TRINITY TIDINGS. Word from the Council President. Feeding the Hungry... Serving the Community. Worship in September.

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1 September 2016 TRINITY TIDINGS The monthly newsletter for Trinity English Evangelical Lutheran Church Worship in September September 4 Worship at 9:00 a.m. September 11 Worship at 9:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Community Time God s Work. Our Hands. Sunday September 18 Worship at 9:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Community Time September 25 Worship at 9:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Community Time Midweek Worship Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Holden Evening Prayer in the Chapel Appleton, WI Word from the Council President Friends at Trinity August was a busy month for the Church Council. All contingencies on purchasing our property have been waived by the purchaser. The closing date remains January 31, The Council accepted Grace s offer as a temporary home. The official date for our relocation to Grace is December 1, but we may begin to move some of our items before that date. We will pay $1250 to Grace per month. (As a point of reference, that is less than we pay each month to the company that cleans Trinity.) After visiting many possible locations for temporary Sunday services, the Council voted to move to Tri County Chapel, 1592 Oneida St., Menasha, effective November 27, at a cost of $50 per week. We will also use their gathering room for our Community Time and Pancake breakfasts. We can also bring our own treats each Sunday. Council is working on a plan of how to dispose of items we will not be taking with us. After teams recommend to the council what to keep and not to keep, items will be offered to congregational members first before donation or disposal. More information on this will be forthcoming. After much discussion, the Council voted to sell or donate our current organ due to the high cost to dismantle, store and reconfigure. It certainly will be possible to consider purchasing a new smaller organ in the future, when we have a permanent home. The Council also voted to remove and store our stained glass windows and decide what to do with them at a later date. Continued on page 2. Feeding the Hungry... Serving the Community

2 Word from the Council President Continued from page 1. We continue to review downtown sites for possible permanent relocation that said we have met with the City of Appleton and discovered that parking restrictions are very firm you cannot remove a building and make it into parking anywhere in what the City has designated as the Central Business District. We also discussed the possibility of a Christmas Eve service at Trinity. That will depend on if the building is viable at that time, due to items that have been moved out and stored. I mentioned teams before. Here are the teams working on our transition: physical building, church office, library, choir room, Sunday school, church decorations, church kitchen, maintenance room, sacristy, vault, memorabilia. If you would like to help on any team, please contact me or Sue Ruppel as soon as possible. We don t have to agree on anything to be kind to one another Awakening People Blessings to you, Jeanne Jeanne Beckley Council President Open Houses at Tri-County Chapel To help prepare for our temporary worship at the Tri-County Chapel, we will be having several "Open House" fellowship gatherings scheduled on Sundays in October. Please watch the weekly tidings for specific dates. These open houses will be in lieu of the regular fellowship gatherings. After worship at Trinity you are invited to drive down south Oneida St to get to the Tri-County Chapel and get a tour of the temporary facilities where we will worship beginning Sunday, November27. South Dakota Mission Trip Sunday Youth and adults who participated in the mission trip to the Lake Traverse Reservation in South Dakota plan to share stories in worship on Sunday, September 11. Mark your calendars to come and hear all about it... and remember to make a buddy. 2

3 We Have Work to Do! Relocation Since our special congregational meeting on May 15 th, we have been busy at Trinity. Accepting an offer for our property was just the beginning the real work began on May 16 th. Please read Jeanne Beckley s article for all the details. Reconciliation Relocation is getting all the headlines but, we are also working on reconciliation. Synod representative, Joan Johanson, has met with us twice so far this summer. She has helped us begin the long road toward reconciliation and has given us guidance on how we may best support each other during our time of transition. One especially helpful tidbit she shared was a piece written by the Rev. John Czarnota who is currently serving as the interim minister at Zion Lutheran Church in Appleton (his 29 th church!). Pastor John has observed four broad categories of people in their response to the work of reconciliation. Category 1: Actively Reconciling If you are in this category, have made a point of trying to befriend everyone, and truly put the past behind them. To the extent that this is happening, is the extent that reconciliation is working. Keep up the good work knowing that God has called us to be church together. Category 2: Wishing to be Reconciling You want to see reconciliation occur. You see the rifts and wish they were otherwise, but don t know how to bridge the gaps. Here s a couple of tips. First, reconciliation has to happen directly between the people involved. It s awkward and painful, and runs the risk of the other party being mean to you. Still, in Christ and with Christ by our side, we are asked to try. Start a conversation, even a light one, make the first move. Second, if you re trying something, good for you! They might not respond right away. They might resist while you are actively reaching out in love. Stay the course; knowing you are ultimately only responsible for your part, not their response to it. Category 3: Waiting for Those who Wronged You to Repent It s natural to feel that the other party bears well more than half of the responsibility for any damage in a relationship. Naturally, we want justice, and justice means the responsible party (them) should fix it. Make the first move anyway. Even if you are convinced it s 100% them. Wanting to be whole in Christ is part of our calling. We are given the ministry of reconciliation given it because it s Godly work we are called to. If you are the injured party, it may well be you that needs to lead this process anyway. Don t let their bad behavior of old make you choose a less responsible path. Category 4: Is this over yet? You are in this category if you ve said comments to the effect of: Well, I ve heard what s going on, and I haven t changed my mind. They are still the troublemakers. Note the tone of dismissal in this sentiment. It is an uninvolved finger pointing even if it s true! Pastor John has a lot of experience in reconciling congregations and I hope and pray we have the courage to heed his wise and timely observations. Yes, we have a lot of work to do. Yes, it may be a long and painful process. Pastor John concludes his message by asking, Will you make the efforts to reconcile or sit back and wonder why nobody is? Just as our Council President urges you to be part of a Relocation team I encourage you to also join our journey of Reconciliation for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 Blessings! Pastor Brian 3

4 Community Time Sundays after Worship in the Lower Auditorium September 11 th GOD S WORK OUR HANDS SUNDAY Service Sunday Decorate cookies for L & F September 18 th Creation and God s Promise to Abraham Discover the Bible, plant a seed & name your Descendants - Genesis 2, 3 and 15 September 25 th God Works through Joseph Create a dream wheel, learn the 4 parts of the Old Testament, and discover how God works for good - Genesis 37 and 50 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY with LOAVES AND FISHES As the Trinity liaison with L&F, I am recruiting members of our congregation to take our L&F Partnership to a new level to become more involved with the weekly meals. If you would like to be a team (Trinity will have 3 or 4 teams) that will help with the evening meal: Each team serves 4 nights a year Tentatively to begin October 2016 Contact: Mary Lindsley churchlady0519@outlook.com I will also hold an informational session after church in September. Watch for more details. Mary Lindsley Women of Trinity A great opportunity is coming your way with the Women of the ELCA 10th Triennial Gathering July 13-16, 2017 Minneapolis, MN The East Central Synod of Wisconsin is planning to obtain a bus for this event. If you have any questions, please contact Wanda Fischer at Registration opens September 6. Go to welcatg.org. 4

5 Trinity Charity Golf Outing is another success!! The Trinity 12th Annual Charity Golf Outing and Silent Auction was a success again this year. The event generated a total of $7400, of which $4500 will be donated to Homeless Connections and $2900 will be used for missions at Trinity. So many Thanks are in order: Thanks to Winagamie Golf Course for being a generous and gracious host Thanks to Sandy Shot Grill for a delicious dinner. A BIG SPECIALTHANK YOU to ALL the members and businesses who contributed to the event!! They are listed on page 11 of this newsletter. Please thank the members and patronize the businesses who made the event possible. THANK YOU to all the golfers and to Trinity members and golfers for purchasing the silent auction items!! And finally, THANK YOU to Jean Haese, Ellen Spanagel, Millie Mohr, Chuck Pasch, and Sandy LeMoine for organizing the event. Join your fellow Trinity members to SERVE the SALVATION ARMY noon meal Sunday, September 18 7 volunteers are needed. Come to the Salvation Army after 9:00 a.m. Worship. Serve food, clean up and meet a lot of nice people while... Doing God's Work...Our Hands. Done by 1:30 p.m. Contact Lynn Ann Clausing Rusch at Lynnann.clausing@gmail.com or via phone at Feed My Starving Children: Follow Up 936 boxes for a total of 202,176 meals have gone to Haiti with FMSC partner, Convoy of Hope! Convoy of Hope is a faith-based organization with a driving passion to feed the world through children s feeding initiatives, community outreach, disaster response, and partner resourcing. Convoy of Hope believes their children s feeding initiatives must go beyond the basic meal and so intervenes at five levels: nutrition, clean and safe water, agricultural initiatives, healthy living environments, and education. To find out more about Convoy of Hope and the work they do around the world, please visit What a blessing these meals will be to the children and families of Haiti. Thank you again for all your hard work before, during, and after the event. 5 THANK YOU T.L.C. from the Stewardship Committee! Thank you for giving so freely towards our missions: Feed My Starving Children Stuff the Bus St. Joseph Food Pantry Donations for Hafeman family Moving forward we will continue our mission of helping others in the community letting God work through us.

6 Trinity Lutheran Church 209 S. Allen St., Appleton, WI September 2016 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 Noon - AA 1:00 pm AA 7:30 pm AA 2 3:30 pm L &F 3 4 9:00 am Worship 5 Office Closed am KiT 7:00 pm AA 7 pm Worship 8 Noon - AA 1:00 pm AA 6:30 pm Singers 7:00 pm Ringers 7:30 pm AA 9 3:30 pm L &F :00 am Worship 10:15 am Community Time God s Hands. Our Work. Sunday 12 2 pm Worship at Heritage 13 9:30 am HHH 6:30 pm Exec Comm. Mtg. News. Deadline 14 9 am KiT 3:30 pm L & F 7:00 pm AA 7 pm Worship 15 Noon - AA 1:00 pm AA 6:30 pm Singers 7:00 pm Ringers 7:30 pm AA pm Sons of Norway 18 9:00 am Worship 10:15 am Community Time 10:30 am Salvation Army am Miniatures 7pm The Mill 20 6:30 pm Council Mtg am KiT 6:30 pm EGA 7:00 pm AA 7 pm Worship 7pm The Mill 22 9 am Collate Newsletter 11:30 am Red Ox Luncheon Noon - AA 1:00 pm AA 7:30 pm AA :00 am Worship 10:15 am Community Time 26 7pm The Mill am KiT 7:00 pm AA 7 pm Worship 7pm The Mill 29 Noon - AA 1:00 pm AA 6:30 pm Singers 7:00 pm Ringers 7:30 pm AA 30 6

7 WORSHIP TEAM SCHEDULE September 2016: Faith Team September 4 Greet - West: Brenda Rasmussen Greet - East: Can you help? Altar Care: 1. Judy Natz 2. Can you help? Acolyte: Teddy Rusch Ushers: 1. Jim Rasmussen 2. Mitzi Britton 3. Jeff Dorow 4. Mike Dorow Reader: Lynn Ann Clausing Rusch Communion Assistant: Sharon Helms Healing: 1. Lynn Ann Clausing Rusch 2. Sue Ruppel Children s Time: Sue Ruppel Fellowship: Sandy LeMoine Care of Pew Racks: Can you help? September 11 Greet - West: Shirley Hoogacker Greet - East: Can you help? Altar Care: Kay Odegaard Acolyte: Alex Kopischke Ushers: 1. Alison Witthuhn 2. Rusty Witthuhn 3. Mitzi Britton 4. Maxine Zuelzke Reader: Lynn Ann Clausing Rusch Communion Assistants: 1. Kay Odegaard 2. Amy Kopischke Children s Time: Mary Bankert Fellowship: Kay Odegaard September 18 Greet - West: Shirley Hoogacker Greet - East: Marilyn Kersten Altar Care: Kay Odegaard Acolytes: Alex Kopischke & Teddy Rusch Ushers: 1. Alison Witthuhn 2. Rusty Witthuhn 3. Mitzi Britton 4. Maxine Zuelzke Reader: Sharon Helms Communion Assistants: 1. Kay Odegaard 2. Amy Kopischke Children s Time: Wanda Fischer Fellowship: Can you help? Care of Pew Racks: Can you help? September 25 Greet - West: Brenda Rasmussen Greet - East: Can you help? Altar Care: Shirley Hoogacker Acolyte: Alex Kopischke Ushers: 1. Jim Rasmussen 2. Brenda Rasmussen 3. Mitzi Britton 4. Can you help? Reader: Sharon Helms Communion Assistants: 1. Sharon Helms 2. Amy Kopischke Children s Time: Dena Krueger Fellowship: Can you help? 7

8 Bible Study Opportunities In August Opportunities at Trinity to Study God s Message for You Please consider joining a study of God s message with others at Trinity. It is a fun experience, with lots of good discussion. Here is a summary of the upcoming opportunities in August. Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room The Wednesday morning Keep in Touch study group will use the Lectio Divina of practice of scriptural reading for September and will use the scripture reading for the week. The Lectio Divina method involves meditation and prayer, and is intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God's Word. It does not treat Scripture as texts to be studied, but as the Living Word. Readings for Wednesdays in September include: September 7 - Genesis 2:4b-7, 15-17; 3:1-8 September 14 - Genesis 15:1-6 September 21 - Genesis 37:3-8, 17b-22, 26-34; 50:15-21 September 28 - Exodus 12:1-13; 13:1-8 You are Welcome to Keep in Touch with God and with one another! Refreshments provided! First Monday Bible Study: Begins September 12th The Monday evening Bible Study will begin on Sept 12th. Given Trinity's status, I believe Max Lucado wrote his latest book just for us. The book is subtitled, "Discover Your Place in God's Plan." As we continue to search for God's plan for Trinity, Max will help us discover our own unique path by taking a journey through the epic events of the New Testament. Sounds like lots of discoveries are in store for us! In spring of 2017, we will be introduced to a different author, Wendy Blight, who has written a book called," I Know His Name," subtitled "Discovering Power in the Names of God". So please join us, beginning on September 12 th and thereafter on the first Monday of each month for lots of exciting discoveries, a few laughs (get ready, Millie), refreshments, and lots of healthy discussions about how God transforms our lives every day! All are welcome! Please contact Mary Robertson with questions or suggestions for study at or ROBERTSON190@aol.com. 8

9 South Dakota Reflections: Let s Do it Again Next Year At the start of the trip I really wasn t sure what to think, other than it's really hot out and we re in the middle of nowhere. Right away though I met these three guys named David, Cody and Kevin. They asked if they could play Frisbee with us and I said sure. At night the room we slept in was very hot and cramped, but somehow I managed to get a good night's sleep. The next day we found out what groups we were assigned to, and of course I was with Alex, and the three guys from yesterday. We had to drive for 40 minutes out to the work site through the very green and slightly hilly South Dakota countryside. Our job was to paint the buildings for this local Native American summer camp. Some days were very hot and others the clouds came out and made our jobs a lot easier. After working we would go and shower in the middle of the day, which wasn t my preferred time but I didn t have a choice. After that we would go back to the church and hang out until dinner. On our final day there we went to this local park and invited the Native Americans to join us. It was a really fun night. Overall the trip was a lot of fun for me and the rest of our church. I really hope we can do this again next year but maybe to somewhere else. Submitted by Matt Bankert. South Dakota Mission Trip Story: A Calling Hi. I'm Brian Still. I chaperoned the recent trip of our youth to South Dakota. I went on the last trip to Toronto five years ago with youth from Trinity and Zion. Three years ago my daughter, Morgan Still approached me about a mission trip with our youth in Pastor Brian got on board a year ago. With the help of people from Trinity and Courtney Still, the youth leader at Lord of the Lakes, it became a reality! What a blessing! What is a calling or to be called to do something? If you would have told Alex or Matt they would be painting houses in the July heat somewhere in South Dakota or Katrina, Kirsten, Grace or Mitchell they would be on a playground on a reservation this summer, they wouldn't believe it. But that is exactly where they were. Jesus knew where we would be. We were called. Put yourself "out of the box" or "out of your comfort zone". I guess that means to be doing something you never thought you would do. I saw our kids doing things that they might not be comfortable doing but they did painting, played with kids, pulled weeds and many other things. And they excelled at them! We should all be proud of the job they did in South Dakota! Thanks for your prayers and support. 9

10 SEPTEMBER 2016 NEWS CONNECTIONS are already happening! I had a phone call this morning asking me where my September Newsletter was because the Connector hadn t received it yet! It s wonderful when the volunteers are anxious to do their volunteer work! Praise the Lord! I just returned from ten wonderful days in New Orleans where I was a voting member at our Churchwide Assembly. It was an awesome experience and I m exhilarated from my time there amongst so many diverse and wonderful Lutherans from all over this country and beyond! Be sure to read and ask questions about tremendous work that was accomplished last week in New Orleans. The ELCA is really doing some exciting things!!! Fox Valley Lutheran Homes is gearing up for an EXCITING, NEW approach to our annual Pie, Ice Cream and Silent Auction. Mark OCTOBER 2, 2016, on your calendars as the day to come here for a fabulous piece (or two) of pie, plus the chance to bid on LOTS of great merchandise for our annual Silent Auction. With our new Development Software, starting this year, you will be able to go to our website, and order tickets online! We are going live around the 1 st of September so check daily if at first you don t succeed! We always welcome the delicious home-baked pies of our member churches. Please try to recruit bakers from your congregation. Pies should be delivered on Saturday, October 1, between 1 and 8 PM. We also appreciate all the wonderful donations of items for our silent auction. They may be brought in anytime starting, Monday, September 19. Ask for Becky or Jennie, and make sure you fill out the donation form so we get your name and address! WE NEED YOU to make this Pie, Ice Cream and Silent Auction the best one ever! Tell your friends about it ~~~ Buy tickets! ~~~ Donate pies and/or auction items! ~~~ Come and have a wonderful time! 2016 PIE, ICE CREAM AND SILENT AUCTION SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 10:00 AM TO 1:00 PM Becky Luett, AIM, Executive Director Fox Valley Lutheran Homes Presents: Alzheimer s Dinner and a Program Offered especially for members and friends of our partnership congregations The event will take place on Monday, October 17th, beginning with a light supper at 5:30 p.m. followed by the program. Kathleen Albert, the Alzheimer s Disease Educational Director for the state of Wisconsin will be our presenter. She is a gifted resource regarding the most current information about the disease. The presentation will begin with a general discussion of the condition, diagnosis, and treatment. A segment of the program will focus on how to communicate with persons experiencing the disease. Communication with persons affected by the disease can be very frustrating for all. This event offers an opportunity to acquire new skills in this important area. There is NO COST for this event, but we do request you make a reservation as space may be limited. Please call to make your reservation. Reservations must be made by October 10th. Fox Valley Lutheran Homes is seeking energetic VOLUNTEERS to help with the 2016 Pie, Ice Cream & Silent Auction event. There are many and various ways to assist: Bake and donate pies drop off pies on Saturday, October 1, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Donate a Silent Auction Item(s) Suggestions include: Gift Cards to restaurants, overnight getaways at hotels or motels, golf, movies; Theme Baskets such as Packers, Door County, Jam and Jellies; Seasonal Outdoor Décor. Drop off your silent auction item in the Commons at Linwood Apartments anytime beginning September 19th. Please fill out a Donation Form when you are here! Tell your friends and family about this event and plan to participate! 10

11 Trinity 12 th Annual Charity Golf Outing & Silent Auction Says THANK YOU! THANK YOU to the following members, friends and businesses who have supported this golf outing with gifts of cash for Hole Sponsorships and wonderful baskets, gift certificates and products for the Silent Auction, Prizes and Raffle. They have supported their community through these gifts. The proceeds of this outing will be shared with the Homeless Connections and Trinity. Please thank the contributors and patronize the businesses which made the event possible!! Hole Sponsors Bassett Mechanical Jeanne & Peter Beckley Pat & Kathy Casperson Conceptual Financial Planning Dean & Ann Einspahr Jackie Froehlich Jean Haese HuHot Mongolian Grill J. A. Huth & Associates Steve & Dena Krueger David Lemke Sandy & Jerry LeMoine Michiels/Fox Banquets & Rivertyme Catering Northwestern Mutual/Dan Kroiss Papa Murphy s Pizza Sharon Radke The Savides Group (Robert W. Baird & Co.) Marilyn Schucknecht Trinity Quilters/Carolyn Jones Dorothy Warren Alison & Rusty Witthuhn Prizes and Monetary Donations 4 Ever Young Salon Anderson Sod Farm Avenue Coin and Jewelry B.J. Clancey s Badger Sports Park Sue Barden Bassett Mechanical (Jeff Huettl) Bergstrom Corporation Breadsmith Bridgewood Golf Course Mitzi Britton Otto Bytof Family Cedar Harbor Gifts Cedar Ridge Crafts & Gifts Community First Credit Union Culvers of Darboy Darboy Club Prizes and Monetary Donations (cont.) Pastor Judy Deckert Dick s Drive-In Char & Mike Dorow Jeff Dorow Wanda Fischer Foxley s Studio Greg Geiger George s Steak House Green Bay Gamblers Green Bay Packers Ground Round Habush, Habush & Rottier Jean Haese Sue Heil High Cliff Golf Course Homeless Connections Shirley Hoogacker ILAngolo Restro-Bar Jacobs Meat Market Jansport Marilyn Kersten Pearl Kunz Jeanette Kranzusch L.W. Meyer, Inc./Dan Lenz Jerry & Sandy LeMoine Lifest! Productions Mark s East Side Mary s Family Restaurants Matthew s Tire Menasha Michiels/Fox Banquets & Rivertyme Catering Michiels of Menasha Millie Mohr Muncheez Pizzeria Judy Natz Kay Odegaard Outback Steak House John Palmquist Papa Murphy s Pizza Chuck Pasch Pet Supplies Plus Prizes and Monetary Donations (cont.) Pinot s Palette Pizza King Presto Products Radisson Paper Valley-Club House Bar Red Ox Rico s Family Restaurant Ron & Mary Robertson Steve Ruppel Rye Restaurant & Lounge Marilyn Schucknecht Glennis & Dan Schuelke Jann Seidl Senior Helpers Simple Simon Bakery Ellen Spanagel Spat s Food and Spirits Doug Steward Stone Cellar Brew Pub Stone Toad Bar & Grill Susan Suprise Tanner s Sports Grill & Bar Taste of Thai Timber Rattlers Tennie s Jewelry Texas Road House The Bar on the Avenue The Fire Tom s Drive-In Trinity Quilters Tricia s Hair & Nails Judy & Tom Van Elzen Weather Vane Restaurant WHG Wisconsin Hospitality Group (Pizza Hut & Applebee s) Winagamie Golf Course Alison & Rusty Witthuhn Wooden Nickel Woodman s Markets YMCA 11

12 Trinity English Evangelical Lutheran Church 209 S. Allen St. Appleton, WI An ELCA congregation Congregation Council President... Jeanne Beckley Vice Pres... Sue Ruppel Secretary... Leanne Meidam Wincentsen Treasurer... Chris Anderson-Kroiss Wanda Fischer Carla Fulcer Kirsten Jensen Dena Krueger Mary Lindsley Judy Natz Mary Robertson Kay Schroeder Ken Schucknecht Kerrie Jo Wagner Feel free to contact any of these individuals with your thoughts, needs or concerns for Trinity. Staff Pastor Brian Bankert Office Manager Sarah Bultman Praise Team Leader Cassie Schroeder Interim Organist Jim Fett Interim Organist Dale Jepson Custodian Moore Clean Pastoral Care: Please contact the church office at In case of emergency, you may contact Pastor Brian on his phone via voice or text Feeding the Hungry... Serving the Community Trinity Lutheran Church believes we are all connected as one body in Jesus Christ. Through faith and work, we strive to share God s daily bread with all people until no one hungers in spirit or body. 12