TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
590 Elma Avenue SE
Salem OR 97317
503-585-8851

SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 UPDATES
OREGON WILDFIRES INFO
Oregon has sustained great damage and devastation due to the wildfires this past week. Many people have lost their homes and property has been damaged.

Open Door Sunday Worship
This Sunday Pastor Alyssa will share
Luke 5: 1 - 11

Pastors John, Alyssa and Kalina will be joined by Rev. Jeff Lowery (ODC's Youth Director) for this new sermon series,
"This is My Story"
Open Door Churches
All are invited to join us via our Open Door Churches Youtube page. Share this invitation with your family, friends and neighbors. These online services are a wonderful opportunity to share the love of our faith community with everyone, near and far! See you online!

Join United Methodists from across the Greater Northwest Area in a time of prayer, reflection, and praise in online worship

Voices from across the Area will lead us through music, liturgy, and deep breaths amid the fire, smoke, ash, anxiety, and grief of this time. You will have the opportunity to offer financial support to disaster response efforts in each annual conference as you see images of our earlier commitments to be good stewards of the earth and our current efforts to love our neighbors.
SUNDAY WORSHIP UPDATE

As COVID-19 infections are increasing, our churches are still closed and we don't have a definite date of when it will be safe to worship in-person.

We will therefore continue to worship together online on Sunday morning, 10:00 a.m. or whenever you are able to join us for the foreseeable future.
COMMUNION SERVICES
We will celebrate WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY on Sunday, October 4th. Pastor Alyssa is looking for people who speak multiple languages and who would like to share this gift in worship. If you are interested in participating in worship, please email Pastor Alyssa at pastoralyssa@opendoorchurches.org.
Pastor John Fleming shares an important message with us through his Blog Post this week, in addition to a profound take of terrible fire events over the past couple of weeks, Pastor John shares a very special personal update about his family in Texas. Please hold Pastor John and his family in your prayers.
The Open Door Churches Pastoral Team is pleased to offer you the chance to join in Midweek Devotionals brought to you each Wednesday evening!
Note: these devotionals are uploaded on the Open Door Churches YouTube page on Wednesday each week.
SEPTEMBER SERMON SERIES
Each week one of our Open Door Churches clergy will offer their stories and share their thoughts on that week's scripture. The month will finish off with a special guest, Rev. Jeff Lowery, who works with our Youth Ministry.
LOOKING for CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS!
Open Door Churches and our churches are looking for additional content contributors and more in-depth stories for our newsletters.

Do you have inspirational stories to share? Stories of God's grace at work in our world? How about stories of local charities in the area and ways they are helping families in need during these crazy times?

We'd love to hear from you, CLICK HERE to send Vicki at Morningside UMC a message about your idea for a story and sign up to be a Content Contributor!
Open Door Churches Pastors Team
(new email addresses)
Rev. Kalina Malua Katoa
Pastor Zaida Hureca is pastor for Las Naciones UMC and her ministry leadership is focused on the latinx community of our Open Door Churches.
pastorazaida@opendoorchurches.org
PLEASE NOTE - Pastor John Fleming will be away from the church offices beginning September 17 - 27. Please refer to Pastor Alyssa or Pastor Kalina for any pastoral needs. Thank you.
Please contact
Pastor Kalina Malua Katoa for any urgent pastoral needs.
503-381-5142
HIGHLIGHTS FROM
TRINITY CHURCH COUNCIL ZOOM MEETING
Thursday - September 17
  • Finance report - Trinity is still staying ahead
  • Budget 2021 - Approved a proposed 2021 budget of $158,000. $21,000 less than the current year's. Will ask for members commitments during Stewardship Campaign in October.
  • Trustees - No major projects at this time. Solar power seems to be working for September with electrical bill significantly lower than August.
  • Open Door Churches report - nothing new from last month's report
  • Lord's Cupboard - Open every Saturday - 1 pm - 3:30 p.m. The first Saturday was a bit slow but picking up.
  • Annual Conference - Kathy Webb reported on the virtual conference. Everything seemed to go well even in current situation. Pastor Kalina was approved as a provisional elder. She was previously a local pastor.
  • Pastor Kalina would like to set up meetings and classes with folks either using ZOOM or in-person at Trinity.
  • Velma Hampson was elected Church Council secretary for the reminder of 2020.
  • Next meeting - Thursday, October 15, 2:30 p.m.
Episcopal Address: Part III
Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky
Sept. 16, 2020
The United or Untied Methodist Church – shaping the future of the Church?

Remember February of 2019?
General Conference met in St. Louis, Missouri, with high hopes that The United Methodist Church would adopt “The One Church Plan,” eliminating the prohibitions and punishments which have marginalized and excluded full participation of LGBTQ+ people in the Church and its ministries for nearly 40 years. When the plan failed, hopes crashed and the General Conference ended in open anger and hostility, while conversations began across the church about what needed to happen next.

How can United Methodists who cannot tolerate the exclusive policies and practices resist? Hang banners outside the church, run newspaper ads, withhold apportionments, plan to leave the denomination? Should we try again at another General Conference? Should the denomination plan for an orderly separation with fair division of assets to be presented to the next General Conference? Should we abandon the idea of a global church, and give more autonomy to national or regional churches? One thing we quickly realized is that we needed to intentionally invite into leadership as we shape the future that they will carry forward.

A year ago, I called together a Guiding Coalition of diverse leaders from the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Conferences. It organized into ten working groups that began to look at options for the future. 

And then COVID-19 grabbed our attention, threatening the very health of the nation and world. It became the critical focus as we adjusted every aspect of our lives to keep safe and prevent the spread of the disease. Concern for the future of The United Methodist Church receded into the background. Almost everything we understand as Church moved online. Conferences were cancelled or postponed and conducted remotely like this one.

And then the world saw George Floyd, with a policeman’s knee on his neck, struggle, plead, call for his Mama and die on a street in Minneapolis. Again, the headlines shifted, attention focused on real and present systemic racism in America. People cried out, rose up and poured out into the streets to demand racial justice and equity.

We live in a different world today than we did even a year ago. These movements are overwhelming. They demand all our attention and resources. We are weary. But no rest for the weary.

As wildfires rage across the West, we find ourselves in another crisis in , and to a lesser degree, to this point, in Idaho. And the church digs deeper, finds reserves it did not know it had, invents new ways to mobilize to offer relief to people who are evacuated, homeless, and stricken by sooty, ashen air.

Disaster response volunteers are working with district superintendents, local church pastors and laity, our Hispanic ministry coordinator and communicators to provide emergency shelter – a necessary service. They are also responding to the need to store the personal belongings of people who have evacuated in church buildings that have been closed for months. All the while they adopt practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The faithfulness, courage, and generosity of the churches is urgently needed and ready in this time of uncertainty. And the “connections” The United Methodist Church brings to these crises are the blessings of generations of faithful folks who have given, organized, volunteered, prayed, and reached out.

United or Untied: what is the future of United Methodism?
Open Door Churches Young Adults
Coffee, Conversation & Community on ZOOM
(email Pastor Alyssa for link)

The Young Adults Group's next ZOOM meeting will be on Wednesday, September 23.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
OPEN DOOR CHURCH YOUNG ADULT INSTAGRAM
Are you following Open Door Young Adults on Instagram?
Check out the Instagram page to see what is happening with the Young Adult Group and to see what some of our Young Adults are up to!
Youth Group - Thursdays and Sundays
Open Door Youth Group is a safe and welcoming place for youth (grades 6-12) to explore their faith.
Open Door UM Youth Group Zoom meetings

Open Door Youth continues to meet online twice a week, on Thursday evening from 7-8:30 and Sunday afternoon from 1-2:30.

Confirmation Class had their first class on Wednesday, September 16th. Please contact Jeff for more information.
Some of the topics that will be covered include: God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, Salvation, the Bible, service, and Spiritual Gifts. The hope is to attend the April Suttle Lake Confirmation Retreat where the youth will learn more about Methodist heritage with other youth from around the Annual Conference.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER
September 20 - "Eat it or Yeet it" Fall Edition
September 27 - Bob Ross Painting Class

Email Jeff at revjeff@opendoorchurches.org for the Zoom link or if you have questions.

YOUTH LEADERS
Rev. Jeff Lowery - revjeff@opendoorchurches.org
Maddy Hickerson - maddy.hickerson@gmail.com
Kelly Mason - kelmason@gmail.com
Update on Trinity's Phase Two!
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. -  Psalm 46: 1, NRSV

The Bishop is allowing the to move into Phase 2 of the Re-imagining Life Together area-wide plan but ONLY IF we have a DS-approved plan for Phase 2 can we begin to implement that plan. 
Trinity's Re-imaginiing Life Together Team has received approval for Phase 2 reopening. In Phase 2, suspension of in-person worship services continues. Groups of 10 or fewer may gather in the church building to record or produce online worship resources, while practicing physical distancing, wearing face masks, and observing other hygiene practices. Each person may remove their face mask while they are speaking during active recording. The production of in-person vocal music remains prohibited in facilities. High-touch surfaces must be sanitized after each use. Access to Church buildings is limited to designated staff, volunteers, meetings and services. Ministries are strongly encouraged to continue to meet, serve, and worship together remotely, striving to include vulnerable persons making healthy choices to participate in virtual ways.

VERY IMPORTANT
Please remember to SIGN-IN and SIGN-OUT
when you enter and leave the church building!!

If you must enter the church building please be considerate of all and keep your entrance into the building at a minimum. There is a sign-in and sign-out sheet on the table in the Narthex, it is important that you record when you are in the building. Please be considerate of our office staff that is required to be in the church office several times during the week handling the mail, etc. Please do not enter the church office unless absolutely necessary as we are doing our best to keep it safe and sanitized for staff - we are all in this together! Thank you.

NOTE: Open Door Churches has a team that is working with each church to develop plans for reopening. For the time being the Clergy team plans online worship services to continue indefinitely.
$OLLARS & CENTS
by Pat Gillespie, Treasurer
Trinity has found a "comfortable" groove - both income and expenses less than expected. The result is a slight gain. A major maintenance expense could turn the groove into a "rut." Your continued support is still very important.
The work of Trinity UMC continues! Please remember to give your tithes, gifts, and offerings to keep vital ministries going. We welcome you to mail your check to -
Trinity United Methodist Church
590 Elma Avenue SE
Salem OR 97317

If you have questions or comments please email me at trinity_pag@msn.com.
For all who have been affected by the wild land fires in our area; prayers for all who have been infected with COVID-19 or who may be displaced because of it in any way; and for those with other health issues that have been unable to receive care.
Other concerns: For for Bev Otjen's daughter Cathy; Ann Jeffries; for Nathelle Brown; for Meg and Roger; for Kathleen Kaplan; for Nadine and Edson Gilmore and their grandson Joshua; for Margaret, Velma's friend; for Mary Beth; for Pastor Kalina's husband, Soine Halafuka; for Ardeth Jerde's son Dan; for Leon Chartier and for Judy as she cares for him; for Bev Otjen; for Ashley Haskell for health concerns; for our country and its leaders; our home bound or those in care facilities; for the elderly and disabled, the poor, the hungry, the homeless; for care for the earth.
Those serving in the Military: Lynette Gilmore (Nadine & Edson's daughter); Alex (Pat Hossner's grandson), Daniel (Wilson's and Petersen's grandson), Jacob Phillips (Sherry Petersen's grandson), Zach Gilmore (Nadine & Edson Gilmore's grandson) and Donald Kimbrow.
If there are others to add or remove from this list please let the
church office know.
OCTOBER JOY GROUP
With much regret, there will not be the annual October Siletz Trip to Judy and Eddie Wilson's for the crab feed!
This will be the first time in many years that it is being cancelled. With COVID-19 and also the recent fires it just isn't possible to even have a one day trip this year. Judy and Eddie are very sorry not to host this event and they are hopeful everyone is safe and well!
5 Melissa Jungling
6 Betty Hendrick
9 Frances Osborn
16 Ruth Hawkes
17 Nathelle Brown
23 Ellen Rainey
26 Jim Jungling
19 Velma & Paul Hampson
21 Rose & Larry Rhoads
25 Karen & Jim Harless
TRINITY PHONE TREE LEADERS
will be calling you to say "hi"!

STAY WELL, STAY SAFE, WEAR YOUR FACE MASK, and STAY HOME AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!
NOW OPEN
1:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
Every Saturday
DRIVE-THRU ONLY
Volunteers are needed on SATURDAYS
from 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Volunteers should contact Ellen Rainey, 503-508-9089 or or Jerry Rempel, 503-393-8875. This new model will be a drive-thru from the Marion-Polk Food Share and will help service clients on Saturday afternoons.
NO direct client contact and there will be adherence to strict CDC protocols.
We are especially in need of LARGE grocery sacks or small to medium size cardboard boxes. If you can help supply those, please leave on the porch on the SE side of the church by the French Doors and we will get them.
Please contact Jerry Rempel, 503-393-8875 or 503-881-5141 for more information or concerns.
Race, Racism and the
Legal System

Mondays - 7:00 pm
Sept. 14 - Oct. 19

Mondays at 7:00 pm from September 14-October 19, Modern Christian Life will look at the justice system and the role of race and racism.

We’ll start the class on September 14th with a discussion about Ava DuVernay’s Academy Award nominated documentary "13th." You can watch the documentary on YouTube or on Netflix.

Future classes will look at civil rights acts, laws to address racial discrimination and disparity, and what it’s like to volunteer with and teach people who are incarcerated.

Sound interesting? Want to participate? If you haven’t signed up before, please email Cesie Delve Scheuermann and get added to the email list. This class is open to everyone in Open Door Churches!
SATURDAY - October 10
SAVE THE DATE!!

This year's Walk 4 Alzheimer's is quickly approaching and Morningside UMC & Open Door Churches are planning to be part of it again this year.

Plans for small, social distanced teams walking in the local neighborhoods are being worked out now.

Mark you calendars and plan to join us for an opportunity for some fresh air, fellowship and to support a very important cause.

For more information, contact Brigitte Rolph (geoxbri@gmail.com) or
Anni Powell (michaelanni@hotmail.com).
HELPING HANDS
Salem Housing Authority is preparing to open their Redwood Crossings Permanent Supportive Housing.

Donations are needed for welcome baskets for the new residents. If you would like to help here is a list of the most needed items:

Towel Sets
Twin Sheets
Comforters
Hygiene products - shampoo, bar soap, toothpaste
Cleaning Supplies - disinfectant wipes, broom, spray cleaner

For questions or to arrange a drop off or pick up of donated items please call: Linda Strike 503-399-9080 ext 4018 or email.

All donations are appreciated.
JOIN THE PRAYER GROUP
Just a reminder that the Facebook Shalom Prayer Group is open to all Open Door Church members and a wonderful way to share your prayer concerns in a private and safe online place. Your prayers and comments are only visible to the group members and the page is facilitated by Morningside member Beth Fleisher.

In Facebook, search for Shalom Prayer Group - Open Door Churches and CLICK the JOIN button to submit your request to join the group page. CLICK HERE .
Go to opendoorchurches.org to see information about each of the churches and ways you can be involved. Links for the Sunday Services can also be found here.
NEWS: 2020 General Conference and the Jurisdictional Conference have been postponed to 2021. We will send out more information about other closings as we get it.