Weekly Update - June 15, 2022 |
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Message from Council President
What a long journey we’ve been on this year! As we prepare for our Congregational Meeting on June 26th to close out Trinity’s fiscal year, I’m reminded of the incredible support, caring and exchange of ideas that I’ve seen happening within our Congregation. With the formation of the Ministry Partner Selection Committee last fall, we embarked on a journey to discern the path forward for our Preschool Buildings, while keeping in mind the realities of zoning and other city requirements. After many twists and turns, as well as exploring viable alternatives for the property, we landed on bringing in professional operators to continue an offering of early childhood education in the community. As a congregation, you provided approval for the Council to execute an agreement with our preferred operator in the space, and we are hopeful that we will be able to close out the remaining details in the coming days and weeks. I personally am so grateful for the confidence you’ve shown Trinity’s Council and for the thoughtful questions and comments you’ve raised.
While these conversations represent the possibilities for our congregation, we must also face our current financial realities. During the upcoming Budget Forum on June 19th, you will hear the continuing account of offering trends that reflect our more modest congregation size in contrast with the needs of supporting our day-to-day mission and operations. At the Congregational Meeting on June 26th, you will be asked to review and approve a substantial deficit budget, which was not unexpected and is in line with previous discussions. We are not basing this budget on or accounting for any projected lease of the property as the agreement will likely be executed after our scheduled meeting. This is a critical time for Trinity Lutheran Manhattan Beach, and I encourage you to attend.
Finally, I am excited to announce our slate of candidates for Trinity Council positions in advance of the elections at the Congregational Meeting. Our elected leadership, along with Pastor Douglas, will continue to help discern what is God’s will for Trinity and provide opportunities to connect with each other, our community and our world. It’s been said that if you want to go fast, go alone – if you want to go far, go together. I look forward to continuing our journey together with each other and with Christ’s guidance.
Julie Castongia, President of the Congregational Council
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Budget Forum this Sunday 2 p.m. |
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Please join on Sunday, June 19th at 2 p.m. via Zoom for our annual Budget Forum. In this meeting our Treasurer will be presenting the proposed budget for our next fiscal year which will begin on July 1. The pastor and other council members will also be present to answer any questions you may have.
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Congregational Meeting
on Sunday, June 26th following Worship at
11 a.m.
Please join Trinity for a light luncheon following worship and our regular meeting of the congregation to elect new council members and to adopt the 2022-2023 Budget for Trinity.
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On Saturday, June 11, Michael Lindsey, Katie Conlon, and Pastor Douglas attended the Southwest California Synod Assembly, which took place both on Zoom and at the Lutheran Center in Glendale. The theme of the assembly was “Enough,” which intentionally left its meaning open to each participant to interpret: God is enough, we’ve had enough of the pandemic, we have enough to go around, etc. Bishop Brenda Bos presided over the event and even gave a shout out to Trinity Manhattan Beach during her sermon, when she described our pandemic call vote for Pastor Douglas, sticking post-it notes to the outside of our cars.
The assembly was a mix of worship — featuring hymns by members of the Asian diaspora led by BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) musicians — and business. For the business portion of the assembly, we approved a budget, we voted for council and committee members, and we passed the following resolutions (which are enacted by the synod and its member churches) and memorials (which are passed up to the greater ELCA churchwide body):
22-01: Resolution for an Inclusive Mobility/Call Process Resolution (to ensure a more equitable process for calling historically marginalized leaders)
22-02: Memorial Regarding Non-Disclosure Agreements Tied to Severance Packages (to separate severance packages from NDAs)
22-03: Resolution for Revision of Human Resources Policies in the Southwest California Synod (to update our HR policies to add racial equity practices)
22-04: Memorial Reviewing “On Leave From Call” Status Removal Process (to suspend the process of removing pastors from the call roster when they need to take a leave of absence for caregiving or health reasons)
22-07: Memorial Calling for a Just Transition to 50% Reduction in US Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2030 (to advocate for emissions reductions and other work to save the environment)
If you are interested in learning more, the full bulletin of reports can be found here.
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The Lutheran Center in Glendale |
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Bishop Bos Addresses the Assembly |
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65th Wedding Anniversary Blessings for
Bob and Barbara Johnson
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During worship on Holy Trinity Sunday, Bob and Barbara Johnson's 65th Wedding Anniversary blessing was celebrated. Bob and Barbara joined Trinity about 60 years ago when they moved into the Manhattan Beach area. The congregation added to the blessing with outstretched arms. |
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Hands of Blessing Extended |
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The cake was quickly devoured by eager parishioners. |
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On Tuesday, June 14th, the city held a ribbon cutting for the new "rainbow crosswalk" by the pier. It is meant as a sign of welcome and inclusion for the LGBTQIA+ community in the South Bay. Pr. Douglas and his partner Sean and Pr. Janet Breger attended to represent Trinity: a reconciling in Christ congregation. |
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The new Rainbow Crosswalk at the Pier and Strand in Downtown Manhattan Beach. |
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Pr. Douglas with Aaron Forburger, Manhattan Beach rep. from Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi's office. |
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Pr. Douglas with Mayor Hildy Stern at the ribbon cutting. |
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Sean and Pr. Douglas at the ribbon-cutting. |
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Sanctuary Roof Replacement Project
A committee of dedicated volunteers (Paul Levin, June Moberg, Rolf Bohman, Pastor Douglas, and Wolf Heim) met June 5 to kick off planning and bidding for a new Sanctuary roof (well due after almost 30 years). In discussing our objectives, we agreed to broaden the project scope in 2 ways: (1) environmentally - we will review options for also installing roof solar panels, and (2) aesthetically/structurally - we will review options for potentially including roof skylights and eliminating some of the current roof's "flat sections". First site visits by potential vendors will occur next week. We will keep you regularly updated with our progress!
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Upcoming Events
June 19- Budget Forum- 2 p.m. via Zoom
June 26- Annual Congregational Budget Meeting
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Saturday Spruce Ups @ Trinity
Join us Saturday mornings as we tidy up our campus!
When: Every Saturday morning, 9:00 - 10:30 am (except for rain).
Where: Meet in the parking lot.
What: Light clean up & maintenance (sweeping, weeding, cutting, pruning, minor gardening & fixes).
Brooms & tools on hand.
Very informal - come when you can; stay as long (or as short) as you like!
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Wednesday Night Yoga with Jenni Green
Join our virtual Beginner/Intermediate Hatha Class Wednesdays at 7pm-8pm. Be intentional in linking movement with breath. Find increased flexibility, strengthen the body and the spirit. Learn to control the breath. $7 per class. Classes are open to ages 14 and up. Please contact Jenni for more information.
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Giving to Trinity
Thank you for your regular financial gifts to support our ministry, please click the button below to make a one-time donation via Trinity's secure giving platform.
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Prayer requests may be made to the parish office by emailing or calling.
The names will be held in prayer for one month
unless otherwise requested. (*Member of Trinity) (Request by Member of Trinity) (New Intention)
Those who are sick or in any need:
Dylan Johnson for continued healing in his legs and to lift his gentle spirit up for comfort and strength
Thanksgivings:
For Evelyn Rollins, Gerre Jaffe, Bob Froehlig, and Martha Logan
who will be finishing council terms soon.
For our Saturday Spruce Up Team
The Intentions of this Community:
- -For addiction and recovery support groups that meet at Trinity.
- -For our Confirmands: Maya, Kenia and Levi
- -For the space utilization team as they work to find a good partner for our preschool buildings.
- -For the people of Ukraine and for an end to war. For refugees and those displaced from home and family.
- -For the pastors, deacons and churches of the South Bay Conference.
- -For those fed by our sandwich ministry.
- -For Project: Needs
- -For the congregations of New City Parish.
- -For an end to systematic racism, war, and oppression.
- -For victims of gun violence in our nation.
- -For all congregations who are Reconciling in Christ and embrace the full welcome of LGBTQ+ people.
- -For our Bishop, Brenda, our Pastor, Douglas, and all leaders of the church.
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