreen, moved from the U.S. to western Turkey where he founded the Ismir Resurrection Church. Ismir, formerly Smyrna, is a metropolitan city on the Aegean Coast. In 2016, he was arrested in a Turkish government crackdown following a “failed coup bid”. Although no creditable evidence was found, he was imprisioned and faces up to 35 years of incarceration on espionage and terror- related charges. On July 25, 2018, a lower court placed him under house arrest which was upheld by a higher court in mid-August. Our President, Vice President, Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury have all called for a full release of Brunson vowing to slap tariffs on imported Turkish metals to punish Turkey for refusing to free him. Turkey retaliated by threatening to place tariffs on electronics exported to the U.S. Recently the U.S. rejected Turkey’s offer to drop terrorism charges against Brunson in exchange for the U.S. dropping its investigation into the Turkish bank, Halbank, which owes the U.S. billions of dollars in fines. At this writing, Andrew Brunson remains in his home where he and his wife are waiting and wondering his fate when he faces the judge again on October 12. Andrew and Noreen need our prayers. He is being used as a pawn in the battle between the U.S. and Turkey. He has given two decades of his life bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to a predominately Muslim country. Reports are he has never lost his faith in God’s perfect plan for his life and clings to hope for his release. We can help by spending time in prayer for justice to prevail. Please join me in praying for the Point of View (POV) sessions this month and for our church family as we work our way through the Directory: John and Bunky Collins, Georgia Cowan, Carol Crimmons, Marjorie Crist, Tom and Betty Cunningham Carolyn Harner, Coordinator

HERO FUND Are you aware that Trinity UMC has a Hero Fund? What is our Hero Fund you may be asking? Trinity's Hero Fund was established several years ago for church members or someone active in Trinity ministries and programs who has medical bills not covered by insurance. Requests can be made to the pastor. If you have a request, please bring in your medical receipts from the hospital or doctor and we will make direct payment to them. We care for your good health, but of course there are limits to the funds and how they are dispersed, so help us to help you. If you would like to contribute to the Hero Fund, you can do so online. Click on this link to go to our Giving page on Trinity's website. If you have a need or would like to learn more, contact me via email or call the church office at (386) 734-4425. Pastor Dale

CHILDREN & FAMILY MINISTRIES Trinity Youth will be going to Rock the Universe on September 8th at Universal in Orlando then having a "lock-in" at the church afterward. (Hopefully we will not have to cancel due to a hurricane, like we did last year when Irma hit our area! :-) There will be 23 of us attending, including adult supervisors. Should be great fun! Sunday afternoon on September 16th, during the regular youth time, we will have Jan Edwards talk with Trinity Youth and their parents about human trafficking. Jan is a major advocate and speaker on the issues and problems associated with such abuses. It will be an honest, eye-opening talk! Our Education Team members felt strongly that this is something our youth and their parents need to hear. We will be extending the invitation to other church youth groups and young adults at Stetson to attend. If you are interested and want to help, please contact me. On Sunday, September 23rd, Trinity Youth will be roller skating at the DeLand Rink from 1:00-4:15 p.m. September 30th, we will empty the PODS and put items into the different rooms to prepare for Fall Festival. On Saturday, October 27th, a number of DeLand area churches will host a Family Fun Festival at Earl Brown Park. Trinity will be in charge of the relay races and have a table to meet/greet attendees. The event will take place from 2-6 p.m. The churches are reaching out to families and youth to get them to connect with a church. Watch for more details in the October newsletter and on Facebook. Volunteers will be needed! The elementary Sunday School classes will be using Cokesbury's Deep Blue at Home with God curriculum for the fall. We are also working on ways to make our numbers go up. The middle and high school classes have combined for the fall and are working through the Bible using a curriculum called Bare Bones Bible Handbook for Teens. Lori Hansard, Children & Family Ministry Director

MUSIC & WORSHIP MINISTRIES Join the Chancel Choir! We are looking for singers who love to praise and worship our Lord with joyful hearts and voices! Come and be a part of our Chancel Choir. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. And, if you don't know by now, most of the music performed at the 11 a.m. service can be watched on our Facebook page. (Thanks to Norma Clemente!) Here's a link. Music Makers Christmas Program Music Makers Drama Camp was a big success with 19 children participating, 11 of them were first-time campers! Save the dates for our Children’s Christmas Musical: “Candy Cane Lane”. The musical will be presented on December 9th during both the 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. services. Rehearsals have started but it's not too late to enroll. Look for the registration form on the church website. Christmas Candlelight Program The Christmas Candlelight Singers will perform “Darkness into Light” on December 14 and 15 at 7:00 p.m. A rehearsal schedule has been set. For more information, contact me. Susan Largen has graciously agreed to take an inventory of the items in our 3rd floor prop and costume area. This is a very BIG job and we are very appreciative of her efforts. The Praise Team has picked up several new members (Melissa Fuller, Dee Miller and Heather Osterhouse.) Plus Brian and Bethany Smith have returned! The Worship Team is busy designing altarscapes and taking flower orders for the fall months. The first Sunday of Advent (December 2) will be here before you know it! If you are interested in getting involved with one of these groups (whether it's in front of or behind the scenes), please come see me. We would love to have you join us! Conya Hartman, Director of Music and Worship

SUSANNA CIRCLE NEWS The Susanna Ladies have enjoyed lots of fun and fellowship together this summer eating out at local restaurants. Now it’s time to get busy with preparations for the Fall Festival, raising funds for our service projects, and scheduling interesting program and speakers for the rest of the year. On Monday, September 10 at 6:30 p.m., we will meet at the home of Anita Campbell. We will discuss our Hot Dog/Chili/Side Salad Sale that everyone enjoys at the Fall Festival. We also will have a program on "near death experiences" taken from the book, Imagine Heaven by John Burke and other references. If you have had such an experience, we would love for you to come and share it. Bring a salad to share and we will eat outside (weather permitting) on her back patio.  Please let Anita or me know if you would like to join us. (Remember, any female that attends Trinity regularly can attend a circle meeting.) Susanna meets on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Come join us! Contact me by email for more information. Lana Saxon, Circle Leader

KITCHEN "WORKER BEES" NEEDED! Trinity's Kitchen Team is getting ready for the Big Move (and Fall Festival) all in one fell swoop! There are many items in the kitchen that we no longer need or use; consequently, we need to get these items out, cleaned and either boxed up for the move, sent to Trash & Treasures for the sale, or kindly disposed of in the dumpster. This massive undertaking is going to take lots of man (and woman!) power. After all, the Fall Festival is just 36 days away! If you can spare some time during the week and want to help, send me an email or give me a call at 386-956-1059. And, if you have an interest and would like to continue to serve on this important ministry team, preparing food and meals for the many, many events that will be take place beginning this month, let me know that too. Many hands make less work, right? Thanks, Trinity family members and friends. Bless you! In Christian love, Betty Kobler, team leader

DATES TO SAVE TO YOUR CALENDAR!

Saturday, October 13 Cluster Conference Lakeside Fellowship Church Sanford, FL Open to all members of the church, this conference will take the place of a local charge conference in our church. Trinity leaders will be attending and reporting on events and activities of the past year. If you would like to attend, call the church officer or notify Pastor Dale to reserve your seat on the bus. Saturday, October 27 Family Fun Fest Earl Brown Park Trinity Youth and adults will coordinate the relay races. Bring the family and join us in the fun day-long event from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, October 28 Family Pumpkin Carving Fun Trinity Fellowship Hall - 5-8 p.m. Bring your own pumpkin or contribute 1-2 for others. Dinner is free. This event is open to the public. Prizes given to top vote getters! Wednesday, October 31 Trunk or Treat Church parking lot off Clara Avenue  Donated candy (individually-wrapped) will be needed. Decorate your trunk and come in a kid-friendly costume to help give out candy. (No choir rehearsal that night.) For more info on the above family-centered events, contact Lori Hansard . November 9-10 Visioning Retreat Location - to be determined Worrying that we may not be ready to move into our new church facility? What ministries will we continue to operate in the new space and why? Rev. Beth Fogle-Miller will lead this effort to complete our strategic planning in advance of the Big Move. For more information, email her .

WAYS TO GROW & DEEPEN YOUR FAITH

ADULT OPPORTUNITIES Visitors are always welcome to attend any of our Bible study groups and adult Sunday School classes. If you would like more info on these or other adult interest groups, visit the church website or contact Cindy Fox, Adult Education Coordinator, by email here .

PASTOR DALE'S BLOG For those who are looking for a deeper insight into some of Pastor Dale's teachings and leadings, he has created a blog which can be viewed anytime on the church website. Click HERE  to read his latest blog! And, to get an email notice about new blogs being posted on the website, click on the red button below to sign up or contact Lori Jones in the church office for assistance. Click here to sign up for Pastor Dale's blog!

WAYS TO SERVE

Want to help in the office? Contact Lori Jones. Willing to be an usher or greeter on Sundays? Contact Dave Shipman or Jennifer Griffis. Love cooking and want to serve on our Kitchen Team? Contact Betty Kobler. Want to serve the least of these through our monthly Breakfast at Trinity ministry? Contact Lana Saxon. Willing to call, write or visit homebound members? Contact Debra Wood or John Campbell. Want to help our TLC (Trinity Loving Care) team with funeral services, receptions and bereavement calls? Contact Debbie Bennett. Love kids and want to serve as a volunteer or mentor in local schools? Contact Leslie LaRue or John Campbell. Interested in serving on the Altar Guild? Contact Cherrie Cassleberry or Becky Kellogg. Want to help preserve, protect and pack our historical artifacts for the BIG MOVE? Contact Debbie and Steve Miller. Willing to learn how to operate our sound board? See Conya Hartman. Interested in reading scripture and/or participating in worship services? See Pastor Dale or Conya Hartman. Want to help get our new Nurture Team up and running? Contact Donna Beaty or Pastor Dale to learn more. Find it easy to talk with people about your faith? We would love to form a team that will focus on ways to strenthen our ability to witness to others. If interested, see Pastor Dale or one of our retired clergy members. Are you an outgoing extrovert and love people? Willing to serve as an "ambassador" for Trinity at church and area events? Consider joining the Hospitality Team. See Judy Ross or Ann Jenkins.

NEWS FROM THE FLORIDA CONFERENCE AND BISHOP KENNETH CARTER

How can I learn more about the Way Forward? For information about the Point of View (POV) process, which has been happening in many of our local churches, click here. The purpose is to create empathy in congregations and communities and to approach the LGBTQ conversation from a posture of listening to scripture and each other. POV was developed by a cross section of leaders across a theological spectrum and is also being used as a resource in other conferences. Bishop Ken Carter will convene four regional gatherings in Tallahassee, Winter Park, Boca Raton and Bradenton in September around the theme "The Cross and the Flame". These follow six meetings over the last two years, which were held in Gainesville, Cape Coral, Loxahatchee, Jacksonville, Tampa and Orlando. Bishop Carter will reflect on the future of the church and take time answering submitted questions. To register for one of these gatherings or to submit a question, click here. Smaller and more focused conversations will also take place around the Conference. Rev. Alex Shanks will be present in the eight districts this fall to review the three plans that are present in the Commission on a Way Forward’s report to the Special Session of the General Conference. To see the report click here. The date and format of your district gathering will be communicated by your superintendent and can be found here (note: some of these meetings will be held during clergy meetings). These district gatherings follow the presentations about the Way Forward held in each district in the Winter of 2018. The Special Session of the General Conference will be held in St. Louis, February 23-26, 2019. To learn more about the Special Session or how to attend the Special Session as a visitor, click here. The names of our delegation to the General Conference, with equal representation of laity and clergy and led by Molly McEntire and Rev. Alex Shanks, are listed here. The Conference Table, convened by our Lay Leader Paulette Monroe and Bishop Ken Carter, will include an open conversation with our General Conference delegates about the Special Session in February. The meeting will be on October 20 in Lakeland. To register for this gathering or to learn more about how to participate, see this link. We encourage you to share this page with others, www.flumc.org/wayforward, which contains videos, testimonies, and links to the Annual Conference presentations by a number of our leaders, including Way Forward Commission members Rev. Jorge Acevedo and Alice Williams. Bishop Carter’s book, Embracing The Wideness of God’s Mercy, will be published by Abingdon Press in late August, and is available through Amazon and Cokesbury. You can learn more about the book here. It includes material that has been included in local churches and clergy gatherings in the Florida Conference, and is a traditional evangelical case for greater inclusion of LGBTQ persons in our local churches.

GOD HAS ASKED US TO GO OUT INTO THE WORLD AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN. PLEASE JOIN WITH US ON THE JOURNEY!

306 W. Wisconsin Avenue, DeLand, Florida 32720 ‌ ‌ ‌

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