TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Trinity Tidings  September 2017   Volume 31, No. 9

Welcome to our new online version of Trinity Tidings.

Wednesday Night Live Resumes!

Upcoming Events at Trinity:     September 3 Communion Sunday September 5 Mothers’ Morning Out Resumes September 6 WNL Resumes September 7 Men’s Fellowship Resumes September 10 YWE Resumes September 17 Handbell Choir Begins

Join us for our regularly scheduled Wednesday Night Live activities beginning on September 6th:   5:30pm WNL Dinner 6:00pm Children’s Choir 6:30pm CWE & Adult Bible Study 6:30pm Chancel Choir Practice   Wednesday, September 6th WNL Menu: Lasagna Salad Garlic Bread

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Dear Friends, The enormity of the destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey along the Texas and Louisiana coasts is difficult to grasp! The number of lives lost, the destruction of property, the damage to infrastructure (roads, water systems, sewer systems, etc.), is so large it will be some time before an accurate assessment of the devastation can be made. What is clear is that tens of thousands of people have experienced days of uncertainty and terror as they sat on roof tops, or struggled to escape the rising flood waters of a rain event never before experienced in our country. Many have endured a lack of food, safe drinking water, and exposure to the weather. While the media coverage has provided non-stop images and descriptions of this on-going disaster, grasping the comprehensive extent of the destruction is elusive for us watching it from the comfort of our homes. Amid all this horror, the reports of volunteers rescuing stranded folks from flooded homes and neighborhoods is heartening. Confronted by the overwhelming human need of thousands as their homes and neighborhoods became inundated with the flood waters, there has been an unprecedented outpouring of sacrifice and cooperation to assist those affected by the wind and rain of Hurricane Harvey. This united effort by people of diverse skin color, and no doubt diverse political views to help save others of diverse skin color and diverse political views can serve to remind us of the fact that we need each other in ways that far outweigh our differences! The road to recovery for those affected by Harvey will be long and difficult! The recovery effort will be expensive and go much slower than anyone wants it to go! Even now, some 12 years after Hurricane Katrina battered the Mississippi and Louisiana coastal regions rebuilding efforts are still ongoing. The area affected by Harvey is actually larger than the area Katrina devastated, so the recovery will be that much more challenging.  Most of us want a way to help! First, let us regularly keep this area in our prayer life! Mention cities by name, if you have been moved by particular accounts of suffering remember those people in prayer, and if you have relatives or friends in the affected areas remember them by name. Second, as we consider our options for tangible action, I urge us to remember some of the valuable lessons learned from Katrina relief efforts. Sending piles of clothes and other personal items is of limited value to the victims. Immediate disaster response organizations in the surrounding area can and will be able to provide such items. While sending bottled water and diapers may seem like a good idea, what will be of enduring value to these folks is long-term help enabling them to clean up, and to rebuild! These folks will need money! They will need free labor! Toward that goal I encourage you to consider a contribution to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance fund. Our PC(USA) PDA has a long and respected tradition of responsibly meeting the needs of storm victims. PDA operates with very low administrative costs, and a lean national staff. Even so, PDA is already working closely with the affected presbyteries along the coast assessing needs and evaluating where PDA “Volunteer Villages” can be established to provide safe and secure lodging for the anticipated thousands of Presbyterians who will want to come and help with clean-up and rebuilding efforts. PDA will also soon have the ability to provide direct financial assistance to local congregations as they seek to rebuild and restore their buildings, and it will help individuals in the rebuilding effort with direct financial assistance! Supporting the PDA Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund will strengthen these efforts. Trinity’s Session has approved our congregation’s participation in this relief fund. Starting Sunday, September 3 rd , you can make a designated contribution to the PDA “Harvey Relief Fund” through our church. If you plan on writing a check, please write it to Trinity Presbyterian, and mark in the memo line “Harvey Relief”. There will be special offering envelopes available for this purpose starting this Sunday. You can also mail your support to the church. This special offering will be open through the month of September. Early in October, we will mail one check directly to the PDA national offices. We will keep our congregation informed of the specific relief efforts of PDA as they are announced. Blessings, Marc

Youth News

The fall semester for youth has officially started!   Sunday nights begin on September 10th at 5:00pm for middle school with a combined worship and meal time with the high schoolers at 6:00pm, and the high schoolers will meet at 7:00pm.   Wednesday nights will look a little different for youth than it has in the past. I will be leading CWE when that starts back on September 6th, and I have recruited some middle schoolers to be my assistants. There is no youth group on Wednesday nights.   Also, please remember that if your middle schooler wants to go to Bonclarken the paperwork and money must be turned in by September 26th! There are no exceptions!   We had a great time at Chris and Paula Marsh’s house for our Welcome Back party. A huge thanks goes out to them for opening up their home to us and feeding us! Our Sundae party was also great fun. Thank you to Scott and Leslie Weikle for hosting everyone!   Hannah Smoak

Want to try something new??

Handbell Choir will be starting again this year!  Rehearsals will be on Sunday afternoons at 4:00pm. Please contact Lisa Barksdale at 834-6656 or lisabvoice@gmail.com if you are interested. The first meeting will be Sunday, Sept. 17 in the choir room. To participate, you need to be able to read treble and/or bass clef, and keep a steady beat. Come ye ringers!!!

Step Up Challenge

September’s Step Up Challenge has begun!  Together we can Step Up and help lower the Building Fund debt! There are 170 green envelopes on the board in the Narthex. Please take one and return it filled with the funds represented by the number on the front .  If we fill all of the envelopes, we will reach our goal of $14,535 !  This is a way that each member of your family can participate and contribute to our building fund.  It is hoped to be a " Step Up " above and beyond your building fund pledge. If you have not made a pledge to the building fund, this is a great way to participate in this cause! Envelopes will be in the Narthex through the end of September, so let's Step Up and make this count!

Music Ministry News

Children's Choir Meeting We are very excited to gear back up and have lots of worshipful fun and song in store! There is a 30 min. organizational meeting for Children’s choir parents and participants (age 4-12) in the choir room @ 6 pm THIS Wednesday, Sept. 6. This is a *VERY IMPORTANT meeting as it will address plans for the children’s choir in the coming year, as well as the needed volunteer efforts to keep our kids well supported! Look forward to seeing you there! —Leah     Chancel Choir Practice Resumes Wednesday, Sept. 6 @ 6:30 in the choir room!   "Mortals, join the happy chorus!" Don’t miss out as we have some wonderful music planned for the fall, and we’ll have wild fun and fellowship along the way--as we always do. So come check it out! No obligation required. Questions? Contact Leah ( nearlyheadlessleah@gmail.com ) or Eric ( eric@ericbarnhart.com ).

2017 Tournament of Hope

North Greenville Crisis Ministry’s 2017 Tournament of Hope Annual Fundraiser Gold Tournament will be held at Green Valley Country Club on Monday, October 23rd

Tournament Details:   Cost—$100 per player Includes green fee, cart fee, range balls, breakfast biscuits and box lunch Registration begins at 8:30am Shotgun start at 10am Closest-to-Pin, Longest Drive & Straightest Drive for Men and Women  Golfers of all skill level are welcome! Prizes for everyone! Form a team and sign up! To pre-register, sign up on-line at ngfcministry.org Registration forms are available in the church office; for more information, call the church office at 864-834-9897. There are many Sponsorship opportunities as well, for those who don’t play. All proceeds benefit the North Greenville Crisis Ministry, a non-profit 501c3 organization.

Men's Thursday Morning Fellowship

Men's Fellowship begins again on Thursday, September 7th. The group meets at 7:30am in the Trinity classroom in the Thorpe building. We have coffee and biscuits and a short program with discussion to follow. This group of men have been involved in many church projects, including providing help with new flooring, window treatments, and new interior and exterior lighting. We have also reached out to assist community organizations. If you enjoy good fellowship, a great way to start each Thursday is by coming to Men's Fellowship. The experience is worth getting up a little early for.                       John Burns, 864-908-7812                       Group Leader

Trinity Youth Basketball Season 2017-2018

2017-2018 should be another exciting year of Trinity youth basketball! Trinity will have teams in the following age groups: 6U COED – Girls & Boys ages 5 & 6 (we’ll also allow 4 ½ year olds to play) 8U – Girls & Boys ages 7 & 8 11U – Girls & Boys ages 9, 10 & 11 14U – Girls & Boys ages 12, 13 & 14   *Note that the cut-off date to determine what age group to play in is February 25, 2018, so whatever age the participant is prior to this date determines the age group to play with.   We’re all about FUN and FELLOWSHIP regarding our Trinity youth basketball ministry.        Our basketball motto is:   F – un A – cceptance that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior S – portsmanship T – eamwork   Please join us for our 2017-2018 Trinity youth basketball season! Just fill out a registration form and mail it to or drop it off at our church office (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM), or give or email the form to Tom McCorkle at tbmccorkle@aol.com . If you have questions, please contact Tom McCorkle at 864-787-2707.   Registration forms will be available in the Narthex soon.

Welcome New Members!

Trinity Presbyterian Church recently welcomed new members. It is a pleasure to have them join our church family. Please welcome the following folks when you see them!

Bill and May Tart grew up in Scotland. In 1961, very early in their 60 year marriage, they came to America "seeking adventure" and discovered a new home here! Bill spent 20 years as a pilot and then 15 years in logistics with the Celanese Corporation. He and May have a son (Billy) who, with a family of three daughters and his wife (a Delta Airlines Captain!), live in Fort Worth, Texas. Their daughter, Elaine Zix and her three sons, live in Travelers Rest.  We hope Bill and May will continue to enjoy their long term "adventure" with us at Trinity Presbyterian Church.

Ed Wolfe's home town is Appalachia, VA. Ruth was born in West Alexander, Penn. Both are runners who met while exercising in a park in Pittsburgh. Now retired, Ruth was a dietitian specializing in Diabetics at the Allegheny General Hospital. Ed, a graduate of Virginia Tech, is a geologist. Also retired, he did research at the Harbison Walker Refractory in Pittsburgh. Married for 31 years, they enjoy hiking, their 7 year old gray Tabby cat named "Sweetie,” and being near Ruth's sister who lives in Greenville.

Scott and Leslie Weikle met while students at Furman. A 1995 graduate, Scott is now a Doctor of Internal Medicine with an office in Travelers Rest. At Furman, Scott was on the baseball team and was happily surprised to see his former coach, Tom Wall, who is now on our church staff. These days Scott enjoys hunting and fishing. He and Leslie, a 1995 graduate and former teacher, are parents of three very active daughters. Lillian, in 9th grade at Greenville High, is a swimmer. Charlotte, in 6th grade at Greenville Middle, sews and plays tennis. Blair, a 2nd grader at Stone Academy, LOVES soccer! The family is enjoying more time with Leslie's parents who, recently moved here from Johnston, SC.

We welcome Kinny and Kelley Powell ! Kinny is originally from Whiteville, NC. A retired banker, he enjoys travel and golfing at Green Valley. Kelley is back home in Greenville after having lived elsewhere in times past. She LOVES being a Kindergarten teacher, even if she gets really tired by the end of the school day. They have two adult sons. Kinny and Kelley can be found sitting near the back on the right side of our Sanctuary during the 11:00 Worship hour. Take just a moment and say "Hello" to them. (Picture to follow next month.)

Small Groups For Everyone!

Sunday Adults:   Fellowship Class: Focus - Rotates study of the books of the Bible with Christian books that enrich our lives. Format- Combination of lecture with interactive discussion, all in a relaxed environment. Leadership changes annually with a rotation of teachers from our class. Class Contacts – Theresa Horton, Claudia Burns Christianity and Contemporary Issues: Focus - Discussions relate the messages contained in Scripture       passages to current headlines. Format - lecture and interactive. Facilitators – Mary Pace, Annette Taylor and class members. Spirituality (Starting in January): Focus- Spirituality as the experience of God in our daily lives. We will discuss the use of Spirituality in the history of our Christian faith and how we can incorporate it into our daily modern lives. Format - interactive/ casual and experiential. Group Facilitator – Jim Capobianco Trinity Class: First Sunday School Class created at Trinity and has been active ever since. Focus- Study of the Bible with the help of the Standard Lesson Commentary. Format - lecture and interactive with class discussion strongly encouraged. Teachers - Beauford Williams, Fred Moehlenbrock and class members.   Sunday Youth: Sunday Children:   6th-12th Grades—Hannah Smoak CWE 4K-1st Grade—Robin Blakemore, Joanna Newcomer, Leslie Weikle CWE 2nd-5th Grades—Allen Clark, Eric Smith   Tuesday Morning Women:   Rachel Bible Study meets weekly at 10:00 a.m. A lesson is presented by one of the participants taking turns each week. Facilitator - Nancy Simonton   Wednesday Night Live Small Groups   CWE 1 st – 5 th Grades : Led by Hannah Smoak and youth assistants. Childcare is available through 5K. Adult Bible Study : A seminar style format encouraging discussion. Meets in the Thorpe Building. Led by Rev. Mason. We will be studying I Samuel.   Thursday Morning Men   Men’s Fellowship meets Thursday mornings at 7:15 a.m. for a biscuit and coffee breakfast, a devotional, followed by a program. Programs include guest speakers from the community as well as members of the group. Facilitator - John Burns   Monthly Groups   Miriam Ladies Group meets one Sunday afternoon per month at different members’ homes. Naomi Ladies Group meets on the 4th Thursday of the month at 3:00 p.m. at members' homes. They also study a selected series which is moderated by one of the class members. Facilitator - Esther King

Session Digest from August

Members Present : Mary Pace, Jeff Burton, Thomas Barksdale, Olin Blanton, Sherry Ogletree, Stan Coleman, and Dennis Tavernetti. Excused : Annette Taylor, Latain Bireley and Justin Mullis Absent: Bob Lewis, Lawrence Garabedian Opening Prayer and Devotional : Marc Mason opened the meeting with prayer and a devotional from Matt. 13:10-17. Declaration of Quorum : A quorum was present. Pastor’s Report and Housekeeping Details : Marc Mason gave an update on members who are sick, in the hospital, and recovering.  Marc Mason conducted funeral services for Roberta Bubb on June 2, 2017. Jason and Gretchen Snow have requested baptism for their foster children Penelope Ariania Snow and Gabriela Ensley on Sunday, September 24, 2017. Stan Coleman made the motion to approve and Jeff Burton gave the second. The motion passed. Annette Taylor will be the attending elder. The Lord’s Supper was celebrated on June 4, July 2, and August 6, 2017. The Officer Nominating Committee (Latain Bireley, Stan Coleman, Jim Showalter, Liz Crosland, Lynn Coleman,  Esther King and Joanna Newcomer) has nominated Dwight Hammack, Ryan Huminski, and Linda Beazley for Deacons, and Sherry Ogletree, Dennis Mitchell, Mark Bostian and Chuck Verdin for Elders. A congregational meeting will be held on Sunday, August 27, 2017 at the close of the service for the election of officers.  Marc Mason will be on vacation September 25-28 and on October 1, 2017. Reverend Dr. John Hartman will supply the pulpit on October 1, 2017. Marc Mason requested vacation/study leave for November  6-9, and 12, 2017. Stan Coleman made the motion to approve and Sherry Ogletree gave the second. The motion passed. There will be a called Session meeting for August 27, 2017 at 8:45am to receive new members. There will be a called Session meeting for September 3, 2017 at 10:15am to receive new members. Monthly Budget Report : Mary Pace reported that for the month of July, there was a surplus of $127 in the Operating Account, and there was a $3,255 surplus in the Building Fund. However, for the year, there is a deficit of $12,788 in the Operating Account and a deficit of $13,361 in the Building Fund. Jeff Burton made a motion to accept the budget report and Olin Blanton gave the second. The motion passed. Diaconate Report : The Deacons have not met and there is no report. Membership Update : As of August 10, 2017, the church has 471 members, of which 456 are resident and 15 are non-resident. Clerk Report : Approval was asked for the minutes of the Stated Session meeting on May 11, 2017 and the Called Meetings on May 13, and July 30, 2017. Mary Pace made the motion to approve the minutes and Dennis Tavernetti gave the second. The motion passed. Communications : None Old Business : Sherry Ogletree, speaking for the Ad Hoc Financial Review Committee, said a new “Step-Up” drive will begin on August 27, 2017. New Business : Stan Coleman will serve as elder at the next Presbytery meeting. Committee Reports Benevolence & Mission : The committee has not met, but Dennis Tavernetti wants to look into ways the church can get involved with Habitat for Humanity. Discipleship : No Report Finance & Stewardship : Have not met. Long-Range Planning : No Report Personnel & Administration : Sherry Ogletree reported that the committee is working on changing the job description of the Youth Director to Director of Christian Education and Youth.  Property & Grounds : Stan Coleman pointed out that the trees and fence have been removed from the east boundary of the property. Spiritual Development & Evangelism : No report. Worship : Jeff Burton gave a motion from his committee to have ONE WORSHIP on Sunday, November 5, 2017. The motion passed. Lucy Hammack will be in charge of the greening of the church on Friday, December 1, 2017. Pizza will be served. Jeff Burton made a motion coming from his committee to move the pulpit to the center and have the communion table on the floor in front of the pulpit. The Session walked to the sanctuary and approved the change. Motion to Adjourn : Stan Coleman made the motion to adjourn with prayer. Mary Pace gave the second and the motion passed. Marc Mason closed the meeting with prayer at 8:21p.m.   Respectfully Submitted, Fred Moehlenbrock, Clerk Marc Mason, Moderator

Hurricane Harvey Relief

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for Hurricane Harvey Relief:  The Session has approved the collection of a special offering during the month of September for Hurricane Harvey Relief, through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.  Special envelopes for your use will be in the Sunday bulletins.

Sermon Audio Files Now Available

To access Sermon Audio on the website: 1) Go to  www.trinitytr.org 2) On the menu in the upper right hand corner between the options CALENDAR and CONTACT US you will see an option entitled MEDIA. 3) Roll your mouse over MEDIA and a menu should appear.  4) Click SERMON AUDIO. 5) It will take you to the iTunes website where you are now on the preview page for the Trinity Podcast.  6) Click the blue button that reads VIEW IN iTUNES under the green Trinity logo on the left side.  7) You will receive a prompt to open iTunes. Or if you don’t have it, you will be prompted to download iTunes. 8) For Windows/PC Users: if you already have iTunes on your computer and receive a prompt to download it again, click the gray button to the left of the blue download button indicating that you already have iTunes on your computer and you wish to sign in.   iTunes will then open to the Trinity Podcast Page. To receive a copy of each new sermon to your iTunes every week: When you reach the podcast page in iTunes, click SUBSCRIBE under the green Trinity logo on the left side. To receive a copy of a particular sermon to your iTunes: When you reach the podcast page in iTunes, scroll down the list of sermons and click “GET” on the right hand side of the sermon you’d like to have a copy of.

September

September Birthdays HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

3 Ashley Turner       JT Pochard 4 Kim Cole      Angela Turner 5 Kevin Loftis       Jessica Clark 7 Bill McHaffie 8 David Smith 9 Katie Coleman       Jim Tanquary       Alex O’Cain 13 Hugh Cunningham 14 Gretchen Snow 18  Cynthia Allison 20  Ethan Cole 21  Keith Plyler       Tom Tiffany 22 Garrett Stokes       Kim Silvers 24  Brad Pochard 25  Lark Waldrep 27  Polly Reese 28  Jack Kozic       Joseph Pace       Kaylee Jones 29 Michael Allison        John Clark

Newsletter Deadline: The deadline for newsletter information is the 25th of each month. Please send all information to the church office (834-9897). If you are able, please E-mail info to Trinity@trinitytr.org

Church Office Hours 9:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. Monday through Friday