Trinity United Methodist Church
The Messenger
March/April 2020

Dear Members and Friends,

As you know I am retiring and we will need a new place to live after June 30. However, we were able to find a house in Albany sooner than expected. So the next few weeks will be packing, moving and unpacking. I will be away from the office, working from home. If you need to reach me, you can call  my cell 541-377-1022.

The Open Door Churches Board is working with the District Superintendent regarding the new pastors who will be joining the clergy team. As each pastor preaches their last Sunday in each church there will be a time of special recognition of that pastor's ministry.

As we all settle into the news that Wendy will have a new appointment beginning July 1, 2020 as the Cascadia District Superintendent, in addition to the appointment of another full time elder due to my and Dan Pitney's retirements, many questions are being raised up. The biggest questions are:  What is the process for the new appointment given we are part of Open Door Churches and the new clergy appointments are to Open Door Churches and not a specific congregation?  How will the process be different because of this?

Normally, the District Superintendent meets with the local churches Staff Parish Relations Committee and listens to the needs and desire of the congregation.  This conversation along with the church's profile are reviewed by the cabinet and they discern the best clergy fit for the new appointment, this candidate has a get acquainted interview with the local church's SPRC and if all goes well, the appointment is announced within 1-2 weeks at the local church.

In our situation, the appointment is to Open Door Churches and there will be two new clergy being appointed to join continuing full-time clergy of Alyssa Baker and Mario Gonzales, and Jeff Lowery, our part-time Youth Director.  (It is hoped that Mario will be returning in April.)  That new clergy team will have a lead clergy and together (along with guidance from the Open Door Church's Board) will decide how they will provide Clergy Leadership to each local congregation and Open Door Church Ministries.

The Cabinet and Tim Overton-Harris (DS) have already received all of the local church profiles for the congregations in Open Door Churches, input from our Staff Parish Committee, and input from the Open Door Churches Board which includes Trinity members Ann Jeffries, Kathy Webb and  Pat Gillespie, as to the ministry needs and qualities desired in our new Open Door Clergy and specifically Trinity.
 
The clergy candidates that the cabinet discerns for Open Door Churches will have an introductory meeting with the Open Door SPRC which will include Ann Jeffries.
 
I know this is a lot to wrap your heads around and raises questions. I will hold a question and answer time in the Fireside Room following worship this Sunday, March 1, 2020.

Let us hold each other, our Open Door Clergy and all of the Open Door Churches in our prayers during this time of transition.

See you in church!

Blessings,
Pastor Sandy 


Three Conferences of the Greater Northwest Area to hold shared annual session in Puyallup, Washington

The Alaska, Oregon-Idaho, and Pacific Northwest Conferences of The United Methodist Church will meet together in a Shared Annual Conference Session June 11-14, 2020 at the Showplex Center on the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup, Wash.

The Greater Northwest Shared Annual Conference Session (GNWAC2020) is expected to begin formally at 2:30 PM on Thursday, June 11th and conclude with a service of commissioning and ordination starting at 10:30 AM on Sunday, June 14th. As we learn of pre-conference meetings for different groups, we'll work to add them to the preliminary schedule.

Members will continue to walk with our quadrennial theme "Do This and You Will Live!" based on Jesus' words from Luke 10:25-28. Our time together will be necessarily adaptive to the work of General Conference delegates and legislation they may pass. A GNW Area-wide team will offer worship leadership, blessed again by the guidance of Rev. Grace Cajiuat, an elder from the Wisconsin Annual Conference.

GNWAC2020 will commence less than a month after General Conference 2020 is held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Meeting together for the first time with all three conferences, GNWAC2020 will provide opportunities to strengthen our connection as we receive reports from General Conference delegations and our Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky. While hearing and sharing stories of vitality, we will consider our next steps in response to what we learn.

Over the coming weeks, more information will be made available on the GNWAC2020 website:  https://greaternw.org/ac2020  
SPECIAL LENT CLASS
Facilitated by Pastor Wendy Woodworth

Begins Tuesday, March 10, 1:30 p.m. Morningside UMC

"Seven Thousand Ways to Listen: Staying Close to What is Sacred" by Mark Nepo

Class will meet 3 times during Lent on Tuesday afternoons (March 10, 24 & April 7) to listen to each other share our experiences and learnings as we read and reflect on this book.

The book has several small sections under three main areas:
  • The Work of Being
  • The Work of Being Human
  • The Work of Love
Also included are Reflective Pauses which include Meditation practices, Journal questions and Table Questions.

You can order the book from Amazon ($11.00) and start reading the first section "The Work of Being" for the March 10 class.  Please contact Pastor Wendy pastorwendymumc@gmail.com   if you have questions or plan to attend.    
OUTREACH


STEPHEN MINISTRY

In July of 1995, Trinity UMC sent Betty Wolff, Ardeth Jerde and Ann Albritton Jeffries to Seattle to be trained as Stephen Leaders. We commissioned our first class of Stephen Ministers: Dennis Albritton, Barbara Burnley, Ralph Burnley, Marilyn Sams, Joanne Scott, Marge Severson, Scott Webb and Chuck Wolff.

When Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church began their Stephen Ministry program, we worked together with our training of Stephen Ministers and the supervision Groups.

Stephen Ministry Leaders: Betty Wolff, Ardeth Jerde, Jerry Rempel, Joanne Scott, Jon Langenwalter, Janet Burkhart and Ann Albritton Jeffries. Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Stephen Ministry Leaders: Paula Davis, Karen Hafner and John Maas.

The Trained Stephen Ministers: Dennis Albritton, Barbara Burnley, Ralph Burnley, Marilyn Sams, Joanne Scott, Marge Severson, Scott Webb, Chuck Wolff, Cindy Bray, Harlow Atwood, Karen Atwood, Ruth Hawkes, Pat Hossner, Hazel Lefler, Jan Muck, Madeline Rempel, Cliff Sandahl, Flora Taylor, Jean Warden, plus all of the Stephen Leaders.

The program continued for several years serving 124-plus care receivers and may unofficial care receivers. Then the program gradually faded due to lack of care receivers, not lack of Stephen Ministers.

More recently the program morphed into a support group for widowers, and then widows. This group, which includes two of the Stephen Leaders (Jerry Rempel and Ann Jeffries) is now called "The Good Grief Group" and meets weekly for breakfast together in fellowship and support. This continues to be an active support group which we expect will continue indefinitely.
TRUSTEES REPORT 

At their last meeting, the Trustees decided to explore providing an all gender restroom. The Annual Conference has asked every church to provide this accommodation.
An all-user restroom, sometimes called a gender neutral or all gender, is a restroom that anyone of any gender can use. These restrooms benefit many different people, including parents with children of a different gender, people with disabilities who may require the accompaniment of an attendant of a different gender, as well as transgender and gender diverse people.
The Trustees decided to make the current Men's restroom in the hall beside the sanctuary a gender neutral one, which means it will now be a single occupancy restroom with a locking door which will indicate when the restroom is occupied. Persons of any gender will be able to use this restroom, just remember to lock the door!
FLOWERS for EASTER WORSHIP SERVICE
Please bring a lily and/or azalea of your choice to our Easter Sunday worship service on April 12. If you wish to give a lily or azalea in honor or memory of someone, let Pastor Sandy or the church office know.

Fresh flowers will also be needed for the flower cross on Easter morning.
SUNDAY - March 8, 2020

In This Issue
Worship Schedule
Sunday Worship 
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Blending traditional, Chancel Choir, Congregational Hymn and Praise Singing with Organ and Guitar.
Following Worship 
there is a time for 
coffee and fellowship
~
Open  Hearts , Open
Mind s , Open Doors
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Palm Sunday Worship Service
April 5 - 9:30 a.m.
Trinity UMC

Maundy Thursday Service
April 9 -  7 pm
Keizer Clear Lake UMC

Good Friday Service
April 10 - 7 pm
First Salem UMC

Easter Sunday Service
April 12 - 9:30 am
Trinity UMC

Karen Atwood, Velma Hampson and Ann Jeffries are revamping the Prayer Chain.
You can receive the prayers by phone or by email.

If you would like to be part of the Prayer Team, please contact Karen, 503-364-7452, Velma, 503-584-1939 or Ann, 503-393-8990.
  4   Scott Hossner
  7   Dorothy Kliewer
11   Vickie Atwood
18   Debe Glenn
20   Savanna Plank
24   Cheri Kinkaid
31   Flo Cruzen
       Jerry Rempel

14    Judy & Leon Chartier
 
  3   Ann Petersen
  5   Jim Harless
       Larry Rhoads
  6   Cindy Bray
       Emmett Kinkaid
15   Dianna Gillespie
20    Dehony Glenn
23   Anita McJunkin
27   Eddie Wilson
       Dick Wolcott
30   Pat Hossner

 
  8   Patti & Ralph Burnley

JOY Group
March 14, 2020
4:00 p.m.
at Walery's Pizza

Hosted by 
Karen Atwood & Joyce Schmidt
 RSVP by March 12
Karen at 503-364-7452
Lord's Cupboard

The Lord's Cupboard will be closed Monday, Wednesday & Friday -  March 2, 4, 6, and April 6, 8 and 10.  Volunteers are needed , please contact Jerry Rempel, 503-393-8875 or jmrempel@comcast.net and let him know when you are
available. Thank you! 
Family Game Nights
March & April

Game nights will be  Friday,March 27 and April 24 in the Fellowship Hall at 6 :30 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend.
Please bring a snack and game to share.  For more information contact Ann Jeffries, email annj355@comcast.net or phone 503-393-8590.
March 22, 2020
UMCOR SUNDAY
A churchwide Special Sunday of the United Methodist Church.
UMCOR works to provide relief, response and long-term recovery grants when disaster events overwhelm a community's ability to recover on their own. Your contribution ensures UMCOR's  response in times of crisis.
Open Door Churches 
Solar Project
Phase 2 - UPDATE

Congratulations to everyone who helped to meet our ODC's goal of $100,000 needed to make the Solar Panel Project actually happen this spring.  As of February 16th ODC have raised the following amount:   $105,000

We've reached 100% of our target at this point, although there may be some additional expenses, we are on the last leg of making this happen, so if you have not yet made a donation or a pledge, please do so as soon as possible so the solar panels can be ordered and the contracts signed.
 

Plans are underway for the annual Four Corners Staff Appreciation Buffet Lunch to be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. 
T he Outreach committee will need help with set-up and of course clean-up.
Please contact Jerry Rempel or the church office and let them know you are willing to give them a hand. Thank you!
P lease Remember in Prayer
Our loved ones in care facilities:
  • Pat Moe, Portland
  • Valleda White, Farmington Square
  • Dorothy Kliewer, care facility in McMinnville 
Other concerns:
John Kimbrow, Jerry Rempel's sister-in-law Noreen Reed, Ed Zacharias and his son-in-law Kerry Zubrod, Pat Hossner, Tim Bulletsett, Pastor Mario Gonzalez, Ann Jeffries brother George, Rose Rhoads, for natural disasters, for those affected by domestic violence and gun violence, our country and its leaders, our home bound or those in care facilities, the elderly and disabled, the poor, the hungry, the homeless, care for the earth, and those serving in the military.
 
Those serving in the Military:
Alex (Pat Hossner's gr andson ,)  Cole (Marily n Sams' grand son), Daniel (Wilson's an d Petersen's  grandson),  Jacob  Phillips    (Sherry   Petersen's   grandson), Zach Gilmore (Nadine & Edson Gilmore's grandson) and Donald Kimbrow.
OPEN DOOR CHURCHES 
NEWS AND NOTES
 
                 Open Door Churches February 2020 Board Meeting Notes
  • The Open Door Churches Board (ODC) meeting was held at First UMC Salem on Monday February 24, 2020.  
  • Discussion of the upcoming pastoral transitions took up much of the meeting.
  • A task force is meeting to talk about a "plan" for what the new Clergy Team, including Pastor Alyssa, can expect when they start working together in July. This will also include expectations of the needs for the Salem-Keizer Open Door Churches. Ann Jeffries (503-399-8590 or annj355@comcast.net) is on the task force, so please share with her your thoughts and dreams for Trinity UMC.
  • The next board meeting will be held at Morningside UMC on Monday March 30, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.

The Open Door Churches board members from Trinity UMC are Kathy Webb and Ann Jeffries. Pat Gillespie is the Treasurer.  If you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact one of these representatives.

   

Go to opendoorchurches.org to see information about each of the churches and ways you can be involved. 

OPEN DOOR CHURCHES  BIBLE STUDY
Scriptures for the Upcoming Sunday
Thursdays, 2:30 p.m. at Keizer Clear Lake UMC
7920 Wheatland Road North
Bring your own Bible and join others in a great study focusing on the scripture which will serve as the focus for worship in all the Open Door Churches for the upcoming Sunday. Led by Pastor Alyssa Baker and Maddy Hickerson, this promises to be a great opportunity to ground yourself in the scriptures used in worship.  

   Open Door Churches Webpage
Go to  opendoorchurches.org  to see information about each of the churches and ways you can b e involved.
Open Door Young Adults Schedule
Meet on Wednesdays from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.. 

The Open Door Churches Young Adult Group is made up of college students and young professionals ranging in age from 18-29 who are exploring questions of faith together. The group meets every Wednesday evening from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 

In February, the Open Door Church Young Adult Group took time to reflect on scriptures about God's love for us and their call to love one another. They also joined together to bake a cake for the Open door Youth Auction. They continue to meet on Wednesday evenings from 7 pm to 9 pm.

        Please look at their Facebook page for specific dates, times and places.

T hank you for your continued support of The Open Door Young Adults. Please contact Pastor Alyssa at alyssabaker08@gmail.com with any questions. 

Check us out on: 
OPEN DOOR CHURCHES YOUTH GROUP
March Youth Group will meet at 
First United Methodist Church - Salem

Open Door Churches Youth Group extends a thank you to everyone who supported their "Puttin on the Ritz" Dinner and Auction recently. The final figures have yet to be announced but it is looking upwards of $35,000!! Congratulations to everyone who helped make it a huge success!

                                                    MAY 17 - YOUTH SUNDAY 
@ First United Methodist - Salem and Keizer Clear Lake UMC

 
YOUTH MISSION TRIPS COMING UP
July 19 -24 - Youth 13 and over - Denver CO - DOOR 
(inner city mission experience)  www.doornetwork.org
August 9 -13 - Youth 13 and Over - Eugene OR 
L.A.S.T. prog ram  www.lastnw.com

More details about each of the events can be found on 
                              the Facebook page here

Youth Leaders are:
Jeff Lowery                      541-654-1878        directoroflast@gmail.com
Maddy Hickerson            503-999-5077        mjxh997@yahoo.com
Kelly Mason                     503-580-1475        kelmmason@gmail.com
$ollars and Cents
by Pat Gillespie, Treasurer

First two months of the year have been great! Both pledges and non-pledges higher than anticipated. Expenses much lower than anticipated. Partial reason for lower expenses is utilities less and staff getting work done with fewer hours than expected.

2020 Financial Status through February 29, 2020

                                    Actuals                                     Budget                     Over/(Under)
                                                                                                                              Budget
          $ 35,023                $ 33,969              3.1%
          $ 27,633                $ 33,688           (18.0%)
          $   7,390                $       281
Income

Expenses

Gain/(Loss)

*The budget is designed to reflect seasonal fluctuations in income and expenses and to zero out at the end of the year.

If you have questions or comments please talk to me, put a note in my church box or email me at  trinity_pag@msn.com.

Money is like manure - It should be spread around.
Brooke Astor (1902-2007), philanthropist, socialite, writer
M inistry and Support Staff
T rinity United Methodist Church
590 Elma Ave SE, Salem OR 97317
Telephone: 503-364-8851  
Fax: 503-585-4319
Pat Clark, Lay Leader:  503-364-6092
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Mon. and Wed.
By appointment Tues. and Thurs.
Church Office Closed on Fridays
Sandy Kimbrow . . . . . . . . . . . . .   Pastor          Julie Penge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Office Manager   
Paul Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . Choir Director       Na dine Gilmore . . . . . . . . . . . .Organist
Tim Bulletset  . . . . . .  . . . . . .  Custodian